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Did this tune for a "new age" listing looking for some interesting instrumentation ... although it implied keep-it-simple in the listing, well, darn, I just couldn't help myself having fun with my new toy - the EastWest QLSO Gold. Make that toys - plural, cuz I also upgraded to Sonar8 and this was my first use of any of the soft-synths - which are now a bit easier to use. So, damn, I used 'em! I know this will be probably be off the mark for the particular listing, but my whole reason for being with Taxi is to be challenged to stretch into new things, and learn from the process. So ... any feedback on the tune, "The Swan" will be appreciated. http://capizon.com/music/Swan1228-7aNrml.mp3

Whats up Stancongrats on taking that big stop into soft synths!I feel that 'the swan' is kind of a mix between world/newage/jazz.. so it could be like a swiss knife for submissions:)have you used compression on the entire mix?it may be my lower than par headphones...but i hear kind of some squished signals...if you have the time..try to make a 'b' mix with less mastercompression/limiting and let it breathe a bit more..new age mixes should breatheee: ) nice~peace (and »õÇغ¹¸¹À̹ÞÀ¸¼¼¿ä!) ((happy new year))geoff

Hi Stan, very mellow relaxing piece. The only thing I didn't like about it was the long-held chord on mixed voice/synth right in the middle of the piece and right at the end - it's a bit jarring compared to the rest. Personally I think this would fit better with a "mellow jazz" listing rather than new age (which I interpret as meditation), but it might be worth trying anyway. It has a very relaxing overall vibe. Georgieps I agree that there is perhaps too much compression on this. I find with EWQL I don't really need compression. I pan carefully and add a tiny touch of EQ to individual instruments but generally, the less the better IMO. That's just my way though and others may disagree...

Stan,I agree with both geoff's and Georgie's comments concerning genre and compression here, except I might even be hearing a little distortion! Are you running everything on SONAR to the master bus? You also have to be careful when using multiple plug-ins that any one of them is not in the red.You do have to read the new age listings very closely--most are intended for relaxation (mellow instrumentation; steady, but pleasing pulse). You're close here (except maybe the guitar and a somewhat harsh overall sound at times). If you changed the instrumentation to something more exotic, you'd have "WORLD" on this one.Still, it's a nice piece overall with some cool and surprising interplay and layering.Vince

Thanks for all your comments! I did do an un-compressed version for the listing. And as I mentioned, I new I was over-the-top vis-a-vis the specifications of the listing, so for now it's more about the learning curve with the softsynths, instrumentation, mix, etc. But the funny thing is I did my darnedest to NOT be a jazz guy with this one, any to my ears I met that goal (meaning there are no flatulated fifths or domineering sevenths) But I'm not sure where y'all are hearing jazz unless you mean "smooth jazz" ....which ain't really jazz, ya know! ha ha Ok... so the original tune was written in a "smooth jazz" moment a number of years ago, but proved too vanila to really develop, so I simplified it and stretched out the phrases for this new age piece. Bottom line... I had fun, I learned stuff. It's all good!

Hi Stan,Bottom line... I had fun, I learned stuff. It's all good!That's definitely what's its all about....Nice tune... Bob