Pokémon: Pallet Town - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモん：マサラタウン　(オーケストラアレンジ）」 @alexjevincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent Step out with an orchestral arrangement of where your Pokémon adventure began. Oh and don't forget to check your PC for a bit of a headstart!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

I'm long overdue making covers and I feel I've grown quite substantially over the last few months to be able to start making great arrangements. I thought that the sound of an adventure's beginning would be a good place to start. More Pokémon to come!

I started the composition by transcribing the original GameBoy track, then teased out the opening by trying to slow down and fragment the melody. The brass canon was a moment of inspiration and the melody's rhythm lends itself well to it. I also watched Ponyo while writing this and the oscillating waves of harp and orchestral trills really sold entering the final section.

The art and animation are also special for me here. I decided in lockdown I wanted to broaden my creative skillset, so both the trainer Leaf and the landscape were painted by me in Photoshop, with the subtle animation in HitFilm.

The orchestra:
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@EmbertoneSampling Popelka Bassoon
@EmbertoneSampling Herring Clarinet
@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition Oboe
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
@NativeInstruments Kontakt Library Harp and Celeste
@AudiobroTV Genesis Children's Choir

updated 6 years ago

Pokémon: Pallet Town - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモん：マサラタウン　(オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-05-26 | Step out with an orchestral arrangement of where your Pokémon adventure began. Oh and don't forget to check your PC for a bit of a headstart!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

I'm long overdue making covers and I feel I've grown quite substantially over the last few months to be able to start making great arrangements. I thought that the sound of an adventure's beginning would be a good place to start. More Pokémon to come!

I started the composition by transcribing the original GameBoy track, then teased out the opening by trying to slow down and fragment the melody. The brass canon was a moment of inspiration and the melody's rhythm lends itself well to it. I also watched Ponyo while writing this and the oscillating waves of harp and orchestral trills really sold entering the final section.

The art and animation are also special for me here. I decided in lockdown I wanted to broaden my creative skillset, so both the trainer Leaf and the landscape were painted by me in Photoshop, with the subtle animation in HitFilm.

The orchestra:
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@EmbertoneSampling Popelka Bassoon
@EmbertoneSampling Herring Clarinet
@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition Oboe
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
@NativeInstruments Kontakt Library Harp and Celeste
@AudiobroTV Genesis Children's Choir

Pokémon: Route 24 - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：マサキのもとへ〜ハナダより（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2024-10-25 | You beat our 5 contest trainers! You just earned a fabulous prize! By the way, would you like to join TEAM ROCKET?

This arrangement has you heading north to the Cerulean Cape, enjoying the air and battles along the Nugget Bridge. Another addition to the arrangements/remixes of the OST of Pokémon themes and songs.

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusic #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス #ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme

As with the Route 3 rendition, I wanted to create a sense of boldly going forward into the next journey, and maybe reflecting upon the clear waters below the bridge. A lot of people associate this tune with Professor Oak's introduction, and it is called that on the English releases of Super Music Collection. But I more strongly associate this theme with Route 24 itself, and it is known as that on the Gold and Silver music collections too.

I've really tried to up my orchestral game here, having spent time studying some scores and techniques - little colours, moments or flourishes that keep the track moving, like you'd hear in an anime score. There's even some clever bits to make it feel even more played, rather than sequenced, and I'm very happy with the outcome.

For the art, I spent a long time thinking about the moment in time I wanted to show. I knew I wanted to have the Nugget Bridge in here, which was interesting to try and draw perspective. I also knew I wanted to include the backstory that Misty has of wandering out to the cape, and pondering. Finally, I wanted to try out adding different times of day and different Pokémon for it. Magikarp are ubiquitous, but I liked making the different shades and shadows of the times of day, and swapping out Wingull for Hoothoot when night falls.

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Harps
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Piano
@Orchestral-Tools Beaufort Brass

After All Of These Years (Seasons Of Memory Lane)

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2024-05-01 | And the memories remained, after all of these years...

A nostalgic orchestral rock ballad about the seasons of relationships long ago.

#music #ballad #orchestra #nostalgia #nostalgic #懐かしい #懐かしい曲

I wrote this song when I was about 14 or 15, and have wanted to release it for a long time. If nothing else, to act as closure for it, as I always felt it was a nice song but was embarrassed by its lyrics and its quality. Back then, it was recorded with a rubbish acoustic emulation sound for my guitar, a vocal that was more reverb than words, and a drum machine that evidently couldn't stick to its tempo. I decided to re-record the entire thing again, and use my orchestral knowledge to improve the arrangement and overall production. I considered changing the lyrics, but found them slightly ironic given my age now, and decided to keep them. I also added the train announcer because I thought it kind of funny you'd be getting on a Japanese train to 'Memory Lane'.

I also wanted to use this as an opportunity to improve some mixing and general music skills. I learned more about vocal recording and mixing, and about mic placement around my guitar. And I learned a lot more about monitoring my mix for the best results. In the end I've got something I think 15 year old me would be very proud of, and I'm quite happy with it myself.

For the art, I'd been wanting to experiment with some really good watercolour style brushes, to achieve an effect similar to the key art used in Grandia 2, which I was playing at the time I wrote this. I think the result is quite good.

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Harps
Fender Stratocaster Alarna Star Standard MIJ
Fender Stratocaster Mei Sen Standard MIJ
Fender Stratocaster Jazz Bass MIJ
Jasmine Electro Acoustic

Pokémon: Surf - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：海（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2023-10-03 | HM03 is SURF. POKéMON will be able to ferry you across the water!

This arrangement has you bobbing along on the ocean waves, with islands to explore on the horizon. Another addition to the arrangements/remixes of the OST of Pokémon themes and songs.

