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As you all know, I was over in Vegas with jimmy and gary. I had the chance to check out a Cirque Du Soleil show "O". I also have a friend who used to be in Mystere and we got to meet some of the performers in "Ka".

So, I got home and see if I could achieve a similar sound and feel of the ciruqe sound track. I guess it's not quite as multi-billion dollar sounding, but I think I achieved the exotic feel and also a timeless sound that isn't tied to a specific genre. (although a bit teen pop-ish in some places)

I dedicate this piece to all the great pulsarians! Happy new year 2008, may this year be a musical one for you all!


uses:
freebie VSL library that came with Kontakt 2
freebie steel guitar that came with Kontakt 2
Akoustik Steinway
percussion is all sampletank 2
trem mandolin (lute?) is sampletank 2

My detailed comments:
I only have an Alesis Micron (3 octaves) as controller right now, and getting the piano touch right was impossible. I do have a p-250 on the side, but isn't hooked up to the DAW.

If you listen carefully, the cello has very cool parts, which I would have loved to use a solo cello for, but I don't have a good solo cello. The strings arrangement has lots of divisi. For the most part, it's 2 sets of divis with the melody an octave above. The melody is contained in the divisi parts most of the time. I think I really like cellos.

I did think of modulating the themes through out the tune, but didn't think it was necessary. Maybe in a transition from this movement to the next (if it existed) movement. I'm not a big fan of excessive key changing.

I was also trying for peak speed. 5 minutes in 3 days isn't so bad I guess. Still not as fast as TV guys who do complete shows in 2 days ro so. Amazing.

It's evocative and "fluent".
It's perfect beside some good images of nature (or as SimCity4 background music )

Nice!

heh, "fluent" is an interesting way to describe it. thnx for the feedback. Nature is the key word. I think for it's the ocean conscious or not.

Damn Powerful !!

I Like it alot, thanks.

The Lute samples are really clean.

I also like the way your strings aren't bathed in reverb. Too many artisits try to cover their strings w/ effects. Your ears are using them nicely.

My favorite sounds in the Overture is the Taiko Drums.

Am I correct in my assumption?

If those were Tymp's they sound awfully powerful and deep.


Great Music Ken . You should have no trouble selling powerful tracks like that.





JV

I feel some strings would sound more realistic if they were played legato.
But this is serious work.

The drums are toms doubled with surdos when I need the low end. I wanted something like taikos, but maybe a little more "hard" sounding. The toms were a little too hard, but I guess it gave the tune some punch and snap. Funny you pointed out the near dry strings. I personally like it dry, so that the syncopated sequences stand out. Also, going through reverb seemed to kill the rosin sounds in the high end. For some reason I like the rosin detail. Actually I brought it out a little too much with PsyQ but oh well.

I do wish I had some legato to work with.. These string libraries never get easy to use do they. hehe.

thnx for all the feedback! This one was a bit of a milestone for me in terms of creating a "big" sound through arrangement, and not just mixing.

It was meant to be overwhelming like a Cirque show.

Dynamic, Explosive.

Glad you like your strings dry.

Synths and strings should be dry, but I do love delay on synths I must admit.

The Surdo you say.....hmmm.

You make really good use of the free " lite " stuff.

Which percussion libraries would you suggest I demo?


I appreciate any input.