Monthly WIP #1: "Waning" OST track

Hello all! For our first December WIP, we're going to take a look at another track from RE:H's OST. Don't forget to download and listen to the WIPs in the "Attachments" below!

"Waning," one of the more dramatic and emotional tracks, actually went through some of the most revisions and redirections on the OST. It has a particularly difficult vibe to nail down--poignant and wistful without being sappy, while still being low-key enough to remain ambient rather than distracting from the story. 

When we first heard v1, we liked the general instrumentation, but it also felt...somewhat empty, and a little too dark/dead. The wandering feeling was distracting and lost, not concentrated enough to bring out the emotion.

Here were some of our (clipped) notes for our composer Murcielo for v1:

-Backup guitar? (left ear) playing some random notes/chords every now and then is a little too distracting/not integrated as well with ensemble. good voice, just needs better contribution
-Percussion that is on beat (kinda clappy sound) is a bit too persistent/even and loud particularly in beginning
-Transitions sound a little like the band trips up between sections
-Main guitar at :53 and 1:37 is somewhat too strong/intense
-Would it be possible to switch organ to some other synth that can still add some nice texture throughout piece, but with a sound that is more cohesive to overall track sound?
-Generally would like a little less wandering-sounding. maybe a couple of more established (but not necessarily too complex or anything) motifs.
-3:55-end is really nice! but would love more bass guitar for a deeper/more intense texture 

When we got back v2, our first impression was "We like the first one better!" Of course, that's something of a frustrating feeling when you're trying to progress with a track. But it was difficult to deny--v2 seemed a lot more monotone and didn't have the dark gravity of v1. 

Our reply to Murcielo:

 We really like how this version layers the instruments, although the layering is a little too dense and could maybe be spaced out a bit to add some aural interest.  The previous version actually captured the feeling of the track a lot better (darker), and we liked the range and melodic variety in it more as well. Could you merge the layering from this version with the feeling, range, and variety in the previous one, and also add some more support from the bass? 

Then came v3. Again, we still weren't feeling it. After a third round of editing that doesn't  achieve the right vibe, it's easy to get frustrated with the track and feel tempted to either go back to the drawing board (perfectly acceptable, but sometimes time constraints) or give up and let the composer do whatever. 

However, we have a lot of faith in Murc's abilities. We liked the general sound he was working towards--you can feel hints of the intense bleakness and drama intended for RE:H's important scenes--but v1 was still the closest to that sound.

 Somehow, the updates feel not quite there to us, and we've been going back to the first version as closest. It's something about how they seem to lose a lot of the moodier/darker feel and sound too dense around the mid range. Can we try going back to the first version but either remove the organ entirely or swap it with something else (but not cello)? 

As it turned out, going back to the first draft was exactly the right idea!

We went through a few more small edits and revisions (v4 and v5), but after the long and difficult process of figuring out what didn't work, all of us came to understand that the core of the track was mostly in v1, and it only needed minor instrument and section tweaking to achieve its purpose. Little changes can make a huge difference.

After a few more edits, we finally arrived at v6, which is what became the final track iteration. We're glad that none of us gave up on "Waning," which provides some emotional weight to the OST in places where songs like "Starless" and "Mundus Vult Decepi" just don't fit quite as well.

Moral of the story: Sometimes going back to a first draft is the best idea! Refining and reworking something too much isn't always necessary--don't underestimate the impact of small changes.

Check out the RE:H OST on Steam!