✧ Project: Orpheus - Imagine Create Share ✧

Alright, so! How is your Orpheus project taking shape? Anyone making connections here? Getting a plan together?

Again I'm trying to work a bit ahead, maybe ten days on you all - at this point most of you should be cobbling together a general plot line,
1. where you are now (or were before),
2. what's about to happen,
3,. and a bit of an idea of how it's gonna shake out in the end.
Plus probably still some crazy ideas you might be trying to fit into the puzzle.

We are looking for 7-10 rough titles, and a general storyline those titles follow.

Mine is sort of fleshing out. I have made a few test generations of what will be my opening track, now loosely titled "Two-Hundred Terrawatts."

The second track will be called "Rezurrection" and the third something like "Peasants, Rubes and Bumpkins."

Rezurrection will zoom in on the "200 Terrawatt" big picture, flesh that out a bit more, and will be in rap/hip-hop form. "Peasants, Rubes and bumpkins" is going to be a very different feel, I'm thinking I'm gonna to shoot
for a dark, scary kind of Gregorian choir chant sort of thing.

That's an example of not only variance in soundstyle like I mentioned earlier, but also indicative of some of the things you can do with a little "digital assistance," which most of us could't go there musically in RL.

To me it's all in the aim to tell a better story. I want to create an album like an audio drama in music form, I guess. Maybe a musical, without the all the viz and choreography? Suddenly I now see it in my head as one that almost could be.

My lyrics still need lots of honing. I'm torn between one opener version where I input a guitar riff I made into Suno and asked for it to be bouncy alt pop like I was originally thinking, (setting a tone which soon changes dramatically). But then I did another test gen with that same riff, and instead requested dark, powerful, 1970's arena rock.

Dang! Such a hooky headbangin' chorus to it, it's now stuck in my head and I can't stop humming the damn thing. I tried a few other test gens too, but those two really stand out.

The problem is, I know which I would easily prefer just for listening on it's own the latter one, but in context as a scene-setter for the coming drama, the first one being lighter might be actually more powerful.

will be a tough decision.

My lyrics need serious tightening still, so I will be "borrowing" the vibes of both of those test gens and put more refined phrasing to them in upcoming days and weeks. But at some point I will have to commit.

One thing I wanted to say today is, a lot of concept albums have that SFX soundscape thing going on.
Dark Side of the Moon, with the clocks, alarms, cash register etc. Alan Parsons Projects, Supertramp, etc. Many others.

This can be a GREAT tool to help set scenes, break up the music, keep your listeners engaged.

One idea for mine came to me a couple days ago, I think I will feature at least a few times. Yesterday I
d/l'd myself some versions to play with in reaper or audacity. Drone SFX!

That sound we recognize, can drive you up the damn wall, really sets a mood.

So, this was just a little check in on y'alls here. a gentle little nudge for ya!

Sometime towards the end of the week I feel most of you should have a plan and be at least starting on, or honing lyrics for your first piece. You want to leave yourself ample time for production, the holidays are going to be a bit of a disruptor.

I'm hoping around Jan 3, perhaps some first "test" tracks will filter into this thread.

And I don't mind if any participants decide to drop maybe a couple of "takes" in this tread to gauge opinion, but perhaps a good idea to NOT junk up this thread with so many in-process home studio or Suno takes that fouls up the thread too badly.

I'm resisting the urge right now, truth to tell. But my lyrics need far too much work But it may be very interesting for us to see
how our pieces a start out, and get developed into final form.

Maybe your thoughts on that? Again this is fully an experimental thread project, so anyone who following along, and/or participating, your ideas and opinions on how this project should continue are valid and important.

SMHbtWrr_o.gif
 
Last edited:
Alright, so! How is your Orpheus project taking shape?
Is anyone making connections here? getting a plan together?

Again I'm trying to work a bit ahead, by maybe ten days on you all - at this point most of you should be cobbling together a general plot line,
1. where you are now (or were before),
2. what's about to happen,
3,. and a bit of an idea of how it's gonna shake out in the end.
Plus probably still some crazy ideas you might be trying to fit into the puzzle.

We are looking for 7-10 rough titles, and a general storyline those titles follow.

Mine is sort of fleshing out. I have made a few test generations of what will be my opening track,
which is loosely titled "200 Terrawatts"
The second track will be called "Rezurrection" and the third something like "Peasants, Rubes and Bumpkins"
Rezurrection will zoom in on the "200 Terrawatt" big picture, flesh that out a bit more, and will be in rap/hip-hop form.
"Peasants, Rubes and bumpkins" is going to be a very different feel, I'm thinking I'm going to try to shoot
for a dark, scary kind of Gregorian choir sort of thing.

