Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Hakurei Shrine~ => Alice's Art Atelier => Topic started by: Lloyd Dunamis on August 16, 2010, 02:51:57 AM
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Welcome to Lloyd Dunamis' Music Thread, "Venture! Timid Youkai!" :3
Ahah, I didn't really see this coming, making a music thread of my own. It just happened that I love Touhou/'s music and was honored IP over a one-night inspiration --overflowing me with unexplainable joy. Now I have a constant something to work on and contribute to the community |D
I generally have little to no idea what musical style I have? Shmup-like stage themes? Nnn, I'd rather quote a fellow MotK musician:
I listen to videogame BGMs a lot, and that may have more or less effect on my style. Also, I'm still only learning a lot of stuff generally used in music making, so don't expect these to be top quality.
I dream of making orchestral-ish music as well, but I'm not capable of such musical caliber yet.
Knows not most of the musical terms. Ask me to detail *thinks*? uhh, sequencing or? or sequencing, I'd go totally ":D?" on you. (I'd hit google for definitions and stuff, but I'm talking about musical stuff I learned from the past o_o;;)
In short of what I could/couldn't detail, I am walking in the dark as I pursue this?uhh, musical hobby? eheh~ :ohdear:. But thanks to fellow musicians and music analysts/opinionists in MotK, I now have companions to walk through the dark there's a step of improvement in each day of working on a piece |D
I am more than willing to accept comments, criticisms, and "Oh, its melody sounds like --title of music--".
Thank you very much for appreciating music! *bows*
Musical Pieces
PCB-themed Fanfare, Triumphant Blaze ~ PCB's Deep Mountain Petals (http://tindeck.com/listen/ftsu) [ AlternateLink (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Triumphant%20Blaze%20%7E%20PCB%27s%20Deep%20Mountain%20Petals.mp3) | MIDI (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/piece030%20PCB%20Fanfare.mid) ] *newest*
Musicbox arrange, Musicbox of a Deserted Hell (http://tindeck.com/listen/sgpj) [ AlternateLink (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Musicbox%20of%20a%20Deserted%20Hell.mp3) | MIDI (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/piece028%20LullabyMusicbox.mid) ]
Thread-inspired Original, Sound Effect (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?g6cd101yyz4y16d) [ Alternate Link (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Sound%20Effect.mp3) | MIDI (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/piece022%20Sound%20Effect.mid) ]
Original, Venture! Timid Youkai! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?dpyh17lw70v71zj) [ Alternate Link (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Venture%21%20Timid%20Youkai%21.mp3) | MIDI (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?owxz1mgcrm0bjoi) ]
UFO-themed Fanfare, Triumphant Blaze ~ UFO's Cosmic Mind (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?q7tr3v7dyklqz5k) [ Alternate Link (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Triumphant%20Blaze%20%7E%20UFO%27s%20Cosmic%20Mind.mp3) | MIDI (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?61ruompxroebtab) ]
Pieces Description
Sound Effect
Where'd that come from? -- Dedication
Reading Esifex' The Road to Self-Enlightenment (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6993.0.html) jumpstarted me to making this piece, followed by some as-serious entries in the Graet Raeg (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6916.0/topicseen.html) thread. My mind sank to a portion of their situation and? well? made me worried =x=;;
It's rather short -- I was having mixed conflicting feelings of happiness and sorrow coming from different influences? Maybe because we really don't have all day to worry?
What's up with the title?
Effect -- an effect? of something about a person's state of mind or something.
Sound -- calmingly positive, or some enlightening statement to believe on? is what I thought.
It came from Esifex's name, actually, which sounds like SFX, which translates to sound effects.
? Why does the title sound positive in contrast to how mellow the piece is? o_o;;
Sounds like a stage theme! -- Influence
This sounds more like a BGM you would put in mellow situations in RPGs than some stage/boss theme in a shmup.
By melody, I don't recall remembering any game theme that sounds like this during composition. Please do tell me if the piece or part of it sounds like that certain BGM from that certain game.
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Venture! Timid Youkai!
Where'd that come from? -- Dedication
Well, I thought "I couldn't possibly dedicate this one to any existing chara if I didn't think of that chara while composing the music in the first place", so I named it like how I named my music thread, "Venture! Timid Youkai!"
What's up with the title?
I just get whatever was flying in my head.
Though I guess for sentimental reasons, I kinda had captured words that tells something about myself, Touhou/Gensokyo, me being in MotK, and having my first effort-turn-product -- in this case, music -- shared to everybody.
Then, since it's Touhou-inspired / heavily Touhou-influenced, this theme could be about? a timid little youkai who have just begun to open up and discover that this is such a big world or something -- which is again pretty much how I'd describe myself =_=;;.
The exclamation points adds stress of confidence and strength to the words -- influenced by how Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! named each of its episode/stage.
Sounds like a stage theme! -- Influence
This piece is heavily influenced by MoF Stage1 "The God that loves people ~ Romantic Fall", being my most-loved stage theme and all.
0:44, I heard a little of PCB Stage4 "Ancient Ruins" play in the melody.
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Triumphant Blaze ~ UFO's Cosmic Mind
Where'd that come from? -- Dedication
Dedicated for being selected as one of the winners in IP Contest: Design us a flag! (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6743.0.html)
I was sooo overjoyed, I thought of making a fanfare!
Why Byakuren's theme though? When I was taking a bath, Cosmic Mind was playing in my head, or probably my cellphone was playing it. My thoughts of victory and the theme alternated, eventually mixed together, then this fanfare came to fruition.
I put a little of the Player's Score theme on the calm part, to put that mysterious feel, not to mention the Player's Score theme being one of my favorites.
What's up with the title?
Triumphant, obviously, because it's a fanfare and a victory-dedicated music. Blaze is just something amazing-sounding I thought that Triumphant will modify.
"Blaze, eh. Razgriz' flight lead comes to mind."
Then I attached the title of the boss theme it's themed to, with ownage to UFO because I planned on making a victory fanfare themed to fellow Touhou games.
