Lufia's Theme 'That Girl I Knew' Submitted [Archive]

avaris

08-16-2006, 06:36 PM

yeah i've added a few actually, they are only in the 2nd half of the song. They are all very subtle though, most of them are just added backings and harmonies. It still follows the original song structure except for when I use the cello that's playin the bass to play the melody in about 4 bars, but even that is not a major change.

This version is just pretty much a basic feel and sound for the song. Just wanting to see if people are diggin this style for this source tune. The next thing I'm doin will be to make this mix "mine" by doing some real arrangement.

DJ MacG

08-16-2006, 07:31 PM

Wow. The entire time I was listening I was just smiling. It made me feel really happy inside ^_^

Now I really want to make something like this. Mind tell me what you used in this song?

avaris

08-16-2006, 10:20 PM

To be honest whenever I listen to this, it produces the same exact effect too.

I am pretty much using all sf2 files, no crazy electronic stuff or vst. I try to keep it kosher in this mix. Got most of the stuff from hammersound and some from random places. I go searching through the web for sf2 files all the time. Lots of bongos and marimbas those kind of percussion.

The feeling you get from this song, is also due to the source tune, it gives u the same reaction if you listen to it in midi format.[/quote]

ocremixfan

08-17-2006, 12:27 PM

joyful song... I liked it!

just to be sure... this is from Lufia 1, right? I haven't played it and I don't remember this music in Lufia 2 :P

maybe later I'll look for the original and compare... then I'll try to post some constructive comment (as far as my lack of skills allows me) ;)

avaris

08-17-2006, 02:28 PM

yeah it's from Lufia1, but shhh...don't spoil anything about 2 I am halfway through 1 and im gonna play 2 after that :D

ocremixfan

08-17-2006, 04:45 PM

I loved lufia 2... I skipped 1 because the graphics scared me! :lol: but nowadays, I'd play it anyway! :dstrbd: I became very plot-focused! :D

Yeah... maybe it's a good idea! but... wait! I have two unfinished RPG games in progress! but... they're boring anyway!

enought blabbing! well... when you finish playing lufia 2, I'll have some mix suggestions for you! ;)

Ronyn

08-23-2006, 01:17 AM

I barely remember Lufia 1 and 2, but if I remember right they were almost exactly the same game. If I'm wrong, just call me old; I feel old :wink:

Definitely dig the drums and mood. Feels kinda african and pan-asian at the same time. A bit percussion heavy now, but I'm sure that'll balance out as you finish it. Maybe some exotic instruments or riffs? Good work!

avaris

08-24-2006, 02:22 PM

Alright this is a small update.

1. lowered the volume level of the percussion

2. changed the backing strings in the last part to play less notes.

3. messed around with the settings on the flute sample to improve it's sound

4. added a whole new part 8 bars long in the begining-middle part of the song. In this part I use a whole new chord progression and melody, that were created by blending two existing chord progressions and melodies in the song.

This mix is extremely hard to rearrange the melody and harmonies (actually using different notes) Anything you do just makes the song completely loose it's mood and feel (which are it's best parts)
I know basic music theory very well and understand, so if u know a lot about music theory and what not you can use all the basic terminalogy in describing things for me and I'l completely understand. But don't go into no crazy shite bc I'll only halfway get it.

Personally I think with enough rearrangement to make this "acceptable" and maybe one or two or more ideas or small changeups I can submit this one soon. Thats just my thoughts, if u think differently say so u'd have prob noticed something in the song that can be fixed that I haven't noticed.

