Chrono Trigger: Guardia Forest (Collab w/Doomsday)

[CC Ricers]

The older topic has been at 3 pages so I'm hoping there's still some interest in this WIP. At last I have a new temporary host to put my work up.

As the tale goes, Doomsday started working on a Guardia Forest mix and one day I came along and decided to join in. We took the song to greater lenghts, and now it's almost done. Any suggestions to add new things?

---

Oct 22 update

I added a lot of stuff to the final version. YEAH IT'S HERE! There's a new section after the slow breaks, which is basically all my ideas. Now I say this remix is "practically done" because at this point there won't be any more significant additions. 95% of what you hear will be in the submitted version. Other than that the ending will be worked on, and it will be quick. Yeah, I could've polished up the ending but didn't want to keep you guys waiting any longer.

First WIP (when it was just Doomsday) (BROKEN) (www.tajikgirl.net/ccricers/ctremix2.mp3)

Current Version (ALSO BROKEN) (www.tajikgirl.net/ccricers/GuardiaF_Final.mp3)

2008 Version (http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/yrak/ForestRefuge) - This actually started in mid-2007 after taking in what the judges told me I should improve. There were no major changes to the composition, only changes in sound mixing. Also note the lack of drums after 4:16- it's not supposed to be like that, but I'm too lazy right now to add them and render later.

[avaris]

i really think the new version seems like a very polished version of the old wip. Lots of nice work in it. The ambient sounds are well done. Whatever that pan flute that is playin the main melody at 1:52 is awesome. Well done all around solid. I only got one complaint about the mix, the beggining arpeggio that runs from 0:12 to 0:56 starts to get monatonous/repetitive towards the end of it's sequence, especially around the 0:40 mark. Maybe if you a bridge between between that and the new arpeggio at 0:56 it'd sound better? Besides that one part this really good, whoever did the mastering did a real good job.

[SwordBreaker]

I like the sound of this even though I didn't hear the original before. You kept the arrangement mostly fresh, yet there's one repetitive bit right before the middle of the track. High-quality trance stuff there. I especially like the bit with the Japanese flute playing in the background.

[The Vagrance]

Just to let you guys know, this IS still alive. I have made slight alterations to the actual arrangement at this point and right now my main focus is drum work. Once I get the drums how I want them I'm going to go back then work on the actual arrangement and try to get an ending to this piece, then send it back to JustChris for (hopefully) some final touch-ups.

[avaris]

nice, this one deserves to get finished! Was wondering what had happened to it.

[Martin Penwald]

Just to let you guys know, this IS still alive. I have made slight alterations to the actual arrangement at this point and right now my main focus is drum work. Once I get the drums how I want them I'm going to go back then work on the actual arrangement and try to get an ending to this piece, then send it back to JustChris for (hopefully) some final touch-ups.

Heh, I was just thinking about bumping this. Anyway, yeah, it's time for some news about this. Glad to hear that you plan to work on the drums and the ending, because I think those are last remaining issues with this song.

[about:blank]

You guys should definitely keep working on this. I really like the flute, but what I like more than that is that this mix never seems to get repetetive, it's always changing. I don't think it would really take much more work to get this submitted, but that's just me. Best of luck with this!

[CC Ricers]

I was just wondering where Doomsday was on this track. Well, I can't wait to get it back from him, and hear how the drums improved. The last thread I recall someone saying it sounds like music from Ridge Racer 4. What a compliment, and now I actually am trying to use "Lucid Rhythms" for ideas :lol:

[Mustin]

This is my favourite piece of video game music ever. So it's dear to me. You've done some really cool stuff to this. But the bass part is very very very bad in the C and D sections there. Starting at 2:45 the bass is just out of control. It's like you lost all focus and have random notes playing. Another thing - you might want to try out a different bass so maybe you can hear it better. There's a small chance it could be bad harmonics on these speakers, but you need to listen to this on other speakers and see if you can hear how wrong the bass part sounds.

Fix the bass and it's great. Haven't heard a D'n'B mix of this yet so it was nice. Gives me some ideas for my arrangement.

[The Vagrance]

This is my favourite piece of video game music ever. So it's dear to me. You've done some really cool stuff to this. But the bass part is very very very bad in the C and D sections there. Starting at 2:45 the bass is just out of control. It's like you lost all focus and have random notes playing. Another thing - you might want to try out a different bass so maybe you can hear it better. There's a small chance it could be bad harmonics on these speakers, but you need to listen to this on other speakers and see if you can hear how wrong the bass part sounds.

