<pony><original> Nocturnal Progression.

[Yoka the Changeling]

I propably would not create a new topic for that, just edit the first post, but here it is, the final version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sdRShbyVME

If you give it a look or even a like I'll be happy :3
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?pke7fpx4fyiskc4
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/yoka-the-changeli ... rogression

Reason why I didn't put it up right away is that I was busy drawing this art that I used for a bg image.
http://yoka-the-changeling.deviantart.com/art/Nocturnal-progression-322229540 - this one.

Previosly it was a topic where I asked for a little help. It was called "<wip> <original> Hi, I'm a newbie musician." and here it's real first post:

Hi everyone.
(kinda nervous here)
So. I'm, as I said, a newbie musician. I composed my first pony-instrumental. But I have several problems with it and several questions about stuff. I will be very happy if you help me with this.

And before I start I want to say that english isn't my native language and I highly appreciate if you point out my mistakes on grammar or spelling.

And now to the point.
http://soundcloud.com/yoka-the-changeling/work-in-progress-progress-894
Here's my composition (first time post my music anywhere. NERVOUS D:). It's work-in-progress. Drums is just a one loop over and over. And it ends kinda "unfinished".
My problems with it:
First and the biggest - I spend so much time on it, I don't even know is it good or not anymore. If you give it a try and tell me what you think - that would be awesome.
Second - I want to improve it but I don't know how. I want a sound to be more complicated and interesting but there so many ways to go. I don't know what will be good for my instrumental and what not.
And third - I'm not sure if it's pony related anymore. It's started as a theme for Octavia, then, somewhere in the middle, it switched to Luna and after that it's become me-don't-knowing-what-to-do-with-it theme.

And that leads to my questions about stuff:
First - What is a pony-song and what's not?
If there is a lyrics about ponies - then it's clear. If there is a sound clips from the show - same thing. But in case of an instrumentals: what indicates that a song is related to ponies? Can I compose a song and then deside "ok, it will be a song for Vinyl Scratch"? I personally think - not. But I'm really unsure about the topic.
Second - I want to learn but I don't know where I can do it.
"I wanna be a sound producer!" - a bit childish but it's totally describes. I really like a rich, complicated and interesting sound in music. I'd really like to learn how to do it but I don't know where to go, what to read, how to improve. I've got so many questions on that.
And third (question of vital importance) - what is your favorite pony? :3
My favorite is Pinkie Pie.

Thanks for reading. Hoping for help and comments.

[LunchBagMusic]

Wow this is...

this is one hell of a post.

[EDIT]

Guess I should post something constructive as well.

Everyone has their own definition of pony music; you should develop your own and then decide whether your music is pony/not pony.

There are plenty of threads regarding the skills of a producer. Check out the Technique section for some quality threads.

Also perhaps you should have posted some of this in the introduction thread....

And get a soundcloud/youtube. I don't like downloading WIPs to my computer to listen to them.

OOOH ORCHESTRAL.

If you want to, PM me and I can give you a few tips or tricks (but there are heaps of people out there who do this a lot better than me).




Ultimately, welcome to MLR. Enjoy your stay!

[R-Y-S-E]

0 - Your English is good. Very good. I noticed no big flaws.
1 - It is good! I really like the violins/viola (or whatever stringed instrument it is) and the drums fit in well.
2 - If I were you I'd try adding some deeper sounds (as in, lower pitch) slightly off time with the violins, which can either sound good or horrible. A piano might be a nice addition too, if played with a similar melody to the violins (further into the song). They're just a couple ideas I had listening to this.
3.1 - I think you could consider any song partially or completely influenced by MLP a pony song. Or if it involves pony samples.
3.2 - I sometimes check YouTube tutorials on how to make specific sounds. The technique section of this forum should help, I haven't been in it a lot, but I guess it would.
3.3. Fluttershy is my favorite pony

[LunchBagMusic]

Also Rainbow Dash.

[Yoka the Changeling]

LunchBagMusic
Thanks.
I kinda newbly zoomed straight here. I didn't even know that there is an introduction thread ^^'.
And I will PM you for tips and tricks :3
I was thinking about getting myself a soundcloud account but I wasn't sure if I need it. Now I will.

R-Y-S-E
Thanks for feedback and advices. I will try some of them.

Technical section - yes. I will read it all!

UPD

Got a SoundCloud account. Changed download link to soundcloud... thingy. Is it should write an url of a soundcloud page under the widget?

