Hi folks,
 
This one is a work in progress that I started last year in Sonar, and I've spent the past two weeks completely re-doing it in Cubase (I wanted a fresh start on it anyway, and demo'ing Cubase seemed like the perfect time to do that). Unlike a lot of my stuff, which is hybrid orchestral, this one is a rare full symphonic piece (aside from the opening bit), and has proven to be quite challenging - but also very educational. 
 
https://soundcloud.com/amicusaudio/aelwyns-saga
 
Libraries used (in no particular order)...
 
Strings: Albion ONE (all spiccato/staccato/sustain strings parts), 8Dio Anthology Strings (prominent legato string parts), Sonokinetic DaCapo (sordino-ish quiet string parts)
 
Brass: Hollywood Brass, NI Symphonic Essentials Brass Ensembles, Kontakt Library's included VSL patches
 
Woodwinds: Garritan Personal Orchestra 5, Halion Symphonic Orchestra, Miroslav 2 CE
 
Percussions: Kontakt Action Strikes, Hollywood Percussion, NI Symphonic Essentials Percussion, Halion Symphonic Orchestra, Albion ONE Darwin Percussion (Easter Island strikes)
 
Other bits and pieces: Epic Worlds, Era II, Ethera 2.0, Sampletank 3 Alan Parsons Grand Piano, Albion ONE Stephensons Steam Band
 
Plugins Used: not too many -- Nimbus reverb by Exponential Audio over entire mix, a couple instances of TRacks5 Opto Compressor & one instances of Master EQ 432
 
Midi work done entirely in Cubase Pro 9.5, then mix was exported to wav file, edited in Sonar Platinum, and exported as an MP3 file for upload to Soundcloud.
 
As mentioned, this is a work in progress and there is more to be done -- I am not finished adding percussion highlights and accents, and I have some more woodwind parts that needed to be added in. But this is the overall shape of things right now, and I think it gives a decent snapshot of what I have in mind. I'd be grateful for any comments.
 
Thanks,
 
Rob
 

You are certainly off to a good start with this one and it certainly has that epic feel, but I guess that's what horns are there for :)
 
Looking forward to hearing the finished product.

Lovely ethereal intro, good tension and release into the percussion/rhythmic section. Suitably epic horns and strings, beautiful transition to the uplifting themes. Excellent.

Thanks for the kind words, folks. Much appreciated.

Sounds pretty good from here!   All of the libraries seem to blend well together to form a nice, cohesive piece.
 
About the only negative I would have is that you used Cubase.   
 

Good job. I liked the melody lines and orchestration.
Well done dynamic arrangement and mix.
Sounds good.

stevec
Sounds pretty good from here!   All of the libraries seem to blend well together to form a nice, cohesive piece.
 
About the only negative I would have is that you used Cubase.   
 

Thanks, Steve. Appreciate the feedback. In my defense, I did edit the audio in Sonar :)

Good ingredients here and good ideas. The sounds in general work well together but at times I felt the brass was a bit lonely. They might need something to back them up a bit more.
 
Also I'd look into having more dynamics. The beginning sounds great, but when the knight's theme comes in everything felt quite flat dynamics wise. Let orchestra breath more and use quieter moments there as well. :)

What a really great start! Feels like something that would fit well in a top end game, like Witcher 3 or Dragon Age. Beautifully done, though I would listen to Kuusiemi as well, he knows his s**t.
 
If the opening vocal from Era II or Ethera?
 
Regards,
Dan

Kuusniemi
Good ingredients here and good ideas. The sounds in general work well together but at times I felt the brass was a bit lonely. They might need something to back them up a bit more.
 
Also I'd look into having more dynamics. The beginning sounds great, but when the knight's theme comes in everything felt quite flat dynamics wise. Let orchestra breath more and use quieter moments there as well. :)

 
Greatly appreciate the feedback, Kuusniemi, thanks very much! 
 
Rob