will notice, this track was heavily inspired by those two pieces. Especially at a few parts. I don't think the creators will mind though :3
Why make this now?
I'm planning on making a game! And as you might've guessed, it won't be a happy game about collecting flowers (or will it? [No, it won't.]).
I got a reasonably good idea one night before going to sleep, and I think I'll be able to pull it off. You might have to wait quite a while for it to be finished though (as I haven't even began working on it yet).
This entire track was made using free interuments and samples. Some of the samples were also in a very professional manner created by myself, using my laptop's microphone, some crystal glasses, a vacuum cleaner, and lots of heavy editing ;)
This track took much longer to create than I anticipated, because I simply aren't that good :p
People often mention that I use too much reverb and things become muddy in my tracks. This is very true. This time I can assure you that the reverb and muddiness is fully intentional.
Bear in mind that this is background music, and not a standalone track.
So this was really nice I love the build ups I do wish the build ups were somewhat longer, Alright for the most of this it was ok, And a track like this is always pleasent but you still never know what you are getting, I like the vibe here and theres a lot of variation in this. It progresses nicely and gets better as it goes along as well, but it still feels like it's missing something, not sure what its missing, maybe nothing at all. but what I do know this was a decent piece, so keep up with the variation and mixture of sounds.
~~SUGGESTED IDEAS~~
I do wish the build ups were somewhat longer
I can't even begin to describe what this particular ambient track emits, but if there's a word to describe what this is, I think that word would be translucent. All of your sounds and instruments diffuse effortlessly into one another, like one big, continuous ripple...probably because you intended to use reverb and muddiness like you say in your description. This will be on repeat for awhile until I can grasp what it is about this I'm so awestruck about :D
Why thank you CrabbWalker, I am flattered :)
I understand why you think the word "translucent" is apt to describe this track, and I can kind of agree.
Well, part of the reason to me is that I actually used crystal glass for some of the sounds, but otherwise as well, I see what you mean. That said, I imagine darkness as well. Not empty darkness though. There is intention behind this piece; someone, or something, hiding in the darkness wants something. But what that somethin is, is not clear. That's just how I see it though :p
I love reading the interpretations by other people :D
It's definitely the reverb that helps everything melt together and kind of softly appear and disappear without causing too much of a disturbance ;)
okay no BS. Every second of this was a joy to listen to. You have an ear for the right timbre in how you introduce each part. For example, even as the ambience starts, the piano part at 56 seconds is just a brilliant way to top it off amid the pads. The arpeggiated synth with the organ at 1:29 is another brilliant part with the rolling drums underneath it. Then that melody with the choir and organ!!!!!
D>E-flat>G-flat>B-flat>F
I could be wrong as it's a little difficult to tell but my guess is the chord progression there is G minor>E-flat minor in its first inversion> B-flat minor
Anyway, I could just listen to this one section all day. You could certainly build a piece off around this one section with the same instruments. The crescendo and human curvilinear is just perfect with these instruments.
This piece does sound like it has two different sections. 2:15 is the second half. Nice sounds, and based on your description, it sounds really well produced for recording your own sounds. I would have just guess it was some NI library. I love it. Makes me want to experiment with my microphone more…okay maybe not make me. But you give me ideas when I feel the need for it.
I thought about waiting until I commented on this so as to gain some revelation about this, but I'm not thinking of any particular story or mood when I hear this. I'm just in love with the sounds and choices of notes you did to make this. Purely for the sound experience. And I tell ya, even with all the noises and ambience that gives it a sound of dystopia and a lost feeling, that middle part with the organ and voices gives it a human, warm quality despite it sounding a little dark for some. When you provide a chord progression in the middle of ambient soundscapes, whatever the choices you make will provide a striking contrast in a way that couldn't be heard in the same light as if it was already surrounded by tonal harmony. For the purpose of a game, and I'm curious how you will utilize this music if the music is to flow with these different parts as is. To me, it sounds like an overview for the whole score of the game soundtrack. Therefore, menu music or intro seems appropriate for this. Nonetheless, that is just my own initial thoughts.