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusic #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス #ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme

I had been meaning to do the surf theme for a while. I have been listening to a bit of Debussy recently as reference, and that kind of tone makes its way in around parts of the piece. I tried quite hard to not deviate too much from the melody, despite it being so short, and instead focus on things like the flow down from a crescendo or peak, as practice for improving my writing generally. I also maintained my requirement of playing on my pieces, and added my own clarinet for parts of the piece, tucked away. Despite my playing, the sound is good so I am quite happy with my mic technique on that.

The art was exactly what I had in my mind. As far as I am concerned, if you are using Surf, you are doing it with Lapras. I thought it would be fun for Misty to tag along on this adventure, and I spotted a fun opportunity to reference the anime's silly Misty's Lure in here, which was fun!

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Piano
Buffet Crampon B12 Clarinet

Pokémon: Surf - Preview「ポケモン：海（特報）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2023-09-29 | Tuesday 03 October 23:00 UK | 15:00 PT

HM03 is SURF. POKéMON will be able to ferry you across the water!

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusic #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス #ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme #shorts

Pokémon: Pokémon Center - Jazz Fusion Arrangement「ポケモン：ポケモンセンター（フュージョンラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2023-04-11 | Welcome to our Pokémon Center! We heal your Pokémon back to perfect health!

This arrangement finds you in the twilight hours, looking for some Pokémon care after a long day battling. Another addition to the arrangements/remixes of the OST of Pokémon themes and songs.

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusiccover #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス #ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme

While doing the orchestral version of this track, I have been delving a lot into Japanese Jazz Fusion (Casiopea, T-Square) and City Pop. I really wanted to make something of this period and was reminded of how in the later games the night time soundtrack for the Pokémon Center changes. So this is a fun little departure.

I also really wanted to play as much as possible on this one, so guitar, bass, saxophone and the EWI melody are all played. This was also really fun to mix, and I'm happy with how much better my band mixes have gotten.

The art is a quick mood change compared to the day version, but I think it works nicely.

The band:
AKAI 4000s EWI (lead melody)
Fender Stratocaster (Japan) (opening chords)
Gibson Les Paul (guitar solo and support)
Fender Jazz Bass (Japan) (bass)
Trevor James Alto Saxophone (melodies)
@ArturiaOfficial DX7V (pianos, keys, bells, brass stabs)
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Tokyo Scoring Drum Kits

Pokémon: Pokémon Center - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：ポケモンセンター（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2023-04-04 | Welcome to our Pokémon Center! We heal your Pokémon back to perfect health!

This arrangement takes you into a calm reprieve from all the adventures and battles with some professional Pokémon care. Another addition to the arrangements/remixes of the OST of Pokémon themes and songs.

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusiccover #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス#ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme

I've been wanting to do this track for a while, as like the Mystery Gift one hears this track across the games. I wanted to capture a little of the first time entering one of these, it being busy with the bustle of trainers running in to have their companions healed (likely from battles you've been in). I generally wanted to go for a gentle vibe but the end got all march-like (as it often does) - I imagine Chansey everywhere running around putting Pokémon on machines or marshalling a triage.

I was really happy with the art this time around. The colours are punchy and all the characters are really close to how I see them in recent art, especially Leaf. I think I'm going to have Misty tag along, as it is good practice, and she was definitely the best companion in the anime.

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Piano

Pokémon: Cerulean City - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：ハナダシティのテーマ（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2022-11-01 | CERULEAN CITY: A mysterious blue aura surrounds it.

This arrangement has you wandering into the Cerulean City region, in hopes of a second badge. Another addition to the arrangements/remixes of the OST of Pokémon themes and songs.

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusiccover #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス#ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme

I have actually done a Cerulean City orchestration before and I borrowed a few bits from that, but taking all that I've learned since then. I imagined your first wanderings around, looking at all the fresh places to go. I always think of Routes 24 and 25 and the Cerulean Cape as part of the city, so the second section might represent the bridge over the water and Misty waiting out by the bay. The last section comes back to the bustle - this is a city with new things to buy, new people to meet and new Pokémon to catch!

I was quite inspired by how Cerulean looks in Let's Go. I feel they channelled the fresh pallet of the Game Boy Colour into the fountains and such, so I knew I wanted to draw one in the scene. Misty was of course a must to include too and she came out ok - I seem to now know what the back of her head looks like! Still a ways to go, but I've improved even further since drawing this - yay!

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Piano
@xperimentaproject Due
Jasmine TS99C Guitar

Pokémon: Professor Oaks Laboratory - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：オーキド研究所（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2022-05-10 | To make a complete guide on all the Pokémon in the world... That was my dream!

This arrangement starts things out nicely as you're picking a partner for your Pokémon journeys. Another addition to the arrangements/remixes of the OST of Pokémon themes and songs.

#pokemonmusic #videogamemusic #gamemusiccover #ゲーム音楽 #アニメ音楽 #ゲームリミックス#ポケモン音楽 #ポケモンｂｇｍ #pokémon #pokemonsong #pokemontheme

I thought the story for this orchestration should take you from the moment you step into tall grass to being in the lab and picking a Pokémon for the first time. Like my Pallet Town orchestration, I like the idea that the journey from place to place suggests the town is much bigger than it is in the games. For that reason, there's a lot of whimsical movement and open textures, perhaps backdrop for Oak babbling on about something on the way to his lab! The lab itself I wanted to have this slightly stoic classical vibe which I think as turned out right on mark.

I'm really happy with how the painting turned out too - it's bright and almost a little sterile, as a laboratory should be! But I feel like I've gotten really down with the style for Leaf, and Oak isn't so bad himself. There was a lot of background construction with this one but I tried to keep the shading simple and considered. It was good fun!

