Untitled

Dalek104 · #1 April 28, 2008, 4:49 PM

Hey,

I don't generally have any audio works to share, but I made this the other day and thought you'd all like to hear it. I might want to go back and make some changes at some point, but I think I'm happy with how it is for now.

http://www.eadeworks.com/music/untitled.mp3

Yes, I'm very imaginative when it comes to titles.

Love to hear any feedback!

Ronnie Rowlands · #2 April 28, 2008, 5:12 PM

*Wipes single tear away and sniffs*

It's just so sad and tear inducing, it made me think of family dying around me, really. It's very good. Well done James, well done

Kody · #3 April 28, 2008, 5:56 PM

I instantly related it to some sad scene as well, sitting on a train alone, walking through the streets at night.. preferably in black and white.

Like one of those old detective shows, or something.

Awesome work!

Danny Stewart · #4 April 28, 2008, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

I don't generally have any audio works to share, but I made this the other day and thought you'd all like to hear it. I might want to go back and make some changes at some point, but I think I'm happy with how it is for now.

http://www.eadeworks.com/music/untitled.mp3

Yes, I'm very imaginative when it comes to titles.

Love to hear any feedback!

Very nicely done, James. I haven't heard much like this from you before! I really like it -- Larren's description of it is good. It also sounds a bit Murray Gold at points (try and take that as a compliment, lol). Although you really need a better sound set. If you give me a MIDI or something I'll do a proper orchestral rendition of it for you.

EDIT: One thing I've noticed is that the file is not normalized, so it runs a bit quiet. It actually sounds a lot better when played louder, so I'd suggest normalizing the file.

FanOfWho · #5 April 29, 2008, 1:40 AM

That is brilliant

Josef Kenny · #6 April 29, 2008, 9:43 AM

Wow! I love that bassline. I know what Danny means by the Chuzzlewit influence, I'd say its toward the good side of what he does, personally. Very impressive. It's got a sort of mournful tone, with great chords (quite muzzly ones too, if I may add) and a good beat.

Dalek104 · #7 April 29, 2008, 3:06 PM

Thank you for the comments everyone! I hadn't visualised it like those descriptions before, and they're good!

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

It also sounds a bit Murray Gold at points (try and take that as a compliment, lol).

Originally Posted by Rat Souffle

I know what Danny means by the Chuzzlewit influence, I'd say its toward the good side of what he does, personally.

Heh, now that you mention it... thanks!

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Although you really need a better sound set. If you give me a MIDI or something I'll do a proper orchestral rendition of it for you.

http://www.eadeworks.com/music/untitled.mid

And what's wrong with EWQLSO and Stormdrum?

Although, I wouldn't mind something better than Slayer2.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

One thing I've noticed is that the file is not normalized, so it runs a bit quiet. It actually sounds a lot better when played louder, so I'd suggest normalizing the file.

Better?

Josef Kenny · #8 April 29, 2008, 3:13 PM

And as I listen to the MIDI, one part of it is starting to remind me of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.

Danny Stewart · #9 April 29, 2008, 3:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

http://www.eadeworks.com/music/untitled.mid

Thanks. I'll make you a spiffy updated version tonight.

Originally Posted by Dalek104

And what's wrong with EWQLSO and Stormdrum?

Nothing. It doesn't sound like you're using them, to be honest. Listen to Fool's Gold and then listen to your composition.

I think you just need better mastering, really. I hate to go all Murray on you, but try some compression to fill things out more.

Dalek104 · #10 April 29, 2008, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by Rat Souffle

And as I listen to the MIDI, one part of it is starting to remind me of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.

I think you're right, it does sound rather similar. I didn't think of that before.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Thanks. I'll make you a spiffy updated version tonight.

Ooh, thank you. I eagerly await it!

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

It doesn't sound like you're using them, to be honest. Listen to Fool's Gold and then listen to your composition.

I just need more practice.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

I think you just need better mastering, really. I hate to go all Murray on you, but try some compression to fill things out more.

And that. I'll see what I can do.

Danny Stewart · #11 April 29, 2008, 4:08 PM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

Ooh, thank you. I eagerly await it!

I'm looking forward to it as well. I would start now but there's some work things I have to take care of first.

Originally Posted by Dalek104

I just need more practice.

Yes, and you'll get better with time. Take heart -- the ideas are already there, and that's the hardest part. Technical expertise comes with time and patience. Don't worry.

Originally Posted by Dalek104

And that. I'll see what I can do.

I'll have a better idea once I've sat down and started looking through what you've got.

