Score: 9

"Yessss."

submission: -Give me a break-

date: September 20, 2009

You really have the ears for a good beat. I like the rapid movement of the lead and the melody does not let up. This is non-stop and very danceable (you achieved what you set out to do). I can see where this would take at least 5 hours in one sitting but even in that amount of time you have shown your mastery of this style.

Score: 10

"A work expanded upon."

submission: The Launch Overture

date: September 8, 2009

Ah there's that theme again, hehe. Excellent pacing throughout. I especially like the build up starting at 2:30 and continuing on through 3:00. This is very epic and a worthy successor to the original. Keep it up!

Score: 8

"Ok I'll review this one too."

submission: ~SuperNova~

date: August 26, 2009

Simple but effective. 1:00 is where it really shines. This could be dance worthy if it was maybe a little faster. Sorry personally I prefer house over pure trance, but I feel as if you joined them in harmony at some points. Still pretty good, if not a little repetitive. You utilized the effects very well. Keep it up. :)

Score: 10

"Woah."

submission: _/Rixet\_ (demo)

date: August 26, 2009

I am digging the sound on this one. A little too repetitive for my taste, honestly, but it has an excellent feel and the writing is way above average. The bridge near the end blew my mind. You have some very refined skills that can only get better from here. Keep it goin.

Score: 8

"Lol nice title."

submission: Escape Of The Leprechaun

date: August 25, 2009

The musicality here is very mature. The arrangement, flow, and electronics are top notch. Good use of effects and a pretty seamless ambient beat. Once you learn more about Reason you can start to experiment more. It's pretty straightforward for the most part, but still very listenable. I would say look more at the MIXER and try out different mastering styles. Play with the pans and maybe some effects, overdub some stuff, or try phasing/compressing combos on drum kits (or anything for that matter) for interesting things. I hear you like to have fun with the pitch wheel. Hehe. Overall, great length and flow, but next time you label it "Drum N Bass" work more on the DRUM part of it. That's important, you know. Keep up the great work!

Score: 10

"Oh yes."

submission: Orchestration Contest 2009

date: August 24, 2009

Harry Williams and Hans Zimmer just ate their hearts out.

Score: 7

"Hmm."

submission: Dance Of The Quirky

date: August 4, 2009

Added to my favorites for some reason. I get the whole "intentionally bad" concept, but damn dude, some parts are barely listenable. I LIKE most atonal works, however, this tries to retain some sort of key and even then still makes me shudder. Amazing work.

Score: 10

"Listening as I write."

submission: The Terminator - OrchestraTest

date: May 27, 2009

First of all, Peter, I am glad you are still submitting. Brad Fiedel is an interesting writer (have you heard his work for True Lies?) and you have expanded greatly upon his original theme. As far as the sound goes, here are my main concerns:

Orchestration: Well done. Nothing really stands out on its own besides the brass staccato every two seconds or so. Everything blends well and feels warm. Warm, however, is not always an attribute valued for music like this. Maybe you want that "wall of sound" feel? The bass is not overpowering but I feel the percussion sometimes covers up the lower instruments. The moving string line in the beginning disappears altogether but I imagine if the piece was longer it would reappear at a later time (and with variation). The addition of the choir was a great idea.

Mixing: I can tell you've been tweaking the shit out of your settings for that right feel (filling both stereo channels). The entrance of the theme in the strings at :09 seems a little too legato and the attacks vary after that...to the point that the theme loses a little steam halfway through. The brass swell before the choir enters stops a little short for my taste but it doesn't sound off. I also like your use of syncopation in the drums. I think if you layered the orchestra a little more you could find that perfect sound. Strings and brass aren't the only parts to symphonic music. If you are going for realism then I suggest you eschew the ways of MIDI perfection and instead try to arrange your tracks in a way that SOUNDS accurate rather than lining up everything on the beat. Sometimes a little extra reverb can help drag things over into the next measure so that the piece feels connected: this will help achieve that "wall of sound" I mentioned earlier.

Perhaps I notice too much. It is a simple theme and the point is you are finally pleased with the quality of the mix. Of course you might just be displeased with your samples overall. Perhaps I can hook you up. To me this sounds amazing and I cannot wait to hear a longer, fuller piece of your own thematic origin. Keep up the talented work!

Score: 10

"Oh yes."

submission: The Launch

date: October 29, 2008

It's like Apollo 13 meets Crimson Tide, amiright? I heard a little bit of The Rock in there also, but I know how much you love Zimmer and his goons. This piece sounds fantastic. The harmony definitely evokes a sense of exploration, and the drums help with the idea of impending action. I have no problem whatsoever imagining this in a film (maybe someone will use it, eh?). The synth in the beginning is reminiscent of 80's Goldsmith...so you automatically get a 10. Keep it up! More, plz.

Score: 9

"Hehe, nice."

submission: Symphony of the Night =MEDLEY=

date: June 5, 2008

Very nice sampling and arrangement work. You have a quality library of sounds to work with and the mix came out pretty good. My only quip would be that it isn't entirely your own composition throughout, but nonetheless it is a fun medley. Keep up the good work and I'll keep listening.