Hello,
I believe my track is ready to be reviewed. That is, it's not final master, I'm actually looking for a way to finish the mastering. It sounds quite good to me, but I heard it like 1000 times already, plus my "mastering headphones" are a bit malfunctioning, there's some rattling resonance noise in the left ear, but since I'm not at home, I can't fix it right now.
This track is a huge test for dynamic range. It goes from -40 to 0dBFS.

I also plan to write lyrics for it and cut it to vinyl at a later date.
The cover for it is also nearly finished.

But anyway, right now my whole body is shaking from both excitement and fear, as I've never leaked my track into public, well not a quality one. Hope I won't have nightmares today. *yes*

http://soundcloud.com/andrew479/christmas-gaia

 

Andrew, my friend… you put a lot of work into this. The sound quality and the play of the instruments here is really great.
I would personally love to know what instruments you used on this.
Composition and mix is also very well done with good balance and a very christmasy feel indeed

I think I'm gonna play this when I need to take away some stress from this crazy holiday season

 

Very nice work, congratulations Andrew
That's it, you gotta put your work out there and let strangers evaluate it.

It is amazing what can be done with virtual instruments today
Hats off to you.

I liked the last 1/3 of it the best, the "haunting melody" part.
I think you could improve this part a bit by experimenting a bit with bigger and wider spaces, which could enhance and emphasize the haunting quality of that part.
However, if your goal is that is sounds like an orchestra playing in a concert hall, you achieved that well.
So using a bit more reverb on that part would make it maybe less realistic, but more interesting (at least for me).

That's as far as my critique goes
One minor thing: the cymbals sound a little harsh.
There is an unpleasant frequency sticking out a bit, best heard on the last cymbal stroke.

Well done mate

 

Andrew for one moment I forget that my life was total shit and was transported to the scene that you created with your wonderful piece. Thank you. You really have a lot of talent, simply stellar.

And we're honored that you've chosen AudioSex as the first place to share your music.

 

I've put you up in the Submissions So Far (Impressed) thread which I have now moved from the Lounge to Our Music and since I arranged the names alphabetically you are the first on the list. Also think if you have a working artist name that you would like to release under in the event that you make it to the album.

 

Well, I believe the track is finished.

Changelog

Update 1.01 build 27

Fixed EQ on piatti and cymbals (notch 2712Hz and 500Hz high-pass)
Added live recorded chimes, wide tree
Closer perspective on divisi strings
More pronounced sul pont
Narrower stereo on timpani
Celeste more on the left
Additional minor EQ tweaks

 

Very similar melody in places to Silent Night (or The First Noel, whatever its called).

Anyway...

WHAT
A
BEAUTY

I tip my hat to you, I dream of making this kinda music. The whole mix and flavour sounds so legitimate, which I find incredibly difficult to pull off.

3:00 theres a real dissonant, uneasy sound. Again, just great.

This is the definition of music thats emotive/evocative, that great intangible quality.

 

Andrew, this is horrible!

Did you have a heart attack!?
No, I'm just kidding. I know how it must be to show your music to the world for the first time.
I see it differently, though. First, no one knows who you are, so you're not risking anything serious.
Second, why be afraid, as so many people are, of negative comments? Who convinced you you cannot progress?
Because, if anyone thinks your first composition has to be perfect, they should listen to Beethoven or Bach first compositions,
which were far worse than yours.
And now, for the honest review: it is too old fashioned, conservative; I know it is a Christmas composition, but, even if you're
extremely religious, there has to be some more lighted pace, unorthodox passages, dreaminess: because we are dreaming,
and you must have courage to face the world: both negative and positive comments can help you grow and that is what I hope you'll do
instead of hoping (as, unfortunately, I am also!) you will be the star of this album (btw, audiosexed Christmas song!?).
Hope you won't be disappointed with what ever this experience brings; instead, be glad that you have more balls than 99 percent of
members here and also a lot more musical skills that most musicians; but, unfortunately, that is not enough, at least not for
this f...ed up world of primitivism and, as proof of that, primitivism is being underlined as if it were misspelled.
Hope you make it, for at least you're a normal person and so is your music.

EDIT:

I am sorry I was so hasty with my reply; I now understand from your comment this is an important composition for you.
But you have to realize no one except your family is going to listen to this without haste.
It's how it is in this world. So I wish you best, but my advice is try to progress no matter what;
music can never be perfect or good enough in absolute; it is the moment that defines it for us and this
moment in history is not welcoming spirit and wisdom with opened doors, so you will need to fight hard and
hopefully compose with more attitude and firmness.

 

Nice piece, Andrew, really Christmassy, so to speak. The beginning reminds me of a track from Knights and Merchants, which is a good thing - the game rocked and so did its soundtrack. I don't usually listen to this kind of calm, emotional pieces, but it was pleasant to hear something else than the ripping sound of horns, staccatocs and devastating percussion (like in, for example, Brian Tyler's track Thor, Son of Odin).

Good luck and keep up the good work!