Fantasy Battle

Here is a piece I've been working on. Please comment with any suggestions, critiques, or feedback, thanks very much!

Fantasy Battle

what program you've used to make this?

what program you've used to make this?

Hi there, I used Cubase SX 3 to sequence and my samples are mostly free sound fonts I've gotten on the internet. I'm hoping to upgrade my system soon since my computer is pretty old and is having a hard time keeping up. I'm also considering switching to Reaper so I can free a USB slot up and have heard good things about it, but haven't officially decided. Thanks!

Nice!!

Free soundfonts, HIGH FIVE :D Were they from freesf2.com , or somewhere else?? I think there are some great ideas there. However, if you're trying for that really epic feeling, you need to be VERY careful with freebies. I think most of the orchestral instruments could do with a little more reverb to give more of a spacious feeling ... battle themes are one of the hardest things to do with freebies, so kudos for making a good try out of what you have :) Remember, you tend to need a full orchestra in a buildup - woodwind to play about with counter melodies, arpeggios, etc. the brass to provide the beef (though some freebie brass, especially the trumpets, are really notoriously fiddly to get right), and strings really just to fill it out.

If you aim for realism, you have to be extremely picky about instrument selection. If a soundfont doesn't seem to be able to sound at least semi-realistic, then dump it. In particular, the first 2 chords really sounded rather synthy. It sounded TBH, more like pop - not really fitting compared to the rest of the piece IMHO.

Sequencing is another thing you could consider working on. Although you seem to be doing pretty well, it just means the bits that fall off the radar jump out even more. For example, when the trumpet tries to do staccato, it sounds like the player has just run out of breath, and is desperately puffing away to make a sound. Maybe it's worth doubling that with something else to prop it up.

Moments like 3:48 were pretty awesome though!! It really would take a few listens to recognise that it's synthy. I also adore the percussion work you've done with this composition - there were some excellent flashy rhythms. I think you've really mastered the art of awesome beats :)

Excellent ideas, excellent piece. It's only mainly the brass that lets the piece down. However, this is expected really, freebies really do have trouble utilising this section of the orchestra.

Hi CheeseLord!

They were indeed from freesf2.com, which I found through Wesnoth (which I see you are into). This is actually posted there as well, and though I don't think anyone is interested in it, it may end up in a UMC my friend is doing (/tangent). I'm glad the reverb was ok, I was actually worried it was too much. Yes, there are some samples that I really need to take out, though I'm surprised that the first two hits sound synthy to you, I will definitely have to work on that. There is a crazy horn sample I made that might be doing it more than anything. I also want to change the clarinet solo, one of the patches sounds really buzzy and annoying.

Any particular hints on the sequencing? I'm still pretty new so I don't know a lot of tricks. I need to go in and edit some of the timing and note lengths, you are very right on the trumpet, I will try something there. The weird staccato was a result of trying to get it NOT to sound like it was just fake due to being connected too much.

Thank you on the 3:48, that's my favorite part!! Glad you liked it as well!! I'm hoping at some point to acquire a "real" sample library, but as I'm currently quite broke, it may be awhile. I at least wanted to get going on making some compositions. Hopefully I can improve the brass with some more work. This is my third virtual orchestra attempt and I am officially hooked, it's so fun. Thanks a lot for the review!