Octopath Traveler - Battle Theme I Cover (Strings Only)

Octopath Traveler - Battle Theme I Cover (Strings Only)
Been working on this cover since over a year ago. As usual, it's difficult to feel like it's good enough when comparing to the original version, but overall I'm satisfied with it - and figured it was a good time to finish (for now) to celebrate the release of Octopath Traveler 2!
This is the Strings Only version, which I think holds up pretty well on its own. You can listen to the Full Instrumental version here: • Octopath Traveler - Ba...
Credits:
Original from: Octopath Traveler
Composer: Yasunori Nishiki

[@siderth9035]

It sounds really good just with strings and the transcription is pretty decent. Very good work.

[@thejasonpai582]

Thanks so much! I hope you'd like the full instrumental version as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2m8mmmLortlfNE

[@eprohoda]

Wow~how gorgeous traveler,

[@thejasonpai582]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@XerxesWorldweaver]

Take a like. Well done.

[@thejasonpai582]

Thanks, I'll take it! 😄

[@tylophoa7192]

Hello. Not sure if yr still active on here since this is pretty old, however if so im quite qurious about your creation process. The strings sound tight but still powerful, however i can't seem to figure out how to make TSS sound like that. Anyways great cover, both this and the instrumental.

[@thejasonpai582]

@tylophoa7192 Thanks for your comment! I'm still active - kind of awkward to say that since it's been awhile since I posted, but some life changes are delaying the music production, haha. Hope to finish my next project by April...ish. Glad you liked these strings! I'd say the most important part was the MIDI programming. I used 3 instances of TSS each for Violin I and Violin II: 1 instance for legato, and 2 others to layer various short articulations when needed. Viola/Cello/Bass each had 2 instances of TSS: 1 instance for legato, and 1 other to layer various short articulations. I found this format really useful for trying to get the exact sound that I wanted. From there, I do an excessive amount of velocity and CC tweaking, and use Lookahead Mode too, which is super useful for being really precise with editing. Guess that's why these projects take me so long though, LOL. For mixing/mastering, I'd say it didn't turn out quite to my liking (overall too harsh and compressed compared to the original Octopath OST I think), but this is what it was: I used Board Mix, with some extra panning of 30% Left for Violin I, and 20% Left for Violin II (nowadays I usually use Mic Mix though). Had some EQ on the strings bus to tame frequencies at 1000 Hz and 2600 Hz, multiband compression (likely excessive), followed by Seventh Heaven Reverb set to Small Chamber. On the master, I had way too many FX, including EQ, compression, tape/distortion, OTT, decreasing stereo width with ozone imager, and two limiters at the end. I guess that's the "short" version, haha. I'm more than happy to discuss in way more excruciating detail to help you get the sound you want though! It's probably easiest to do so on Discord, if desired - my discord name is "thejasonpai". If you can't find me there, feel free to let me know here!

[@tylophoa7192]

Hello! Might of not been entirely clear. I meant that this video itself is sort of old so i didn't know if you would still respond on it. Anyways thx lots for the response. Il try to apply the advice you gave me, so i will only start bothering again if i Rly can't figure it out 😅. Cheers.

[@thejasonpai582]

@@tylophoa7192 No problem! I'd say you can probably get by with 2 TSS instances each for Violin I/II and Viola, and you might even be fine with 1 instance for Cello/Bass. Experiment with a combination of Legato + Sforzando or Spiccato with varying proportions (occasionally Sforzando + Spiccato instead), and a lot of Dynamics, Expression, and Vibrato modulation!