View Full Version : FF2 - The Rebel Army WIP (BIG UPDATE 10-21-06)
NEWEST VERSION: http://files.zenixstudios.com/2cdrebeljazzalt.mp3
10-7 VERSION: http://files.zenixstudios.com/377rebeljazz.mp3
http://zenixstudios.com/files/0b7rebeljazz.mp3
Link to original: http://files.zenixstudios.com/d40rebelarmy.mp3
Bringing out the jazz for this one ;DShould mention that I eventually plan on putting some solos in that seemingly empty spot.
C&C welcome.
UPDATE: New version includes revamped intro. To summarize the changes to the intro, I changed the trumpet to a flugelhorn and changed the way the notes were attacked as well as removing the bass from the chords to make the attacks sound smoother. Threw in a drum beat and slowed it down too.
Also added a makeshift ending, this is mainly what I want suggestions on.
Lastly, did some panning and mastering work to make it sound a little better. Thanks all.
The Minstrel
08-18-2006, 12:24 AM
I have not heard the original, so I can't comment on how interpretive your work is. It's very well arranged though and interesting troughout the whole song. Good work with dynamics, I like the parts of the song kept pretty sparse in instrumentation.
Too bad all instruments suffer from the typical general midi sound. Can't blame your skills for that though.
The beginning segment is almost a direct transcribing of the original melody, so that should give you some idea.
Thanks, though.
DJ MacG
08-24-2006, 02:24 AM
The original song was good, and this sounds like it will be a good remix. I'm not good when it comes to giving feedback, so all I can say is, "Good luck!, You'lllllll need it!" (Can anyone guess what game that was from?)
more feedback would be good
kamoh
09-16-2006, 11:52 AM
This just sounds like midi (note: horrible) of a really fantastic arrangement.
Ultimately you may want to just break down, find a jazz band, and write out the parts like a normal composer. Some of the parts are pretty ambitious for individual instruments - and the ending is abrupt - but I like it a lot as a piece of music, not as a remix.
SamuraiFoochs #Reload
09-16-2006, 06:26 PM
Yeah. Not bad in theory, in fact potentially awesome, but reeks of MIDI.
Jazz is definitely difficult to produce realistically so I'm not sure what to do, really, unless I find a band that can play it.
I think the only part that might be tricky for a real band is the first trumpet part that goes pretty high, and I had this in mind considering I play the trumpet. I just wanted to add that almost screechy feel to it. So because of that it might be out of the range of what, say, my high school band can do. I can't really afford to pay anyone else, though.
These are the Garritan Jazz sounds too so I don't think I'll get a lot better than this =\
Thanks for the feedback, though.
Koelsch1
09-17-2006, 08:42 PM
awsome arrangment. Too bad the sound quality is holding it back. Its very well written.
kamoh
09-18-2006, 09:31 AM
Jazz is definitely difficult to produce realistically so I'm not sure what to do, really, unless I find a band that can play it.
I think the only part that might be tricky for a real band is the first trumpet part that goes pretty high, and I had this in mind considering I play the trumpet. I just wanted to add that almost screechy feel to it. So because of that it might be out of the range of what, say, my high school band can do. I can't really afford to pay anyone else, though.
These are the Garritan Jazz sounds too so I don't think I'll get a lot better than this =\
Thanks for the feedback, though.
Well 1st trumpet CAN be fudged - either let the player stay low or change the arrangement a bit.
But yeah, this is a really good composition that would benefit greatly from live treatment.
Ok, thanks.
As soon as I get my computer in working order again I'll work on fusing in some more trumpet parts and work on toning down the range a little and see if I can't make it playable.
about:blank
10-06-2006, 12:57 AM
I've always liked this song, and I think you definitely do it justice. You have a very interpretive take on the theme. I don't really the samples themselves are that bad, but they could potentially hold this from getting submitted.
I would go into detail into what I liked about this, but to be honest, I pretty much liked everything. I noticed that the song stops abruptly, so I'm assuming you aren't done arranging everything yet. My only advice to you would be to definitely keep at this, and to try to maybe find some live performers once you've finished arranging everything.
I look forward to hearing more.
You're right about the ending. I plan to completely rework the intro (to make it jazzy) and add an actual ending as well as expanding on the middle segments, maybe adding more phrases. I've also emailed a local jazz group I know of, so if they agree to do it for me it may come to life after all.
Thanks all for the positive feedback.
Ghetto Lee Lewis
10-06-2006, 03:27 PM
Haven't listened to the WIP yet, but I'm very interested in this song. I played through that miserable excuse for game (it's FF2J for Famicom, that's the Japanese NES thingy). I recognized the title; it's definitely one of the best songs from the game.
Hellcom
10-06-2006, 05:06 PM
You're right about the ending. I plan to completely rework the intro (to make it jazzy) and add an actual ending as well as expanding on the middle segments, maybe adding more phrases. I've also emailed a local jazz group I know of, so if they agree to do it for me it may come to life after all.
Thanks all for the positive feedback.
