[Music] Pieces of X

[Silver Surfer]

After much deliberation I've decided to submit a few pieces of music for consideration into the X-Box. I have limited skill when it comes to this so don't be too harsh in the criticism

EDIT: Expired link removed.

NEW LINK in Sig.

Be advised that on downloading and saving, it saves with the following title e.g. _(Escape from) Sector 347.mp3_ You need to rename it without the preceding and following underscores i.e. remove these _ _ and Windows will now recognise it as an mp3 and play it in MP or whatever you use. Why this happens I dunno.

Hopefully someone apart from my dogs will like it. (Actually they don't like it really, they just humour me).

BTW when is the closing date for submissions?

EDIT: I've added 3 more pieces for possible inclusion - 'March of the Xenon', 'Unknown Sector' and 'Shore of Infinity'. Be aware that there may be variations in volume as I'm still getting to grips with mixing/mastering.

Ps I've also put the correct link in. Nothing like being quick on the uptake and that was nothing like it

[gsheriston]

BTW when is the closing date for submissions?

I understand it's 1st November. So I should probably be busy writing...

[Silver Surfer]

I understand it's 1st November.

Ah, thanks for that.

So I should probably be busy writing...

Me too!

[Silver Surfer]

I've added another piece titled 'Colossus Rising'. Use link in the first post.

A peaceful sector disturbed by raiders brings the Colossus up from the depths to deal death and destruction and restore the peace.

Has anyone actually downloaded any of these? Could someone verify that everything works ok?

[Silver Surfer]

I've put a small piece of Sector music up, only 1m 25s long called 'Wretched Skies'. Due to a computer freeze I wasn't able to go back in and change the mixing so it is a bit loud in sections, be careful!

Link for it and the other pieces is now in my sig.

I've set up a blog to record Snarly's forays into music making for anyone that's interested.

[Silver Surfer]

I've added two more pieces titled, 'Dogfight Mamba' and 'Kha'ak Sector 841' for anyone that's interested.

The first is an attempt to re-create the feeling of dogfighting in a Mamba Raider (X3R) and the second is basically what it felt like when I entered the beautiful Kha'ak sector (X3TC) before being zapped by the insects!

[clevider]

Thank you for sharing these. I've already replaced the stock music for Shores of Infinity with your piece and will probably replace at least two more when I find the relevant sectors and music (it would seem wrong to disjoin them from their inspirations).

I thought the missile samples and explosions were slightly overused in "Colossus Rising," but it definitely fits the theme and I liked it overall. I would certainly use it to replace one of the tired Boron stock pieces, but as it is, the placidness of their sectors doesn't match.

All the downloads worked fine for me and none necessitated a filename change in order to play. Also, I haven't noticed any volume inconsistencies. Good job; I hope you produce more!

[Silver Surfer]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post and thank you for your kind words.

At least I know that the downloads work, which I've been concerned about ever since I put the first one up.

As to the music, it never occurred to me that anyone would actually use them in the game itself! I've always written them as expressions of my experiences and feelings when playing X. Hence why there are pieces with (approximations of) laser fire and explosions. It's what happened when I was there!

You may be correct about the 'laser' fire in Colossus Rising, it's difficult to know what is overdone and what is just right. Due to various limitations, I have to get each piece written/mixed and saved on the same day. At three o'clock in the morning I'm starting to get a bit frazzled so I go with something rather than refine it further. The first chord that indicates the Colossus is on its way up from the deep still gives me goosebumps and I've heard it a hundred times!

I've put another piece on the list which is called 'Loneliness of a Universe Trader'. It's my take on those poor souls travelling the dark nether regions of space on our behalf. I hope you like it.

Once again, thanks for your reply, it means a great deal that someone likes what I'm doing.

[Silver Surfer]

I've managed to complete the tenth piece of X inspired music and have put it with the others (link in Sig). It's titled 'X-Beyond The Frontier' and was made whilst musing about the origins of the X series. You could call it a theme, I guess. Hmmm, maybe I should have called it that, 'XBTF Theme' or 'Theme for XBTF'. Oh well.

As I no longer have access to a decent pc or Windows (I'm using an ancient rig running Linux for this) due to major hardware failure it may be a while before I get to upload any more music.

Is that groans or cheers I'm hearing?

[Silver Surfer]

Guess who's back, back again... Aww nuts, it's been done before.

