PrototypeRaptor

Alright, so my mix got shot down. To be honest, I'm kinda glad...I went back and gave it a listen and, damn, muddy as all hell, limited through the roof, little or no variation... gah! I really can't believe I submitted that (shows you what 6 months does to your ear) Anyway, I really do want this posted - I think that Star Fox needs some more representin', if ya know what I mean. (cough) So here is a new version I've been working on - I went back and redid all of the eq/mastering and fixed most of the soundfield. There are more melodies this time round, and a breakdown section in the middle (which should have been there in the first place...) I addressed the final part of the theme which I didn't even mention the first time around, and I also eased back on the limiting. ALOT. Still, it seems pretty loud to me - let me know what you think. As always, comments are appreciated! (super update) v2: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ojkn/corneriaremixNEWmaster link: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/sbds/remake1

As a student trying to be a film/vg composer I find that samples/programming are extremely important - clients will want a certain level of realism that some of the free samples just can't imitate. I would just like to point out some other options that I personally wish I had...blasted budget. http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/ has some amazing strings and some impressive programming to eliminate many of the problems that samples have (such as the machine gun effect). For under 500 I'm pretty sure that it's the library to beat. Of course, you have to buy Kontakt2 or another host to use it, but hey, it's worth it IMO. Kontakt2 comes with a pretty nice orchestra - VSL has a great tone and if you combine it with, say, the QLSO (which I do) and combine it with a decent reverb (arts acoustic anyone?) you can get some pretty nice results. Stormdrum is the most amazing drum library I've ever heard for that huge epic movie soundtrack feel...in fact, most of EastWest's stuff is impressive. (Voices of the Apocalypse has the best choir sound on the market, I believe.) One thing I've learned is that mixing is just as important as samples - reverb/proper eq can do wonders and make one heck of a difference in sound. Also don't forget to pan the instruments to where they should be...at least get the violins on the left and the basses on the right!

Well, that's about what I expected. when I was doing to vocals I really didn't think they worked...at least I was right..>_> Ahem, to alleviate the suck that was the last version I present the new final version vocal free! I kept the fire at the end, but I made it much softer in the mix...it sounds pretty cool, at least to me. I fixed the intro (I hope) making the mix start much softer before getting louder and I fixed the ending note as well. (something was messed up with FL) Anyway, this is the version I'll probably be submitting in a few days, if no major comments are left. Thanks for all the input! vFinal: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/hnwm/PremeditatedTrechery

Hey, the new version sounds much improved. One thing, the kick dies when the tempo picks up. (I have the same problem) You could try adding a new layer, but I think the main problem is the balance between drums and the other synths. I know the melody is important...but in DnB it's not AS important as, say, a classical piece. Lower the synths' volume and raise the drums' - it sounds like the drums are fighting for power when they should be given free reign with the track. Of course, that's personal preference...either way, this track has potential. Looking forward to updates!

well, here's to yet another double post! I've managed to record the vocals and polish it up some more. Let me know if you even like the vocals, as I'm cool with the song as it is without vocals...they're more like icing on the cake, anyways. ummm, that's about it. Final version is here: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/hnwm/PremeditatedTrechery Comments, name ideas, etc. The name I've got now is "Premeditated Treachery" which I thought went with the lyrics...well, have at you! edit: whoops, wrong link. and vocals sucked. fixed that.

well...not quite yet. I've been letting it sit so I can remix it before I send it in. It's actually got a very cluttered sound field...I've got to fix that before I send it in. But yeah, it's going. meanwhile, somewhere in another topic, hell march is still getting a dnb remix. It's just a matter of time now - and I don't have any...

alright, zircon gets what zircon wants. the kick has been beefed up, new layers have been made, and (per ocremix standards >_>) a solo section has been added. Per hy's request, about .45 db has been taken off of the master around 2.5 khz. (and it does make it less grating on the ears) Tweek - they are samples. Realstrat + Guitar Rig 2 = awesome. Best sounds I've ever heard (if you're not snappleman and suck at the guitar like I do.) This is very close to the final version - debating adding vocals or not. Also, the ending is going to get something. (guitar outro?) Thanks for all the pointers - enjoy. link v4: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ipuv/redalertdnbv4

alright, sorry to ask, but can you clarify "better?" Like more repetition? Effects? EQ? I don't mean to sound like a dumb, but what do you mean? Thanks for the comments by the way - this is my first real DnB tune and I'd like to do it right...