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Piano
Jasmine TS99C Guitar

Pokémon: Mystery Gift - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：ふしぎおくりもの（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2021-12-21 | LINK TOGETHER WITH ALL. A new POKEMON ORCHESTRATION has been received!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽 #christmas

There's probably not a better option for a Christmas tune in FireRed and LeafGreen. Certainly not within the original Red and Blue either! Mystery Gift is such a fun little concept of random distributions and new things. Back when Mystery Gift wasn't a near weekly update, something new to download was rare and exciting. I can't recall ever actually getting something at Christmas but have had plenty of gifts for my birthday at Japan's Pokémon Centers.

Mystery Gift as a tune appeared in FireRed and LeafGreen first, much earlier than when most people would have encountered it in Diamond and Pearl. While its later iteration started the connection between internet settings and bossa nova in Nintendo games and systems, the original rendition is much more straight.

This meant I could go for a more chill vibe. I also wanted to make it a bit nostalgic - some iv to I movements, smooth voice leading and some melodies that sit over the original progression in a charming way.

Orchestration wise, I knew I wanted to include some saxophone playing, some calming drum grooves on triplets and of course the ubiquitous sleigh bells. Hopefully it all feels warm, relaxed and makes you anticipate the holiday cheer.

On drawing, I knew I wanted to make that link to Diamond and Pearl which is now so very relevant, and a nice log fire. I've also always loved Delibird - it's such a peculiar Pokémon in the game with the Present move and I find how portly it is to be very charming. I've tried out some shading techniques here but worked the faces for ages. The face style is something I want to research more closely to try and get that down.

The orchestra:
@Orchestral Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
Jasmine TS99C Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (caffe latte)
Fender American Stratocaster (humbucker with Gotoh bridge)
Trevor James Alto Saxophone
@Orchestral Tools Glory Days Saxophones
@Orchestral Tools Ratio Piano

Pokémon: Pokémon Tower - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：ポケモンタワー（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2021-10-28 | Do you believe in GHOSTS? You might after visiting the Pokémon Tower...

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽 #halloween

The Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town is a pretty creepy and a bit horrifying in some cases but the franchise has tended to show its ghosts as whimsical and mischievous. The original tune has an almost funeral rite vibe to it and I wanted to make something a bit more playful for this arrangement.

The main way to do this was inspired by the idea of out of body experiences and that kind of ghoulish dancing around shown in the games and anime. It made sense to change the tune from something tense to something waltzy and suddenly the melody is more mischievous!

I also was keen to change my orchestration approach for this. It would have been easy to make things tense through texture but the original theme actually has some clever melodic fragments. These were fun to sprinkle around and make into a character itself. I was also keen to make the orchestration focused on specific groups and to integrate my own clarinet playing in. It's a bit wonky and took a lot of tries but it almost adds to the strange musical place this track is in.

Drawing wise I knew the moment this was something I was orchestrating that it needed a reference to Scream by Edvard Munch. Haunter is such a silly character in the anime it made sense they'd be doing something like this. It was fun to refine the shading process and learn a little more more about softening this. I also think I got the disdainful expression on Leaf down!

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
Jasmine TS99C Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (caffe latte)
Fender American Stratocaster (humbucker with Gotoh bridge)
Trevor James Alto Saxophone
@Orchestral-Tools Glory Days Saxophones
@Orchestral-Tools Ratio Piano

Pokémon: Trainer Battle - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：戦い（ＶＳトレーナー）（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2021-09-30 | Ready your Pokémon partners! ROCKET wants to fight!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

You do a lot of battling in Pokémon, but when you think about it these are pretty epic moments. The crazy chromatic planing from the Wild Battle continues here with a never-ending bass rhythm that propels the battle forward.

I knew this one would be a lot of work. It needed to remain energetic and pacey without just wholesale midi-slapping the original tune. I pulled out some melodic fragments here and there, made more anticipation of sections and changed the way one might look at other sections as moments of serenity; perhaps an eye in the storm. Finally, I knew I wanted to include guitars and saxophones here, so a bit of orchestral Pokémon rock was born.

More experiments with soft shading and using multiply shading, which I think worked out well. This is also my first image with another character, which is fun. I really wanted to capture the angry rocket grunts and I think I got pretty close as a starting point for future characters. Ever onwards!

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
Jasmine TS99C Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (caffe latte)
Fender American Stratocaster (sunburst humbucker with Gotoh bridge)
Trevor James Alto Saxophone
@Orchestral-Tools Glory Days Saxophones
@Orchestral-Tools Ratio Piano

Pokémon: Mt. Moon - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：おつきみ山のどうくつ（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2021-06-26 | Into the caves of Mt. Moon for fossils, mysteries and... Zubat...

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

What visit to a cave in Pokémon is complete without a meandering tune based around chromatically moving augmented chords? This piece is so interesting in its simplicity. It never becomes alienating because the rhythms remain consistent and the melody is well developed but you end up wandering around some pretty ambiguous harmony.

As ever Shinji Miyazaki's version of this tune was a good reference, but I'm greatly enjoying Takayuki Negishi's work on Cardcaptor Sakura too which had a big influence, along with Debussy and Holst for good measure. More nostalgic washiness, trying to get that lost but no dangerous vibe. Vibraphone, euphonium and oboe set the mood really well, saxophones come in to add a little danger. I like putting some of the smaller themes in these arrangements and, well, Mt. Moon is the first place you battle Team Rocket...

I wanted to experiment with lighting for the artwork and the anime's location is really dynamic. Lots of experimentation with soft and hard shading. I like the contrast in anime of things that are clearly drawn to move and the background that doesn't so that worked out well too. I think the art's vibe fits the music nicely!

