OCR01262 - Super Mario World 'Ghost' [Archive]

A-RoN

11-01-2004, 04:17 AM

DJ Pretzel, I have to correct you. It's more a take on the Mario Castle theme than the Ghost House Theme.

Nix, I love this remix so much. Halloween is the perfect time to release it! I love the build-up of how the strings and brass swell to a crashing explosion at :40 and the strings at :55 on even if they sound like a tracked synthline. The velocity of everything is constantly changing. The brass is the highlight of this track. It sounds so realistic that even BlackPerson's brass sequencing is put to shame here. I also enjoyed the piano arrangement. You actually manage to use high and low chords in all the right octaves unlike some of my piano work. And did I forget to mention the dogs barking in the background and the church bell exiting the mix? A very chilling effect.

not the most polished piece...in the beginning the strings seem to be playing too fast, they sound unnatural. also, in some places the percussion, techno and hip-hop, sound at best unnecessary and at worst, inappropriate. If it were me, i would rethink the percussion entirely.

that said, aside form the percussion, this mix has lots going for it. the beginning is moody and there is lots done with the source material. Lots of tension, lots of extrapolation and exploration.

Now for the bad news. I can say Vigilante pretty much summed up all the negative things I have to say about the percussion. I'm a little bothered by the orchestral snare and zap-kick percussion mixture especially when it's used at 2:55 to 4:21. You should get some 808s or some real genuine pullback hip-hop snares and kicks. The hi-hat also has a bit of a lo-fi thing going. If you want some percussive samples for another project like this that you'll undertake, I'm willing to hook you up.

Other than those small matters, you've got my vote, Nixdorux. Guys, if you want to hear a happy tune gone to a dark arrangement that'll send shivers up your spin, this is the download. It's got a John Williams (Star Wars music composer)/Rob Dougan (Matrix music composer) feel to it.

Peace and Happy Halloween!

-Double A Ron

90/100

Flare4War

11-01-2004, 04:32 AM

I think it's pretty good. I really do.

Just one question though. Is it actually the ghost house theme? I haven't played the game in ages but it sounds like the fortress theme to me... Anyways, I'm just being petty.

It really is a great arrangment. Nice work.

A-RoN

11-01-2004, 05:41 AM

Is it actually the ghost house theme? I haven't played the game in ages but it sounds like the fortress theme to me...

Bump...

Flare4War

11-01-2004, 06:58 AM

Is it actually the ghost house theme? I haven't played the game in ages but it sounds like the fortress theme to me...

Bump...

Sorry dude. Didn't get it.

hhallahh

11-01-2004, 07:06 AM

A-RoN

11-01-2004, 01:00 PM

Is it actually the ghost house theme? I haven't played the game in ages but it sounds like the fortress theme to me...

Bump...

It's the ghost house up until 0:40, then it's the Fortress.

But yea, this is definately a pretty cool track.

:o The tune's barely recognizable! In fact it's almost gone. How did he manipulate it so the "Ghost House" bit was in there?

RushJet1

11-01-2004, 02:35 PM

It's a good song... I've had it on my playlist for a looonnng time.

pixlz

11-01-2004, 03:02 PM

excellent track, hardly any relistenability for myself though. that dance kick kick kick..... grates on me. i'd love to hear the track sans dance kick, or fading it out after a while. because it sorta distracts me from everything else going on. which sounds really good.

c'est la vie

RimFrost the Tourianist

11-01-2004, 05:34 PM

Is it actually the ghost house theme? I haven't played the game in ages but it sounds like the fortress theme to me...

Bump...

It's the ghost house up until 0:40, then it's the Fortress.

But yea, this is definately a pretty cool track.

I agree it doesnt really matter ..it's two for the price of one 8)

Cool and very original this mix is..is so thumping and jumping !

I'll have my eye on you, Nixdorux :o

rd125

11-01-2004, 05:42 PM

I paste the messsage I wrote to him as a review. In French as he speaks French and I am French, what a luck.

Ton remix de la Ghost House de SMB4 a quelques bons côtés. J'aime bien l'extrapolation du thème principal, l'instrumentation orchestrale assure. Mais désolé de te dire que le mariage entre rythme éléctronique et percussions n'a pas du tout pris. Le rythme ne s'accorde pas du tout à la mélodie et ne fait que nuire à l'orchestre et à l'âme de la musique.Il faudrait le supprimer ou alors le ralentir considérablement. "Ghost of the Marble hall" de l'autre remixer reste la référence pour moi. Bon choix de
remake cependant. Pourquoi ne pas remixer le thème du château? Je me souviens des fameux "Whaouwha, whaouwha", de cette sublime musique.

