gh0stwrit3r

In the last months I worked hard at my first small symphony. Spending some forgotten hours late at night to write notes in that marvellous app StaffPad. Slowly the story came to life. With this composition “The Boy Who Wanted To Fly” as an end result! I really challenged myself this time. I wanted to compose a classical story. A symphonic story. One that takes you by the hand and feeds your imagination. You have to know, I'm still a beginner. This is the second composition I wrote by hand. So any feedback, advise is much appreciated! About the process, I wrote it by hand in StaffPad. Exported the STEMS and mixed and mastered in my beloved DAW Logic Pro. The music is available on Youtube with the short story in the video and on every major streaming platform. So when you enjoy listening to it, you could add it to one of your favourite playlists. Link to the score: Score - The Boy Who Wanted To Fly

Most of my inspiration comes indeed from film and listening to other music. But I also "hum" a lot while walking with the dog. Nature inspires me a lot too. And I record these 'humming sessions' with my phone, I see them as inspiring and spontaneous building blocks.

I was definitely after a "film score" feel. So that's great. And many thanks for your advise. I never thought about being adventurous with chords outside of the home key. I'm still playing safe and hold on to what I understand so far. So much to learn and to experiment with. But you challenge me and that's great! I will make another version and apply your thoughts. Very interesting to see what happens then. And if I can understand it. Many thanks again!

Thank you so much 🙂

Hi all, I already mentioned in this post I would share the score of my latest music track. I wrote it all first in StaffPad and then rebuild it again on my computer with my favourite libraries. Love to receive some feedback. I really tried to pay attention to harmony, counterpoint and using the right registers for the instruments. Download score: https://bit.ly/3ka0ZLu

Thankful! That is what I am! Many of you listened to the three basic orchestral mockups of the Polar Express Suite from last week video. Many votes came in. Some of you shared your thoughts, insights, arguments why one of the three mockups sounded the best to your ears. Valuable information for all starting aspiring composers and I guess for the ones who are on the road for quite a while. One thing for sure, I've learned a lot from it! In this video I will announce the version which is favoured by the people who voted. And of course, we have an in-depth look at the settings of that orchestral mockup version!

I've prepared three (!) basic orchestral midi mockups of the polar express suite. Trying to pin down which one sounds the best. Now I guess I'm biased. So I'm asking you: which one do you prefer? In random order they'll pass (starting at 4:05 - so if you wanna skip my talk, go ahead): only tree mics and no extra panning my personal mic preferences with extra panning in Kontakt my personal mic preferences with extra panning in Precedence So let's vote! https://youtu.be/hfAVNYpUJvg Next week I'll return to this video and share the winner. Of course, we run through the midi mockup and the settings in detail. Libraries used: Spitfire Audio Symphonic Woodwinds Spitfire Audio Symphonic Brass Spitfire Audio Symphonic Strings Spitfire Audio Chamber Strings Spitfire Audio Percussion HZ Percussion 8dio Lacrimosa (female and men) 8dio Liberis Audio Imperia Jeager Violins NI Symphony Series Brass NI Symphony Series Percussion NI The Genteman Cinesine from Cinesamples Sonokinetic Modal Runs

I know when you have a proper balance in your orchestral template, the composition should mix itself for 90% or so. So I will try different mic settings. Trees only too. I still have to learn a lot. Thanks for the advise!

The ambient mics are the dominant ones with the brass. With a tree mic in the mix. That gives a great sound and feeling of width. Brass needs to breath. Closed mics on the brass are indeed normally not a good idea. I only use those for non-realistic stuff, sound design or trailer like compositions.

I'm creating mixes with different mics in the Spitfire Audio Libraries. A combination of tree, close and ambient. Sometimes the tree is dominant (strings), but sometimes it is not (with the brass for example). The link to the MIDI mockup is the one from me, the adjusted version. The instruments that I have added, were missing in the mockup from Ashton. For example the piatti, desk bells and woodwind runs.

Sometimes a new composing project can drive you nuts. Momentarily I have to deal with one of those. I can’t put my finger on it, but something is wrong. Something is missing. Something doesn’t work. Which is really frustrating. I guess there are many strategies to get out of these situations. One that often seems to work for me, is studying work from others. Doing a remake of an existing score. And that is just what I have done this time. A remake of a small piece of the Polar Express Suite! If you would like to remake this piece of the Polar Express Suite yourself, you can download the midi-mockup of this project on my Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/gh0stwrit3r/

The playlist is up and running! All amazing submissions so far! If you would like to be part of the list, don't hesitate and throw me a link to your original composition/work on youtube.

Not sure if this is allowed (i hope it is!). The intention of it comes from the heart with no commercial goal or whatsoever. Just a composer reaching out and willing to help others in these difficult times. I have been thinking about this idea for quite a while. And I think it is a good moment to execute it. I want to support you as a musician or composer! And help you to get momentum, a following. Support you to grow your audience. So this project, is about you! If you are a composer or musician creating music for film and video, you can submit one of your music tracks to this playlist. Think about which one to pick, cause there is only one spot reserved for one of your tracks. It’s limited to one submission only. At this moment you can submit your music track by just throwing me a link in the comments on Youtube to your music track (which should be on YouTube too). I will listen to it and if it is appropriate, I will add it to the playlist. Now I can hear you think, when is my music appropriate? Well, I only have one rule at this moment. It has to be an original composition. No covers. They are not allowed. Only original work. Preferably piano, orchestral or hybrid, but not limited to these specific genres. I will start promoting the playlist from second one. Do my utmost best to create as much traffic to it as possible. Getting your music tracks in the spotlights. When your music is available on Spotify too, I will add it to a playlist on that platform too. Hopefully with an even more exposure for your music. So start submitting your tracks! And I hope we can make a successful playlist. One we all can enjoy. And hopefully one that leads much other good things in life. https://youtu.be/hrR7y8TvS80

Thanks Jean! That's a great compliment 🙂 And indeed, maybe it's not a typical waltz but more a 3/4 rhythm cinematic track.

This is the first Waltz I ever have composed. It's in a kinda oriental sphere written. Would love to hear your opinions 🙂 https://youtu.be/8EPBmkm0vos