Full Sail University Projects

Project 1 - May/June 2024

This was my first real project in school.

My main inspiration for this piece was electronic music from the mid 1970s into the early 1990s. The sounds are a mish-mash of types from these eras, with a plucky analog synth background track, a 90s Celesta-like track for the harmony chords, and a harsh electronic bass. I see this as a track mostly for enjoying on its own, not for anything in particular. It does loop decently well, though.

The time signature is 4/4 for the first 16 measures and 7/8 for the second 16. The drums are a simple electronic backbeat-based rhythm; not a whole lot is going on there. The only mildly interesting thing is the hi-hat part.

This piece is in the key of C minor, with a chord progression of | Cm | Fm | Ab sus2 | Eb | throughout the entire thing. The melody is a mix of all types, short of blues. I wanted this to be a piece that doesn't sit still and keeps you on your toes, but was still simple and easy to digest.

Nearly the whole piece is synthesized; the only non-synthesized tracks are a percussion element in the middle and the marimba in the second half. Even then, I only recorded a C on the marimba and used a sampler to spread it out over chords. The percussion element is two of my marimba mallets hitting the bottom of their bag.

I also used some effects to get the sound I wanted. Namely, some time-based effects in the form of reverb, a flanger, and a delay. Some dynamic effects were used to enhance the sounds themselves, like a compressor on the marimba and EQ on the melody to bring out the middle frequencies.

00:00 / 00:56

Project 2 - September 2024

This was my second real project in school.

This is a much more ambient piece than the last, intending to evoke the feeling of the vacuum of space. During this month, I learned how to properly mix my projects, so it should sound a lot better than the previous one. Again, though, the sound is supposed to be similar to electronic music from the 70s to early 90s; this time it sounds more like the mid 80s. I tried to go for a "analog but digital" feel in the synths.

The piece is in 4/4 at 85 bpm with mostly whole and half notes throughout. The overall key is Eb minor, though there are some different chords in there. There isn't much of a melody, just light movement throughout the chords.

00:00 / 02:12

Project 3 - December 2024

This was my third real project in school.

This is my first piece with vocals of any type; I was just learning how to write lyrics. This month had two bounces for my project, one during the process and one final. The "work-in-progress" one (no mixing, no recorded lyrics) is listed below. While the lyrics hadn't yet been recorded, the melody for them is there.

00:00 / 01:30

WIP Lyrics:

Off into space

(Off into space)

Without a doubt

(Without a doubt)

This is the last time

(This is the last time)

I will see home

(I will see home)

Large distances

(Large distances)

Empty expanse

(Empty expanse)

Alpha Centauri

(Alpha Centauri)

Simply awaits

(Simply awaits)

In search of life

At our nearest neighbor

Unlikely as it is

It just may be

Awaiting our approach

Awaiting a sign

Unable to reach out

But they see us coming