Here is the translation:

This Ghost House remix has some qualities. I like the main theme extrapolation, the orchestral intrumentation is very good. Buth unfortunately the electronic beat doesn't fit at all with the melody and the instruments, it destroys its souls, the result being goofy. This beat should be erased or at least significantly slowed. "Ghost of the marble hall" reamins the reference for me.
Good choice of remake anyway. Why not remixing the Castle theme? I remember the famous "Whouhoua, whouaha" of this wonderful score.

Fieari

11-01-2004, 08:18 PM

I would have loved to hear this without the kick drum thingy. It didn't NEED it. It doesn't add to it. I feel it distracts from the beautiful orchestral stuff in the background. A song like this should be able to hold a beat without hammering it into your skull like this, I think. Or even if you wanted to emphasize a beat, why not do it orchestrally? I mean, I find myself having to actively put up mental filters to pretend that backbeat isn't there...

Distortions

11-01-2004, 10:39 PM

A shame. Downfall, thy name is shoddy percussion.

Thornless Rose

11-01-2004, 11:54 PM

Solid rythm and soundfonts. The percussion could use some work.

The Womb

11-02-2004, 12:48 AM

Being creative is kew in my books, Thats part of the reason that I like it so much is that this guy was going out on a limb true it might have sounded a bit better but personally I don't think I would have liked it as much (Even though im a sucker for the orchestreal stuff)

Red Shadow

11-02-2004, 01:14 AM

i really enjoy the percussion used. i cant really see what the issue is.

The DEWK

11-02-2004, 01:27 AM

Firstly, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this remix. The main reason was because of the percussion. Does anyone remember way back during the seventies? The Philharmornic Orchestra was running low on funds because none of the young people were showing interest in classical music. They tried to solve the problem by recording "Hooked on Classics" a record filled with a collection of the most famous classical songs in history, set to a disco beat playing in the background. I think that this song had a very "hooked on classics" feel to it, the beat, even though it was arguably out of place, lended a modern feel to the music without resorting to corny sound effects. I fully recommend this remix to anyone, and everyone. Nice work Nixdorux!

Edit/ By the way Double A Ron XP I belive you meant to say that Don Davis did the music for the matrix.

tyler_lucero

11-02-2004, 07:57 AM

By the way Double A Ron XP I belive you meant to say that Don Davis did the music for the matrix.
I'm pretty sure it was Rob Dugan. Anyway, as for the remix...like most people, I felt the kick was -- at best -- a bit out of place here. Other then that, I like it a lot. The "swing section" was the highlight of originality for me. I also like the exiting bells, but I couldn't pick up on any dogs barcking in the background... :( Well done. :)

A-RoN

11-02-2004, 12:01 PM

A shame. Downfall, thy name is shoddy percussion.

:( That was unecessary considering this guy tried his best to get good percussive samples for this mix.

Corporal Eschebone

11-02-2004, 03:40 PM

The kick drum doesn't bother me much, though I agree it could be better. The orchestral arrangement that is built around it is amazingly good, though. Reminds me a lot of Psychrophyte's mix.

Psychochild

11-02-2004, 04:02 PM

The drums ruined it for me. Well, maybe ruin is too harsh, as the Orchestra, dispite the drums was EXCELLENT. But still. Is there any way I could edit those drums out?[/i]

j0f00

11-02-2004, 08:45 PM

I think the percussion kind adds a little something to the mix. It might have been better to do some longer reverb/maybe a little hiss distortion on it or maybe do a reverse bass effect on it. Without the drum in there, it's basically just the original song with some extra stuff in it. The beat is kind of cheesy to have all the way through given that this is a 5:30 length piece... it would have been hottt (triple t hot) to have some kind of crescendo in it and then drop that cheesy bass in for a minute or so, but I think just the straight up kick gets old pretty quick. Overall, though, I liked it =)

jmr

11-02-2004, 10:16 PM

Is there any way I could edit those drums out?
Yes...
but I'm not saying how...

"COPY AND PASTE THE URL"
http://jeffstrades.tripod.com/dontkicktheghost.mp3

-112kbps poorly compressed 30 second sample of Nixdorux's "Ghost" with the kick drum edited out.-
-Made it myself!-

This is just a poor attempt to remove the kick drum using various filters.

