I Finally Completed the Intro for my Film/Video Game Soundtrack! It's Awesome!

Originally Posted by Maxx

Thanks, I use VST instruments. The sounds are from East & West Quantum Leaps Symphonic Orchestra Silver Edition. I want the Platinum Edition but that's like $2000 ($1000 for students) and weights 138GB.



Will do.

By the way, I am soon going to try increasing my virtual orchestra skills. I will download some orchestral piece, the audio file and the score, I choose Beethoven's 5th Symphony, 1st Movement, and I will try to emulate it using only virtual instruments. I'll try to make it sound as close to the original as possible.

Definitely a good exercise.

One thing I have tried doing is scoring a main titles sequence, ala Edward Scissorshands, in my own version of how I would do it. Helps exercise the ole musical ear aswell.

Hi Maxx,

I think your musical ideas are pretty good, especially for just a high school senior. I've scanned over what most of the previous posts said and agree with all of the points. Besides working with elaborating on your materials the biggest thing you need to work on is:

working with your samples.

While your samples don't sound bad, you need to use them in only the strongest, most realistic way. Some of your short attacks sound very, very fake. Here is how to fix that:

1) First off, select the best sample in your library for the style and attack you need. If this means having to use multiple string samples over the course of the piece, then do it. The end result will be much stronger.

2) Write out the passage and then start editing the velocities. Right now your velocities seem very monotone. This is especially true in the snare drum part. Go through each line and imagine, research or study how the actual instrument and musician would behave playing that line. Does it crescendo, decrescendo or have a strong attack and then back off? Also put in accents this way. Provided that you're using multi-layered samples (which most East West stuff is) you will be able to breath new life into this piece.

As far as the length, yes it is short but sometimes that is what is needed. In my full time job, most of the music I write has to fit within 30 to 60 seconds for TV restrictions. Occasionally, I get to write a longer piece but those are usually the limits placed on me. I think you've done a fine job getting started here.

I'd also consider bringing down the snare drum part and tweaking the reverb. Remember, percussive parts will always cut through the ensemble sound more because they are usually shorter attacks. There isn't a need to have them at the same level as the ensemble. You want it to embellish the ensemble sound, not attempt to over take it. "The Snares are coming!"

I really like the slow(er) section in the middle.

Very good advice, thanks! I'll get to work on this in the next few days, and post the result here.

I thought it was good, even if it's kind of stereotypical. I feel like you should be getting more credit for this from others, it's just as good as the music by most professional composers.

*rushed* My god it's beautiful what did you use to make these files they are beautiful i can't believe they sound so real OMG OMG OMG!!
Anyways, onto the constructive criticism...
1) I see what people are saying about the intro. Either use fewer instruments or add two more measures before the melody comes in to establish the background a bit more.
2) Nice transition to the B section!
3) OOH Beautiful transition at about the halfway point (is that the recapitulation??)
4) Beautiful ending, but it sounds somewhat empty... or is it supposed to be that way? If not, may I suggest an arpeggio in an oboe...?

I lOVED this piece! I still want to know what you used to make this sound file!!

How much is the Silver Edition? What Percussion does it come with?

EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver Edition :: Classical/Orchestral :: Virtual Instruments :: Sounds Online

There's everything you want to know there: price, instruments, etc.

Oh and you'll also need some plugin reverb or something. I don't like the one from the Symphonic Orchestra Kompakt Player.

What other app's do you use for sequencing and such?

And do you know the difference between the Silver, Gold, and Platinum versions with respect to sound quality? Obviously the Platinum is 24-bit with 3 different mic's but I wonder how much difference this really gives compared to the other two?

I'd like to get into trying some orchestration with this but I remember it being a real biatch a couple of years ago.

I use Cubase, I also have Edirol Orchestral from a long time ago, and I sometimes use some of the many tiny FX plugins I have.

The difference between Symphonic Orchestra Silver, Gold and Platinum are the expressions and methods of playing the instruments. For example Silver has 5 ways of playing a violin, Platinum has like 20.

As everyone has stated, this sounds cliche. However, I think you have a good ear for what instruments need to sound where, and the next step would be to increase your knowledge of the instruments and how to write for them.

Also, regarding your composition instruction, where and with whom are you studying?