Danny Stewart · #12 May 2, 2008, 11:55 PM

Okay, well it took me longer than I thought to have enough free time to sit down and work with this, but now I have done so. Here is my first revision. Please let me know what you think. I've tried not to make any major creative changes -- I've gotten the instruments as close as I could and just worked on the mastering. Let me know what you like and don't like, and any areas in which I can improve it further.

http://www.dannystewart.com/upload/untitled.mp3

Here's a list of instrumentation used:

Acoustic: Upright Bass (from Colossus)
Electric: Lakland Pick (from Colossus)
Bass: Fat Rock Pick (from Colossus)
Drums: Pro Kit (from Colossus)
Strings: F 18V QLeg (from EWQLSO Gold)
Violin Solo: F 18V Butter Legato (from EWQLSO Gold)
Cello: F VCS QLeg Sord (from EWQLSO Gold)
Trombone: F 4TB Sus (from EWQLSO Gold)

If any of that is wrong or could be improved, please let me know! I'm happy to work on this as much as you like.

Effects used were Logic's Space Designer reverb (on Bright Hall setting), as well as some significant compression (also courtesy of Logic).

Ronnie Rowlands · #13 May 3, 2008, 3:02 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Strings: F 18V QLeg (from EWQLSO Gold)
Violin Solo: F 18V Butter Legato (from EWQLSO Gold)
Cello: F VCS QLeg Sord (from EWQLSO Gold)
Trombone: F 4TB Sus (from EWQLSO Gold)
.

By default, shouldn't all of those instruments suck?

Nah, it was very good, especially the pounding bass. What would be awesome imo would be if at one point, the strings turned into an electric guitar.

Danny Stewart · #14 May 3, 2008, 3:36 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

By default, shouldn't all of those instruments suck?

They definitely should.

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Nah, it was very good, especially the pounding bass. What would be awesome imo would be if at one point, the strings turned into an electric guitar.

Talk to James -- it's his piece.

Kody · #15 May 3, 2008, 3:41 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Okay, well ...

Love it Danny! This bit of music really needs a moody setting to be put against. The updates you made are noticeable, but in a subtle manner.

Agreeing with Ronnie on the pounding bass as well.

Dalek104 · #16 May 3, 2008, 7:38 AM

That's great, Danny! I think you've made a nice improvement to the strings (including the violin and cello) and the trombone. However, I think there's a bit too much reverb for my liking. Also, can I have the acoustic guitar back, please?

Other than that, I think you've done a great job with the instruments and the mastering!

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

What would be awesome imo would be if at one point, the strings turned into an electric guitar.

That's a good idea! Maybe an electric guitar would go well from about 2:44.

Originally Posted by Larren

The updates you made are noticeable, but in a subtle manner.

Agreed.

Thanks for the help!

Danny Stewart · #17 May 3, 2008, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

That's great, Danny! I think you've made a nice improvement to the strings (including the violin and cello) and the trombone.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Dalek104

However, I think there's a bit too much reverb for my liking. Also, can I have the acoustic guitar back, please?

Whoops! I read "Acoustic" and my mind went to "Acoustic Bass" rather than "Acoustic Guitar." This is now fixed. Although I must say, the way you're using the acoustic guitar makes any instrument I use sound very sampled. The same problem was also present in your original. You may want to consider using it a little differently (i.e. changing the notes around) to help with that a little. Also, the reverb has been scaled back as per your request. I think it still needs some reverb though.

Originally Posted by Dalek104

Other than that, I think you've done a great job with the instruments and the mastering!

Thanks very much!

Originally Posted by Dalek104

That's a good idea! Maybe an electric guitar would go well from about 2:44.

Send me an updated MIDI and I'll work it into mine if you like.

Originally Posted by Dalek104

Thanks for the help!

You're very welcome!

Here is the new version: http://www.dannystewart.com/music/dalek104/untitled.mp3

Dalek104 · #18 May 3, 2008, 2:02 PM

Ah, that's much better! I love the reverb now. Great!

I just think the acoustic guitar is too prominent now - If you could fix that, I don't think it would be far off from perfect.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Although I must say, the way you're using the acoustic guitar makes any instrument I use sound very sampled. The same problem was also present in your original. You may want to consider using it a little differently (i.e. changing the notes around) to help with that a little.

Hmm, I think you're right. I'll play around with it later and try to improve it.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Send me an updated MIDI and I'll work it into mine if you like.

Sure! I'll see what I can do.

Danny Stewart · #19 May 3, 2008, 2:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

Ah, that's much better! I love the reverb now. Great!

I just think the acoustic guitar is too prominent now - If you could fix that, I don't think it would be far off from perfect.

All fixed! The new version should be sounding nigh-on perfect -- even the acoustic guitar.

Check it out at the same link as before (the second one).

Dalek104 · #20 May 3, 2008, 4:42 PM

Wonderful! It sounds great now!