The arrangement of those horns is just...mmmm. The big swell in the middle was amazingly satisfying, and overall it's right on par with your exceptional quality of work.
The one nitpick I have is that the percussion seemed rather shallow, while much of the other section's instruments had lush reverb. The percussion seemed dry comparatively.
Overall though, it was as stellar and beautiful as it was short and sweet.
I did not notice that about the percussion, as it was made in the same studio with the same reverb. It could be a technical difference, my mic positions, or just the sound of percussion ... I'm not sure what's going on there.
Anyway thank you for your observations. I hope to continue making music that inspires and motivates others.
Well fuck. Looks like you've got round one for sure.
Amazing mixing, amazing progression, amazing sound design, damn guys.
My absolute favorite part is that intro. It's brilliant and amazing and is probably what will win the track.
Good job and good luck!
Thank you for reviewing, papkee!
I wish I could share your certainty that this is the winning submission of our group. I think you still have a very reasonable chance of making it, and the same goes for the other contestants. Depends much on the judges, I feel.
I'm very lucky that I'm teaming up with a cinematic beast though! Otherwise, I'd have no chance of making it forward at all XD
If we do win this round, It's all thanks to the wonderful production (and composing!) by dem0lecule.
It feels great to hear that you enjoyed my music box intro :3
I was really unsure of how people would take it, as I quickly made that melody on the same day we finished the track :O
I always feel like I want to have at least something iconic in my tracks, so that people will remember them.
Good luck to you as well! In a week, we'll see how it goes :)
I would say this really isn't house, but that doesn't mean it's any less of an enjoyable song.
The first thing that really surprised me about this song is that there's no kick whatsoever. I was expecting some big drumline to start at the drop, and while I was a bit dissappointed I have to say the lack of a defining bass kick beat actually adds to the song and makes it more enjoyable and engaging.
The song was mastered very well, and the composition itself is very solid.
I'm not good at giving long reviews, but I really like the song and good luck in round one!
I like to post my music everywhere and change things up a bit from time to time, I know it's not really house music, but there are a couple more house elements in it than others (all 4 or 5 elements) So I just threw it in this section because the traps, 808's, bass and melodies all kind of remind me of great house songs like Blow from Greg Gelis and Michelle Bradshaw, and Rodion Gordin feat. Dvines -- I'm Alive. (without the vocals and kick, of course)
Thanks for the great review papkee :) It truly is a breath of fresh air to read something that's not "o0o0ohhohoh i Liek it so good!" lol...
Wow. Great arrangement, great tonal transitions, and great contrast from small, light melodies to vast sweeping swells and back again.
The one, ONE thing that bugs me is that a select few of the areas have strange velocities to them. They sound like someone entered them into a DAW, not played them. Other than that one thing though, this piano arrangement is one of the best I've heard, even compared to some of the things I've heard from UC Berkley's concerts.
Great work as always. I really, desperately need to find great sounding piano samples like these. If only I had money.
Great work again, cheers.
-Patrick
Wow, thanks for the hugely encouraging review! The velocities thing is a very valid point, I don't put much thought into each individual velocity so sometimes they end up sounding slightly artificial.
Sorry for the late reply, Internet access is pretty unreliable at the moment! Thanks again for the review, made my day.
Very, VERY good composition here.
While I can tell your samples aren't of the highest quality (and neither are mine) the arrangement of this piece really compensates for that. It was mixed rather well, and the timing was all there.
Good job.
Really? Aw, you're just saying that! Thank you, though.
Good lord Bosa, stop being amazing.
This song really gets me going. It's just composed well, mastered well, and good god, the strings are great. It really makes me envy your sample libraries, although I'm sure the composing skills have something to do with it as well. ;)
I'm nothing, papkee. I'm just blessed. Thank you for the review, as I appreciate your comments.
I do enjoy the melody on this one. Has almost a pirate feel to it. ;)
I do have a few nitpicks though.
-I think some reverb across the whole song would add a more "cinematic" quality to it. Orchestral Scores are recorded in halls and have plenty of reverb.
-Your strings seem to be from a synth, or not the best quality. I recommend Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra. It's the only free sample library you can get at it's quality.
-The song could use some mastering. Just a little, to balance everything out.
Otherwise you've got a very strong track.
4/5 from Patrick
Why have I never heard of Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra before? This is very good for free. Thanks for your feedback!
Nice song overall. Did indeed sound very Irish. And you get +1 for Tubular bells. Love 'em.
Yes, I did notice that they were sound fonts. They have that certain "same sample" feel that most do. Still, they were very well mixed. And I can definitely tell it was made for a game. It has sort of a Legend of Zelda feel to it.
But, you still get a 5/5 from me mostly because of the overall composition (and let's not forget those tubular bells) but also because I really enjoyed listening to it. I'm sure I'll be humming it all day tomorrow.
Cheers and Happy Songwriting,
Papkee
Heya! Thanks!
"And you get +1 for Tubular bells."
I don't use tubular bells that much, but yeah, they're definitely a really cool instrument. :P
"They have that certain "same sample" feel that most do."
True that, a lot of soundfonts have just a few samples - though actually, if you listen closely, most soundfonts are multiple samples, which is probably why the ones that have drumsets are larger than others (multiple samples for each drum - velocity changes). I try to vary the velocity on instruments along with adding in tiny trills so they sound more realistic than they would otherwise. :)
"I'm sure I'll be humming it all day tomorrow."
Catchy tune is catchy. ;)
"Cheers and Happy Songwriting,
Papkee"
Thanks, and the same to you!
legendary hardstyle artistê
Age 27
Joined on 11/19/11
A Noble Girl 
Tenebrarius 
#1 - We Take Over - NGADM 
Lai's Theme 
On The Way! 
Dreamworld 
~SW~ Moon Lake in the Sun 