I'd say for an intro theme for a game, this is quite excellent. I like it. :)
The only problem I have with it is the mixing. The way you have certain instruments panned all the way to the left or the right sounds kind of awkward.
I'm looking forward to seeing this game!
~Phyrnna ^_^ <3
Why, thanks for the heads up! I'll do something about the panning âEU" I'll need to DM you and ask one or two questions, because I don't yet know how to pan audio without it sounding very "heavy".
Also, thanks for the review in general. I hope we won't disappoint! I know Bullet Heaven was one of our inspirations, but I do hope we deliver. xx
Well done!
I like this song and its composition. I don't know if I would use this for an epic boss fight myself, however it definitely sounds like an epic theme for an RPG.
I like its composition and I think its decently well written. The problem with it is the sound. It needs work on the mixing side, and also on the mastering side.
However I certainly liked this enough that I chose to download it and remaster it myself. So if you want it, just email me about it or PM me.
Keep up the good work!
~Phyrnna ^_^
Wow, I'm speechless. And yes, I'll definitely be requesting that remastering! It's a real priceless joy to have an actual AP celeb reply to my "greets"! :-D
Excellent piece!
Listen to this piece kind of makes me miss writing out full pieces. I've spent a little too long writing loops for video games. xD I love this song and it's what compelled me to favorite you as an artist. Well, about time I took some time out to review it.
In any case... the critique.
Structure-wise, the song is relatively simple and short. However I do enjoy how it goes through thematic development in the short span that it has. The break at 0:42 is sort of abrupt and leaves the listener hanging after such an epic motif. While its discomforting (to me at least xD), it works effectively. The piano part afterwards works well as a break from the epic theme. I personally love an excellent piano part. While the piano part does accomplish its job, it could certainly use some development when it repeats itself as the other instruments return. Also, at around 1:00, some soft timpani rolls may also help with the atmosphere.
And now that I mention it, I have to critique you on it. Your percussion is something I think could be changed. The song sounds excellent as is, however when it comes to an "epic" or "heroic" piece, percussion has been an essential element in most compositions. Even the smallest amount (such as quiet timpani rolls) help. DavidOrr, MaestroRage, Hans Zimmer, and other famous artists for "epic" music make prolific use of percussive instruments. And if you listen to each artist's discography, it is also the use of these percussive instruments that defines their music from the others. Zimmer loves the tambourine, and uses it religiously (and to a fault in my opinion). I suppose you should try having a section where the timpani can stand out for a bit (take the limelight). Also adding a more treble based percussive instrument can help with the pace of the music (e.g. tambourines in Zimmer's music and snares in Orr's music).
Now outside of that, I think your composition of the song is excellent. The next part of critique is one where many (including myself) need work on. The sound. Focusing on composition comes a long way in making a song sound excellent, however knowing how to record (which most of us don't need to worry about) and mix the many sounds of the instruments can make a song sound much better. While orchestral pieces (and more classical orchestral pieces) usually mix themselves just by composition, adding EQ to help place the frequencies and using compression to bring out certain aspects help create that "epic" sound. Your song is "epic" already, however I think if you mixed it better it can stand out more.
Nonetheless, I believe that composition is more important than mixing and that you have nailed well.
Great work on this song! I already have it on my Ipod. :P
I look forward to hearing more from you. ^__^
~Phyrnna ^_^
Thanks for such a lengthy and in-depth review! I really appreciate it!
Lets see if I can address these issues in order...
The piano: I wrote this just for NG, so I had to have a piano interlude! ^_^ I agree with your repetition comment though. I didn't spend as much time as I should have developing the piano, and it shows. :-\
The percussion: This is probably the weakest part of the piece. PhilVille commented on it earlier, and I totally agree with you. Timpani rolls would definitely help around 1:00, and I should have put more effort into some pulse-pounding drums. Actually, I added the percussion section last. I was debating releasing the piece entirely without percussion, and I suppose in my indecision I might have gone halfsies instead of ALL OR NOTHING! Ah well, I'll correct this in future work, just for you!
