<Pony><Original>Look Towards the Core [Project Horizons]

[Alycs]

Another song made in LMMS; this one is based around The Core of Hoofington from Fallout Equestria: Project Horizons.
https://soundcloud.com/alycs/look-towards-the-core-project

Comments and Criticisms welcome as always.

[PhillyPu]

Great use of delay and the introduction drew me right in! Ambient "vocals" sound amazing. (Perhaps a pan automation could make this better?) This starts out so flowingly, that when the synths came in on 1:05, I was a bit startled. Perhaps a filter cut-off automation? Interesting contrasting melody 1:32! Loved how you bring it together with the initial theme. Haha, sounds like you had fun playing with the sfx. For the "breakdown" section near 2:55, you can perhaps pan automate the hi hat? Just a thought. Sound design for that melody could use a bit of polish at 3:20.

I'll admit, structure-wise, I was a bit iffy on what you were going for. You had moments of buildups, and others of breakdowns, but it feels very jumbled together. Great conclusion though, enjoyed it.

And, as apparent on the SoundCloud viewer, that perhaps a compressor is needed? Or at least don't make the two "peaks" so loud.

This was a pretty interesting track! Keep it up~

[hackd]

Nice use of effects on the lead. It sounds like you're going for a more passive soundscape, but I would still consider increasing the presence of the percussion. I think you should try to isolate the drop more; you kind of just roll into main beat at 2:00. Consider taking out some of the elements just prior and/or have some swelling effect. I also thought the FX at 2:14 and 2:48 were too loud.

But good job; nice piece.

[VaporBlaze]

1:05 The synth you introduce doesn't fit with the rest of the piece, imo. It's a fine sound alone, but the rest of the song has a really nice, eerie, other-worldly feel, and that synth just sounds kind of generic and up beat.

2:14 Cool effect, but it sounds like it clips a little bit. Same deal at 2:49.

I really like the para-eq envelope thing at 3:21, and all the other instances of it.

Your "melody" (I'm bad with terms, but the main beep boop beep thingy) sounds really good, it is varied enough to keep me interested, but follows a unified pattern that keeps it from sounding like a random collection of notes.

Overall: I think you should boost the bass by a lot, I could barely pick it out, and nice eerie music like this should have a strong low end imo.
Finally, I would work on the drums. It seems like all you had is a high-hat going the whole time. Some really heavy industrial, metal-clanky sounds and epic low orchestral drums would be a good touch.
Check out this song at 1:05 to see what I mean. It's one of my favorite instrumental tracks, and he absolutely nails the percussion!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v32UGkjBTd8
Using a rack like that, I think, would definitely give your piece more power.