OCR01076 - Tales of Phantasia 'Emotions Lost in Time' [Archive]

Xelebes

11-23-2003, 06:06 AM

It was lacking brightness, having the sense that it was muffled to the point that I was listening to a speaker with a pillow overtop of it. It was distracting and disheartening. For me, the piece was a bit a superfluous in its phrases (I too have yet to overcome this problem when I write my music.) What I mean, is that the syn brass you use is too relentless, you have to break down the melody into it's phrases. Melodies these long are composed of phrases so that one can follow the song more easily. The backup was okay, the start was a little slow... kinda wanting me to say a little bit of "hurry up, come on/"

The thunder and the rain sound a bit gimmicky, just like the crowd applause you hear in hard house tracks which most of the djs never forget to put it in. (The hardest part of making hard house is actually applying the crowd cheering and applause in the track, believe it or not.)

-Edit:

The syn-brass is not too annoying or superfluous, it just appeared that way when I first listened to the song. Though, there is something bugging me about it. I know it is bugging me.

weggy

11-23-2003, 06:20 AM

I like it!

Its good to see another Tales of Phantasia mix, because IMO, its the finest RPG ever made. I really like the song selected, "Be Absentminded", because it occurs at a very sad and touching moment in the game. Though im still waiting for someone to make an Aviators mix :wink:

What really caught my eye... err, ear about this one is how it starts as a soft, sad song, but then really picks up later into a techno-type mix. It may not be anything revolutionary, but I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend downloading it.

sgx

11-23-2003, 06:36 AM

6.2 mb? :( Wish I could have let my ICO mix go over the filesize limit...had to lower the bitrate. Wah wah!

anyways

Pretty kewl stuff here.

Like Xelebes said, I'm not so hot on the rain samples. Not a big deal, but a little cheesey in my opinion.

The volume needs to be turned up. This is a pretty quiet file. I little more high-end would be welcome too, I think.

I like that square wave lead near the beginning of the trance section. Would have liked to hear that more during the rest of the song.

The trance beat is pretty good, though I usually don't like claps. I'm more of a snare 2 and 4 beat man :).

The synths are pretty good, but it seems like there is a whole lot of saw wave stuff going on in here. Not bad, but the lead lacks a bit of clarity as it blends a bit with the rest of the sounds.

The intro and ending are very nice. You've got some good strings samples and you use them pretty well.

Good stuff! You chose a good song, and you put together a quite good remix of it! Yaaaay

OmegaPhoenix128

11-23-2003, 07:46 AM

This is some pretty good stuff. I like the nature of it. Though it, for some reason, gives me the hankering to go play Chrono Trigger.
*Goes off and plays CT*

esden9

11-23-2003, 08:42 AM

Intro is long but pretty nice. Storm/rain loop reminds me of Nine's Dying Occlo. I really like how it leads into the goods.

Dig the trancey part. I'm big on the long phrases used here.

I like the (fm'ish?) saw synth alot, but like other reviews have said, there seems a lot of high end missing from the mix. The synth used in GLL's Create Your Fantasy mix was alot brighter...although if the percussion was brighter I think it would be ok.

Overall a good remix that needs some work getting the frequency spectrum filled out, but is definitely staying in my playlist.

The Orichalcon

11-23-2003, 08:59 AM

The trancey-technoey section is good. It's an interesting mix of genres which I think works.

The introduction could have used more work. The soundfonts used there sounded a bit crappy to me. I love the rain effect though. It needed more effects and compressions over the piano and flute though. The strings needed a bit more reverb so the notes melded into each other rather than sounding so jumpy.

The composition is good, the soundfonts are really what's letting this down for me.

JTD121

11-23-2003, 01:23 PM

I haven't heard the mix yet, but I have a question. What happened to the 6MB limit on mixes? Have you raised it? Or is this one exception?

mainva | aptigo | JTD out

Wombatforhire

11-23-2003, 01:56 PM

I'm neither an expert on samples, clipping, high range low range, etc etc etc.

But I do know what I like.

Just wanted to drop a note here to say that I really enjoyed this one. Thank you very much for the music, I'm sure a lot of work went into it.

