February 24, 200917 yr This is a piece of game music that i have composed. It is for a turn based fantasy RPG. The setting is a fiery volcanic area. I feel that it is a bit repetitive, and I plan to go through and add a little more variation, but I wanted to know, at this point, if anyone thinks it's any good. I would love any specific comments or suggestions on enhancing the piece. It is meant to loop also. Thanks http://www.box.net/shared/6to4lynhg3
February 24, 200917 yr Cody I like this one. Although still electronica based it has an orchestral feel to it. One suggestion to give it a less repetitious feel. Lower the volume a little on the underlying ostinato and bring up the rest and vary it in instrumentation. All of the variations you have so far work well; they are just overpowered by the ostinato. Nicely done Ron
February 24, 200917 yr I second rolifers assessment. I suggest anpther tactic - drop the battery of percussion ostinato altogether to listen to what you have. I don't think you realize how much good stuff you have going on. Think also of lingering a little more on the strings at the beginning. After you hear what you have above the ostinato consider introducing elements of your percussion ostinato gradually instead of going full force --- it will make the ending before you have the cello recur (very good touch by the way) sound less repetitive. Also, what is funny is I have a piece for organ called Volcano. Check out the live recording when you have a chance.
February 25, 200917 yr The piece is a cool piece by itself, but I don't know how well it would fit into a fantasy RPG game. Actually, maybe if the game was has some sci-fi elements in it as well it would fit ok. The main problem with using this for a game would be that it doesn't have a constant mood. Is it meant for a battle? Then the beginning and end wouldn't really work, because you couldn't start a battle sequence with that. Not enough "pow." Are you just walking around the volcano, because then the techno beat would probably be a little too intense and heavy for background music. One solution would be to split it into two tracks. An ambient exploration track ala the beginning of the song and then a volcano battle theme ala the techno part. I don't know if this will actually go into a game, I just wanted to give you some feedback. I do a lot of game programming as a hobby, and I remember the first time I wrote music for one of my games, I had way to much development and differing sections, and then when it went into the game it felt disjointed, even though it was fine listening to it by itself.
February 25, 200917 yr Author The piece is a cool piece by itself, but I don't know how well it would fit into a fantasy RPG game. Actually, maybe if the game was has some sci-fi elements in it as well it would fit ok. The main problem with using this for a game would be that it doesn't have a constant mood. Is it meant for a battle? Then the beginning and end wouldn't really work, because you couldn't start a battle sequence with that. Not enough "pow." Are you just walking around the volcano, because then the techno beat would probably be a little too intense and heavy for background music.One solution would be to split it into two tracks. An ambient exploration track ala the beginning of the song and then a volcano battle theme ala the techno part. I don't know if this will actually go into a game, I just wanted to give you some feedback. I do a lot of game programming as a hobby, and I remember the first time I wrote music for one of my games, I had way to much development and differing sections, and then when it went into the game it felt disjointed, even though it was fine listening to it by itself. hmm.. a good consideration. That is something I thought of.. but ignored. now that it has been reinforced.. I might think about it some more :) Thanks :)
February 27, 200917 yr sounds really good the transitions don't sound very fluid in certain areas maybe roll the drums in on the first build up definitely repetitive, but hey- its video game music, its not meant to be too complex.
February 28, 200917 yr I like it as it is. But I would have liked to have heard a modulation of same kind, or dropping the 'continuo' percussion at some point and just carrying on with the rest of the orchestration.