The mix is, of course, something everyone could use help on, and I am no exception. I think this may be my best (certainly hardest, given the number of contrasting melodic lines) job so far in the mixing arena, but I still have a long way to go.
Thanks again for the return review! I appreciate the criticism, especially from someone such as yourself. And having this song on your ipod is the best compliment I've got from someone in a while!
Oh, and If you ever want to collab or anything, send me a pm!
Take care!
-TheB
A good cover, but could certainly be improved upon
I actually really like the orchestration of your version. I've loved the original ever since I heard this, so hearing this version definitely appeals to me. However I do believe that it can be improved upon a lot.
For one, the mixing is quite scrappy, and a lot more can be done to make the sounds work together better. The drums sound quite out of place to me when they come in. They're quite repetitive, and they don't sound quite like how the other instruments do.
Nonetheless, and excellent version of the classic. Great job, and I hope you continue to make more songs!
~Phyrnna ^_^
Yeah, I hear you. Thats one of my biggest goals as of right now. As soon as I learn to master my music some more I will definately update this piece and add more to it. I made another version of this that I think you may like alot more, its called, "Zelda: Eye of the Storm". Check it out, im sure you'll find it very adventurous and enjoyable. Thanks for the honesty.
Really nice song.
This certainly does get that feel across, the feeling of starting on a long journey. It's also got a good melody. ^_^
You've got talent kid, and I'll certainly be a fan of your music for a long time.
~Phyrnna ^_^
P.S. When I post up my submission for Game 3, could you review also?
Really nice!
This is a really nice song!
Composition-wise, this song is really good. I like it's structure and it doesn't really get boring. It could possibly use more instruments, but as it is it makes for a great duet.
Sound-wise, this song needs a lot of work. Notably the mixing is non-existent and so is the mastering. Both of which are needed to bring your song to life.
Great song! I hope to see more from you!
~Phyrnna ^_^
Hey thanks for the comment :) It's my first ever submission so it's much appreciated!
Yeah, I agree, but I don't have any mixing or mastering software, if I did I would have spent a much greater deal of time on it. But as I said, it was composed and in sibelius and exported as a midi, and I had some MIDI to MP3 converter the reverb and slight mastering, although I think I may have over done it :S
Wonderful song yet again
You have quite the wonderful orchestrations here! I've quite enjoyed your music, and this certainly doesn't disappoint. The looping isn't perfect, but hey... can't be perfect with MP3's.
The start is a nice dramatic build up that you have there. You make excellent use of the woodwind instruments for their little bits of chiming in here and there. Really great charm in the music, it's not really "epic" but more of a wide open overworld type of theme. The title certainly befits it well.
The near end part after 0:45 is built up well and has good energy, it reminds me of people riding horses. It's a little short, but otherwise it works well as a break before it loops back again.
Not much complaints about this song from me. ^.^ Wonderfully done! I'm going to download this one onto my IPod.
~Phyrnna ^_^
Nice seeing you again, and extremely happy that you downloaded this!
Yeah, I hate how MP3s loop, but I'm not too worried about it.
Glad you like what I did with the woodwinds, I love doing those little melodies for the woodwinds specifically for the atmosphere that they inspire.
The shortness of the end occurred to me post-render. I should have extended it some, and it wouldn't have detracted from the variety too much.
Thanks for the review!
Edirol....?
You have a pretty good song here. The one thing that I want to comment on is the mastering/mixing of the sounds. I understand that you use Edirol (which I also have). Which is great. But the sounds... it seems as if you left them raw and untouched. Which.. when you're keeping to only Edirol sounds, it sounds great. But you've got sounds from outside of Edirol and there is a slight disconnect in how the sounds sound. I would try using EQ to change how that Edirol sounds, and try also looking into combining sounds from more than just Edirol orchestra.
But that's just my suggestions. :P If you don't believe what I say, just go check out some of my songs. :D
Good luck anyways!
~Phyrnna ^_^
Check the newer one out, this one isn't very good compared to that...
What's my motto? Turning Dreams into Reality. That's my motto.
Age 36, Female
Dreaming Musician
Flying Above the Clouds
Joined on 3/20/08
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