OCR00931 - Mega Man X 'The Zero Sacrifice'

[djpretzel]

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

[Gman]

Digging the intro, I can feel this is gonna be a good song. Building up, some nice voices, kida midi-ish, but I still dig it. Huh? A Guitar Solo already? hehe sort of, nice guitar work. Ah, now the melodie icked In..I know what it is.. That brass-ish sound Is pretty cool too. I agree with the Judges the Drums DO sound GM, but the guitar puts the attentong away from them.

The trumpet solo was nice, not the realest sounding trumpet..but it does the Job..Samples dont make songs... WE DO!

I like it. Good Job.
Keep up the Good Work..Also, congrats on your Beer remix..I liked that one too hehe.

Gman.

[Cypher19]

Finally a semi-Zero mix. I would've preferred the song to be a bit faster (to better reflect the actual source song, which is Sigma's first stage). It is reminiscient of Zero though, in that this stage did after all heavily involve him. (And is that a hint of MM2 I hear at the end..? hm...)

The samples are actually nice. Very reminiscient of snes music.

but can we PLEASE get a dedicated Zero mix?

[Daikun]

I find this ReMix very interesting. The instruments are different and the tones are separate, yet it's managed to be kept altogether. It's freakishly amazing.

[OmegaPhoenix128]

:D I like the guitar
That was just Cool. I think its very nice. :D
then again im a fan of all the MegaMan X games and well I like anything that does with it. :)
Overall... Good Stuff!

[Vig]

Ok, so here's my rundown of this mix.

This was the first mix i ever did, so be gentle. I did it last summer, about 6 months ago, right after i got my little roland JV1010, which i am now told has completely inferior drum patches. (i kind of noticed myself, but i dont know how to download/install new patches in cakewalk, if anyone woudl be interested in giving me a hand that would be great). anyway, someone asked if there was a little MMX2 in the mix. NO. the little interlude and pre-ending you hear is actually the intro theme from megaman 2. i think.

i don know why this song was the first to pop into my head, probably because it was easy as turd to arrange, the instruments are so clear cut. i thought it was pretty good for a first shot, but now i realize it's unspectacular. around october I threw on those guitars (actually, the solo i had originally recorded at half speed on keyboard) and i submitted it a few weeks after i submitted my second (and i think better) mix, Liquid Metal (available at an OCR near you.) so,

still, any comments, questions, etc are welcome at JTNights@attbi.com but please keep in mind this was my first mix. :oops:

[neostormx]

I liked this remix. Its a nice take on those megaman tunes. Twisted, and enjoyable. Also the electric guitar is pretty cool. Good job, good remix!

[MetaZero]

Cool... I liked the guitar sounds..
I hearded MegaMan 2 tunes to in the song to... What the...

[Cypher19]

the little interlude and pre-ending you hear is actually the intro theme from megaman 2. i think.

<_<
>_>

I did say Megaman 2. Not MMX2...

[NeoPhoenixTE]

Seemed a bit slow-paced for my taste. I'm also having trouble seeing the relation to Zero here. It's not too bad a remix, don't get me wrong. It jes seems, lazy? (the mix, not the mixer)

And that's quite the surprise ending there, the MegaMan2 theme tossed in, talk about variety.

[Mustin]

I really appreciate this arranging. Very well done, and very inspired. Not just "do it twice then fade out." Well played.

But you gotta upgrade the sample quality. Get together with another remixer and have them do them do the synths for you and maybe have someone mix and master the track. It could sound leaps and mounds better (meaning the actual sound is muddy and the instruments don't cut through as well as they could), but again, the arrangment and music is awesome (meaning, the actual way you arranged the instruments and the bit of composing you did, not to mention the Mega Man 2 quote - all excellent).

[k-wix]

Okay Vigilante, lets get started! <songplayed> Wow! .. Nice stuff, the guitar is certainly the highlight. a few rough panning issues, and a few rough issues with the volume being a tad piercing for me on a general level, but it all sounded really good, that Guitar brings the life to the mix man. On future work, work on the drums man. Other then that, good stuff.

0:01 - Okay, pretty straight forwared intro, right out of the original, the few synth additions help a bit, and at 0:18 you expand it a bit further.. and the panning sounds fairly good here.

0:35 - This fadey part here, i don't like as much, but you fix it up rather quick.

0:50 - Okay. The first thing of note is the drums. while they arent of said quality of the rest of the remix, they Arent THAT bad, what sets them apart so far is the lack of reverb and the midi-ish tone.

1:05 - Boom. This mix takes off right here. the guitar really brings the emotion RIGHT through to the listener. Brilliant work.

1:43 - Some cool effects are certainly portrayed here, and it sounds fairly good.. I know this medly fairly well, and you do a *great* job of mixing it up and making absolutely sure it never gets boring, its just a joy to listen too. awesome stuff.

2:43 - I wonder where your going to go from here..

2:58 - Excellent work here. a good leadup to the ending aswell.

3:13 - Good stuff here, the way the leads work together sounds very good.