sweet, thanks for all the comments! I've taken your advice and cut the track down by a few sections (it's still pretty long but I don't think it gets old...) the snares are softer now, except on the 2 and 4 driving hits. the guitars are louder, per request. anything else? I next version is going to get some vocals, so let me know what you think. link in first post.

huzzah almost double post! Sorry, but I've been working overtime on this... the actual composition is pretty much done. I've just got to add vocals/a few solos (ya know, to make the OCR gods happy) tell me what you think! (link in 1st post)

Hey, I agree with everything that has been said. Nice mix, coming along nicely. IMO, the vocals could be a bit louder - they are very well done. There are so many sections of this song, I could go on and on and on...to summarize, I like all of the ideas compositionally. Very fluid transitions makes for some interesting listening, I'll give you that. Execution is a problem - particularly bass wise. That kick needs to be doubled, distorted a bit, eq'd - it needs some resonance, especially with the general vibe I feel. There's some distortion among the lows as well, look at the levels of the instruments you have playing to fix that. Overall, I really like what's happening here, just needs a little more production and it will be good to go.

I use some crappy logitech speakers I picked up a while back. Looking forward to getting some Sony MDR-7506's - at my current location I really can't use monitors at all. Is mixing on the sony's feasible? I just know that you're not SUPPOSED to use headphones....but...well, can you? (halfway decently, of course) EDIT: ah, crap, missed that excellent article Fray posted. Still, I'd like to know what you all think of the MDR-7506's...

Ok, so I just can't leave this theme alone...damn, it's so amazing! I went with an orchestral remix last time (which was kinda meh) and then while I was driving yesterday I realized something - this theme would be kick ass as DnB. So I fired up the ol' sequencer and started working on this... I wonder why more DnB songs aren't accepted here; I assume it's because of repetition. So in upcoming versions I'll be adding more breaks, more melodies, more arps, more harmonization, etc. This first WIP is just to get peoples' reactions - so I ask you, yay or nay? Should I continue with this or go find something else? Either way, here's the link. Comments, please! http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/rteh/redalertdnb v2:http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/zled/redalertdnbv2 v3:http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/fsqa/redalertdnbv3] v4: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ipuv/redalertdnbv4 edit: newer update/no vocals (finalversion) vFinal: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/hnwm/PremeditatedTrechery

hey, nice to see a fellow trance guy here - seems like we don't get much love from the judges though, oh well. I'm going to nitpick so bear with me. sorry...or perhaps you're some sort of sadist? heh... anyway, the pad at the beginning could be a tad bit louder - it gets lost in the stuff that happens later. The intro is fine to me, but when the kick comes in I really want it to punch, ya know? Try compressing it with a fairly high ratio and eqing the high and low ends up. (think 10 - 150ish hz) and then slowly raise the lowmids (like 300s) up while the song is playing until it "punches" through the mix. personal preference, though, if you like that kick, then stick with it. The hats needs some hi end eq to add some sparkle. Try adding more arps/more pads (I see you are already working on that, yay) the bass line, which could probably be rewritten, needs some work like the kick. compress it, then eq the low mids up and eq the low low frequencies down. You don't want it interfering with the kick, but you want it low and heard. your main leads could use some delay to help even out the soundfield. Phew, what a complicated post. Sorry if it's too..weird...for you. Seriously, this is better than most trance I've heard posted as WIPs. Update soon!

Ah, I love orchestral mixes. Really good start - just needs some more lovin'. I like those drums at the start, but I really wish they had some more reverb on them, in fact, I wish the whole orchestra had some more reverb ( simply because virtual orchestras sound like crap). I also noticed right off the bat that you have some repetition issues in the strings and brass- try messing with velocities to get the two notes to sound "different." The orchestra could probably be compressed as well to help level out things - not too much, though. The trance drums, though, need some work. Eq up the low end of the kick and give it some body. Sorry to say it, but you're just going to have to do the worst part of remixing ever - going back and adding more patterns and changing stuff up - the second part did not feel like it changed at all. Entertain me! Tell me a story! (sorry, what my composition teacher says) All in all, not bad, just put in the time to really fine tune things - once you get nice sound, the ideas will just pop right out. looking forward to updates!

