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kaind
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 17:37:40 GMT Kroitz and hector535 like this

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Post by kaind on Apr 20, 2017 17:37:40 GMT

I am a Music Tech student currently studying the Sound for Image module. For our assignment we had to pick any trailer and do a complete sound design from scratch which includes composing and producing a soundtrack, designing all sound effects which we had to either record ourselves or produce through FM synthesis and also do a complete voiceover.

So I chose the Andromeda trailer.

The trailer doesn't need to be completely like the original, we were allowed to improvise to a degree so long as the sound fits what is happening on the screen. Don't judge too harsh as I am just one person and all the actors are just my friends.

But I decided that some feedback from fans of Mass effect would be nice, as I tried to replicate the atmosphere from Mass Effect, though some sounds were very hard to design and I had to supplement for something else, like gunfire being more similar to star wars for example.

Anyway here is the trailer and tell me what you think and what could be done better in your opinion, as I still have time to modify it before I submit my assignment:

Edit: Also when you give feedback it would be very helpful if you mentioned what you used for listening e.g. headphones, speakers, inbuilt-laptop speaker etc.

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 18:12:24 GMT by kaind

FeralEwok
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 17:56:40 GMT kaind likes this

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Post by FeralEwok on Apr 20, 2017 17:56:40 GMT

I think it would help a lot if you brought the music volume down and raised the volume of the voices and sound effects. The volume of the music overwhelms everything else in the video.

Music wise it sounds closer to club music than intense trailer music, but it's not a bad piece. I'm not sure if it fits, but then again I've played Mass Effect and care about the series. Your professor might not know and would be less biased towards the original soundtrack.

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 17:57:16 GMT by FeralEwok

RoboticWater
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:03:36 GMT kaind likes this

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Post by RoboticWater on Apr 20, 2017 18:03:36 GMT

Music choice is good, though I get more of a cyberpunk vibe from it than an epic space adventure.
The dialog tracks could bear to be a little louder. Right now, I think they're in this awkward zone where the voices seem like they should be in the foreground, but they sink a little too far behind the music.
The voice acting is pretty solid, though I feel like the actors held back on the yelling (e.g. "they have access"). That could just be because of my previous issue though.
Some of the sounds like the architect screech could benefit from a little more bass. Maybe I'm just a bit too obsessed with the Reaper screeches though...
The gun pew effects at 1:10 (I think that's what they are) are a bit too weak. If you could give it a bit more of an oomph, it might tie in well with the music cutting back in.
It's not a huge thing, but I'd rename your youtube video to specify that it isn't the actual trailer (unless its unlisted, in which case it's fine). As a student of Machine Learning, I'm a bit of a stickler for properly labelled data.

All in all, good work. Other than the amplitude of the VO, it's mainly just those nitpicks.

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 18:06:04 GMT by RoboticWater

kaind
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:04:05 GMT

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Post by kaind on Apr 20, 2017 18:04:05 GMT

Apr 20, 2017 17:56:40 GMT FeralEwok said:

I think it would help a lot if you brought the music volume down and raised the volume of the voices and sound effects. The volume of the music overwhelms everything else in the video.

Noted.

Apr 20, 2017 17:56:40 GMT FeralEwok said:

Music wise it sounds closer to club music than intense trailer music, but it's not a bad piece. I'm not sure if it fits, but then again I've played Mass Effect and care about the series. Your professor might not know and would be less biased towards the original soundtrack.

I personally felt like the commercial piece in the original trailer didn't exactly fit the original trailer.

So question about this one - does the piece ( even if it sounds clubby ) atmospherically fit the Mass effect universe in your opinion? As in sounds futuristic and sic-fi?

kaind
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:08:15 GMT

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Post by kaind on Apr 20, 2017 18:08:15 GMT

Apr 20, 2017 18:03:36 GMT RoboticWater said:

Music choice is good, though I get more of a cyberpunk vibe from it than an epic space adventure.
The dialog tracks could bear to be a little louder. Right now, I think they're in this awkward zone where the voices seem like they should be in the foreground, but they sink a little too far behind the music.
The voice acting is pretty solid, though I feel like the actors held back on the yelling (e.g. "they have access"). That could just be because of my previous issue though.
Some of the sounds like the architect screech could benefit from a little more bass. Maybe I'm just a bit too obsessed with the Reaper screeches though...
The gun pew effects at 1:10 (I think that's what they are) are a bit too weak. If you could git it a bit more of an oomph, it might tie in well with the music cutting back in.
It's not a huge thing, but I'd rename your youtube video to specify that it isn't the actual trailer (unless its unlisted, in which case it's fine). As a student of Machine Learning, I'm a bit of a stickler for properly labelled data.

