Music List Thread (Post New Themes Here)

Ok let me clarify a few things, since this has consequently created a mess of misunderstandings.
--Value of the composition--
From what you said in your first paragraph Oliver, it seems that composing this was quite a valuable experience, and you learned a lot from this. That's super awesome and personally encourage you to do more experimental things like this in the future to grow as a composer. In no way was composing this a waste of your time if you enjoyed it and learned from it. There's no denying that.
About 3/4 of the things I compose end up being experimental pieces with more focus on playing with new effects. but consequently that doesn't mean that each of these pieces is going to be a masterpiece or even close to what I want one of my final pieces sounding. So hence, they stay hidden locked away in some deep hidden part of my hard drive.
My point here is that not everything we compose is 100% perfectly suited to be released, and therefore we should really think critically about our own comp. If we were looking for a ambient *minimalistic theme* suited for the microbe stage, that theme would get a 10/10. But my understanding is that we want a bit more character to the themes. When you posted this theme up, I listened to it and said to myself "Ok, considering the genre we're writing for, the game, the feel, how does this theme do?" Well, for me it was 9/10 ambiance, and 7/10 for sound and 2/10 for genre/character. I clearly voiced my opinion on the last point, since considering your other works (which i mentioned) you've always been able to hit the ambiance/mood almost perfectly. So sure, this piece was pioneering the use of effects and modifiers, but somewhere along the way you sort of lost the main vision.

A few other remarks.

Oliveriver wrote:

COMPOSED THE ENTIRE THING BACKWARDS

Bravo, now how was I supposed to know that, and how does that contribute to the piece. If anything you just made it harder for yourself by doing that. If that improved your composing skills, then awesome! but from a listeners point of view I can't really appreciate that if the piece is lacking otherwise.

Oliveriver wrote:

was basically just a few chords played again and again for 13 MINUTES,

God forbid someone listens to that for the full 13. Unless they really enjoy minimalism.

Now in the second paragraph you mention real life issues. I will keep this short, since this is a tangent.
Ok, please please please please please please dont take this the wrong way, but pretty much if a comment like that phases you, then too bad just deal with it. If you want to play the "real life" game then we can all pour out or emotional stories of how we are traumatized and delicate little beings. Guys, its just a forum, plus, its just me, psychoch3f, you know i dont mean any harm.
Here's what I could be like:

This is true but I mean it in a completely hypothetical sense:

But since we all live in different realities, are different human beings and experience different emotions, these arguments are invalid. There's no way I can say my stress is equivalent or greater than someone elses, because in reality, there's no way of exactly telling.
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Totemaster:
Exponential improvement from the previous. Seriously, keep up the hard work!!
You asked for improvements on the theme: It's now at a point where everything I say is subjective and you may/may not agree. (So if you don't agree, dont even consider it, its your composition)
Possibly play around with the volume of the drums and the strings and find a better balance, sometimes the drums are a tad overpowering. Just try it out in FL studio (you know the knobs beside the plugin name) and if you like it keep it, if not, scrap my idea.
Add a bass, and maybe some light woodwinds. I would say if anything a strong base line *could* be amazing here. When I mean strong, I dont mean loud but with a good solid (not too complicated) rhythm (which is essential for bass lines). Again, try it out, listen to it, be your own judge, and if you like it, post it up in a v3.
But seriously tote, you took that theme, and like turned it upside down. Bravo

Psych0Ch3f wrote:

Totemaster:
Exponential improvement from the previous. Seriously, keep up the hard work!!
You asked for improvements on the theme: It's now at a point where everything I say is subjective and you may/may not agree. (So if you don't agree, dont even consider it, its your composition)
Possibly play around with the volume of the drums and the strings and find a better balance, sometimes the drums are a tad overpowering. Just try it out in FL studio (you know the knobs beside the plugin name) and if you like it keep it, if not, scrap my idea.
Add a bass, and maybe some light woodwinds. I would say if anything a strong base line *could* be amazing here. When I mean strong, I dont mean loud but with a good solid (not too complicated) rhythm (which is essential for bass lines). Again, try it out, listen to it, be your own judge, and if you like it, post it up in a v3.
But seriously tote, you took that theme, and like turned it upside down. Bravo

Thanks.

