JD-DJ

I can't believe I've procrastinated for two years. *Revives* Bahahha

Yeah, I can tell before listening exactly what you're talking about. I'll work on it, and I think I'll also try working more with the dynamics. Choirs sound more natural, and just better imo, if they get softer/louder at the right parts. Hmm, I think that's a result of changing the key from C up to E. You hear less mid-low frequencies because everything moved up. I'll see what I can do to correct this. Right, of course, and I appreciate the critiques. If not for them, I would never know how to improve. ^^

Thanks! ^^ I just can't help but wonder if Glitch thinks the same.

Ok, I lied, I got too tired and went to sleep, haha. Now I've updated... I realize I forgot to switch the timpani up as well, I wasn't thinking about the percussion. I'll just leave that be for now, and fix it for the next update, or possibly for the submission, depending on how much more work you guys think this needs.

Actually I have one more update to make before I want the final feedback...I tweaked a few more things, and I moved everything to E. I had it based on C the whole time, and E just gives it that Halo feel, because that's what Marty O' Donnel actually used in his music. It also clears the bass up and makes everything sound overall better... funny how a few keys can change everything. Anyway, it's rendering now, it'll be a while, but I'll upload it tonight.

Alright, switched the square for a saw, and varied the first part a little so it wouldn't repeat too much, but I'm not sure how the melodies tie together. I tweaked the snare and filters so they shouldn't be as painful. Not sure what you mean by pads, I never used pads... I have strings and a choir, but no pads. Soo, if I submitted this now, would it even stand a snowball's chance in hell to survive the judges?

Thanks! ^^ Should I still rework the EQ in the newest version? I also turned everything down, so is that area good, or should I still turn everything down further?

Alright, well I've updated again. I added a new square-wave lead and changed the old one into a synth bass, since some have commented that it sounded that way anyway. I kept the sub level bass in there too, is that too much? I also worked on quieting most things down, tweaking the EQ and separating the sounds. I changed the "bells" from a synth to an actual bell sample, tweaked their EQ and changed their melody so that they didn't reach the ear-piercing notes. Also, I'm not done working on this version, but I figured I'd give you guys an update. I think the beginning repeats far too many times, and there's still probably not enough interpretation in the melody.

I'm quite a fan of the synths you used, however in the very beginning, before the beat comes into play, the one hard synth doesn't quite sound right. I like the melody the way it is, but it threw my sense of rhythm off enough to bother me, so I'd maybe suggest only playing that pattern while your beat is also playing. It was already said before, but, I would suggest getting a better piano sample and adding more reverb to it, and also filling in the empty space you have in there perhaps with pads or strings. Also, it sounds like you're using a cheap clap sound, but it may be fixed by EQing it a little. If you don't mind me asking, would you share the flp? I'd like to collaborate, and since I like this song and this version of it, I'd like to be a part of it. You'll probably want to send me a zipped package though, because I mostly just use 3xosc, so I don't have very many VSTi's. Crystal and Vangaurd are the only good ones I have, but I've got a hell of a library of Soundfonts, including a great piano.

Well, I was actually being sarcastic, because it didn't seem like legitimate criticism, and frankly you came off as a jerk. Buuut with this post it seems you're just very....honest. Though I could have gone without the "kill yourself" statement, lol. So anyway, truce?

Hmm, the trilogy isn't a bad idea, but I'm not so sure about the MGS idea. I mean don't get me wrong, it's a great idea, but that's probably for someone with a higher skill level than me to pull off. I'll see what I can do, but I'm surprised to hear that it's not interpreted enough, so I'll also have to see how much longer I can make it using original melodies and what not.

Wise advice, very constructive. Stick around, I could use a highly trained ear like yours to guide me to improvement.

Ok, thanks! That's mosty what I need: advice on mastering. I know I must have said it a hundred times by now but yeah, lol. I'll make changes accordingly and update when I have time.

Oh ok, so my first guess was actually right, lol. Well I didn't really use midi sounds, just low quality ones at first, they should sound better by now...do they? lol. And I added that orchestral beat you suggested, which first comes in around 1:12, and then a rockish beat overlaps it later. I also made the choir become louder toward the climax, though it may not be as noticeable as I'd like, and then it ends by soloing the choir again, once again, as you suggested. I would consider an electric guitar if all my sounds didn't suck. XP Unless of course you mean an acoustic, then I have some pretty nice ones. Once again, the guitar usage depends on which type of guitar. Unless I could get someone here to record something for me, that'd be awesome too. Also, I updated so that the main synth is a lot clearer, and I took another stab at the mastering in general, if that's what you mean by "re-tooling". I fear that this is the best I can do in that area for now, I'm not very good at it. XD Also, just throwing this out there, this doesn't necessarily have to stay this short. I'd actually like for a longer mix, but I can't think of anything to add, extending it as it is would probably result in too much repitition.

Hopefully I've made things a little better now. I tried not to make it seem like it constantly changed pace, and I changed a few other things you'll notice. I'm having an extra difficult time giving that main acid synth its own spot in the stereo for some reason...I almost want to throw this out to someone else and let them mess with the production. Mastering is my least favorite part, because I always have this problem... Oh well, I'll polish it some other time, for now it's Doctor Who time!