Play Music
Spirit Fields's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Mixing Quality | #2 | 4.200 | 4.200 |
| Composing Quality | #3 | 4.333 | 4.333 |
| Listenability | #3 | 4.133 | 4.133 |
| Overall | #3 | 4.093 | 4.093 |
| Correlation to Theme | #3 | 4.333 | 4.333 |
| Overall Uniqueness | #18 | 3.467 | 3.467 |
Ranked from 15 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Link to Streaming Service
https://youtu.be/qcPaMFkwyHs
Description
The incoming Mist by Charles Stuart really inspired me and it kind of matched the incoming autumn here in northern Sweden with the misty lakes, orange colours and deers.
I wanted to use the orchestral palette since I find it so versatile, but I rarely compose entirely ambient music so it was a bit difficult to find the right feeling. I recorded a few notes on my trumpet and sampled it using a sample track in Cubase and added reverb. I find it gives a nice organic and natural sound to the otherwise MIDI-oriented music. I also sampled my Shaman Drum to add both some deeper flavours to the track but also a connection to the spirit world, also lots of reverb on that one. The orchestral sample libraries I use are the Cinematic Studio Series by Alex Wallbank. I have not really mixed the track other than adding some impulse reverb using Cubase Reverence Reverb and a maximizer plug-in on the master channel to add some volume. The instruments from the different sections and families are so well balanced out of the box so I rely almost entirely on orchestration techniques to mix the music.
Screenshot of DAW
https://mireheart.itch.io/spirit-fields
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Comments
Very nice! I am so happy that someone from the northern places I had in mind with this jam also composed for it! I am part Swedish by descent, so I'm happy to say that you absolutely nailed it here.
My only feedback is that the dynamics are not totally orchestral - but that's to be expected composing electronically, and it can be hard to really get those articulations just right. Even considering, it's not a bad mix. It would just take a lot of time to get it really dialed in. I suppose the mix could also be a little more dialed in with the reverb emulating a sense of space, mixing the right reverbs, finding the right wet dry levels, and doing maybe a little more spatializing of the audio. But overall it reads very well.
Very, very good work. :)
Glad you liked it! I'll definitely dive into the reverb setup more and also work with spatializing. Thanks for your feedback and thanks for hosting this jam, it was a lot of fun to work with the theme and picture =)
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=13805
Thank you so much! I'm really greatful for your nice comments. I appreciate you took the time to make such a lengthy video reviewing everyones submissions. Great job!
5 stars all around! Absolutely stunning arrangement and production. It was familiar yet kept the attention of the listener. I think this one is my pick for the winner. :)
Wow, thanks! I'm glad you liked it =)
Very pretty, nice orchestration and arrangment, enjoyed alot, extremely easy to listen.
Thanks =)
Absolutely love this. I really really enjoy the trumpet, it blends in so well with the rest of the orchestra, and really gives it this fantastical element to it. If someone said this was part of the next Elder Scrolls soundtrack I would have 100% believed them.
Thanks! It would be nice to compose for an Elder Scrolls game somtime =)
Feelings wise reminds a bit of Trevor Morris stuff from Dragon Age: Inquisition, so you nailed the ambience for me.
Great job!
Thanks! =)
This is a beautiful sounding track. With an orchestral suite, and especially one focused on ambience, I think this could have very easily become something generic or bland sounding, but I believe you've managed to escape that trap, making something impressionistic and cinematic reminiscent of a John Williams score or the Skyrim OST. The woodwinds and swelling strings are the standout elements to me. I don't think I can really provide any constructive feedback with regards to the theme or composing jam, but (and this is a total shot in the dark) if this is kind of composing is somewhat in your comfort zone I might encourage you to develop a stronger expression of your particular voice in a composition. Which is to say - to really make it your own. (If this seems dumb to you, feel free to ignore it.) Great piece, please write more!
Hi! Glad you liked it and thanks for your feedback.
Great orchestration. Great harmonies and use of instruments all along. I only thought it was too short on time :(
Thank you!
Yeah, maybe I'll extend it in the future =)
As a clarinet player, I always appreciate hearing woodwinds being used to represent nature!
This was such a fun tune to listen to, and I feel that you represent the painting very well. I especially loved hearing the little solo lines from the oboes, flutes, violins. The sample library you used for the orchestra is actually quite amazing to my ears. My only criticism at the moment is that I would have liked to have heard just one more new section instead of a long fade out at the end.
Thanks for sharing this :)
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
Yeah, Cinematic Studio Series is really good, especially the woodwinds. I agree, it would have been nice to make the piece a bit longer. I might compose an extended version later on =)