Boardgame Soundtrack with BBC SO Discover

Uladzimir

Hello all!

https://soundcloud.com/thelonewarbler/scythe-overture

I’ve just written some kind of an Overture just using BBC SO Discover (with some addings of SA Originals Intimate Strings). The score is actually inspired by one of my favorite board games — Scythe — and intented to be like a soundtrack for it :)

This is my first to write only for symphonic orchestra (I used to write hybrid scores) and I’m very interested in your opinion what parts of the score are good and what parts could be made better :)

Also, I would be really appreciated for any notices about orchestration :)

Thank you :)

P.S. I wish to tell many thanks to Spitfire Audio for sharing such a wonderfull library for free. Without them it wouldn’t be possible for me to create a symphonic score :)

Jonathan

I really enjoyed listening to this. Very nicely done! Good use of dynamics throughout, and it sounds like you paid attention to the linearity of each part, not just thinking vertically about harmonic function. Each instrument's part is interesting on it's own, while successfully contributing to overall harmony and melody.

If I were to suggest anything, it may be to develop a few more contrapuntal textures. I don't mean 18th-century counterpoint stuff, but rather parts that are contributing something other than melody or main rhythmic figures. But again, this is only my approach. Some themes call for more minimalist approaches, and as the composer only you can decide where you want it to reside with regards to density.

Advice I was given by one of my composition professors: "You can write anything you like, in any style or way that you like. But always have a reason for every single note or rest."

Thanks for sharing your composition with this forum. I would like to echo your sentiment regarding Spitfire sharing such an amazing library for free. I know it has been a game changer for many composers. It certainly was for me.

Londoneye330

Lovely piece. The choice of instruments are quite well. As mentioned above, each instrument plays a specific yet unique role in the overall mix. Another thing I may add is that you have used BBCSO Discover to its strength - sometimes in order for something to sound convincing, you have to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of each library, and try to showcase the strengths. This library isn't suitable for all sorts of music - which is something I seem to have not noticed when I started composing. It seems like you have used all the very convincing parts of BBCSO in your unique way, and it sounds amazing.

As for suggestions, one point I should make is that the brass line at 8:04 is slightly too dry and too loud, I would add a tiny bit more reverb and maybe lower it down

Amazing piece overall!

SigmaWaveProds

Great stuff 👌🏼 Fantastic composition, you did a great job at using your reverb space to compensate for BBC SO Discover's dynamics limitations. Awesome work, looking forward to more 😁

Uladzimir

https://community.spitfireaudio.com/discussion/comment/9194#Comment_9194

I get your point and I do agree with you regarding use of counterpoint. Actually, I were thinking about adding some density and movement in some parts too but didn't do that because of lack of time: I made a deadline for myself for this piece because it still difficult for me to work on pure symphonic score and I was afraid to just leave it unfinished. I think I will spent some time practicing on making some fugatto and thematic elaboration in different voices to become familiar with such practice in the future so I won't skip it :)

"You can write anything you like, in any style or way that you like. But always have a reason for every single note or rest."

This is the advice that worth be printed and pinned right over my working table :)

Thank you so much for such a useful comment :)

Uladzimir

https://community.spitfireaudio.com/discussion/comment/9213#Comment_9213

"sometimes in order for something to sound convincing, you have to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of each library, and try to showcase the strengths"

That's a good catch! I haven't thought about that! Thank you for such a useful advice :)

By the way, in this particular case I had some troubles with strings and brass sections to sound soft enough in some passages, so I still find some transition passages too muddy :( I think it's also related to a lack of dynamics in Discover version. But anyway: the library still sounds surprisingly good for it's "price"! :)

Uladzimir

https://community.spitfireaudio.com/discussion/comment/9215#Comment_9215

Thank you for such a kind words :)

Actually, I'm going to continue writing a soundtrack for this board game using themes shown in the Overture. So, I will be happy to share upcoming stuff with you :)

Londoneye330

https://community.spitfireaudio.com/discussion/comment/9226#Comment_9226

Yeah definitely agree, BBCSO Discover only has one layer of dynamics, which is a problem. If you have intimate strings, you can make rack that combines both of them, so you can blend both of the sounds.