Critique despite my love for this? It's open-ended. As a personal taste, I would have liked something to wrap all of this to complete a picture in mind. Notice that this has nothing to do with your production, arrangement, or even composition as some might think of the word. Rather, the overall concept could have made this sound more cohesive as a whole in bringing this to a satisfying close. Now, this concept could be a wrong approach depending on what feeling you want the listener to have after all of it has been said and done. Think about how one might feel and what thoughts would come in the listener’s mind by the time the last note is heard and there is only silence. We are then left with reflecting upon the experience we just had with this music. What did I get?
Perhaps not very practical in terms of composition, but a good way to think about in choosing how you write a piece I suppose.
What I said might not apply to this piece in particular as long as you can defend your choices. If this was the objective, then well done.
That's quite the review to take in! Also because you're very poetic in your writing somehow, and English is my third language... Thank you so much for spending your time by writing out your thoughts on a piece made by me :O
"You have an ear for the right timbre in how you introduce each part."
=> I usually give all credit like this to my unconscious. I really have no idea what I am doing, but I have a small voice (perhaps not literally) telling me how or what to do, and eventually, things tend to work out one way or another. Same thing when I play the piano; my unconscious brain does all the real work, while I'm just there observing, very contect, experiencing flow :/
When I start thinking, I often mess things up XD
Either way, I'd say that everything comes down to trial and error. How good something I've made is, is often very reliant on how quickly I tire and decide that a part is finished (though it could be improved upon). I'm sure many people feel like this.
Anyhow, long tangent aside...
It's funny that both places you mentioned (0:56 and 1:29) are at places that were the most inpired by the pieces I linked to :p The reason for this is probably that those are the only parts that are easy to grasp and name, as they actually use somewhat normal instruments.
"I could be wrong as it's a little difficult to tell but my guess is the chord progression there is G minor>E-flat minor in its first inversion> B-flat minor"
=> Nope, you're not wrong; you're totally right! I believe there is some kind of D-minor before the G-minor as well, which completes the whole segment. You've got a good ear, far greater than mine.
Oh, and that "arpaggiated synth" you're referring to... I wonder if anyone would ever know that that is actually DSK Harmonica unless I revealed it >:D
I mentally divide this piece into three separate parts, but that's probably only because I know the process behind the piece. Dividing it into too parts makes a lot of sense too.
"...it sounds really well produced for recording your own sounds."
=> I almost had to *lol*. I'm really happy it worked out in the end, but for the recording process, I literally brought my laptop next to some glasses, opened Audacity, hit record, and did some weird stuff. Same thing with the vacuum cleaner (the idea struck me while vacuum cleaning...). The sound sounded horrible at first, but after some HEAVY non-professional mixing, I made the best I could with what I had :)
I' happy enough to inspire a will of experimentation, even if it's not brought to action for now at least.
(I'm thinking of making a track using only sounds made with my body [mouth, hands, pen... I MEAN PECS. Yes... With my... Pecs...])...
I guess that not everything makes you visualize a story in one's head. At least this is quite often the case for me. Luckily, I'll get to create my own story for this, which maybe you'll play and read through if you're interested ;)
I can relate to listening to the "music and/or sounds alone", so to say.
"When you provide a chord progression in the middle of ambient soundscapes, whatever the choices you make will provide a striking contrast in a way that couldn't be heard in the same light as if it was already surrounded by tonal harmony"
=> I agree.
"For the purpose of a game, and I'm curious how you will utilize this music if the music is to flow with these different parts as is. To me, it sounds like an overview for the whole score of the game soundtrack. Therefore, menu music or intro seems appropriate for this. Nonetheless, that is just my own initial thoughts. "
=> Hmm, tricky thing actually. See, usually you make the game first, and then the music. Then you can build the music around the game, so that it fits. Either that, or you make a game, and then look for an already existing, suitable piece. You can of course also build a game around music, but that isn't what I'm going for either.
