Score: 0

"Great Work!"

submission: Ear Rape

date: September 18, 2006

Zero.

Thanks for your vote, DavidOrr! You voted 0 for Ear Rape, keeping its score at 0.00.

(Keep up the good work :D)

Score: 9

"Very clear!"

submission: Human Shaped Leech

date: September 18, 2006

Wow, that was very clear sounding! Very professional recording, although the snare could have had a *slight* drop in the high frequencies.

The drums sounded a little off at times, I think it is probably just the pattern programmed. It was only in a few fills, so it may be a simple fix. I loved the double kick drum, very clear sounding and crisp.

As always, a great song. Each piece keeps getting better and better in production quality, keep it up!

5/5

Score: 9

"Very trancey"

submission: {dj-N} Neue Böden

date: September 17, 2006

I really enjoyed the instrument selections in the piece, they all seemed to fit very well. I also liked the drums you used, not the standard kick + clap, it had some variation to it, which I enjoyed.

I think your bass could have a little more presence though. I could see you pumping up the low end to help add to the low-end of the piece. Maybe run it through an EQ and boost lower frequencies.

All in all, a really neat piece. Keep up the great work!

5/5

I'd love your opinion on any of my pieces, but only if you have the time!

Score: 9

"Nice Job"

submission: -SOES-Andras (Beta update)

date: September 16, 2006

There is definitely an improvement with your sample quality. There is still a sense of unrealism, mainly in the violin. I'll take a little time to describe how to increase realism.

First off, creating phrasing is crucial in making orchestral samples live. It sounded like you cut all of the velocity levels and evened them out. I rarely cut my velocity levels, I want fluctuation between each note to help give the impression it's not a sample being used over and over again, but a real player. Another trick is to make some notes *slightly* spill over into the next. This helps decrease gaps from sample to sample, which is a thing you want to avoid at all costs.

Here is an mp3 using the theme from your piece. The first time through is a relatively accurate replication of your version, and after I have my version which has velocity and note length fluctuation.

http://www.davidorr.net/Mp3/Violin/ViolinEX1.mp3

There is a noticeable improvement, but it still doesn't sound very authentic. One of the main reasons is because of the sample being used. Because this is a relatively delicate passage, using a violin sound where the player is using forceful bowing isn't the best choice. I would recommend a sustained sample with a soft vibrato.

This next mp3 has your version at the beginning, and then my version with a different sample. It sounds more convincing, but it still isn't perfect yet.

http://www.davidorr.net/Mp3/Violin/ViolinEX2.mp3

The best way to get a real sound is by using multiple samples. This is also the hardest, most time consuming, and most processor taxing, but it can yield great results. I have my own ideas with your motif, where the faster parts should be played slightly more ferociously, and the longer notes following these parts should be more expressive. This last mp3 has your version in the beginning, and then my version after, which uses two different violin samples. You should be able to notice a big improvement in realism and quality.

http://www.davidorr.net/Mp3/Violin/ViolinEX3.mp3

Hopefully these techniques will help you in the future. It takes a while to get it down, but the results are very rewarding!

Great job once again,

5/5

Score: 8

"Midi?"

submission: -SOES-Epic Duels-Saphirre

date: September 9, 2006

The sound quality in this sounds like you used midi sounds, which is a little strange (probably the strings). Anyway, I really loved the strings at the beginning how they kept building up, it created a feeling of tension.

Why not try using some different instrument(s) instead of a solo violin for the main melody? I could see some really expressive strings playing the molody, which would give it more body. Also, try to throw in some low brass to give it a more driving sound (if that is what you are looking for).

Another well written piece and great addition to your SOES series!

5/5

Score: 9

"Nice Job!"

submission: -SOES-Saphirre's doubt

date: September 9, 2006

Nice use of cymbals in this piece, you put them in most every place I would have suggested you do, so kudos there!

The violin solo has a very very harsh attack, I would suggest lowering the velocity level of the violin, or the attack, to make it not so piecring. It will also give it more realism.

I can really hear improvement in your work, keep it up!

5/5

Score: 8

"Good Job"

submission: ~|Somnio Infinitus|~

date: September 6, 2006

I can certainly see this being used for a title screen in a game called Dreams. The piece is very dreamy, and you capture that feeling very well.

I would suggest introducing some violins with vibrato (in EWQLSO Gold, butter legato would work well) towards the end to signify some sort of climax.

I understand the use of cymbals to create a more surreal, dreamy sound, but the volume is way too loud in them. I would say cutting them down by 1/2 would still be loud enough.

It's great to see original stuff from you, I'd enjoy seeing more, especially with these two newly acquired libraries!

I'll 5 it in hopes someone sees it and leaves their suggestions.

Score: 9

"Wow!"

submission: {Mara's Realm}

date: September 6, 2006

Wow, this is great! I loved the instrument combination! The entire feel was great, and the drums really augmented the entire track. I have a sweet tooth for strings, and I certainly got a nice helping of them in this piece!

I would suggest integrating some electronic sounds in this. An arpeggiator in the background could give this piece more body. The reverb seems to be turned up too high, which gave the track a relatively thin sound. I'd get a stereo imager and try and spread the treble out more (but keep the bass less panned and more in the center for a solid foundation).

Keep up the great work, I'm really impressed!

5/5

Score: 9

"Very well done!"

submission: -SOES-Ghelo's unleashed

date: September 1, 2006

I really liked the glitchy beat! What I really liked, however, was how you integrated orchestral sounds with electronic sounds. I generally put strings in my electronic pieces, and it's great to see other people do the same.

The beat could have stood to get a little heavier during the drum break, but besides that this is a very nice piece of music!

5/5

Score: 9

"Nice guitar"

submission: +*+*(vortex)*+*+

date: August 30, 2006

I thought the guitar sounded pretty good for samples. What did you use for that? The drums did sounded a bit fake, I'm thinking they had a little too much high-end.

It was really driving though, which I thought was a good concept to portray for Tankmen, considering it is a flash about the military.

All of your music flows well, which is very commendable. Keep up the great work!

5/5