Looking for orchestration feedback on a short piece

It seems that you're getting a sort of metallic sounding wash of mid high to high frequencies that are too prevalent in the mix. I think it's largely the reverb (or in combination with similar sounding samples) so I would shut the reverb off (as well as any other reflective sounds, convolution etc.,) and then listen to your orchestration. Any instruments that still convey that sound should be replaced. Even if it's strings with more natural sounding strings or winds with better winds etc.

As to the arrangement, since you have a featured flute, why not listen to the opening of Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and see how he accompanies and frames it with the orchestra to where it's easily heard. You generally don't want competing frequencies with a featured instrument so you might consider carving out a space for it in the orchestra (though you may have done that which is why I made my first comment about unwanted or unnecessary frequencies being present.)

Musically, in the case of that loud rush that occurs in the orchestra which signals a transition, you may want to slow the tempo of the rush or even just the first half, and then a little slower (or even faster) on the second half of it. You also may want to slow a beat or two before the rush. Right now you can hear the computer control and that everything is at an unyielding same tempo. You want to hear the orchestra prepare for it (the slightest halting feeling) and then execute it musically with expression. Everything at an identical tempo will be heard since it's not natural to group musical performance.

Nice music.

Edit: Sorry I didn't see that the score was linked so I'll have a look.

In looking at the score it definitely seems to me that the main issue is your sounds/samples. An inexpensive solution would be the East West Composer Cloud which I think runs 20 bucks a month. You'll get a much more realistic sounding rendition and hear far more what you have on the page. I think your music deserves that.

Hey Dave, thanks for the feedback.

Dave Connor said:

It seems that you're getting a sort of metallic sounding wash of mid high to high frequencies that are too prevalent in the mix. I think it's largely the reverb (or in combination with similar sounding samples) so I would shut the reverb off (as well as any other reflective sounds, convolution etc.,) and then listen to your orchestration. Any instruments that still convey that sound should be replaced. Even if it's strings with more natural sounding strings or winds with better winds etc.

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I think I'm hitting NP's reverb a bit hard. I'll back it off and listen for what you're referring to.

Dave Connor said:

As to the arrangement, since you have a featured flute, why not listen to the opening of Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and see how he accompanies and frames it with the orchestra to where it's easily heard. You generally don't want competing frequencies with a featured instrument so you might consider carving out a space for it in the orchestra (though you may have done that which is why I made my first comment about unwanted or unnecessary frequencies being present.)

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Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't listened to that piece in a while (was referencing Tchaikovsky a bit more), but I'll take a listen and grab a score from IMSLP.

Dave Connor said:

Musically, in the case of that loud rush that occurs in the orchestra which signals a transition, you may want to slow the tempo of the rush or even just the first half, and then a little slower (or even faster) on the second half of it. You also may want to slow a beat or two before the rush. Right now you can hear the computer control and that everything is at an unyielding same tempo. You want to hear the orchestra prepare for it (the slightest halting feeling) and then execute it musically with expression. Everything at an identical tempo will be heard since it's not natural to group musical performance.

Click to expand...

This is a helpful suggestion, thank you!

Dave Connor said:

Nice music.

Edit: Sorry I didn't see that the score was linked so I'll have a look.

In looking at the score it definitely seems to me that the main issue is your sounds/samples. An inexpensive solution would be the East West Composer Cloud which I think runs 20 bucks a month. You'll get a much more realistic sounding rendition and hear far more what you have on the page. I think your music deserves that.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I was hoping to get it to a good place compositionally with NotePerformer, then take on the work with samples. I guess these days it's hard to separate those tasks. Thanks for the encouragement!

dyross said:

I think I'm hitting NP's reverb a bit hard. I'll back it off and listen for what you're referring to...

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Listening to music done in notation programs can be soul-killing. Even when you export the midi to a DAW you still have to hammer it into something completely different to try and breath life into it and make it tolerable.

dyross said:

Thanks for the encouragement!

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You strike me as a natural born composer. You should be encouraged. Keep forging ahead and work on enhancing the sound of your work. It's very good.