The most epic Japanese piece of music in DBZ?

[Ex-Dubbie369]

Those instruments are quirky and a bit part of the charm of the Kikuchi score. That said, I feel that in the more epic, grandiose pieces, they sound out of place. So I would say they're unnecessary.

I'm also happy to have learned what those instruments are called. I had no idea.

[cRookie_Monster]

Cool thx man, another question. What about French horns? I think the DBZ "orchestra" was basically a jazz band, trumpets, tbones, saxes, (not 2 mention drumset and guitar). Makes it pretty different from a John Williams type score which is usually *French Horns*, trumpets, trombones, tuba. (no saxes)

Here's some french horn goodness. I don't think I can do an epic score without them...just feels wrong.

(the synth fhorns I use allll the time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEvPKabdkAw

Solo fhorn (well actually 12 ofem):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWnC6IbYpgs

[edit - though DBZ does have a string section and tympani, dunno why horns seem to be missing)

[Ex-Dubbie369]

I can't think of any times where French Horn was used off the top of my head. Not that I think they won't work, your digital fhorns sound really nice actually. And I think you're pretty much correct on the original instrumentation.

In terms of Saxes, I think it depends on what piece you end up using. If it's a bit more of a march tempo or slower, I don't think they're necessary, but if it's moving at a pretty decent pace, I think the Sax was kind of the "Fast instrument when not using the strings" option Kikuchi used. So I'd consider saxes for a faster piece.

[cRookie_Monster]

Yeah I wasn't really planning on using saxes, well might have been a small chance. Usually he used them doubling the electric guitar. That's a pretty common thing in a kinda funk setting.

[cRookie_Monster]

Well here's one idea that I could build more of.

http://morganstudios.com/Attempt1.mp3

Honestly the more I dig into the Japanese score, the more I realize its just not my style hehe...but...its kind of a challenge to take elements of it and make something I like out of it. This piece honestly is a bit bland for me, being stuck somewhere in between my version of "epic" and the Japanese version of it.

Let me know what you guys think of it. Just an experiment really.

(also I think it's gonna be weird, just because most of you guys have specific scenes that run through your head when you hear the Japanese music, adds a lot, that established emotional connection)

[Metalwario64]

http://morganstudios.com/Attempt1.mp3

Is that supposed to be one of the Japanese tracks? If so, which one is it? Or is this just an attempt at capturing the style of the Japanese music?

[Blue]

http://morganstudios.com/Attempt1.mp3

I think you've just made Dragon Ball Kai music.

Good job though.

[Metalwario64]

http://morganstudios.com/Attempt1.mp3

I think you've just made Dragon Ball Kai music.

Good job though.

Heh, it does sound kinda of like something Yamamoto would compose...

[cRookie_Monster]

http://morganstudios.com/Attempt1.mp3

Is that supposed to be one of the Japanese tracks? If so, which one is it? Or is this just an attempt at capturing the style of the Japanese music?

Cross between the two, but with my twist on it.

It's kinda based off the stuff at 4:54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKtOVZ4c7zk

If you guys like, I'll keep working on it If I develop it, might reach better heights.

[Metalwario64]

http://morganstudios.com/Attempt1.mp3

Is that supposed to be one of the Japanese tracks? If so, which one is it? Or is this just an attempt at capturing the style of the Japanese music?

Cross between the two, but with my twist on it.

It's kinda based off the stuff at 4:54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKtOVZ4c7zk

If you guys like, I'll keep working on it If I develop it, might reach better heights.

That's what I was thinking it was. It does sound pretty nice, but doesn't sound like there is enough bass to it or something. I don't know a whole lot about music technicalities, so I don't know what the correct term would be, but it seems quite weak on the bass to me, and I think it would sound more powerful if it had a stronger bass or something.

[cRookie_Monster]

That's what I was thinking it was. It does sound pretty nice, but doesn't sound like there is enough bass to it or something. I don't know a whole lot about music technicalities, so I don't know what the correct term would be, but it seems quite weak on the bass to me, and I think it would sound more powerful if it had a stronger bass or something.

Yup, I had the same feeling when I finally went to bed last night(err actually it was 6:30 AM lol)

But, yeah that'll get fixed as I develop it. Also I see this as kinda of a thin bass section that builds to a larger more full section. I plan to bring in more low pounding strings. I have some quiet bass and electric guitar droning down low, but it gives it too much of a cheesy rock band kinda feel for me so I left it really weak. Just one of those delimas I have with this project...that's a pretty core element of the Japanese score, but I don't really dig that sound in my own stuff very much.

The tympani hits and large percussion hits should have helped, but they ended up being kinda muddy and weak...I probably just need to play with the mix.

[penguintruth]

Not a bad first step.