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James G. Watson
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Dark, brooding, and bold. Somewhat filmic...

Started Feb 3, 2012 0 Replies

At only two minutes, I'm not sure where to go with this piece. I was thinking transitioning into less dhol and some angelic yet slightly ominous choir. Opinions so far, and what might be good next?…Continue

Vienna Dimension Brass

Started this discussion. Last reply by Rachel Pappas Nov 28, 2011. 4 Replies

Vienna have recently released their new brass plugin. Simultaneous, but indivudual sampling to catch the timbre interactions? But of course! It sounds awsome.I'm always reluctant to spend large sums…Continue

Percussionary Advice Please

Started this discussion. Last reply by James G. Watson Sep 3, 2011. 6 Replies

I've never been very good with percussion, apart from maybe the heavy dhol/tom/taiko element. I never know when to place cymbals or chimes or a triangle. Is there anywhere in this piece that screams…Continue

Sudden Change Too Sudden?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Fredrick zinos Aug 19, 2011. 3 Replies

I have a sudden change in the feel of this piece and, to me at least, it sticks out. Opinions on the change at about 0:32? I think it needs improvement, but I'm unsure how that can be done. If it…Continue

 

Hi

My Music

Profile Information

What have you composed for? Or what medium do you work around?
Orchestra, Other
What is your favorite genre or style of music?
Music that elicits strong emotions
Is music your main income source?
No - Not at all.
Where do you live?
United Kingdom
About Me (MUST be more than 10 words to be approved):
I'm a young, enthusiastic composer who never learned the rules of music. I've tried to compose music since, ooh, about 2007 but I wasn't too pleased with the results. I hope you can hear I'm getting better.
Basically, I joined this forum to improve myself and to hear what other people are putting out there.

Latest Activity

Beth Patterson left a comment for James G. Watson
"Just discovered your percussion track - as a dummer it's very refreshing to hear!"
Feb 3, 2012
Beth Patterson left a comment for James G. Watson
"Been dipping in and out of your music this eve - nice variety."
Feb 3, 2012
James G. Watson posted a discussion

Dark, brooding, and bold. Somewhat filmic...

At only two minutes, I'm not sure where to go with this piece. I was thinking transitioning into less dhol and some angelic yet slightly ominous choir. Opinions so far, and what might be good next? I've been in a creative rut recently, and I can't see the next step.See More
Feb 3, 2012
James G. Watson posted a discussion

Vienna Dimension Brass

Vienna have recently released their new brass plugin. Simultaneous, but indivudual sampling to catch the timbre interactions? But of course! It sounds awsome.I'm always reluctant to spend large sums of money, and at just short of £500, this counts as a large sum for me (student). Has anybody encountered great brass, without that hefty price tag? Preferably not Kontakt hosted ThanksSee More
Oct 4, 2011
James G. Watson posted a discussion

Percussionary Advice Please

I've never been very good with percussion, apart from maybe the heavy dhol/tom/taiko element. I never know when to place cymbals or chimes or a triangle. Is there anywhere in this piece that screams out to you for some high register percussion? Everyone has their own musical tastes, so I'd be interested in and appreciative of all responses. P.S. I'm not asking for a 'whole piece' review really, just percussion.See More
Sep 1, 2011
James G. Watson posted a discussion

Sudden Change Too Sudden?

I have a sudden change in the feel of this piece and, to me at least, it sticks out. Opinions on the change at about 0:32? I think it needs improvement, but I'm unsure how that can be done. If it were going from quiet to bombastic then I'd feel more at home, but I'm not familiar with going from quite full-on to quieter (excuse my musical terms). How can I smooth the transition? And it's unfinished, so ignore the last bit...See More
Aug 17, 2011
James G. Watson posted a discussion

Music for opening titles

I thought I turn my hand to a television theme. The music would be to 30 seconds title sequence of a military orientated series. I'm happy with my general ideas, but it seems to lack punch. Opinions? What if I added a higher octave of horns or continued the harp (which may have been masked in the mp3 encoding)? Any suggestions/comments welcome.
Jun 22, 2011
James Semple replied to James G. Watson's discussion How to get a wide sound?
"Hi David, At the moment I'm using LASS which is pre-panned. If I want a more extreme sound I might push the 1st violins a touch left and the cellos right. I think just panning the 4 sections should suffice. Of course it depends on how the…"
Nov 17, 2010
Andrew Gleibman replied to James G. Watson's discussion How to get a wide sound?
"It's an exciting thread. Can anybody recommend some layman level -- and maybe more advanced -- literature / links about mixing, compression, limiters, adding echo / reverb / stereo / width effects etc?"
Nov 17, 2010
DavidQuaas replied to James G. Watson's discussion How to get a wide sound?
"Wow James, that sounds like a great hint to me, I'm also in need of some good stereo sound for my orchestral midi-libraries. So for the stereo sound of an entire orchestra you would pan the first violins in let's say three different pan…"
Nov 16, 2010
Andrew Gleibman replied to James G. Watson's discussion How to get a wide sound?
"It is very interesting example Ray. I understand that this track contains a sequence of guitar chords and then the same sequence with the addition of its left and right panned versions. The following phenomenon I cannot explain: using (quite good)…"
Nov 16, 2010
James Semple replied to James G. Watson's discussion How to get a wide sound?
"Hi James, could you explain what you're trying to do here? Do you want individual instruments to sound wider in the mix or the entire mix to sound wider? For the former situation then you can do this by adding 2 more reverbs that are panned…"
Nov 16, 2010
Andrew Gleibman replied to James G. Watson's discussion How to get a wide sound?
"In my experience (which is quite basic) you cannot do this convincingly enough. The instruments / groups of instruments should be recorded / sampled in this way. I hope I am wrong. ."
Nov 16, 2010
James G. Watson posted a discussion

How to get a wide sound?

Does anybody know how to get a wide sound when using digital instruments (VSTs)? I know pan and a bit of reverb can be used to great effect but it can only go so far. I have tried using digital effects such as 'stereo widening' but that doesn't really help either. Is the only way to duplicate individual instrument tracks and alter them slightly?See More
Nov 14, 2010
James G. Watson replied to Ryland Lafferty's discussion New Piece - feedback/criticism welcome!
"First of all, it sounds great - very Danny Elfman/Tim Burton. The build up iinnhe first minutte is very effective and I do get the mood changes. The only thing that seems out of place for me is from 2:28 to 2:42. I don't know whether it's…"
Nov 14, 2010
John Scigulinsky left a comment for James G. Watson
"Hi! I use EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Gold mainly. These instruments are not exactly cheap, but they really sound good. As for equipment, I use M-Audio Axiom 49 midi controller."
Sep 19, 2010

Comment Wall (3 comments)

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At 4:35pm on February 3, 2012, Beth Patterson said…

Just discovered your percussion track - as a dummer it's very refreshing to hear!

At 4:32pm on February 3, 2012, Beth Patterson said…

Been dipping in and out of your music this eve - nice variety.

At 2:04am on September 19, 2010, John Scigulinsky said…
Hi! I use EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Gold mainly. These instruments are not exactly cheap, but they really sound good. As for equipment, I use M-Audio Axiom 49 midi controller.
 
 
 

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