3:30 - Now this ending. its very iffy to me. ive listened to it about 12 times and i still don't quite no what to say, it Works. ill say that much. and while i probably would've prefered to have it end on some different level, that is really personal preference, so it Does fit the mood, and for that, two thumbs up.

[Vortex]

This is the 1st Sigma stage for anyone wondering.

[NihongoAkki]

I dunno, but this mix didn't do it for me.

[Vig]

I dunno, but this mix didn't do it for me.

What a thoughtful and constructive criticism.

I'd like to thank K-Wix and Mustin in perticular for their input, among others. thanks guys.

[Strider Kyoden]

Good Job Vigilante.

THis mix was quite, Interesting, the beginning 'Da de da' distorted noise set me off first. Then...Well...

I liked the 'Zero' Theme incorporated into Sigma Stage one. I bet if you re-vamped this, it would be one hell of a piece. All in all, I give it a 8.5/10.

You did a nice job, and I love this theme. The guitar made this piece in my opinion.

I thought it was my dad playing the Video Game, but you actually had multiple guitars. NICE! Hopefully I will get up to your calliber someday.

[Cypher19]

Actually, there isn't any REAL elements of the Zero songs in here. You might think so because the stage started with Zero in it, but that was the same music track as the rest of the level.

[Vig]

Thanks strider, i'm planning on buying a better synth module and redoing some patches.

#2, the reason i called the song "the zero sacrifice" is because at the end of said sigma stage, zero...well...sacrifices himself.

[VideoGamerForever]

Awesome job! I have to admit after hearing TZS, I had to listen to it again. I don't no if it was because it brought back memories of the game itself, or if the song was just that good, but i love it.

And if low grade samples are the matter, then kudos for being able to make this one a hell of a good remix.

[Strider Kyoden]

Thanks strider, i'm planning on buying a better synth module and redoing some patches.

#2, the reason i called the song "the zero sacrifice" is because at the end of said sigma stage, zero...well...sacrifices himself.

Yes...That's what I meant, I knew the intentions. Heh, The particular scenario brought back the ol' memories of Zero getting pissed, whooping some hsit up and going Kamikaze.

[Israfel]

Once this gets going, it's a pretty groovy piece. The guitar lead and some of the quieter sections in the middle are really well pulled-off. There does seem to be some very minor static and popping sounds near the end of the first section (and then a few other places), but that's easy to overlook.

Pretty solid first mix.

[The Hiryuu]

Not too bad. I noticed a number of off-sounding notes in the guitar lines, but that's not a big deal.

[seanstar]

Initial response to judges comments & review posts- Smeg, Vig, that's what I was about to submit!!
(listening as file DLs...)
First ~30 seconds: Nice start, everything works but perhaps the melody synth that might be trumpet but I can't really place. Go more or less realistic, not somewhere in the middle next time
...
Next ~30: A scosh grainy, but I dig the bass. I've dealt with worse percussion myself, I'd say (perhaps counter to everyone else in the universe) what it needs more here is not quality samples but volumetric bringing out of what's already there, especially snare.
...
Next ~15: DAMN! If that's what you meant by Red Nostalgia needing better guitar, I'm sorry, it ain't happening! (not that I haven't made a few improvements, but... yeh.) Wow. Yeh. The guitar solo is this mix. period.
...
Next ~15: More goodness. Synths come in at about the right time to offset the drop of the initial "damn that's a sweet guitar" shock.
...
hating dial-up connection...
...
Next ~30 (at about 1:50 now): no more guitar?? waaahhhh :cry: Nice MegaMan Classic break, tho. Pity you got the idea thru judging before me, now I'll really need to submit Red Nostalgia within a couple days or it'll look like I've ripped it from you!
...
Next ~30: Guitar! :D but... This is a 3-and-some minute mix with Zero in the title, so why haven't I heard him at all by 2:20??
...
definitely getting broadband in college. Even if I have to get special permissions and install the cables in the dorm myself...
...
Next ~20: not much here I haven't heard previously, but all nice
...
Next ~40: siren's a nice touch. Still more classic MegaMan than Zero. I want my Zero!!!
...
And that'd be the end in 10 seconds. No Zero??? At all? :puppyeyes: You're no fun anymore!

Two point review:
+ The Guitar!!!
- misleading title...

Congrats, and let's hear it for success of first mixes!

[Bruk]

This is one of the better guitars I've heard in a remix for quite a while. Great job, this song tickled my fancy.

[Vig]

I would've preferred the song to be a bit faster (to better reflect the actual source song, which is Sigma's first stage


Yes...well, here are the stats.

"Zero Sacrifice" -120 bpm
Sigma Stage 1 OST -150 BPM.

if you think you can play that solo 25% faster, be my guest. :wink:



I would have given it a shot, but I already knew what the results would be. :banghead:

[lefty]

all this song needs is geddy lee singing about tom sawyer over it....

heh heh :vomit:

good guitar playing makes me jealous... i must make something better!! gyahhh hahahahahahahaha :nicework:

this one coulda used a bit of eq'ing in my opinion...

[AXNJAXN]

An excellent contribution to ocr, i especially liked the subtle vocals and the synth sounds playing below the great bass and beat playing the forte. Just plain cool.

