Bossa

[Oz]

Hello,

I've been working on this bossa nova track for a while now, but I can't figure out where to go with it. I've been thinking about taking it into a major key section towards the end. Any suggestions on where to go with it? I'm stuck...

http://hem.bredband.net/jericho/ac/bossa_nueva.ogg

And while I'm at it, here is another track I'm currently working on for a cyberpunk adventure game (not mine):

http://hem.bredband.net/jericho/ac/flow.ogg

And also...

http://hem.bredband.net/jericho/ac/palisades.ogg

Trying to copy the style of those epic anime soundtracks. This one is in desperate need of tweaking (lead guitar velocity, etc). It's a little rough and unbalanced.

Crits are welcome!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I didn't listen to the anime track since anime style stuff isn't really my thing (and therefore wouldn't have anything useful to offer).

I am, however, greatly interested in cyberpunk-stylized music so I listened.  I like where you went with this, it has a nice ambient wander-around-bleak-future-town sound to it.  The only issues I have with it is the bass that occurs occasionally (around 22 seconds at first).  It seems to clip and my speakers make bad vibrate sounds.  The other thing would be the guitar.  It sounds too 'normal' to me for a futuristic track.  I'd go with something a little edgier and synthy, but that's just my opinion.  It's a great tune, though.

For the Bossa, although I am a fan of this style of music I'm not sure how to help you with it.  Perhaps take it more towards a flamenco-style dance tune?  It certainly reminds me of one :>.  Great work as usual, Oz.

[Erenan]

I agree with ProgZmax on having the guitar in the cyberpunk track. I think it adds a little too much of a peaceful feel to it. It doesn't sound to me like cyberpunk anymore when they come in. That's both the classical and electric guitars. They need much more edge. Everything else is great! I love the electric piano and the synthy stuff. And I have no problem with the bass part Progz mentioned. I'm listening to it through headphones, and I get no buzzing or offensive vibration sounds.

The bossa sounds great to me. Unfortunately, I have no ideas on where it needs to go. I guess more of the same would work.

The other track is fine compositionally, in my opinion. I wasn't really listening for volumes, though, so you may be right about that.

[Gregjazz]

Bossa Nueva:

No comments. Nice and ambient.

Flow:

Needs more production, more low end. It's also a bit dry in the middle, so it could use some effects or padding.

Palisades:

No real big comments. Good job!

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Overall, all the tunes need more depth to them. This is mostly to do with mixing and especially mastering. Check out iZotope's Ozone, which is an awesome master VST. It has a great CD master patch that works wonders.

[Squinky]

I really liked the Cyber-punk one.

[Oz]

Geoffkhan,

Yes. I kinda suck at mixing/mastering, and it's one of those (vital) things I have yet to learn...
Thanks for the tip, I'll look into it!

ProgZmax,

You are right. The guitar is a little out of place. I was looking for a good lead instrument and I sort of settled for the guitar. I guess I could technify it a bit. Maybe a flange/phaser effect, or replace it with an analogue synth or something. Thanks!