OCR00922 - Chrono Trigger 'A World Awaits Chrono' [Archive]

dkhighwind

02-08-2003, 05:22 AM

Meh.

A electronica/techno CT theme. Whoopie.

Is it just me, or are these getting old?

The fact remains that the song is on OCR and that this is a forum for "reviews" (of all things). Whether you think there are too many or too few of these songs is your own opinion- that has nothing to do with the quality of each individual piece.

I just wanted to mention that DJP said the song had a resemblence to Vic Viper's arrangement "DownTown." I think he, in fact, meant Digimatic's "Simon's Town," which is an arrangement of the same song.

In any case, I really like the song and wouldn't classify it as "techno" at all.

AnotherOneBitesTheDust

02-08-2003, 05:33 AM

Not if it's done right.

I remember the Temporal Distortion mix covering the same song, I didn't really like it that much for some reason. This, however, this...is pretty freaking cool even though I've heard the theme so many times.

I remember this on vgmix awhile back. The second half seems better as more originality is put into it by then. Definitely something to put the volume to the max for.

Zeality

02-08-2003, 05:36 AM

The fact remains that the song is on OCR and that this is a forum for "reviews" (of all things). Whether you think there are too many or too few of these songs is your own opinion- that has nothing to do with the quality of each individual piece.

Exactly. There will never be enough Zeal remixes.

Excellent piece, btw.

djpretzel

02-08-2003, 05:53 AM

I just wanted to mention that DJP said the song had a resemblence to Vic Viper's arrangement "DownTown." I think he, in fact, meant Digimatic's "Simon's Town," which is an arrangement of the same song.

Yes - good catch, thanks. Corrected.

Tranced

02-08-2003, 06:05 AM

There's something about this mix that stands out from any other version I've heard. I don't know what exactly, but it makes for a pleasing version of the CT version. Whether or not it's part of an ever-growing list of CT remixes, it's stands on it's own as a powerful song.

suzumebachi

02-08-2003, 06:36 AM

Ahh yes, someone mentioned a URL to this a week or so ago in #ocremix, and I picked it up. Love it. Definitely reminds me of AE. Wish I had the know how to give this a technical review, I'll leave that up to you remixers :P

btw: for anyone who wants to, try and get J:/Drive's version of the 600 A.D. theme, it's also really good.

yeah i've been listening to this for a while now, and i can't get enough of it.

glad to see it's on OCR to be shared by the masses!!

and yes... J:/Drive's 600 A.D. theme also kicks ass.

sgx

02-08-2003, 07:16 AM

AY! I caught this awesome song back on vgmix under a different name: "From Woodsword to Katana". Why the name change? Anyway, I think I reviewed this back at vgmix. I said something along the lines of how awesome the drums were, how the orchestral parts worked well, and how great the electronic sounds are. Everything in this is top notch. I think I griped about something about how it gets a bit too busy near the climax, but I've changed my mind. It's great. This possibly my favorite mix ever. This is the song I play for my electronic music lovin friends to show them how cool video game remixing can be. I hope I can ever kick close to how much ass this song does. Freakin awesome.

GreatLeo

02-08-2003, 07:42 AM

Yeah this is totally one of my favorite CT mixes all the way back when I first heard it on vgmix and definately deserves to be recognized here aswell. :)
Beautifully done in very much the same style as AE, so more of a reason why I cant wait to hear more from j:/drive in the future!!! :D

DJ Crono

02-08-2003, 04:46 PM

Awesome. Definitely sounds like it would be on PMM's Squaredance. I like the combination of Hip Hop with Electronica. The scratches and distortions are done excellently, and the ending clock ticking is a nice touch. This remixer knows what they're doing. You know, I hear a lot of mixes, and I personally sometimes think, why? Or maybe, this could've been better. But this person's got, at least that's what I get from this mix. I'd like to hear more.

