Made with Musescore - "Let's Go to the Movies"
I just released a full album built using MuseScore - 10 of the 12 arrangements for "Let's Go to the Movies" were composed there (the other two were arranged by a colleague), and all songs were rendered using Muse Sounds (and mixed in Reaper, using a few extra VSTs for some instruments not included in Muse Sounds). I think it came out pretty well - would be interested in any thoughts -
Streaming links at https://MichaelDeLucaMusic.com/Movies
Comments
Thank you! Music is smooth, vocal very nice, good balance too. Muse Sounds works surprisingly well in your work. Did you do it all on your own? Would love if the mixing be a tad more dramatic as the songs remind me of the "musicals" style. I kept looking for more song creation background info on youtube music, but it seems there're only lyrics and the thumb buttons. musescore.com is free too if you're interested.
In reply to Thank you! Music is smooth,… by msfp
Thanks so much for listening and your comments.
Yes - this is very much a one-man show - I'm doing the arranging (except for the two mentioned in the original post), rendering the backing track, recording vocals, mixing, mastering, washing the dishes, etc.
What does "more dramatic" mixing mean to you? Are you suggesting more dynamic range / more punch on drums and vocals / something else?
There is some background on the creation of the album on my website at www.MichaelDeLucaMusic.com - there's a set of blog posts that talk through how the album was put together, and the main page for the album includes full credits. I'm still having problems setting up my YouTube Music artist page - will have to add that back onto the list to see if I can (finally) get that straightened out.
Thanks again, and I appreciate the kind feedback.
In reply to Thanks so much for listening… by mdeluca
Your production is truly amazing now and frankly don't really need to waste time tinkering with based on my amateurish nitpicking. The layers of development in "I've Got a Golden Ticket" is sensational. "Moon River" instrumental transitions are seamless. Love "Rainbow Connection" the most, everything's beautifully done, always feel the old frog version is bit too sloppy for the theme. Anyway, I guess I mean dramatical leveling like less low end on backing for low male vocal to pass thru, but tune back right up once vocal's away; a "brisker brassy" high end on "Moonlight Becomes You" flourish and on the "Make them laugh" instrumental; and a "more boardway-ish cymbal slam exit" of "Just Go to the Movies", but now as I think again these expectations may just show my ears've grown too cheesy now.
Totally missed the blogs, found exactly what I'm looking for inside. Didn't know "Just Go to the Movies", the Michael Feinstein / Jerry Herman version is good! The new version's playful yet with added subtlety, both versions are lovely.
In reply to Your production is truly… by msfp
You're very kind with your comments, and I glad you enjoyed listening. I wish I could take credit for "Moon River", but that's one of the pieces I didn't arrange (the other is "Go the Distance") - those arrangements are so strong I knew I'd just be wasting my time trying to develop my own version. But I appreciate your thoughts on the others - I was particularly happy with how "Golden Ticket" came out, and glad you enjoyed that arrangement as well.
Getting a "Brassy" sound is still a challenge for me - Muse Sounds doesn't seem to do Big Band brass too well yet (or at least I haven't figured out how to coax it out), and the budget for this project ($zero 😂) unfortunately means professional VSTs (and definitely professional musicians) are out of range. I agree - pumping up the brass presence in the two sections you mention would definitely be a plus. But don't misunderstand - Muse Sounds is a huge upgrade from what was available before, and I'm very very happy with how the backing tracks came out for this album.
I'm definitely sensitive to keeping the low-end clear when the vocal comes in - will continue to keep this in mind (both for the mix as well as the arrangement) going forward. And I'm glad also that you enjoyed the blogs, and that I could introduce you to "Just Go to the Movies".
Again - I appreciate your kind comments and support here.