Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: maaark on Wed 08/11/2006 22:35:35

Title: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: maaark on Wed 08/11/2006 22:35:35
Since the Music Competition thread hasn't been started again, I gotta do something else with my creativity.

This is something I made this weekend...
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=49171

As said on icompositions;

"What do you get when you combine Oriental-, western music and a glitchy loop (made with a bedroom sink, kitchen supplies, screwdrivers, and the radiator) ?
I think it would sound like something like this.

Made with Ableton Live 6 and Reason 3.
VST's used: Guitar Rig 2, Glitch by dblue, and some compressors/reverb things Ableton has built in."

So let me know what you think...
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 10/11/2006 07:32:19
To begin with.

All the sounds are brilliant, except the strings (pads I perssume?) which I don't like at all. As well as the brasses later one... :-/

It is the type of music, but maybe a change of chords at some point? But I think that it is really fine as it is. :)

And the loops going in and out, is a clever trick ;)

Thans for sharing.
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: maaark on Fri 10/11/2006 11:38:15
As always, thanks for commenting.

The strings are not pads, it's a string sound I got out of Reason, the string chords are played on my midi-controller.
When I'm experimenting I like do to things quick before the "wow-this is cool"-kick I get is over. So when I'm done, I often forget to tweak or even change the sounds of some aspects of the experiment.
Yeah, the chords could be more diverse, but that is what I'm trying to learn right now... how to make the progressions nice, smooth, etc. without interrupting the flow. I do this by experimenting, and sometimes it interrupts too much, and sometimes I leave it too bland.

So, on to the next one! (when I have some time to spare...)
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: ManicMatt on Fri 10/11/2006 12:31:23
On to the next one? What was the point of posting it here if you aren't going to improve on it after realising it's flaws?

Well then, I hope you're able to make the next one an improvement then.

Guess I might as well play the song myself while I am here.

Oh this is better than I thought I expected! This would fit right in with an RPG game, so i guess that's the oriental element I'm thinking of.

"When I'm experimenting I like do to things quick before the "wow-this is cool"-kick I get is over. So when I'm done, I often forget to tweak or even change the sounds of some aspects of the experiment."

Perhaps when the wow kick is over you should go back to it and work on it some more. Patience my man! If I'd have done the same on my recent batch of music it would be inferior to what it is now. I often ask Nikolas for his opinion, and he's helped immensely.  :)
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: maaark on Fri 10/11/2006 13:04:06
With "on the next one" I mean "new song/tune/random notes!"

Heh, I didn't make it with an RPG game in mind, and I still can't see how those two would fit together, but thanks  ;)
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: ManicMatt on Fri 10/11/2006 15:03:15
Yeah I knew what you meant, next song, which is why I.. argh forget it! :P

Yes, RPG. One of those Japanese ones like Suikoden/Shadow Hearts etc. This song could be used to great effect when the player is roaming around a village talking to people. (Although it's better than the music in Suikoden V)
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: maaark on Fri 10/11/2006 21:25:27
Ah I read your first post again, and now I get what you tried to say.
Well, I'll probably get it's flaws out sometime.
Maybe this sunday even! :P

I mainly post here to get feedback about what to improve the next time I start working on something.  :)
This way, I hope to climb the ladder of music, and one day (like 2030 or so, wow sounds like the far future!) reach an acceptable step.
I dream of being like Nikolas one day, Greek, clearing polluted minds with my tunes.
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: Gregjazz on Fri 10/11/2006 21:54:41
Sounds good!

What's so oriental about it? Sounds more like a Spanish influence in it...

Work on the mixing some more, especially the EQ and panning. Maybe make the radiator hit bassier. A lot of the percussion is really mid-sy. Bring up those lower stomp noises and increase the bass on them. Boost around 60-80 Hz (find the sweet spot) to get that low thump sound. I think with better mixing, this could sound much more dynamic and have a fuller sound.

Also, you do realize that in the middle/end of the song, you're using both a flat 9 and natural 9 in that same F chord...

Overall sounds really good, keep it up!
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: maaark on Sat 11/11/2006 01:03:16
Well, I'm not a native speaker, I meant Midterranean influences (is that correct?)

I thought the mix was already rather bassy, but it could be my speakers... I didn't really realise I used a flat and natural 9 in the same F chord, but now I think of it, I seem to be doing that in other songs too... strange...

Thanks for the constructive comment!
Title: Re: Music experiment up for C&C
Post by: LGM on Sat 11/11/2006 01:15:11
I like it. Reminds me a bit of Ennio Morricone and his western work. Not identical, but I feel like this could go in a more modern western easily.