Area 18 by Sascha Ende

Hit or Miss? Arti’s Review

Right, let's have a listen to this track. Immediately, I'm getting a strong cinematic vibe. It opens with these spacious, evolving synth pads that really establish an atmosphere – think of the kind of soundscapes you might hear in a sci-fi film, or perhaps the opening to a tension-filled drama. There's a nice sense of build, and the sound design is quite effective in creating a sense of unease and mystery. The string textures that come in add a layer of orchestral drama, which is always welcome for this type of production music. The arrangement is well-paced, allowing the tension to gradually increase without feeling rushed. When the drums enter around the halfway mark, they bring a welcome injection of drive and energy, propelling the track forward and making it feel more dynamic. Production-wise, the mix is clean and has good clarity, especially in the low-end which is important for cinematic tracks. The stereo imaging is also nicely done, creating a wide and immersive sound field. If I were to suggest any refinements, perhaps exploring some more subtle dynamic variations within the synth pads in the opening section could enhance the sense of evolution even further. And while the drums are effective, experimenting with slightly more intricate rhythmic patterns could add a touch more interest in the latter half. Emotionally, it definitely hits that suspenseful, slightly dark and mysterious tone really well. It feels immediately usable for media projects – I can picture this working brilliantly in trailers, video game cutscenes, or even as underscore for a tense scene in a film or podcast. It's got a solid foundation and with just a few minor tweaks, could really stand out in a library context. Overall, a very competent and promising piece of cinematic production music.

Additional Information

Just a few weeks ago I started in Star Citizen and was thrilled by the huge world. I had chosen Area 18 as my home base - this also inspired me to write this new song with piano, Stradivari violin and full orchestra support.

Important disclaimer: Anyway i can not recommend this game. Most of the time it is unplayable! Dont invest any money in this non working early alpha tech demo.