The War Against the Machines

This piece is my attempt at making a thrilling battle score! I tried to keep momentum going as the battle mounts, and took the feedback I've been given here to keep some recurring references to motifs throughout, but with some variations! Overall I'm very happy with the piece from my perspective. It's not perfect. But I'm really happy with how strong a mental image the piece paints for me! In this case, a large scale battle. Hence the name, "The War Against the Machines".

As for the VSTs I used, there's a combination of BBCSO Discover, Amadeus Symphonic (mostly for percussion), LABS, Intimate Strings, and Epic Choirs. As always, put together in FL Studio. Hope you enjoy the listen and I am looking forward to hearing your feedback!

Great instrumentation and orchestration! Probably better than me with that haha. The only thing I seem to notice is the lack of heavy percussion. Perhaps it’s just my personal preference but I always add epic percussion to my big large battle themes to give them that extra big feel. Ofc it might not be what you’re going for which is totally fine. If you are interested there are some rly good quality free epic percussion libraries and spitfires originals epic percussion is ok with it. Anyways overall fantastic job my guy! Keep up the good work!

Hi @Layne,

That A#-D augmented interval creates so much tension throughout. I love that bass line which is quite mechanical and fits the theme! Again I would like some modulation introduced! Maybe even a line of D major will be a great contrast! That makes the drama more heightened!

Henry

On 1/27/2024 at 1:47 AM, Gabriel Carlisle said:

Great instrumentation and orchestration! Probably better than me with that haha. The only thing I seem to notice is the lack of heavy percussion. Perhaps it’s just my personal preference but I always add epic percussion to my big large battle themes to give them that extra big feel. Ofc it might not be what you’re going for which is totally fine. If you are interested there are some rly good quality free epic percussion libraries and spitfires originals epic percussion is ok with it. Anyways overall fantastic job my guy! Keep up the good work!

 

I have actually revisited the piece a bit! Added some Timpani into the mix at times to bring out a more epic drum. I've been wondering about how their Epic Percussion kit is. I have their Epic Choirs and Intimate Strings, and use those a TON. Also, been listening to some of your work here on the forum and I greatly enjoy your style!

As for instrumentation, that's something I've really focused on this past year. Was like...getting out of my old habits of too much repetition and no changes within the piece.

On 1/28/2024 at 8:37 AM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Hi @Layne,

That A#-D augmented interval creates so much tension throughout. I love that bass line which is quite mechanical and fits the theme! Again I would like some modulation introduced! Maybe even a line of D major will be a great contrast! That makes the drama more heightened!

Henry

 

You'll be glad to know that I have revisited the piece and added some modulation! Might change some more things around before the final piece is done but I will be sure to share it back here on the forum once it's finished, for those that want to hear it. Always appreciate your insightful feedback, Henry!

This is a great foreboding track!  For me, I think it sounds more like the preamble to an approaching battle than the battle itself though.  A battle film cue is usually much more fast paced with action packed ostinati, unexpected changes in dynamics, melodies that come out of nowhere, and much more rhythmic gymnastics like syncopation and meter changes.  Not that you can't have a good battle track without those elements but I think it sure helps to make things more exciting!

Your track doesn't have any tempo changes or surprising orchestra hits.  Most of the track happens on the beat without syncopation.  This makes me feel like the battle is constantly approaching but never really arrives.  If you had a sudden quickening of tempo at some point and with a key and meter change that might help deliver the kind of battle you were going for in my opinion.  Thanks for sharing!

Peter

On 2/1/2024 at 6:28 PM, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

This is a great foreboding track!  For me, I think it sounds more like the preamble to an approaching battle than the battle itself though.  A battle film cue is usually much more fast paced with action packed ostinati, unexpected changes in dynamics, melodies that come out of nowhere, and much more rhythmic gymnastics like syncopation and meter changes.  Not that you can't have a good battle track without those elements but I think it sure helps to make things more exciting!

Your track doesn't have any tempo changes or surprising orchestra hits.  Most of the track happens on the beat without syncopation.  This makes me feel like the battle is constantly approaching but never really arrives.  If you had a sudden quickening of tempo at some point and with a key and meter change that might help deliver the kind of battle you were going for in my opinion.  Thanks for sharing!

Peter

 

Thank you for listening! I agree that this definitely doesn't have the spontaneity of a typical battle score. In my mind, I suppose, it was scoring more of a montage of glimpses of the battles...the struggles...the action. More of an overview of widespread battle as opposed to one, singular battle. Glad you enjoyed listening!