Author Topic: [Music] Chris Malson's Compositions (Read 12928 times)

#1 • Jul 10, 2011

#2 • Jul 10, 2011

That's a pretty groovy idea. Cool.
Sounds really foresty, I'd definitely be able to traverse a labyrinth of vegetation to that piece.

#3 • Jul 12, 2011

I like it. Good feel, nicely produced. My only suggestion would be to vary the guitar a little more. It just kind of repeats the whole time...

But I think it's pretty close to "professional quality." Others might not share my opinion, though. You know how people these days are. If it doesn't sound overblown and ridiculous like Castle Crashers, it's "not professional." It is kind of retro style, though, but there's plenty of people still making retro-style games. (I don't think retro-style is a good way to describe it. Maybe "indie game" or "not hollywood-style" is a better way.)

Fuck them. Keep at it.

#4 • Jul 12, 2011

I like this a lot. I do agree that the guitar is a bit repetitive. No complaints here.

#5 • Jul 27, 2011

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/chris-malson-unload

Made it for someone making an RTS-style game. Kinda sounds Command-and-Conquer-ish to me.

#6 • Oct 2, 2011

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/chris-malson-underwater

Opinions? I was going for simplicity, which actually took a lot of self-control lol. But I think it paid off.

#7 • Oct 2, 2011

I like the actual composition of the piece just fine. I do have a suggestion, though, and that is to put some more reverb on that piano, to give it a more full, drawn out sound. Maybe a tiny, tiny bit more on the flute, too. They aren't quite blending with the synth in the background.

#8 • Oct 2, 2011

You're not the first person to suggest that. Definitely will, thanks

#9 • Oct 2, 2011

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/underwater

Reverb added!

#10 • Oct 3, 2011

I hear what Holk's talking about. The piano is too sharp, too up-front, and doesn't mesh with the atmospheric qualities of the piece. It has too much high end, and too much attack. DRENCH that piano in reverb, or cut out the high end of the EQ, or maybe mess with some weirder reverb effects to give it a kind of underwater/moving sound, maybe?

...what DAW do you use? I know logic has a reverb plugin with some really bizarre settings. That's what I would use, if it were up to me.

Compositionally, though, it's great. Love it.

fake edit:
Here, something like this:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18122044/piano.mp3

I used Logic's "Space Designer" reverb on the "warped spaces: circular shift" setting. And I completely cut the high end of the piano out.

#11 • Oct 3, 2011

I didn't want to lose the shrillness of the piano too much, which is why I didn't do what you described. It's meant to be more of a piano piece, and less of an ambient one. This gave me an idea for a reprise I can do with your suggestion, though. So I'm happy.

edit: I should probably make this clear: the track isn't meant to sound like it's underwater, that's not why it's named that. It's part of my A-to-Z RPG project, and Underwater is the U in the alphabet. Background music in an RPG when they're like, looking around in old ship ruins or something like that.

#12 • Oct 3, 2011

I really like it! I don't know a lot about sound design and manipulating the sound of virtual instruments or anything (I still pretty much just use Finale's generic soundfont for everything because I'm too lazy to tweak everything in a sound library to sound just right), so I can't really comment in that regard like arlen or Holk.

I will say, however, that maybe if you add just a bit more reverb, it may sound more cohesive, like everything was actually recorded in the same room. I think reducing the volume slightly on the piano and flute would also take away some of the harshness so that it blends in with the ambience just a bit more underneath. Not so much that it starts to overshadow the piano, but enough so that it's not "ahhh soothing OH MY GOD THAT'S A PIANO", but that's totally your call, of course.

As far as the music itself, I think you got it just right.

#13 • Oct 4, 2011

Thanks

I can see what you're saying about the volume too. I was more or less showcasing the range in dynamics, but I can see how that'd be annoying when someone turns the volume up in the beginning because of how quiet the pad is, and then BAM piano. So duly noted.

#14 • Oct 22, 2011

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/cyberspace

I'm not totally sold on the strings, but I like them there so I dunno.

#15 • Oct 26, 2011

Oh man, that's awesome. My only complaint was that when that melody kicks in it's too quiet. And I didn't want it to end, but that's usually a good thing.

#16 • Oct 26, 2011

I agree with Hots entirely. Really awesome piece!

The strings sound great. They add a bit of pleasing contrast. I'd leave them.

#17 • Oct 26, 2011

You guys are awesome

#18 • Nov 21, 2011

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/dungeon

I tried to make it as minimal as possible. It's more of a whimsical piece than an ominous one.

#19 • Nov 28, 2011

Underwater, and Forest themes are both excellent. I enjoy your particular style, it strays very far from the norm of game music without suffering in quality. You have a very original sound, I'd love to hear more.

Additionally, I like this idea of the A to Z RPG song list! I think I'd like to do the same thing. If you don't mind, I'd like to copy your list and use the same titles/ideas for my own list. I'd credit you of course in my thread for starting the idea.

In any case, great work here! I'm impressed with your work. Also, I can totally relate to what you said about being more of a composer than a performer. I'm the exact same way!

#20 • Feb 16, 2012

Massive update because I forgot about this thread. Added all of my Decembiance work, as well as some new tracks!

Deeper - Written on request for a Flash game.

Mountain - My newest A-to-Z RPG piece.