Holy sh!te, that's a long message. Oh yeah I found out that Lufia 2 is the prequel to Lufia 1, sick I'd always thought that'd be a great idea. The graphics are way better too, now all I gotta do is finish the Lufia 1.

ocremixfan

08-27-2006, 12:06 AM

the overall music is better... but it still seems that you haven't took some time to compose something else to include here.
and you did some cut-and-paste arrangement on the first third of the music... the rest remains almost (if not exactly) the same. do some "homogeneous" arrangement around! ;)

avaris

08-27-2006, 12:17 AM

there is just one part of the melody I redid. Yeah, what I'm prob gonna have to do is basically redo the whole thing and keep the same instruments and basic ideas. The scale the source is in, makes this one really hard to work with.

avaris

08-27-2006, 04:33 AM

ok, although this mix is a major pain in my ass composition wise I have been hard at work toying around with it. It's in the key of Dmaj, although sometimes C is played and other times C# is played. I did some more rearrangment of the melody, and now I am goin through and humanizing everything (it'll take me about 1 hour). After that I'll rip the mp3 for the update, since I use all sf2 files it takes about 2hours for that. So I'll either put the update on here late tonight or tomorrow morning.

I know the soundscape and feel here is good. Comments on the rearrangement would be nice bc thats pretty much whats is holding this mix back.

avaris

09-02-2006, 09:46 PM

Alrighty let this one go for awhile and came back to it. The recomposition I did was off in a few places so I fixed that along with other lil small things throughout the 3rd version.

But when I listened to it, it actually sounded good. The problem with me listening to this and why I was having such a hard time is bc I know the source tune so well, and i am expecting to hear the exact progression of the source tune in places but I don't because this is a remix obviously.

So...tell me what you think of this version. OCR worthy? Bc now I know I have enough rearrangement to be accepted, just need to know if the rearrangement I've done sounds good or not.

4th version Googlepages
http://avaris.studios.googlepages.com/ThatGirlIKnew.mp3

4th version Putfile
http://media.putfile.com/That-Girl-I-Knew

Ronyn

09-02-2006, 10:03 PM

This sounds a lot better to me now. At 0:52 there's an attack in the cello that's a bit strong, I think you should back it off like the previous notes. It comes out so suddenly it almost sounds random.

I think you need a major change at 0:54 and where the melody repeats later.. I can't remember what the previous version sounding like, but for some reason, this section stuck out less in this version than I remember it doing before.

I think changing the instrument that sounds like a pan drum doing the ostinatos would be good for that section. It has a good run for the "don't worry be happy" feel, but I think more of a build would help that section.

John Revoredo

09-03-2006, 09:02 AM

Oh, here's my review. I found only one problem
:arrow: I think that you haven't choosen the best instruments. Listen to this song http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00952/
Maybe you should try piano instead of marimbas and oboe instead of japanese flute.
Anyway, good job

avaris

09-03-2006, 01:47 PM

JG: The entrance to the section at :54 is the same as before. The notes being played before the start of that section are different though. SO there's ur culpit. Also the first chorus at :54 part is played an octave below what the original was. The rythm that I add during the chorus, I'll prob add some variotan to it in bwetween different sections. At 0:54 the chelo bass goes from playing staccato to just the normal notes.

Prometheus: Listened to the mario one and I liked it. I like these instruments that I got, bc my more quality and origina sf2 files and perussion are more asian. But I might try to use that instrumentation and see what it sounds like.

John Revoredo

09-03-2006, 01:56 PM

Whoah, i thought you were going to kill me :lol:
IF you use fruityloops you might try to get somewhere Edirol orchestral, has got some nice piano,oboe,clarinet... samples.

avaris

09-03-2006, 04:56 PM

nah im not, u had a good point. That instrumentationn from the mario song could work.

I had a similar instrumentation with a pan flute and piano before and then changed it to what it currently is and liked it alot better. But in that mario song the production values are handled completely different so maybe that's the trick to gettin that orchestral sound to work with this kinda mix.

Im prob gonna stick with my current instrumentation setup, but i'll def try out that kinda setup just to see. Oh yeah I'm using a thumb piano and not marimbas, similar sound though.

avaris

09-03-2006, 06:48 PM

Hey Prometheus I did a real quick job on that orchestral instrumentation idea u had. Here's the link for it.