AND BEFORE YOU ASK, I'M NOT, I repeat, !NOT!going to release a full version of this piece with the kick drum taken out. It would be disrespectful to Nixdorux to do so without his permission, and I'm probably stepping over the line by posting this 30 sec sample. If anyone believes that I should remove the link and stop sharing the file, please let me know, and I'll gladly do so at the drop of a hat.

PS. I actually like the kick drum, I just made this to see what it would sound like without it. To be honest, I think it sounds better with it...

Proven Paradox

11-03-2004, 12:07 AM

This is a fricken' work of art as far as I'm concerned. I'm a fan of both electronica and orchestral, and here's a piece with both that isn't just different movements. Absolute gold, for me. I suppose personal taste comes in here, I'm well aware that there are many out there who like one style or the other, but for me, it just doesn't get any better. Excellent job, Nix, you get a 9.5/10 for me.

yoshi1001

11-04-2004, 12:05 AM

Definite add to the station. I could see this being used in the escape scene of a movie.

Red Shadow

11-04-2004, 03:54 AM

As an added second thought to my above post, id have to say that the percussion does, in fact, make this entire piece worthwhile. while i do at times enjoy a good orchestral piece (right now im thinking of that ssb:m concert cd :D), its not exactly a genre that i would go all out for. if you listen to the percussion in a rather silent, "ambience-less" atmosphere, it sounds even better and more developed. try it with headphones before you pass the percussion off as mediocre.

Nobbynob Littlun

11-04-2004, 08:40 AM

Needs kettle drums! ;)

Spoom

11-04-2004, 03:38 PM

samf

11-04-2004, 11:31 PM

Help! I want to listen to the song but i cant download the torrent do i need shareazza? if i do then is there another possible way i can get it cuz shareazza screwed up my computer so i cant listen to the song. :( anyway if anyone is willing to email the song to me or something my email is vgspoofs@hotmail.com Thanks.

emb92

11-06-2004, 01:37 AM

http://remix.supertux.com/songs/Super_Mario_World_Ghost_OC_ReMix.mp3

Knock yourself out

A-RoN

11-06-2004, 03:07 AM

Needs kettle drums! ;)

So are you saying this should go tribal or "Spike Jones" style?

emb92

11-06-2004, 09:49 PM

WOAH! This ReMix is good! My MOM even likes it!!!!!!! 8O 8O

samf

11-06-2004, 10:00 PM

http://remix.supertux.com/songs/Super_Mario_World_Ghost_OC_ReMix.mp3

Knock yourself out
Thanks alot man

Thrik

11-07-2004, 06:57 AM

I know this is starting to sound repetitive, but I too would love to hear a version of this from the original composer without the kick. Whilst it is an interesting and enjoyable listen, the kick gets incredibly bothersome after listening to the piece multiple times.

And erm, the Ghost House and Castle kind of use the same theme. The Castle just expands upon it and extends it.

rd125

11-07-2004, 07:37 AM

And erm, the Ghost House and Castle kind of use the same theme. The Castle just expands upon it and extends it.

Besides, all the tracks of the game are based on the same theme.

DJ Riott

11-07-2004, 08:32 AM

Listened to it. The beginning was spooky, the following minute was catchy, nifty, and creative. I wasn't sure what mario theme was being mixed, and when I heard it, everything came streaming back to me all at once.

Wonderful song, with bumpin bass and flawless orchestra. Nixdorux? I am not familiar with you.. AH, gargoyle and megalo. i got you now. Well I think this song here is your best work so far.

Lavos, Devourer of Time

11-07-2004, 03:29 PM

This song is really good! I'm quite impressed by both the quality of the instruments and the quality of the composition. It might just be me, but some parts seem like they would fit in a Ratchet and Clank game...

The only thing I'm not sure about is the constant "thump" in the background. It works well for most of the piece but some areas (like around 2:10) it seems out of place. Everything else has gone quiet but the beat keeps blasting like some over-encougage bass drum player!

Otherwise, very good job Nixdorux, you have created a mix worthy of the OCR title!

Txai

11-07-2004, 06:32 PM

The orchestra is excellent! :D

I liked piano, violin...

By the way it seems that many remixers of this site possess an orchestra in your house.

jordex

11-07-2004, 08:43 PM

I love this!!

