New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2

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stevec
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2015/10/01 18:24:28 (permalink)

New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2

Hi All,
I've got a new instrumental tune up: https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi/celtara-part-1-and-2
 
This one is a little different in that part one has an older guitar/harpsichord feel (I in/correctly refer to it as "18th century") with a classic female vocal, which then morphs into part two that is decidedly 21st century.   So I don't really know what to call it genre-wise, and just stuck with "instrumental and electronic". 
 
Edit: The female vocal lines are actually courtesy of the free Kontakt library "Clara's Vocal" from vstbuzz.com/freebies/claras-vocal/
(I mistakenly wrote "Clare Solo" from Ivy Audio: http://ivyaudio.com/Clare-Solo)
 
 
Thanks!
post edited by stevec - 2015/10/05 14:57:47

SteveC
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    markno999
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/01 19:20:17 (permalink)
    Steve,
     
    Pretty interesting composition/production throughout.   The morphing is something that, as a listener, keeps things fresh.     I might HPF the vocal sample just a tad to clear up the bottom end a bit.  Found it very enjoyable throughout.

    Regards
    #2
    synkrotron
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/01 23:23:19 (permalink)
    Hi Steve,
     
    That was a smashing piece
     
    Great composition... Liked how it moved from "older" trad style to the up-beat dancy track... That was excellent. And great work with the vocal library too... That fit so well.
     
    Great image too:-
     

     
    cheers
     
    andy

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    #3
    emeraldsoul
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/02 00:44:20 (permalink)
    I liked it! Kind of schizo, which I respect. For mix crits, I thought the bass/kick drum in the 21st century section came on a bit heavy. And in the first part, you had layers of guitar/mandolin/autoharp? and I'm not sure they all lined up rhythmically.
     
    But what the hell! This is sooooo imaginative and creative. The vocal sample didn't annoy me, which a lot of these female vocal libraries tend to do for some reason. The nondescript vowels worked for me this time.
     
    There is plenty to like in your mix, so good job!
     
    cheers,
    -Tom

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    #4
    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/02 13:19:52 (permalink)
    Mark - thanks!  The morph section did take a while to get right so I'm happy to know that it's working!  I actually did HPF the vocal track, but perhaps I need to refine the frequency cut-off.
     
    Andy - yes, it is a bit smashed together.       The dual style thing is a first for me but certainly was fun to do.  I am glad you liked it.  I knew the vocal library was a keeper from the start so I just had to do something with it...   Glad you liked the image too - Google searching for pics based on vague descriptions is a wonderful thing.
     
    Tom - thanks for the feedback.  I knew the kick was a bit punchy and up-front, but every time I tried backing off I didn't like it as much.  Perhaps a little MDynamicEQ is in order...   For the instruments in the first part, it's mainly a combination of a few acoustic guitar parts and a Kontakt harpsichord, with four electric guitar tracks layered lightly in the background.  I did intentionally leave the timing (mostly) alone because I wanted a bit of contrast against the tighter 21st century bit.   And yes, I think the vocal library has a great feel to it even if it is nondescript!
     

    SteveC
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    #5
    ohgrant
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/02 14:05:38 (permalink)
    Love it Steve! Interesting time warp before it got modern.  Really impressed with those free vocal samples too.

    Me
     
    #6
    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/02 16:07:56 (permalink)
    Thanks, Grant!   And I wasn't even watching Rocky Horror Picture Show at the time.   
     
    Yeah, it's a very nice free library.  
     

    SteveC
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    #7
    biodiode
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/03 04:23:59 (permalink)
    Very interesting composition going from the past to present and back again. 
     
    Good stuff

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    Wookiee
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/03 08:07:00 (permalink)
    This works well here, nice transitions thoughtfully done, and a very cool production.
     
    Thanks for sharing

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    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/03 10:37:23 (permalink)
    biodiode - thanks for listening!  The whole time shift thing wasn't something I pre-planned from the start but rather it presented itself as I worked through things - I love when that type of thing happens. 
     
