Adjusted limiter (boosted volume) for most FLEX samples
Adjusted volumes
Created one Background Strings bus
Fruit Stereo Enhancer at max separation
Used automation on Master – Volume and Background Strings
FX:
Fruity Stereo Enhancer at max separation on Background Strings Bus
Fruity Reverb on Harp and Master channel
Reflections
Work was spread out across two weeks. Two hours the first week to get the lines/note data in (read from MuseScore). Then did all the mixing the second week in one sitting. Didn’t set a hard deadline this time, so that became a 5 hr session… Still think it’s better to set a time deadline.
I watched FL Studio’s Mixing – Levels video and tried to use the -4.5 dB slope thing. Decided that didn’t fit this project well after re-listening to the original reference.
Created a bus for the first time, useful for bringing all the background strings down.
Don’t remember if I used any FX in Zelda SS Filesystem, but used a few here. My ear isn’t so sensitive/trained that I notice or desire more FX at this point.
Mostly focused on working with the channel volumes of the instruments and making it seem dynamic. So a lot of time spent on that; channel volume manipulation. I’m thinking that I should keep note velocity constant (or at low variability), adjust general volume of each insert, THEN manipulate channel volume moving forward.
FL Studio has a few more mixing videos, so I will explore at least the next one for the next project.
Separated all the voicings into different tracks this time. Think that’s probably the best way for now.
Automating master volume helped to fade the track out. I faded each individual instrument in at the beginning before learning about that.
Exported with Leave Remainder this time with Song Selection. Did start the track at measure 2 to prevent things from sounding glitchy…
After listening to this for the first time on my phone, I felt like things were clipping. After checking back at levels, the master channel never went above 0 dB, so my suspicions were DISPROVEN?! So I think my phone just sounds harsh.
There’s still a bit more “live” sounding noise in the background of the original. Definitely more alive. Mine still sounds a bit stale/plain. Some long notes that I faded out still sounded too synthetic.
Overall happy. About 3 times the length of Zelda and the strings were much more lively. Bus, FX, automation. 😀
