Scrap McNapps

The percussion is pretty weak. Not enough omph. The lead is a bit piercing at times (IMO). It is a bit repetitive. Overall, I like the structure and the feeling of the song. Just need toe refine the mix a bit.

You know what you were right... it didn't sound Latin at all. It didn't even have the vibe I was originally aiming for. Looking back I made that one out of frustration. I did some rearranging of a couple of things with this newer one. A couple of changes were made sequence wise The bass should carry the melody, but it switches up about 2/3s of the way through to make it less boring. Still using the same instruments but trying different horn samples. Though integrating it into the tune is still a work in progress. I stopped being stingy and I reverbed the HELL out of this one, I used two different quality reverbs for the instruments and one insert for the master so they all sound like they are in the same area. I just hope I didn't put in too much. Still working on the drum pattern and ending. RIP AWAY!

Well I made a couple of changes. -I added a layer to the Horns and the Latin Percussion section -I replaced the bongo only section of the introduction with the electric guitar. -I joined the separate melodies of the first verse and put it all in one. -I attempted to make a smooth transition from the first verse to the second verse using the initial guitar melody. -There is a horn buildup in the second verse. -Most of the latin percussion variation is in the second verse and breakdown. -Used a different ending for the arrangement.

Hey everyone, I have been working on the track a bit more. I did some work on the ending so that it sounds like a ending. I was going for a triumphant/ joy type of feeling (not to sure how to describe it). Right now I am debating on the ending. Right now I have three choices. I'm gonna post them right now and tell me which one would sound better. SNG ending1.wav - 1.43MB SNG ending2.wav - 1.43MB SNG ending3.wav - 1.43MB

lol. no worries. I really do appreciate the feedback I am getting from you guys. I gained quite a bit of knowledge because of it and I can carry it to whatever arrangement I might work on next. Is the intro a bit better now? And how is the track overall now?

That was cool. Good stuff!

Hey you guys, I just got back. Yeah I felt the trumpets in the intro was weak as well. So I adjusted the velocitiy of the notes on there and other parts of the songs where I felt emphasis was more important. As for the guitar that plays in the intro, I just boosted the volume a bit. I gave the piano thing a try, I couldn't make it work. lol. Maybe with more experience I could.

Nothing like taking a break to refresh you and clear your mind. Well I tweaked the track some more. Used bongo samples of a slightly different character and threw in some reverb and compression. I adjusted the velocities of the bongos so it should sound less monotone. I also adjusted the velocities of the rest of the notes as well. I put some compression on the electric bass so the softer notes should come out a bit louder now. I compressed the horns as well, but just a touch.

I did compress the kick and the snare, after that suggestion, not the bongos though. I need to compress all of them more?

Dang. I thought they sounded good on the Ableton website. Well I better get to hunting for some better bongo sounds then.

Okay I have been youtubing some bongo sounds and tried to adjust accordingly. Here is what I came up with. http://www.zshare.net/audio/6399409195d8ebd5/ Am I getting any closer to the right type of bongo sound? Here is the midi btw. http://www.zshare.net/audio/6399381556bd5ed4/ Thanks in advance.

Yeah I'm having a heck of a time trying to get them to sound right. Gonna keep working on 'em. Got some more listening to do. *sigh*

Further tweaks to the song. For one thing I am using the proper notes. XD. A also experiemented with different velocities for instruments (notably the Brass Ensamble and Trumpets). I tried a different method of using the reverb effect which I hope came out okay. Structure-wise, used a different latin percussion pattern for the first chours. And I threw in some more brass in the second verse.

It's been hinted at, but I thought that I had the right notes. Using the notes you gave me, you were right, I had the wrong dang notes LOL. Thanks alot! It now sounds more closer to the source. I'm gonna debate using the last seven notes of the original score or the variation. That's strange, I thought the trumpets were in key for the most part. I have two trumpets and a brass ensemble in there, is it notably the trumpets or the ensemble? . As for the energy, it is meant to be more on the chill side, but I might try something. Gonna have to research and experiment though. Thank you two for the feedback!

I made some minor tweaks with this one. I lowered the mids and lows of the snare and tried to add some warmth to the trumpets (not too sure if it worked out or not). I also noticed that after I added that Jazz Guitar section from 2:06-2:41, the Electric Bass wasn't doing it's job which is to "complement" the Guitar, so I changed the notes it so that it does in that time frame.

I'm loving version 3.3 as well. Taking in the vibes of the melody. It's nice and relaxing. The change of the tempo is unexpected, but it I like it. It's nice and festive. I also think DrumUltimA might on to something with that two beats of silence before that transition. It would be a nice touch.

That... was AWESOME!

Thanks for the feedback everyone! It's greatly appreciated. Turn down the mids and lows on the snare? I'll try that and see how it comes out. =) I don't have access to a live trumpet player, but I'll see if I can tweak the trumpets to make it sound warmer.

Here is my third revision. I added varied the drum patterns a bit more and slightly altered the intro. I also gave more Jazz Guitar more play in the song.

I was playing around with the track a bit more. I added an intro, percussion solo, shortened a bit of the outro and I also changed the Bass guitar sample so it should sound lower. The drums should come out more clearly now. Added reverb to a few of the tracks. Still trying to come up with better transitions.If it sounds better or worse I would like to hear your feedback.

I don't detect the circus music part either. The percussion does add more energy to the track though I will say. I can see it being used either in the middle of the song, near the end, or both.

I remember listening to the first one you posted, I think you had a different sounding piano for the melody from 0:20-0:38? I can't remember how it sounded. Is it possible to A/B comparison?

I agree with Jae, a few of the notes from the flute came on a bit too strong in the beginning. It sounds better now though.

The only sample that could give that wailing guitar sound is probably Ministry of Rock by EastWest Quantum Leap,. The cheapest option would be a collab.

I like the piano. The use of delay is pretty good. I like the backing of it too. Nice and ambient.