In Danger (Help Needed)

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mstodge
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2013/05/15 05:22:15 (permalink)

In Danger (Help Needed)

Morning everyone,

Here is a track I've been working on for a few weeks, but I am at a loss with the violin that comes in towards the end. 

https://soundcloud.com/mark-stothard/in-danger

I need some help on what instrument to use in its place as it doesn't sound right.

I've tried everything from duduk, erhu, cello and flute, but nothing seems to fit as they clash with the trumpet that comes in shortly after.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.
Mark
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19 Replies Related Threads

    Guitarhacker
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/15 09:06:23 (permalink)
    You mean in that last segment of the song? from 2:30 on? 

    Sometimes it's not a clash to some ears ... just yours. As the mixer, you are more critical than someone else listening. If anything, I think it may be more in the notes being played as opposed to the actual instrument choices. 

    Re-work the melody they are playing..... I'd start by removing certain notes. I tend to overplay in things like that as well.  The easy fix is to use the delete tool  as you listen in staff or PRV. not everything clashes or conflicts.... so remove the notes that do.

    Less is more.

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    #2
    paulo
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/17 11:44:46 (permalink)
    It doesn't sound bad with the violin there, but I think I know what you mean. Might sound odd, but a distant muted trumpet was the first thing that sprang to my mind as a possible replacement. That said, I think it's more a case of the notes being played rather than the sound itself. I also think many wouldn't notice anything if you hadn't pointed it out, but I know that I am the same with these things - when they bug you, they bug you and it won't go away.
     
    Either way, it's still good. I wouldn't know where to start with stuff like this. Thanks for the add on Soundcloud btw - I will return the compliment when I go on it next, but truth be told I only really use it as a host for this place, so if you ever put anything up there it may be a while before I get to it.
    #3
    The Band19
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/18 00:47:36 (permalink)
    I like the piano. Very Riders on the storm. I agree w/herb but maybe try a monophonic synth?

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    Scottytunes
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/18 06:42:34 (permalink)
    Have you tried a flute or two?

    String Jammer
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    jamesyoyo
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/18 07:30:28 (permalink)
    Sounds great and is an inspired piece.

    I would think of dumping the trumpet altogether and going with something that fits the rhythm more, like a jangling bouzouki?
    #6
    The Band19
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/19 00:28:14 (permalink)
    You can get arrested for jangling your bouzouki... Then you have to walk around and inform your neighbors? Very uncomfortable feeling, and no one trick or treats at your house. Be VERY careful when and where you  jangle your bouzouki, there are cameras everywhere these days. WAIT!!?? Are we talking about the same thing?
    post edited by The Band19 - 2013/05/19 00:39:26

    Sittin downtown in a railway station one toke over the line.
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    Dude Ivey
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/19 00:47:30 (permalink)
    I think the Violin and Trumpet sound fine, i think the keyboard sound that starts about 2.04 is what doesnt fit. Thats just my opinion. Great piece!

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    timidi
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/19 19:21:57 (permalink)
    Nice. Is that Stylus for the perc?
    I think the sound of the violin sounds great. The problem is that it is a midi performance. You could spend a couple more months tweaking and have it still sound like midi or get a real violinist to play it. To me the part lacks dynamics. I like the piece.

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    #9
    The Band19
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/19 19:48:38 (permalink)
    The best thing you can use for dynamics on a midi instrument is "a breath" or "wind controller." You can control the dynamics, softer or louder, you can play an instrument (like a violin) with much more realism as opposed to only on the keys. You can do it with a volume pedal too? Wind controllers are cooler though.   

    Sittin downtown in a railway station one toke over the line.
    #10
    mstodge
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/20 08:12:50 (permalink)
    Thanks for all the comments and advice guys, I really appreciate it.

    I think as Herb suggests; I need to remove some of the notes, as there are quite few things competing with each other. Thanks Herb.

    Thanks Paulo. I will give that a shot too.

    Robby: that might work actually. Thank you. Not tried a breath controller or wind controller. Do you have any recommendations?

    Scotty: yes tried a flute, oboe and bassoon to no avail. Thanks for taking a listen.

    Dude: I went back to listen, and see what you're saying. Too much reverb?

    Thanks Timi: The drums are a mixture of storm drum and drums of war 2. 


    #11
    The Band19
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/20 20:21:59 (permalink)
    I have an Akai EWI USB model, but there's many different styles. This one let's you play sax for example if you know the fingering, but I really just use it as a breath controller. 

    post edited by The Band19 - 2013/05/20 20:25:44

    Sittin downtown in a railway station one toke over the line.
    #12
    dcumpian
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/21 20:48:02 (permalink)
    I would suggest replacing both instruments with synth sounds and add some motion to them. Brass is fine, but you could go synthy there as well to complete the theme.

    Regards,
    Dan

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    foxwolfen
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/25 01:10:04 (permalink)
    I took the unusual turn and read the comment before listening, and then only played the part with the violin. I know exactly what you mean and why. The part is fine for violin. Just not that one. It does not sound like a violin. See if you can enlist Scotty for a real sounding one. Then you need to lower it an octave IMO. I think that will solve the problem.

    A scientist knows more & more about less & less till he knows everything about nothing, while a philosopher knows less & less about more & more till he knows nothing about everything.

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    #14
    mstodge
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/25 10:22:55 (permalink)
    Robby: thanks, I checked that out and think I might have to buy one.

    Thanks Dan, I might just try that.

    Shad: I feel a violin must be there, but the one I have used sounds so weak. I couldn't bother Scotty to be honest as he is a very busy man, and this track is just for a game.

    Thanks again everyone.

    Mark.
    #15
    notnat
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/25 10:55:22 (permalink)
    I love the suspenseful vibe of the piece... I don't hear anything wrong... step away for now, work on something else, and come back to it later....
    Great work Mark...
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    Philip
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/27 21:36:14 (permalink)
    Hahahahahah!  Awesome Danger beatz !

    ... then ... soothing (non-danger) at 2:10 ... with a hint of approaching danger at the outro (to my wild ears)

    'Not sure I'd change a thing!  Awesome !

    Philip  
    (Isa 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD)

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    #17
    Guitarpima
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/28 00:37:58 (permalink)
    I think the instrument is fine. If it were me, I would try moving that melody to start from another chord tone. You change the scale of the melody a bit and it may be what your after.

    Nice stuff!

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    darylcrowley
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/05/28 07:48:17 (permalink)
    I see no problem with the violin, but an oboe comes to mind as a good fit with what's happening there.  Cool production.   Daryl

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    theguitarplayer
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    Re:In Danger (Help Needed) 2013/06/26 20:23:52 (permalink)
    Mark, Here it is a month later from when you first posted this and so I guess you have done some work to this piece as I can't really find any thing wrong with it. At first I thought one note at 2:08 might be off key, but after a 2nd listen it seemed fine. Nice arrangement and very nice song production.
     
    Peace and blessings, John

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