Right, I hope you don't mind, but I've decided to cherry-pick that advice. I've altered the volume of some of the instruments to your specifications, especially in the second half.
However, I've decided to skip the base line, as I don't think it's necessary to be honest (the track's already got so much else going on in it).


So, without further ado, here it is:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh1KocyLH1U

What do the rest of you think?

Pretty much if you're happy with it, stick with what you have so far. There's nothing (imo) that is really needing to be changed.
Here's a piece of advice though, I would not label it your final copy, since there is a HIGH chance youll run into better sounding plugins in the future, and you may want to quickly substitute them into this piece in the future if you think it will make a difference. Plus it's always good to leave something alone for a while, then come back to it and see what you think (tons of composers do this). If in about a months time you still agree with everything going on in that piece, label it a final version.

A quick suggestion that may more may not be needed. You may want to have 2 versions. One that is cutoff just at the choral voice drop at the end and loops to the first choral voice drop in the beginning, therefore letting the song be able to be looped if the chase takes longer than 2 minutes (which it hopefully wont...).
So you'd need 3 versions in reality
1. The one you posted now, basically the whole song with conclusion and intro.
2. Song with intro, middle but cut off right at the voice drop (conclusion)
3. Song starting right in the middle (at the voice drop) that goes until the start of the next voice drop (conclusion.
That way you can play 2-3-3-3-3-3-3 infinite times if the battle takes that long, and just fade out when it's over. But if its normal length it'll have the normal conclusion with no loop.
Is this a good idea?

Psych0Ch3f wrote:

Pretty much if you're happy with it, stick with what you have so far. There's nothing (imo) that is really needing to be changed.
Here's a piece of advice though, I would not label it your final copy, since there is a HIGH chance youll run into better sounding plugins in the future, and you may want to quickly substitute them into this piece in the future if you think it will make a difference. Plus it's always good to leave something alone for a while, then come back to it and see what you think (tons of composers do this). If in about a months time you still agree with everything going on in that piece, label it a final version.

Hmm... good point.

Quote :

A quick suggestion that may more may not be needed. You may want to have 2 versions. One that is cutoff just at the choral voice drop at the end and loops to the first choral voice drop in the beginning, therefore letting the song be able to be looped if the chase takes longer than 2 minutes (which it hopefully wont...).
So you'd need 3 versions in reality
1. The one you posted now, basically the whole song with conclusion and intro.
2. Song with intro, middle but cut off right at the voice drop (conclusion)
3. Song starting right in the middle (at the voice drop) that goes until the start of the next voice drop (conclusion.
That way you can play 2-3-3-3-3-3-3 infinite times if the battle takes that long, and just fade out when it's over. But if its normal length it'll have the normal conclusion with no loop.
Is this a good idea?

I had thought about something to this effect as well, although I'm not sure exactly how Thrive's in-game music selection will work. I know that for instances with multiple themes, a theme will be randomly selected, although I don't know whether or not it'll loop. You'd have to ask someone more knowledgeable.

I'll find out about that, and if we need to we can just use a special FL studio format and use its loop function. If you dont know how i can easily teach you, but it does exactly what i just mentioned with the 1 2 3 arrangement

I have a new track that I've been working on for quite some time. Specifically, it's a war/battle theme that plays as a hostile extraterrestrial fleet descends on the player's cities.
As you might be able to tell, it's derived from Thrive's main theme.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwut9B0ahzE