[Lunafall]

if no one minds if i give a bit of input...

i really do like your song here, it just seems a little sparse in places. I agree with RYSE that more low end sounds would fatten up the mix and get it sounding deeper. As far as finding themes and inspirations goes, i generally dont go the "this song is about X character route". I really like to come up with stories, situations, and concepts that go with a track; something a bit more detailed than just a song about a single character. like maybe "a song about what Luna felt when she was trapped on the moon for a thousand years" ... or something like that

anyway, cheers! ^_^


ps- pink poni is best poni

[Yoka the Changeling]

i really do like your song here, it just seems a little sparse in places. I agree with RYSE that more low end sounds would fatten up the mix and get it sounding deeper.

Thanks for a feedback. Really. Just knowing that my song doesn't sucks helps a lot (motivation and all that stuff).
About this "getting low" thing. Do you (both) mean I need to replace strings with lower pitched ones or I need to add lower pitched ones?

P.S.: Brohoof /)

[Sai]

Sounds very good so far. In regard to adding or replacing stuff, I'd say you could do with just adding in lower strings. I don't think you need to replace anything; the higher end is fine as it is.
Good work though, it's coming along nicely.

There are plenty of instrumental pony tracks where the pony relation is just the inspiration for the track itself. Maybe a cover image or a description of what it was made for could help get the message across to people listening to it, though. Ultimately, if you're composing because of ponies, it's a pony track as far as I'm concerned.

[Lunafall]

i really do like your song here, it just seems a little sparse in places. I agree with RYSE that more low end sounds would fatten up the mix and get it sounding deeper.

Thanks for a feedback. Really. Just knowing that my song doesn't sucks helps a lot (motivation and all that stuff).
About this "getting low" thing. Do you (both) mean I need to replace strings with lower pitched ones or I need to add lower pitched ones?

P.S.: Brohoof /)

yea, im with Sai on this one. Adding lower stuff should be fine; no need to replace anything

[EDIT]: also, good for you for recognizing thing a few things couldve been better, thats the mark of someone who really does want to see themselves improve. Keep at it, you music is honestly quite good so far. I want to see what you can do next

>insert studio audience "DAWWWW"

[Familiar Foreigner]

I enjoyed this piece a lot. It was really, really good. Not much else to say.

[Amnesiac]

First of all, very good job! I really liked it. Second, yes, definitely might want to add some lower tones just to thicken up the mix overall. Also, maybe a bit more variation in that middle bit (between 0:56 and 2:20) would help to spice it up a little. But even without changing anything, this was very enjoyable, and sounds like something I'd put on my iPod.

In answer to your questions:
1. I think "pony" music is what you want it to be. If you write an entirely instrumental piece, you have the choice of making it pony-themed or not. You could write an intense orchestral piece and say it's about the neverending reign of chaos Discord would have brought about, or you could just come up with some title for it and not make it "pony."
2. In regards to learning new things, I'd recommend the Technique forum here on MLR, the BoyInABand.com forums, and looking up tutorials on YouTube. That's how I learned the VAST majority of what I know right now. Also, I'd advise collaborating with people. You learn a lot from them and they learn from you.
3. You ask an impossible question, my friend.

In conclusion, this song was definitely very good! Keep up the good work, and I look forward to hearing more music from you!

[soultensionbenjamin]

You don't need any help newbie musician you v got a good taste and sense of music already.

[Yoka the Changeling]

Thanks everyone. Man, this place is great, I really glad that I decided to show my piece here.
I deferently try to add some lower tones and something in the middle of the song. I had a feeling that it's lacking now I know for sure.
Thanks again and I hope a new (maybe final) version will show up soon.

On the topic of "what is a pony song". Thanks for all opinions. I propably agry with all of you at some part and right now my thoughts has come to this: The fact that it is a pony song should make sense for musician himself. Based on inspiration that comes from ponies or some connection between music and ponies that he feels. That's what matters.
And I guess I'll stick to it.

[Baschfire]

I haven't taken a look at what everyone else has posted so I apologize if I repeat what someone has said.

First of, with the drums, its a great beat! The real trick i find with combining a drum set and orchestral is that a little variation can make it seem like a real drummer. So on that, after every 4 measures, try adding a fill (like, a few tom tom hits, straight snare, a few crash hits, experiment with it!)

Secondly, the strings. Actually, all the instruments really. Use some different instruments! If you have something like trumpets, french horns, and trombones, they will really flesh out this piece so much more. With just strings, it feels a tiny bit empty, where as just adding a few chords from the brass section would make the song so much more epic. The sound you want is like what you have at around the 2:10 mark, where all the strings are together in that really awesome tight harmony.