    Wookie - thanks, your furriness!   I appreciate the listen and comments.  Particularly the production aspect which did take some effort.   

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    dcumpian
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/07 08:55:28 (permalink)
    You're on a trend recently of trying new things, very cool.
     
    This is entertaining to be sure. Mix is very good, but the vocal does get lost in the "modern" section. You may need to EQ it differently just in that section as the top end (of the vocal) it lost due to the other instruments. I thought the kick was perfect.
     
    Regards,
    Dan

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    daryl1968
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/07 16:45:09 (permalink)
    wow Steve - an amazing concept very well executed. Nice one mate
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    Starise
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/07 20:22:34 (permalink)
    I especially loved the beginning of this one. I thought the rest was very creative as well....the music takes a lot of interesting turns both in style and in the basic compositional direction..note relationships are all very interesting. 
    I think this is one of your best so far Steve! 
     
    I hope you don't mid me downloading Clara. All the wonderful sounds without the trouble :)

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    Walt Collins
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/08 10:07:22 (permalink)
    Great track Steve!  I just downloaded Clara, thanks for the tip... she's going to be auditioning for future song of mine soon. :)
     
    I think the drums might be a little hot in the modern section, but it's not fatal.  And perhaps the bass could come up a touch.  I love the sound of the "older" sections.  Great concept, great execution!

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    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/09 15:51:05 (permalink)
    Dan - yeah, I actually started this one shortly before my last experimental tune but I just couldn't decide where to go with it.  I guess the electronic thing took over a bit in the end.     I'll have to go back and fine-tune the vocal + EQ.  Thanks for listening.
     
    Daryl - Thanks, I appreciate that!  I always enjoyed "concept" music but have never done much myself.  It was fun...
     
    Tim - thanks, the beginning was originally the whole tune!  I tried doing an orchestral background at first, but just wasn't working.  Then once I got the more acoustic feel going the second electronic section just sort happened... 
    Oh, and go for it, Clara is waiting.    
     
    Walt - Thanks!   I'm going to revisit the drums and bass when I go back in and tweak the vocal, so I'll see if I can get more balance.    And yes, Clara is pretty cool!  Definitely up there as far as free Kontakt libraries go, especially vocal libraries that aren't very common.

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    gruverider
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/10 16:46:57 (permalink)
    wonderfully creative composition.  And I love your transitions too!
     
    much enjoyed! A wild ride!
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    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/12 15:28:10 (permalink)
    Thanks, Lawrence!   I am glad you enjoyed the ride.   
     

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    rebel007
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/12 20:05:27 (permalink)
    Great work Steve. The thing I noticed most was the frequency balance between the two sections. There is often an imbalance when a song goes from one section to another, but in this one I think you've nailed it. The bass frequencies are especially well mixed and seems to flow effortlessly between the two parts.
    Am enjoying your pieces.

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    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/14 14:58:32 (permalink)
    Thanks, Wayne!   Getting some semblance of balance between the two sections was very important for me, and while there are a few tweaks I'd like to make (mostly in the second section) I am happy to hear that it's working as-is.
     

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    Leizer
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/14 18:11:15 (permalink)
    Great sounding and well executed idea! Its so hard to do extreme changes in style and you have indeed the skills to do it right. Good mixture of sounds. :)

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    Beagle
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/15 08:16:23 (permalink)
    Steve, this is just stunning!  love the soundscape you've created, love the stereo, love the clean-ness of the mix!
     
    fantastic transition to the new part!
     
    good stuff all around!

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    stevec
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    Re: New (mostly) instrumental: Celtara - Part 1 and 2 2015/10/15 15:01:24 (permalink)
    Lasse - thanks, I appreciate the listen!  The transition in particular was fun to do, but a bit nit-picky to get "right", so I am glad that it's working in the end. 
     
    Reece - thanks!  Very much appreciated.   The mix itself took some trial & error and I still want to fix a few things, but I'll take clean-ness any time.   

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