Orchestral Remix Strikes a Different Note (January 27, 2012)

[ChrisReid]

Shiryu, who authored some hip Wing Commander Movie-themed techno tracks back in the day, has a new composition to share. Orchestral Wing Commander has a much more classical and decidedly mainstream tone than his first WC songs. He's synchronized the tunes to WC1's intro, briefing and launch below. Hit the discuss link to let everyone know what you think.

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An orchestrated version of the main title theme of Chris Robert's / Warren Spector's classic space opera/sim "Wing Commander". They don't make them like this anymore, sadly. Enjoy! =)

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Original update published on January 27, 2012

 

[Quarto]

Hmmm. I always appreciate the effort people put into these remixes, especially since I lack the basic knowledge to do anything like this myself. But, while I appreciate the effort, I must say in this case I don't like the result. The drums seem too aggressive, killing the theme underneath - and it feels rather poor-on-instruments, for an orchestral version.

 

[wcnut]

Yah its not sequenced very well. The velocities on all the instruments are stagnant or just wrong. The reverb needs work, a little too wet for my taste. Plus the midi instruments of choice aren't very good. He should invest in GPO or something, even Garage Band might be an improvement.

If this were live, I don't think a single horn straining at the very top of its range on the melody with the rest of the orchestra blaring away accompanying will cut it. Just wont cut through. I think what he wants is a trumpet. Unless you are talking about a clarinet, most winds tend to get pretty soft at their extreme highs, not to mention the incredible difficulty he is placing on his performer.

 

[ChrisReid]

You guys are always hilariously harsh on the amateur musicians we report about. I don't even understand half the words you're using.

 

[Quarto]

Hehe, I wasn't trying to be harsh - and I struggled for a few minutes whether I should even post what I wrote (I'd hate to discourage the guy). All I really said is that with all the drums in there, you have trouble hearing the theme itself.

 

[LeHah]

Yah its not sequenced very well. The velocities on all the instruments are stagnant or just wrong. The reverb needs work, a little too wet for my taste.

It sounds like the mix is the problem, nothing else. The horns and percussion are too in the forefront to the strings and woodwinds which are carrying the theme.

As to it being "too wet", thats more a matter of preference.

 

[wcnut]

Well I don't mean to be harsh either, just trying to put into words where it is weak and what could help it. Though in retrospect i was rather blunt and for that I apologize if he is reading.

As for "mixing" that is for recorded sound. This is a midi realization, in which voices being soft, loud is is all part of the sequencing process. (In midi world, a note's softness/loudness is its velocity). And I think a larger dynamic range would help. I was also pointing out that this would have problems orchestrationaly as well, and what one simple fix could be. Though personally I would put more instruments on the melody. Perhaps oboe as well, give it a nice edgy color (oboe and trumpet can blend real well). Of course in midi world he can get around it and orchestration doesn't matter. But he seems interested in orchestration so I offer suggestions.

You're right in that reverb is a matter of taste, (but i have a degree in this stuff so my taste is more valid than yours ). No jk. It's an issue with the over all "room" that he has chosen. Its like a cathedral. (well not quite) but it is hard to hear the detail of the sound of the instruments. Everything is blurred together too much, and it's hard enough to hear the melody as it is. I just don't think it is helping him. Also it doesn't sound like a real place to me. (and that IS personal taste )

 

[Mace]

Can he give us the .mid? I'll run it through my own setup for reference and to see what he did with the tune...

 

[Shiryu]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Yep, mastering this into something perfect is beyond my current capabilities. Sorry I didn't notice this made it to WC News, so hope you all still read it.

Grab Shiryu's Arcade Volume 4 (where this track ended up) from my web. I'm up to Volume 5 already.

PS: Sorry Mace, this isnt a .mid, it's made in FL Studio, it's a .flp file.