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

I want to be a film and/or video game composer. I am now composing sort of an album, and I've just completed the Introduction for it. It's a short (2:05) orchestral piece. It's virtual, now don't run away, it doesn't sound like crap, I've got good software and some decent hardware, and most important, good music education. You probably wouldn't even be able to distinguish this track from a real orchestra.

It has an ABC form. A is like a march, reminds me of sci-fi movies such as Star Wars, with huge spaceships and the like. It's played mostly by brass and string instruments, melody is in horns. B is mostly a bridge between A and C, it's calm, played mostly by string instruments, melody in violas, and both violin sections. And C is probably the most beautiful (although cliched) one, played by string and woodwind instruments, melody is in both string sections, then it repeats in celli and violas. It ends with three flutes playing a part of the main theme along with a glock (glockenspiel, the musical instrument, not Glock the pistol), accompanied by double basses, oh and a triangle.

Download Maxx - Intro (128Kb).mp3

You sound very confident. Wipe that smile of your face. If you are here just to get praise to boost your confidence, please leave. Another thing, quit being arrogant it serves no greater purpose in life.

It sounds good, although I would like to have a score to look at. I do not know how it concurs with the movie/game, but I find that for presenting 3 parts 2 minutes is rather short. You have nice ideas but please re-use them!

Of course, you might do that in another piece, as many film and game composers do.

[Edit] Oh almost forgot, if you have such a good software, why on earth do you have to explain which instrument is holding the melody and so on and so forth... :dry:

It's pretty good. What software do you use, what kind of music education, and for long have you been composing?

1) The beginning needs a little work. Something about it (either the dynamics, instrumentation or the software) makes it unclear.

2) I could easily tell that it wasn't a real orchestra.

3) Good transition from A to B, but I think they both may need to be longer.

4) In the background of the flute part at 1:45, there is one instrument (I think it is either a harp or a vibraphone) could use a little work. Like, maybe arpeggiations or something? I dunno, just something like that. Also, maybe it could arpeggiat up to the triangle hit at the end

Those are just my suggestions. I maybe wrong about some things, but I think that those would make it a little better. Just try them out and see how they sound.

Very pretty, but the string articulations need to be cleaned up a bit near the beginning: where the notes are shorter, the attack needs to be sharper because it sounds a bit washy right now.

Also, the reverb that you've got going for your snare at the beginning makes it sound awful. Either use a bigger snare or do something with the mixing so that it doesn't sound like it's being played inside a giant soup can.

Thematically, it sounds very much like Silvestri. Remarkably so, in fact. I'm hearing a lot of The Mummy Returns in here, just to name one.

Good production overall though, I really enjoyed listening to it. Lose the attitude though, you're going to rub people the wrong way and then you'll have shot yourself in the foot. Confidence is nice, but there's this wonderful word called "moderation" that you may want to look up when you get the chance. :thumbsup:

Good luck with your album! :)

You sound very confident. Wipe that smile of your face. If you are here just to get praise to boost your confidence, please leave. Another thing, quit being arrogant it serves not greater purpose in life.

It sounds good, although I would like to have a score to look at. I do not know how it concurs with the movie/game but I find that for presenting 3 parts 2 minutes is rather short. You have nice ideas but please re-use them!

Of course, you might do that in another piece, as many film and game composers do.

[Edit] Oh almost forgot, if you have such a good software, why on earth do you have to explain which instrument is holding the melody and so on and so forth... :dry:

Sorry, I copy pasted that from a thread I made on another forum which doesn't have to do anything with composition, so I thought I had to explain some things. Made this thread in a hurry. :blush:

4) In the background of the flute part at 1:45, there is one instrument (I think it is either a harp or a vibraphone) could use a little work. Like, maybe arpeggiations or something? I dunno, just something like that. Also, maybe it could arpeggiat up to the triangle hit at the end

There is a harp and a glock, you probably mean the harp. It just plucks some notes. It plays arpeggios in part C. I figured I should use something simpler in the ending, because, well, it's an ending, and a diminuendo, so I wanted to make everything simpler towards the end. The arpeggiato up to the triangle hit sounds like a nice idea, I might want to try that.

Also sorry if I was arrogant or something. I didn't mean it. I was just in a hurry. Wanted to make some threads for people to listen to it before I had to leave for a short time.

Sorry again, please keep the feedback coming!

There is a harp and a glock, you probably mean the harp. It just plucks some notes. It plays arpeggios in part C. I figured I should use something simpler in the ending, because, well, it's an ending, and a diminuendo, so I wanted to make everything simpler towards the end. The arpeggiato up to the triangle hit sounds like a nice idea, I might want to try that.

Yeah, I see what you're saying. There's just something about it that doesn't really seem to fit in my opinion. Along with the arpeggiation up to the triangle hit, you may also wanna just change up the harp a little bit.

Also sorry if I was arrogant or something. I didn't mean it. I was just in a hurry. Wanted to make some threads for people to listen to it before I had to leave for a short time.

Don't worry. I so that sometimes, too.

So..for how long have you been composing?

Well, theoretically, since I was in kindergarten, always improvising in my head. I started learning some composition only in the second half of 7th grade though, quit in 9th because it took too much time, and continued in 10th. I'm in 12th now. Writing modernist stuff. I don't really like most of it, and I disagree with many of the teacher's methods of composing. They seem unnatural to me.

Also do you think the beginning sounds corny?

I can't tell very well. The snare isn't good, and it is not very clear. I think that movie stuff is often corny, so that's okay for now.