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Bravura Brass Trumpet
Jasmine TS99C Guitar
Trevor James Alto Saxophone
@Orchestral-Tools Glory Days Saxophones
@Orchestral-Tools Ratio Piano

Pokémon: Route 3 - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：ハナダへの道－おつきみ山より（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2021-05-13 | Head east along Route 3 for more Pokémon and the enigmatic Mt. Moon.

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

This is what you hear after defeating Brock and moving on into your adventure. It's the sound of the game really opening up - the terrain changes, Pokémon you haven't seen before start appearing and the battles start coming thick and fast. So many great quotes and memories on this route too, of course!

I was really inspired by the anime version of this tune arranged by Shinji Miyazaki. Much more a walking pace with the majesty of everything going on - it's really nostalgic. I spent a lot of time listening to Japanese soundtracks of that era to try and get the sense of space and washiness they have. I then wanted to do a bit of meandering, something light hearted with what has become a staple of mine; a clarinet, pizzicato strings and castanets. A refrain again on the theme before opening up on our final destination; Mt. Moon - the tallest place you've been so far.

Even more drawing work here too. I really wanted to try out Clip Studio Paint and found it incredibly satisfying to use. The background was done all with a single brush and I could easily try out some softer work on the charcters too. Sandshrew came out so well and I feel Leaf is really dynamic despite having a standing pose.

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp

Pokémon: Wild Battle - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：戦い（ＶＳ野生ポケモン）（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2021-03-12 | A wild Spearow appeared! Fight, Item, PKMN or Run?

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

You'll know this if you spent any time in Red/Blue or Fire Red/Leaf Green, since you hear it about every 8 steps! One of the great things about the battle themes is they can work for catching humble Spearow or electrifying Zapdos.

Energy was the objective with this one. I wanted the drums to be punchy but still support the orchestra and not make it into a rock record. The same with the guitar. I had to practice each of the guitar parts many times to get them down. As guitar players will understand, you tend towards boxes and shape arpeggios but this track is so chromatic the shape changes often. I like modulations approach by chromatic arpeggio meandering too, evidently. Finally, I wanted to get the victory tune in which came out lovely.

More drawing here too. I think my hair work on Leaf has really improved and I've managed to make Squirtle a bit less gemstone-eyed. Spearow looks nice and intimidating. I thought it might be fun to start developing Leaf's team as I make more covers and I personally trained Fearow a few times in Blue and Leaf Green (as some kind of anti-Pidgeot-establishment phase...).

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp
@NativeInstruments Alicia's Keys
@NativeInstruments Abbey Road 80s Drums
@NativeInstruments Guitar Rig 5 playing in Gibson Les Paul

Pokémon: Viridian Forest - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：トキワの森（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-12-31 | Wandering the forest on the hunt for Pikachu? Don't get lost in the woods!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

The first taste of a darker side to your adventure in Kanto, Viridian Forest was daunting to 8 year old me wandering through on my Game Boy Color. There's access to lots of cool Pokémon though, so it is a great place to get your second or third partner!

I really wanted to make a mood with this one. I tried to capture the hundreds of legs crawling around with the strings, the disorientation of the forest with offset melodies and the menace of poison sapping your strength away in the brass. The sul ponticello strings really help this effect and the muted trombone gave an almost original series Star Trek villain vibe. Viridian Forest is a pretty horrible place, when you think about it...

I've experimented more with lighting and colour in drawing this, as well as more subtle motions in HitFilm. Let me know what you think!

The orchestra:
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings Special Bows 1 and 2
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp

Feliz Navidad - 初音ミク × Orchestra Cover「フェリス・ナビダッド（オーケストラカバー）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-12-24 | Merry Christmas!

#Christmas #初音ミク #Orchestra #JoseFeliciano #Vocaloid #HatsuneMiku

José Feliciano's Feliz Navidad is a sentimental Christmas song for me - I actually made some of this transcription way back in 2015, when I started my orchestral journey. Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloids were something I was working with at the time too and I really wanted to mark this year of growth with a seasonal cover and look back at how far I had come. Turns out it was a long way.

I think the orchestra came out really well - bits of the original with sprinklings of my own. It was also a great test of some new orchestral instruments I purchased. I have learned a lot about instrument programming too and this really helped to bring out the performance I wanted from Miku.

Painting Miku took about a day through and through, taking some shading and line art tips I've picked up recently. Arranging the cover took around 2 days, and about 2 hours to mix.

The orchestra:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds Revive
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Percussion
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion (timpani)
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp

Pokémon: Pewter City - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモン：ニビシティのテーマ（オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-10-15 | Perhaps a short visit to the museum for some ancient Pokémon research!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

An exercise in recording with the orchestra - the guitar and lead saxophone here are me, with the orchestra as below. More drawing refinement too, trying to get some dynamic scenes and expression.

One might ask why not Viridian City next? Well both Viridian and Pewter share their theme, so it made sense. In my opinion the museum is quite a bit more interesting than any of the locations in Viridian anyway!

The orchestra:
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Inspire Harp

Pokémon: Route 1 - Orchestral Arrangement「ポケモん：一番道路　(オーケストラアレンジ）」

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-08-09 | Time to go get Oak's package and meet some new Pokémon along the way!

#pokemon #orchestra #gamemusic #classical #vgm #game #anime #animemusic #vst #remix #cover #soundtrack #virtualorchestra #cubase #music #ポケモン #オーケストラ #ゲーム音楽 #クラシック #アニメ #アニメ音楽 #リミックス #キューベース #音楽

See those ledges along the road? It's a bit scary but you can jump from them. You can get back to PALLET TOWN quicker that way.

