[Music] Chris Malson's Compositions

Malson · July 10, 2011, 04:43:08 AM

pacdiggity · 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.

Moss. · 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.

Grafikal · 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.

Malson · 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.

Malson · 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.

Holkeye · 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.

Malson · October 02, 2011, 03:18:24 AM

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

Malson · October 02, 2011, 06:39:12 PM

http://soundcloud.com/chrismalson/underwater

Reverb added!

Moss. · 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.

Malson · 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.

haloOfTheSun · 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.

Malson · 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.

Malson · 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.

haloOfTheSun · 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.

SirJackRex · 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.

Malson · October 26, 2011, 05:29:43 AM

You guys are awesome

Malson · 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.

Elezeid · 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!

Malson · 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 - Written on request for a Flash game.

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

Malson · March 10, 2012, 10:36:32 PM

[soundcloud]39345229[/soundcloud]

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.

yuyu! · March 10, 2012, 11:36:09 PM

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.

pacdiggity · 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.

Moss. · 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.

pacdiggity · 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.