Thirdly, and this is definitely one for personal preferance, orchestral ALWAYS sounds better with a little extra reverb. Granted, you don't want to have it all over the place, and making the song sound like one huge echo.

That being said, an excellent start! Keep up the good work!

Also on pony music, instrumental can be considered pony music. I myself make themes for each specific pony as a final boss (or mid-boss) in a video game. If the intent is to be about ponies, then honestly I see no issue with it. The trick with instrumentals is to take an idea that is obvious to a pony, and examplify it in the music. Pinkie pie is hyper and crazy, so the music can reflect that.

Cheers!

[Overkillius]

Well... to answer your questions

Can I compose a song and then deside "ok, it will be a song for Vinyl Scratch"?

1. I believe that music is some kind of symbolism... something we can't quite describe any other way; If you realize that it is something inspired by a character or something relevant to the show, then yes! It is a pony song! That said, if all you want is attention, then there isn't any thought involved, just slap a pony title on everything you make.

2. Get your hands on theory books, try to cover or analyze a song you like to understand how it works (if you are studying classical music, this is a lot easier if you can find the score), and most important of all, understand the music YOU make.

3. Mystia Lorelei Rarity

[Melodosis]

great stuff, really smooth orchestral sounds in there. I would add more bass and make the drums a little louder. ^_^

[vladnuke]

GASP! Another Russian! Hai dere.

Also yeah, your music is wonderful. Keep it up.

[Yoka the Changeling]

Thanx everyone. Now more specific.

2. Get your hands on theory books

I'd like to, but I don't know the titles. Well, I'm sure I can find something on the internet but I'd like to know what's better.

I would add more bass and make the drums a little louder. ^_^

Working on that :3

GASP! Another Russian! Hai dere.

Hai)
Is there... a lot of russians here?

[Aviators]

Dear goodness, I love that song you have there. Anyway, I'll answer a few of those questions you had just for the heck of it.

1 - A pony song to me is a song inspired by MLP. It doesn't HAVE to have pony lyrics, though it might, and it doesn't have to have clips of the show. This is a very debatable topic, so I don't have the "right" answer, but this is what I believe. Music comes from the mind, so if ponies is what you had in mind making the song, it's a pony song! If you're just slapping a pony label on it for popularity, then it's not, and you might as well just label it as a normal song to stop everyone from debating over it. That's just the way I see it.
2 - Learning to make music is something that requires many things, the most important of which is time. Most of it is figuring out how YOU make music. What your style is, what your preferences are, how you like to work. After you kinda know what you want, then it's good to get into the technical stuff. I learned most of this by figuring it out, but what I didn't learn that way I learned through friends. I have a bunch of great musician friends, and they've taught me so much, and so much better than any YouTube tutorials I've watched. You're on this site, so you're on the right track. Just get to know people, hang around, and ask questions!
3 - Luna.

You're off to a good start musically, and I can't wait to see where you go from here. I'll be listening! <3

[Yoka the Changeling]

Ok guys. It's done.

It's not changed dramaticly. I added some lower strings and thanks to everyone who sad that I should. It's sounds a lot better now. Made some changes in a drum part to add some variaty.
Unfortunatly, I didn't change anything in the middle (between 0:56 and 2:20) for two reasons. Fisrt: I tryed different ways to make it more interesting and failed. It's started to sound really weird. Second: I kinda like it the way it is and I feel like if I change or add something there it will break the feeling that I got from this part. So it's debatable but I've kept it as it is.

I'm not releasing it right away. I want to draw some art and post it on youtube.
Well, I'm actually not sure if I should post it on soundcloud now and then on youtube or otherwise or... well, it's my first release and I don't know stuff.

And OHMYGOSH AVIATORS!!!

[LunchBagMusic]

Well, I'm actually not sure if I should post it on soundcloud now and then on youtube or otherwise or... well, it's my first release and I don't know stuff.

Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube. Do research and find out which one is best for you before you make any accounts. Each has advantages/disadvantages, so I can't offer advice either way here.

[Yoka the Changeling]

I propably would not create a new topic for that, just edit the first post, but here it is, the final version:

http://soundcloud.com/yoka-the-changeling/nocturnal-progression

If you give it a look or even a like I'll be happy :3

Reason why I didn't put it up right away is that I was busy drawing this art that I used for a bg image.
http://yoka-the-changeling.deviantart.com/art/Nocturnal-progression-322229540 - this one.

UPD:
And actually, I'm having hard times searching for the introduction thread that was mentioned earlier. If someone can provide a link I will appreciate.