#21 • Mar 10, 2012

Testing the new Soundcloud tags on my latest work! I challenged myself to compose a Disney-style song. And yes, that's me singing, and yes, I know I'm not very good. But I still think it's the best thing I've ever written to date.

#22 • Mar 10, 2012

Quote from: Malson on March 10, 2012, 10:36:32 PM

And yes, that's me singing, and yes, I know I'm not very good.

Malson.

You are an awesome singer.

Don't lie to yourself.

#23 • Mar 10, 2012

I don't know what you're talking about, the singing is very good. I think you've figured out Disney-style pretty well, but you need to remember to give the high strings the melody at all times (I know, the bastards deserve chords), the low strings, wind and brass the bassline, the high and middle brass gets the fanfare bits when you enter a new section, the high wind does little fluttery motifs throughout the piece (especially in the chorus), and the harp just glissando all over the place (you nailed this bit). This was really good to listen to. Very well done.

#24 • Mar 10, 2012

Really nice composition. You have a great voice for singing, though you might need some more practice to hits those notes a little more confidently. I guess what I'm saying is, you're not the best singer, but you have a great voice, so you should definitely follow through with improving your singing skills.

But yeah, it was unexpected, but really cool.

Also, minor pet peeve, disney singers REALLY ham it up, and you were just slightly tame. Think more opera singer, more exaggerated.

#25 • Mar 11, 2012

I was thinking, this song would be infinitely better if you sang it in a Randy Newman voice.

#26 • Mar 11, 2012

woah wait when did we get soundcloud embeds!? that's awesome!

#27 • Mar 11, 2012

I agree with arlen.

And I like your voice =)

#28 • Mar 12, 2012

You're all awesome

so here's an instrumental version of the song, in case anyone else would like to sing along!

#29 • Apr 19, 2012

Sorry for not keeping this thread updated! I have tons of new material, between two different projects I was working on (one of which was GIAW) and i'd rather not fill the thread with tons of embedded soundcloud in one post. So here's some quick links!

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/sets/digmoar <--- the GIAW music.

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/sets/superrocketeer <--- my music for an independent title currently in development. Some of my best work, so I'd love for you to check it out.

AND I finished this today, to add to my A-to-Z RPG repertoire. I give you... the battle theme!

#30 • Apr 19, 2012

I feel like I should be playing Double Dragon, Ninja Gaiden, or Street Fighter.

LOVE IT!

I love the beeping you have in the back, sounds like a straight key. Really fits the aesthetic.

#31 • Apr 19, 2012

I love the fact you're almost making an alternate RTP of sorts.

Its awesome Malson, keep up the fabulous work

#32 • Apr 19, 2012

Wow

that new battle theme is really cool!!

Very catchy~ It may end up being stuck in my head, like the last one D: :p

<3

#33 • Apr 27, 2012

More A-to-Z RPG!

#34 • Apr 27, 2012

Your new song reminds me of home :,)

Maybe not, but I still like it ;o

~

#35 • Apr 27, 2012

I love the whole A-Z RPG series. It's great!

#36 • Apr 29, 2012

Thanks! A bit of a deviation from it, but not totally: an exclusive track, the title theme to Major Arcana!

#37 • May 9, 2012

I felt like writing a progressive electronic piece using a bassoon. So here it is.

#38 • May 10, 2012

Love it <3

You're awesome

#39 • May 10, 2012

I'm looking forward to a lot of these unreleased tracks ;w;

#40 • May 17, 2012

Next up for A-to-Z RPG is Kingdom! Bonus points if you can spot the Final Fantasy homage

#41 • May 17, 2012

FF7 Main Theme

#42 • May 17, 2012

This made me realize I never bring out my low-end instruments enough. I hate mixing

Also nice job~ It's very kingdomy.

#43 • May 18, 2012

*.* you know how I feel about Medieval music, Malson. <3

Kingdom is soo beautiful

!

Also, Halo and Malson need to combine their magical music powers someday

#44 • May 19, 2012

The tuba Rhythm in Kingdom really makes the song pop for me, a good rhythm can really define a song. It gives it a slightly ponderous tone, filled with wonder and happy fantasy things. I feel like after the 0:33 second mark it shouldn't play the tuba/string combo bare for too many measures to achieve a good balance. The harp is good, but I want to hear more layers and fills expanding on the theme. However, the beginning half and the mood is excellent!

#45 • May 19, 2012

It wasn't really meant to be an orchestral piece, so that's why there's so few instruments. I appreciate your thoughts on it though!

#46 • May 24, 2012

Speaking of orchestral pieces, here's my boss battle theme!

#47 • May 25, 2012

* Gaston drools

I still really dig that choir *.* Also got absolutely sexy around the 1 minute mark.

#48 • Oct 25, 2012

It's been a long while since I've posted here, mostly because I haven't been very proud of what I've written in the past few months. I've decided to focus less of my attention on the path needed to reach this goal of mine, writing only the music that pertains to that goal, and focus more of it on writing the kind of music I like, and hope others will too. That said, here is my newest work, Flamboyant Voyage. Soon to be part of an album that marks my resurgence into music. Sometimes you have to step back and realize why you do what you do, and to what end. And this is my opportunity to fall in love with music again. I hope you enjoy it!

#49 • Oct 25, 2012

Well I enjoyed it

#50 • Oct 25, 2012

Really nice

I love it!

It's so hard to describe...kinda funky techno-ish?