KVR Audio

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:19 am

Here's a track from the Galactic Melee score (MMO space shooter game) I'm working on at the moment:
http://www.ethereality.info/ethereality ... aster2.mp3

It's the main music and will be used throughout all the menu option screens. It's a mixture of electronic, orchestral strings, glitch, and industrial. I originally wanted something more understated, but then I remembered that some of the games I really liked actually had pretty intense menu music that really puts the player in the mood for some action. The glitch elements are my attempt to incorporate the idea the in space combat, damage and mechanical failure is a common occurrence.

Anyway, just wanted to get some feedback on it, as this is my first time scoring a game.

EDIT:
Ok, I have uploaded a version with almost all the obvious glitch elements gone:
http://www.ethereality.info/ethereality ... Glitch.mp3

Do you guys prefer with or without glitch?

EDIT 2:
Ok, I did a final version that takes into account some of your helpful feedback:
http://www.ethereality.info/ethereality ... ain_20.mp3

I also added a bass as the track was missing the bottom end. Originally I was afraid adding a bassline would muddy things up too much, but I got it to sit just right. I tried all kinds of different stacked synth sounds and finally got something that's closer to what I originally intended for the synth melody part. I think the rhymic dropping out I did also made that section more interesting than before. Apparently that was the weakest link in the chain according to most (here and other forums), but now I don't think it is anymore. The one place I kept a full-out glitch was right before the guitar kicks in--everywhere else I made sure it only happened on certain layers.

Good news is, the client really liked it, so mission accomplished. So that's one down, and the rest of the score to go...

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:34 am

Heh... Crouching Tiger meets Final Fantasy.

I like it. The tape-stop effects caught me a bit off guard though.

Love the heavy guitar riffs throughout the last half. Sounds really epic.

Nice work.

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:05 pm

Thanks for the comments!

Yeah, I was a bit worried that the glitch elements might stand out too much. I tried to ease into it by having just the percussions start to glitch a bit first, and then glitch the entire mix later. Guess it still sticks out too much? The idea behind the glitch elements is to incorporate the idea that during space combat, mechanical failure and damage will occur.

CTHD meets Final Fantasy? I don't hear it myself, but I haven't listened to those scores for years so I can't remember how they sound.

tamoore · Post by **tamoore** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:44 pm

How do you do the tape-stop effect? I want to have that trick in my production arsenal. Nice track, BTW! You're good at this kind of thing!

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:38 pm

Thanks! I used Glitch (it's a free vst plugin). I think it's an awesome tool for doing glitchy effects (makes it almost too easy that it's criminal, but it's still up to your musical ear to use it right). It's got just enough control without being complicated to use, but is very flexible and powerful. I can't believe something like that is free. This is the first time I've used it and it's now my go-to glitch tool from now on.

tamoore · Post by **tamoore** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:47 pm

Lunatique wrote:Thanks! I used Glitch (it's a free vst plugin). I think it's an awesome tool for doing glitchy effects (makes it almost too easy that it's criminal, but it's still up to your musical ear to use it right). It's got just enough control without being complicated to use, but is very flexible and powerful. I can't believe something like that is free. This is the first time I've used it and it's now my go-to glitch tool from now on.

Cool. Thanks for the tip. That is an amazing looking plug for free....

spirulence · Post by **spirulence** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:59 am

I really don't mean to be harsh...but I don't really like the first part of the track. The orchestral strings sound too produced and robotic to my ears. Some of the sound effects too.

IMHO, you should take my comments with a grain of salt, and just see whether the client is happy with it.

Best of luck!

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:34 am

Yeah, some other people have said the first half doesn't do anything for them, and only when the guitar kicks in did it start to get interesting. Is that true for you guys as well?

S.HUSH · Post by **S.HUSH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:56 am

Lunatique wrote:Yeah, some other people have said the first half doesn't do anything for them, and only when the guitar kicks in did it start to get interesting. Is that true for you guys as well?

Yes.
First off, nice sounding recording. Definitely sounds pro (and i bet it's not even mixed yet)

Secondly, ditch the glitch, it takes away from this tune.

Third, instead of that "staccato" type of guitar playing I am hearing the chords should be held out longer (sorry, my music terminology sucks).

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:42 am

Ok, I have uploaded a version with almost all the obvious glitch elements gone:
http://www.ethereality.info/ethereality ... Glitch.mp3

Do you guys prefer with or without glitch?

S.HUSH · Post by **S.HUSH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:16 am

Now that i am comparing, my vote is keep the glitch just before the guitar parts come in. But not the "tape stop" effect, just the "stretcher".

Muse-Med · Post by **Muse-Med** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:32 am

Just breezing through, taking a random listen to the original music posted here. So far I'm enjoying the listen.

This piece is no exception. Nice work. I don't have any constructive criticism to offer at present. I'm not out to critique. Just out to listen. Simply put, I like this piece.

Quickly checked out your web site. You seem to be quite talented in a lot of different areas of the "arts". Very cool!

Happy composing. . .

Ted

NotTheCommonDose · Post by **NotTheCommonDose** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:15 am

excellent music, great progression and i love the mix. impressive work.

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:49 am

S.HUSH wrote:Now that i am comparing, my vote is keep the glitch just before the guitar parts come in. But not the "tape stop" effect, just the "stretcher".

agreed.

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:19 am

Ok, I did a final version that takes into account some of your helpful feedback:
http://www.ethereality.info/ethereality ... ain_20.mp3

I also added a bass as the track was missing the bottom end. Originally I was afraid adding a bassline would muddy things up too much, but I got it to sit just right. I tried all kinds of different stacked synth sounds and finally got something that's closer to what I originally intended for the synth melody part. I think the rhymic dropping out I did also made that section more interesting than before. Apparently that was the weakest link in the chain according to most (here and other forums), but now I don't think it is anymore. The one place I kept a full-out glitch was right before the guitar kicks in--everywhere else I made sure it only happened on certain layers.

Good news is, the client really liked it, so mission accomplished. So that's one down, and the rest of the score to go...