Fix the bass and it's great. Haven't heard a D'n'B mix of this yet so it was nice. Gives me some ideas for my arrangement.

Don't worry, I fixed the bass, the bass sounds fantastic down around the C3 and C2 range but around C4 it sounds craptastic, but yeah, I fixed it.

[The Vagrance]

Ok, an update:
http://www.thevagrance.com/hosting/guardiaf.mp3

As you can see, a lot has changed, any comments or suggestions would be superb.

[John Revoredo]

The new version
I liked the drums and the flute, but i didn't like the keyboard on 0:11, maybe you should lower the volume or change the instrument to something more realistic. The drums are good. really good, man i love drum'n'bass!
Now, in 2:46 the melody/bass seem not to crash. I really loved the drum stuff you started in the end of the mix.
Keep like this, is a nice tune

[avaris]

Nice, I like it. The DnB aspect and the instrumentation are kick ass.

2:23 when the melody starts to change, the drums seem to stay exactly the same. Don't know if thats on purpose or what, but I was expecting a small change in the rythm there. It still sounds good though, they do eventually change which is good.

The breakdown that starts at 1:27 the timing seems a lil off, in terms of when it starts and stops in comparison with the melody. Awesome idea arrangement wise. But I don't know just seems a lil off.

Overall I really liked this one, it warrented a second listen after I first heard it, which is always a good sign. I'll prob have to sit down and be really nitpicky about it when I'm at home instead of work to find some other stuff. I love the samples used for the melody and the backing, they provide a really nice soundscape. You can almost listen to this song from two different perspectives. One being you enjoy the crazy rythms or you just listen melodies and harmonies.

[CC Ricers]

Hey Doomsday, those new drum sounds go great in the beginning.

I agree with Avaris that something feels a bit off in the buildup and breakdown with the drums. Overall there seems to be a bit more thin-sounding than I expected and it's not doing a good job of keeping the energy for long. Check your PM to see exactly what I mean.

Good job in extending the second breakdown. I can really build on this. So overall, there are some good ideas here, but it's like, for every two steps forward we take one step back. But I guess that this is just part of the nature of collabs.

[Mustin]

I want to hear the C and D sections with the corrected bass since they aren't in the new update.

I'm really enjoying this though. I sure love this piece.

[The Vagrance]

I want to hear the C and D sections with the corrected bass since they aren't in the new update.

I'm really enjoying this though. I sure love this piece.

Uh, they are corrected last I checked.

[Martin Penwald]

Okay, the birds are gone, but since this is a doomsday update, it doesn't really surprise me.

Definitely digging the part starting at 1:38. Also, the new part from 2:22 on seems rather nice.

But don't you think it's about time we get a complete outline for this mix? There have been more than a dozen updates since the first version IIRC, and we still haven't heard the end of the song.

[Mustin]

No, I'm talking about the C and D sections that you had in the version that I heard before. Where the bass really got wacky, and then you put out "guardiaf.mp3" - I think it was version three. The C and D sections aren't in this new render. I played the sections here on the pinaner right quick to show you want I'm talking about: http://www.oneupstudios.com/_mustin/ctcandd.mp3

These are my favourite parts of the piece.

[The Vagrance]

Okay, the birds are gone, but since this is a doomsday update, it doesn't really surprise me.

Definitely digging the part starting at 1:38. Also, the new part from 2:22 on seems rather nice.

But don't you think it's about time we get a complete outline for this mix? There have been more than a dozen updates since the first version IIRC, and we still haven't heard the end of the song.

Lol, we're moving along slowly but surely so by the time we get to the end (working on that btw) there will be little that'll be left to be done. Also, the birds would be in there but someone hasn't sent me the sample for them >_>.

No, I'm talking about the C and D sections that you had in the version that I heard before. Where the bass really got wacky, and then you put out "guardiaf.mp3" - I think it was version three. The C and D sections aren't in this new render. I played the sections here on the pinaner right quick to show you want I'm talking about: http://www.oneupstudios.com/_mustin/ctcandd.mp3

These are my favourite parts of the piece.

The C section is in there, nearly unchanged from JustChris's version (his version was slightly off-beat and I opted to correct that), only I added the little arpeggio synth and I made another synth playing the exact same line (only it takes up a lot of space because the damn thing has at least 2 delays and 2 reverbs, which is the main reason why the section sounds so different). The D section will probably appear at the end, but in JustChris's version it really kind of seemed just like a placeholder ending to me.