The bass sounds like an infected mushroom bass

1:40, melody finally comes in, its kickass

I love the kick and bass

The songs nice and long

At 2:40, nix changes around the melody, reminds me of some starwars song

What part in teh game is 2:55? It sorta sounds familiar but I still don't know where its from, its still sweet though. I love the drums here, the dalay on the snare and hat really add

4:22 I love it!

then the ghost tune comes in again at 4:37. the ghost tune is the best part, it should repeat a few more times before the end

i loved psychrophytes version but it was too short! this song is nice and long and keeps me listening, i love it!! Bring me another, nix!~

Im gonna go dl your other two songs

Mr. Bottle Rocket

11-08-2004, 11:20 PM

Love it. i don't know what made the judges trash the dance kick drum. i think it blends in perfect, but i am not a pro in music so it's just an uneducated oppinion.

dfcentre

11-19-2004, 12:34 PM

Please take out the kick, I'm in love with the orchestral elements in this and the kick really agitates me.

I've been getting real annoyed with a lot of remixes on this site that put kicks where they honestly don't belong.

Nixdorux, if you post a version without the kick, I may offer you a small monetary reward... I'm THAT desperate.

Fix the mix.

To minimise the kick.
If you're using Winamp just turn on your graphic equaliser and drop the first two sliders to the bottom. It does help reduce the blow. Hope I have been of help. At some points the kick isn't so bad but it really bites the middle of the track.

Linkjing Donuts

12-04-2004, 10:55 PM

You've made one of my favorite mixes. This mix has a great lead into the main beat and the climax in the middle of the song (approx. 2:45) has one of the most twisted melodies I've heard. The violins at 4:23 have an awesome haunting beat along with the same climax at 4:50.

q-pa

12-21-2004, 04:12 AM

Great job.

Liking the first half more than the second, but very nice and well-executed all around. The kick does stand out--and truthfully I like it that way

DarkLink117

03-04-2005, 09:01 PM

at first, i really, really hated the kick, but as i listen to the song more, i kind of like it (though i will definitely never love it). The best part is definitely the small string part when the fast part comes back. Not quite as good as Psychrophyte's version of the Ghost theme, but great job!

motion_blur

03-12-2005, 03:39 PM

sounds like the matrix soundtrack lol
really good work!!

Cooler1011

06-07-2005, 02:35 AM

This ReMix RuLes. Not much more to say than that. If you've played the game, download it ASAP. You'll thank me later.

Niccon

06-07-2005, 10:51 AM

As I write this review this song is running through my playlist.

I am most pleased. It brings the technoy sythesized bass I miss so much from other remixes and it pushes it with the building suspense of violins.

And we all know violins are the sexiest instruments alive.

The pulse beat does get a bit repetitive though. If it was brought along with the melody and not just sped up that would have been better but I do not wish to bash this remix. It clearly is a vamp of an old video game standby. Hell I still see myself whistling that tune now and then -Did it about an hour ago before I even checked the forums lol.-

Then in 2:38 remaining it goes to slow beat Piano. A nice turn which brings the somber buildup of "Ghost" that shows originality and not just "Another remix of SMW" This is what makes it stand out folks.

And I stuck to this review, because it's 6 A.M. And I wrote it just now without any sleep.

w00t to summer sleep schedules.

Spazdor

07-26-2005, 08:12 PM

I loved the piano breakdown about half through. Does anybody remember Rabbit in the Moon? It felt like a very Rabbit moment. Quality.

I would have liked a little more playing with percussion, as I feel that horn-driven orchestral stuff goes very well with electronic percussion, but we've all been spoiled in recent years by Juno Reactor's work on the Matrix, and so on. Just the same, I think a few busier breakbeats here and there would have made this already-compelling piece even better.

Jeebus McChrist

08-21-2005, 10:33 PM

Personally, this is my favorite remix of all time. The kick adds a certain feel to it that I can't shake, and I love how everything blends so seamlessly together.

The piano break in the middle is perfectly placed and fits the whole arrangement, and the power leading up to the soft ending is brilliant.

In other words, this remix wins all over the floor. Eighteen thousand times.

Selios

10-03-2005, 08:47 PM

er, well. I think its useless to talk about the kick anymore, is it? Come on, the orchestral part is great!

G_D

11-18-2005, 05:00 PM

This is probably my favorite song. Ever. I absolutely love it!!!

