I have little experience with chip-step, but I think the appregio sounds fine. The notes are distinct, pitch well, and create a discernible voice; you could easily compliment it. I suggest experimenting with that aspect. Maybe observe how different basses and percussion mix, or even fiddle with the appregio's speed while testing different synths?
Also, as I understand it, an appregio is sometimes referred to as a broken chord, so harmony and position may be important.
I hope this helps somehow.
It helps a bunch! Thank you very much for the feedback. I hope to test it out by cutting out certain parts and putting behind a melody of some sort. As well as trying out different synths to see what works. Again, I really appreciate the feedback! :D
Very rhythmic.
I especially enjoy the structure of this piece. In particular, the bass-stab voice's in both senses of the word ---- its own and its adumbration to a singer ---- has an alluring effect, which was reinforced by the punchy and deep transitions and complex accompaniment from the percussion and the synths. The introduction and SFXs had a niche and performed it well, setting the theme and the mood for rest of the composition.
The ending, though, seems to contrast the pacing of the song with its complexity. Without the rhythm of the percussion, it has a relatively fast pace, rendering the ending slightly abrupt, but it sounds pleasant, regardless.
This was a refreshing piece. Nicely done.
Thanks for the encouraging review! I like the way you describe my piece... probably better than I could. :) I could probably rework the ending to make it better, but overall your encouragement is much appreciated and I thank you for taking the time out to write this. It's really helpful and will help me in the future to make better pieces hopefully. :)
Thanks,
Zigzag
Great use of head-space!
I like your use of panning. The whole composition had depth and stereo, and adding that quality with the instruments' clarity, it yielded distinguishable yet harmonious sounds. The range of pitches were structured well. This effect, in particular, reinforced the the easy-listening aspect. The melody was engaging, while the accompaniment played a subsidiary role, an ideal combination.
One potential quirk was the introduction, which seemed rough because of the sudden volume spikes without established anticipation. I usually disregard such trivialities, but knowing what could be while experiencing what is warrants some attention; as cliched as it sounds --- great piece, lots of potential, and wishing to see development ---- but the ear adapts as it plays. Also, interesting conclusion. The technique with the harpsichord definitely had a classical feel.
That this is an polished forget-me-not makes the piece more special. Thank you for sharing this composition to the public.
Ha, no problem.
Very analytically reviewed, I enjoyed it. I did the volume part on purpose. I liked how it sounded. Maybe I'm slightly deaf or musically inept. Like I said before I don't think I'll ever return to this piece unless it becomes absolutely necessary. OR maybe for my sake, I'm so familiar with it that I don't notice it.
At any rate, I just hear music in my head and bash a keyboard and mouse until the computer makes something similar.
Thanks for the review!
This is sensational, especially when considering the JRPG influence. It has that open, atmospheric effect with the while pulling off a particular tone with the melodies and instrumentation. You created that mystic mood superbly; this composition definitively nods at the JRPG style, even being a perfect candidate for inclusion in one.
JRPG's are part of my every day life so often I feel consumed by them and just want to join in on that way of expressing art, glad you enjoyed it man!
This is one attractive and forceful piece.
The texture to this song is fascinating. It has at once a rough (one that is not audible irritating, as if grating) and fluid feel. Coupled with your complex melodies and accompaniment, this captured my immediate interest. It oozes power and maintains the essence of this composition. The mood is strongly constructed as a result. The structure is an aid to that effect, since it incorporates soft and heavy phrases, balancing out the force behind your instrumentation. But if anything should be given notability, it is mastery of this piece. Tersely stated, it is sublime, and your explicit amount of effort made toward it shows.
Though I feel the percussion post-introduction could pop out just slightly. It almost seems as though it is competing for head space than harmonizing with the rest of voices.
Even with that "quirk" (I cannot even posit if that is even something to be considered in this particular composition), this is an overall success, amazing.