Some more learning on how to draw these scenes as well as a lot of polish to my orchestra. While perhaps not as clever as my last cover this one feels neat and tidy - a good start for a long Pokémon adventure...

The orchestra:
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@EmbertoneSampling Popelka Bassoon
@EmbertoneSampling Herring Clarinet
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
@NativeInstruments Kontakt Library Harp

Pokémon: Leaf - Speed Painting

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-05-29 | Speed painting of Leaf from Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen, based on reference. I painted her along with the best starter (Squirtle) to feature as part of the art for me orchestral arrangement of Pallet Town. You can hear that here: youtube.com/watch?v=TW3bRVhoHb4

It's been a long time since I really did any digital drawing so I spent a good few hours looking at the style. Eyes especially are very unique to Pokémon, being very tall with a single reflection usually. Her pose and colours were based on a wonderful ArtFX-J figure. I don't have Leaf yet, but do have a bunch of others and they are well worth it.

As an extra bonus, I did a quick recolour of her into Misty's colours, with a shiny Squirtle for good measure!

I also did a landscape background of Oak's Lab for the track, which you can see the speed painting of here: youtube.com/watch?v=8okOT0dYndg

#pokémon #speedpainting #photoshop #anime #painting

Pokémon: Pallet Town - Speed Composition in Cubase

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-05-29 | 'Speed Composition' showing the process I went through creating an orchestral arrangement for Pallet Town from Pokémon Red and Blue. You can hear that here: youtube.com/watch?v=TW3bRVhoHb4

This one followed roughly my process that I use for all my orchestral tracks, except I had to transcribe the original track first. To do that, I usually bring up a piano, harp and celeste and iteratively assign the different parts until I have the core musical ideas. Then I start experimenting with giving these parts to other instruments, to test out how they'll sound. Finally, I experiment a bit with breaking down the melody into bits that can be re-used or reinterpreted and confirm roughly how I want the chords to work.

After that, I will roughly place out the track within my orchestral template, turning on instruments I need as I go. Each section gets a rough dynamic and tempo if it needs to be different. The goal here is to basically block in all the instruments that need to be present. I will also do a little bit of articulation selection here, if I know already what I want.

Finally I start from the beginning of the track and try to make each section feel more realistic by adding modulation curves, shortened notes where breaths might be taken, and velocity changes where approriate. I also try to focus at this stage on the bass instruments, and making sure they are playing the right notes for the right amount of time as to not become fatiguing.

At the end, I do a tempo map for speeding up and slowing down during and around sections, then render it to usually around 17 stereo stems for mixing. You can see the mixing video here: youtube.com/watch?v=Br8ZeDtBmRU

#orchestra #composition #cubase

Pokémon: Oaks Lab - Speed Painting

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-05-29 | Speed painting of Oak's Lab from Pokémon, based on reference from it's various incarnations in the anime series. I painted the scene here to go along with painting Leaf, to feature as part of the art for my orchestral arrangement of Pallet Town. You can hear that here: youtube.com/watch?v=TW3bRVhoHb4

I have never done landscape painting before, so this was entirely a learning experience. As you'll see, there's a lot of trying things out in this speed painting. I made myself a few custom brushes to get the textures desired - doing this by hand must take incredible time and patience, so props to the background artists of animation.

As mentioned, for the track art I also did a speed painting of Leaf and Squirtle, which you can find here: youtube.com/watch?v=xirpF0-nIWY

#pokémon #speedpainting #photoshop #anime #painting #landscape #background

Pokémon: Pallet Town - Speed Mix

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-05-29 | 'Speed Mix' showing the process I went through mixing my orchestral arrangement for Pallet Town from Pokémon Red and Blue. You can hear that here: youtube.com/watch?v=TW3bRVhoHb4

Plugin and set up wise this is pretty consistent with what I normally use. However this time around I experimented with using Cubase's QuickControls within the mixer rather than using individual UI and it was a lot faster and more focussed.

Because my orchestral template is largely already volume balanced, at the beginning I start with EQ. Low passes for instruments with little to no impactful low information, then I start focussing on the low mid band, typically trying to give space for horns, celli, bassoons and trombones to sit. Lindell 80 Channel is my go to EQ plugin because it gives that Neve style saturation and I like parametric EQs to focus myself on the problem, rather than having every frequency available. I generally try to be very subtle with the highs as these create a lot of harshness, regardless of the EQ I use.

I then use the Cubase stock Multiband Compressor at some favourite frequencies to create a bit more separation between the different instruments, and use the Millenia TSEQ EQ for a little classy bus EQ. Finally I add in some Vallhala Room and Reverence IR reverb for each instrument, favouring more on pianos, high struck percussion and higher instruments like violins and flutes.

Then it is on to Ozone and its wonderful maximiser to get the right levels.