Putfile
http://media.putfile.com/Lufia-That-Girl-I-Knew

GooglePages
http://avaris.studios.googlepages.com/Lufia3Orch.mp3

This version also includes a new varition on that lil percussion that comes in during the chorus, thats in the regular version. I will post the update for that or late today, bc im gonna be working on other mixes and when I rip the regular version it takes around an hour on low settings.

John Revoredo

09-03-2006, 07:54 PM

Heard the Putfile version. Man, your song is getting HOT. Maybe you should try three things.
:arrow: Start using the drums 0:55 or so and a bit later. I mean, now this is the time to dig into a bigger intro. Use a few "relaxing synths" (pads and so, like your schala tune) to fill everything a bit. Introduce somekind of bass, pads when you introduced the drums, but don't put them yet wait to 0:55.
And then suddenly in the theme start with the drums. Try to make some contrast and make parts where no drums are used (verses).
:arrow: The drums feel like as if they were from a ballad !! . I think that it doesn't fit the mood!!. you should try other sounds, and make them sound soft(like in the mix you heard the link)
:arrow: Ah, one more thing, make a "variation" part in the middle, just like the chrono trigger theme part 2 ( yeah, that theme has two parts!) That will make the song don't sound repetitive and increase GREATLY its overall quality. Maybe you could fit the schala theme in that part, dunno, find something.

Keep composing like this, your mix is getting cool.

avaris

09-03-2006, 08:34 PM

Thanks Prometheus those are some good arrangements ideas. Good thing I've already analyzed all of the composition, so implementing those ideas is really easy, and i'll be able to get a much better 'orchestral' sounding update sometime today.

I didn't actually start making this mix as a remix. I was playin Lufia and the tune was so nice that i just throwing some instruments over it as a cover. I really didn't have arrangement ideas goin into it.

avaris

09-03-2006, 10:56 PM

alrighty new links for both of the versions

The orch version has a pad in it. Rythm is a lil different. I still need to work on the rythm in the orch version and some of the entrances. Might add some to the Orch version not sure yet.

Two versions which one is better? Damn Prometheus and I was close to finishing too haha, oh well if it ends up being better then its all worth it!

John Revoredo

09-04-2006, 09:05 AM

Ok, now it's getting better. But it just don't feel allright with the flute playing the same as the piano in the beginning. Try to write something different. You should put pads in the intro too!. Try changing the drums! at least give it a try!! (i don't mean changing the beat, wich is nice , but that ballad-like drumset.).

You gonna hate me forever, but i got an idea.
Your tune is in D major. Then in the variation part, just BEFORE (edited, I wroteafter instead of before :P ) beginning once again that melodic loop, change the chord for F# Major and make up a minor part in B Minor. Then, you can go back to the other thing using A major. Check that out. Is nice to make a variation part.

This is getting hot, but it needs a variation part. Give a try to changing the drums. If you didn't like, you can always change them back.

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EDIT : Only one vote? 8)
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ocremixfan

09-04-2006, 01:30 PM

ok then... voted!
(now you know my vote! damn! where's the anonymity? :lol: )

Foxhull

09-04-2006, 01:49 PM

Ok, now it's getting better. But it just don't feel allright with the flute playing the same as the piano in the beginning. Try to write something different. You should put pads in the intro too!. Try changing the drums! at least give it a try!! (i don't mean changing the beat, wich is nice , but that ballad-like drumset.).

You gonna hate me forever, but i got an idea.
Your tune is in D major. Then in the variation part, just after beginning once again that melodic loop, instead of repeating again, change the last chord for F# Major and make up a minor part in B Minor. Then, you can go back to the other thing using A major. Check that out. Is nice to make a variation part.

This is getting hot, but it needs a variation part. Give a try to changing the drums. If you didn't like, you can always change them back.

I definately agree with Prometheus, the drum need to be different, maybe you could use the TGSF21x soundfont from soundfonts.darkesword.com or pc_drums_42 from http://www.personalcopy.com/home.htm in the sidebar go to soundfonts and you should find it

John Revoredo

09-04-2006, 04:08 PM

Whoa, today everyone's agreeing with me. Is there any psycho plan behind this? :P

avaris

09-04-2006, 05:07 PM

Whoa, today everyone's agreeing with me. Is there any psycho plan behind this? :P

Haha, hey ur making good points. Yeah I thought u meant to change the drums completely and I said there and listened to it a bunch of times yesterday and I was like some of the instruments are off but the beat and rythm works really well. Another good thing I noticed is that this song really grows on you the more u listen to it.

