Blast! - Music WIP by Olrox

[HairyLee]

I gotta say Olrox, I'm impressed! It's a massive improvement on the last version & you're already getting a hell of a lot better with FL! Like the others said, It could do with being longer - Ken's suggestions all seem pretty sound to me

Just based on the current version aswell, I think some kind of outro would be good - the riff it ends on feels like it should carry on rather than close the song. Aside from that, I'm liking the ideas you've got going - you're layering the different sounds nicely & working melodies into it - something I'm still trying to learn!

[Olrox]

Hmmm, more priceless feedback - that, I appreciate very, very much

I thank you all for continuing with the contribution of your opinions about the song I'm currently composing, that's definetely pleasing and motivating!

As for the length of the music - I agree that it's too short, since it also made me want more after the end. I wanted to share it in its current stage, to see what you thought about what I've done, before I invest a whole lot of time into it. And I feel very happy to see you like it

Again, I'll think carefully about all presented opinions, and see what I can do with my limited experience. I Agree with almost every proposition and think that it'll all add up to a real nice outcome. Hopefully, I'll be able to incorporate all I'm thinking about in the next versions, and I'll certainly share it with you all, whenever I've got anything worth showing

And, even if I don't attempt to do everything proposed here, I'm sure that all the suggestions will have their place for future creations - it's a long, long journey that I'm still just entering, my artistical life. Makes me curious like hell about what I'll be capable of after 10, 20, 30 years from now

Thank you all for the enouragement, suggestions, and/or compliments - that's what keep me going

~Olrox

[Olrox]

Here is a third iteration of "Blast", using some of the suggestions from everyone! I've added the guitar I was thinking about (even though I'm not completey satisfied with the riff I came up with for it - probably it'll change, occasionally.

Also, fortunately, the music is now almost 3 times longer (there are some 15 seconds without any audio, but I still have to discover how to avoid that within FL Studio, it probably is very easy and obvious so I'll be really when I discover it) - even with that, I still think I may increase it someday (today I wasn't too inspired, but I've nevertheless managed to add many things I wanted to).

I'll work tomorrow or so with some of the other suggestions. Feel free to come up with more ideas - the music is still a WIP and I'm disposed to change it in any way I can to make it improve!

Well, enjoy!

Blast!.mp3

~Olrox

[KenAlcock]

And the work evolves! I do hope you are saving all of your various versions in the music program your are using, in case you want to regress back to different things.

The Fade-Out

Too much silence at the end, which I believe you are already aware of, so no more discussion on that. I would suggest that for the fade out that you use the same sounds that occur at the beginning of the track-- from about 00:01-00:08--just after the lead-in explosion, and just before a second, smaller explosion. Use those instruments again at the end of your track. Also use the creepy background electronic growl-like sound (I have no idea what that sound is called) that occurs in 00:01-00:08. In other words, the end of your track should sound similar to the beginning--with the differences being no explosion (at least not in the last 5-10 seconds), and the music notes should work downward instead of upward, and the volume should be fading downward. If you keep the guitar instrument, don't use it near the very end of your track.

The Guitar

The new guitar instrument is interesting. But as it is now, the guitar seems a little too edgy and rough to me. It's not that the guitar is a bad sound at all in its own right; but it just seems a little incongruent or out of place among all the other sounds and instruments you have used thus far. I'm not sure If I can convey what I mean accurately, but take for example your opening explosion sound in the lead-in--which to me should be the edgiest sound in the whole track. Your explosion rolls softly, sort of like a spring thunderstorm (one that isn't too violent)--it is powerful, yet ambient--it has an almost soothing violence. All of your instruments in version 2 had this same softer violence to them, and this lent to the track sounding more cohesive. In my opinion, this softer violence is perfect for a Warzone track, since the game provides enough screeching violence over top of the music. Your explosion does not have the sharp edges of say a two-car crash with a lot of screeching metal sounds to it. The guitar sound in version 3, has a somewhat screeching metal quality to it, compared to the rest of the track which is rather soothing. My metaphor is most likely over-dramatic here; I'm just trying to convey what I mean about the guitar being a little out-of-place. Now I don't know the software you are using or what you can do to the guitar instrument, but I would try to soften it up a a little bit.

Still, your work shows progress and creativity, and I encourage you to keep at it!

[HairyLee]

Again Olrox, good work!

I think the guitar riff itself works, but the main problem I've found with FL Slayer is that it's just too percussive sounding. I've spent ages tyring to EQ it & using various other effecs to squeeze a good sound out of it, but I always end up unhappy with it! I think the same riff recorded on a real guitar would sound a whole lot better. I don't know if you have the means to do this, but if not, tab it out for me & I can try recording it for you (providing it's possible to play on a non-synth set-up and is not beyond my ability - this is likely by the way, I'm definitely no Hendrix ).

Look forward to Blast! 4

HairyLee

[Rman Virgil]

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It continues to grow & evolve. Good work.

On the guitar, I hear what HairyLee is saying.

I don't know anything about FL so I can't comment on its functionality.

However, to my ear, the synth guitar is not only too percussive like HairyLee said but also "thin" and sharp edged (like what I interpret Ken was suggesting) .

I'm thinking (& I could be way off) that a bit "fatter-rounder" tone would maybe fit better. I've never cared for any synth guitar I've heard so I can only refer to the tone of an instrument like a Gibson hollow body Jazz electric in which you can get that tone (I can get it pretty close on my Parker NiteFly & you may be able to as well with your ax).

Can't think of anything else useful to add. Did wonder if you had a chance yet to listen to any of Terje Ripdal's guitar - esp his sound on "Waves" ?

- RV

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[Rman Virgil]

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Like a picture can be worth a thousand word, so can a piece of music.

To illustrate my previous post here's a snippet from a larger piece I'm working on that has nothing to do with WZ but in which I play my riffs with fat-rounded tones and thin-edgy tones (in counterpoint too). 'Course this is on my ax & not synth.

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=UEGeZ2

Again, this is just my impression & may not ultimately fit your artistic intent.

- Regards, RV

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[BlueMaxima]

Every time I look at the name of this bit of music, I laugh. The one thing that makes me laugh is the name - Blast, because I usually, for no reason at all, other than my own partial insanity (PRAISE THE PROJECT) is that I yell "BOOM!"

[HairyLee]

@BlueMaxima: Lol yeah, the name fits perfectly well in context but if you imagine a Victorian English gentleman with a curly moustache and a monocle saying it because he just dropped his pipe, it does kinda make you snigger

Though to be honest, I think anything the above imaginary man says would probably make me laugh.

Also, just to further what Rman was saying (nice guitar work, by the way), here's an example of a non WZ-related WIP I have at the moment (please ignore the shitty kick-drum sound - I'm working on that!). I've only recorded one riff for it at the moment but the guitar comes in at about 0:45. This is the kind of sound I think your riff could use.

http://www.mediafire.com/?yznqzdmkjty

Another way to get that 'fat round tone' Rman mentioned is to play the root notes on a bass & then independently balance the EQ between bass & guitar to get the right roundness while still retaining the edge that you need. I'm not sure if BooBass will get the same effect, but again, I can offer my bass-playing services later on if you need them!

HairyLee