#cubase #orchestra #mixing

March of the Cockatrice - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-04-09 | Track 9 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #Mahler

Inspired by Mahler’s 6th symphony and an illustration of a menacing cockatrice monster by a friend. In this piece I tried to capture the lumbering movement of a creature that towers above castles and the destruction left in its wake. Yūgure learns of the portal’s location further into the town and, more worryingly still, of a great monster that destroys cities when such magic appears. Without warning, screams erupt as the ground begins to shake – a great shadow out of the setting sun marches on the town and her chance to get home.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

The Whitewater - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-04-03 | Track 8 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #skyrim #skyrimmusic #skyriminn

Written as a follow on from The Vale, I wanted to continue exploring the feeling of inn music, this time with lutes and theorbo. Yūgure arrives in the town but with no further leads, seeks a lone tavern for more information.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Two Captains - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-03-27 | Track 7 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #startrek #jerrygoldsmith #thenextgeneration #startrekthenextgeneration #firstcontact #startrekfirstcontact

Inspired by Jerry Goldsmith’s work on several science fiction films, but particularly Star Trek: First Contact's theme. This one developed into a conflict between two captains, culminating in a march between the pair. At the forest’s edge, Yūgure bids farewell to the spirit and boards an elegant sailing ship to the town that might be her way home. Floating along the coast, things get unruly when another vessel, sporting a black flag, moves to intercept.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Through The Forest - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-03-20 | Track 6 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム

This track was originally written as a test of writing to picture. Yūgure bumbles through an enchanted forest, filled with all manner of magical creatures. She is led along by one particularly mischievous yet kind-hearted spirit.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

The Vale - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-03-13 | Track 5 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #skyrim #skyrimmusic #skyriminn

Inspired by the inn music of Jeremy Soule’s, I wanted to capture the earthly warmth of a fantasy rest house. Yūgure takes a moment from her journey to enjoy the atmosphere of a tavern. She is told of a strange portal that appeared recently in a town to the east. Believing it a way to escape this frigid world, she gets directions leading her deeper into the countryside.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Icy Vista - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-03-06 | Track 4 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #skyrim #skyrimmusic

Inspired by Jeremy Soule’s work, I wanted to capture moments of awe at a beautiful landscape. Yūgure finds herself in the mountains, the sun rising across the white landscape. The portal now gone, she composes herself then makes tracks for a village she can see in the distance. The Northern Adventure has begun.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Kofun - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-02-28 | Track 3 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #japanesemusic #japan

Inspired by my walking in Asuka in Japan and Holst’s Saturn, I wanted to create something regal, mysterious and stoic. Yūgure takes a trip to a Kofun in summer. She slips into a magical portal that transports her away to a snowy land.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Sunset Over Shibuya - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-02-21 | Track 2 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム #pianomusic

The first orchestral track I ever composed. This one was inspired by watching the sunset from the top of Tokyo Skytree. Yūgure is contemplative and yearning, with the surrounding Tokyo distant; municipal yet poetic. For a few short minutes, Yūgure can see the city become a place of beauty.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Yūgures Theme - Alex John Ernest Vincent

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2020-02-15 | Track 1 of my orchestral music album, mixing together anime music like Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli music and adventure game music like Jeremy Soule's Skyrim music.

#animemusic #classicalmusic #gamemusic #soundtrack #music #piano #OST #orchestralmusic #orchestra #アニメ音楽 #クラシック #ゲーム音楽 #サウンドトラック #音楽 #ピアノ #オリジナル・サウンドトラック #オーケストラの音楽 #オーケスト #ゲーム

The last track to be written for the album, I wanted to introduce the instrument groups that the listener would hear throughout, especially in combination; the piano and strings of Sunset over Shibuya, the clarinets of Through the Forest and the brass of Icy Vista, Two Captains and the album’s final moment, March of the Cockatrice. Additionally, I wanted to introduce Yūgure herself, eager for a greater meaning. Yūgure’s life is a regular one; unremarkable and unfulfilling. We find her contemplating a grander existence than her Tokyo normality, little knowing the adventure that awaits.

Album available on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Red, Blue and Brown (MIDI Playthrough)

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2019-12-05 | Midi playthrough of a new piece I've been working on as a segment for Yūgure II.

This piece was inspired in the main by some of Zelda's triumphant marching in the main theme, and it isn't a composition by me without a march! However, I also tried deliberately playing with harmonic devices like tritone substitution and modal mixture to explore new sensations. I then arranged these harmonic sections to create some smoother cadences and movements which I generally feel I've struggled with in the past.

I feel like this piece flows well from the harmonic foresight and these are techniques I want to explore more in the future.

Additionally this video shows off some of my Expression Maps for Cinematic Studio Strings which is obviously quite complex.

Instruments used:
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Brass
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds (Legacy)
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Strings First Chairs
@EmbertoneSampling Herring Clarinet
@EmbertoneSampling Popelka Bassoon
@ImpactSoundworksLLC Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
@NativeInstruments Kontakt Library Harp

Mixed almost exclusively through the Lindell 80 Series Channel Strip, with a good bit of Valhalla Room.

Time lapses of composition and mixing to come!

#classical #music #orchestra #virtualorchestra #inspiring #soundtrack #adventure #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ #cubase #kontakt

Yūgure Neiro and the Northern Adventure - Album Promo

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-12-03 | New album available now!

Yūgure Neiro is transported from her municipal home in Tokyo to a stark yet beautiful place, filled with magic, marvel and menace. Produced with virtual instruments, this orchestral album features thematic writing, peaceful interludes and whimsical charm.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6HJSoVgqSZOD3zyzZ72s8p
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/yūgure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/d/5QVex6K
Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/album/Alex_John_Ernest_Vincent_Y%C5%ABgure_Neiro_and_the_Nort?id=Bdx62uxfc3f7o7xy6ziwmx2bjrq
Naptser: us.napster.com/artist/alex-john-ernest-vincent/album/ygure-neiro-and-the-northern-adventure
KKBOX: kkbox.com/tw/tc/album/LlOJWUXgK5c0A0F2aPbm009H-index.html

Artwork by Other Side Silly

#classical #music #orchestra #virtualorchestra #inspiring #cubase #adventure #anime #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ #アニメ

In the Deep Dark

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-07-01 | Listen on #SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/in-the-deep-dark

Take a breath now - what do you do when all the lights go out?

The third track of the three piece “Snow and Magic”, written to picture.

