video game Battle Theme

[nexus85]

Hey, guys. I know this forum uses mostly software-based libraries to show composers' work, but I want some feedback on mine. I'd really appreciate it if you guys could help me out. My dream is to become a film composer. I'm 21 and still in college. I posted a thread in the Film Music Discussion a few months back asking for lessons, and some of you responded. I apologize for not replying but I was really busy at the time. I still am pretty busy, but hopefully I can make the time if any of you are still interested.
Anyway, my instrument of choice is the Tyros 2. I would be using Symphonic Orchestra, but right now i just don't have the money, and I don't want the cheaper versions. I mixed and mastered-ish it on Pro tools. I experimented with E.Q., Reverb, and different mixes. Again, feedback will be appreciated.
This piece was composed for a group of computer science majors who are looking to start their own business in making video games. They needed a piece that would play during fighting portions of the game. The piece was meant to loop in ceratain areas until the battle was over. There are still some things I could throw in there from an orchestrational standpoint, but I think you can get the picture.
Hope you enjoy!

Battle Theme

[nikolas]

Hi Nexus!

The piece does not sound bad, composition wise, definately. IT has though some weak points in the orchestration and especially in the production (due to Tyors 2 I guess :-/)

Orchestration wise, although you do use various clever tricks, still I think that it sounds a little empty, especially the string section. Also I can't hear any woodwinds anywhere (except the small trick with the xyl). I know that it's a battle theme and all that, but if you take notice to other film composers (especailly Williams), you'll see how succesfully they're using the woods, to build up the atmosphere, or use them to take a pattern and evolve it, or help a crescento sound richer.

Ideas: You have a very well thought motif in the piano. After a while the strings (violas??? could not tell with that sound, sorry) take over the whole and that's it. Trasposition and the violins take hand. Maybe you could find a way, and since the motif is going up and then down, in the middle introduce the woods somewhere (for a while not the whole motif).

Also I really feel that some percussion where missing. I know that the timps are somewhere burried in the mix, but still some cymballs would do the trick also

About production now, well the thing is that your sounds are rather bad, so there is not a lot to say really. I know that you can get GOLD Edu (with a little limited license though, you can't use it commercially) at 395$ at the moment. Another idea would be Silver at 195$ (and 140$ edu), or even the bundle with more articulation at 395$ or 300$ (with edu both). There are many other companies that offere sample libraries at this price around, I'm sure that with a little searching here in this forums, you'll come up with answers to that.

Now as far as I can tell it seems that you do not use the velocities enough (but could be the sounds, I repeat that, and not your using them). The track, although it could be very dynamic and with different dynamics, still it's rather flat. The piano (which is majorly carring the motif) is lost in some parts.

Anyway. It is a great track composition wise, and the orchestratio is very crafty. Sadly your Yamaha, does not offer the best solution for sounds.

Thanks for posting anyway.

[fongi]

I think Nikolas said it all really, except to say it brings to mind more of a "chase" scene than a battle, well that´s what it conjours up for me anyway, nice piece.

[nexus85]

Thanks for your critiques. This piece was never finished. I had to turn it in because I was out of time. However, I do notice the parts that you're talking about. The woodwinds are missing, and believe me, I notice it, lol(especially since I'm a John Williams fan). I realize that the percussion is lacking, but I honestly did not know what to do with it since there was already a sense of motion with the motif. Now, towards the end I guess I could have added some. Then again, I wouldn't want something to change the overall feel of the piece. I need help with these sorts of things. Granted, I'm not a composition major, but I don't think my university offers the kind of composition that I'm looking for-- i.e. full orchestral composition. I know these are excuses, lol, but I'm just letting you know what's going on in my head. At any rate, thanks again for your input. I really appreciate it!

David

[JPGIII]

Production quality aside, my overall impression was that I liked it. Strings were a bit thin. I didn't mind the missing woodwinds though it wouldn't hurt to add some. Shows great potential and I think it was a good effort.

I can relate to the recording quality. I loved composing in college but my recordings didn't even sound half as good as this I was using this 2meg soundfont file that came with my Soundblaster card hehe ... Keep up the practice!

[tchoyy]

Unless the lack of quality in the samples, this is not bad. A nice ambiance, indeed, a little bit more of woodwinds would be nice

[Ecliptic]

Hi David,

very nice, more rushed than battle theme.
Don't worry about the sounds and go on writing. You have imagination and skill and as soon as you'll be able getting a good orchestral library you'll re-record your demos.

Cheers

[priblejr]

I think the overall idea of the piece is extremely well written and intriguing. I do, however, have to complain about the brass. Way way way too synthy. I don't know if that was the point, but I dunno. I think if you pushed the "realsim" part of the piece, it could be incredible. Make it real and you got a winner Just my opinion!

Jon


http://www.myspace.com/jonprible

[Koreldyre]

Sounds great

Personally to my ears, I would throw in a bit more percussive or rhythmic elements to spice things up - ie to give it more weight, particularly when you're going for a strong effect.

I'm a big fan of "battle music", so keep it up. =)

[nexus85]

Thanks again for the replies. I appreciate the response. Believe me, I know the sounds are lacking, but I do believe that can be taken care of a lot more easily than the concept of the piece. So, for right now, I'm more or less concentrating on the melody and orchestration. I will try to add as much realism as possible in the future, given the poor sample quality.