Well I've got the pc replaced (details on blog) and have uploaded two more pieces, Oort Cloud and Duke's Citadel for anyone that wants them.

I've got two more tracks in mind and that'll be a wrap, for Vol 1 at least. Worry ye not, Volume 2 will be appearing in a sector near you in the not too distant future.

I know, I know, you can barely contain the excitement...

[Silver Surfer]

I've uploaded the final two tracks to complete 'Pieces of X Vol I', they are 'Nathan's Voyage' and 'Earth (Homecoming)'.

I've put all the tracks into one folder so it can be downloaded as a zip file for anyone that hasn't downloaded any so far.

I've also done the cd covers and lightscribe images for anyone that may want them. They only work in SureThing CD labeler though. If anyone wants them let me know. I've produced ten finished cds so far for friends that wanted them. Are these the first steps in a blossoming musical career? I very much doubt it but then, that was never the point.

I've had fun doing it irrespective of how they've been received and am commencing work on Vol II... you lucky, lucky people...

Snarly Griblett will return in 'Pieces of X Volume II'.

[Silver Surfer]

Volume II of Pieces of X makes its first appearance courtesy of Snarly Griblett's over active musical mind.

Two tracks to start the collection off, 'Maelstrom' and 'Teladi Kestrel'. More details on Snarly's blog.

The tracks are in the folder imaginatively titled 'Pieces of X Vol II', as I'm sure you will have guessed!

Enjoy! (Hopefully).

[metalvenom]

Some of these are great tracks
Would you mind if I maybe used some part or full in my videos?

[Silver Surfer]

Hi MetalVenom

Glad you liked some of the music. You are more than welcome to use whichever tracks you wish to, all I'd ask is a small credit somewhere on the video.

I'm flattered that someone as highly regarded as yourself would like to use some of my work, thanks a lot for that.

If you're ever likely to consider a co-opt project then let me know. It's something I've thought about for a while so maybe it's a possibility for the future.

Thanks for posting, it's made my day!

[Silver Surfer]

As Xmas approaches so the pace gets more frenetic!

I've uploaded another two tracks for your enjoyment; 'Akeela's Beacon' (based on the sector in X2) and 'Jupiter'.

They are a step change from the previous groove orientated 'Teladi Kestrel'. Melodic (hopefully!) and, in the case of 'Jupiter' more expansive, as befitting its status.

I hope you like!

[metalvenom]

I like Jupiter but Akeela's Beacon did seem a bit empty, needs a bass line somewhere maybe

as for music for a video. I am looking for a good battle scene track. lots of dramatic drums and tension. think BSG mixed with trailer music ( if that makes sense lol )

I would like to know what you use to compose your tracks?

anywayI'm always open for a chat on MSN contact "richardportley@aol.com" or skype "richardportley" if you fancy a chat

[Tomonor]

I like Jupiter but Akeela's Beacon did seem a bit empty, needs a bass line somewhere maybe

as for music for a video. I am looking for a good battle scene track. lots of dramatic drums and tension. think BSG mixed with trailer music ( if that makes sense lol )

I would like to know what you use to compose your tracks?

anywayI'm always open for a chat on MSN contact "richardportley@aol.com" or skype "richardportley" if you fancy a chat

may I add you too? D:

[metalvenom]

sure you can

[Silver Surfer]

Well Akeela's Beacon was composed to be (at the time) the antithisis of Teladi Kestrel so spare or empty if you prefer, was exactly what I was hoping to achieve. Maybe I succeeded too well.

British Society of Gastroenterology? I don't get it.

Unless you're looking for a sort of one size fits all approach then (as in films) the music is usually written to follow the action, so that would require me to have the video with no soundtrack and to fit music to it. There are many problems to overcome though so I wouldn't suggest it for something you need quite soon.

I use FLStudio 9 with an M-Audio Oxygen midi controller and a whole lot of self-belief as I'm not a trained musician. I know, you're thinking, 'you don't say'!

I'll drop you a line sometime.

Ps There's usually a more in-depth background to the things I do on the blog.

[metalvenom]

I do myself edit the music to fit the video yes. but also edit the film at times to fit the music lol

I think your tracks are good tbh, though usually I am one for more bass and dramatic drums etc, I like them

I actually bought an expensive keyboard to start composing my own music but as of yet not really delved into that area yet.

edit,
Stuff like this is my cup of tea so to speak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=137xoq_D ... re=related

above was created by a young composer like yourself.