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The Keyhole

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Author Comments

Infinite realities materializing and evaporating


This is my entry for the Newgrounds Audio Deathmatch Round 1. I wanted to make a Synthwave Space Rock song. I couldn't have drifted off path further. I'm not mad about that though.


Stems are available here, as always: https://initialposition.net/stems/

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I generally enjoy the composition, especially the pretty section at 3:00. The structure is solid, and the intro and outro are well executed. I do, however, feel like this is an outline of a track to be completed.

One prominent problem is the apparent lack of dynamics automation and variation. The orchestra can be played at many different levels of volume/intensity, and this effects the timbre and utility of all the instruments. Modern sample libraries usually have at least 3 layers. It's important to use these different layers to make each phrase more expressive and properly shaped, and to strengthen the contrast in intensity between sections. When working with sample libraries, be mindful of the machine gun effect that occurs when you repeat the same sample repeatedly. Some solutions are to vary the velocity with each note, use a specialized library with multiple samples for each note type, or switch between different articulations.

I think you can employ more string articulations. For example, tremolo can be nice at :23 and 2:02. Harmonics could be useful in the intro and outro.

I think the :30 section could use a lot more movement. Runs can be quite useful here.

At 1:40, the horn sounds like it's hitting the compressor hard. I think trumpets would be more comfortable there.

At 2:40 the piano is masked by the strings. You could double the line with another percussive instrument,

At 2:45 the cello melody is not very noticeable in its lower register. The line could be doubled with another string instrument or woodwind. Also, when the cello is reaches its highest notes, you can swap it with viola/violin so it feels more natural.

In the outro, it sounds like all the piano notes are being played at the same velocity. It might help make the bass and middle note slightly softer.

Although I think you did a good job establishing a certain vibe with each section, I do think this track has more melodic potential. I didn't notice a memorable melody throughout the piece.

Good luck! I don't typically write such detailed reviews in ngadm, but in this case I had a lot to say, and there's still time before the deadline to make changes.

RedCocoa responds:

Damn, that's a very in depth review, thanks :D
I'm going to test your suggestions out, this is pretty much the first pure orchestra piece I wrote so I was almost sure I made some mistakes. Hopefully I'll manage to update the track before the deadline lol

Credits & Info

Artist

Listens
351
Faves:
1
Downloads
9
Votes
6
Score
3.89 / 5.00

Uploaded
Jul 31, 2022
6:41 AM EDT
Genre
Cinematic
File Info
Song
9.5 MB
4 min 11 sec
Software
  • Serum
  • Sylenth1
  • Hollywood Orchestra
  • Hollywood Strings

Licensing Terms

You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this work under the following conditions:

Attribution:
You must give credit to the artist.
Noncommercial:
You may not use this work for commercial purposes. *
Share Alike:
If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting creation only under a license identical to this one.

*Please contact me if you would like to use this in a commercial project. We can discuss the details.