OCR01103 - Seiken Densetsu 3 'Within the Fable'

[djpretzel]

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

[DarkeSword]

Ooh, this pulse is strong. The triplet feel in the percussion is really nice, and accents what's going on really nicely.

I'm not too crazy about that flute sample. Sounds kinda tinny.

When the piano comes in with the choral sounds, it's pure heaven. The guitar also adds a really nice touch.

Your sounds (for the most part) are excellent, and you really build a nice texture by combining them properly.

A few things; for the most part, the song seemed to have a lot of highs and lows, and not enough midrange. It may have been a levels issue. Not too serious, just something to think about.

Also, it was a bit short. I would have loved to hear the part with the chorals developed more.

All in all though, great work, Helen. ^_^

[Protricity]

Since I researched it, I might as well review it.

Interesting way to turn 4/4 into 3/4. At first glance, sounded like another spc rip that bypassed the panel due to elements of ludicrous nostalgia and racial affinity, but such is not the case. This is quite an improvement over the original, with plenty of the good ole remix values: originality, improvisation, rearrangement, and sound quality.

Should have been longer.

Cool.

[Psycrow]

Hey, you got posted on OC! This is the song I met you through, and you know *I* love it :)
Congrats!

[Tranced]

Wow, this song is incredibly pleasing. I love the arrangment. I agree that the flute could be a bit better, but everything else is absolutely perfect. Nicely done!

[nostalgic gen]

I agree about the flute (if that's what it is - it sounds more like a piccolo to me). The trouble with samples is that they often allow very little in the way of expression. I think this is one instance where a synthesiser would have been a better choice. Don't forget to add velocity either. It's sounding a bit sequenced the way you have it.

The arrangement was really great. The whole thing was tight and produced really well too, I thought, although the piccolo may have been just a little on the loud side. It flowed really nicely throughout - I particularly liked where the vocals came in - but I was a bit disappointed about the ending. It sounds like this is a demo that's been ended prematurely. Maybe you ran out of ideas in the middle of the song so just resorted to using fade-out tactics =P. It would have been nice for it to have come to a more definitive conclusion instead. Maybe you could have it end in the syle of a jig? Might be apropriate given the time signature and the folky style :)

[snarfoogle]

Yes! Finally! An SD3 mix!

Not the song I would have liked, but a good choice. It has a nice beat (tm). The flute sounds a little irritating at times but it averages out pleasing. I don't think there was enough of a musical climax, but to each his own. Overall, this is mix is definitely worthy of OCR.

Which reminds me, I need to load my SD3 sound test. *listens to Religion Thunder*

[Xelebes]

Hahaha, I'm gonna take credit for helping her with the vocals. ;)

Good mix, me likes a lot. I like the new age feel she always puts in her music.

[Red Omen]

I really like the general flavor of this mix. As Darke said, I'm not fond of the slight artificiality of the flute/pipe with the melody, though the harmony is very reminiscent of the style set by the game. The syncopation and rhythm juggling is very cool; more people should do that. What I really dislike is the snare sample; while I can see why you chose it (it's reminiscent of the original style, like the harmony), it's far too powerful for the mood you've set. If it were lighter and shallower sounding, it would mesh better and not distract quite so much.

And like everyone else said, I'd like it to be longer. I can see a great deal of possible varation that wasn't explored. It could easily be four or five minutes.

Yes! Finally! An SD3 mix!

It's not the only one.

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm not sure how many of our ReMixers are female, due to all the *cool secret code-names*, but I am certain that you, Helen, are in the minority. So first of all, congratulations on challenging a man's world. And such a well done challenge, too. Seiken Densetsu 3's incredible music is often completely overlooked simply because it (never?) saw an American release. Hence, only the Import\Emulator crowd knows about it. But Fable always was one of my favorite themes from SD3, second only to Delicate Affection. (Which I always thought sounded like the Jurassic Park theme song.)
Anyways, this is a great interpretation. One of my few complaints is that I feel the time signature change sort of detracted from the empty, longing, sad feeling the original invoked in me. But this is just opinion. The mix itself is great, and unlike everybody else, I quite like your flute sample. The interpretive chorale at 1:42 was excellent. Could have been longer though. (Where have you heard that before?) Anyways, excellent first mix, and keep them coming. Delicate Affection next. PLEASE??? :cry:

[Rex]

Absolutely beautiful. I shed a lot of tears listening to this, particularly at around 1:57.

I agree that the flute got a touch shrill in places, at least when I turned it way up.

Oh my goodness, Helen, please do more remixes.

[xtp183]

Mmm, very soothing. Excellent work Trevillion! I shall look forward towards your next masterpeice!!

[Psycrow]

Haha, that's 2 people in a row who signed up just to review this :P

[DreamChaser]

to simply say wonderful is an understatement really... this remix has not only my favorite track from the game, but it was well... it didn't go as far as changing the whole feel of the ambience it gave in the original, but it enhanced it by giving the digital weak midi, that the SNES had, into an orchestrated wonder. great job... the piano solo fading into the flute was something that the game did fairly successfully, but you just blew it away.!