Software:
Anvil Studio (initial compositions)
SynthFont (accuracy, varying volumes, using VST's)
Audacity (Final edits and encoding)
Original OP
Anyway, due to my recent victory feeling and self-confidence boost, I have dedicated a victory fanfare! xD Woohoo!
Triumphant Blaze ~ UFO's Cosmic Mind (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?la926vz4ppc98iw)
I feel very proud of this, being the first short Touhou remix-ish I've ever done? *heart pounding* I've always wanted to compose / remix!
Then there's this one Stage 1-like music I've composed and experimented by trying Anvil Studio, keying in that mental melody that passes through my mind only once. It's probably finished now, but I haven't found a character's stage to dedicate it to, or a title, so I'm labeling it as preview for now. Touhou-inspired, of course |3
Preview(?) - piece001 (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?m0cwkdlxu6a97g2)
Using the most basic of, uhh, MIDI instruments here, so don't expect anything of ZUN quality. Now there might be subtle jumps, cuts, or chops in the MP3 recording due to MIDI late beat-synching, slow disk writing, or something. Do excuse my dinosaur PC ^_^;;
If not for Drake c/o Muffin-fin (can't remember who exactly, but eh) mentioning Anvil Studio somewhere, in some very old post I think, I wouldn't have started singing my melodic thoughts. Thanks!
Comments & Criticisms are very much appreciated, as I am only a Novice, uhh, composer :3
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Quite good for a novice. Sounds way better than the stuff I made back when I first started sequencing music about a year ago. The Stage 1 -like theme is especially quite nice. Definitely keep it up!
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Don't you dare tell me you've had no experience with music before, because this stuff is just too good for an utter novice to have composed. :V
Actually, after listening through the stage theme a few times, I'm starting to get a Mardek RPG vibe from it... could be pure coincidence though, for all that matters. The victory fanfare follows a very "traditional" layout, i.e. a fanfare followed by an experience/gil/loot-obtained-screen music, which I like.
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Ya done good son. Could definitely use better quality and I think PT8 could help ya with that, but the composition itself is great. Ya should definitely do some more.
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Eheh~<3
I plan on remixing / composing more stuff. Your responses give me such large encouragement and confidence boost. I really appreciate it! *bows* >w<
@Bitz: By experience, do you mean the composition of music itself or the educational background? Well, lessee?
/me now ponders?
The first music education I ever received was from Grade 1 Elementary? no wait, I think that was Kindergarten? Eh, I guess it doesn't matter -- I didn't pay much attention to the lessons back then x_x *shame*
? I do remember the notes -- whole, half, quarter, then rests? DO RE MI & that sharp thing? and a few singing lessons I used to brag to myself. I had such a nice little voice back then~<3 *cough*
Then there's this small school teaching music lesson for kids, which I don't remember staying even for a month. Distraction of PC games there got the better of me. That Mario keyboarding game was given playable to us as a reward for doing good on the music lessons. There goes my attention =_=
After that, I have not received any music instructions in any form.
I am fascinated by music. Listening to one song/soundtrack lets me automatically analyze how each notes were played, how they were harmonized, and oh especially how they fit in each beat! My love in the number of beats makes me love drums as well~<3
From all that analyzing, I had no idea what those musical terms I've randomly heard/read like? uhh, chords, C major, and those things stand for.
With all that said, I could say? No, I had no experience with music before :3
? Maybe I should call myself a rookie or something, eheh~ |D *cough*
Onwards,
Perhaps the stage theme must have sounded more or less like one music in that RPG.
Yes, making the fanfare in a "traditional" layout is my goal? or rather, I thought the combination of melodies I mixed sounded nicer in a calm one than continuing the lively feel. Glad someone noticed that |D
@flamezero16: Yeah, I don't want to stick to basic MIDI quality forever x_x
I could use any help I can get at this point. The obstacle though: my PC's Win98SE handicap would be somewhat difficult to handle, seeing most computers 'round our place run WinXP and up, or for several people here Linux and the likes. Software and drivers I can use is limited.
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Haha sorry amigo ^^; wish i could help, but as far as musical engineering goes, im useless. But were in the same boat as far as musical theory. About all i know is the EADGBE strings. Other than that im totally self taught, and learnin the names of notes and chords is borin XD I just wanted to play. So, just cause ya dont have any formal education doesn't mean your worse. Just that ya learned a different way.
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It's awesome learning to play guitar, being polyphonic & all. I anticipate my tone-deaf but avid guitarist-dreaming YoungerSis to learn guitar soon <3
I felt a little proud of having no formal educational yet making nice music |D
Lately though, I feel something is lacking without someone of high music caliber, or simply music teacher, teach me. The original stuff I try to compose from my head are actually melodies of other games' music, or any music I've heard of. I'm kinda worried I might not recognize that the melody I've written sounds like other games', a little off-tune or not.
A clip of what I've composed (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/piece012%20dramatic%20battle%20%28clip%29.mp3), and the music to which I recognized it to (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofz0kV0eytM) a day later.
As far as music education goes, I still have a looong way to go. For now, I guess Imma flow to wherever all these random melodies in my head will take me |3
For what I think I need to attain better music quality?
-Some soundfont-playing software > Synthfont that Muffin-fin mentioned is a little laggy on some parts of my stage 1 music ;_;. I can't record chop-chop music.
-Soundfont itself > Drake's ZUN soundfont is absolutely nice, but it's killing most of what little space left in my harddisk ;_;? and I'm not after exactly-Touhou-like instruments in my music anyway. But if it's PC-98 Touhou soundfont?
-and those reverberation effects.
Nothing about hardware for now.
Currently experimenting with Hydrogen (http://www.hydrogen-music.org/) that Tengukami mentioned. Oh gee, this drum machine is just? awesome!
I'll have to find a work-around on saving files though. It crashes everytime I try to save in WAV.
Meanwhile, UPDATE!!
- Updated Music: "Venture! Timid Youkai!", promoted from being just a sequentially-numbered title, piece001.
- Updated Music: "Triumphant Blaze ~ UFO's Cosmic Mind"
- Description added for "Triumphant Blaze ~ UFO's Cosmic Mind"
- Added alternate links.