[Gnam]

Yeah, the guitars really do make this song. The trumpet used in the begining is nice also, as well as some of the "waw" sounds that fade in and out of the background. But, other than those three elements elements, everything sounds very synthy and GM-ish especially the short notes you hear in the MM2 bit at the end. Luckily, the few good elements, especially the guitar, drown out that stuff, so you don't notice it as much, but it still sours the overall experience a bit. Were you to redo those elements that didn't sound so great, I would give it easily a 9 out of 10, it would truly be a complete and excellent mix.

[Brim]

First song I downloaded when I found out about the OCRemix! It is very emotional and captures the feeling of a hollow victory. Forever I shall love this song.

[Nathsazar]

Yes i like this remix It has a nice touch but I want more Zero Remixes He is them man of Megaman Cuz he helps mega out of everything and he is so powerful, but i dont want to start an agrument so Just make more Zero Remixes plz. well later

[Clockwork Dolphin]

Why it rocks: It's a solid song. The guitars are the stars. I like the one that opens with the light flanger on it. Tight arrangement.

What it needs: It suffers from fancy synth syndrome: with hundreds of factory patches, you gotta use them all. The synth textures could be focused a bit more. One of the guitars cuts out in mono! (Just moved, haven't set up *real* sound yet.)

[HumpteeFree]

Well I know Vig's an established remixer and this tune is old, but I just have to say, it's my favorite of his. Although the sound quality isn't tops, the weaker samples make the guitar sound so hot in contrast that the overrall side-effect is dramatic. It actually ends up as a good thing. I don't know how it would have sounded with better samples, but probably less naked. And naked can be good. To me this sounds like the mix that got the most heart poured into.

[DKnight2066]

Greetings All,

Not being a remixer myself, and not knowing the names of instruments and such, my comments will sound generic at best.

This is a good example of a remix which takes a good song, adds something to it, but doesn't take away from the original. It sets a somber mood that befits it's title, and the part of the game from which it was taken. I really liked the ending with the original megaman theme excerpt thrown in. A VERY nice and "old school" touch, one I won't soon forget.

If your looking to relive how you felt sieging the first Sigma Fortress stage...and seeing "zero's sacrifice" for the first time...then this is the song for you.

Remix on my friend....

[Bummerdude]

First remix, eh? Wouldn't be able to tell, cause this is GREAT!

Ok, some constructive thoughts then. The opening was nice, sounds like a trumpet of some sort, and over the time more instruments are pasted on top of it. I liked the samples of what that sounds like a female choir, gave it a very beautiful touch. And then the guitars came, nothing that i really can complain on. The drums are okay, maybe isn't sounding real, but that was also the problem with it. :wink:.

The tunes from MM2 was a nice add since that game also has some real good music. Overall I thought that this was a good remix, but considering this was your first then it's great. Awesome Vig.

[glasfen]

I'm resurrecting this ReView because the guitar work is so good. Vigilante really set an example with this one, despite the otherwise synthetic sound.

I am unfamiliar with MMX except for Star Salzman's take on it but I keep coming back to this mix for the amazing guitar. It sounds like Mark Knopfler's grittier soloing and that ranks pretty high in my book. Fantastic!

[Dj Mokram]

Megaman X, one of the most beloved game in the franchise, and of course one of the most beloved soundtrack too.

The Zero Sacrifice is faithful to the original, with lots of synth and atmospheric soundscapes, and an almost identical structure.
Now don't get me wrong: this is a good thing, since the source was really great to begin with.
The remix is fairly even in terms of material and arrangement, and adds some interesting elements as well as a straight rock twist that is very fitting.
I was really pleased at how the Megaman 2 intro/end theme was incorporated seamlessly into the mix.
I also loved how the sounds (appart from the guitar of course) were subtly refined to make the remix sound almost like an update of the orignal song, keeping the spirit of the game intact.

Somehow, I couldn't help but notice the sudden change in gain at 3:26 when the end part with the reversed notes rolls in. Sounds a bit like a clip-crop gone bad, but this isn't a big deal.
Overall, it's a satisfying song to hear as a Megaman fan, and all in all, a very cool remix.

[Pachi Risu]

I prefer this over the original. 'nuff said.

[OA]

eep, attack of the GM. Nice guitar though, but the hard panning of midi and guitar was more than a little distracting.

The guitar playing is nice, but the rest of this was pretty weak. SOrry dude. :-(

[Crulex]

Okay, I agree the drums a midi-ish...or however you say it, but I really enjoyed this one. The electric guitar and opening was without a doubt the best part of this mix. I never noticed the slight Megaman tunes, but then again I've only played the X series. Good enough for me.

[Vig]

eep, attack of the GM. Nice guitar though, but the hard panning of midi and guitar was more than a little distracting.

The guitar playing is nice, but the rest of this was pretty weak. SOrry dude. :-(

No offense taken. This was the first thing I ever produced/recorded/whatever. I didn't know jack shit about...well pretty much anything. But why bother writing a review about it? :-P