You're a pretty good composer. I would say that we're at about the same skill level, but you kinda have more experience. I started almost the same time as you (The beginning of 8th grade). I'm in my 9th grade year right now. I've been around other people who try to compose, and I've kinda gotten a feel for people who are really good composers and people who aren't. I think you're really good. I agree with most people's methods being "unnatural." When you use too much theory and not enough of just composing, it just doesn't seem as music.

Thanks. My composition teacher only makes me write music by using tons of schemes and plans which seems unnatural to me.

I'll probably remake the first part today. Do you think it's a good idea to remake it, or to just get rid of it, and make the other two parts a bit longer?

Keep all parts, remake the first part AND lengthen all of them a bit. Of course, it has to fit with the presented visual.

You can understand it was made on a computer, especially from the strings and percussion (and some woodwind, but they are not as prominent in the music).

Also, film music is so much more than writing down a few chords and orchestrating them neatly, or having a few sections, making them different but with similar material etc etc.

Furthermore, by saying you just copy-pasted the thread you basically tell us us that you weren't interested in putting much work to present your piece of music, thus you just did it for more or less promotion of the piece. It's not the kind of feedback we give that you're after, I believe. The only thing you want to learn is "how can I make this better" instead of "how can I be better". As the chinese proverb says "Give someone a fish, and you've helped him once. Teach him how to fish, and you've helped him for a lifetime".

Lastly, could you elaborate on that good musical education you mentioned in your post? It will help us know more as to how we can help you learn more.

No, I really want to become better. I just completed working on that piece when making this thread, I was tired, haven't eaten all day (that made be a bit angry), and in a hurry.

Yes, I figured a person with good musical education can see it was made on a computer, but a someone without it cannot.

OK, now a bit about my musical education. I started learning piano in 1st grade, but moved to a musical gymnasium only when in 4th. In the second half of the 7th grade I started learning composition but stopped in the 9th. In 10th grade I went to a musical lyceum and started learning composition again. I am still doing so now, in 12th grade. Next year I'll go to the music academy as a composer.

Of course I don't write film music for the composition lesson, I write modernist/avantgarde things. Right now I'm writing one for an ensemble of maybe about 10 instruments.

"give a man a fish and you feed him for a day;

teach a man to fish and you lose him and his buddies every weekend for the rest of the summer"

Ok, on to the music.

It's clich

I love 1:04-1:45, that bit is awesome.

Hey there Maxx,

I will go easy on you as I figure you are excited about your work and believe its "awesome" etc. I dont want to crush your spirits because you are talented and this is solid work.

But, I think you need to focus more of seeking the "song within" instead of doing an awesome piece.

The music is cliched, any composer anywhere could have done this piece. It has no identity and nothing special or remarkable about it.

It sounds good at first, but as I listened to it again, I got a lot of flash and no substance, just kinda expected in every way.

I would look at composers like Danny Elfman and Joe Hisaishi and even Phillip Glass.

Composers known for their unique approach to the medium and see how they have made the music their own while still being unique to the vision of the base material.

But you are off to a good start.;)

TheHarrowing is right. It kinda lacks unique substance. I would check out some of those composers, especially Joe Hisaishi. I LOVE his composing, even if the movies aren't always that great...

Thanks for the comment and the suggestions, I'll make sure to check out the composers you recommended. Also I will remake this piece, after a few days.

No problem man, glad I could help.

If you have a moment, check out my recent piece. Be interested to hear your comments.

-Harrow

I think the intro sucks but after that its pretty nice. I don't know what it is but I guess thats suppose to be snare? IMO its completely ruining the intro.

The rest of the stuff might be "cliche" as some have said but thats besides the point. If you created it yourself without "copying" then I think its nice and does have its good moments. It might not have much structure but I don't think that is needed in program like music.

I'm curious as to what you used to create the sounds. It might not be a real orchestra but it is close(much much closer than "midi" music). Is it VSL? I'm interested in composing for instruments other than piano but I can't stand "midi" sounds(which IMO include just about ever sound library except VSL and maybe some newer ones I'm unaware).

I think you definitely have potential but ultimately your going to have to distinguish yourself from the rest. It looks to be a good start though.

If you fix the intro I think its a pretty good piece. You might also try to insert some more thematic material but I do feel like theres a "journey" going on. Since its only 2 mins its not so important but if you plan on making it longer you'll probably want to definitely structure it some.

In any case, please elucidate more on what you used to get the sounds ;) maybe even the process. I know VSL used to be the best but I haven't messed with that in a long time because at the time it wasn't all that easy and my computer sucked.

Thanks,

Jon

I think the intro sucks but after that its pretty nice. I don't know what it is but I guess thats suppose to be snare? IMO its completely ruining the intro.

The rest of the stuff might be "cliche" as some have said but thats besides the point. If you created it yourself without "copying" then I think its nice and does have its good moments. It might not have much structure but I don't think that is needed in program like music.

I'm curious as to what you used to create the sounds. It might not be a real orchestra but it is close(much much closer than "midi" music). Is it VSL? I'm interested in composing for instruments other than piano but I can't stand "midi" sounds(which IMO include just about ever sound library except VSL and maybe some newer ones I'm unaware).

I think you definitely have potential but ultimately your going to have to distinguish yourself from the rest. It looks to be a good start though.

If you fix the intro I think its a pretty good piece. You might also try to insert some more thematic material but I do feel like theres a "journey" going on. Since its only 2 mins its not so important but if you plan on making it longer you'll probably want to definitely structure it some.

In any case, please elucidate more on what you used to get the sounds ;) maybe even the process. I know VSL used to be the best but I haven't messed with that in a long time because at the time it wasn't all that easy and my computer sucked.

Thanks,

Jon

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.

No problem man' date=' glad I could help.

If you have a moment, check out my recent piece. Be interested to hear your comments.

-Harrow[/quote']

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.

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.

*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?