So Far Above

[lc]

This is probably one of the more helpful communities I've been involved with, so I thank you and feel more comfortable asking for your opinions. With that, here is an older piece that is actually a update from an even older version before I had quality samples to work with.So Far Abovehttp://homepage.mac.com/missing_piece_music/music/So%20Far%20Above.mp3Thanks again!

[jamesrjones]

Nice piece. Incredible contrasts and variety. This could easily be a soundtrack for movie. I love the whispered voices. This has a japanese feel to it and uses the full stereo spectrum to great effect. Very cool.

[hummingbird]

Interesting modulations, Asian feel. I'd be interested in what Mazz thinks of this. I wonder if the track should start with the meat & potatoes at :46 secs in, as it's very powerful and would catch attention right away. I feel like the first 45 secs are part of a different piece. When everything kicks in again after the lovely ambient whispered vocal part, make sure everything has space in the mix - there's an overtone or undertone there that is bothering my ear, and it clears up when the voices come back in again. Impressive workHTHcheersHummin'bird

[vicky]

hi lc,cool sounds...I'm sure there's a place in the listings....I'm with Vikki that something sonic is happening after the intro-ish part.....there may be too much dynamic range so it comes in too loud, and somethin's buggin' there ...also the beginning seems to go with the part with the voices well,,,,I hear your related ideas from section to section....the vibe of the middle is very powerful.....maybe a good starting point.....I'm not sure that you may have three related songs.....the parts have such strong personalities....all of which could carry an entire song....IMHOVery impressive sounding music....can't wait to hear what kind of listing everyone thinks this could be...great sound,good luck,Vicky

[geo]

This is an excellent piece, love the oriental sounding part around 2:30.. my only thing is it sounds very synthy, don't know if that was your intention... it sounds like one of those demo songs you get on your keyboard that makes you buy the thing and then you can't get the same sounds... not slamming the piece (that's actually a compliment ), it is very good, just questioning the production aspects...Great work.. Geo

[exiled]

Hey lc!!Great piece, wish I could do something like that... I agree with some other comments that the first part sounds like an entirely different song. Maybe you could get 2 great songs out of this piece?Cheers!Pablo

[lc]

Thanks for the comments everyone!@Hummingbird: can you explain what you mean by overtone/undertone? I am what I call "production challenged" so I might need some clarification there. You're right, I do have a lot of things going on when the beat comes in at around 2:23-24. I'm sure the frequencies are stepping all over each other there! @Vicky the (fellow) bassplayer : In the past, I used to come up with an intro (or some other section) and love it so much that I tried to work that into something else. Sometimes it worked, others I should have left it well enough alone and just accept that it works best as a "supporting actor" @geo: I wonder if I took out those samples if it would still have that Asian feel to it. Even though it wasn't my intention for it to have that vibe, many before have said the same thing. Not saying it bothers me mind you. Just goes to show how one thing can color a piece and how important it can be when going for a listing. Kind of like how one ingredient can change the style of a dish.As far as it sounding "synthy", do you mean the piece as a whole or a certain part? I was trying to redo this one from an earlier version that had synth parts in it. Mostly during the intro and when the percussion comes in. So I was using some synthy sounding samples for that part. Otherwise, it's just my production skills shining through again Thanks again everyone!

[geo]

Quote:@geo: I wonder if I took out those samples if it would still have that Asian feel to it. Even though it wasn't my intention for it to have that vibe, many before have said the same thing. Not saying it bothers me mind you. Just goes to show how one thing can color a piece and how important it can be when going for a listing. Kind of like how one ingredient can change the style of a dish.As far as it sounding "synthy", do you mean the piece as a whole or a certain part? I was trying to redo this one from an earlier version that had synth parts in it. Mostly during the intro and when the percussion comes in. So I was using some synthy sounding samples for that part. Otherwise, it's just my production skills shining through again Thanks again everyone!As far as the Oriental comments, I think the piece overall has the feel, the opening melody, the march sort of thing at 2:30 all give me that imagery, as is I would place it in a piece of Anime with a huge mythical struggle between good and evil etc. It is a dramatic piece. I don't think it is limited to that, just has the emotion.As far as the synthy comment it is a general comment, I'll explain, I read the comments some of the more accomplished posters make on composure pieces and they talk about the lengths they go through to make their music sound like an orchestra, this should decay here and swell here, etc. This piece has a more modern feel to it, like it's a hybrid composition and some of the instruments (the horns in the beginning and a string part around the middle) sound MIDI to me. I just reread your post and noted this is an update of an older song so maybe it's a matter of just tweaking the instruments a bit. I must state I'm out of genre here, just giving my reactions on listening to the song, which I enjoyed, good luck with it, Geo

[hummingbird]

Hi - to clarify -- at 2:20 - It feels like the percussion is clashing with the high synth (something in the top end is clashing) - and that there's too much down the middle. Feels like it needs some more panning & EQing to blend it better. Also watch the velocities on the percussive stuff - if it hits at the same volume and perfectly on the beat it sounds too 'synthetic'.HTHH'Bird

[lc]

I gotcha, geo.Yeah, it's one of those old pieces that I'd like to tweak out a little more. I'll get to it someday...I like what you envisioned in your head while listening to it. It's always interesting hearing the differences in people's interpretations.