- Will include MIDI file with the recorded MP3 from now on.
Eh, just did some minor edits.
In Triumphant Blaze, increased the volume of the strings and Byakuren's theme on the calm part.
In Venture! Timid Youkai!, erased the piano in the beginning part, and more minor edits.
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Lately though, I feel something is lacking without someone of high music caliber, or simply music teacher, teach me. The original stuff I try to compose from my head are actually melodies of other games' music, or any music I've heard of. I'm kinda worried I might not recognize that the melody I've written sounds like other games', a little off-tune or not.
You're not the only one who has this problem. It's been troubling me for a long time whenever I try to make something original (which, by the way, might be one of the main reasons for me only arranging stuff lately). Doesn't still take away from how good the clip is (sound quality still needs improving as you said, but the melody is pretty nicely done).
For what I think I need to attain better music quality?
-Some soundfont-playing software > Synthfont that Muffin-fin mentioned is a little laggy on some parts of my stage 1 music ;_;. I can't record chop-chop music.
-Soundfont itself > Drake's ZUN soundfont is absolutely nice, but it's killing most of what little space left in my harddisk ;_;? and I'm not after exactly-Touhou-like instruments in my music anyway. But if it's PC-98 Touhou soundfont?
-and those reverberation effects.
Nothing about hardware for now.
Cakewalk SFZ (http://www.cakewalk.com/support/project5/sfz.aspx) is what I've been using for playing soundfonts lately (you can download it just by clicking the link at the bottom of the page, filling in your information is completely optional). If your DAW (Digital audio workstation, ie whatever program you use to make music) supports VSTs (which I assume it does), I'd recommend you to try it out. It's quite lightweight, and if you're dealing with a large soundfont, you can just switch the mode from "SF32" to "PR32" where it loads only one instrument from the font per plugin instance instead of the whole font (there might also be a similar setting in SynthFont too, so another option could be looking for one). And if the fonts are still taking too much CPU, turning the "effects" -option off seems to save a lot of power too, if it doesn't worsen the sound too much (you can always try out does it make a difference with every instrument).
Also, if you need VST effects or instruments for your DAW, I'd recommend checking the KVR audio site (http://www.kvraudio.com/). It has a pretty comprehensive list of both free and commercial VST plugins available, so you can just open the database and search for whatever you need (there's an option for only free plugins). If you need a reverb effect, just set the search for free VST reverb effects, try out whichever ones looks interesting and save the best ones for later use. As for what I use for reverb, currrently I mostly use Reverberate LE (the free slightly dumbed down version of the commercial plugin reverberate) and the native reverb plugin of my DAW (Zverb in Podium Free).
And according to my short one-year experience the quest to attain better music quality seems unfortunately pretty endless, as your standards get higher over time. Too bad, since it sometimes distracts me from actually learning to mix/compose better...
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A suggestion for your UFO-themed fanfare: I think the ambient part should be perhaps a little more slurred and quieter. The piano in in the foreground is perhaps a little too heavy-handed and you should replace it with something warmer, my recommendation being a Warm Pad or something, or just slurring the piano a little. After all, victory fanfares should be (somewhat) relaxing after a long battle.
Music isn't really my forte, so forgive me if this is awful, but here's a high quality mixdown of your fanfare theme, to which the original intention may have been lost due to my continuous retooling and whatever (I don't think it even sounds like a victory theme any more -- I'm dreadfully sorry if I ended up ruining it, I removed the brass and replaced it with two synth choirs after all :ohdear:): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2880866/piece006%20UFO%20Fanfare.mp3
As for your other piece, I don't really have any recommendations to make about it, but here's a high quality, less ruined mixdown of Venture! Timid Youkai!: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2880866/piece001.mp3
And, as many others have suggested, use a high quality soundfont -- nothing's worse than the Microsoft GM softsynth! One of the high quality (free!) soundfonts I'd recommend is SGM-V2.01, which you can obtain from http://www.geocities.jp/shansoundfont/. As for what I used to synthesize, I have a copy of Cubase which is possibly the best piece of software for composing music on the market. The $500 price tag isn't cheap, though, but well worth it if you want to delve deeper into the world of composing music on your computer. But DAWs, including Cubase, tend to need a lot of RAM and processing power, so it's probably not the best option for you.
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Oh, oh wow, so many! I'll see what nice music I can produce with all these~ *_* Thank You very much!
Don't wait -- I'll prolly take a long while before I hear the instrument sounds I'm looking for. The large number of knobs & sliders that look like what DJ's adjust in real time is puzzling @_@;
Hnn, lessee? Now if I adjust one knob or one slider at a time, and listen to the changes? *completely has no idea what he's going through with all these* :D?
I'm venturing around SynthFont a little longer before I give it up. SynthFont seems to have a nice potential but interface is quite messy.
I'll try turning the "effects" -option off.
SGM-V2.01, 200-ish MB!? T.T Something tells me high-quality Soundfonts are really this large filesized by default?
Well, no use slumping here -- let's make room for a Soundfont! >w<
A suggestion for your UFO-themed fanfare: I think the ambient part should be perhaps a little more slurred and quieter. The piano in in the foreground is perhaps a little too heavy-handed and you should replace it with something warmer, my recommendation being a Warm Pad or something, or just slurring the piano a little. After all, victory fanfares should be (somewhat) relaxing after a long battle.
Music isn't really my forte, so forgive me if this is awful, but here's a high quality mixdown of your fanfare theme, to which the original intention may have been lost due to my continuous retooling and whatever (I don't think it even sounds like a victory theme any more -- I'm dreadfully sorry if I ended up ruining it, I removed the brass and replaced it with two synth choirs after all :ohdear:): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2880866/piece006%20UFO%20Fanfare.mp3
Yeah, you did ruin it! The foundation of the calm part which makes it UFO-ish is gone :<
Eh, kidding aside? Now that you've said it, it does sound heavy still. I'll have to work on setting the instruments to different volumes next time I remake the UFO fanfare to higher-quality instruments or something.
