What can I do to improve this?

[Mr. Brock Lee]

I'm making a video game in which i'm making music for it and this song is going to play in an ancient ruins type place. I'm trying to make this song catchy, yet at the same ambient.

https://soundcloud.com/mr-brock-lee/ancient-ruins

Whenever I hear other songs of a similar type, they always have a more "intimate" sound, as if the instruments are closer. It's hard to describe and there's probably a better technical word. I've tried compression, but if I go anymore than I already have, then I end up giving it that weird over compressed sound. Is there any advice on either mixing/mastering it better or maybe giving it a more ambient sound?

Despite the upbeat drums and hopefully catchy flute, I'm trying to give it an ambient feeling similar to this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DaUAfEeMPKE

Any advice/criticism would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sammydix]

The other recording sounded like the whole mix was run thru a master verb so that everything sounded as tho it was in one space. Are you already doing that? If not, I'd go convolution if you try it to get that little bit of extra depth.

 

[TripleM]

Your mix has quite a bit of energy in the 4K - 8K octave that the comparison mix does not have. Those cymbals are really sizzly. It also doesn't have quite as strong of a low end. Honestly I think you could go a long way to getting closer to what you want by adjusting volume levels. Turn down the cymbals. Then maybe add a low end bass-type drone part. Just something to solidify the lower end.

 

[Mickster]

Your mix has quite a bit of energy in the 4K - 8K octave that the comparison mix does not have. Those cymbals are really sizzly. It also doesn't have quite as strong of a low end. Honestly I think you could go a long way to getting closer to what you want by adjusting volume levels. Turn down the cymbals. Then maybe add a low end bass-type drone part. Just something to solidify the lower end.

^^^yes to that............and.......it appears that your production has little to no stereo effects / processing. I would guess that all your input was mono.....with little or no panning comparatively. That's not so abnormal........but is not how the track you're trying to sound like got it's input.............and it's ultimate sound.

 

[TKeefe]

Hi Mate! Listen to your track. The one thing I would concentrate on is cleaning up the bottom end. I was listening on some really good headphones and the low end needed more definition. How do you do that? First selection of instrument to hold down the bottom, you might want to change to something that doesn't have so much sustain and more definition, shorter decay time. The only other thing is with reverb, you might want to experiment with some more cavernous/large cathedral type presets with a little predelay to push it all back a bit. Hope that helps. Good luck with your game.

TKeefe | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

[Retrohazard]

I would like to hear more of a stereo spread as mentioned. Sounds almost mono. (which for your application might work fine?)

Maybe tone down the highs as mentioned to. Or lower the volume of the high pitched pipes you have going. They are slightly harsh to my ears.

Overall not bad and certainly acceptable as is.