I prefer the intro the way it is, its a nice shift. End is too abrupt though, so definitely work on that. Will be a great arrangement if you find the right samples or a real band.
Well even if I do keep the intro as it is, I still want to work on phrasing, improving the background with more motion, and whatnot. An ending shouldn't be too hard either. Hopefully i'll have another WIP up soon.
and there's your new WIP ;D
http://files.zenixstudios.com/377rebeljazz.mp3
see first post for summary of changes.
MAIN THINGS I WANT CRITICISM: The ending. I don't like the way it's done now, so I want ideas. Also the changed intro, keep the drums? Lose them? I don't know, I'd like some feedback.
Drake5017
10-08-2006, 12:44 AM
This is my personal favorite FF game and I think this sounds awesome. Other people are right when they say the sound quality is holding it back but I think it sounds good the way it is, sorda like a campy casino theme. I really enjoy it a lot. Keep plugging (i hope you do the town theme :P)
I look forward to the revision as soon as you get more feedback that isn't praising your awesomeness.
Town theme is another one of my favorites :o I just might do it next.
porkrocks
10-12-2006, 10:33 PM
Personaly I don't like Jazz, but I still enjoyed this mix. The main problem I found was that the trumpet/sax (or whatever it is), thats playing the harmony type thing, was to high pitched.
I found the piano work great, I dont think you have much - if any - work to do on it. However, I didnt hear the drums doing all that much, mabye it's just cuz there soft. I'm not sure.
Curently I'm actually playing this game, so the tune's fresh in my head. I think you do it justice.
E-Bison
10-13-2006, 05:02 AM
I think the low brass is a little powerchordy. I can hear that you are using correct voice leading and stuff but I think if anything, those trombone patches are gonna do this track in. They sound great when used in shorter sections but the held notes sound pretty crazy.
Could you find a patch with a little less volume on the held notes? That might help.
Perhaps open your voicings a little, this might give a more natural sound to the track.
E-Bison
Ok then. What I'm thinking I might do is orchestrate the trombone parts during the melody so it's less power chordy as you describe and add a bass trombone part to double with the bari. Maybe add a third trumpet too and make one trumpet double with the saxes at parts..
The Tromboner
10-15-2006, 05:49 PM
As a trombonist, I can tell you that your trombone samples don't sound quite right. They sound like a euphonimum player trying to emulate a trombone's sound. The sound of your sample is a bit too.. cool. A slightly warmer, harsher sound, especially on the 8th note runs would make them sound worlds better. As a reference point for the style I mean, listen to Al Grey. He has a hot and firey trombone sound. That kind of sound would really match your trumpet samples. What you have right now for the trombone samples sounds sort of like J.J. Johnson (the best jazz trombonist ever, who had all sorts of triple tounging skills for the coolest cleanest sound ever). However, that sound does not match up with your trumpet samples.
Also, adding a bass trombone is a FANTASTIC idea (I'm a jazz bass trombonist as well. It's such a great instrument, and it really is unappreciated. However, playing it makes finding work easy.). Just make sure that it doesn't sound like a tuba. In jazz, the bari sax, bass bone, and stand up bass form their own section much of the time, and mirror eachothers parts. Work that in there, and it will sound hip and hot.
All that aside, excellent work thus far. I enjoy listening to this WIP a lot, and would love to see how far you can take it.
I'm trying to decide if I like my trombone orchestration in the first fast section...
http://files.zenixstudios.com/a5frebeljazzalt.mp3
Any suggestions?
Shhteve
10-20-2006, 07:32 AM
Ditch the midi sound and get yourself a nice jazz band together, and you're gonna blow the ceiling off the house! 8O
doesn't this have any chance without a live performance? :( The chances of me getting a band to play this are pretty small..
http://files.zenixstudios.com/2cdrebeljazzalt.mp3
NEEEEEEEW UPDATE. Finished the 'bone modifications and added in a whole new section as well as further reworking the intro. C&C welcome.
The Tromboner
10-23-2006, 12:10 AM
I'm diggin' the new stuff. If you have sheet music for it, could you please send it to me?
ckhart90@yahoo.com
I'd love to play it. I'd offer to record the bone parts, but my mic is crap.
Steben
10-23-2006, 12:44 AM
Y'know, the original was never high on my list of favorite themes from Final Fantasy games. Your arrangement is freaking awesome, though... something I'd love to play myself. I especially like having the beginning portion being similar to the original version, then breaking into a jazz style for the rest of the song.
The only issue I'd have is the ending is very... underwhelming. I'd prefer ending the piece on more of an upbeat note than what you've got there. Perhaps at the end of the section at around 3:15, you could transition back into something like what you've got at 2:28, and go for a big finish at the end of that phrase? Or maybe you could just finish it up at 3:01ish. Just a thought, anyway.
I could work in a big finish.. the ending to this song is always something I've been unsure on and the ending I have now is really a first draft and I haven't given it much thought yet. I'll look into the ending next.
cornandbeans
11-13-2006, 06:35 PM
SSB, are you the SSB from newgrounds?
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