Meanwhile, I'll take note of an ambient-ish Victory Fanfare -- maybe PCB's.
Thanks for the re-recording and feedback |3
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I made a remix of your Venture! Timid Youkai:
Venture! Timid Youkai! (http://www.mediafire.com/file/r3jlvku3bdhv2nl/Venture%21%20Timid%20Youkai%21.mp3)
Mirror (http://db.tt/fxX1z9v)
Mp3 is lossy~ -_-
But no one would probably download a 100mb wav file :(
I hope somebody likes it. XD
@Lloyd
You are a Great Composer. ^^
I wish you would post more on this thread. XD
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Aaaahahah, I am honored! *_____* Th-Thank you!
This is in addition to "I can't stop looking at and be fascinated by Anunsew's avvie."
Ahah~ (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/Chococloud/heartyfaint.gif)
Getting that aside?
o.o;; Well, the MP3's quality is 192kbps -- it's decent enough. Normally I encode MP3s to 192kbps. The stuff I uploaded are an exception -- encode to 160kbps, because there's not much awesomeness to hear on basic Microsoft MIDI instruments, ne?
And what's wrong with MP3? :3
You did get that I included two loops of the piece in the MIDI, right?
The soundfonts you just used are Drake's (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,4055.msg207043.html#msg207043) (<-- very old thread BTW, remember not to hit the reply button). You oughtta thank him for that some time :3
You have no idea how much I want to post more.
I kinda decided to postpone posting new ones until I get sounds as awesome as yours and others? Though if you and others will insist?
T^T It's just one piece, and I'm already receiving such honors. Tell me that when you have listened to future original compositions. But regardless, I appreciate your appreciating >/////////////////<
Also, your Rin Satsuki theme was an original composition, right? Honestly, I think that's more worthy of praise than mine >////////<
EDIT: Lazy, so I'm quoting ^^;;
I'd like to draw thy attention to this thread (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,7019.0.html). All musicians and artists should come together and create this awesomeness. Totally.
- Awright! SGM-V2.01 Soundfont equipped! This sounds cool. Thumbs up! |3
- Getting used to Synthfont, and I found a way to record the music coming from it w/o Synthfont lagging.
- FL Studio seems to show lots of promise, at least from its screenshot, and how other musicians used it. Now if only FL Studio wasn't another +200-ish MB fellow?
Oh wait, it doesn't work in Win98SE in the first place... nevermind :V - I'd like to make a fast-paced melody sometime -- it's one thing I can't seem to solidify in my compositions/remixes...
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FL Studio is good, since it doesn't compromise too much memory to render pieces.
Very good, since I only use a Cafe computer...
The only pain it has is that it uses piano roll. I don't know how to use piano roll. T_T
I'd like to hear your compositions with those Soundfonts sometime. XD
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o_o Wow, I acknowledge your desperation to create music, Anunsew! My mind gets disoriented when I sit on a netcafe, time pressured and all.
Ooooh, if only I could, I'll fund you a computer, send it to you immediately! >/////////<
So you're more used to working on notes instead of the piano roll? Aaaah, more musical skill to Parsee on~ >/////<
I decided to submit stuff even if the instruments and effects aren't perfect yet, and every time I submit, expect some improvement in the quality. Some kind of a progress indicator or something :3
So it's settled! >w<
? Eeeeh, no finished pieces yet though o_o;, but I'll give you a text preview of what I'm currently working on (also to encourage myself that I should finish the pieces to avoid "Aww, you didn't finish it :<"):- The Road to Self-Enlightenment-inspired lonely piece
- The Road to Self-Enlightenment-inspired jumpy piece -- could double as a world map piece??
? Uhm, I'm thinking of doing one song with a vocal. Would remixing an already-made Touhou remix w/ a singer be copyright infringement or something? Because I'm keying in & have been meaning to sing I don't wanna spoil 8D
already.
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UPDATE!! [2010.0907]
- New Piece: "Sound Effect"
- Modified the OP a little.
- ... Wait, I left the MIDI version o_o;;
Thread-inspired Original, Sound Effect (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?g6cd101yyz4y16d) || Alternate Link (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Sound%20Effect.mp3)
Where'd that come from? -- Dedication
Reading Esifex' The Road to Self-Enlightenment (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6993.0.html) jumpstarted me to making this piece, followed by some as-serious entries in the Graet Raeg (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6916.0/topicseen.html) thread. My mind sank to a portion of their situation and? well? made me worried =x=;;
It's rather short -- I was having mixed conflicting feelings of happiness and sorrow coming from different influences? Maybe because we really don't have all day to worry?
What's up with the title?
Effect -- an effect? of something about a person's state of mind or something.
Sound -- calmingly positive, or some enlightening statement to believe on? is what I thought.
It came from Esifex's name, actually, which sounds like SFX, which translates to sound effects.
? Why does the title sound positive in contrast to how mellow the piece is? o_o;;
Sounds like a stage theme! -- Influence
This sounds more like a BGM you would put in mellow situations in RPGs than some stage/boss theme in a shmup.
By melody, I don't recall remembering any game theme that sounds like this during composition. Please do tell me if the piece or part of it sounds like that certain BGM from that certain game.
Ahah? Ahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahhhah?
で?できた～！！ (I... I made it--!!)
/me faints
?*coughcough*
Pardon, I overflow with joy after finishing the piece. Next pieces might receive the same reaction from me ^/////////^;;;;; ahah?
Another reason of fainting for Sound Effect is that I tried the soundfont, paired with an Ambience VST reverb. It? Maybe it's just me, but I think it doesn't sound so MIDI at all now |D Yaaaaaaaa~~~<3
Composing in SynthFont's Piano Roll is so difficult -- there's no shortcut keys and stuff to change from one tool to another x_x. Welp, I think I'm starting to realize the difficulty in piano roll type of compositions now :x
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Welp mediafire keeps breaking for me :V
Anyways, not a professional by any means, but ta intervals near ta beginning sound... weird. Cause I think ya aiming for some 'quiet introduction' feel, why not just add one main line; that intensifies ta melody more, or somethin.
