Link to Streaming Service
https://kirrifant.bandcamp.com/track/a-gate-to-the-past

Description
In this project I was inspired by both the image and the phrase "The Lost City". The track is divided in two conceptual parts: "The Discovery" and "Entering the Gate" (from around 1:10). At the first part I tried to convey the encounter with the gate or passage to the lost city and at the second one the transit into this mysterious alternative old world.

Description of Setup (Optional but recommended)
I produced this track with Cubase Elements, and most of the instruments are from Halion Sonic presets. My first intention was to record some stuff from actual acoustic instruments, but at the end I did not have time to properly set up the mic, so I ended up using VSTs for everything.

As always, even with just a few instruments I struggled a lot with the mix, with several tries, none of them convincing. The main problems I faced were keeping the chord hits at 0:29 heavy and effective while keeping the piano at the beginning gentle enough, but having the overall levels high enough for avoiding the need for the listener to turn the volume up. My first try was applying some heavy limiting and compression, but it sounded too flat, so I applied some milder compression to the master out, and specific compression to the left piano drone hand.

I also wanted to develop further the second part adding some percussion and noisy background, but did not come with any idea which improved upon the bass and melody dialogue, so I finally decided to leave it as is, which I guess gives it some more intimate feeling. I also tried to eq a bit the guitar on the high end, but it made it sound artificial, so I kept it without modification.

Regarding reverbs, I am always wary of using them, so everything has the reverb coming with the preset, and only the left hand of the piano has some little reverb applied.

I hope you like it and any feedback is more than welcome!