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  • E.T. - Flying Theme

    Dear All,

    Here is a link to a new mock-up (http://www.aubergine.co.uk/open/et.mp3">http://www.aubergine.co.uk/open/et.mp3). It is a piece I am particularly fond of, the "Flying Theme" from E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (1982). I had a lot of fun doing this, and I hope you enjoy it.

    I'd be very interested to hear any comments you have.

    Kind Regards,

    Nick.

  • Yes - very, very good. You captured it.

    The only thing I would say - can you get the overall volume up - it seems fairly quiet and sometimes overly distant.

    Very good though.

  • Oops - forgot to normalise [8-)] . New version posted.

    Thanks for the comments.

  • Nice work, Nick!

    The orchestra still sounds very far away though and a little "boxy." My guess is you used a convolution reverb set to 100% wet signal. You might try adding back in some dry to bring the orchestra forward and give the sound some presence.

    Best,
    Jay

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    @nicks@aubergine.co.uk said:

    Oops - forgot to normalise [8-)] . New version posted.


    That's better Nick - you could still lessen the distance a little maybe and get some more volume in there. Then you may be on to something worthy of the User Area imho.

  • Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it.

    I'll give that a try and post back a new version later - I know I'm not exactly a world class engineer (or even a peckham-class [:O]ops[:)]

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    @nicks@aubergine.co.uk said:

    Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it.

    I'll give that a try and post back a new version later - I know I'm not exactly a world class engineer (or even a peckham-class [:O]ops[:)]


    Don't worry - who is? I didn't mean right this minute - today. [[;)]]

    I think you're onto something really good here - just needs a little tweaking around. Get someone in if necessary that understands reveb etc. The finale in this is terrific.

    It's always easier to get away with when it's like your own original work - nothing to compare the sound to - but with something as well known as this - it's worth getting it as good as possible. This will be good!

  • I agree with Paul that this performance deserves the extra attention to reverb. Also make sure you are creating a mp3 at 192 bit rate (kbs) or better. This might be contributing to the slightly degraded sound quality.

    Best,
    Jay

  • I have updated the mp3 with closer reverb, greater dry setting, removing some EQ I had added (!), and some additional warming. Any better?

  • It is impressive work I agree. My criticisms are I think the horns soli around 1:10 should be a louder timbre - f legato instead of mp or perhaps some crossfading. The violins in general sound very thin especially in their high register. That is always a difficulty. The fanfares at the very end could be louder and more sforz, closer in volume to the horns soli immediately afterward. All the little rhythmic spiccato or staccato strings and woodwind solos sound very good. Good job on some rather complex writing.

  • Hi Nick,

    Overall, I thought the mix has more clarity now. I think you improved everything except possibly the high legato violin lines. These are the very hardest to get right. Perhaps some of the mixing gurus on the forum can give some suggestions on how to best "sweeten" them.

    I might try layering in a hint of solo violin here and there, using the sul and portamento articulations on a few notes, maybe rolling off some of the high frequencies on the violins (but EQ is NOT my strong point). Getting the perfect high string sound is extremely difficult. I have never been 100% happy with my own results in this regard but I keep trying new combinations of techniques. And so I recommend you keep experimenting too. Perhaps you will figure out the holy grail of sampling-- lush, romantic, sweeping melodic string lines. Then you can tell us all how it's done. [:)]

    Sounding good.

    Best,
    Jay

  • the tempo is way slow for my ears. The ww's particulary the flute filagre doesn't cut - try using the max velocity or dynamic layer then laying back on the volume. The tempos in general don't feel right. I would work on that the most.

    The brass at the end particuarly trumpets are almost non existant - hire some real guys if you have to. [:)]

    the violin figure at the beggining doesn't sound quite right. try doubling it with another patch and make it delayed by a few ticks. It does soung good now but it could be a bit better.

    oh the horns duh duh duhs in the middle section where they have the tight harmonies you used some really harsh attacks. I'd try diffrent patches maybe have the top line played by a solo horn patch.

    I could give you notes all day. I love this piece a little too much. My play count on i-tunes you don't even want to know.

  • Matt...your comments on tempi - I also love this piece and think that these tempi are pretty darn close to the original recording.

    Before I make my comments, I only got chance to listen to this on my laptop speakers, and so could be way off target....

    My feel is that, as with so much VSL stuff, the violins stick out and are a little harsh sounding. I nearly always have to soften the sound somewhat in order to sit them back into the mix. Otherwise I love your mock up and thought it excellent VSL technique. This is really one of the most convincing pieces I have heard yet. You picked a piece that is very dear to my heart. Often in my teens and twenties I would use the ET orchestral suite to send me to a more relaxed place before sleep.

    I wonder if we might all adopt a new verb. Seeing that in UK Delia Smith (a TV chef) has made her mark on the english dictionary with "delia - verb - to cook up some kind of food, or whatever the real definition is" why can't we have "to VSL - verb, to mock up pieces of music using the fab technology and sounds available to those lucky people who have bought VSL products".

  • specificly the opening seems a bit under tempo and the ritard toward the end didn't feel right. I am not sure why it feels under tempo to me. Maybe I am used to this newer recording.

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    @magates said:

    specificly the opening seems a bit under tempo and the ritard toward the end didn't feel right.


    It speeds up a little towards the end - perhaps noticeably.

  • PaulP Paul moved this topic from Orchestration & Composition on