PrototypeRaptor
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Posts posted by PrototypeRaptor
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First off, I really like your playing style and tone - most of the guitarists I hear want that in-your-face rock sound, but you go with a more chill, crunchy approach. It's a refreshing change, at least for me.
That said, this mix is shaping up nicely - your drums sound OK for the most part (I really like the loop that comes in at 1:37), but there is a really annoying hi-hat loop that is far too piercing for what it does in the mix. It begins at the start of the song and repeats throughout the entire arrangement... I would turn it down and eq it, cause it really does stick out like a sore thumb.
Not sure about the vocals. They work, but they add a sort of "cheese" factor that I'm not sure the song needs. It's your call, though. And I do like the sampled game music - you integrated it very well.
One thing I think you need more of is the actual theme - your arrangement is awesome, but the judges may think it is too liberal. Just a friendly heads up - I've had several mixes rejected for that reason.
Also, is the fade out the true ending? You have too much of a buildup there to just fade out - we need some resolution.
I really like where this is going - definitely looking forward to the next update!
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I find the easiest way to get that "electro bass" sound is to use heavy, insane tape distortion.
Use something like 3-4 saw waves, detune 'em slightly, then run them through either voxengo's boogex or psp's mixsaturator 2.
And don't forget to sidechain
EVERYTHING
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The sub is just there to add the freqs that the monitors cut off at, unless you think it's better to just use a frequency graph to see how the low end sounds.
I mainly use beyerdynamic's dt770 cans for mixing because my room is horribly set up (dorm room ftw!), so the monitors will mainly be for reverbs, stereo depth, how the mix translates over distances - things where any headphones mess up.
I'm not expecting $1500 quality here - just something that will give some perspective. (other than my crap logitech set up that I use to hear how mixes will sound on consumer grade speakers)
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Some of the instrumentation is very reminiscent of Teardrop specifically. Is that what was intended?
Yes, most definitely. Teardrop is one of my favorite songs by Massive Attack and was very much the inspiration for this mix.
And I'm glad you all like it - thanks for all the kind comments!
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The most I've laughed at a game for a LONG time is in Mass Effect during the reporter interview like halfway through the game. She's just asking you some questions about your ship and crew, and if you pick the evil dialog...well...watch for yourself.
Oh man, did I crack up. Seriously, hats off to Bioware for one of the greatest moments in gaming EVER.
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It seems it is between the new krk rp5g2s and the mackie mr5s. Anybody have any experience with those two? (or another suggestion that I've perhaps overlooked?)
I know the old krk rp5s were supposed to be excellent, but they don't sell them anymore and I'm not sure if the new ones are as good.
Also, I have a nice home theater sub I can hook up and use with the monitors, so the very low end will be taken care of.
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So here's an arrangement that I never thought I would finish...the kontaktplayer kept this mix from being done for-EVER. (That hiss would not go away, no matter how little I exported. Turns out that it was the host's multithreading... kontakt is very picky it seems)
Anyway, it's here and done! Mixing corrections, added organ and additional orchestration of strings and brass - I think I can finally put this to rest. I'll send it to the judges in a day or so unless there is some terrible problem that I've overlooked.
Enjoy!
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=866156&songID=7420156
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Hey, I've got some quick questions.
-How long do you want the each of the themes to be?
-Do the cinematics need original music too?
I still play Starcraft with some frequency and, wow, this mod looks amazing!
I would be very interested in doing a track or two. I'll send you a demo once I get a song going.
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My vote goes for Red Alert 2.
RA3, not so much, but 2 has a perfect blend of rock-funk deliciousness.
Case in point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WqwFhX6Cqg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7jSig5_N3o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpENX8gZiTU&feature=related
Universe at War also had some pretty kickass tracks by the same guy. And it was released for free!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBz62nZVMJw
Man, Frank Klepacki never disappoints.
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IMO, this would work better as DnB if you put it into more of an Aphex twin style than a Noisia style.
Think like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtBa5SS33JI&feature=related
(skip to 2:35 for the beat)
rather than this:
notice how aphex twin's drums are so much more intricate? polymeter, polyrhythms, glitching - that's what you need.
As the others before me have noted; it's just too complicated (and good) of a source to turn it into 4/4 all over. It deserves better.
tl;dr
Have more fun while writing the drum track
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Hey now this is what I'm talking about - way to come back with a good update!
That being said, Gario has pointed out problems that are still hanging around - the most important is the quietness of the bass.
In jazz, especially swing, the bass makes the tune. Without the bass, (most) jazz DOESN'T work. Do whatever you have to to get it loud enough to be heard! (and felt)
real fast critiques:
-Your piano samples are still too dry and upfront during its solo sections.
