Wars to End All Wars & Sonic Soundscape

[DoubleBlade]

Hi,

I've posted 2 instrumental songs on myspace.

www.myspace.com/juliuschua

"War to End All Wars" is an orchestral piece while "Sonic Soundscapes" is an electronic piece.

Hope you would appreciate them and comments are always welcomed.

PS: If you are looking for an composer/arranger, please do not hesitate to contact me at julius_chua@hotmail.com

Cheers

 

[Cheez]

War to end all Wars - almost Elfmanish in style. One thing though - the style and the title didn't quite match. From the title, I was expecting something "epic". You created an eerie atmosphere (successfully) - so I guess the title could fit more along that line. Could be tighter in timing (esp snare and bass drum).

Interesting use of dissonance.

Which sample library are you using?

 

[DoubleBlade]

Hi Cheez,

Thanks for the comment. Always appreciate something from the grand master.

I used GPO4 for strings, snare, bass drum and Ivory for the piano with FAB filter timeless as the inserted effect.

 

[ajellydonut]

1337

Just wanted to say that the Sonic Soundscapes track you did sent chills down my spine, DAMN

Good work

 

[DoubleBlade]

Hi ajellydonut,

Thanks for the comment. That was my original intention and that is to make it sound scary

 

[ajellydonut]

And it does, just the way I like it, dark and melodic. Which brings me to that other tune you did, War To End All Wars. I think a good way to make it sound bigger and more epic is to apply a load of reverbs (preferably convolution to make it realistic) to the orchestral instruments, and also to give them a bit of tail end on the release envelope. Those French Horns (I think) at the intro could sound tighter, so a faster attack would be nice. Better yet, automating the envelopes would make it sound more realistic. Lastly, as Cheez mentioned before, make the percussions tighter (quantizing maybe?) and this track will be one EPIC tune

 

[DoubleBlade]

Hi,

Thanks I will make the necessary edits.

 

[Cheez]

The trick to make it sound "bigger" is not in the reverb but in the arrangement. My 2 cents on my approach to orchestral compositions:

1. I would first have a picture in mind. Music is supposed to paint a picture so others can "see" it as much as hear it.
2. Main melody is always key (not just in orchestral music, but any music). If the main melody is written well, it's the thing that will stay in the mind of the listener for a long time. They will keep hearing it in their heads! When that happens, you've succeeded.
3. Decide on the size of orchestra to use to paint that picture and create the right mood, based on the melody. This will determine that choice of instruments
4. Start the arrangements - remember the arrangement is to paint and add colour to that picture you wanted to paint.
5. My title of the piece usually comes out somewhere around this time (while creating the mood). It should describe the music.

So you see, my approach is very much like painting!

So...if what you are creating is an eerie picture, you just only have to change the title. If what you want is an epic sound (based on the title), then it's going to be a lot more work - almost a re-orchestration including the choice of instruments. But now that you said you want to paint something scary, I would suggest changing the title. Don't underestimate the name of titles - it actually adds a lot to the music! My titles are always linked intimately to my music. It also gives me an opportunity to explain the title and the music to the listener. Creative use of titles is quite fun too!

 

[Cheez]

Oh, one more thing. French horns is an interesting choice to create eerie music. And since you've used dissonance quite well, I wonder if you would like to try dissonant clustering of horns. Clustering effects can be pretty eerie too! I meant using semitones, augmented chords etc. Used in brass, clustering can be quite effective. In fact, clustering of strings (very high octaves) are very often used to create scary moods.

 

[homeboy2010]

wow! very good !

 

[DoubleBlade]

Thanks guys for the tips. I've always enjoyed listening to "dark music" and often include them as one of my major influences hence the dissonances and scary moods.