Parallel octaves in one track sound sorta... weird (darned Baroque chorale rules :V); when it's between two different instruments or with accompaniment, it's probably alright, but it sounds really hollow with just those two notes. Maybe add them after ta violin part starts kicking in?
Though if ya aiming for that hollow feel... well, I suppose it's quite alright then.
Finally, at 0:25 and 1:11 I really expected something... larger ta happen (such as bass notes in ta piano :P), but as I said, if ya aiming for that feel it's brilliant.
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Truth to tell...I love RPG styled themes better than danmaku themes.
ZUN should make an official Touhou RPG. XD
@Lloyd
The emotional release after making a piece is awesome, isn't it? XD
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Finally get around to listening to these- They're pretty awesome, hell they sound pretty professional... Sound Effect seems to give me incredible FSN flashbacks to that extent, as if something I'd expect from the game. Wonder why?
Pretty much makes it a favorite though! :V
Keep on musicin', Lloyd!
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UPDATE!! [2010.0913]
- New Piece! "Musicbox of a Deserted Hell"
- Added "Sound Effect" MIDI
- Will upload to Tindeck.com (http://www.tindeck.com/) from now on -- thanks to Squiddie (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6703.0.html) >w<
Musicbox arrange, Musicbox of a Deserted Hell
(http://tindeck.com/image/sgpj/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/sgpj) || AlternateLink (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Musicbox%20of%20a%20Deserted%20Hell.mp3) | MIDI (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/piece028%20LullabyMusicbox.mid)
Where'd that come from? -- Dedication
A piece that started to melodify itself on a sleepless, frustrating night. It was a slumpy moment, not being able to continue other involved pieces? So I took a side step to something simple but purposeful.
Lullaby of a Deserted Hell is one of my most favorite stage themes, followed by/tied to/following Romantic Fall.
The musicbox intro of Tales of Destiny 2 (PSP)'s opening song "Key to my Heart" is what inspired me to use the Musicbox instrument and arrange it this way. It's really tear-jerking, I tell you ;_;
Furthermore, I'm in to Koishi and the Chireiden family lately, so I took it to my advantage while it lasts! x3
Also dedicating this to one of IRC conversations I had?
I?want to cry! Just?just let me cry? for real?! T/////////T?
What's up with the title?
Lullaby was apparently replaced by Musicbox. Musicbox of a Deserted Hell. It's kind of like what Orin let played when she and Okuu apologized to Satori.
It could've been "Musicbox Lullaby", but I'm a little concerned about the title being too long? and it's more than just a lullaby.
This sounds a little off -- Arrange Notes
?Oh? You're saying the piece is not complete? Hnn? Perhaps Orin was unable to fully wind the musicbox?or someone else was listening, felt a tear in her eyes, and held the musicbox just before it finishes.
I-it's supposed to be touchingly surreal or something?really?
I am hoping for a certain someone to hear this and feel goosebumps, too >////<
Just when I thought I had finished the piece, slapped in ID3 tags in the MP3 and all, new ideas and corrections come. For a simple musicbox piece, this received 4 revisions in a day o_o;;. That just shows how uncertain, undecided I am finalizing a musical piece or something? I think.
?I was frustrated in the Piano Roll composing of Synthfont, and the basic MIDI-only sounds of Anvil Studio =_=;
Welp, at least it produced a product of one of my favorite stage themes! |D
Ooooohoho, best effin' stage theme ever! >/////////<
Though I did say it doesn't sound as much as the bottom-quality MIDI, it might be because my standard in self-composed music quality has been, well, brainwashed/corrupted by too much listening to MIDI itself, that I get to the point of saying "MIDI sounds good enough". Quality standards in just listening feels totally different from quality standards in listening to your own composed music?
I swear. Musical software is limited for me, but that doesn't stop me from producing high-end musical results! >w<
Will be trying the next set of DAWs / VST hosts in my next piece!
Automatically dropped because Win98SE not supported:
-DarkWave Studio
-Podium Free
@Mushyrulez
Hnn, good point about the interval. Now that I think about it, it kinda feels like I fit the kind of music I wanted it to be in the available measures within the short 1:44 time of the music >_<;?
Kinda figured someone would comment about those parallel octave notes, because I think it's weird, too. Inhuman, at that :V
Ah! Bass notes! No wonder it sounds lacking... Hnhnn, I guess it deserves a re-mastering then...
Thanks for the comments! ^_^ *bows*
@Anunsew
Hnn... I pretty much game-bloomed from RPGs, so I guess RPGs do have a larger and longer-duration influence in my compositions...
But then there were other old-school shooting and action games whose BGMs I also liked as well, so?
ZUN's drunk-busy creating the shooting games already, not to mention Touhou literary, but a ZUN + fans = Touhou RPG doesn't sound so bad either |D.
Yeah, I felt "released" from some heavy load. I hope others from the Graet Raeg thread were able to do the same, too?
@Chaore
>////////////////< OhMyChicken, Chaore in my music threa--- (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/Chococloud/heartyfaint.gif)
... *coughcough*
Waaai~, Thanks sooo much, Chaore! I feel so honored!
I-I don't think I'm ready to take the Professional title yet, but this makes me sooo happy! >////////<
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I think I need a TLDR for your post amigo xD But the song itself is lovely. Great job.
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I can't help it, though I guess I do need to shorten my words a bit >_<...
Anyway, thanks~! :3
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@Lloyd Dunamis
You DO have talent.
Keep up the good work. ^^
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@Lloyd
Your Midi sounds great. Music box is love, but you should try the 'Marimba' as well, it's good for making that metallic sound you are looking for.
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When I am done listening to all this... I think I will convert to the Lloyd religion.
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Requesting permission to study the latest piece to improve my work!
*salute
...I am so Parsee....>.<
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I had the ambient PCB Victory Fanfare ready at some point? Let me keep it for myself for now -- my melodic thoughts might let me decide on yet another revision/s >_<;;
Speaking of revisions, Imma revise Musicbox of the Deserted Hell a little ^^;;
@Anunsew: But the Musicbox instrument has the very musicbox sound already~
Anyway, sure, I'll use Marimba sometimes, when I feel it's fitting in a piece :3
*tests Marimba*? Uhh, Marimba's that metal bars percussion instrument used in symphonic street bands during some festival, right?? Oh wait, that's a Xylophone?