-some of your wind writing is, well, just WEIRD. By that I mean it's very disjointed. To understand what I mean, try converting the wind parts you have now into sheet music and think about playing them as an instrumentalist - I bet it isn't something that you would normally see.
-you need either longer solos or a C section (har har pun) to make the piece more varied
keep it up - this is sounding better and better!
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I honestly don't have a clue when it comes to mixing.
I built a PC specifically for recording music. It has a Sound Blaster X-Fi. And it's just me playing my keyboard through the mic jack (recording through the line in doesn't seem to work)
I use audacity. And for some reason, I can't seem to avoid losing quality during MP3 compression.
There are so many things wrong with what you said...let me help before Snappleman comes back and destroys you
For music RECORDING (not listening for entertainment), Sound Blasters are crap; get a decent onboard soundcard (like an M-audio) or an external preamp/audio interface. To truly capture the quality of your synth, you are gonna need at least 1/4 inch inputs, preferably XLR.
So until your source sounds good (IE: quality inputs), there's not too much you can do about the mixing...
Also, an mp3 IS compression. You can't avoid losing quality because that's what it is - a quality reduction for a smaller file size. RAW wavs or FLACs are what you want to be mixing on, not mp3s.
just a friendly FYI - I do like the arrangement so far, though. keep working!
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I'm tired of these muther fuckin' colossi, on these muther fuckin' plains?
/end
I think...I'd actually be ok with that...
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Don't discount expensive plugins from your lists...oftentimes they are expensive for a reason, though there are exceptions. *COUGHWAVESCOUGH*
It really is like 80% you and how you mix things and 20% plugin quality - but they DO HELP.
For eq's I love tritone digital's hydratone - it's got a "fire" feature that adds in some subtle saturation that you'd have to hear to believe.
I also can't say enough good things about sonalksis - they are VERY pricey, but their compressors are some of the best money can buy. Their mastering plugs aren't as good IMHO, but the stereo widener is better than anything else I've ever heard. It's smooth as silk.
I'd get their compressor and that stereo widener any day of the week.
You should also check out izotope's ozone4 for mastering purposes - the digital eq is top notch.
for free stuff, you should check out tls' vsts. Harmony already mentioned his maximizer, but he has several really good plugins that are wicked and cost you NOTHING.
I'll think about some more recommendations and come back.
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I liked it too...although the gameplay left alot to be desired.
For all of you poor fellows who didn't beat it, you missed out on the best part...
when you go back to a previous mission after finishing the last level, you don't lose sync from killing civilians.
easily added like 5 hours to my playtime, right there...
GET OFF ME CRAZY BEGGAR LADY
I'LL END YOU
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Alright, I'm going to be brutally honest here...this still needs a lot of work. Sorry, but it's the truth.
You keep making minor adjustments, but it doesn't need minor things, it needs a major overhaul.
The horns grate - it doesn't matter that they are good samples, they still have a nasty swelling vibrato that just kills the song. Also, your arrangement needs major beefing, even for a conservative basie/swing style interpretation. Follow Gario's advice; you really need to change stuff up more often. Give the lead to the sax and bone section sometimes, we need the love too.
This brings me to some quick fixes; you need beefier saxes and trombones. I don't know how you currently have them set up but they need to be louder - this will fix the "thin" problem that everyone keeps talking about.
Your bass needs some more volume, too.
Big band is extremely difficult to write for, believe me, I know - but you have too many unisons and octaves. You need to branch out and write some cool rhythmic and countermelodic parts for the sections that aren't playing the melody. Often I see in jazz charts that each "melodic note" is its own chord that is orchestrated out to the different sections - these change rapidly (eighth notes anyone?); this produces the big band thick texture that everyone knows and loves.
Example: listen to this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmpmjsq8Z70
Listen to the very first few licks played by the band - they are all playing the same rhythm, with the same style. But the notes are countermelodic; they weave in and out and up and down, producing "that" sound.
Also note that the sax section is VERY IMPORTANT to this sound. Trumpets can take solos and high notes, but for the meat and bones, you need obnoxious, loud saxophone players and blaring trombones.
Now go fix this up and come back; I'm liking it too much to just let it be.
(and for the record I like the stick count in...
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Totally didn't mean to turn this into a mac vs pc thread; it's just I have had some personal experience where I regretted my rather expensive choice and I hate to see that happen to anyone else.
One last thing for you to consider:
If you want "control," ie: the ability to customize, then the PC is for you.
The reason the mac os "just works" is because it holds your hand and does all of this stuff behind the scenes so you don't have to worry about it. It only does things one way, so it always works. That one way.
