I am flattered by your point-out of my liking/tendency torwards minimalism. I was debating on what kind of game/OST I wanted to go for, but I felt like a puzzle-RPG game would be most interesting. That being the case, you'd have to hear these tracks for maybe an hour, depending on how tough the puzzle, so I kept that in mind when writing most of the tracks, save for the story/plot related ones. A re-upload of the OST with 'slightly' increased volume has been uploaded to YouTube. As I said in another reply, at this point, it is just quality of life for me, but hey at least it's there. Thank you so much for your input! X)
I have never played Hollow Knight or listened to its OST, but now that you've mentioned it I think it's worth the listen that way I can see which styles I might unintentionally borrowing from (in a good way XD). Thank you for your feedback! X)
I have very little experience when it comes to optimizing the sound levels within instruments within a track, or really just mixing/mastering as a whole. I did do a re-upload of the OST with 'slightly' increased volume on YouTube, but at this point it's really just for quality of life for myself. I appreciate your feedback and I can't wait to give this OST Comp Jam another shot, this time with mixing/mastering under my belt. X)
When I saw OST in the name of the event, I anticipated that's what I'd see lots of, but even still all the submissions, whether multiple tracks or just a stand alone, have been extraordinary! Thanks for giving me a listen! X)
This was my first submission to this whole OST Comp Jam thing so I wasn't sure what was usual/typical, but I'm glad I got to submit what I did! :) Thank you for your feedback! X)
I got to listen to your tracks! All three sound very "spacey" and "open", and that's a cool thing that you showcased that very well within your submission. Of the three, the one that did it the best was "003 Bubble Space". (That one was also my favorite! :D) A tip for writing ambient though:
If you don't want a melody, or perhaps have a melody that overpowers the accompaniment, keep the other elements present but not too fast. If that's what you were going for, then disregard.
If you do have a melody, but are worried about it being too outside of the "ambient" feel, don't move around as much, or simply slow down. (This one doesn't really apply to your tracks, but I still chose to mention it.)
If you do want to have parts in the track that are fast, or "layered" with lots of voices, consider adding a section where the listener gets a break from that. Perhaps where it's just bass and drums, or bass and a softer lead if not the same one, etc. Some ambient music writers know to implement this when a track might need to have a contrasting section so that the listener won't dread hearing it for too long.
You have such an amazing selection of voices used, and the soundscape sounds so professional! I really liked it! Congrats! :D
I gave your soundtrack a listen and I am so excited that I got to hear yours. I had listen to several submissions, but this is the first one that I heard that utilized the approach of bigger motions (like real deal composing) and you also nailed it! Your portrayal of the theme(s) as well as their evolution/"thickening" is truly impressive. Lots of people fall victim to the game-space limited mindset, in which they must do something "new" or "different" every couple of measures or so, as OSTs back in the day had to make the most they could, and make it memorable, all within the limitations (like under 1 minute, maybe 2, per track, and this is on things like the NES, SNES, etc.)
I love a captivating track, but I also love a well-thought out/stretched out one all the more. You did a phenomenal job on really bringing forth the musicality within your works. Aside from the theme of the jam, I am amazed at the writing and delivery on its own. Great job! :D
I gave your tracks a listen and I must say, the groovy-ness and catchiness of these tracks are definitely prominent, and that is an awesome thing! Your soundscape/reverb effects are some of the most captivating that I've heard, and that goes beyond this OST Jam. May I ask the name of the DAW referenced in your screenshots? It has me wondering about the other capabilities with the one you specifically used. :D
The tracks themselves have great contrast, and my favorite of them would have to be "City Streets". (The bass and drums were stellar!) Granted you took the text approach for the theme for the jam, but honestly with your explanation and connection of what it means to you, it has got to be the best that I've seen thus far. That being said, I wonder just how many "worlds" the judges are going to have to go through with that approach in mind. X)
Awesome submission though, and again, the DAW w/ whatever plugin or default setting for that reverb is truly superb!
I gave both your tracks a listen. You have stellar transitions, balance of instrumentation, delivery of material, and awesome drums! Both tracks reminded me how in jazz, a theme is established, and that said theme is given embellishment/restatement within a new voice/instrument. Within "Mountain Purple" those arpeggiated chords (especially with the 8-bit/chiptune voices) gave such NES Castlevania vibes, and I really loved it!
Only issue I had was the connection of the tracks to the theme of the jam. They don't feel as connected to the theme of the jam that can be seen in other submissions, but despite that, your tracks are by far the most captivating and groovy that I've seen thus far! Great job!
Of your four tracks, my favorite is "Cognitive Caustics (Sunlit Zone)". Despite that, all of them did a fantastic job of relaying the theme for the jam. Your drums might have been too strong in the "Lost in the Mind's Abyss (Abyssal Zone)" track, but that's not too much of an issue. It also was definitely abrupt, but I honestly kind of liked it.
Your extended harmonies are a major plus here as well. Transposition can be super effective within certain pieces/works, and your tracks here are a great example of that. Not to mention how each track is strongly unique, but still connected, which is also another huge plus when it comes to writing OSTs. I have yet to listen to more submissions from this jam, but I'm very fond of yours thus far!
Gave both tracks a listen. Your sound was definitely not something I was expecting, but that was a good thing! Both tracks are minimalistic when it comes to instrumentation but are very moving when it comes to pitches and rhythms. Also, I like the tonal ambiguity within both tracks, particularly with "Nemutai Bubble Girl OST" one. The structure and melodic aspects of both works felt weaker than most (or what is typical when correlating a theme to a any specific track from a game), but that's not too much of an issue. Wish there was more material to listen to/further develop what you have here, but overall it's pretty good!