Instruments and Effects:
Cinematic Studio Strings
Berlin Woodwinds
Embertone Herring Clarinet
Berlin Brass (Mutes)
Hollywood Brass
Spitfire Symphonic Brass
Vienna Symphonic Library Orchestral Strings
Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
Vienna Symphonic Library Percussion
Waves Kramer Tape and PYE Compressor
Sonimus Britson and Burnley ‘73
Samplicity Bricasti M7 IR
Cubase EQ and Reverb

#classical #music #orchestra #virtualorchestra #dark #cubase #tense #anime #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ #アニメ

A Bump in the Night

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-07-01 | Listen on #SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/a-bump-in-the-night

The silence of the night is broken. Wait for the right moment to get away.

The second track of the three piece “Snow and Magic”, written to picture.

Instruments and Effects:
Cinematic Studio Strings
Berlin Woodwinds
Embertone Herring Clarinet
Berlin Brass (Mutes)
Hollywood Brass
Spitfire Symphonic Brass
Vienna Symphonic Library Orchestral Strings
Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
Vienna Symphonic Library Percussion
Waves Kramer Tape and PYE Compressor
Sonimus Britson and Burnley ‘73
Samplicity Bricasti M7 IR
Cubase EQ and Reverb

#classical #music #orchestra #virtualorchestra #tense #cubase #adventure #anime #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ #アニメ

Intimate Bubble

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-22 | Delicate and fleeting - the soundtrack to a bubble freezing in winter.

Video version on YouTube:
youtu.be/nIoBQyoILTk

Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/intimate-bubble

This was a challenge set by a fellow musician to create a piece for a video of a bubble freezing. The subject was certainly interesting - there's no human emotion to this so the music had to evoke the environment and motions of the bubble itself. There are times where it seems the bubble will break before it freezes over and I tried to capture this fragility too.

This track as also a good opportunity to test out some more changes to my template. Of particular note was the @EmbertoneSampling Herring Clarinet I recently obtained. I like the clarinet for this kind of piece and the tone is wonderful. I was especially impressed with the range of the instrument and wanted to show this off in the piece too.

Instruments and effects used:
@spitfireaudiollp Symphonic Brass
@cinematicstudioseries2985 Cinematic Studio Strings
@EmbertoneSampling Herring Clarinet
@Orchestral-Tools Berlin Woodwinds
@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Orchestral Strings
QL Spaces and RC48 reverb
Sonimus Briston and Burnley EQ

If you would like to try the challenge yourself, you can find the original here:
pixabay.com/en/videos/soap-bubble-freezer-winter-cold-7141

#classical #music #orchestra #virtualorchestra #inspiring #cubase #winter #anime #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ #アニメ

Bounce Heroes

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-08 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/bounce-heroes

Step into the arena, ready your fingers and prepare to volley! Become a hero and dominate your opponent.

I had initially intended to go for a more blues band style opening for the title screen, but we wanted to explore a classical setting as well. This one took a few attempts but came out really well.

I tried to create a fanfare to open the game that would sit over the offbeat theme I had developed elsewhere. I wanted drums too since they had been used so prevalently in the rest of the game. Strings are a new component to the soundtrack, but I think work perfectly for this context.

Instruments used:
Cinematic Studio Strings (Strings)
Spitfire Audio Symphonic Brass (Brass)
Bravura Scoring Brass (Brass)
Berlin Woodwinds (Woodwinds)
Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion (Timpani and Piatti)
Native Instruments Abbey Road Modern (Drums)

#classical #orchestra #cubase #vst

Bounce Results

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-07 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/bounce-results

After the gruelling volley, the battle is over! As the dust settles, who came out on top?

A quick but punchy track that plays over the results screen of the match. Because this track could play from any of the three levels and would display the win or loss of both players, I wanted to make sure it used familiar elements and instruments from all three levels. Not a complicated track, but a fun one.

Instruments used:
Berlin Woodwinds (Clarinets)
Vienna Symphonic Library (Saxophones)
EastWest Hollywood Brass (Trombones and Trumpets)
Bravura Scoring Brass (Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones and Tuba)
Native Instruments Abbey Road Modern (Drums)
Native Instruments Kontakt (Mark II Keys)
Scarbee Pre-Bass Amped (Bass)
Togu Audio Line TAL-U-NO-LX (Synths)

#classical #orchestra #cubase #vst #jazz #videogame

Space Bounce

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-06 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/space-bounce

In the vastness of space, can you hear your heart beating? Can you keep up?

This track is for the final level of the game being worked on. The desired style was to capture the breadth of the cosmos behind the gameplay. The reference was some tracks from the game Shatter, which really captures this feeling well. I tried to focus on the pulse and the builds of that style and what resulted was probably my favourite track for the game.

The track needed to be longer and darker than the other level themes, since this is the final moment to win. With that, I pushed elements of the previous tracks to the relative minor and slowed down the harmonic tempo. It needed to be epic, but by slow building development.

Instruments used:
Togu Audio Line TAL-U-NO-LX
Native Instruments Battery 4

#synth #synthwave #cubase #vst

Neon Bounce

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-05 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/neon-bounce

Insert coin, hit start and replay those arcade memories...

The soundtrack to the first level of a game for a friend. This is the full length version. The brief was to go chiptune, but I also wanted something to evoke the sound of the time too. I got really caught up with the sound of the Roland Juno 60 for this reason. Togu Audio Line make a wonderful VST synth in the same spirit, and it formed the basis for this track and sounds for subsequent tracks for the game too.

For me the original GameBoy is most nostalgic, so Super Audio Boy features heavily in this piece.

