It seems like a long time since I posted any music visualizations. I didn't realize that I missed making them until I produced this video.
My original concept for this was an image of a computer playing by itself in a cathedral. Usually I take a digital instrument of some kind and sequence a performance as if I were playing an analogue instrument of some kind. However with this video I achieved a computerized sound by not having any dynamics or tempo changes. Its true that the volume changes a bit throughout. However this is due to the constructive interference of the overtone series of the four voices rather than any velocity changes or volume automation. I kept the fermatas in the score which may sound like tempo changes or rubato of some sort.
I used the excellent MAM player and Fubar2000 to provide the visualization for this video. The license for Fubar seems to restrict giving credit (?) which is why I did not give credit in the video or on Youtube.
I used Hollow Sun's Vermona for this video: http://www.hollowsun.com/HS2/products/vermona/index.htm I was absolutely shocked at the quality of this instrument. I bought it on sale for a really good price and was expecting a mediocre instrument. I got a top notch instrument. It is my opinion that with proper marketing Hollow Sun could get at least twice what they are currently asking for their instruments (but don't tell them that, I only bought this one so far!) The samples sound great, but what sets this one apart from most other Kontakt instruments is its implementation. Notes sound even across the keyboard (which unfortunately can not be said for all Kontakt instruments, especially bundled ones). It comes with presets that are a great starting point. But most importantly it has knobs, sliders, and a GUI that mimics the original hardware in such a way that you no longer feel that you are playing with a sample set, but an actual synthesizer. Top notch! I can't wait until I can scrape up some budget for more H. S. instruments. And by the way you don't have to wait for sale prices because the normal prices are far below what you would expect to pay for instruments of this quality (unless maybe H. S. reads this blog!)
I have implemented a big change starting with this video. I spent a good deal of time researching the new(ish) loudness standards for broadcast that have been suggested and adopted for the USA, Europe, and other parts of the world. I noticed upon review that my videos varied wildly in volume. This could cause discomfort, or at the very least an inconvenient listening experience for the viewer. Youtube does not have any loudness standards, nor is it likely to ever have them. However it is my hope that viewers will enjoy a comfortable listening level between my videos. I apologize for any inconvenience that may be caused by levels in previous videos, but I think that it is imperative to not revise too much. I am a perfectionist by nature and if I allow myself to revise then I will never move forward. Its true what they say: projects are never completed, only abandoned. There is not a single video on my channel that in my opinion does not need revision. This video was mastered at -18 LKFS (+/-1) using standard 1770-2, with a maximum peak of -3Db (actual peak about -4.5) before encoding. This seems to be a level that offers an excellent trade off between dynamic contrast and loudness. I can't promise to always use these particular levels, but unless I find problems or get complaints from viewers I plan to use this in all of my future videos.
