Hi folks, I have just finished my work on two orchestral tracks. It took me some effort, but at last I have the sound the way I wanted it to be. What do you think - were can I improve the sound even more? The tracks are both in use for projects and under (c) - so don''t use them for your purposes .. Enjoy! http://www.dynamedion.com\samples\lords_of_chaos.mp3 http://www.dynamedion.com\samples\castle_siege.mp3

One question: Are you using Voices of the Apocalypse with Gigastudio? Your pieces sound a lot better than the demos I''ve heard using it.

Your pieces sound great, except I can''t help but hear Lord of the Rings in the first one (with some Hans Zimmer influence) and Spiderman in the second.

Other than that, I think most of the problems with the sound originate in the samples themselves. I don''t think it will ever be possible to get a decent brass sound in the bass line. Also, the horn swells and choir seem to have a "stereo" quality to them which I believe is caused by the samples being recorded too close to the mic. Overall the compositions are well done, but they could have used more trumpet section.

Great job in my opinion... Danny Elfmanesque in some spots, especially the second piece.

Which sound lib(s) do you use for your percussive sounds?

Literally, the best I have heard in awhile...

GameGenie

I use the Miroslav Vitous Percussion - but I must say, that I have doubled it with some other timpanies from the "Creative Essentials" Series - a rather cheap Lib - but it has it''s advantages.

I often mix libs to work out new sounds, and then I really master them together, so that I have one new instrument to work with.

The Choirs are a mixture of live choirs and VOTA - so you were right: the VOTA Sound is not comparable. As for the influences you are right as well. I am a great admirer of Danny Elfman (although I do not like Hans Zimmer too much and in the second piece I wanted to try out how I can copw with his way of composing.

I agree, that I don''t use enough trumpet section - but until now I have not found any decent trupmet libs: Everything sounds very unrealistic. I use live played trumpets though - if you like you can download the following track in Ennio Morricone style - it has a very beautiful solo trumpet line and lots of live played instruments.

http://www.dynamedion.de\samples\NML_Desperado.mp3
live played guitars, harp, banjo, whistle, trumpets

http://www.dynamedion.de\samples\NML_Teaser.mp3
live played trumpets, guitars and banjo

Enjoy!

I love orchestral game/movie music and am a musician and have always wanted to get into composing. I know about tracking (but I admittedly can''t do it, yet), but what about samples? Where do you get your samples from? Do you have any links to free sites or semi-cheap stuff I could use? I''d like to get my feet wet with free stuff first if I could though, then switch over to better samples if I''m actually any good at it. Thanks.

Well there are a few basic libs that are good to start with. We started with some CDs of the Creative Essentials Series and of course with the "Advanced Orchestra" Bundle from Peter Siedlaczek. I do not know any cheaper libs, as even those I have mentionned are only good to begin working on orchestral scores.

Good luck!

GOOD GRIEF!!! YOU''RE NOT HUMAN!!! *SHOCK*

THESE ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D:D

I started off composing using an old SoundBlaster PCI 128 with an 8MB Ensonique waveset [which can be injected into SBLive! Cards btw...yay!] and an old copy of Cakewalk 5.0. Cakewalk is a software sequencer, which is like a digital score...you just select the instruments and drag and drop the notes. The best way to compose in my opinion! None of this fake Ejay stuff....argh...stay away! Anyways...once u''ve got to grips with that, or you can''t get hold of such old software, get urself a copy of Cakewalk Sonar 2.0 or later [www.cakewalk.com]. Not only is it the cheapest software sequencer, but in my opinion, it is the best. And Sonar, their lastest one, also has support for samples, DXi synths, and audio recording. Although I''ve dabbled with samples, I always seem to come falling back on my trusty 8MB Ensonique waveset (which sounds better than some 100MB wavesets I''ve used!!!) and various Soundfonts, which are like little imported wavesets, usually with just one instruments'' worth of samples on, ready to use. This way you can use your composing skill to get down the tunes you want, and mix & match with wavesets to get the best sound too. If you have any more questions, or get stuck with Cakewalk (took me frickin'' ages....), email me at EvilResides@Hotmail.com. Hopefully I''ll be uploading some of my trax soon so you can see what can be done...
Good luck!
Bye!
Nick

[TheGamingGarrison]
Gameplay
Comes
First

Hey Nontacky,

Nice tracks. You ever think of joining up with G.A.N.G.? (Game Audio Network Guild.) I''m a member; it''s a great org and we''d love to see you there. It''s headed up by Jack Wall, Tommy Tallarico and Todd Fay. Drop by www.audiogang.org and check it out!

Have a good one,
Sonic

________
scott b. morton
game music composer/geek
www.scottbmorton.com
member of G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild)

What program(s) do you use to right your music? What kind of synths (Samplers, MIDI Keyboards, Soundfonts etc) do you use?
Bye!
Nick