Selecting music for example-content

[Sandis Neilands]

Hello!

On 2/21/06, Henrik Nilsen Omma <henrik at ubuntu.com> wrote:
> So, I'm afraid I wasn't bowled over by the piano work (perhaps if it was
> Grieg, but that's my personal bias ...).

I guess piano is my (ex-piano-player's) personal bias. Don't get me
wrong - I'm perfectly fine with Holst. However I think for most users
simple and melodic piano piece might be more appealing/acceptable than
symphonic music. Of course I might be wrong.

> I think the classical music should be a bit more universally engaging
> for this purpose. Holst is good because it has been used often as film
> music so a wider audience will like it.

We shouldn't base or decisions upon popularity of the music.If we do
so we could end up shipping Beethoven-only CD. I mean I would rather
be surprised by a cool tune I have never heard before than listen "Ode
to joy" or "Moonlight sonata" yet another time.

> On to a different genre all together: electronica
>
> Try: http://www.subatomicglue.com/download/music/experimental/airborne.ogg
>
> I like the sequence from about 2.00 to 2.30. I feel that some other
> parts can be a bit too heavily layered with synth strings. I worry that
> that can sound quite tinny on, say, laptop speakers. It's also more
> approachable at first listen if it's a bit simpler. The group presents
> it as a work in progress, so it may be possible to ask them to alter it
> slightly for our purposes.

I think it sounds too midi'sh and I'm afraid it would sound even more
midi'sh on cheap headphones/laptop speakers.

While speaking of electronica, while listening to some tunes from
remix commons I noticed a trend - the tunes never get anywhere. I
can't stand listening the one and the same phrase repeated 10.000
times or for 6 minutes whichever comes first. If I had to choose from
that and quality classical music I would go with classics.

> We might also look at a place like: http://magnatune.com/
> None of that music is under a free enough license ATM, but the
> organisers and artists seem to have roughly the right idea. If we find
> something we really like, we could approach them and ask them to open
> source it properly, for mutual exposure.
>
> Thoughs?

A lot of music over there. What are the deadlines for you? I'm asking
because it will take time to get even a glimpse of whats inside.

And now some random thoughts after wandering at remixcommons.org

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/698
Tired eyes
Good audio quality. Doesn't infinitely repeat one phrase. Guitar is
good - at least the tune doesn't sound like some random midi converted
to ogg. At some point becomes boring.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/662
AF Harold - 37 ways to leave your Yak
Only one complaint - most users don't know English at all or don't
know it well enough to understand the poem.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/341
Oslo
The beat suggests that there's something wrong with your speakers or
headphones. Not very nice for users who have just switched/upgraded
and are oversensitive for that kind of things.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/328
Cuedos
Nice. I really like it.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/255
E
Counting indicates that this is in fact test/example content, which is
good. The same for "Sounds good". Crappy beginning. This is not my
favourite from musical POV, but counting and "sounds good" is even
very appropriate.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/314
Montasuma's Revenge
Interesting approach. Far better than the usual electronic crap.
Illustrates how lots of small things (sounds) brought together can
become something very interesting. Similar to free software in that
aspect. But we should really exercise our right to change the file
name.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/681
6021 - the raunchy launch remix
Drums suggest ubuntu's origin. If we are going to include Holst's
Jupiter or Venus, we could also include something more rhythmic too.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/664
Alan, Simon and Ross Jamming.
Illustrates the spirit of collaboration and freedom.
African/Australian origins. People talking in the background.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/312
Levi (unreleased demo)
Good audio quality. Sounds similar to U2.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/309
Miracle Lemon
Good audio quality again. If we are looking for pop-rock example, this
could be good candidate.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/175
Leadbelly - Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
Very cool! This could be the song that makes everybody smile again
after slightly serious Jupiter/electronica/whatever else.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/153
Maachhi Mara Na (Nepalese instrumental)
Perhaps we should think of including something refreshing that doesn't
come from western world?

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/223
While We Walk - Transition
Good audio quality. I like it better than miracle lemon.

http://www.remixcommons.org/node/354
WARD - "Generating Civil Society"
Check this out if you are looking for video examples too.

Hope this helps.
--
Sandis