Aww heck, *googles Marimba*? Oh, they're pretty much the same :x
?That said, A NEW MUSICAL PIECE IDEA HAS EMERGED!! YYYYYESSSSSS!! >xD
Awright, which piece/Touhou BGM is going to be Festival Street Band-ized or something? >w<
Thanks, Anunsew! *huggles*
For your 2nd reply?
I didn't put the MIDI link there just for display, did I? ;3
I already told you, you don't have to ask permission from me to do something on it :3
Study it, mess with it -- do with it as you please. Heck, a new musical idea or two might even strike you or something! >w<
@Shirai Kuroko: OhMyChicken, even A-F is here now!? (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/Chococloud/heartyfaint.gif)
Th-thanks! >///<
Nooo! Your drawing skills will go down lots of levels if you convert to Lloyd religion! >.<
I'm thinking of long-term changing my display name to something not linking to a game/anime's character name, too :<
@Coin Spire: Thanks! >w<
An Amateur Musician's Thoughts -- you could totally skip this part, really ^_^;;
I think I figured out some of my weaknesses -- chained weaknesses at that. It might not seem visible in my currently-publicized works, but what I wish you to think about here is the "thought process" that happens during the composition:
-adding in the other supporting instruments & their tunes to the main instrument & main melody.
-I seem to be sensitive to crowding the piece of lots of melody playing at the same time, hence the little number of instruments I use.
-Furthermore, the supporting instruments tend to get similarly tuned to the main melody -- only either in a higher/lower octave or at a lower volume.
?Though part of me tells me this could be a strength, too.
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Ah...stealing you away was a good thing~! I stole a talented moe Koishi fan~
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No you freakin didn't :<
Lloyd the stuff you have here is ~excellent~
I'll need more time with it later.
Also get on IRC.
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It's nice that I could help. ^^
Try to test all of the musical Midi patches, you'd be surprised at what you can do. ^^
Especially with harpsichords. Harpsichords are love.
My envy for your skill is inspiring me...XD
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Beautiful musicbox music is beautiful.
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I'm on a
piano roll (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCspzg9-bAg)!! >w<
UPDATE!! [2010.0916]- New Piece! "Triumphant Blaze ~ PCB's Deep Mountain Petals".
- Encoding the MP3s at VBR (standard).
- Musicbox of a Deserted Hell revision uploaded.
PCB-themed Fanfare, Triumphant Blaze ~ PCB's Deep Mountain Petals
(http://tindeck.com/image/ftsu/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/ftsu) || AlternateLink (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Triumphant%20Blaze%20%7E%20PCB%27s%20Deep%20Mountain%20Petals.mp3) | MIDI (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/piece030%20PCB%20Fanfare.mid)
Where'd that come from? -- Dedication
I'm dedicating a series of Victory Fanfares themed to each Touhou game >x3
I think this piece sounds more like a "MISSION ACCOMPLISH" of long-time battles like tactics/strategy games, or a victory over a tragic battle in an RPG.
What's up with the title?
Sticking "Triumphant Blaze" to it from the first piece of its Victory Fanfare series.
Deep Mountain Petals are a title extraction from which PCB tracks I themed it to, specifically "Deep Mountain" and "Snow or Cherry Blossom".
"Stunning if I discover a flower that blooms in this deep mountain?", or something about achieving a hard-earned prize/victory that just makes you sigh deeply in relief.
?Does it still sound MIDI-ish? Because my ears tell me there's still hints of it being MIDI-ish >.<;;
Does 0:14 onwards sound a little too weak-volumed, or is it okay that way, being ambient and all?
I considered rwf's advice (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6884.msg421328.html#msg421328) to make it "a little more slurred and quieter". I can't tell by myself if I achieved that though, perspective and all :ohdear:
I think I'm missing this one instrument that makes it lack its being a victory fanfare, but I can't get ahold of what it is?
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Here's the revision of Musicbox of a Deserted Hell (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition/Musicbox%20of%20a%20Deserted%20Hell%20v2.mp3).
Revisions are only in 0:37,1:56,2:51 where I changed its tune a little rather than just repeat that 3-beat melody, to signify?uhh, the next "stanza". 1:56 sounds kinda awkward though :ohdear:
Which one's better, do you think? (or should I just choose according to my judgement? >_<)
Ah, I forgot to mention that the musicbox intro of Tales of Destiny 2 (PSP)'s opening song "Key to my Heart" is what inspired me to use the Musicbox instrument.
Awww no, long-familiar people are starting to respond in my thread! X//////////////////X;;
Th-thank you very much! >/////////<
Beautiful musicbox music is beautiful.
Solais has taken the bait! *___*
... *coughcough*
Yaaay, Solais likes it! Thanks! >////////////////<
*plays Triumphant Blaze ~ PCB's Deep Mountain Petals* Mission Accomplished!
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So cheerful :3
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this could be worked on.... do you mind if i arrange it?? :D
it feels kind of empty right now, after the cheerful intro. not that thats something bad, but we could do so much more with that.
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this could be worked on.... do you mind if i arrange it?? :D
it feels kind of empty right now, after the cheerful intro. not that thats something bad, but we could do so much more with that.
Being a Victory Fanfare, it does sound empty >_<;; I feel it lacks that one instrument? wait, the intro is cheerful? o.o
I intently made the later part feel ambient, because it's like where the debriefing/results of the battle show up and stuff, and to calm the atmosphere after the tense battle? is what I thought :3
and,
You don't have to ask permission from me to do something on it :3
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@Fanfare
It's good. XD
Reminded me of the first time I tried PCB.
I tried arranging it, although it may have deviated from what you wanted.
Edit (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/edit%20PCB%20Fanfare.mid)
I added some melodies at around 0:25.