Ok in my next update for this, I'll have the pads more in the foreground in the beggining (they are there right now, but the velocities are turned way way down, they fade into the song) As far as adding bass, i don't think it would go well, but i might construct somethng and see how it is.

Okay now onto the possible chord changes. Ur description is confusing. But here much to my agony I'll write out part of the song, so I can fully get what ur saying so I can try ur changes. Chord progressions are from the piano playin in the background. FYI the melody plays C#, the piano plays C though. So VII for the piano is C.
D E F# G A B C#

1st part: 0:00-0:19 I I IV IV V V I V
D D G G A A D A
2nd part: 0:19-0:36 I I IV IV V V I I
D D G G A A D D
3rd part: 0:36-0:54 IV V IV III II V I I
G A G F# E A D D
Chorus 1: 0:54-1:14 IV V I x3 I II
G A D x3 D E
4th part: 1:14-1:32 I VII VI V IV III II V
D C B A G F# E A
5th part: 1:32-1:59 I VII VI V IV III II V VII VII I I
D C B A G F# E A C C D D
6th part: 1:59-2:17 I I IV IV V V I V
D D G G A A D A
7th part: 2:17-2:34 I I IV IV V V I I
D D G G A A D D
Chorus 2: 2:34-2:55 IV V I x3 I II
G A D x3 D E
8th part: 2:55-3:13 I VII VI V IV II II V
D C B A G F# E A
9th part: 3:13-3:43 I VII VI V IV II II V VII VII I I
D C B A G F# E A C C D D

Whaha now you must hate me Prometheus. From your description it seemed like you thought the F# being played was in different section. So with that lil setup I just added lay it on me exactly where the variation in the piano is.
FYI: while the chord structure is the same in some parts the meldoy isn't.

John Revoredo

09-04-2006, 06:59 PM

haha, i don't care. You used the trick of using F# Major and then B Minor. That's a modulation. And Modulations are HOT. Post a wip as soon as you can.

avaris

09-04-2006, 11:22 PM

Alrighty put in the new percussion sounds, I went with some low key jazz hihats and snares instead of the more ethnic sound setup I had before. Also took out the flute in the intro and increased the volume of the pads.

So guys anything else on this one? Or should I submit it already and move on with my life haha.

Radiowar

09-04-2006, 11:44 PM

I don't like the bass drum you're using. You should probably be using a more jazz-ish kick there. This one just sounds like you're hitting a plastic bag.

Foxhull

09-04-2006, 11:48 PM

alright my main complaints now are the flute still sounds fake and the strings or whatever at 1:59 also sound fake, but other than that the percussion is better.
I would suggest work on the production and post it here for a few more comments, and submit it later

avaris

09-05-2006, 12:13 AM

I don't like the bass drum you're using. You should probably be using a more jazz-ish kick there. This one just sounds like you're hitting a plastic bag.

Haha ur right bout the plastic bag i'll fix that one

rpggamer180: I'll try to work on the flute sounds a lil bit. It's actually a flute and an oboe playin a lil softer behind it. There are two strings that enter in at 1:59. A cello plays the melody, and then there is a string ensemble that enters in during the background? Do u mean the string ensemble, bc I thought the cello sounded really good? I'll work on both a lil and see what I can come up with.

John Revoredo

09-05-2006, 09:24 PM

Hey, where's the F# Major you said. I can't hear it!!!. C'mon, give it a try. Drums are better, but them cant almost be heard. The snare should be a bit louder. And that kick,.. you should change it.

avaris

09-05-2006, 09:41 PM

Update:

Fixed the snare, and some of the mastering all over especially on the strings and flute. It's piccolo flute playing backdrop to the flute. I am getting some clipping on my speakers same for you guys? My speakers are blown out so I don't know if it's the song or the speakers.

