2012 Alternate Soundtrack-Audio only

Hey-

Due to copyright infringement issues, I am only allowed to upload the audio from the clip I was re-scoring. It's not as powerful as when seen with the clip, but comments are welcome.

http://www.box.net/shared/29ql04mmcg

-jdrcomposer

Sounds like a gun-fight, but a major one

On the seas

With pirates..

and Orlando Bloom...

:D

JD

Copyright issues can be a real pain. Once 2012 is out of the theaters, youtube will probably care less if you post it there. But while the movie is still around, they will watch for stuff like that.

My guess is this was composed in finale and the wav file comes from there. Am I right on that account?

I don't use Finale at all but this piece shows that you can get some decent results using it. If the video process is anything like Sibelius, then I am sure you had a difficult time with setting the cues. Notation just doesn't do videos well.

The music does show some Williams influence and IMO, you couldn't get a better influence when it comes to cinematic music.

Nice piece.

Ron

Hi Ron-

Actually, it was all logic pro 8, with EWQLSO and SD2. Thanks for the info about copyright, I guess I'll just wait till it's out of theatres.

-jdrcomposer

David-

Orlando Bloom...Ha! Well, Hans Zimmer is one of my influences, so the rhythmic patterns (often reminding people of pirates) comes from him. Thanks for writing!

-jdrcopmoser

Right, I can see why rolifer thought it was Finale.....

The actual piece is a pretty awesome one. However, for EWQLSO, there are some fairly critical issues, I'm not sure whether you are aware of them, or whether it's a WIP, but still, I'm going to mention them anyway (goes into full lecture mode):

1. Use some reverb! That will generally gives a massive realism factor. It really helps to echo and give the impression of epicness which you're trying to portray.

2. Minor Dynamic/note length variation. As longs there is a general dynamic change, this isn't as important when you have a orchestra and strings all together. However, when there's more of a solo part going on, it becomes more obvious and sounding automated, detracts from the quality of the piece. You have lots of velocity layers, use them!! We are generally good at noticing small changes like that, so minor dynamic changes between each note really adds to realism.

Those are the 2 major points IMHO holding this piece back. The orchestration and stuff are pretty good, and with some work, will surely turn out brilliantly :)

Hi Cheeselord-

Thanks! Yes, I am trying to use reverb with my limited system resources, I'm getting more RAM soon, so it should be easier. Dynamics and note variations have never been my forte, I'm trying to work that out. Thanks for the feedback though!

-jdrcomposer

Hey-

Turns out I put up the wrong link here-this was for a different cue. Here is the correct one:

http://www.box.net/shared/29ql04mmcg

-jdrcomposer

Hey-

Turns out I put up the wrong link here-this was for a different cue. Here is the correct one:

http://www.box.net/shared/29ql04mmcg

-jdrcomposer

Looks like someone is a Hans Zimmer fan :P I do hear his influence here. What are you using for the percussion? I have always wanted to know!

Haha-Hans Zimmer indeed! I use Stormdrum 2 (EastWest product) for my percussion, but getting the right sound is hard to do, I combined 4 patches-Godzilla hits, finger cymbols, earthquake ensemble and brushed drums-creates an instant Zimmer sound!

-jdrcomposer

JD

I have listened to this a few times now and even watched the video on another site. (For YC's safety's sake, the video should probably not be posted here).

Compositional speaking, the piece has a number of elements that are the standard Hollywood fare and works well. There are some minor issues here and there that I will not dwell on.

What I will reply on is the tech aspects of the piece.

Earlier I asked if this was composed in Finale as the piece has that Notational sound about it and I will give you a few hints on how to work on that end.

Be sloppy in where your notes are. The major problem here is that all of the notes have start and end times that are too perfect. If you are quantizing, stop doing it. If not, then move your notes around more so that they are not so perfectly aligned. In a real symphony, each instrumentalist will start playing his notes just a fraction differently from everyone else. Using Logic, you can accomplish that effect by adding some slop to where you start each note compared to the others.

Next, if you are not using sends, and it sounds as if you are not, learn how to set them up and start using them. You can get some more depth in your pieces and it will cut down on your memory problems since you will be using only 1 or 2 reverbs at a time. Make sure that each instrument goes to its own out and set up your sends in the outs.

To get added realism, you need to shape the sound you want for every single note in the piece. It takes a lot of time, but the final product is worth it. Vary every velocity in the piece!!!!

Hope that helps

Ron

Hi Ron-

I had another comment similar to that, and yes, I'm starting to move around and un-quantize the notes. Is there a way to change velocity without having to re-record the segment in Logic? What are sends, and how do I use them?

Thanks,

-Jdrcomposer

Definitely sounds like some type of fight is going on.

Very epic sounding.

Some of this definitely reminded me of some John William's works.

Good job.

Hi Wendall-

Thanks! Yes, John Williams is one of my main influences.

-jdrcomposer