I think Lilly did a very good job giving you some working points and I completely agree with her assessment.

The only thing I'd like to add to what she's already pointed out is the fact that the rate of notes can get taxing on the ear. There isn't much empty space in this song, and so the ear starts to "short change" notes. What I mean is if you had a break in the rhythm, instead of hitting the listener with everything you've got it would refresh the listener.

Another possible solution is to go into the note velocity editor (which ever one you're comfortable with) and start varying up the velocities of the notes. No guitarist hits all of the strings at the same level all of the time. You want emulate the finger picking and strumming used in live performance. This would give the piece more realism and would also give you a chance to highlight important notes.

I don't know what instrument you play- but I've played several and you always want to make a musical phrase. Figure out what notes are more important and have those brought out dynamically, and that doesn't always mean loud. Sometimes its leading up to a climatic point in the piece and then suddenly the high note is soft, and held out long. It peaks the listener's ear, instead of being predictable.

Also tempo could be used here. Have some phrases accelerando (speed up) to a point, while others can slow down to a resting point.

Here is a straight MIDI piece using a guitar and flute theme where I've used many of the techniques I'm talking to you about: Guitar and Flute Theme Just programming the guitar notes and rhythm took a VERY long time, but the end result is worth it.

Make the music sound like it is being played by a person- not a computer. I think that will help- but you have a good idea going here! Have you considered adding some more instruments to the mix?

Hope that helps!

Just happened to be passing through and saw this:

Quote: Original post by tehsma People will disagree with me here, but i swear you will never be able to produce anything that sounds very good without proper studio speakers (and im not talking about sounds good music wise, i mean sounds good in terms of production).

I disagree very much so. I know of a lot of people that produce very near professional quality music without true studio monitors. Do studio monitors help? Of course they do, but you don't need them per sae, especially just starting out.

Feel free to check out my soundclick page: www.soundclick.com/silverlineproductions I'm using a pair of speakers I bought at Wal-Mart (as well as some quality headphones)

But yeah, stenny, have you considered Sonar? I think it's around 300 bucks cheaper than Cubase and I know of a lot of very good composers that use it. As for myself, I use FL Studio which is geared more toward electronica-type music but can definitely handle any sort of "game-ish music" that you might want to create.

Quick example of something done in FL: "Pulp" - final boss theme http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=5119474&q=hi

So unless you have your heart set on Cubase, realize that there are cheaper and maybe even better alternatives out there. Then you can put the money you save into a good orchestral sample set such as EWQL silver.

BTW Nathan, nice guitar piece you have there; cool stuff

Thanks for the comments, guys!

@Lily

Quote: - Try to loosen up the rhythms, as the intro sounds far too straight.

I know what you mean. This is more of my bad points with a guitar...

Quote: - The piece takes a little long to reach the point, and the sudden chords that enter form a refreshing break, although a sudden and unexpected one.

Yes, the song is quite long and repetative. You're right. I 'm glad you find the break refreshing.

Quote: - The inclusion of a melody at approximately 1:20 is a welcome addition.

Thanks!

Quote: - There's plenty of contrast in the piece, which is a definite bonus. However, it's also slightly repetitive at times. It would be useful if you were to add another melody or motif to differentiate the restatements, or else cut down on them.

As I've already said two points above, the song ís quite repetative yes. Thanks for the comment.

Quote: - I despise the Guitar Pro RSE, but that's not your fault.

I too, despise the RSE. But I also despise the fact that I don't have any samples. And I don't know what'd work better...pure MIDI or RSE.

Quote: Rewinding back to the first point, "soulful" fingerstyle guitar is rarely repeated with identical notes. The introduction sounds much too straight and calculated to befit flamenco music. Try to experiment with note values other than crotchets and quavers, or else involve them in such a way that syncopation occurs.

With that out of the way, I have to admit that I'm not exactly a spectacular composer, so feel free to ignore any of this advice if it doesn't actually apply to you. The above represents my interpretation only, so take no offence.

I've attached a short chord progression thrown together based on yours. As much as I dislike the RSE, that was used to render the sounds. Although the riff sucks, it's designed to demonstrate the relative effectiveness of syncopation and varied rhythms over linear note values. Spanish-sounding music also involves the use of both single notes, harmonies and chords. Your piece resembles Nobuo Uematsu's Vamo'alla Flamenco a little, so you might want to listen to that.

Bm A G

Aah, how extraordinarily verbose I am today. Good work - keep it up!

I now understand what you mean with the "soulful" idea. At the time I wrote the itnro though, the idea flamenco wasn't really in my head, that came later. I listened to your variation on my 'riff', and I must say yours dóes sound more interesting. I'll work on that.
And hell yes I know 'Vamo'alla Flamenco'. I'm a huge fan of mr. Uematsu.

@nsmadsen

Thanks for the advice.

Quote:
Make the music sound like it is being played by a person- not a computer. I think that will help- but you have a good idea going here! Have you considered adding some more instruments to the mix?

You're right. And now I'm probably gonna rewrite the song and see what comes out then.

@Miszou

Quote: But yeah, stenny, have you considered Sonar? I think it's around 300 bucks cheaper than Cubase and I know of a lot of very good composers that use it. As for myself, I use FL Studio which is geared more toward electronica-type music but can definitely handle any sort of "game-ish music" that you might want to create.

Oh! Yes, I have indeed considered Sonar. I've even tried it. But sonar just doesn't suit my needs. I don't know what it is, but Cubase 'feels' better. And second: My name's Stijn (dutch name), pronounced Stein. It can't be coincidence that Cubase is made by Steinberg[grin]. No, seriously, Cubase just feels better.

-Stenny

EDIT

Ok! I tried and redid the intro of the spanish guitar music. It has quite a lot more flavor, but I'm sure there's still to be perfected! Please comment[smile]:

Intro Nomad sun (MID)
Intro Nomad sun (WAV of the MIDI on my comp)

Oh, and no RSE this time Miszou. Pure midi.

-Stenny

[Edited by - stenny on March 19, 2007 6:07:19 AM]

The revised introduction certainly sounds a lot more Spanish-y. Well done!

I'd just like to contribute my view on the Guitar Pro RSE. The sounds themselves aren't that bad; the poor quality is more a fault of the low-fi reverb effect that seems to accompany everything involuntarily. The distortion and overdrive are comparatively superior to some soundfonts I've heard. However, the sound quality of acoustic guitar soundfonts in particular are much more realistic and pleasant to the ear. The main and almost exclusive reason I would use the RSE would be to obtain semi-realistic bends and slides, which I haven't found to be possible to pull off (har har har, pull off[i/]!) via soundfonts. On the other hand, there's many an occasion where I've found MIDI to be much more responsive and intuitive than the RSE sounds.

For guitars, live recording is almost definitely the best option. It's too bad I suck even more at performance than at composition.

Quote: The revised introduction certainly sounds a lot more Spanish-y. Well done!

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it :)

The overdrive and distortion of RSE do indeed sound not bad. I once contributed a piece here with distortion RSE, and people thought it were real samples I used. And I'm certainly working towards using samples. But before I get that far, I'll have to use whatever I can get my hands on.

-Stenny