I honestly don't understand why everyone seems to hate the kick. No, it doesn't fit with what we know of orchestral music, but it is still awesome. I love hearing people mix different sounds and instruments with orchestral work, and I think that it really worked well in this song. In fact, I love the kick so much that I want more of it. MORE KICK!!! It actually made me want to buy a bigger subwoofer for my car.

Besides, without the kick, this would just be another Ghosts of the Marble Hall. Honestly, if you want a good orchestral work then listen to that one, but I personally think this one is better :)

Awesome song Nixdorux!

shenroc

02-22-2006, 01:37 PM

It's a masterpiece. I actually thought the kicks were going to take the mix into the techno/trance route. Welps, it had me fooled. But I still like it.

isthan

06-20-2006, 08:49 PM

Besides, without the kick, this would just be another Ghosts of the Marble Hall. Honestly, if you want a good orchestral work then listen to that one, but I personally think this one is better :)
I absolutely agree. I can understand why so many people are complaining about the kick but I think it fits just fine.

The beginning is nice, dogs barking set just the right mood.
The middle part is THE KILLER. Awesome. Gotta love those violins. It's perfectly how the original one should've sounded. I think the composers had exactly something like that in mind.
The slow piano part is very fitting. The whole ending is good overall.

So what else can I say... This is definetly one of my fav remixes. Give us more of these!

Mekanos

07-15-2006, 09:56 PM

1:40, melody finally comes in, its kickass

4:22 I love it!

then the ghost tune comes in again at 4:37. the ghost tune is the best part, it should repeat a few more times before the end

This song has a nice drum and bass combination, especially when it starts at 1:40. It really fits in the melody. The only thing that 'bothers' me is that when the time that both drum and bass comes (at 1:40 and 4:37), it isn't the whole melody, which IS at 2:10. With 'whole melody' I mean that Nixdorux did something else than the original melody (starting at 1:46). It's too bad.

At 4:37 is the best part, I agree on that, with the Hi-hat(?) add. But I would prefer if the whole melody was mixed in there (and not at 2:10). I'm not saying it's bad that Nixdorux did something else there, I guess I should call Nixdorux original in those parts. :wink:

Nonetheless, great remix. I like it. 8,5/10

Colonel_Vector

12-08-2007, 12:56 PM

I love this song, one of my favourite OCRemixes, and a song I regularly play amongst my normal music. Heh it doesn't look like this song's short on reviews but I'll give my thoughts:

Nice start with the barking dog and violin, sets the atmosphere well. The way the violin fades into the intro is brilliant.

Now I'm a big fan of dance music, even more so when it's mixed with classical/orchestral pieces, so I love the kick. Absolutely no complaints from me. Nice bass and the fast playing violin makes for a great intro.

One personal niggle for me that can make or break a song is the way the notes and/or chords progress. If it feels 'wrong' to me, it can ruin a song. Fortunately you got it spot on, with the way the violins climb and then the trumpets(?) join in, it works brilliantly and one of the best parts of the song.

Now this'll be a personal thing, but I'm not really fan of the piano solo in the middle. Any other song would suit it, and I love piano solos any other time (I'm a big fan of Ludovico Einaudi - check it out kids), but it just seems to ruin the pace of the song. However, I do like the way it climbs back into the faster speed and 'normal' part of the song.

Nice ending, no complaints here.

Overall it's an excellent song, like I said I'm a big fan of dance and classical/orchestral pieces, and when the two are mixed you something really special (Barber's Adagio: greatest song ever). I took an instant liking to this song and make a point to show it people when I can.

Brilliant work, I eagerly await your next efforts.

taifunbrowser

08-26-2008, 03:59 AM

This remix overall is really solid, and mirrors what I expect real music to be like: Nonrepetitive, with distinct themes that interact and merge into a collage.

Definately my favorite song out of this giant genre.

WesternZypher

12-17-2008, 03:45 PM

Love the awesome thump-thumping beat. This woulda so psyched me to face Bowser or his kin (or run through a Vanilla Ghost House)!

06-01-2010, 04:13 PM

I think there is a slight disconnect between the bass and kick and the orchestra, but I really like the feel of this, and both elements sound good on their own; they just need a little more glue. I personally would have rocked out a gated synth, but that's pretty much my solution to everything...

The piano break was excellent, and I liked how it picked up at the end.

Overall not perfect, but it's really, really good. Nice work. :-)