~DJ Crono~

ziwtra

02-08-2003, 05:11 PM

Jam-packed with detailed effects and little tricks here, there, everwhere! My favorite is the fake ending at 4:20 or so. There are very fine moments of that sweeping feeling that I think Mitsuda captured so well in the CT Title theme.. but overall my only complaint is that the segmented/chopped leads and syncopated drum beat can't convey the feeling so well. At some points I felt like the mix was trying to be cool or clever or creative or wacky or slicey and had forgotten to just be beauitful. But "The lady doth complain too much..." for this is really an amazing remix.

And, by the way, the little splice in of Terra's theme was terribly clever.

yh

janus1428

02-08-2003, 07:33 PM

what is the url for the 600 ad remix??

k-wix

02-08-2003, 08:25 PM

hello J:/Drive! lets..start..! A pretty good mix, there are a few *SLIGHT* issues.. but.. this is deffinitely worth the long download. Especially for that ending - it can blow you away :P

0:01 - its a clock! ..it has to be CT! i know it!

0:11 - cool intro..digging the sudden beat changes here..along with those open chords..delicious.

0:30 - Sounds a LOT like the original..but the beat sounds awesome.. along with whats used.

0:40 - Whoa! awesome stuff here.. But again, a lot like the original, which doesnt sit well with me. Lots of stuff going on here.. Cool beat.. the lead is done quite nicely, i love the sudden stops.

0:58 - Again..still very much like the original..lets mix it up!

1:08 - Ouch - that hurt the ears a bit, careful..

1:30 - Cool Drumbeat.. But again, Its a LOT like the original, even when you change it up, you can still hear the original, feels like nothings new beyond some cool effects.

2:27 - OMG! my Mp3 Skipped!

2:40 - The drumwork is getting a bit TOO sporatic for the mixes own good, while i see what your trying to do, I Don't think it complements everything 100%..

3:04 - Some Chords sound OFF here.. maybe its my ears..but .. something sounds off.

3:24 - ahh, it was inteded to be off at this point, which i understand, thank you for mixing some stuff up :P

3:42 - Excellent work here...The Synth WOULD have created a Dance-ish vibe if it wasn't out of place through this part.. I wish you would have fixed that.. examples: 3:45 - 3:56 - 4:00

4:23 - Cool work here.. love the sudden stop.. The chords here are done very well. EXCELLENT work here. the bassline Brings this part at you, deffinitely a sign of pulling out all the stops, which i LOVE.

5:20 - Brilliant work here at the end, DEFFINITELY the highlight of the mix. It all came together quite nicely.

The Original Smeg

02-09-2003, 04:54 AM

Just a bit of info for those who are comparing J:\Drive to Digimatic and/or Æ: Æ + Digimatic + J:\Drive = Wave Theory (http://www.planetskill.com/).

A-RoN

02-09-2003, 12:38 PM

First review this year,

This is a remix of the Chrono Trigger Theme I've been waiting for a long time to hear. Upbeat, slightly electronic and having variations. I've heard an Acid Jazz version of this theme, and it wasn't as good. Everything is excellent in this mix, good synth lines, some intentional skipping, nice choices of chances. Very good, except for how much reverb you put on the clock sound in the beginning and ending.

The best Chrono Trigger Theme mixage from J Drive to date.

endblink

02-09-2003, 02:25 PM

Just a bit of info for those who are comparing J:\Drive to Digimatic and/or Æ: Æ + Digimatic + J:\Drive = Wave Theory (http://www.planetskill.com/).Heh heh. Thanks, we know. It was in djp's original write up. ;)

Okay. Coolest part of this mix is the "CD skipping" effect J:/Drive used. That blows me away.

Also, the ending from about 4:19 till the end is to die for.

I did have some issues with a few notes here and there I felt were a little... off. Things where I understood the choices made, but felt they were a little jarring, mostly in the bridge. But those are drops in a bucket of goodness.

