Planet Descent
Community => Art Gallery => Topic started by: hurleybird on June 26, 2013, 08:37:13 PM
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Been awhile, but my latest remastered descent song is online.
http://www.planetdescent.net/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=1018 (http://www.planetdescent.net/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=1018)
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Had to download it in order to listen to it properly (for some reason the site isn't playing it back properly, might have to do with it being an ogg file, but I dunno) but once I had, I was largely entertained by it (though it does seem a little empty in the background). :)
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I was largely entertained by it (though it does seem a little empty in the background). :)
Do you feel that way specifically about the beginning/intro section?
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Relistening to it just now, I don't think there was really any one spot that felt emptier than others, so I guess its more stretched across the whole song. It almost feels like there's an instrument or something that's missing that should be playing.
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Well, they're all there and accounted for. By chance what kind of setup are you listening on? Perhaps the "emptiness" is due to having too much dynamic range to convey all of the parts adequately on lower fidelity equipment and you'd prefer a more compressed version? Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank on what to look for without more specific criticism.
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Just on a quick listen:
Even with halfway decent speakers, the bass-line is really really quiet, which changes the feel of the track. Without that solid classic bass-line, it falls a bit flat.
[Disclaimer: My opinion is not expert in any way. I'm simply commenting as someone familiar with the original track.]
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I've strengthened the bassline, made a few alterations (including a bit more mid-bass as opposed to low-bass, and about a decibel less dynamic range) and re-uploaded the file. Let me know what you guys think. On my configuration (fully balanced HD-800/LCD-3, Grace M-903 DAC, Smyth Realiser with a PRIR of a B&W setup from a professional recording studio) it sounds quite bass heavy, and I feel I'm right at the point where any more will start muddying the sound significantly .
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Sounds great! Scyphi, I having no trouble streaming, perhaps you need an ogg plugin?
I missed hearing the first version, now I am curious what it sounded like. I am using motherboard soundcard, Grado SR60 headphones plugged into cheapo speakers.
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Sounds great! Scyphi, I having no trouble streaming, perhaps you need an ogg plugin?
I also have no issues streaming the .ogg version.
I actually did trying uploading the file as an .mp3, but the player did some sort of weird processing or EQing during playback that just sounded terrible. At least now I know why a lot of the .mp3 files in the gallery sound so off to me!
I missed hearing the first version, now I am curious what it sounded like. I am using motherboard soundcard, Grado SR60 headphones plugged into cheapo speakers.
SR60's are awesome! I love my modified Grado HF-1's (what I'm wearing in my avatar pic). If you want some better amplification for not too much money, you might want to check out some schiit (http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=13) products (yes, it's pronounced the way you think it is ;))
Anyhow, if you want to compare the first and second versions I'll put up dropbox links to 48/24 uncompressed .wav versions of both.
First version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g8nyx7vl8lbl4gn/D2.wav (https://www.dropbox.com/s/g8nyx7vl8lbl4gn/D2.wav)
Second version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xyhtfkmlkv1r4r5/D2-2.wav (https://www.dropbox.com/s/xyhtfkmlkv1r4r5/D2-2.wav)
Definitely let me know if you think anything sounds worse in the second version, and feel free to offer more criticism in general.
Edit:
Third version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d9a59invip2gtzy/game02.wav (https://www.dropbox.com/s/d9a59invip2gtzy/game02.wav)
Fourth version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h68vw8sf506whz5/GAME02-1.wav (https://www.dropbox.com/s/h68vw8sf506whz5/GAME02-1.wav)
Fifth version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3wt4xxai2x83du9/GAME02-2.wav (https://www.dropbox.com/s/3wt4xxai2x83du9/GAME02-2.wav)
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Scyphi, I having no trouble streaming, perhaps you need an ogg plugin?
I don't think so, never had the problem before, and it's not so much that it won't playback, but more of the fact that it plays back...funny. Like it's playing the song twice at the same time, and they aren't in sync...or something. :-\
I download it, though, and it sounds just fine.
Now, for the improved version, the louder baseline seems to have done it, it doesn't sound so empty anymore. :D
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Third, possible final, version is now up. Lots of little tweaks, added some variety to the behavior of a few synths throughout the song. Somehow I gained two Db of dynamic range. Measures in at 11 decibels now, woo!
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I think of the three the first version was the best. Though, the differences are very subtle, I think some of the detail in the second version gets overpowered by the bass and melody. In the third version, there are some points where the perceived volume level seems to change for no apparent reason.
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Personally, I really like the "fill" that the bass-line adds. Definitely better! :)
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In which version, Foil?
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Sorry, I didn't clarify: I meant the updated (third?) version.
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Fourth version up, just small tweaks, reworked the bass line a bit.
Willy, let me know if the volume level changes are still there. And if so, it would be great if you could point out exactly what you're hearing for me. Thanks!
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Nice. The volume pumping is gone.
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So, I've figured out a method to quickly align the original .midi data (which is all captured at an arbitrary 60 bpm) to the actual tempo of each song.
Before there was only so much that could be done with the original data unless you rebuilt the song from scratch with proper alignment. Even something as simple as adding in straight eights was difficult as you didn't have a guideline for where to place them. More complicated patterns were even less tenable.
Now everything is aligned and easy to edit. This means that it is now possible for me to stray a lot further from the original .midi information.
Next version will hopefully have some more significant differences :)
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That's something that always bugged me about the original D1/D2 MIDI songs, the stupid 60 BPM thing.
How did you manage to align the song? I would be very interested! :D
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Using Anvil Studio,
1. Track > Align notes > All tracks > Stretch / Compress time > enter 60 / whatever the true tempo is > change the tempo of the song to the true tempo
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:O Great!
The tempo issue is one of the things that detracted me from continuing with some of the re-mixes I wanted to do.
Thanks a lot for the tip hurley! ;D
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New version up, was able to do some bigger changes with having everything aligned. Reworked the ending quite a bit, let me know if it sounds good or is too busy!
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Sounds great. I don't know all the musical technician terminology to explain what I like about it, but it retains the feel and sound of the original OPL3 with enhancements. It's as if it's a modern OPL3 if you will... an OPL90 perhaps? 8)