Hey Tote,
I  gave a quick listen and here are my thoughts. But before that let me ask you a question:
What do YOU personally think of the composition? (What parts do you like and dont like) A composers own critique is more valuable than any other.
Overall, this doesn't strike me as something too unique or special. You seem to stick to the same drum line and chords overall. The drum beat is fine, its just overused.
-I would fix the opening strings, they are awkward (in time) and the chord is overall too dissonant for the start of a piece, try something else.
-String plugin is sounding very very bare. You either need a better plugin, or play around with the values (y, x and other values the plugin may have-I can show you how to access these options if you want) On the same line of sounding bare, you need to add bass. It's barely audible here. More bass means you can let your strings go higher too.
-Personally your selection of chords is very weakly executed. I know you don't know much  musical lingo so in simple terms, you need to fix the notes at some parts, and completely change others. The choir sometimes takes away from what youre trying to do with the strings. I'm not sure if you wanted this sustained dissonant effect (which really gets most people agitated). Another way of describing your chord changes is that you build up and build up and.....the climax is disappointing.

Here are some things that might help you compose a v2.
Form. Is this:
through composed? (so just random versions of one theme?)
ABA form? ABACABA form? (theres many possibilities of these forms) (each letter stands for a different "section", so A  maybe your intro build up,and B may be a more slow or intense part. Anything differnt) A lot of popular songs use these formats.
Getting a form helps you think through what youll be doing. For example, A may be your intense build up and dissonant section, with 2 alternating melodies (1 followed by 2), B could be a more homophonic (everybody plays together in sync on the same chords) and so on.
Form can also help you allocate a certain drum line for each section, that way you aren't using the same drum line for too long. You had a good intro with the drum line its just that halfway through I memorized your other drumline i was hearing it so much!
Keep up the hard work!

Totemaster wrote:

I have a new track that I've been working on for quite some time. Specifically, it's a war/battle theme that plays as a hostile extraterrestrial fleet descends on the player's cities.
As you might be able to tell, it's derived from Thrive's main theme.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwut9B0ahzE

I like the theme! Keep up on good work!

Psych0Ch3f wrote:

Hey Tote,
I  gave a quick listen and here are my thoughts. But before that let me ask you a question:
What do YOU personally think of the composition? (What parts do you like and dont like) A composers own critique is more valuable than any other.

Well... The "tone" (not the literal tone of the music mind you, but the "feeling" I'm trying to get across) might be a little inconsistent. The whole track is basically meant to be two different (but still hopefully compatible) styles "duking it out", with one representing the alien invaders, and the other representing the player's race. There are even two types of beat, one of which sounds kind of like a military beat, and the other makes a kind of "whoosh" sound that is a nod to the spacecraft of the invaders.

I know, it's maybe kind of silly, at least when I put it like that.

Quote :

Overall, this doesn't strike me as something too unique or special. You seem to stick to the same drum line and chords overall. The drum beat is fine, its just overused.

Hmm... Thanks for the tip. I'll consider it.

Quote :

-I would fix the opening strings, they are awkward (in time) and the chord is overall too dissonant for the start of a piece, try something else.

What do you mean by "awkward"? In what way?

Quote :

-String plugin is sounding very very bare. You either need a better plugin, or play around with the values (y, x and other values the plugin may have-I can show you how to access these options if you want)

Well, the string and brass sections are just the basic FL 11 instruments. I haven't really had time to look for better plugins, with exam season starting.

And yes please. It would be very helpful if you could show me how to do that.

Quote :

On the same line of sounding bare, you need to add bass. It's barely audible here. More bass means you can let your strings go higher too.

When you say "bass", do you mean lower-pitched notes? Or is it something I haven't found/discovered/figured out yet?

Quote :

-Personally your selection of chords is very weakly executed. I know you don't know much  musical lingo so in simple terms, you need to fix the notes at some parts, and completely change others. The choir sometimes takes away from what youre trying to do with the strings. I'm not sure if you wanted this sustained dissonant effect (which really gets most people agitated).

Well, in terms of the melody, I was trying to go for sort of a "1950s sci-fi meets a modern summer blockbuster" style.