Cool effects, good original tune, great song.

Definitely recommend this one.

Sabreman

02-09-2003, 05:32 PM

I'm so happy to see J:/Drive here at OCR. This is one of my all-time favourite remixes - I picked it up from VGMix a while ago under it's 'Woodsword to Katana' guise. Unfortunately VGMix always seems to be down since, and I've tried finding some more stuff from J:Drive, so hopefully here's where I can get it.

I'm not musical myself (I just love these remixes), so I can't offer any musical criticism except to say that I love the whole of this and can't wait to hear more :D

Zeenbor

02-09-2003, 05:42 PM

I also got this a few months back at vgmix, entitled "From Woodsword to Katana".

My favorite part is at ~4:20... Makes me want to bang on my god damn desk it is so good. ~3:40 is also damn good!

Excellent remix. 8)

ZombieFonzie

02-09-2003, 09:03 PM

Solid

neostormx

02-10-2003, 12:20 AM

EDIT: I gave it a couple more spins.

I've been spoiled with so many remixes of this popular track that they all start to sound the same to me. However, the second half of the remix DID have new interpretations and for that i was appreciative. I agree with everyone else that the ending was very well done and improvised.

Let me just sum up by saying this remix has tremendous quality in terms of technical work (its not easy to do), but I felt some sounds were a little off key and it disturbed me. I thought about what those quarky off key notes mean to this remix... I guess i'm just a tad bit conservative cuz im sure its something new and innovating, but it hurts my musical soul. J:\Drive has really got something here though (especially that beat work at 3:37) and I can't wait to hear what cool INNOVATIVE stuff i'll hear next from him.

Kaneda

02-10-2003, 04:12 AM

Well, I cant say much regarding the appropriateness of what instruments and form the artist used considering I have no remixing background, but I must say this song, in my opinion, far surpasses any other Chrono Trigger remix on the site. Sometimes I think its better to just to sit back and listen to the remix as a whole and take it all in, instead of dissecting it and saying how such and such a portion could of been better. I don’t know if I’m alone here, but I feel this song is truly a masterpiece.

nesper

02-10-2003, 01:52 PM

Everything in this mix i superb. I look forward to hearing more!

Scrobble

02-11-2003, 01:57 AM

Whose idea was it to change the title? I like the mix, just wondering.

Unipulator

02-12-2003, 08:00 AM

This mix has addictive, limitless energy... all the benefits of crack but without the wife-beating.

But doesn't it seems as though some of the chords have been changed for the worse? Every time the first theme comes to a close, the harmony seems to dissolve. Here's the nerdy part: in the original, the final chord of the theme is this great 2nd-inversion (F# on top) d major over an E bass, but here there isn't even a chord, just that F# over an F# bass. Obnoxiously technical, but after all that lush shit that F# always seems pretty lonely.

Kamikaze Noodle

02-13-2003, 01:23 AM

in the original, the final chord of the theme is this great 2nd-inversion (F# on top) d major over an E bass, but here there isn't even a chord, just that F# over an F# bass. Obnoxiously technical, but after all that lush shit that F# always seems pretty lonely.

In my personal opinion, the power of the single note compliments the strength and adds better resolution to this somewhat crazy off-the-wall style of this mix. And no offence Unipulator, but "obnoxiously technical" doesnt even begin to describe the level of nit-picking your going at here. I understand you want to accurately describe what you feel is wrong with this mix, but I don't know, seems kinda wierd. Anyways, this mix rulez!!!11! I don't think anyone likes anything repetitive, and this mix throws tons of ideas at you all at once! I LUVS IT! The tiniest little things in the background add almost subliminaly to the greatness. (example: 0:27- the noise in the background that sorta sounds like, for lack of a better desciption, little gnomes hammering things) And sounds that would ruin most mixes improve the fun of this one. (example 2:00- sounds like the "you're wrong" buzzer on game shows) If you couldn't tell already, I luvs this mix.

