Help me make this more Epic!

[Spaztic]

sounds like the release is to slow on the horns...you might be able to fix it messing with compression settings. Also you can try to make some volume envelopes start out soft and slowly get louder...

 

[Gorty]

here is the rough draft for a prelude to my album in the works. its going to be a celtic/folk/viking styled musical content with metal influences (double bass and stuff) generally speaking im trying to capture the essence of old norse/viking warfare and be as authentic as possible while still making the music appeal to metal heads among others.. this is the prelude that i would like to depict a scene of a large fleet of viking longhships, all with blood rest masts sailing to the shore where the opposing army awaits. hence the war horns and sort of doomy sounding strings... but i know that i can make this waaaay bettter, i just need your help! how can i improve this to make it sound more epic and more war like.. i want it to be somewhat intense but it still must remain an intro/prelude. the next song will start off fast and be battle themed (think ensiferum/wintersun/finntroll/rhapsody) so this prelude is building up to that. thanks everyone in advance!!

Sounding great so far,

All I can suggest is what has already been suggested and that is to build slowly and create a sense of impending doom. Increase the tempo of the timpani for example.

I am looking forward to see and hear what you do with this!

Nice Work!

Gorty

 

[darkecho]

thanks for the responses guys, heres my notes so far for the stuff highest on my list of prioritize for this introtrack:
-Increase tempo of timpani, maybe add 1/8 beat before.
-Build volume and sound of impending doom
-Faster release on horns, maybe somethng more penetrating and clear
-Lenghten the rest if necessary to allow for suspenseful buildup,
-Maybe use some dissonance at the very end to help build up for the oncoming blast for the next song, cymbal build up as well.

I will also add some ambient sounds, such as gulls in the distance, oars dipping into water, creaking of lumber, maybe even add that drum beat that is played on the ships to give the oarsmen a rhythm (at the tempo of the intro ofcourse) and that will all definately be an experience working with panning haha. is there anything else i can do to help create a 3dimensional soundscape? like, the gulls should probably sound high/distant, whereas the oars dipping would be panned to the left and right, the drum beat more center maybe a little to one side. the creaking could be in several different places maybe once in a while (not too random since the same motion of the waves will be causing the creaks to happen and it would be realistic if the creaks were always at different spots, so maybe every few seconds a creak behind then in front as if the boat is rocking over waves.) thanks again to everyone!