- Stairway - July 1997
(C) Chris Jarvis / Analogue Productions
cjtrack@student.adelaide.edu.au
- This was my MC5 entry, placed 12th overall which I was happy with.
Many of the comments mentioned that the song went nowhere and was not
`special' enough. This was a source of frustration for me while writing
the song, which was initially heading for 7 minutes or more. When I
found out about the 4 minute limit I had a couple of other songs that I
was considering entering (you may have heard Northern Sky or Blue
Flame, both well over 4 minutes). Although this song was far from
completion, I had to discard some secondary themes and ideas which could
not be adequately developed in 4 minutes of music. Therefore, I
developed (or overdeveloped) the main theme to use the 4 minutes and
didn't achieve enough variation. I fully understand the organisers'
reasons for introducing the time limit but I do feel that it's a
restriction on creativity which is unfortunate for the contest.
- Other comments showed varying opinions of my guitar orchestration. The
song shows my keyboard thinking, but I also play guitar. I think this
song is kind of a hybrid of styles, from real guitar (with keyboard
influence) to tracker style effects.
- 100% ORIGINAL SAMPLES: these are not Zapper's samples. I sampled all(?)
the sounds from a Roland Synth (once again I must thank Pulse for
letting me borrow it) but since they are quite regular instruments etc.
they could be confused with other samples. I was probably a bit generous
with the number of samples, but only 6 instruments used.
- About the number of channels (59 virtual channels), if your computer
can't handle it (or if you're using a GUS) or if you just don't like it,
then limit to 32 channels (it.exe /l32) and you don't miss anything. The
texture is just not as thick that way. I don't see any point in cutting
back.
- Once again, despite my efforts to avoid it, this was a rushed music
contest entry. I hope to have a really complete song for MC6, so I'd
better keep in touch with the rules!
- Thanks must go to the MC5 organisers for all their hard work and another
great music contest. I hope the tradition continues.
Greets also to everyone at Analogue.
- cJ (September 1997)