Dark Heart

02-13-2003, 02:22 AM

its ok...just not much comment...you can dl it or not...ur choice

elman

02-15-2003, 12:52 AM

Maaaannn! I was lookin for this everywhere! After downloading your song and burning it on a disk, i deleted it off the computer. Then the disk broke and VGMIX went down!

Anyway, this is one of my favorite remixes of all time. I love that weird "tshsc" beat. However, the instrument choice for the main theme was kinda annoying, too bad you couldn't have used something a little smoother like in "Temporal Distortion."

Darkside783111

08-29-2003, 12:56 AM

Two words "Fvcking Awesome"

Ticadrius

08-31-2003, 04:25 PM

I honestly enjoyed this one a lot, probably my favorite techno remix of Crono's Theme I've heard. I like the effects, the distortion, the scratching, and the skipping effect. This remix is head and shoulders above the others I've heard of Crono's Theme. Both addictive, and pushing the envelope, but close enough to the original not to piss off and big fans of the game.

Defenitely a keeper.

thebishounen

11-02-2003, 12:50 AM

:D
love this
especially the piano echoing the synth around 1:12

very nicely done
could have used some vocal synths tho (hehe or maybe that's just my obsession with them)

njsykora

05-19-2004, 06:22 PM

I'm really surprised that J:/Drive doesn't have more remixes here as he obviously has loads of skill. This has been my favorite mix for a long time now mainly because I've long held the Chrono Trigger tune as my favorite on the OST and this is a mix that really does it justice. After a few listens of this the original sounds flat.

NJ Rating: Aural Sex.

DragonFireKai

09-01-2004, 07:29 PM

I love this remix. it's got enough going on to keep me interested. just great.

BlueMage

09-07-2004, 05:45 AM

There's only one way I can think of to describe this remix - bloody incredible. Someone who hasn't played the game can listen to this, and immediately get a feel of the epic nature of it, while someone who has played will probably feel like the story's being retold without words. Of all the Chrono Trigger remixes I've heard, this is probably the best.

Underground871

02-24-2005, 01:17 PM

That is an excellent mix...you know, chronotrigger magic is very well defined by this tune alone.

bladiator

03-25-2005, 01:47 PM

This is one of my all-time favorite remixes on the site. The fusion of complex drumwork, multiple echoing melody lines, and excellent panning make me very happy. It doesn't get old at all at the 5:31 mark (which is saying a LOT because most songs in the 5-6 minute range bore long before they finish).

Awesome awesome awesome. Oh, and he picked great source material. :)

Davedawg235

05-25-2005, 10:20 PM

This does Chrono Trigger the justice it deserves...Truly an epic tribute to the greatest game of all time. The way it plays sporadically yet melodically is just beautiful, it almost drove me to tears at 3:18 - 3:38, the arosen tension then relieved by even more brilliance.

Best Chrono remix ever. Hands down.

Bummerdude

09-25-2005, 11:52 AM

THIS IS THE WORST ORCHESTRAL REMIX I´VE HEARD, AND....what? it´s a techno? OOOOOhhhhhh..I see.

Just kidding. This was quite the techno remix, you´ll never get tired of the Premonition, eh dudes? But personally, I just thought that this is too overstuffed. My heart melted at the beautiful part at 2:08, it really did, sounded like Chaos theme from FF1. Nice, but when that part came again at 3:37, it didn´t fit with all those technonoises in the back. Maybe I´m too orchestric, but this was just not my style.:whatevaa:

And how did you manage to find that giant pendulum in the beginning and end, THAT one was cool. 8)

drunknmunky

11-09-2006, 04:56 PM

One of the first OC remixes I ever heard and still probably the best one, this song is amazing no matter how many times you play it. This would usually be way to techno for me, especially considering its took from chrono trigger, but theres just something about this which makes it stand out. Love the ending to it, fits it so well, especially that insane part at 4:20. What can I say, great job. :D

peterrrr

11-13-2006, 04:10 AM

nice song.