So, maybe that's an example of not only variance in soundstyle like I mentioned earlier, but also indicative
of some of the things you can do with a little digital assistance, which most of us could't go there musically in RL.
To me it's all in the aim to tell a better story. I want to create an album that is like an audio drama in music form, I guess.
or maybe a musical, without the all the viz and choreography? But I now suddenly see it in my head as one that almost could be.

My lyrics still need lots of honing . I am torn between one opener version where I input a guitar riff I made into Suno and asked
for it to be bouncy and alt pop like I was originally thinking, (setting a tone that soon changes dramatically).
But then i did another test gen with my same riff, and instead requested dark, powerful, 1970's arena rock.
Dang! It has such a hooky headbangin' chorus to it, it's now stuck in my head and I can't stop humming the damn thing.
I tried a few other test gens too, but those two really stand out.

The problem is, I know which I would easily prefer just for listening on it's own the latter one,
but in context as a scene setter for the coming drama, the first one may be actually more powerful.

will be a tough decision.

My lyrics need serious tightening still, so I will be "borrowing" the vibes of both of those test gens and put more refined
lyrics to them in a couple of weeks. But at some point I will have to commit.

One thing I wanted to say today is, a lot of concept albums have that SFX soundscape thing going on.
Dark Side of the Moon, with the clocks, alarms, cash register etc. Alan Parsons Projects, etc. Lots of others.
This can be a GREAT tool to help set scenes, break up the music, keep listener engaged.
One idea for mine came to me a couple days ago, I think I will feature at least a few times, and yesterday
d/l'd myself some versions to play with in reaper or audacity.

Drone SFX! That sound that we recognize, can drive you up the damn wall, and really sets a tone!

So, this was just a little check in on y'alls here. a gentle little nudge for ya!

Sometime towards the end of the week I feel most of you should have a plan and be at least starting on, or honing lyrics
for your first piece. You want to leave yourself some time for production, and the holidays are going to be a bit of a disruptor.

I'm hoping around Jan 3, perhaps some first "test" tracks will filter into this thread.
And I don't mind if any participants decide to drop maybe a couple of "takes" to gauge opinion, but perhaps a good idea
to NOT junk up this thread with so many in-process home studio or Suno takes that fouls up the thread too badly.

I'm resisting the urge right now, truth to tell. But my lyrics need too much work still. But it might be interesting to see
how a piece starts out, then how it got developed into final form.

Maybe your thoughts on that? Again this is fully an experimental thread/project, so anyone following along, participating,
your ideas and opinions on how this project should continue are valid and important.

SMHbtWrr_o.gif
Pretty wild man. Creativity is flowing ! It is what is really all about. Seeing the excitement to keep going as you challenge yourself !
 
My original stuff is all instrumental, no lyrics or vocals (except for maybe some 'atmospheric' bits), so if having those is a prerequisite to participation i'm afraid i'm out. i usually prefer to let the titles and the music itself allow the listener to envision the story in exactly the way that suits them, although there will be a definite story line here. Each piece of music will be the 'soundtrack' to a written chapter of the story.
If doing things this way is allowed, then here's my rough outline (tentative titles):

THE KEEPER OF DARKNESS
- the overture (a fateful evening / one helluva story)
- After The Knockdown
- Fall From Grace
- Separation Anxiety

- I've Got What You Want Alright
- The Little Goblin

- Glamourpuss

- ? (TBD)
- A Difference Of Opinion
- Like I Said, It's A Helluva Story (the wrap-up)


(all of which is subject to change as we proceed with the writing parts, ofc)

This project will be in the dark ambient/urban/industrial vein.
i'm often working to conceptual themes both for individual tracks and for entire albums, but my pace is usually pretty rapid once a basic idea has gelled.
i would have a hard time keeping to the timeline if i were only doing the music, but trying to write something interesting will help to slow things a bit.
 
Last edited:
@frostyjr2 this is awesome, I don't want to put the brakes on you... everyone here already understands you are a driven recordist/artist.

I think making an instrumental concept album is actually a more difficult prospect, because you can't tie pieces together with lyrical themes.

I think one way instrumental concept albums tie together is sometimes they'll be long form with pieces flowing into each other, musically transitioning ... like a jazz symphony perhaps, with several movements ?

That kind of thinking forward and composing takes serious skills and abilities.
Maybe you might consider flowing some cuts together if you hear the opportunities?
 
Last edited:
@frostyjr2 ...I don't want to put the brakes on you...

I think making an instrumental concept album is actually a more difficult prospect, because you can't tie pieces together with lyrical themes.

[...]
Maybe you might consider flowing some cuts together if you hear the opportunities?
No worries!
This project doesn't prevent me from doing other work in between, and although i can't use lyrics to tie things together i can certainly try to come up with thematic musical ideas that will possibly do that for the listener.
As for flow, i've already considered that and have some new equipment (hardware and software) that will make that easier than ever for me, so i'm on it.
Thanks for the early feedback!
 