Instruments used:
Native Instruments Battery 4 (707 and 808) (Drums)
Impact Soundworks Super Audio Boy (Synths)
Togu Audio Line TAL-U-NO-LX (Synths)

Effects:
QL Spaces
Softube Solid EQ
Softube VC-2A
Softube VC76
Steinberg Magneto II
Steinberg StudioEQ

#synth #synthwave #cubase #vst #chiptune

Pinball Bounce

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-04 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/pinball-bounce

Time to kick back at the casino... wait is that a slick pinball game?

Music requested for a level of a good friend's game. This was a fun challenge as the style called for is not something I normally write. Regardless I tried to turn up the fun(k) and put this bit of silly together. Bonus round in the last 30 seconds for Mario Kart style pitch shift.

Instruments used:
Berlin Woodwinds (Clarinets)
Vienna Symphonic Library (Saxophones)
EastWest Hollywood Brass (Trombones and Trumpets)
Bravura Scoring Brass (Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones and Tuba)
Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion (Bongos)
Native Instruments Abbey Road Modern (Drums)
Native Instruments Kontakt (Mark II Keys)
Scarbee Pre-Bass Amped (Bass)

#classical #orchestra #cubase #vst #jazz #videogame

First Steps

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-04-01 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/first-steps

Make the first steps into the wilderness and revel in the wonders that await...

I wrote this piece intending to demonstrate some of the techniques I had learned recently. My main goal was to keep the piece moving with rhythm, while exploring the half-steps in the scale and use secondary dominant chords to effect some modulations.

There's some wonderful melodies here and I feel this is certainly one of my best tracks to date.

I also made purchase of Cinematic Studio Strings, which sounds lovely. It was very inspiring to write with those samples.

Pokémon Red & Blue - Cerulean City (Orchestral Remix)

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2018-02-02 | Challenge Misty's gym! Get a bike for only $1,000,000! Recover from the hike of Mt. Moon and prepare for your adventure into Kanto - Welcome to Cerulean City.

#classical #music #pokemon #orchestra #virtualorchestra #cubase #adventure #anime #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ #アニメ #ポケモン #gamemusic #animemusic #cover #remix

Pokémon's music has grip on me and many others. This started out as a transcription exercise and became an orchestration one too. I started here, basically because Misty is the best Kanto gym leader. Also you can catch Meowth if you head south!

I was inspired a lot by the excellent work Braxton Burks has done with these games, but also with the richness that is in the anime itself - the music for it is wonderful.

I found some nice combinations here and ended up with a great sound. I tried not to deviate too much from the original, focussing instead on the orchestration.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Theme (Cover)

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2017-09-10 | I went boldly where I had not gone before...

#startrek #music #orchestra #virtualorchestra #orchestra #cubase #soundtrack #音楽 #クラシカル #オーケストラ

This piece of music sits proudly in my memory. I have wanted for many years to cover it and understand it's intricacies. It is a fantastic piece memorable from the off.

I gave myself the challenge of transcribing this and found my skills to be lacking, so much YouTube scouring was had to do this as well - I learned a lot from this experience.

Finally, it gave me a chance to test some more instruments and set ups, including working VE Pro into my workflow, adding Impact Soundworks' Bravura Scoring Brass and getting my articulations just right.

Seasons

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2017-09-10 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/seasons

One of the first pieces I've ever written to picture. Versilian Studios have a competition going to score to two films (http://vis.versilstudios.net/contest.html).

The Seasons film reflects a calming set of scenes transitioning through the seasons, from summer through to spring.

Watching the film, I was hit with a nostalgic feeling of summer, a gentle beauty of winter and a triumphant return to spring. These feelings flowed well into my initial choices.

Instruments used:
Upright Piano
Violin Section
Viola Section
Cello Section
Solo Double Bass I
Flute I
Clarinet I
Oboe I
Bassoon II
Trumpet I
French Horn I
Wind Chimes
Glockenspiel
Crash Cymbals
Tom Drum

Effects Used:
Virtual Sound Stage (for panning and ER)
RC48 for reverb tail
EQ, Compression, Tape Saturation

The Lone Rider

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2017-09-10 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/the-lone-rider

That lone cowboy on the horizon, riding into the sunset...

This piece was an experiment with variation - how much can I get out of one single theme? Turns out, quite a lot!

I got the initial theme stuck in my head and knew this had to be that melancholy western sound that you'd get over the credits. The solo Cornet and the first phrase of the melody puts you there.

The track was also an experiment with using the piano exclusively to write. Obviously orchestration was kept in mind, but by focussing purely on piano initially, it meant I had to try harder for horizontal development.

Definitely a milestone piece for me, but now the challenge is to do the same with more than one theme and keep it fresh throughout.

This was all exclusively VSL instruments.

Onward Friends

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2017-08-17 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/onward-friends

A little something I put together in an afternoon as a fond farewell to people moving on in their world.

In case you can't tell, I was heavily inspired by Howard Shore's work on Lord of the Rings and his heart wrenching use of Irish whistle. I didn't have one to hand, so the Piccolo had to stand in.

This is a real benchmark in terms of performance too - lots of dynamics.

On The Trail

Alex John Ernest Vincent 2017-07-03 | Listen to the original on SoundCloud:
http://www.soundcloud.com/alexjevincent/on-the-trail

A track for chasing, hiding and movement.

I wanted to move away from an action formula and so put more of myself into the track. The opening melody, with its almost exotic feel, sets the place for the action. The rest of the track are pulses, cuts between scenes. I tried to use percussion sparingly and took a lot of notes from some John Williams moments.

I played with time signatures and rhythms. I tuned and adjusted the articulations and tried to put things in a more realistic space. It's a massive step forward. A darker, more immediate feel that what I normally write.

Instruments: Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition Volume 1 Plus
DAW: Cubase 8.5