JDriveWT

06-26-2007, 08:18 AM

Wow guys...

Thanks everyone for all of your excellent critiques and comments. I remember working on this mix at my little kitchen table/ haphazard computer/sound mixing set up in my Dad's old small apartment... AND with my old ass HP computer that probably couldn't handle most of the stuff I work on now...

Since then I've evolved as a musician and composer in WaveTheory and with my solo work.

When I first submitted this mix- it was "From Wood Sword To Katana"- I liked the title, but I think I had to re-submit it for some reason, to fix some things- I'm not exactly sure why. Anyway, I think I needed to change the title because I posted it on VGmix first, then here, because it had to go through DJP. I guess I might have thought that the first title was a little cheese...

There are so many comments, I don't know where to start- but I'll end this by saying that I'm planning on submitting more remixes- and they will be CT for the most part. I'm looking to re-interpret some of my favorites.

As far as all the "just another CT remix- whoopie" jumbo- I can understand if people are tired of them, but I love the game, love the music even more- and I wouldn't have it any other way. If you don't want to hear "another CT remix" then don't listen to them :p Besides, there's a reason so many people keep doing them...

Comparing me to AE and Digimatic is totally fine, because they're my brothers and bandmates as many of you know. You'll find I have branched off with my own style though, so look out.

I'm interested in doing remixes for other games, especially now that my mixing, and arranging skills are tons better. Maybe even with some vocals.

J:/Drive won't be known for the "one remix" for much longer...

Maybe I'll be to CT remixes as AE is to MegaMan? lol... probably not.

I did submit the 600 A.D. mix, but DJP rejected that one. I think Alex (AE) even voted to not accept it! lol... I think it had mixing issues. At the time I didn't think sound quality was as important as the content of the composition. Oh well...

I couldn't remember my password for my old account, so I made this one. Glad to be back.

MechaFone

12-08-2007, 08:04 PM

For some reason, this song always reminds me of Titan AE. I've loved this song for years, I've got it on my personal list of top some-high-ranked songs.

bladiator

06-12-2008, 03:53 PM

OK, on my trip to 1000 I found that HAD already written a review for this song, but again, this is a fantastically written remix.

The drumwork never gets old. He keeps it exciting the entire piece through as opposed to my own drum looped-ness. The build up at the end is fantastic. It gets more and more complex, adding layers upon layers and then drops them all out again and starts thumping the bass and then building back up a SECOND time. And even though this would seem to get repetitive, it's the part I look forward to every time.

The central section where the theme gets obscured and starts just wandering around through some dissonant harmonies was a part that had to grow on me, but the more I listened to it, the more I appreciated how he had to do quite a bit of original work on that section as opposed to just staying on the melody all the way through. Great segue to get back to the B section of the theme.

I can't say enough about this song. It's really well written and I wish he had stuck around and done more. Oh, and I feel like it gave new life to the overused theme (although I really enjoy the theme).

JDriveWT

02-21-2009, 07:00 AM

thinking about remixing another CT track.

The "Omen" theme (not sure whatever everyone else calls it)-

OR "The Masamune" theme or "Frog" theme or "Cyrus" theme (whatever you call it)...

Damn, it's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you, without a dope beat to step to, step to... step to... step to.:oops:

yosefu

06-13-2009, 09:05 AM

Very good remix. the production work and samples are just done very well. thankyou JDriveWT for doing this.

04-22-2010, 04:03 PM

Some really good ideas here keeping the theme pretty fresh and moving in some unexpected directions. I can definitely hear the comparison to AE in a lot of aspects, but there is a distinct flavor here as well. Some of the little stutters are in a really strange mode, but it gives attention to them in a way i'd normally overlook, and doesn't really detract, so nice work. :-)

Too bad this was the only mix by J:drive.