VirtualPlay

11-24-2003, 12:41 AM

In response to anyone who thinks this remix is too quiet: do you expect all music to be blaring your speakers or something? Sometimes quiet music is a good thing, especially on a song like this, where it's based on a sad song from the actual game.

Now that I've said that, let me add my own comments.

I think the only thing I really didn't like from this remix is the first second or two where the thunder is a tad bit too flat. Everything else fits nicely, starting soft and gradually crecendo-ing to a more-heavily rhythmed techno. And no, the tempo does NOT increase, before anyone says so. The added counter melody fits nicely, almost indistinguishable from the original song's parts, although there was one dissonating note in it that might have sounded better a half step up (because it was the flat of the bass line note) but I guess it was fine.

The feature I liked most about this ReMix is the way GLL transitioned from the light instrumental section to the heavier techno. It wasn't a sudden, 1 measure change like I've heard in the past, but spanned a full theme length.

Good job on this ReMix. :)

(On a side note, this is the first ReMix I've posted in the forums about — and I've been downloading ReMixes for quite a while now.)

LibertyCabbage

11-24-2003, 02:07 AM

I didn't like the first part because it lacked the emotion it needed, but the second part was gold... of course, I like techno more than "sad songs" (for lack of a better word) so maybe it's just me... but the 2nd part was really nice

Blake

11-24-2003, 02:51 AM

I think this song is brilliant because the of all the crap that is happening here and there. So much is going on. I just realized it when the trance was starting to kick in and the action was building up, and I was then glad to see that Ghetto Lee doesnt do that boring trance...just...you know what I mean;but with some really well thought out musical ideas he made this trance some damn good trance. I love this song. I am not too fond of the muffledness, but still this gets a cookie.

Fray

11-24-2003, 05:02 AM

In my opinion, this is exactly how trance ought to be done. It has a simple, beautiful melody that's there throughout the entire piece. The melody repeats itself a lot, but it's such a nice theme that I didn't get tired of hearing it.

In a way, it's kind of genre-busting, because listening to the first couple of minutes of the music you really don't expect any trance to follow. Consequently, you couldn't play it in a dance club or anything, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it's a good thing, because this music is more creative and expressive than your average danceable trance music.

Honestly, I can't say I liked either the intro or the body of the song better than the other. Both are well done, and it's the combination of the two that makes this music epic and unique.

One small gripe: something sounds a little off at 4:28 -- the piano melody and the rest of the music don't quite seem to jive for a couple of seconds, and it sounds more like a mistake than deliberate conflict.

Great stuff, thanks GLL :)

Villainelle

11-24-2003, 08:04 AM

The (almost 3-minute!) intro/beginning section is lovely even though the rain sample is kind of hokey after a while...but I've found that the beginning drags in anticipation of the trance section on repeated listens. It's definitely not something you could get away with playing in a club, and while I applaud GLL's risk-taking and innovation here, I ultimately wish for a more curtailed intro/orchestral part at around 1 minute. As it stands the mix feels too half-and-half--and a bit lopsided.

Also, this mix does indeed have a muddy, washed-out, "muffled" sound during the trance part, as Xelebes noted. That's a shame, since it pointedly detracts from some of the punch the trance section might have had. What happened? I hope GLL releases a remaster, because the arrangement is fantastic, just has oddly dull production.

But hey, this is still good stuff anyhow. I'm keeping this one because it's certainly something different, and the source tune is just damn beautiful. Not bad.

ffmusic dj

11-24-2003, 04:31 PM

before I begin my review, I would like to point out that I sorta like this song.

Well I for one liked the rain in the begining, the thunder and the rain represented that you were going for a intrested theme. The quality of the instruemnts are horrible. Just listen to the song. I think this song would have been much more powerful if it was mixed and eq'ed properly, but I can sence that you dont know how to make a good trance song.
Moving on to the melody, very very nice! I kinda hear the main melody and the surrounding melody that are harmonic to the main, but I also hear the wrong notes playing at certain times of the song. Sorry but it's the truth. The whole song seems clouded and it could be fixed with a bit of mixing ... no I take that back, alot of mixing; the only think I hear you do nicely is the mixing in the begining and ending, everything else was WIP. For the mian lead, I suggest possibly more of a bussy feel, for the bridge, I suggest some more creative patterns and tones to go with the instruments you use. the song structure and rhythem is good and fair solid.
Keep trying, Ghetto Lee Lewis, maybe the next one will spark out loud, because this is one song that really needs it's production value worked out.

