colinjstewart

OK, here's an updated version that addresses some of the common concerns. The major differences are a shorter beginning and end, some different chord progressions and counter-melodies (see 1:52-3:06 and 4:20-4:42 in particular), and some variations to the main melody. As with the last version, the production values are currently non-existent, and the volumes are a bit out of whack at times ... but these are relatively minor issues right now, as I'm more concerned with bigger picture stuff. Such as: --are the variations to the main melody too varied now? The basic melody is played at 1:05 and at 4:20, while the varied versions are at 2:44 and 5:10. Are the similarities too subtle? Do they seem like variations, or just entirely new melodies? --is the section from 5:37-6:10 long enough? I feel like it should be repeated (with variation and increased intensity) once, maybe even twice ... but the piece is pretty long already and I'm reluctant to add anything. --in general, is this piece trying to do too much? While I am going for some sort of crazy orchestral rock epic, I'm wondering if there's just too much going on, and if the whole thing would be better pared down. Anyway, here's the link. Listen away! http://www.campcoop.com/~cstewart/extremismV2roughCut2.mp3 And the old version, for comparison: http://www.campcoop.com/~cstewart/extremismV2roughCut.mp3 Thanks in advance.

I never would've thought of that. Probably 'cause I never knew you could do it. Anyway, I tried it out, but I didn't get any automation appearing when I tweaked the Attack knob in record mode. It worked for the other knobs like Release and Sustain though. But whatever -- it's not that important. Thanks for all the advice though -- I'm self-taught in FL, so it's great to get some different ideas of what it can do.

Cool, I didn't know you could do that. The only weird thing though is the automatable controls listed in browser don't all obviously correspond with the controls on the Soundfonter window. I've figured out which ones control Sustain and Release, but Attack isn't showing itself. I tested all the controls that don't say "MIDI CC", and I don't feel like testing the 128 remaining controls that do (only a few of the MIDI CCs that I tested had any effect, and "Attack Time" had no effect). I'm guessing you've found it though ...?

Thanks, guys. The reduced polyphony (32 down to 2) seems to make it stable -- although only if there's one note being played at a time, and if there are only one or two instances open. Weird. Soundfonter seems stable. Pity you can't automate its controls, but I can work around that. I also checked out the shortCircuit and SynthFontVST plugins -- they're also stable, but don't have ADSR controls like Soundfonter. By the way, zirc -- love your stuff. Cheers, -Colin

Hi all -- I've got this one GM orchestral soundfont. Usually it works fine, but it has one instrument in it (spiccato strings) that, when played through the FL Soundfont Player, stutters after a couple notes and then freezes the whole program. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the soundfont or with FL. I can play MIDI files with this instrument through SynthFont, and it works fine. I can use this instrument in FL if I do a massive workaround -- export MIDI data from FL, play it in SynthFont, record to WAV and re-import into FL -- but obviously that's a last resort. If it is a problem with the soundfont, is it possible to fix it up in Vienna or some such? Or are there audio settings that I can adjust in FL to make it work? Thanks, -Colin

I really like the original, so I feel compelled to comment. Here's what I've got, after one listen: --the piano is weak. Get better samples and throw in some reverb. Also, read zircon's guide for working with real instruments. --there's a few places where there's only one instrument playing. It sounds empty. Throw in a low sustained sound (e.g. strings). I used to make this exact mistake. --on the whole, you've got some good ideas, but the piece is a bit repetitive. I don't think there's enough here to make a 6 minute piece. Keep at it

Thanks. I think I have a lot of experimenting to do ...

No patterns, no playlist. All my automation is in piano roll. (which I'm guessing is not the best way to do it?)

If I'm working in Piano Roll and I want to shift a portion of my song forward or back, I can highlight a few bars and click Ctrl-Insert/Delete. This works ... but it doesn't move all the automation forward/back -- it only moves the automation that is currently showing. For example, say I have automation for Channel Volume and Channel Panning. If the Volume is currently showing when I click Ctrl-Insert/Delete, then only the Volume automation gets shifted -- and not the Panning. Is it possible to get all the automation to shift? On a related point -- is it possible to shift an entire song forward or back? Or do you have to do it channel by channel? Thanks. -Colin

OK, a few people have mentioned that "the melody" is over-repetitive. Are you guys referring to the acoustic guitar part, that opens the piece? Or the melody that plays first with a flute at 1:20, then with a guitar at 3:02 (and a few times later as well)? Or are you referring to both? Thanks.

Apologies for the file permission error. This link should work: http://www.campcoop.com/~cstewart/extremismV2roughCut.mp3

Hi all -- I've been working on this remix for 3 months now. I think it's where I want it, but I'm not in the most objective position to judge that. I haven't done the EQing or reverb on it yet, but let me know what you think. It's a beast (8 minutes long). Many thanks, -Colin ******************* EDIT: This link should work now. ******************* http://www.campcoop.com/~cstewart/extremismV2roughCut.mp3 http://www.campcoop.com/~cstewart/extremismV2roughCut2.mp3