Nutritious

ARRANGEMENT / INTERPRETATION [X] Too conservative - sticks too close to the sourcewriting) PRODUCTION [X] Low-quality samples [X] Unrealistic sequencing [X] Drums have no energy STRUCTURE [X] Not enough changes in sounds (eg. static texture, not dynamic enough) [X] Too repetitive PERSONAL COMMENTS I'll start with the good: -Clear soundfield and pretty well-balanced mixing -Pretty cool intro with that horn solo. I'd really like to know what sample that is -Good use of pads to fill out the soundscape Here's the stuff that needs improving: -First and foremost, arrangment. This sticks to a very similar flow to the original, most noteably in the intro. You're using similar instrument choices (or doing a 1 to 1 conversion to your own instruments), same key, same beat, chords, etc. You need to take this song and try to personalize and interpret it further to fit into OCR guidelines. -Second, some of the instruments used seem like a downgrade from the original. You're choosing to use guitars other instruments similar to the original, but your guitar samples sound fakey vs. the more realistic and complex original. When the drums come in, they immediately go into autopilot for the rest of the song - no changes or fills. The kick is barely present (I actually just realized it was 4 on the floor at 1:30, I couldn't tell before) and the snare is very hissy with no mid-range body to it. -I wasn't really feeling this fadeout or the ending. It was a pretty drawnout fade and, while it works in other music, I don't think it does this genre justice. Try and come up with something interesting to end on. Hope this helps.

Heh, I just realized in my rush earlier I posted an old version. Link updated with latest version.

Thanks , keeping at it: Last section needs some cleanup. Still developing.

Emailed the transcript your way, Pixie.

PRODUCTION [X] Too quiet [?] Generic/cliche sound choices (might wanna check with someone famliar with trance on this) [X] Drums have no energy - Bring it up a notch here on full sections STRUCTURE [X] Not enough changes in sounds (eg. static texture, not dynamic enough) PERSONAL COMMENTS Trance isn't my forte so bear with me. Not familiar with source, so just focusing on production & song development: -Sounds are really clear, no real muddiness that I can hear. -Cymbal crashes are a bit harsh as mentioned, but not too bad on my ears -Really felt like more should've hit at :42. This song is taking a really long time to build up. I understand that's normal for trance, but I think you could stand to fill things up more in these first few sections. -Ok, everything breaks down at 1:24 to play a lead synth. Thing is, IMO, things haven't built enough yet to break down from. It kinda builds slowly, then gets to medium intensity, then falls off. -Past 2:00 I'm still waiting for the standard saw synth to come in. Things REALLY stop at 2:25, but we haven't had force behind this track yet. If you're going to drop it off that much, consider having it occur after a very powerful passage. Otherwise, it seems meandering. -Cool buildup after this, but it needs more, and again it's taking too long. We need more than just piano with the same lead synth -Finally the saw at 3:44 . I can see what you're trying to do here with making the listener wait for everything, but it makes the track take a LONG time to develop into the full sound at 5:02. I really think this kind of level of sound could've come in much earlier in the song, and then be taken to a new level at 5:02. Overall: Develop this more with greater buildups, more complex sound, and more dynamics. This needs more content (synths, hits, fills, etc) to keep it interesting in the long term. Breakdowns are nice, you just gotta lead into them better. The sounds used aren't bad at all to my ears - everything is clear and pretty nice trance sounds.

It was rejected here because it didn't follow guidelines, but check out Bounte's Halo Megamix. It's a pretty sweet tune.

Well, this isn't really an update, per se. I got pretty bored with the last version of the song and started over with a different style. Only about a minute done so far, but I really don't have any idea where I'd take it from here: Right now I'm working on getting the right soundscape together. Then I'll have to worry more about extending it.

I'd agree it sounds hardware related. What processor(s) are you running? I've had similar problems when there was an issue with my core fan/heatsink. I ended up buying a $30 replacement and dropped the temp drastically. Also cured the instability. The thing about running memtest, though (if I remember right), it's going to push your processor pretty hard as it's running. Therefore, if you have a heat issue, it could continue to have problems during the test.

I'm willing to help if needed - I'm a decent typist (~90 WPM). Halo plz

ARRANGEMENT / INTERPRETATION Can't comment, not familiar with OST STRUCTURE [X] Abrupt ending - Assuming this is because it's WIP PERSONAL COMMENTS Nice mix here: -Good intro pads, made me want to hear some dnb beats coming in, but that's ok -Good lead in on the beats. Only thing I'm not feeling here is that synth or pad in the background on the descending notes: it gets a little repetative doing the same movement over and over (I did notice a switch when the full beat came in) -Really nice feel when the beats kick in. -Sounds like most of your movement here is strictly from the drums from :20 - :57. Maybe consider some more elements to compliment if possibly without losing the chill vibe. Not a deal-breaker I don't think, but this section is beginning to drag on a bit. -Also really liked when the bass moved up at 1:12, provided a nice unexpected movement. -The existing pads in the background are still on the same notes until about 1:36. They could use some minor changeups. -Don't know about this dropoff at 1:36; the track sounds like it just lost all of it's energy, then comes back with a really subdued section. This is followed by another drop. Personally, I'd stick with one drop, and this come in with that same section at 1:46, but a bit fuller. Listening again, I'd remove the first drop off and go straight to that bridge section, then let it drop off at the second drop you have. -Can't really comment on that spliced sample, it's just my type of thing. -The feel at 2:26 is a huge contrast from what we've heard before. Went from very chill, to more in your face. It's up to you, but personally I was really enjoying everything up until that sample comes in and the following section. To me, it just didn't jive well with the rest of the song. Overall, great soundscape at the beginning. Loving the bass you used as well as pads. Glitchy beats work well here also.