[Fastwonder]

Pretty sweet stuff. Hell it was good enough to make me go on your website and check out your other stuff, which turns out to be pretty sweet to.

[BlueEnvy]

ahh you told me about making this one. Wonderful sort of celtic sounding rock, i like the beginning very much, which leads well into the flute solos. Percussion is good, but could be a little more convincing (im not complaining though :P). Actually, most of all the sounds are wonderful. Especially the choral section. The style of this piece still retains your new age feel while adding a wonderful new feel to it. I agree with everyone else though that it couldve been a little longer. And one other thing that isnt really that big of a problem but mightve been considered is changing the background patterns. A few instruments, mainly the percussion keep the same consistent pattern throughout the whole song. Again, not that big of a deal. Overall, a wonderful piece that was a good surprise to listen to after hearing Frozen Dreams and This Heart. I cant wait to hear more from you :)

~BlueEnvy

[Isk]

This is fantastic.

[luminaire23]

Wow... this is a really good remix. Very pretty.

[Synchrone]

I like this song. As usual I do not know the original.

I do like the flute.. but then, I like atmospheric music and it does fit in.. it isn't really 'jagged' or 'cut' anywhere. *shrugs* Just like it a lot. :)

-edit- Just wanted to say it made me think a bit of the Legend of Kyrandia (a Mac/PC game for you consolers :P ). And that I don't mind repeating myself saying how I like this remix. :wink:

[playingtokrush]

Oh my GOD! This song took me by surprise and totally punched me in the balls. This song is like aural sex.

[Queklain]

I don't usually post comments, but this piece flows so soothingly and beautifully that I felt the need to post props here.

Well done, I love it!

[The2ndLlama]

Very very nicely done. I agree a little about the flute being a bit less than ideal, but it fits the more celtic feel and it's no worse than a tin whistle or recorder. (though the recorder would have been much deeper sounding and wouldn't have fit the feel as well I think...)

This was the first piece I heard by Helen, and during a trip to a band clinic, this was one of two songs that I consistantly listened to over and over for the whole trip. When I got back I headed to her website and found that my dreams came true: she had much longer pieces available that were even better.

I do agree, however, that 2:42 is a little short to get across all the emotion that could be felt. However, I love the rendition of the piece and must say it is an awesome remix.

[Flare4War]

Very pleasing and casual.

I agree with all who said it should've been longer. I would have liked to hear another minute.

Very enjoyable. Great work.

[Bren]

Beautiful...just beautiful...
Im keeping this one close to my heart :wink:

[Fudd]

Definitely a keeper, excellent work.

[Bummerdude]

This was special, I remember the original
from the game, but that one was more sad
and serious, but THIS one, you made it
to something more living. You added drums,
guitar and a more catching rhytm.

I LIKE IT!!

[MisterBiggler]

A shame I never heard this until now; great work on an already good source.

[crimsonfate]

oh jes so byootiful iss dis song iss so good to me. i love it like de trees. i wish it were a popsickle so i cood eat it up. i love it and i also love gazelles but das different story. dis song iss so good to me and to you. sing it loud and proud and full of shoud. oh jes i sing it in de noontime and in de evening time even though you can't sing it oh jes i love it...

[DukeNukem007]

Percussion is a little on the loud side but the other instruments are good. Pace and volume should have varied a bit more.

The original song was one of those "blew me away by SNES standards" type especially since it was done in conjunction with the only ridiculously hard boss in the game...this one maintains all of its keys and other necessities but has a few weaknesses. B+

[Marmiduke]

I'm not a nazi of perfection, so I sometimes think that a mix's technical flaws benefit it a lot. There is something about the shrill and unnatural sound of the woodwind that I think gives the mix a signature that wouldn't be present otherwise. That I like.
This is a case of a mix having an artistic reaction that is probably outside of the artist's intention, which I guess is the beauty of art. In line with this, I don't see 'Within the Fable' as a relaxing piece (it fails in that regard because of its contrasting pitch); more of a thoughtful presentation of a terrific melody. And overall an excellent mix.

[OA]

a really well done mix, with a great texture. The melody on it's own isn't super hooky, but when combined with a nice soundscape, it really appeals to me. The snare is a bit too hardcore for the track, and the samples are showing their age a bit (though that guitar sample still sounds pretty great), but overall this is a really charming and well done mix.

Recommended for all, be sure to check this one out. :-)

[42]

:shock:
I just listened to "This Heart" also by Destiny and the similarities are like whoa. Granted that they're by the same artist and that's to be expected, but still.....

Like the other, a large portion of this mix is carried by the melody, and there is a lot of textures at play here too. It's a cool track because there's a lot going on here to keep the listener engaged. While I don't think its exactly ground breaking or explosively innovating, its still solid and worth checking out.