Kuroki Kaze

11-24-2003, 05:26 PM

I like the beginning and the ending. I would probably like it better if the whole song was like that, but then again that's because I'm not a fan of trance. But from what trance I have heard, the song sounds very good when compared. And as for those "wrong notes" I will assume that intended. Before I knew they were wrong I didn't notice them.

Shhteve

11-24-2003, 06:11 PM

This was one of my favorite tracks from Tales of Phantasia. Such a depressing track.. But lovely in that sense. Good job. :wink:

sgx

11-24-2003, 06:41 PM

In response to anyone who thinks this remix is too quiet: do you expect all music to be blaring your speakers or something? Sometimes quiet music is a good thing, especially on a song like this, where it's based on a sad song from the actual game.

....yes, in a "loud" genre like trance, I expect the levels to be as close to maximum as possible. If I'm listening to a bunch of trance, and then this song comes up, I don't want to have to adjust the volume to be able to hear it. Quiet orchestral sections are fine, but just more volume for a trance song like this is something you expect for the general production/mastering.

Fieari

11-25-2003, 12:49 AM

Personally, I could have done without the techno... the "three minute intro" sounded like a beautiful song to me, and I loved it. I did like the subtle transition though... the thudding in the background, which the more orchestral style instruments were still playing sounded REALLY good. I'd rather have heard more development in this area, really...

But for all my preferences, I can't deny that this is well done in all aspects, techno and all. Very good, very well done. I thought the volume was fine in general, though I can also hear the "muffled through a pillow" bit too. For the beginning and ending, this is perfect, and fits the song very well... but for the techno, one tends to expect a little more sharpness to the sound.

Given that, as I mentioned, I'd rather do without techno entirely, the softness of it doesn't bother me one whit.

Keep up the good work! Well done.

DoomZero

11-25-2003, 01:30 AM

I agree with Firari.... The techno is a no need.... It sounds so soft and beautiful... Keep songs like this in the stream... Peace and out...

Scrabble_Ship

11-25-2003, 05:52 AM

Great Remix. Its intro is well done and it keeps it up and thats pretty hard for an almost 7 min song. Recommended.

Kaede_X

11-25-2003, 07:36 PM

The thunder and the rain sound a bit gimmicky

You've never played Tales of Phantasia have you?

This song plays after a tragic event, and the rain is part of the song at first. So in this case, it's very appropriate.

ffmusic dj

11-27-2003, 11:56 AM

Kamikaze Noodle

11-28-2003, 03:04 AM

Well, funny enough, as was the case with another orchestral/trance mix (http://www.ocremix.org/detailmix.php?mixid=OCR00956) there are mixed feelings, more than likely arising from the duality of the song. As with *takes a deep breath* "CidsendsadreamtotheOceanPalace" I think both parts, while not done immaculately in their respective genres, come together to form one hell of a good song. I thought the "muffledness" befit the total theme of the song, which came across to me as this sort of dream-like energetic moment arising from the straighter orchestral sad song. Also, this is supposed to be a sad song, so I thought the lack of loud piercing saw synths was rather appropriate. (Sure there are saw synths, but they aren't loud and piercing is what I'm saying) The rain samples...well, yeah, they're corny. No getting around that one. But somehow, I think the song wouldn't be as good if they were taken away. The piano does hit some weird notes, but I don't know if I'd call them "wrong", and they aren't glaring either way. When I first heard this song back in IMC I loved it right away. An overall great tune that pulls off melding two different genres very well.

Ghetto Lee Lewis

11-30-2003, 08:28 AM

I can't deny that this is well done in all aspects, techno and all. Very good, very well done.

Thats a lie! this song needs work in alot of aspects, and is NOT very well done in all aspects as you said. I mean, he might have grasped the techno factor, but considering how much techno and trance I have listened to, take it from me that this is by far not a very good/well done song.