Perhaps I'll try different instruments or plugins on the chords? I still want to keep the melody.

Quote :

Another way of describing your chord changes is that you build up and build up and.....the climax is disappointing.

Yes. I wasn't really sure how to end the track, so I picked what I felt was an acceptable ending, ready to be altered or expanded upon in a later version if necessary.

Quote :

Here are some things that might help you compose a v2.
Form. Is this:
through composed? (so just random versions of one theme?)
ABA form? ABACABA form? (theres many possibilities of these forms) (each letter stands for a different "section", so A  maybe your intro build up,and B may be a more slow or intense part. Anything differnt) A lot of popular songs use these formats.
Getting a form helps you think through what youll be doing. For example, A may be your intense build up and dissonant section, with 2 alternating melodies (1 followed by 2), B could be a more homophonic (everybody plays together in sync on the same chords) and so on.

I hope this doesn't sound stupid, but I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about.

Sorry.

Quote :

Form can also help you allocate a certain drum line for each section, that way you aren't using the same drum line for too long. You had a good intro with the drum line its just that halfway through I memorized your other drumline i was hearing it so much!

Ok, so I need to include some more variety in the percussion? Got it.

Quote :

Keep up the hard work!

Thanks.

-------------------------------

WilliamstheJohn wrote:

I like the theme! Keep up on good work!

Thanks.

Hey Tote,so ill just comment on things chronologically, instead of quoting.
As far as tone goes, I sorta get what youre saying with the two "themes" Maybe you should place them closer to eachother so they can be more juxtaposed. Make them a bit more apparent in their difference. And my hunch about the tone is that your mis-timing your notes and perhaps a few chords and plugins should be fixed. Btw since its an alien theme...maybe try experimenting with some more electronic sounds. I would recommend getting the plugin "Massive" and trying out like one of the 200 presets built into that one plugin. It only takes a few minutes out of your day.
When I mean awkward I think it was just timing, I think weve talked about this before. Its not really your fault, its something we have to get used to in FL studio. Re-listen to the piece and tell me if you think some times the strings are a bit off.
Ill post a quick tutorial on adjusting various options for a certain plugin a bit later, so look forward to it! (Was my last little tutorial helpful?)
When I say bass i mean like low pitched notes coming from a low pitched instrument (With low pitched timbre) So experiment with things like the FL studio bass sounds, theres actually A TON of those already in fl studio.
About form, its just like how you plan out your piece. You think to yourself ok so maybe well have Alien theme (ill call it A) and Human theme (ill call it B) and then Human Alien mix theme(ill call it C) all of these are different melodies and styles. Then you put them in an order ABCBA or something and that defines your form. There can be of course variations but giving it a form really makes the piece much more stable. Its very similar to an architect planning out his bridge in sections instead of one random ever continuing piece.

Sorry I haven't had time to contribute much recently - I'll start my return by posting a new medieval/society themed piece. I've also managed to update the original post with the most recent themes composed, as it was getting slightly out of date.

Oliveriver wrote:

Sorry I haven't had time to contribute much recently - I'll start my return by posting a new medieval/society themed piece. I've also managed to update the original post with the most recent themes composed, as it was getting slightly out of date.

That, was Beautiful.  :( 

Oliveriver wrote:

Sorry I haven't had time to contribute much recently - I'll start my return by posting a new medieval/society themed piece. I've also managed to update the original post with the most recent themes composed, as it was getting slightly out of date.

Hey, that's pretty good! Well done.

This theme is completely different to the current space themes, as well as very distinct from pretty much all the other music. I'm not sure whether the non-ambient style would work during a game, but if not, this could just as easily fit space combat instead.

Oliveriver wrote:

This theme is completely different to the current space themes, as well as very distinct from pretty much all the other music. I'm not sure whether the non-ambient style would work during a game, but if not, this could just as easily fit space combat instead.

