Alk Ela (White Tree) Lotr Mod - The Music

[johnmatrix]

Well, i thought id be nice to you all and release a little teaser, if it can be called that, for any of you interested, i was going to ask one of the modders to put it on the main page but the only one im in contact with is doing exams at the moment and wont be able to talk to me for a couple of weeks, so im assuming thatll put his work on the mod on hold for a while and the release date for the whole mod. I dont know anything about the actual mod by the way i just make the music and send it to them, so theres no point asking me anything

http://rapidshare.com/files/238311514/Lotr_Soundtrack_Mp3.rar

So theres the music ive made so far, only for the campaign map. I couldnt make fast paced battle music due to the limitations of the program (I think) and my own limitations so im just sticking to the campaign music. I wouldnt exactly call my self experienced, this is my first attempt at an orchestra/strings album or whatever you want to call it.
Feedback welcome, as long as its not savage

More to come as well of course.

 

[Pagan]

DIdnt i read you have 25 years of composing experience? anyway i shall download it and asap.

cheers for the teaser.

 

[johnmatrix]

25 years? lol, ive only been alive 18. I think i know where youve gotten that from and i dont fully understand what they mean myself, maybe 25 years is some film or game and their using some music from that for the battles, i havent a clue.

 

[Pagan]

OK got a great phone call this morning which was that my shift had been cancelled! woohoo day off.

Thus i sat with a coffee and listened to your music. Now i sit with another coffee and shall crit. WARNING this could be a long post, but it is from one composer to another, and not intended for anyones elses benefit.

I'm not going to comment on the sample quality and such, for many years i used the same quality. Better is expensive and it is not perfect even then. But i completely understand not being able to do battle music due to studio restrictions (i don't believe it is you after hearing the samples). But i think you should try, it is one of the ways we get better at what we do. Layer sounds in a way that is unrealistic in the real world, but can give you that thick epic feel. Give it a shot you never know. Besides, we are already restricted by having no real orchestra, So i say we don't need to always apply the rule of a real orchestra, to even the playing field if you will 

OK, the melodies are nice, they remained me somewhat of the old game Arcanum, but perhaps a hint of Howard shore wouldn't go astray. I know it sucks, we are not Howard shore, but every one sees his music as Middle -earth music, thus a small bit of imitation wouldn't hurt. Not copy, but influenced. Things like melodic lean, chord progression and such.

My biggest gripe would have to be with the first track. Too repetitive, needs a shift,change or character added. But the main problem is the strings. Although it contradicts what i said earlier, sometimes we have to give in to the limitations of our equipment. Thus, those heavy string sagas need to be toned down. Or thickened with low brass as we subtract some string numbers. The strings clash in that track, and as with most midi, they are giving off the 'Harmonica" effect. You could pay 20K for a top of the line studio and the stupid thing will STILL do that if your not carefull. The other tracks don't suffer from it any more then is expected.

At the end of the day they are map tracks, and their melodies are nice, but like i mentioned, could use a hint of Howard shore here and there. Again I'd like to see you try your hand at battle stuff, do what you can, you never know. But kudos's points for you and the al aka mod for using someones talent rather then the cheap option.

Summery:
Beautiful Land = Repetitive, strings need work to overcome the dreaded 'harmonica' effect we composers dread.
Defeat = Hmm, the defeat tracks in game only play for about 30 seconds, so this is WAAAY too long. And doesn't fit its purpose, it should be used for one of the factions map music. It has a sad tone to it, almost regret really. Map track I'd say.
Good Faction Music = Not cheesy at all. Nice tune, needs variation though, change it up a touch at some point then bring the original back. Very nice use of trumpet when it enters. i like this one, gives me a Rohan feel. But that could be just me.
Good Faction Music2 = takes too long to get moving, when it does its fine, and unlike the previous one, you actually changed the tune up here. very good. Try bring in some dynamic if you can. (like thicker in areas and thins out, volume rises and such.)
Happy 2 = yep town music, it's nice, simple, its town music hehe
Harp = What is this for? nice tune, repeats too often though.
Evil = Good, it is ominous, nice use of choir. Personally I'd have the track start at the 30 second point, then after about another 30 seconds bring in heavy drum and give it an angry edge. right about time for the enemy army to show up. here is your battle music. Just quicken the pace.
Evil2  = Get rid of the rock drum, use a normal drum. put two instances of it, and lower one a touch with the pitch slider. Then hammer away like a wardrum. And there is your second battle track. Other wise, both these are fine for evil map music. Good stuff.
Happy man, elf town music =  no not for elves. Hobbits, I'd say, PERFECT. but doesn't work for elves.
Unfinished = Honestly the way it starts, i expected a heavy drum to enter followed by low brass, for a good Haradrim track. Maybe even oboe for that Eastern melody.
Victory Or Travel Music = This is a night time track for sure, and reminds me of mount and blades original music. I really like the melancholy melody here. Nice track.

So yeah, well done, Josh. Hope this helps some.