Prometheus this version doesn't include the modulation yet. I'll do it after I get back from running errands then rip the mp3 and post it. So check back in about 2-4 hours.

avaris

09-05-2006, 11:49 PM

alright i put in the modulation at :43 (part 3) and 1:44 (part 5). And also messed around with a few volume levels.

OK so I think the modulation is completely kick ass and a brilliant idea at 1:44. At :43 sounds just a lil off in my opinion. Ok so if u guys notice any notes where the volume level or the dynamics seem off let me know. One or two more updates and then I'm submitting this one. I don't do a ton of orchestral style mixes so any advice on the mastering and production is welcome.

Putfile link
http://media.putfile.com/lufia-modulation

Googlepages link
http://avaris.studios.googlepages.com/Lufia3modulation.mp3

sephfire

09-06-2006, 06:55 PM

That 1-2-3 piano progression starting around 2:37 hits pretty hard. You may want to reduce the velocity on those notes just a smidge.

John Revoredo

09-06-2006, 11:45 PM

I don't know if those are my speakers but i feel a little distortion (try to do some mastering in cool edit, or simply reduce the volume in the sequencer and do the mp3 once again). I have to confess that this sounds much better, but the armonic structure is not what i expected (I though you were goin to play D Major and then of a sudden F# Major and finally B minor, yeah, thats violent :-D). Though, your way is very nice.The tune feels much better. in 3:31 the flute plays a note wich is a semitone lower than what it should be.

Now this is really "chilling-music".

I dunno if there's anything else to make better. Simply submit after you do those minor fixes.

Great job!!

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PS : What's the point of so much agreeing with Prometheus? You're risking to make your music better, and that's dangerous.
----

avaris

09-06-2006, 11:52 PM

Thanks Prometheus and sephfire.

I noticed those volume disparities on first listen but on my second listen I didn't, so I let them pass. But I'll fix em now as someone else has noticed them. Yeah I forgot to change the flute melody too, but I changed all the pads to fit it, fixing that will take two seconds.

Yeah Prometheus I though u wanted to replace F# with Bm, but oh well some of the best things ever created were accidents. Like potatoe chips and cookies. Well I'll make those adjustments and then rip the final version tonight. Yeah guess I'll turn down the overall volume of the mix bc I already got a soft clipper and multibandcompressor for everything.

The Vagrance

09-07-2006, 12:28 AM

Despite not commenting I've been watching this remix for a while and I kmust say its turning out really, really well. I'm terrible at giving out suggestions for remixes like this but nice work, I love it.

avaris

09-07-2006, 04:57 AM

Okay I am posting this tomorrow unless anyone else can notice anything. I am still getting a lil bit of static in my speakers with flute, but my speakers are so anyone else experiencing the same thing. Prometheus I changed those notes at 3:31, but I think I'm gonna change them back to how they were before which is how they were in the source tune. Those same exact notes play at 1:54. That playing the melody at a semitone happens in numerous places throughout the whole piece. Unless everyone else objects i won't change it. Thanks for all ur comments so far guys, to think I only started making this just as a cover for fun.

Edit: Wow Im an idiot, I accidently turned off the soft clipper and forgot to turn it back on. Well since it takes 4 hours for this thing to rip, guess I won't be able to give it another listen to till tomorrow.

Putfile link
http://media.putfile.com/lufias-theme-that-girl-i-knew

Googlepages link
http://avaris.studios.googlepages.com/ThatGirlIKnew.mp3

John Revoredo

09-07-2006, 07:22 PM

Okay, lets see. You did the thing i didn't wanted to mean. I wanted to mean that you should move one semitone up that note, but i explained myself badly and you lowered the note a semitone. :P. Sorry about that.
I really like the song, but i think the judges will argue about the drums. Maybe the hi-hat should be less loud and the snare should be a little louder

And when you finish with that, just send, SEND!! :-D