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RMRK General => Creativity => Topic started by: Malson on July 10, 2011, 04:43:08 AM

Title: [Music] Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on July 10, 2011, 04:43:08 AM
A-to-Z RPG

Airship
Battle - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/battle
Cyberspace - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/cyberspace
Dungeon - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/dungeon
Epic Battle - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/epicbattle
Forest - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/forest
Game Over
Haunted House
Intro
Japan
Kingdom - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/kingdom
Lagoon
Mountain - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/mountain
Netherworld
Overworld
Plains
Quagmire
Religious
Sahara
Title Screen
Underwater - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/underwater
Village - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/village
Whimsical
Xanadu
Yuletide
Zzzzz...

Decembiance:

Starfyre - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/starfyre
Two - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/two
Vigil - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/vigil

Catgirl Factory:
Moew - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/moew
Edumachination - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/edumachination
Fixinz - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/fixinz

Dig Moar:

Moar! - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/moar
Expidition - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/expidition
Crescentile - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/crescentile
Crumbling - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/crumbling
Frostbite - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/frostbite
Vinegrasp - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/vinegrasp
Seafoam - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/seafoam
En-Guard! - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/enguard
Triumph - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/triumph
Relic - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/relic

Super Rocketeer:

Skybound - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/skybound
Iridescence - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/iridescence
Lune - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/lune

Miscellaneous Creations:

Unload - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/unload
Deeper - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/deeper
Success! - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/success
Syndruborimba - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/syndruborimba
Gemini - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/gemini
Gemini (Instrumental) - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/geminstrumental
Incubator - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/incubator
March 24 (2 Month Remix) - http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/march24remix
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: pacdiggity on July 10, 2011, 04:49:18 AM
That's a pretty groovy idea. Cool.
Sounds really foresty, I'd definitely be able to traverse a labyrinth of vegetation to that piece.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Moss. on July 12, 2011, 05:28:35 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Grafikal on July 12, 2011, 10:25:45 PM
I like this a lot. I do agree that the guitar is a bit repetitive. No complaints here.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on July 27, 2011, 04:12:52 PM
http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/chris-malson-unload

Made it for someone making an RTS-style game. Kinda sounds Command-and-Conquer-ish to me.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 02, 2011, 02:36:53 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Holkeye on October 02, 2011, 02:48:07 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 02, 2011, 03:18:24 AM
You're not the first person to suggest that. Definitely will, thanks :)
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 02, 2011, 06:39:12 PM
http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/underwater

Reverb added!
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Moss. on October 03, 2011, 04:54:02 PM
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.
(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi56.tinypic.com%2F2h68rbb.png&hash=1601fd53d005e5cdbf07c45b4a9592075a0a28ec)
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 03, 2011, 05:03:09 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: haloOfTheSun on October 03, 2011, 07:53:32 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 04, 2011, 04:37:46 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 22, 2011, 09:22:50 PM
http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/cyberspace

I'm not totally sold on the strings, but I like them there so I dunno.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: haloOfTheSun on October 26, 2011, 02:26:03 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: SirJackRex on October 26, 2011, 02:44:56 AM
I agree with Hots entirely. Really awesome piece!

The strings sound great. They add a bit of pleasing contrast. I'd leave them.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on October 26, 2011, 05:29:43 AM
You guys are awesome :)
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Malson on November 21, 2011, 05:14:05 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson (my professional? composition stuff)
Post by: Elezeid on November 28, 2011, 10:48:06 AM
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!
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on February 16, 2012, 06:05:35 PM
Massive update because I forgot about this thread. Added all of my Decembiance work, as well as some new tracks!

Deeper (http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/deeper) - Written on request for a Flash game.

Mountain (http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/mountain) - My newest A-to-Z RPG piece.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on March 10, 2012, 10:36:32 PM

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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on March 10, 2012, 11:36:09 PM
And yes, that's me singing, and yes, I know I'm not very good.

Malson. :mad:

You are an awesome singer. :mad:

Don't lie to yourself. :mad:
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: pacdiggity on March 10, 2012, 11:38:27 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Moss. on March 10, 2012, 11:57:45 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: pacdiggity on March 11, 2012, 12:00:06 AM
I was thinking, this song would be infinitely better if you sang it in a Randy Newman voice.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Moss. on March 11, 2012, 12:45:18 AM
woah wait when did we get soundcloud embeds!? that's awesome!
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Jules on March 11, 2012, 01:59:50 AM
I agree with arlen.

And I like your voice =)
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on March 12, 2012, 12:03:43 AM
You're all awesome :) so here's an instrumental version of the song, in case anyone else would like to sing along!

Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on April 19, 2012, 04:32:06 PM
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!

Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: SirJackRex on April 19, 2012, 04:37:17 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Gracie on April 19, 2012, 04:50:40 PM
I love the fact you're almost making an alternate RTP of sorts.

Its awesome Malson, keep up the fabulous work :)
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on April 19, 2012, 09:06:54 PM
Wow :o that new battle theme is really cool!! :D

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

<3
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on April 27, 2012, 06:10:43 AM

More A-to-Z RPG!
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on April 27, 2012, 06:29:58 AM
Your new song reminds me of home :,)

Maybe not, but I still like it ;o

~
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: modern algebra on April 27, 2012, 02:29:50 PM
I love the whole A-Z RPG series. It's great!
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on April 29, 2012, 02:27:33 AM
Thanks! A bit of a deviation from it, but not totally: an exclusive track, the title theme to Major Arcana!

Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on May 09, 2012, 05:56:19 PM

I felt like writing a progressive electronic piece using a bassoon. So here it is.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on May 10, 2012, 12:26:30 AM
Love it <3 :tpg:

You're awesome :D
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Gracie on May 10, 2012, 11:31:09 AM
I'm looking forward to a lot of these unreleased tracks ;w;
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on May 17, 2012, 05:52:25 PM

Next up for A-to-Z RPG is Kingdom! Bonus points if you can spot the Final Fantasy homage :)
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: haloOfTheSun on May 17, 2012, 08:35:48 PM
FF7 Main Theme
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: haloOfTheSun on May 17, 2012, 08:36:34 PM
This made me realize I never bring out my low-end instruments enough. I hate mixing :mad:

Also nice job~ It's very kingdomy.
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on May 18, 2012, 12:00:34 AM
*.* you know how I feel about Medieval music, Malson. <3

Kingdom is soo beautiful :tpg:!

Also, Halo and Malson need to combine their magical music powers someday :P
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: evildrspock on May 19, 2012, 06:17:51 AM
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!
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on May 19, 2012, 06:26:45 AM
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!
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on May 24, 2012, 08:05:53 PM
Speaking of orchestral pieces, here's my boss battle theme!

Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on May 25, 2012, 02:29:50 AM
/me drools

I still really dig that choir *.* Also got absolutely sexy around the 1 minute mark. :tpg:
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: Malson on October 25, 2012, 11:32:42 AM
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!

Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: D&P3 on October 25, 2012, 11:38:33 AM
Well I enjoyed it ;8
Title: Re: Chris Malson's Compositions
Post by: yuyu! on October 25, 2012, 08:35:07 PM
Really nice :gracie: I love it! 8)

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