Thank you very much! I had a challenge involved at the start with the post introduction... i wanted to have the piano with the different drum beat to be at the start of the song (as they were the first patterns that i created) i then created the electronic synth patterns and missed out 4 bars deliberately. I then thought to myself; how can i transpose that drum beat to match up with the drum beat in the first verse in the deliberately missed space. I thought about changing the beat around but had no success so i thought of using a different electronic synth but i ended up going for an organ sounding instrument synth for the post intro and Vuala! that is how i created the post introduction! Thanks again for your feedback!:D
A smooth and dynamic piano piece.
I usually do not listen to solo-instrumentation, but this composition sustained my interest. By your description, I can assume that you intended for a somber mood or at the least have that tone toward this work, if premeditation is nonexistent. You established the mood well and perpetuated it effectively. I particularly like your key, chord progression, and dynamics, but what stuck out most was your smooth transitions between melodies. That really held the piece together.
The reverberation occasionally detracts from the quality of this piano composition, but the effect is minimal.
In short, I really like this! Nice work.
Being largely an experimental piece, you performed well!
The choir ahhs add much texture to this song. The attack on the actual sound patch, however, does not suite how you introduced them in the beginning of this piece well. The fade-in gave it an inappropriately rigid feel, whereas how you introduced the chimes were well-place, subtle, and a harbinger of the rest of the song's harmonious attitude. This is but a slight blemish and nothing over which someone should fret, especially since the introduction performed its intended function --- to demonstrate a particular sound under a given mood --- and transitioned to other parts effectively enough.
I like your choice of drums. They have simple yet interesting rhythm that ties the whole piece together, and based on your description, it is safe to assume that its use in this composition was experimental. You did a great job, provided that is the case, as the piece demonstrates several instances of creative transition. It is pleasing to know that you are learning (I am far from being a musical cognoscente, but at least I can say that). Because of that, your drum set could pop out a bit more, so that it is not drowned out by competing sound, which tended to happen when multiple instruments started to play, notably the chimes and the choir ahhs.
Speaking of which, your choice of chromatic instruments for this Touhou track were noteworthy. The chimes (music box?), I felt, captured the elegance of the original track; the choirs captured the tension; and the piano gave life, mood, and tone. As for percussion, the drums provided the energy needed to sustain the song, as if they were the ‘heartbeat.’ Though, from what I hear, a bass would complement the drum set. It would give it that extra depth to the song, making it sound fuller.
The actual structure of the song is geometric to say the least, which I generally find attractive. You did it in such a way that the sounds do not become monotonous, incorporating enough transitions and additions to the piece to preclude such an outcome. After the sudden break rendered by a snare, should something be considered, the progressions began to feel restrictive (not to say monotonous). A bit a variety in the accompaniment would reinforce the composition already present strength behind your sounds. You outdid yourself, in that regard, with the pianos and the chimes. They sound harmoniously incredible, and the note with which you ended the song would be ample enough to replace the extended drums at the very end, when everything is done playing save the set.
Overall, the piece has a lot of effort placed into it and shows well from the product. I would love to a see an updated version of this, because as it stands now, there is some remarkable potential to be tapped. It is good (actually, you made me interested in listening to more Fires of Hokkai), but it can become great, but I suppose the same could be said to anybody.
I am glad to have listened to such an intriguing piece.
Oh, a great Review. And it IS actually a review. Thank you very much for your statements. I dont know if ill update this song soon but i think its a good idea to start thinking about it now. And while working on the update at the time i decide to do it i will read your review since it is very very helpful. Thank you very very much again. I hope that youll like the updated version of this and the next song ill come up with ^^.
You successfully captured the underlying power sensation behind the original Strawberry Crisis, and your use of souandfonts is fantastic. Additionally, your resolve to contribute to the fanbase only makes this composition more beautiful.
The simple structure and dynamic tension points manifest well, but the ending functions more as a disruption than an appropriate closing. Regardless, it sounds pleasant, so I suppose that does not matter much.
Nice work!
Thank you very very much! Very nice words of yours. :)
Ill try to think about different kinds of endings to use in my next try to arrange/remix something that didnt see much arranges/remixes. :)
Joined on 6/13/14
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