Nostalvania

This is an original composition i'm working on, inspired by VGM ( especially RPG's). The form is AB AB C. Thanks for listening and feel free to comment. Tindeck: http://tindeck.com/listen/zfba Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/karmus24/vgm-inspired-original-composition-wip

This is really nice! I like the jazzy interpretation and the smooth section at 1:09, nice reharms there. I noticed that the piano from 0:00 - 1:06 sounds a bit overcompressed and muffled. like i said before, the part from 1:09 is very nice but imo there is a bit too much repetition. I think you could try to add a bit more variation on the second iteration (1:40), maybe adding some background strings or pads, counter melodies and change the piano melody a bit? To me the arrangement sounds kinda unfinished and at the end it just fades out. I think you might find a transition back to the first section, maybe with some more energetic drums and perhaps adding an instrumental solo or something like that, just a suggestion. Keep it up!

As far as i can remember, the Super Mario Bros main theme (1-1) was the first video game song i learned to play on the piano (both hands).

Update: https://app.box.com/s/z0y5z7c9byaclmbmh01t Changes: Replaced the bass sample with a new/better one. .

Ok, so i tried to add a crescendo to the left hand on the part from 2:00 - 2:30. https://app.box.com/s/fuu3s4pyzrrh5blp23zl Not a big difference actually, it's rather subtle. Maybe i could increase it a bit more.

Thank you pu_freak and Chiwalker. Aight, here's an update: https://app.box.com/s/lam9hs5gjzvecy0ayawf So i removed some of the low piano bass notes around 2:13 and added/changed some chords here and there. I also increased the volume on the bass a little bit.

Happy birthday Timaeus!

Thanks for the feedback! No there's no organ, only the piano.

Thanks Yoshi! Yeah, those sitcoms often had jazzy music so i can see the similarities. By the way, your comment made me think of this: http://youtu.be/oK9DDL0hbDo

I would say this needs some humanization, the sequencing is pretty robotic/stiff. I think it also could use some velocity editing, it sounds like there isn't much difference in the dynamics of the notes. The guitar sample is a bit weak and since this is a solo (or duo) guitar piece it's exposed in all its artificiality. I would say try to work on humanization and dynamics (and maybe getting a better sample).

Thanks! Seems like the mixing needs some work, i think it sounds a bit overcompressed at times.

Here is a new version with drums. https://app.box.com/s/y045cj5qf7l2ezsv9rrw (Box) https://soundcloud.com/karmus24/seven-pipes-to-heaven-wip-2 (Soundcloud)

I think one ( if not the) reason for the repetitiveness is that the sources itself are pretty repetitive, especially the Lttp one, the Oot one seems to have some more substance and even a short theme, maybe you could use it in your mix? What you have sounds good IMO, the in-game sound clips/sfx are used well and you didn't overuse them. The ending is a bit abrupt though. There is a breakdown at 2:35, after that it continues with the same bassline/synth (granted with some variation) as before. When i listen to the track i just get the feeling that there is something missing, it needs something more. I dunno, maybe it's just me and my personal taste, so i think it probably would be nice to hear what other people think about this.

Well done, very nice and moody. I assume you played this on your digital piano. Is it a Roland? Just out of curiosity.

Well my "calculation" was actually a bit rough and the amount of source was still a bit scant so i can see what you mean. I could try to add a bit more source or i might sacrifice one solo chorus Also thanks metaphist, i'll see what can be done about the flourishes, maybe gonna add some here n' there but actually i like how the chords are floating over the groove.

Ok, so after several months i FINALLY found the time to work on this again. I think the biggest issue was the piano being too quiet/burried, it now should have more presence in the mix. https://app.box.com/s/dbkfkmqa9g2g9lmaua4l

Gorgeous arrangement and good playing. Nice Work!

Honestly, i really wasn't sure if this would pass at all (I was worried about sample quality and i didn't trust my mixing abilities), but i'm happy it finally did! I think i have to thank Chimpazilla and all the other people from the workshop forum (and the Judges) for their feedback which really helped me to improve this!

Thanks Kristina! Yeah, i think a real trumpet would be great. I maybe want to change some things in the arrangement but once it's finished i'll probably ask a trumpet player. Yes the solo is long but i think there should still be enough source, if i calculated it correctly.

New Version: https://soundcloud.com/karmus24/little-nemo-180914-4 I added one more A and B section after the piano solo. I dunno, maybe the ending is a bit lame?

Source: http://youtu.be/BMfndWqYseE?list=PL67291BDCD76884B2 Remix: https://soundcloud.com/karmus24/little-nemo-mushroom-forrest-jazz-remix The remix is unfinished, so for now it just stops at the end of the piano solo. Yeah i know, the horn samples are pretty weak Jazz fans should recognize the solo chord changes

Yeah, definitely sounds better IMO.

I really like the arrangement, playing and the jazz reharms, nice work! I agree with evktalo that everything sounds a bit muffled and i think adding more highs and cutting some lows might help. I'm not a mixing pro so i think i can't really give more specific feedback on the production, unfortunately. However, one thing i noticed is that the overall volume is a bit low.

Thanks for the feedback! @Wiesty: Who is Miles Davis? Just kidding . Hey yeah, i will hit you up if i need some live drums. @timaeus222: The bass sample surely isn't the best but it's the best one i could find in my DAW. However, thanks for the willingness to help! I think i want to try out some of your samples.

Thanks! Yeah, maybe i'll add some drums later.