Changed the Clarinet to Recorder, Celesta to Vibraphone, and Nylon Gitah to Acoustic Piano.
Added another Piano line, Drum line and other stuff that you'd probably see in the midi with piano roll -_-
I might upload one with the soundfonts I use later. ^^
I really envy your melodic lines. *sigh*
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quote author=Anunsew link=topic=6884.msg442506#msg442506 date=1284781797]
I tried arranging it, although it may have deviated from what you wanted.
Edit (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/edit%20PCB%20Fanfare.mid)
I added some melodies at the end to fill in the repeating lines.
Changed the Clarinet to Recorder, Celesta to Vibraphone, and Nylon Gitah to Acoustic Piano.
Added another Piano line, Drum line and other stuff that you'd probably see in the midi with piano roll -_-
[/quote]
Haha sorry Anny, I think Lloyds mighta been better =p
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Here's the mp3 with my usual soundfonts:
Triumphant Blaze ~ PCB's Deep Mountain Petals (Precision Rearrange) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/pcbexport.mp3)
I hope Lloyd likes it though. >.<
Now that I've listened to it for a while, it sounds more of a "We got the [Precious Item that is Important to the Story]" instead of a victory theme.
EDIT:
I just figured out how to emphasize different voices by studying this piece's Midi. :3
@Flamezero16
Try the link above, it should sound better than my first link. ^^
The first one is Microsoft Synth table midi, so yeah.
Don't call me Anny. >.<
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@Flamezero16
Try the link above, it should sound better than my first link. ^^
The first one is Microsoft Synth table midi, so yeah.
Don't call me Anny. >.<
Ooooh well, now that one I like. Flutes add a nice touch~
And I rather liked Anny =p Anuns so impersonal~
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Ooooh well, now that one I like. Flutes add a nice touch~
It's a soprano recorder. ^^
And I rather liked Anny =p Anuns so impersonal~
Please, anything but that. >.<
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?*cough* Pardon, took me time to listen to it and comment it in the rightest words I can think of.
Erm, sorted from lowest-remarks to greatest?or so I think I did:- The supposed-to-be 6-string pluck in the guitar in 0:07, you didn't remove/alter it in both tracks of the piano? Though not really audible when accompanied with the rest of the instruments, the piano in 0:07 sounds like one big piano key mash or something o_o;;
- 0:19-0:24 seems to have a faster tempo that doesn't match to the tempo feel of 0:13-0:19 & 0:24 onwards.
- I didn't get to appreciate it much at first listening, noticing the overall piece didn't produce that feeling I'm expecting to feel in me or something (though that disappeared after listening again a few times).
- I learned, from your MIDI, that I should be separating the harmonifying 2nd voice of the instrument to a separate track. Batch operations for that certain notes gets easy this way. Thanks >w<
- The Closed and Pedal High Hats at 0:13 onwards sounds close to that instrument I've been looking for for this ambient victory fanfare? A nice addition |3
- The melody of the soprano recorder in 0:30? all those two-note chords?? w--wow o_o
- OhMyChicken, that varying 6-step-dynamics 16th notes of a melody starting at 0:24!! >[/color=red]/////////[/color]<
The Acoustic Piano sounds grand in 16th-notes! It feels so old-school, and it's sooo great that way! Aaaaahahahaa~, hahah? *th-those were goosebumping giggles or something just now*
You used the step-elevated notes in 0:30-0:36 only once though? :<
?Yyyyeeeaaah, it did kinda deviate from what I wanted? but in a positive way! I mean, the piece has become a beauty of itself, and?uhm???? aaaaaaaaah~<3 >//////////<
Now that I've listened to it for a while, it sounds more of a "We got the [Precious Item that is Important to the Story]" instead of a victory theme.
o.o Huh, nice point.
I wonder if I should deviate from Victory Fanfares and turn the others into something like that?? Nah, I guess I'll stay in Victory Fanfare lane.
And if you'll notice in the MIDI, the notes are longer than when it should just be ended when the next note triggers. I made it such to sustain the sound of that note even when the next notes trigger.
...though I feel this is supposed to be the reverb effect's job.
Hnn, I better explain the portions of the pieces earlier next time or something ~_~;;. It'd give off some details that should've been found out by the listener themselves, but just for guiding purposes?
I loop the portion of the song two times in the recording, just like how Game Soundtracks are looped usually.
i.e. PCB's Deep Mountain Petals' loop is 0:14-0:37. The 2nd loop is 0:37-1:02. The 3rd loop at 1:02 receives the 5-second fadeout, closing the musical piece.
In this Victory Fanfare's case, 0:14 onwards is reserved for the de-briefing or battle results, which runs for more or less a minute.
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…*cough* Pardon, took me time to listen to it and comment it in the rightest words I can think of.
Erm, sorted from lowest-remarks to greatest…or so I think I did
The supposed-to-be 6-string pluck in the guitar in 0:07, you didn't remove/alter it in both tracks of the piano? Though not really audible when accompanied with the rest of the instruments, the piano in 0:07 sounds like one big piano key mash or something o_o;;
It's because my piano sound is easily drowned by strings. Strings need a sturdy solid sound to accompany it.
By the way, certain Midi sounds, when played together, make unique sounds that shouldn't be discarded at casual glance.
0:19-0:24 seems to have a faster tempo that doesn't match to the tempo feel of 0:13-0:19 & 0:24 onwards.
Ahaha...I was playing with the tempo, I forgot to correct that part. >.<
I didn't get to appreciate it much at first listening, noticing the overall piece didn't produce that feeling I'm expecting to feel in me or something (though that disappeared after listening again a few times).
The main problem was that the build-up was too weak, too slow. It didn't have that "Yatta!!" feeling. Maybe it's just me though. XD
I learned, from your MIDI, that I should be separating the harmonifying 2nd voice of the instrument to a separate track. Batch operations for that certain notes gets easy this way. Thanks >w<
Learned it from looking at other game MIDI though.
The Closed and Pedal High Hats at 0:13 onwards sounds close to that instrument I've been looking for for this ambient victory fanfare… A nice addition |3
Septette for the Dead Princess (EoSD). It's the main reason why it's so catchy for me. :3
Also, Ghostly Eyes (EiyashouImperishable Night) sports this as well.