I think I have to agree with FF Music DJ this time. The song never really came out quite how I liked it. I don't have a lot of money for expensive gigasamples (or hiring a live orchestra :P ), so I chose the best free soundfonts I could find on the internet. The rain I used (which I was pretty impressed with the sample, btw) because the original song was first played (in the game) during an intense thunderstorm. Maybe I could have had a more intense orchestral section and some layered wind samples, but the arrangement I came up with I was quite satisfied with. As to the trance section, I feel it could have been much better done AND better mastered. I knew little to nothing about professional mastering when I made this song about 11 months ago. As to comparing this with other trance: I find a lot of trance to be far more boring, repetitive, and unoriginal than the type of music I like to arrange, although the mastering is usually much better. Hopefully, I may do a reconstructed/remastered version of this song in the future to really capture the mood I originally intended for the song (something sort of emotionally shattering to portray the feelings of the hero during that scene in the game).

Thank you everyone for the reviews and criticism. I found it very flattering and helpful.

:D

xamgis

11-30-2003, 05:58 PM

This is awesome! I'm not a particularly big fan of long intros but this one trully makes the piece. It didn't feel like an intro to me...and I was so into the music I didn't even reallize the rain had stopped until later...

The rest of the song was great...and the ending was just right for it...

Nice work!

FlankingLine

12-07-2003, 10:43 PM

The reviews thus far seem rather mixed, even DJP's, but this may very well be my favorite remix on this site thus far. I listened to it on headphones and havn't noticed a volume problem compared to other remixes.

What can I say? I really liked the orchestral intro. I liked the devlopment from 1:50 to 3:11. I enjoyed the trance part of the piece immensly (and trance is generally not my favortie genre). And the ending did its job well. Although each part of the song seperatly is not the absolute best within its own genre, the flow, momentum, beauty, and power of the remix makes it one of my favorites.

97/100

Oh, and isn't the title of this remix "Emotions Lost in Time"? The site has it simply as "Lost in Time".

Corporal Eschebone

12-22-2003, 06:57 AM

I never owned Tales of Phantasia.

I came across this mix on ormgas. I heard it, and a minute through, I KNEW I had to have it. A great addition to my newly formatted hard drive...

....

*sob*

krale

01-06-2004, 09:49 PM

The slow part at the beginning is pretty darned good but I have a few criticisms..

1: Drop the "Sound Blaster Live" thunder opening. It's really corny.

2: Hack out the techno-trance half. The orchestrations are much more.. beautiful than repetive trance that everybody and their brother have done.

I know I can come off very negative... forgive me about that. I tend to aim for the neck.

Still, good job.

Metsubo

03-10-2004, 02:58 AM

This has become my new favorite OC Remix. The entire song is powerful, and meshes very well from orchestral intro to trance body. It's been a while since I heard a song I didn't want to stop, and this is one of those songs. Great song... 8)

InfinitysEnd

04-10-2004, 11:31 PM

Well the reviews on this song are very mixed. So I'll break it down into a few quick sentences. You need to like two very distinct styles to enjoy this piece. 1.) mellow, melancholy, and dramatic piano and 2.) hard kick ass, in-your-face techno/trance. I happen to like both, and this dude pulled it off very well. The piece has a very distinct A-B-A structure, but I think it works well with it. I can blast this song every time it comes up on my playlist and I never tire of it. The climax of the song is around 4:18, and god, it is just wonderful. I hope that gives anyone who reads this a better view of the piece. Also, if you like this one, I would wholeheartedly recommend Breath of Fire's "Sad Melody" by FFMusicDJ.

F'lar

08-01-2004, 09:57 PM

I'll keep it short and sweet: I have a new favorite song

eyefragment

08-26-2004, 04:18 AM

I've never taken a music theory class, and I don't listen to mainstream music. My musical background is simply that I'm a mediocre trumpet player. That's it, so I'm not going to go into any major detail.

