Revisiting "Ironbound" – Growth as a Composer

In 2023, I started my Master's in Music Composition for Video Games at ThinkSpace Education, and Ironbound was the first project I worked on. With graduation approaching, I've been revisiting my old projects to remix, polish, and reflect on how much I've grown.

Listening back to Ironbound, I realized just how far I've come as a composer and music producer. So what changed?

Instrumentation

My sample libraries have expanded since Ironbound was initially composed, so I layered in more instruments. Now that I have multiple orchestral libraries, I'm able to add depth and realism to my tracks because, just like a real orchestra, there are multiple instruments in each section, each with its own unique sound.

Reverb

The original track was overly washy. One of the things I've noticed when working with reverb is if I don't walk away long enough and give my ears time to rest, I will inevitably add too much reverb.

Tempo

I finessed tempo changes to better synch with key moments in the scene. Hit points rarely land on a static tempo in cut scenes and trailers. Sometimes you have to wiggle the tempo around throughout the track to get that hit point to line up perfectly with the rhythmic moment you're trying to design.

Balance

Mixing isn't a set it and forget it situation and it isn't something you should try to complete in one sitting. Walking away is critical to achieving balance in your mix. And a mix isn't static, especially in video games. Things change and the music should reflect that. You'll need to use automation to make sure the right things are coming to the foreground at the right moments and that the rest of the instruments are getting out of the way when they don't need to take up as much space.

Revisiting Ironbound was an eye-opening experience. Hearing my earlier work with fresh ears made me realize just how much I've grown. Not just in technical skills, but in my ability to shape a more immerisve and dynamic sound. It's easy to get caught up in always pushing forward, but taking a step back to reflect on past work can be just as valuable. If you haven't done it in a while, I highly recommend revisiting your old projects. You might be surprised by how far you've come and even find inspiration for where to go next.