All in all, good work. Other than the amplitude of the VO, it's mainly just those nitpicks.

The trailer is unlisted.

Actors held off from yelling because we didn't want to catch excessive reverberation from the room, as our recording room is far from perfect in this regard.

Everything else - noted, thx for the feedback.

FeralEwok
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:16:34 GMT Mikado, DalishRanger, and 1 more like this

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Post by FeralEwok on Apr 20, 2017 18:16:34 GMT

Apr 20, 2017 18:04:05 GMT kaind said:

Apr 20, 2017 17:56:40 GMT FeralEwok said:

I think it would help a lot if you brought the music volume down and raised the volume of the voices and sound effects. The volume of the music overwhelms everything else in the video.

Noted.

Apr 20, 2017 17:56:40 GMT FeralEwok said:

Music wise it sounds closer to club music than intense trailer music, but it's not a bad piece. I'm not sure if it fits, but then again I've played Mass Effect and care about the series. Your professor might not know and would be less biased towards the original soundtrack.

I personally felt like the commercial piece in the original trailer didn't exactly fit the original trailer.

So question about this one - does the piece ( even if it sounds clubby ) atmospherically fit the Mass effect universe in your opinion? As in sounds futuristic and sic-fi?

I'd agree about the original trailer, I thought the change in style of music for it was off and would have preferred Two Steps From Hell even if it might have been playing it safe.

I'd say the first 26-27 seconds of build up music feels appropriate. There is an air of mystery since you are in a new unknown place, that steady cadence (and you'll have to forgive me as I know nothing about music or the technical side of it) accompanied by the explanation that the situation is serious and requires people to get to work feels right to me.

Once Ryder opens the doors and the music changes is where I see the problem in tone. It'd be great and fitting even if the trailer at that point was more on the exploratory side of the game. Seeing weird visuals, weird aliens, foreign and strange worlds...In that regard I could see it being in a Mass Effect game. It just doesn't underscore the danger in the trailer. There's a lot of action taking place and the pace from that point onward is faster than the more relaxed pace of the music.

Actors held off from yelling because we didn't want to catch excessive reverberation from the room, as our recording room is far from perfect in this regard.

If you throw some blankets up and around your recorder that could help catch that reverb. Or those cheap foam mattress inserts

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 18:19:18 GMT by FeralEwok

DalishRanger
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:18:48 GMT via mobile kaind likes this

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Post by DalishRanger on Apr 20, 2017 18:18:48 GMT

I'm going to second the music track sounds too club/cyberpunk to fit. It's nice, but it feels out of place. Mind, someone not familiar with ME might think it's fine, so hard to gauge that from a general standpoint. The footage feels more epic adventure/action, and the music just isn't hitting that for me. EDIT: FeralEwok covers the specifics as to why quite well, I'd agree with their assessment.

Other critques already mentioned are on point, particularly lowering the volume of the music and increasing the volume of the voices. The only other thing I'd add is a nitpick: Archon's "kill them all" part sounds too calm, kind of out of flow with the action and visual build up. I'd make it more aggressive if possible, but it's a minor detail.

Overall, good work, would love to see the final version.