I love it! Clearly one of my favourites! I also thought about minimal electronic music in Thrive. It fits perfectly! I'd really like to see more of this kind of themes! Something similar would also fit in the microbe stage I think. Something clear and living for a tidepool full of moving cells trying to survive. But I don't think this would fit into a space battle since it sounds too happy. But I could imagine listening to this while watching a space ship just flying into the mysterious wides of the galaxy! I hope others like it as much as I do, I think we could use more of these! (That's just my opinion.)

Oliveriver wrote:

This theme is completely different to the current space themes, as well as very distinct from pretty much all the other music. I'm not sure whether the non-ambient style would work during a game, but if not, this could just as easily fit space combat instead.

Well, this IS the cosmos we're talking about, and, in fact, it actually is a fairly noisy place.

I couldn't see this as combat, but it would fit a Spaceship editor, or maybe loading for space, or music that plays for the intro of the stage. Maybe early interplanetary space?

Then maybe deeper, lower, kind slower to fit in with the vastness of space, you know? Like the moment when your little race truly realizes just how BIG space is.

But, all in all, amazing work, and very spacey. I like it.

Hello everyone. I know this is not introduction thread. But I posted here just so everyone here could know me as I would mostly (and hopefully) contribute to Music part a lot.

Honestly, I never publish any music to public place. I am not totally clueless in using FL Studio and sometimes spontaneously have my tone in my head. (Pretty sure everyone does) This will being more or less proving ground for me. To put things in, things out and share to you all if it's sound good.  :lol!: 

Pleased to meet you all.

@MirrorMonkey2

I don't think this type of music should be implemented everywhere in Thrive, especially not the microbe stage. I feel the microbe stage needs simpler, flowing music to compliment the simple, flowing microbes. Anything this complex should definitely be used for the later stages.

@Aisoian_Doctor_Xenox

A spaceship editor theme - I didn't think of that. In retrospect, it's probably a far better use for the theme. If everyone's okay with it, I'll change the title to a spaceship editor (or, technically, a space stage tech editor) theme.

@Auratus

Hello again. Nice to see you introducing yourself on the music thread. It won't matter if not all of your music is good enough to add to Thrive - as you said, it'll be a proving ground for you more than anything.

I'd like to start off with these two songs. I just created the playlist, and I'd like to try to do a few songs each week. I will attempt tracks for each mood and feeling. This will include peaceful settings, cosmos ideals, and battle moods as well. Here are the first two tracks I'd like to submit. The first is a very peaceful cosmos feeling, as if you were floating in space, admiring it's infinite self-existence and finding yourself in awe. The second is the same feeling, however if you were deep in the ocean, floating peacefully watching as nature progresses and moves about its way.

Thrive in the Floating Cosmos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP2A6tJx78Q

Washed Away Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcwCGOf5BDw

Because of a new account at the moment, you will have to remove the space in between the links. Hope to hear feedback soon! Thank you all!

Corey

I've barely started listening to the first one, and already I'm liking it.

Great work!  :cheers: 

Aiosian_Doctor_Xenox wrote:

I've barely started listening to the first one, and already I'm liking it.

Great work!  :cheers: 

Why thank you very much!  :D 

Oliveriver, here is a second version of the first track with the guitar track removed. The lead guitar stayed, added more reverb, along with the choral lead, and now theres a low backing synth heavily with heavy reverb. Let me know what you think good sir!

http: //www .youtube. com / watch?v=sSmENcwsuq4&feature=youtu.be

Sounds quite nice for a space theme. Good job!

Definitely an improvement on the first now that the lower register guitar's gone. I see it as more of a multicellular stage theme rather than space, but it's your choice. Great work!  :D 

Thank you!

And wherever the music fits the best man. If you all think something fits more somewhere else for one stage or another or one scenario or another, then I support any. 'Cause the overall goal to make sure everything that's used works beneficial to the entire product as a whole. I think it could definitely work in a multicellular stage as well, it seems quite fitting.