I know what I like. This is it. From beginning to end, the entire song was amazing. The flute solo at the start carries a lot of emotion with it; once I heard that, I knew the song would become a permanent member of my playlist. Once the transition to trance came around, well, I was blown away. Some people say that there are a lot of parts to this song that need to be improved (including GLL himself). To that, I reply, this song has so many layers that it is inevitable will be many "mistakes." It would be difficult for a single person to go through this 7 minute long song without finding something they don't like. Still, I'm amazed that people can dislike it, even with the errors. These errors can be seen as adding more more, not making the song worse. For example, I noticed the muffled pillow aspect that people were talking about, but it didn't bother me much, because the entire song was made up of so many short, moving layers that it just felt like another level of complexity rather than a sound error.

As a side note, a friend had been bugging me to play this game (Tales of Phantasia), but I didn't want to bother. This song made me play it. I was quite surprised when the source material came up some five minutes into the game. I was thinking two things the entire time. One, that the sound on that game is amazing by SNES standards (as are the graphics. They had shadows that change length/direction with respect to light, non-tile based movement, wow!). Secondly, I was wishing that I was listening to GLL's rendition. The source is a very sad song. Nonetheless, the remix's opening would have done a better job expressing the emotions of the main character in that scene.

Gant

09-20-2004, 07:48 PM

This song's beginning is more than good enough to be it's own mix by itself, but when the beat get going, I listned to it 4 or 5 times in a row and still didn't tire of it. It has a sad yet dark feel to it, great for those who use music to express there moods. So far, my favorite remix of any game out there.

WingsOfFire

09-20-2004, 11:48 PM

I downloaded this mix a while back...and being that I've played Tales of Phantasia (and own the soundtrack,) I immediately loved this track. Even with the mistakes, this has been my favourite mix off of this website for quite some time.

Being as this part in the game is depressing, I think the mood is just right (it's also good for roleplaying, if you like that sory of thing :D )

GLL, if you do remaster this mix, know that I'll download it the minute I see it on the front page of OCR, 'cause it will always remain my favourite.

The Mutericator

11-01-2004, 04:53 PM

This is one of my top three mixes, along with 'Triforce Majeure' and 'When All Hope Has Faded'. The smooth transition from sad, quiet background music to powerful techno trance definately caught my ear, and this remix has emotional value to me, because I distinctly remember the parts in ToP where 'Be Absentminded' played.

Is it 'Lost in Time' or 'Emotions Lost in Time'? 'Cuz the file says emotions, but the title on the site says lost.

BlueMage

02-15-2005, 05:11 AM

Probably one of the saddest, angstiest songs I've heard in a game soundtrack (and even more impressive, given the hardware it originally ran on) and yet, something like this came out of it....I got this sudden urge to play ToP again after hearing this.

And given the sort of criticisms being leveled at this remix, I'm now very glad I have no aptitude whatsoever for making remixes, because it means I can appreciate the music without picking it apart. I think that's something the judges ocassionally forget too.

krale

04-16-2005, 05:14 AM

This song is really pretty good, except for the LAUGHABLE sample of the thunder at the beginning.

It's the Thunder sound that the install of the drivers/software from a Sound Blaster Live. That sample, for me, ruins the song.

Mr. Halloween

04-25-2005, 03:27 AM

I like it. Then again I like alot of classical like music. But still it was soothing.

Syko 2

04-27-2005, 12:50 PM

Although I enjoy the soft soothing parts of remixes, I think the beginning of this remix is just so simple, it comes close to boring. But I definitely go for the techno section of this remix. It's been on my favorites list for some time now.

Petara

04-27-2005, 10:33 PM

What a great remix. I loved it the first time I heard it. Sure, the opening is a little drawn out, but once it gets down to the happy hardcoreness it's one of the most enjoyable remixes I've heard. It's a shame I've never played the game...I'd probably enjoy this song even more.

razor's edge

04-30-2005, 11:58 PM

Heh. I had no clue this was a trance mix until the intro ended. I love how it starts out with the sad stormy undertone, breaks into the main trance part while retaining the feel of theme. Also, at the end, instead of just trailing off or breaking off, it slows back down to finish off the song with an ending. A great work all around.