What I'm thinking is this: I have a very clear image of which moods/sounds I want the player to experience while playing the game, so I'm simply jumping in to the work from a slightly different angle and hoping that my subconscious was right and that the game and the music will fit together, at least to somewhat of an extent. For some reason; I think they will do.
Your idea of menu music isn't bad, but I doubt that the game needs a main menu (it'll probably feature a pause menu though, but the music will probably just be more silent). It'll be a text adventure game, which makes me pretty confident that things will somehow work themselves out.
It's difficult for any of us to critique such aspects of the piece before we've actually seen the interaction between the game and the music. There might be a different composition during the ending though)! I won't promise anything :/
"It's open-ended."
=> It sure is. Partly, because it goes on forever (though the jump loop coul've perhaps been better). It really leaves no room for disclosure. This is pretty intentional at least. As the game will be a mystery/puzzle game (with small parts of horror, lacking a better word), I think that it's best to use a very open ended piece, especially as I am intending to create another much shorter piece which will not leave things all that open for the ending (or at least one of the two endings, if I create an alternate version!).
I always try to think about the reader's perspective while I'm writing (especially if I'm writing a story), and the game will be a story of some sort (I don't want to reveal too much). This music is hopefully fitting with the story, so in that way, I guess I am thinking of the listener, which will actually happen to be the reader as well (cop out detected). I might even incorporate things so that music is literally played in the game as well, thanks to what you said though, as it wouldn't actually change the story at all, but actually help with the altarnate ending! (whoops, have I said too much ;D?). This is probably not what you intended, but it's what I'll roll with! Now I've gotten two new ideas for the game, thanks to you and LunacyEcho, because you left reviews! I doubt you'll make it to the credits though, sorry!
"What I said might not apply to this piece in particular as long as you can defend your choices. If this was the objective, then well done."
=> I won't defend anything until the game is completed, as this piece is so reliant of it. What is intended and what is not may not matter if the end result is good, is what I'm saying XD
(I didn't really think about the process as deeply as you have, so I actually don't know exactly what I intended. Maybe I should ask my subconscious.)
Once again, thanks a million for leaving such a well thought out review, Phonometrologist! It made me think more, and it definitely made my day :D!!! (Sorry for potential spelling mistakes/ grammatical errors/ muddy things that are hard to comprehend because of sloppy writing. It's late, and I'm not usually very keen on grammar checks...)
Wow Lucid this is really something! I love how you did this piece. This track doesn't feel like it's 3 minutes and 26 seconds long maybe it's because you made it so damn interesting to listen to.
It sounds so haunting and I really loved the little segments where the piano came in to play 00:57 and 01:14 it really gives some contrast to that gloomy background.
I really hope I get to play your game in the future with your music :D
Are you doing this game all by yourself? like programming and everything D:
Hello Mattashi!
I'm really happy you like the piece, and the way it's structured :3
00:57 and 01:14 are without a doubt my favorite parts! It's clearly "stolen" from 0:48-1:18 in "Feather" though, as I loved the filtered strings and piano that KatMaestro used.
I believe that in order for every sad song to really leave an impact on the listener, there must be a part that hints at... Perhaps not happiness, but something... Hopeful?
It's not as important in music such as this I feel, but I tried to implement that part anyway, for the contrast, so you were spot on!
I'm getting a clearer and clearer idea of how to make the game every day, and I'll probably begin developing it in a week or so. I am planning on making everything myself, unless I decide that I want some background art, in which case I might ask my sister for some. I know nothing of coding, but I'll make the game in the same way I created "D-Pression", which is using Stencyl. I have a subscription that holds for a couple of months still, so why not use it? :D
I hope I'll actually manage to make the game a good one, so that people don't get disappointed D:
LucidShadowDreamer 
