Emulating Gundam Music

[Nutritious]

Hey guys, I'm trying to emulate the style/sound of some of the music from the gundam series. Basically, I'm trying to get that brass-heavy rock/orchestra type sound. Here's what I've got so far:

Original: http://nutritious3.googlepages.com/GundamSample.mp3

My Attempt: http://nutritious3.googlepages.com/GundamMusicTest.mp3

Second Attempt: http://nutritious3.googlepages.com/GundamMusicTest2.mp3

Now, I'm not trying to remix or copy the music exactly - I'm just looking for ways to get the same type of sound or feel for other songs. I figured this didn't belong in WIPs since I'm really looking for imput and advice to get this closer to the right feel.

And yeah, I realize it's a lot of (if not all) live instrumentation, which can't completely be emulated, but I want to get as close as possible.

Thanks

EDIT: Just to note, I'm working in FL Studio with EWQLSO Silver, some samples and some soundfonts on this so far.

[Sil]

Well, for one it sounds like you need a stronger bass. Yours seems to be an octave too high at the moment. Also, double the bass with low piano notes to fill out that ostinato.

While I don't hear it in this particular segment, a major part of the Gundam brassy sound is 3 trumpets playing triads. The top trumpet usually carries the melody (or counterpoint) while the others harmonize below it. The trick is to not harmonize the "right" chord all the time, so there's some trial and error involved.

I'm trying to hear why your version sounds thinner at the beginning and the only explanation I can think of is that the real version has piano chords below the trumpet/above the bass... jumps back and forth between first and second inversion A minor.

Last, it's possible the trumpet is doubled with a saxophone to make it louder.

[OverCoat]

You need a cheesy vocalist with optimistic uplifting lyrics

you're doing pretty good so far though

[Nutritious]

Well, for one it sounds like you need a stronger bass. Yours seems to be an octave too high at the moment. Also, double the bass with low piano notes to fill out that ostinato.

While I don't hear it in this particular segment, a major part of the Gundam brassy sound is 3 trumpets playing triads. The top trumpet usually carries the melody (or counterpoint) while the others harmonize below it. The trick is to not harmonize the "right" chord all the time, so there's some trial and error involved.

I'm trying to hear why your version sounds thinner at the beginning and the only explanation I can think of is that the real version has piano chords below the trumpet/above the bass... jumps back and forth between first and second inversion A minor.

Last, it's possible the trumpet is doubled with a saxophone to make it louder.

Thanks, Jeremy. I doubled up a sampled sax (I'm too lazy to record my own for this) with the higher trumpet, added some low piano, low brass, and pumped some of the compression:

http://nutritious3.googlepages.com/GundamMusicTest2.mp3

I wasn't able to figure out how the mid/low piano chords (the A minor) you referred to fit in. Are there certain beats where each inversion is played? Admittedly, I couldn't even hear piano in the original.

You need a cheesy vocalist with optimistic uplifting lyrics

you're doing pretty good so far though

Hah! That vid was epic. Kinda makes me glad I only started with gundam wing though .

[Sil]

Hmm, it still sounds like the bass isn't deep enough. It should be playing A2 instead of A3.

The beginning 7 notes each have a chord/triad in the piano (6 = first inversion): Am6 C6 Am6 C6 Am6 G C6

[OverCoat]

Hah! That vid was epic. Kinda makes me glad I only started with gundam wing though .

Mobile Suit Gundam + Zeta Gundam > Gundam Wing

BUT I DIGRESSU