[CC Ricers]

If Doomsday finishes the ending, then my next update will likely be the final version of this mix.

[Mustin]

Any word on this?

[The Vagrance]

Meh, sorry, working slowly but surely on it.

[Mustin]

Need help?

[k u n g f u c h i c k e n]

Damn Mustin, you must really dig this track...

[Mustin]

It's great!

They're grreeeat!

[The Vagrance]

Just listened to an older version of this remix, my god how far its come. Just FYI I'm up to the section after the second intro thing, but I'm not totally done with the second intro thing as I accidently deleted the pattern for it at some point (not sure when though). Thanks for the love Mustin

[The Vagrance]

Ok, I sent it back over to JustChris for him to work on it, simply put I couldn't get to the ending, I'm pooped on this remix, I am ancius to get this done as well as I think this remix has been going on for about 4 months for me (3 months as a collab)

[Mustin]

JustChris, got an update?

[The Vagrance]

Hopefully, I was planning on bumping this as well, personally I'm getting tired of working on it. Then again I guess Noisia worked for 6 months just on one tune so 4 months isn't that bad.

[Mustin]

I've dilly-dallied on pieces for years. That's not a big deal.

[Nutritious]

I'm with Mustin on this one, can't wait to hear the finished product. This is actually the first WIP I've downloaded and I think you've ruined me for life for any other WIP I might check out.

[The Vagrance]

Lol, thanks for the compliments, I still haven't heard back from JustChris but trust me, nothing this good will die before being accepted, patience is a virtue my friends.

[metaphist]

Wow, wish my WIPs could get this kind of attention! :wink:

Anyway, I love this as much as the next guy. DnB + Guardia is my heaven. I would offer my own nitpicks, but I don't think now is the time (I know how exhausting working on the same piece forever can be). Can't wait for the rounded out piece with the ending.

[The Vagrance]

I'm really suprised this is getting all the anttention it is, before this topic there was another (for the original version and the first versions of the collab) that got up to about 45 posts. Anyways, I'm about to message JustChris and see where he is on this, I have a long weekend coming up so I may end up finishing this piece...

[CC Ricers]

I just logged in and responded to your message. It will likely be done this weekend. I did quite a lot of work on it in the first week after you handed the mix to me but then trailed off. Sorry about the wait, guys.

[The Vagrance]

bump

[avaris]

yeah wtf finish this one!

[CC Ricers]

I know I was supposed to have an update by last week so I'm sorry. I've done a LOT for the final version. Check it in the first post.

[2Radical]

im realy lovin it, keep it up.

[Martin Penwald]

Zomg! Final version? Has the odyssey come to an end? Must download immediately.

[avaris]

This is sooo fresh. Refreshing to hear.

Hmm, listening...if i was a judge what would i think hmmm...damn good.

Great job of variation adding new but similar sounds all over the place. Does need an ending though. Other than thah I'm finding it hard to pick stuff out at all. I have shitty speakers no clipping at all, everything sounds clear.

The last section from 3:55 that new lead instrument is good. But I think maybe the other leads that come in at 4:15 could come in sooner. 4:05 to 4:15 seems like something else should be there. I'm just being uber picky take it for what its worth.

Excellent work dudes!

[CC Ricers]

Bump, I guess, since a lot of people apparently wanted to hear this.

[The Vagrance]

Another bump, c'mon guys, we need more feedback on the final, whether good or bad.

[Tuned Logic]

Can you update the links? They're dead. I really want to hear this. Thanks!

[CC Ricers]

Can you update the links? They're dead. I really want to hear this. Thanks!

I uploaded and linked a newer version!

[Tuned Logic]

O.M.G. Dude, I've had the WIP version of this FOREVER, and just today I was thinking, man, I wish I remembered who did this; I want to hear the finished version. I'll take this time to say this is the best SOTF mix I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of them. Great work!

Btw, I actually just posted my SOTF mix on the forums today. Have a listen: http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16372

[CC Ricers]

No prob. I got around to listening to your remix as well. It's quite different than what I expected. I'll give full feedback on your thread.

[Tuned Logic]

No prob. I got around to listening to your remix as well. It's quite different than what I expected. I'll give full feedback on your thread.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it.

[The Vagrance]

Even I've forgotten about this mix.

Needs moar Nosia bassline, and Pendulum Snare, and Spor technique.