Portfolio 1

This piece fits into the genre of Soundtrack/Instrumental. It doesn't really have any defining characteristics of one genre. This piece could be used for a background theme for a game like Super Mario or Sonic. I think it has a very retro-game sound.

​ I blended hip-hop and rock drums. I used some really modern hip-hop hit-hat patterns, but also very straight forward acoustic hi-hats. I also used a punchy, hard-hitting kick. The snare isa combination of a rimshot and Ana acoustic drum center snare hit. The bass just follows the kick drum with a couple extra notes added. 

​ The idea for this piece started when I heard the song 'Icy" by Logic.

The melody in that song are these really cool bass plucks, which he has going in steady 1/8 notes throughout the songs. I thought that was cool, so I tried to get that vibe, while also going for a retro game sound. The plucks I used for the harmony are less bass sounding, and more the kind of sound you would hear when you complete a level in Mario. This piece is in the key of C Major.

​ The synth tracks are a couple of odd, yet interesting sounds. First, I used a piston sound, mixed with a horn. At least that's what I think it sounds like. Second, is a vocal chop, that I programmed, and pitched up. The audio recording track is my first "producer tag" it was me saying "Chris killed the beat". I took that recording, put some robotic vocal effects on it, and re-pitched it.

​ The 2 aux tracks are used to control delay and chorus. I used these for the synth tracks I discussed earlier. I wanted those parts to sound more electronic, and the effects helped me achieve that. I also put compressions on the melody, and harmony tracks.

Portfolio 2

  I named my tension cue "Slasher Chase". I did this because I feel like it's something you would hear in a horror movie while the killer is chasing its next victim.

 A gravitated towards creating a tension cue because I'm a horror fan and a dark orchestral rap fan. I feel like these 2 things meshed, created the perfect elements and mood for this cue. I've listened to a good bit of horror soundtracks and artists like NF that both use the dark soundscape to their advantage.

     I think one major thing I did that helps to achieve this theme was the 16th notes on the glockenspiel and high pitched piano. It make it feel like footsteps. The lower, long string notes that come in after a few measures represent the victim seeing the killer and his constant calm strides that almost sneak up on you.

 As you may notice, I used a different drum kit and pattern for the breakdown section. I did this to be almost a time when the victim is more hopeful and relaxed. Maybe they've gotten onto a boat or car to escape, and the think they've gotten away. Then the final bit comes back in to let them know they haven't yet. The final button could be used to signal that they got away, or the killer has caught them

     I had a somewhat difficult time building the initial melody, due to their being so many notes, but I knew that I wanted something plucky and creepy. After I completed it, I felt relieved because I knew all of the other parts would be relatively easy to build.