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Anva's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Mixing Quality | #1 | 4.625 | 4.625 |
| Composing Quality | #1 | 4.688 | 4.688 |
| Listenability | #1 | 4.375 | 4.375 |
| Overall | #1 | 4.550 | 4.550 |
| Correlation to Theme | #1 | 4.813 | 4.813 |
| Overall Uniqueness | #3 | 4.250 | 4.250 |
Ranked from 16 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Link to Streaming Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n77hV7mfEM
Description
Soundcloud link : https://soundcloud.com/foxhyode/sets/anva
I suggest using youtube for a smooth transition between tracks
I went for a concept album. Each track will follow each other perfectly like one big piece of music.
Theme : I used both the picture and "Spirits in the North"
Lore/Storytelling :
I have seperated the album in 4 segments, each segment represent a different spirit. I used the deer in the picture as each spirit.
1. Huldraesa - Spirit of the Hidden
Represents the mystery of the mist and the unknown
2. Aldvior - Spirit and Guardian of Life
Guardian and protector of lifeform in the mountain
3. Vidarrin - Spirit of Vengeance
The other side of the mountain, selfishiness and corruption
4. Thalvindr - Spirit of Wind
The flow of wind and time, invisible but always present
DAW : I used Nuendo 11 for everything.
Composition process :
Going for a concept album I had to first think which transition point will be the best. The lowest in terms of energy right after a climax is usually where I used my point to make a smooth transition between each piece.
1. Huldraesa - Spirit of the Hidden :
Started the track with some nature ambience mixed with water flowing slowly,
I used a trubular bell that I reversed and processed with reverb and delay to create some unique sound design that repeats it self every 8 to 10 measures, creates a sense of mystery.
Most of synth pads was made with 1 or 2 pianos with Reverb directly on the track at 100% Wet cutting some low frequencies of the verb to have that lush effects without the pluck attack of the piano.
Vocals : Used my own voice 4 times and processed with some panning, EQ and pitch shift to give some sense of a Scandinavian/Norse feeling.
2. Aldvior - Spirit and Guardian of Life:
Went for a more hopeful and orchestral approach using a small leitmotiv what would repeat it self getting bigger and bigger with the strings woodwinds and vocal.
3. Vidarrin - Spirit of Vengeance:
Switching vibe entirely going for a dark gritty and space ambience. Used phaseplant for the weird synth using a glass coca cola bottle that was sampled and put some granulation into it for a high pitch "cry" mix with a frame drum for the lowest note.These two represents some kind of deer cry even though it doesn't sound like that. Adding more percussions using Damage and CinePerc with some spatialisation.
Three differents basses, one drone holding the note, another one doing the same but with some artefacts in the highs and last bass is a Contre Bass doing some harsh bow strings movement to create some pulse and add a little feeling of creep and distort.
4. Thalvindr - Spirit of Wind:
Went for a very "airy" and delicate sound to finish the track after an intense and dark vibe. Use the piano and strings combo together with a couple of woodwinds going with mainly simple chord progression. Added two wind sound effects inside to start and finish the track.
Screenshot of DAW
https://imgur.com/a/FyXPFNj
Description of Setup (Optional)
Plugins used alot mostly :
Strings : LA Scoring Strings 3
Woodwinds : CineWindsCore
Piano/Pad : Keyscape/Foundations
Synths : Phaseplant/Omnisphere
Percussions : Damage/CinePerc
Reverb : ValhallaVingaeVerb/ValhallaSuperMassive
Delay : ValHallaDelay
Others : Mostly sampling and myself
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Comments
I mean great as always man, you always do such a cool job with all these. The attention to detail really sets this apart, the slight tremolo on those bells in the first track, everything is just so clean and well done.
this is so well done, i can imagine a lot happening, the mountains, the animals, the fog, the voices of the spirits, its really impressive how well u make everything mix and merge together, from ambients to more energetic parts this is a master work, maybe a little ballet or animation can fit so well with this work, congratulations.
Alright Fox, here it goes. I'm listening to yours for like the fourth time and now I'm ready to finally leave feedback!
Having listened to it four times, I have to say, it's quite listenable. Because it's of high quality, I'm going hardcore with the feedback and listening closely, part of why I've listened to it so many times.
Track 1:
Constructive feedback - the voice that comes in at 1:48 sounds maybe a little close in the mix.
Track 2:
2:42-2:57 is a really nice passage. Just personal taste and not actual feedback - my brain wants to hear a push into some accidentals or going a little modal, or sharping it a bit to really emphasize it. I actually think microtones might be a next step for you, getting a good sense of where to pitch bend, like it would bring out a lot in your work to add some tonal texture to the sound effects you use.
Track 3:
I think the same feedback with the voice I have here - it sounds close and maybe muffly? It's not *bad* and it definitely works. It's just like I feel like it could use a bit more zest to bring it more fully into the mix somehow. Your ear will probably pick up on it after you spend time away from it.
Very cool dark vibe though.
Track 4:
My mind wanted to hear a modulation down to VI, maybe also down to iv from VI. That's just me, and something for you to consider playing around with if you so desire!
I guess it might be a taste thing, but for ambience I might have wanted some of these tracks just a bit wetter on the reverb as well, but a clean natural one to just bring it all together a little more.
Really though, fantastic work. I listened many times so I could start to zoom in on the things that started sticking out to me.
Hey! I did a review of your entry via video. I posted it on the Jam discord but appreciate everyone might not be on there. Here's the video timestamp for your entry: https://youtu.be/1-aLhBdNCKE?t=14972
I really liked this. I'm a fan of concept albums and I was very inspired by your idea to crate a shorter version of that. I especially enjoyed the first part "Huldraesa" with the reversed Tubular Bells.
Huldraesa is my favorite among your tracks. I felt enveloped in peace, honestly, and loved it.
This is super cool! The variety of moods and the shifting between each piece is amazingly done.
I really liked those early chants (grunts, shouts?) They were definitely surprising, but they really added a layer of anxiety over the otherwise very tranquil beginning. Thalvindr - Spirit of Wind would have to be my favorite.
At first I thought the tubular bell was a hand pan, such a cool sound.
Feels wise this really gave me a lot of Ori vibes with the ambience you got on these.
And of course as usual, the production is top notch 😉.
Really great stuff!
The mix is phenomenal, very creative use of sound design. The track transition from 3 to 4 was a big standout. Big ups!
Awesome concept and execution. my favorite is track 3. All tracks have a thing going on, all make great use of the vocals, drums and instruments. loved the chantin' vibe. Great work :)