Sibelius

09-12-2005, 11:15 PM

The way this piece behaves... I love it.
(The techno part is like. wow! (Not in the World of Warcraft way))

I love the way this song "glides" over from slow emotional music, to the more trance-like part

Only one bad thing. my listening skills seem to stop after 4.5 minutes or something, as i dont remember anything from that time to the end, maybe it gets too repetive.

Im not really into deep-analyzing this song.

After all, it a great tune worth a listen.

RimFrost the Tourianist

10-25-2005, 05:29 AM

A little melancholy here and there is good for you.
Some very powerful techno/trance beats follows a looong and sweet piano and string section. This old remix still stands up strong and brave today.

+1 to that 8)

marational

01-18-2006, 12:31 AM

Wow! It just blew me out of my mind! I loved this remix so much. Definitely my favourite. The trance part is so awesome. Totally representative of an awesome game.Awesomely remixed.

Frictional Antidote

09-12-2006, 04:55 AM

My cousin was the one who introduced me to the techno genre. While I like this particular mix, something about it could use a change. I feel like somewhere near the mid point of the song it could use a change up. Perhaps change over the choice of sounds. Don't know what it is, but it feels like it needs to evolve more for the genre being presented. However GLL has always turned out quality work. It's good, just not my favorite from him.

BIGSTEVE

09-12-2006, 10:21 PM

This remix is really smooth. It starts out all slow and quiet, and gradually steps out into a sort of rave party track. It's really unique in my opinion.

Fraggy

09-13-2006, 12:09 AM

Fragment The Famous here. So... well... the whole idea of a slow start and a build-up isn't really unique. At all. Infact it's been in music for centuries. But I think you made the slow build-up last way to long. It wasn't 'till pretty much half way that it actually reached the release. I think the techno part is kind of... cliche. It's not much different then any other techno beat. This isn't that well done. I think you could have done better.

7 out of 10

SideCut

01-02-2007, 04:58 PM

So far, my favourite remix heard on Overclocked, tied with Zebesian Midnight from Vigilante (different styles, so can't make a choice)
I love trance, and furthermore, I love the original track too, and of all the trance remixes I've heard here, this song has the best build-up ; the synth line progressively releasing the low-cut filter starting at 2:44 is so good !!!!!!!!!

Of course, we can criticize the "microsoft thunder" sample, or the volume of the rain. Of course, global sound quality is not perfect, but it's good enough for me to not care about it. The structure is very well organised, and there are enough layers to feel immersed. In the end, melody is the greatest force, otherwise how would have we been able to appreciate and remember more than 15 years later songs like the ones in Journey to Silius, Castlevania 1, or Captain Tsubasa 3 with such rotten sounds ? In my opinion, perfect sound quality has always only been an added bonus.

Go on GLL, hope to hear new remixes from you soon !

Lord Zero

02-19-2007, 05:59 AM

I personally felt really overwhelmed by this ReMix. In a good way, I felt it growing up around me, making me feel a little down with the start and build up, then I just kinda drifted away with it. When the Trance part starts crashing, then you realize that all the time (three minutes!?) you heard that soft melody is just to prepare you to get up and listen to a smooth cloud of emotions that keep on the nostalgic and sad theme but pushing you to get up and move up.

I'm not saying it's the best I've heard, but it certainly ranks up there on the manipulation part. It's amazing how this piece moves you through it all. 9/10 and it doesn't gets a 10 due to a few technical errors, and the fact that unless you really feel the music, the start will seems like forever for you.

I, for one, love it.

Catullus

02-02-2008, 01:38 AM

I have to say that I really really love this song, its extremely powerful whether you played the game or not. Whether the beginning is too long I really dont have an opinion, its great but then I can listen to COTMM's Ruined World repeatedly and its a 6 minute long soundscape.

I really do enjoy the "techno" in the middle, but then I really dont like most techno so whether this is technically impressive or not it doesn't really matter to me, it sounds great and I am actually happy that it doesn't follow some stupid formula to sound like every other techno/trance piece ever created, which is the problem with that genre anyway. The fact that the song has parts where it breaks up into piano is its strength and some of the best Techno/Trance tracks on this site have non techno/trance elements to them in my humble opinion.

GLL great piece one im going to be listening to for even years from now, thank you for that.