If you want to do it any other way? nope.
I couldn't stand that, and am SO happy to be back on the windows side where I can happily screw something up while at least feeling like I have some control of what I'm doing.
but I digress. no more from me, there are plenty of other forums to troll about mac vs pc's...XD
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wow how did I miss this? HOW DOES THIS ONLY HAVE 2 PAGES OF COMMENTS?
arg.
I'm in love; the awesome chordal rearrangement had me from the minor 3rd...
and the violin playing is quite good. this could have been veryyyy painful, but it's not.
Everyone, please, check this out. It's quite awesome...this "friend" needs to submit more stuff!
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Mac's are not worth it, imo. They used to be really stable and awesome, but now that apple's become popular it seems they are slacking a bit in the quality control. They're not perfect by any means - they've just always been the standard, so they continue that way.
PC's are ridiculously cheap if you build them yourself ala newegg...and they are usually better than the mac counterparts spec-wise.
Macbooks are very underpowered from my perspective. You would probably hit a wall with processing power pretty soon. (also ram, with the sample libraries)
If I were you, I'd build a desktop pc with windows xp for an audio computer, especially since you can throw in a 3.2 core 2, 8 gb of ram, and a 1tb hard drive for 3/4 the cost of the macbook.
(Also, if you are dead set on a "mac" you could always make a hackintosh, which is the best of both worlds. Sweet processing power, cheap, and the mac os you seem to want... And you could get a designer case to make it look pretty, if you just have to have that...)
if you have to have a laptop, you're going to need an audio interface...and you're going to pay more for less, either way you go.
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Yeah, this looks sweet. Really cool concept with the 4D arcade thing - plus it helps that you know your way around adobe's products...haha
I'll definitely be seeing this
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Heh, these boards move kinda slow at points, don't get too upset about that.
Either way, this is slick. Really cool stuff here. This genre is one of my favs - with the downtempo chill beat, that worm (you know, the funky one...) in that fusion style of the late 70s.
Like some of kool and the gang's later stuff (summer madness, definitely)
Of course, there are some problems. It loops...quite frequently. You say you know that, but still. The trick is to make it seem like it doesn't sit on 16 bars for 6 minutes. It's challenging to keep that same "looping" feel but not bore the listener, and I won't cut you any slack...haha
And this might just be youtube, but the track is very dark. I like it, but maybe add just a bit of sizzle to the hi hats to give it some motion. Experiment a little.
EDIT:
Yeah, wrong board. But all the better...that means it's all you AND still cool.
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hey sorry, no update yet...
but in the meantime thanks for all the kind words!
@DZComposer
-the beginning isn't in 5/4, but it uses some strange 16th rests to get that asymmetric feel
-I'm happy that you thought the 3/4 section worked, I was worried that for a very abrupt transition it would be TOO abrupt, ya know?
@thomas
-the samples are a combination of EWQL gold, one shots acquired from the web, live playing (I play the 'bone), and the old project sam brass libraries
so yeah, there's lots of layering going on.
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This was an orchestration project of mine that wasn't going to see the light of day until I went back recently and realized that it had potential.
So I touched it up, added some extra parts, and ignored the ending. (It still needs one)
Long winded intro aside, this is my vision of the final fight with Bowser in Mario 64 as if it were the backing to an epic/action movie.
Tell me what you think!
(also, something keeps messing up with my samplers; there is a strange hiss that shows up in recordings. it only shows up twice - I'm aware of it and am trying to work it out. so ignore those)
link:
UPDATED
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=866156&songID=7420156
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I don't particularly like any other piano roll besides FL's either,
+1
FL's piano roll is pretty much the best reason to choose FL over another DAW. It's just so..damn...awesome...
Although, I wish Image-line would jump on the bandwagon and add a score editor/sync'd video playback. Then it'd be a real competitor in the market of "pro's," IMO.
So if you're primarily a midi guy, like you said, I'd say FL all the way. Just keep in mind you'll use it as a sequencer for all the vst toys you'll get since most of the synths it comes with are NOT at, say, Reason's level...to put it least offensively.
(I also have kontakt and experienced none of the crashing problems with multis you mentioned with cubase. Just FYI)
Phoenix Wright - Godot's Theme
in Post Your Game ReMixes!
Posted
Phoenix Wright needs more love - it has such a good soundtrack. So, here's a smooth jazz remix of everyone's favorite coffee drinking bad guy.
Note that it isn't done; it's about half way there, I'm just getting some reactions before I go too much further.
Comments, concerns, and criticisms are welcome...
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=866156&songID=7726152
enjoy, and thanks for listening