The melody of the soprano recorder in 0:30… all those two-note chords…… w--wow o_o
It's just a variation of the first existing chord though.
OhMyChicken, that varying 6-step-dynamics 16th notes of a melody starting at 0:24!! >[/color=red]/////////[/color]<
The Acoustic Piano sounds grand in 16th-notes! It feels so old-school, and it's sooo great that way! Aaaaahahahaa~, hahah… *th-those were goosebumping giggles or something just now*
Study Shanghai Alice of Meiji 17.
A good place to start learning 16th note dynamics.
You used the step-elevated notes in 0:30-0:36 only once though? :<
I was lazy. ~_~
…Yyyyeeeaaah, it did kinda deviate from what I wanted… but in a positive way! I mean, the piece has become a beauty of itself, and…uhm………… aaaaaaaaah~<3 >//////////<
Thanks! It's because it's your piece was a good piece to begin with. XD
I wonder if I should deviate from Victory Fanfares and turn the others into something like that?… Nah, I guess I'll stay in Victory Fanfare lane.
You should try other lanes too. Broaden your horizons, as they say.
And if you'll notice in the MIDI, the notes are longer than when it should just be ended when the next note triggers. I made it such to sustain the sound of that note even when the next notes trigger.
...though I feel this is supposed to be the reverb effect's job.
Reverb effect of Soundfonts are not always pretty.
At least, THFonts has ugly built-in reverb. I had many dry runs with that (insert Ethereal Mind here)
Well, I'm glad you liked my version. *Waits patiently for the next piece*
XD
EDIT:
you don't know how many edits it took to take off the nasty tags. : |
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*tests Marimba*? Uhh, Marimba's that metal bars percussion instrument used in symphonic street bands during some festival, right?? Oh wait, that's a Xylophone?
Aww heck, *googles Marimba*? Oh, they're pretty much the same :x
?That said, A NEW MUSICAL PIECE IDEA HAS EMERGED!! YYYYYESSSSSS!! >xD
Awright, which piece/Touhou BGM is going to be Festival Street Band-ized or something? >w<
Thanks, Anunsew! *huggles*
Well, here I go!
Fairy War March ~Act I~ (Preview I) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition%20trials/piece038%20FiestaBand%20prev1.mp3)
It's meant to sound like it's played in the streets --to be more accurate, in a fiesta--, and the same instruments played by many people simultaneuosly. Due to the nature of fiesta street band musical pieces usually played as a medley of songs, this musical piece doubles as a medley, too! >w< So nice~<3
Then I noticed???Th-this is of the orchestral genre of music already, right? >//////////////////////////<
This was...kinda rushed on the recording process to be posted here, so it didn't receive final tweaking and listening tests from me, albeit having done that during the composition >.<;;
I'm very much delighted that at least one of the tracks from Eastern and Little Nature Deity, Sunny Rutile Flection, got entry for a stage/boss theme >w<.
Anyway, curtsies. "Aaah, it was nice studying you, Staking Your Life on a Prank. Thanks for the hard work! *bows*"
EDIT:
Staking Your Life on a Prank: "... I believe you're thanking the wrong BGM track."
Lloyd: "...Oh?"*sees Track 3 on top of 'Staking Your Life on a Prank'*
"Ah! S-sorry! >/////<"
*turns to 'The Refrain of the Lovely Great War' and bows again*
The Refrain of the Lovely Great War: ":V"
If there's one thing I'll be consistent about in my pieces, I'll stay faithful to the main melody...though that's just me thinking & saying that in my early stage of arranging >.<
Do tell if you like it, you like/unlike parts of it (and which parts exactly? Mention timestamp, instrument usage/delivery, dis/chords, interval, dynamics, instrument harmonization, and/or whatever you feel like criticizing~! >.<)... though don't feel forced :ohdear:
Feedback~! I am troubled without receiving any feedback because my standards are based on other people's standards or how people tend to like their music -- and I have only vague info of what they are. (says me who always hesitates to reply to other threads by feeling guilty just saying "I like it! >w<" and wanting more to say than just "I like it! >w<" in one post >_<;; )
?I'm sure anyone would feel the same...r-right?
@Anunsew
Y-you could just separate your replies in paragraphs, and I'll understand anyway >.<;;
If not, you could?separate them by just using [ quote ][ /quote ] tags and copypasta them, not anymore going back to quote the message and edit your post >.<;; Sorry for having you so troubled about that.
Meanwhile, Sercan suggested something hardcore?
I'd love it, I've been hearing lotsa samples my music-mind is letting me hear, but I imagine I'd need decent-sounding ElekiGuitars, which I haven't found one yet o_o;; (perfectionist side of mine at work)
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Well, here I go!
Fairy War March ~Act I~ (Preview I) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4299736/Composition%20trials/piece038%20FiestaBand%20prev1.mp3)
It suddenly reminded me of Wolfenstein. Don't ask what it is. >.<
It's great, the only thing I can point out is that the high-pitched instrument playing the melody is a bit overpowering at times. Or maybe it's because of my headset...oh well.
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Probably headset's fault. Computers here usually have high-volumed high frequencies of their system equalizer or something >_<;;... then again, I'm still struggling with balancing their volumes, so...
Also, instrument stuffings is still low-quality or something, and I used too much ambience on the Xylophone/Marimba x_x;;
Will go all-out high-quality instruments or something on the non-preview version ;3 (that's still two BGMs and overall tweaking away o_o;;)
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Probably headset's fault. Computers here usually have high-volumed high frequencies of their system equalizer or something >_<;;... then again, I'm still struggling with balancing their volumes, so...
You can always turn off the equalizers in the control panel. I always do that with mine because my ears are kind of shot. :3
Anyway, do you mind if I use UFO fanfare's quiet part for a certain remix? I was going to remix MoF's stage 3 theme, your theme, and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LkgQ6l17do).
Shameless self-promotion is shameless, but I'm a desperate person so...