"The symphony should embrace the whole world"... so that's what
you're going to do with your first symphony? An ambitious soul you
are, cool! How many movements will there be?

I liked the sounds you've put together. However, I didn't hear much
repetition or variations or development of a theme, so it seemed rather
short for a symphonic movement. Also, the main theme that finally
takes hold at the end is mostly based on a stock GB Jampack loop,
which was sort of a let down.

The orchestration is good, crisp and well separated... I hate muddy
music, unless its really good powerful muddy music, like Wagner :-)

I look forward to how this progresses, hopefully someday I too can
work up to trying a symphony.

ttfn,
Drakonis

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I'm sorry you were disappointed Drakonis. Loops are all I have to work with for
the time being. I really need to buy a MIDI controller, but I don't know which one
nor do I have the money right now.

God bless,

Rick


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Oh, I think "disappointed" is far too strong. What I meant to say was that I was
enjoying how the piece was going and sounding, and was saddened when I
recognized a pretty-much-unaltered JP4 loop near the end, and also that there
was no repetition of some of the cool themes you put in there. I think there is a
lot of room for you to repeat and expand on those great sounds, and I wanted to
hear it go on longer... so OK, I guess I could say I was disappointed that it ended
so soon... but I think that's a good thing :-) I would vote for you repeating
certain parts of this so the listener can revisit "the good bits".
ttfn,
Drakonis

---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there

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Ok, thanks very much for your suggestions. I appreciate them, I really do. I will
take it back to the drawing board.

God bless,

Rick


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I like the mood and feeling of this piece--as it changes from stately to
somewhat somber.
Yes, you've composed this with loops (and some of them familiar), yet
putting loops together is, in itself, a challenge.
You've done well in organizing and matching these loops. There were
some very nice progressions shaped this composition.

I'm curious--do you use the JP4 Classical Master Track settings?

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Thank you so much Cat, for commenting and voting. I always highly favor
your opinion.

Yes, composing with loops can be challenging, with so many to choose from.
And, it is sometimes frustrating. Unlike composing with notation, I can't make
any desired changes to a melody line, especially since I don't have a MIDI
controller.

No, I didn't use the JP4 Classical Master Track, except to play with the time
and key signatures.

Speaking of MIDI, which controller do you use and are you satisfied with it?

God bless,

Rick


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I use the MAudio 61es keystation. I chose it because it has semi-weighted keys, which for me is an absolute must because I'm used to playing on an acoustic piano. I am happy with it, though I still have to go into the track editor afterward and adjust the individual velocity of some of the notes because it is just not as sensitive as a 'real' piano keyboard.
I'd love to get a Clavinova--maybe one day!

I asked about using the Classical Master Track settings because you might find it 'evens out' some of the differences in the loops that you're using. There are presets such as "Warm Classical," "Bright and Airy" (one of my favorite settings) and others that adjust reverb/echo/compression values to all tracks.
It's also fun to see how these settings affect the overall sound of the piece.



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Thank you so much for the GB tip. I also received tips from Curry on
mellowing my guitar recordings using different GB settings. I've got a lot of
experimenting to do (oh boy, oh boy, oh boy). :-)

I asked about your MIDI controller because the instruments in your
compositions sound so real. I have a Kawai digital piano here (that I'm
teaching myself piano and sight reading on), but it's not a MIDI device so I
can't control the software instruments in GB with it. I researched the internet
and found the 61es to be under $200, so I might be able to get one next
month.

Hope you get your Clavinova some day. Isn't that also a digital piano as
opposed to a MIDI controller?



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Yes--I got the 61es Keystation because it was affordable! Nothing beats the
touch of fully-weighted keys, but this will do for now. Being able to go in
and adjust velocities in the track editor helps a lot, too

The Clavinova is a digital piano with *wonderful* touch and sensitivity. And
some nice effects. It's also rather expensive! :) But one day...!

Good luck with experimenting there in GarageBand! Once you get the hang of
it, it all becomes quite fun!

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I thought this was beautiful. I wouldn't have known this was GB
loops...probably because all I use them for is drums, but it's got a nice
flow. Very nice.

hln

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Thank you Heather. Yes, if you don't have a way to control the software
instruments in GB then loops is the way to go.

God bless,

Rick


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I am overwhelmed with the beauty of this piece and awed by your
compositional sense. I'm afraid I'm just going to have to be a fan. Perhaps
even a disciple.

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And again, I welcome you with open arms to my "fan club". :-) As for being a
disciple? Please, no, not that. Be only a disciple of Jesus Christ, for He is the only
one deserving of such an honor.

God bless,


Rick


---
<b>Latest Song: </b><a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17707"> The Fall of Man</a>

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I wanna here more of this nice piece.

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Rick you are amazing. Such a beautiful creation from loops. A very warm
gracious work. I%u2019m pretty new to GB and haven%u2019t come close to
understanding let alone mastering loops. To create such a fine work from
them is amazing. Thanks for this post and for checking out my music as
well.
Charlie Mazarakes

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We Irish tend to think of our beautiful home as Eden, when my wife and I travelled to the Blue Lakes of Killarny, there is a waterfall, we would lay down and listen to the wind,bidrs,and water,she loved to go to concerts with her dad, this music and the photo are exactly what I remember, her and your music.
Slainte'
Seamus

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