Hmm, A:\ You don't have a floppy boot disk inserted by chance, do you?

Ok, sounding good so far. -Things are a lot clearer in this mix than the previous version. Did you also turn up the volume, or is this just due to reverb decrease? -The voice thing at :35 and :46 is resonating in my headphones. I'm hearing some rattling at the end of some of the notes - namely the end of the first and third note. At first I thought it was my headphones, but adjusting the volume doesn't seem to increase/decrease the rattling sound. Might want to tone down the first and third notes just a tad. If you can't hear it yourself, though, it's hard to fix. -String line at :50 is sticking out a bit to me. Possibly because it's centered in the mix. Maybe try some Stereo Separation and see what it sounds like. Use the Stereo Enhancer plugin and just move the phase offset knob to the left or right about 2ms. -Absolutely love the french horn at 1:58 -Sounds like a clip or another instance of resonation at 2:23. I'm not really sure what's causing that honestly. This is very close I think, production-wise. I haven't checked out the OST, so I can't comment on the arrangement side.

Ok, got some more content done on it. Progress is slow so far, but not too bad: EDIT REMOVED LINK

First question is, again, preference. Second, your keyboard will need a midi output jack, which looks like this: Which you'd need to plug into your computer with something like this cord:

OK: -As you mentoined, strings attack is too slow. I'm not sure what you're using for them, but either the attack needs to be lowered or a new articulation used. If you want, you can send me a midi of the various string parts and I can send you back a wav. -Also, reverb is too heavy. Do you have reverb on the lower pads/strings? That might be what's causing the bit of mudiness. The resonance sounds like it's mainly in the lower frequencies. -Clip or something in the left ear at 1:01, both versions. -The repeating 4-note string pattern could use some more variation, but not necessarily a must. -Voice at 1:15 has too much reverb. Maybe lower the decay time, or just turn down the reverb plugin. Just out of curiousity, what track is the reverb set on? Master? -Drop off at 2:48 sounds a bit awkward, but it works. Personally, I'd make it stop on the note before that one. That way it leads into the next passage without totally resolving the chord. Also consider letting it build up to it's louded point on the last one or two beats of this phrase, just to accent the dropoff right at the last moment. Maybe even throw in a different type of reverby crash. I don't really like the cymbal crash here with it's delay (or stereo separation, not sure). I think it needs to hit both ears once and decay on reverb rather than echo. -I really like this ending actually. Overall, it's a beautiful song. Definitely a keeper once some minor production issues are addressed.

I read through it a couple days ago. Didn't know what I was reading at first - I was trying to figure out if it was a backstory to a game or something. But, then I got really engrossed in it and read all the way through. Man, that story has been on my mind ever since - extremely well written and presented.

Congrats Another Fishy

"I'm Kupo for Kupo Nuts" Moogle in FFIX "Nobody say 'gate' to me" Goompapa in Paper Mario

I purchased EWQLSO Silver a few months ago and really love it so far. I can highly recommend it, especially for the price. Then again, if you want the *free* route, and since you're an FL user, you can check out the link in my sig.

Great stuff, Audix. Preview left me wanting more. Signing up for mailing list now.

Um, yes, this is awesome. Timing gets just SLIGHTLY off on the last guitar solo, but no deal breaker there. Can't think of anything else

Seconded here.

*EDIT* Updated link Just started this one the other day, so it's pretty early in the process.

Wow, very nice here. I didn't mind your pulling in the main zelda theme since you used with the flute melody tied in. This is definitely strong enough to stand on it's own without another source being tied in IMO. Well balanced production also. Looking forward to the finished mix.

Agreed, more bass please. It may just need to be EQ'd up more in the lower Freqs (around 200 or something, not sure). Listening to the nice pads and intro, I really didn't want this to be 4 on the floor. I wanted some kickin D'n'b to kick in. I guess that's just me, I guess. I also remember JustChris's old WIP - it was the first I ever commented on actually. Oh, that flute thing that comes in around a third of the way in isn't sitting well with me. I don't know if the sample/synth used can be salvaged - it's just too harsh and dry sounding. This section needs some work. Things get a lot better when you break it down around halfway through. Some of the hihat single hits get a bit loud sometimes. Later soft section also not sounding bad, though out of balance. Main Erhu is now pushed back too far in the mix, with synth stabs taking the foreground. Either bring the Erhu forward, or bring everything else back further for an extended breakdown section. Err, I hope this isn't going to be the end in the final. To me, it feels like it needs to kick back in again before the ending. Right now, it kinda goes to breakdown, further breakdown, then ending, rather than bringing it back to dance mode first. Nice sounding stuff here, keep it up.