Altar (ElectroProg - Seismic Subterranean Homesick blues)

[seismic1]

After a seemingly endless descent of a stone spiral staircase into the very bowels of the Earth, the darkness is lifted by an eerie illumination which slowly reveals a dimly lit chamber containing at its centre a large stone table or casket. Advancing further into the dank gloominess, the outline of this object resolves itself into the form of an Altar..........


Something a little darker this time. Possibly influenced ever so slightly by an event which occurred on June 27th at the Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo

This was one of those tracks which just arrived out of the blue, or in this case, from the darkness, whilst I was working on something else. Less than 24 hours work from start to finish.

EDIT:20220518: mp3 link removed

In a cloudier than normal setting:-

https://soundcloud.com/whatsisname/altar

trimmings and trappings:-

recorded/mixed and pre-mastered in EnergyXT2.7
Mastered in T-Racks 3
Pro-53
AaltoCM
Axon
Glitchv1.3
admCM
Synth1
Microtonic
DuneCM
EnergyXT Reverb
Eos
Satin
T-Racks Linear Phase EQ
T-Racks Opto Compressor
T-Racks Vintage Equalizer
T-Racks Brickwall Limiter

DR - 10

EDIT:20220519 - Remixed in September 2021 - I made some reverb, panning, EQ and levelling adjustments. The track was then mastered in T-Racks5 for a future album release.

https://soundcloud.com/whatsisname/alta ... ks5-master

Recorded and mixed in EnergyXT 2.7
Mastered in T-Racks 5

Pro-53
AaltoCM
Axon
admCM
Synth1
Microtonic
DuneCM
Glitchv1.3
BlueCat Gain3 Stereo
EnergyXT Reverb
Eos
EQuivocate
Satin
T-Racks Linear Phase EQ
T-Racks Opto Compressor
T-Racks Vintage Equalizer
T-Racks Brickwall Limiter

DR - 11

EDIT:20241111 - over 10 years later, also on YouTube as a static video

[Frantz]

Is this the birth of GloomStep (a great beat that you can mope to) or just an Instant Seismic Classic? Either way this is something special. A unique, ominous atmosphere with inventive rhythm programming. There are even some uplifting parts once we reach the altar.

Very good clear mix. (Perhaps the snare and hats are mixed too loud?)

Somehow you managed to keep the HFs under control even with the dreaded Pro-53. I can crank it up without any ear pain.

Excellent work.

[sbj]

The thing that stands out for me on this track is the
composition.
Some very nice twists and turns and yet still fitting.

Adding to that the good sounding mix and suitable rhythmic
work and we have a "winner".

Cheers

[seismic1]

Is this the birth of GloomStep (a great beat that you can mope to) or just an Instant Seismic Classic? Either way this is something special. A unique, ominous atmosphere with inventive rhythm programming. There are even some uplifting parts once we reach the altar.

Thanks very much for the great comments, Frantz. Glad you liked it

It's a very basic track melodically and harmonically. The atmosphere is all down to the patches (and reverb) used. The rhythm is also relatively simple, using presets for all three drumsynths (two of them slightly modified) and a Glitch preset. They seemed to work well together.

Very good clear mix. (Perhaps the snare and hats are mixed too loud?)

I think the hats are ok, but the rimshot is quite prominent. I dropped it 2dB in my final mix. I may look at that again.

Somehow you managed to keep the HFs under control even with the dreaded Pro-53. I can crank it up without any ear pain.

Excellent work.

No hard sync this time, just strings and bass.

I'll check out your track tomorrow. I only finished work an hour ago and it's almost 3AM now. Early start tomorrow/today

[Frantz]

It's a very basic track melodically and harmonically. The atmosphere is all down to the patches (and reverb) used. The rhythm is also relatively simple, using presets for all three drumsynths (two of them slightly modified) and a Glitch preset. They seemed to work well together.

I'm listening again right now. It seems like you are trying to talk me out of it but I still like it a lot. I would call it streamlined instead of basic or simple. It doesn't have to be complicated to be good. There was a quote which resonated with me on the DMG Audio site "Perfection is when there's nothing more to take away." They were talking about GUIs but I think the concept works well for music too.

I'll check out your track tomorrow. I only finished work an hour ago and it's almost 3AM now. Early start tomorrow/today

Sure, take your time.

[polyslax]

Beautiful atmosphere piece Tim! Love the drop around 4:20, and some personal fave synth sounds in that last section. Simple but effective rhythms, and the ping-pong ball glitchy stuff adds some interest as well. Nicely done!

[seismic1]

The thing that stands out for me on this track is the
composition.
Some very nice twists and turns and yet still fitting.

Adding to that the good sounding mix and suitable rhythmic
work and we have a "winner".

Cheers

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, and for listening, sbj. Glad you liked it

[seismic1]

I'm listening again right now. It seems like you are trying to talk me out of it but I still like it a lot. I would call it streamlined instead of basic or simple. It doesn't have to be complicated to be good. There was a quote which resonated with me on the DMG Audio site "Perfection is when there's nothing more to take away." They were talking about GUIs but I think the concept works well for music too.

I have 3 drumsynths and 6 synth parts on here which is probably quite minimal relative to some of my tracks, certainly in terms of the non-percussive instruments. That reverb certainly fills out the sound.

Thanks again for the great comments

[D.H. Miltz]

Soundtrack for a dark science fiction movie. I like it. On my third listen today. Thanks, seismic1.

[osiris]

I think the mixdown is outstanding. Makes me want to look into T-Racks.
Dude, I'm gonna be so proud to say I knew you when you're a big movie soundtrack composer. Send this to Hans Zimmer!!!

[seismic1]

Beautiful atmosphere piece Tim! Love the drop around 4:20, and some personal fave synth sounds in that last section. Simple but effective rhythms, and the ping-pong ball glitchy stuff adds some interest as well. Nicely done!

Thanks very much for the listen and the comments, Matt. Glad you liked it

That lead synth in the last section is DuneCM.

[Jesse Gorter]

Do you compose for a living? I often find myself marveled at the quality of your productions .....
I like how every sound seems essential to the music, every note too. Athough I have to admit the 4:10 mark had me going 'huh?', makes more sense the more I try it

[seismic1]

Soundtrack for a dark science fiction movie. I like it. On my third listen today. Thanks, seismic1.

Thanks very much for checking in, DHM. Glad you enjoyed it

For some reason, I get more enjoyment out making the darker pieces. I feel that the melodies ought to be be trickier to assemble than the more "cheerful" ones, but the reverse seems to be true. I think working with a more minimal soundset, focusing on a smaller frequency range helps things along too.

[layzer]

nice one, tim... great theatrical intro that gets into some funky percussion. i like the rolling, knocking sounds you seem to slip into your tracks now and then. very cool. then the twinkly piano just floated in effortlessy. made for good late night listening

[Allomerus]

Huge track with lots of drama! Definitely a choice track for a movie. Awesome ominous start and the drums are great, add beautifully to the sense of doom...! Reminds me a bit of the 'planets' by Holst at times! The change in the middle was great before the powerful and urgent end section.

Great stuff Tim!