Hey, thanks for the compliments! Anyway, I've mastered the mix (which makes it quite a bit brighter) and pretty much just finished up a few loose ends. Thanks for all your comments! Now, back to work on the morrowind remix... link: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/lupz/HUMANITY

Alright, I promise, this is the final version. I don't know if I'm going to submit this, but, meh, it's been good practice, right? FIXES: -Cleared up the soundfield ALOT. Removed stuff that cluttered it, sounds better IMO. -added a nifty little drum breakdown section with bitcrushed drums -added a better transition to the ending -even more changes to drums sequencing (phew) -vocals are still in so, that's it. Tell me what you think - if enough people like it, perhaps I'll submit it. or, I'll just continue on my new projects. heh. link: VFINAL: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/tovv/haloHumanity

yes. Pendulum has some of the hardest hitting stuff I've ever heard. (and still be able to be listened to) And where else can you find Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory dnb? also, would like to mention Alphazone. Really high energy stuff, that is - check out 'revelation' and 'rockin'. VNV Nation is one of my favorite bands for more melodic/intelligent stuff - their newest album Judgement is amazing. (on a side note, seeing them in concert is awesome. I don't know if ronan's still on tour, but if he is, you all should go see him. Seriously. In addition to 4 hours of great music, he dissed Windows and praised Germans' drinking ability. Greatest concert ever.)

dude. yes! YES! I play the trombone and I will personally say that I would love to play this! I was actually thinking of doing a 4 trombone part medley of all of the SMB tunes... anyway, if you're looking to get this accepted you're going to have to add a BUNCH more original stuff. It's totally perfect for a football game but for ocr, it's gonna need some more interpretation. But, damn, I like. Can't wait for updates/ hearing it recorded live! (extra props for the glissando...heh)

Alright, I have the final version (hopefully) of this mix. Thanks for all your comments so far! Keep 'em coming! changes: -reduced the reverb on the harp at the end -drum fills -fx for rises and falls -vocals are back? (perhaps) -intro for that lead at the beginning So here it is, however, I've done two final versions. One is a slightly more odd version where I've added the vocals back in and added a bunch of sounds from halo at the fast part. The other is just the regular version but with all the changes. So tell me, which one do you like better? Should I keep the vocals? The halo part? links: oddversion: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/xdhy/halomcfinalfunnyversion regularversion: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ynbz/halomcfinalnonvocal

bleh, another double post... oh well, need comments, heh v4 changes: removed vocals (decided I didn't like 'em) -speed up part at the end -more kick bass -more soloish stuff at the end -even more drum sequencing! that's all for now; i'm getting really close to submitting this...give me some comments! Please? link:http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/wegj/halomcv4

heh, seems like I've heard this somewhere too.... Trance is one of those genres that can be incredibly irritating/ incredibly relaxing at the same time - I'd recommend Alphazone (some amazing stuff there - check out "revelation") for a more high energy sound and Aurora for more "chill" stuff. (they also have cool acoustic guitar stuff in their mixes) hope that helps...

wow...this is amazing. never heard anything quite like it - probably a plus with the judges. I'd prefer a clearer melody at some points, just kinda fading in and fading out just like the synths, and some more solid drums, but, hey, that's just me. If this is what the style of music calls for, go for it! The worst the judges can say is no, right? Overall, very nice. Hope this makes it.

Alright, taking Tweek's advice, I return with v3 of the halo groove mix! Changes: -more punch in the low freq's of the kick -even more orchestra eq tweaks -an actual ending! huzzah! -more drum sequencing (more patterns) -most importantly, some messing around with some vocals they are probably terrible, as everyone knows you can't really hear yourself sing. I like the lyrics though...perhaps a collab is in order? Anyway, let me know what you think! And thanks for my lone commenter - your advice was sorely needed... LINKS: v3(no vocals): http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/xmdb/halomcv3 v3(vocals): http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/kave/halomcvoc

sorry for the double post, but I've been finishing things up. say hello to version 2, baby! changes: -added an ending (harp ftw) -fixed some eq issues -got rid of that awful guitar -added several piano parts/more instrumentation -flange on the drums (at parts) so tell me what you think...seriously. I want some comments! link: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/bpoi/halomcv2