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 18:28:31 GMT by DalishRanger

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blaw
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:27:29 GMT kaind likes this

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Post by blaw on Apr 20, 2017 18:27:29 GMT

I liked it that you are using music with synthesizer. Especially the last few seconds are very sci fi.
Please stick with that kind of music, it is much more authentic than the original trailer music but the music is lacking the typical punch that most trailer songs have. Good examples are of course two steps from hell but don't use that. In my opinion their music doesn't reflect science fiction and especially not Mass Effect. How about a song from one of the soundtracks

kaind
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:30:23 GMT

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Post by kaind on Apr 20, 2017 18:30:23 GMT

Apr 20, 2017 18:27:29 GMT blaw said:

How about a song from one of the soundtracks

I think you misunderstood a bit. I cannot USE any tracks for this assignment, the track you hear is the track that I had to compose and produce myself, that's the requirement, I study composition as well.

blaw
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:39:09 GMT DalishRanger and kaind like this

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Post by blaw on Apr 20, 2017 18:39:09 GMT

Apr 20, 2017 18:30:23 GMT kaind said:

Apr 20, 2017 18:27:29 GMT blaw said:

How about a song from one of the soundtracks

I think you misunderstood a bit. I cannot USE any tracks for this assignment, the track you hear is the track that I had to compose and produce myself, that's the requirement, I study composition as well.

Ah, sorry about that.
I just watched it again and I have to say it is really obvious that you composed it for the trailer. It goes perfectly with the pacing of the trailer, I am impressed.
Still I think it could get, sorry for using the word, a bit more epic. Just for a short time. I think the part from 0:50 would be perfect for that because nobody is talking and you already have a cool groove there.

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 18:40:24 GMT by blaw

rasande
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 18:45:01 GMT DalishRanger and kaind like this

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Post by rasande on Apr 20, 2017 18:45:01 GMT

I think the music is good but doesn't fit that type of trailer. It's quite mellow and even and what i'm picturing to this is something more along the lines of a drama/thriller or a movie about the criminal underground, the song builds some suspense but doesn't scream action! Epic adventure! I think a more orchestral and intense pice, with a strong hook fits that type better.

I like the pauses but like a said, lacks a hook or something to pull you in, even if i like the keyboard melody and sound. I don't know what and don't really know much about writing music, but both the bass line and melody are kind of buisy, i liked the orchestral/choir bits early in the song but they were a bit low. Maybe it would sound good if you put them in after the pause again?

timebean
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 19:15:22 GMT kaind likes this

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Post by timebean on Apr 20, 2017 19:15:22 GMT

I dig the futuristic sound, personally. Makes it seem clean and sci-fi-sih, rather than action/angsty. Kinda made me think of ME1.

Well done! (and agree that the initial voices need to be louder compared to the music. Especially the first line).

Sorry not more helpful...the only think I know about music is playing hobbit-songs on my piano (badly)!

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2017 19:17:32 GMT by timebean

n7ltrobbiesann7
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 20, 2017 21:44:21 GMT kaind likes this

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Post by n7ltrobbiesann7 on Apr 20, 2017 21:44:21 GMT

Well, I'd chime in but others have already said what I would. Good job overall though. All the best.

maximusarael020
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BSN help me get a good grade Apr 21, 2017 1:23:30 GMT kaind likes this

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Post by maximusarael020 on Apr 21, 2017 1:23:30 GMT

I like it! I think the music fits the overall tone of the video. I will agree that the voice volume should be higher, as it is covered by the music a bit. I think where there are explosions and especially when the three people jump down and then hit the ground there should be some more bass, or at least more of a sound incorporating the music and the action. Some drum beats matching the visual cue.

My biggest "issue" is this: right after the Archon says "Kill them all." there should be a significant uptick/change in the music. More strings or something, maybe some background vocals or something. I don't do a lot with music, so I'm not quite sure what it needs, but the video builds to that moment, and the music does too to a certain extent, but then it just falls back to the same score. It needs more in that section.

I like the sound effects you chose. They work very well, especially when the goes off toward that ringed planet near the beginning. The sound when the Nomad goes by at the beginning could be louder, maybe a bit more bass, and the fade into the next shot instead of immediately cutting off. Same with the electric storm caused by the monolith soon after. You have a good sound effect which could be louder, but then it kind of abruptly cuts off when I think it could fade into the next frame, being a little longer than it is now.

Remember that I don't really know anything about this kind of stuff, that's just my own BS analysis, so if I'm totally off-base, no worries!

"Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man."
- The Dude

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