How do I compose my tracks? Part 1

I think there is no one specific way how to compose music. Composing is very personal matter, what works for you doesn't mean it works for me. Anyway, here are some points I keep in mind when I compose my tracks.

* I want to make sure I have a peaceful state of mind when I am going to make my tunes. The best possible musical results are possible in the as quiet environment as possible.I have a specific time in the day when I sit down and start playing with my synths. Usually that is in late evenings when my children are asleep. 1-2 hours a day, not everyday of course. I have to have peaceful environment and a situation when none is waiting for me.

* I like to work with several musical ideas in one session. That is the most inspiring way for me to make music. For example, at first I'm working on with my track#1 for about 15 minutes, then I save it, and I load track#2 and start working on with it. Possibly, after several minutes I save the changes I made to my track#2 and I load track#1 again for listening to it and making some changes again.

* there is no one specific way how I start composing a track. But here is one possible way I could do it: at first I create some kind of rhythmic track(s) with interesting bassline, propably drums and bass. Then I start working on with chorus part for the track with playing around stab chords that fits to the nice bassline and the rhythm. When chorus is ready, I usually start creating the main verse melodies for the track. I think intro is usually next, becouse I like to hear quite fast how the beginning of the track sounds. I save the idea, have a break listen to it in the next time. If it sounds good, then I continue to work with it. I make more variation for it. I can't stand too much repetition in music, usually.

To be continued... ;)

New Everdune album in 2013?

Hi everyone!

 It is no secret that I've been working on some new spacesynth tracks for my next album. The album project seems to go on pretty nicely although I've been very busy with my work and personal life lately. It is not a bad thing, some break can do wonders. Good news is that the composing process has gone brilliantly and I think the quality of the new material is at least in the same level than my music of my debut album. Also, I've learned some new mixing tricks too. If the things goes on as smoothly as this far, I strongly believe the album will be ready and released in 2013. So, now you are going to ask me is it going to be released in January or December 2013? I can't say that really yet, but I believe it is going to be earlier than Christmas time, actually lot earlier. And believe me, this time there won't be delays in releasing date.

Here are some details:

- I have composed around 30-40 short tracks (ideas) for my album during these last 3-4 years
- I have selected 12 best short tracks for my album: some high tempo, some midtempo and 2-3 ballads. Majority of the selected tracks are on high tempo.
- Some tracks are almost ready, some are in early stages.
- I've done the first version of possible tracklist for the album tracks. It can change, of course.
- Track names gets fixed time to time. I listen the short tracks and I try to find the best possible name for the tracks according to the mood.
- Album artwork is in the planning, I am doing it, possibly, myself now. Don't worry, I am a visual artist, so this is not a problem. Let's see... - the theme of the forthcoming album will continue in the same way as the first album was going.

So long!

Forbidden Worlds

New free Everdune track "Forbidden Worlds" is available to dowload!

Everdune - Forbidden Worlds

Old stuff: "Cruising on the Moon" -demos from 2007

Now, here are two old tracks of mine from 2007 - my early spacesynth compositions. They both are titled "Cruising on the Moon", but the first one is italoish version (demo) and the second one is more spacesynth/synthpop style track. The mixing is horrible (I was learning mixing back then) but they are in a way interesting to listen to. I suppose...

Cruising on the Moon (Demo)

Cruising on the Moon (Spacesynth)

Reach for the Skies (Mellow Version)

I mixed my old track again, here is a new updated versio of Reach for the Skies (mp3, VBR):


http://soundcloud.com/everdune/reach-for-the-skies-mellow

Legend of the Aces - tracks in detail and some background

1. Phenomenon - originally my old Amiga module, but is updated in every way for the album. The main parts, like chorus, is much like in the original, but the rest is totally different. To me the only possible album opener.
2. Dune Run - game music oriented track. One of the most easiest tracks I made for the album, compositionally not much tweaking from the beginning.
3. Beyond the Horizon - another easy made track, and I thought there need to be one or two slow tracks on the album.
4. Thunderstrike - originally the track was called "Arising Victorious", but I thought it was a bit too cheesy for a title. The track includes a speech sample where a woman's voice is saying "arising to the next level". Thunderstrike was almost dropped from the track list, but fortunately it was returned for the album.
5. Desert Empire - if some track could be called as an "emperor" of my album, this is the one. It was made in the beginning of my album progress, and somehow it guided the rest of the album into desert theme.
6. Operation Conquest - this track was the first track I've made for the album (if you don't count Dark Racer). Originally the title for it was "Wing Commander". One of the easiest tracks I made for the album.
7. Way of the Warrior - this one has some story telling feeling, and it was meant to. The album cover was ready when I did this one, and somehow the artwork inspired me.
8. Dark Racer - originally Dark Racer is made for a compilation album "Spacesynth Revolutions" (that includes the original version) before my album project, but later I wanted a bit updated version of it for my album. The track fits into the theme of the album perfectly. Btw. the most difficult for finalize of my album tracks...
9. Secret Movements - a bit different track for a change... as I wanted it to be. Very easy to compose, it felt natural and all flowed nicely.
10. Quantum Speed - I have to admit, at first I hated this track but Jouni convicted me that this is a good one. So, thanks to Jouni, this is on the album. :) I decided to release the short version of the track on the Assembly demo party music competition in 2009.
11. Legend of the Aces - the title track that is also the last track I finalized for my album. The rhythm differs from the rest of the album tracks. Easy to compose compared to many other tracks on the album.
12. Star Visions - I think I wanted some softer and futuristic feeling to the end of the album, as a bridge into the next album that has a bit more futuristic sound palette, in general.

A new location for my Everdune site

Hi,

welcome to my new website location. Being said that, this blog is now opened.

So, why this website? This site is created mainly for 1) myself, because I keep this as a diary type of thing and to me it is fun and progressive to write down some notes and thoughts about my music projects. I find it helpful. And of course this site is created for 2) anyone interested, for example spacesynth fans! All in one, I wanted to create a website for all the main information. I hope you will find some interesting stuff here. :)

Kind regards,

Saul