The Wall, new mix 2/5

If you thought 'Midnight Minuet' was different for me, then you're really in for a surprise.  I've been wanting to do a piece with Stormdrum for awhile, so here it is.

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who's helped me craft this thing in the last few days!  This has become battle scene (the song, I mean, not the forum, fortunately!).  I'm still open for comments and suggestions, of course. 

 The Wall

Latest mix: less guns

Thanks for the link.  I hadn't heard that before and I can see what you mean. 

Interesting...well, it could have been worse!  lol  Thanks for stopping by and commenting.  I appreciate it!

Thanks Phil.  It was fun to do something different anyway. 

Woops...I think that was the click track.  I'll get that deleted.  Thanks. :-)

This is perfect for a slo mo shot in a war film!!

Loved the piano with the intermitting sound effects, wouldnt mind hearing a seering eerie strings come in some where either.

Lovely Janet.

Artillery?  That's Stormdrum, if I'm following you.

Thank you, Cian.  That's sorta what I had in mind.  Yeah, I can hear strings too. Good idea!  :-)

Thanks, Herb.  Yeah, some of those drums could be changed. I was just seeing what SD has.  And yes, that's Ivory, with tons of reverb and other effects I've never used. 

This is wonderful, Janet.
A new direction for you for sure. Dark, very dark.
I find myself visualizing the end of a fierce battle, as the final shots ring out. The ground around me is littered with my brothers in arms, and I am slowly coming to grips with the fact that I am somehow, miraculously, still alive. The artillery bangs away, distant, yet near...surreal.
This is cinematic on a grand scale.
I was playing some strings along with it, but it is strong enough that I am not sure it's really needed. Still, with the right inflection, some subtle, dark and eerie string might add to it.
This is one of those pieces that is perfect for a certain time and place, and within that scope, it fits like a glove.
I love it.

I think the "stripped down" version works quite well.
Minimal can be incredibly powerful for something like this.
The image is devastating, and hopeless indeed.
Yet, by some small grace, we come through it.
From what you describe, I think this is one of those rare pieces where the result far exceeds the intent.

Hey, Janet!  Love the piano on this! 

very interesting chord progression.  I like it!

you do realize that your mp3 on soundclick has a long end of silence, right?  the song itself is only about 2:46 but the mp3 doesn't stop until 5:40.  nearly 3 minutes of silence.   are we trying to emulate Cage?

I don't like the stormdrums.  there are some parts of it I guess are OK, but most of it I don't care for.  that's a personal preference, of course.  I just don't think it works for this piece.  I could easily hear a string ensemble, tho.  or even some brass playing a melodic line throughout.

Thanks Reece.  Glad you like some of it.  Phil mentioned the silence at the end.  I had a click track and I didn't think to cut it off.  I'll get to it.  So, you don't like SD either?  LOL!  This is the second song I've tried, using that, and everyone liked everything BUT the drums.  That just might not have been my wisest purchase so far. :-)

Thanks for the images, Robby. :-)

You're not the only one.  And these are heavy artillery, not drums.  lol

  Normally when I see the term "drums and piano" it's as if in my mind there is a:

      beat and an
      Instrument

     So lets say I hear a "bass and drums" O.K "sounds great"! (but) something
is missing.
 
 The same for drums with any (other) instrument. (just the two that is).
   The only instrument that I can  think of (that would) sound good with just
"the two" would be the "piano and bass"

  So I'm speaking only of my perception, not any sort of rule.

   "In your case" I wouldn't call it drums I think I'd lean towards the thought
of seeing/ hearing this as Symphonic. (if) the instrument(s) used are
"not in an orchestra" that doesn't mean that it "could not be used as such
as you are now doing.  (or if you are).

  First thought on the/your (call um' drums for now):
    Playing is great
    Idea and concept great
    Tone is good
    They "are" too loud

     The concept of what they do is excellent. The application of them the way it
is now is they "step out in front of you" as if "right they're in your face" which is
in contrast to what I would expect or prefer which would be "from a distance".

   A couple of things I see as options maybe?
       Piano just by itself? that would be my choice "think about this?" your piano
tone is what it is now and even your playing has advanced to a new and higher
level. I think "not" because you lacked the skill then. You already "had it"
but were limited by all the things that once held you back. Vst's etc

  If you wanted this maybe as a more movie sound type thing then
a "polished" thing as you now have would be good for that application as well.

   So if I'm doing the "chill thing" and just listening to "Janet" I'd rather hear
just the piano.  

   Makes me wonder if you should have two different versions of this
    One,  just piano
    And the other for an application such as a movie

     

 

 I love how you lulled the listener in with the relaxing piano, then startled them with the howitzer. I like the idea of most of the drums but I think some might just need turned down a tad. Sorry, really loved the piano though!

Janet - it would work better (IMO) if you reduced the volume of most of those hits except for the intro.  (not just a little, but not taking them so far down as to be inaudible).

Hi Janet.

This is really nice.

The only thing I noticed was, my desk vibrated on some of those low explosion hits and I don't have a subwoofer. :) Might want to throw an analyzer on the master or the track with the explosions and see if you have the low end too high.

Interesting. It's not often I disagree with Reece or Jimmy. I suppose the drums could be more comfortable, but on a concept level, they are spot on, imho. l guess it comes down to artistry, and what you want to convey.
After 15+ listens, I stand by my original thought on this.