Last edited:
Just a little brain moment I had last night for bridging part of my story.
Maybe some of you might be trying to figure out stuff like this....

Suno isn't yet super great at it yet, but with some imagination, you can pull little transition things out of it.
I'll be doing some short news flash things similar to this on my album I think


Just to confirm, Barbarian Bob is NOT in my story, (but maybe I can work him in, as product placement).
 
Last edited:
Was just messaging with an Orpheus participant, who is already gettin' musical!

And it's super cool! :listening:

By the end of this week it's my aim to reveal a loose song list like @frostyjr2 has already done... (nothing has to be carved in stone at this time). This indicates you have a plot plan roughed out as well.

I hope to see all your lists filter in this week so the actual music-making can begin for first song reveals around the middle of January.
kto-kounotori.gif

VqzZtPr0_o.gif
 
Sunday afternoon, snow is falling slow, great big flakes... looks like a giant pillow fight out there right now.

I'm inside by my roaring wood stove with a big spiked coffee, my nutty thoughts, and a pad of paper, trying to organize thoughts, working, planning. So many things need to happen.

Sh0sJld6_o.jpg


So, here's my 10 rough titles:

1. 200 Terrawatts
2. Rezurrection
3. Peasants, Rubes and Bumpkins
4. Oh Canada
5. Surveillance
6. Weapon Eyes
7. War March
8. Manifest Destiny
9. Surge
10. 75 Years, (Under the Gun)
11. 200 Terrawatts Reprise

Could change... i hope it doesnt too much. My plan is in motion, though. Feels good! A sci-fi tale, set in the very near future.

First three songs roughed out. Will sharpen up 200 Terrawatts over next few days.
Iljq6eZT_o.gif
 
@TVvoodoo are we using AI for this. I tried it out and while cool it left my creative side flat.
Although I will admit. The vocals sound cool.
Here is what I came up with.

From the original post:

'I suggest you relieve a vast amount of creative/production pressure off yourself with SUNO AI music Creation.'

So it's not a requirement, and you're free to use as much of it as serves you or none at all.

i won't be using SUNO or any other AI for my own project apart from my usual drum machines and the very basic concept of a shadow as a sort of commodity which was put forward as 'The Man Who Sold His Shadow' ...
which i will bend to my will.
 
Last edited:
@TVvoodoo are we using AI for this. I tried it out and while cool it left my creative side flat.
Although I will admit. The vocals sound cool.
Here is what I came up with.

L2K... don't expect your first "roll" to be gold. I find I usually have to "cover" my original I like best adjusting the style prompt to nudge it in the direction you want... then you'll get two more you can continue to nudge toward what you want.
It's all in the combo of song layout where you describe the architecture of then combine it with your description of what you want to hear. You can also designate BPM, metal genre/style, and I almost always include the word "dynamic" which gives light and shadow to the production One thing i suggest is you also have a listen to some produced songs in the style you are shooting for, then have a closer look how that user described it before it was created (suno shows this) . You will learn a LOT of cool tricks that way.

Also, take a half hour and watch some of this dudes
Video

Lastly... you can totally input your own riffs and suno will blast them up and put the lyrics to them. that's the suggested way to not run out of free credits fast though the will renew monthly I think.

Don't look at it as pushing a button and having to accept what it gives you. Bend, shape, steer
 
Alright. The concept album you never thought you wanted, were waiting for or even saw coming!

The Pitch ...
A mythic metal fantasy tale of an oppressed child who's teacher is hardship and pain. The child grows and defies the established order. Fights back and becomes a legend.
I know what you are thinking ... "Conan?" ... no, much more epic!!!

The concept album.

"FORGED in CHAINS: The Rise of BarbarianBob

1) Ash in the Cradle
2) Bruised by Every Name
3) The Village that Bowed
4) Blood and Sand
5) Breaking Chains
6) Steel and Flesh
7) Barbarian Born Of Battle (B.O.B.)
8) War and Ruin
9) Screams of Kings (The Fall of Empires)
10) The Legend Carved in Bone
 
Last edited:
Oh man! I was having a songwriting discussion with a dude this morning on another forum and we were discussing the power of "visual writing" how when a few words come together in a way that it immediately sets off a violent chain reaction in our brains... so we see a picture or a short movie in our heads. "Ash in the Cradle" totally nails that vibe/technique, at least it does for me.

You already got this brother @LiveeviL2000
 
Last edited:
Things are moving along pretty nicely, and i've made an aesthetic decision to limit the number of different instruments i'll be using for this project:
the EHB1000S bass, the Strat i call Jazzy Jen, the MPC LIVE, and ROLI NOISE.
i'm hoping that that, along with recurring musical motifs, will help to connect the different pieces.
At least that's where i'm at for now.
As always, things may change as the project evolves, though.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top