[djpretzel]

"Wicked Child" is also the name of the source; need to contact the artist for a more unique mix name - LT

All instruments and synths done by Sixto using FL Studio, Cubase SX, and Creative Pro E-MU hardware.
Guitars recorded using PODxt Pro.

[Liontamer]

OCR Hosted NSF - Track 4 ("Wicked Child")

Aight, we've got a live one. The track was a bit too loud and could have been pulled back a bit. Not overly interpretive for the first half or so, but there was good trade-off and interplay between various instruments and synths during each verse and chorus, and of course the expansiveness of this compared to the NES original was apparent. The drums could have used more variation, but didn't really get on me for essentially performing just a time-keeper role.

Oooh, now we get into the goods at 2:44 with some good rearrangement featuring an organ synth. Notes were too fast to be realistic, but it was reasonably well sequenced. Then the SOLO is where it's at 3:20. The sound was too loud and there was a measurable degree of clutter most of the way through, but I think the overall package was solid and those issues weren't TOO detrimental in terms of listenability. If any Js wanna NO on production issues, I have no problem with that, and can agree on some level. Dizzamn, why haven't I heard of Sixto before though? Nice work.

YES

[Sam Ascher-Weiss]

2:45 is what it's all about! So is the solo, especially when it's joined by the second guitar for those jelly harmonies. Drums are but humble timekeepers, which is cool because they don't try to front like they're anything else. This song is good lovin' featuring material that makes my dopemine levels rapidly increase, like the breakdown and subsequent solo.

YeS

[zircon]

This is sort of a straightforward mix a lot of the time.. and given the simplicity of the original, that's not necessarily a good thing. The progression was basically kept the same, and the melody is played at the same general tempo with the same rhythms. The organ -> guitar solo are where this gets more interesting. THAT kind of stuff is what I like to hear. But, in my opinion, it doesn't last long enough - in fact, looking at the big picture, I don't feel that there's very much interpretive material. It sounds more like an extended version of the original with a solo and more repetition.

The production values are a mixed bag - recording is good, the bassdrum and bass are overcompressed to the point where it seems like they are hard limited to not clip. Panning, EQing, and reverb (etc) are all fine. The addition of the synth was a welcome one.. I would have liked to hear more of that (go fm7!). But I guess that's personal preference. On a technical level this is above the bar.

I'm pretty borderline because this is a well-presented mix with some good arrangement points. But I don't think I can pass it until there's a little more of a unique interpretive factor. Please resubmit with more stuff done with the source melody/progression or more original material that mixes well with the source tune.

NO

[DarkeSword]

I think the production is clean enough. There's no glaring rough spots in the soundscape.

The guitar and other instruments are played well, and everything is mixed together at the right levels. Percussion serves its purpose, but it's nothing remarkable. Nice guitar solo!

The interpretation is conservative, but it's still an interpretation, rather than a cover. I like it.

YES

[Vig]

the arrangement is somewhat straightforward, but the instrumentation is very cleverly thought-out, making it sound like more than a cover. would be on the line due to the conservative arrangement if not for the solos, which push it over the edge. what can i say? those solos werent in the original.

YES

[Liontamer]

I contact Sixto about renaming the mix and offered "Wicked Six" as a suggestion. Sixto hit me right back with a PM:

Originally Posted by Sixto

Sure, Wicked Six works for me. I've always been bad with coming up with names for songs.

Nah, nothin' to be sheepish about. Glad my suggestion worked for ya though, and I hope the people dig your quality OCR debut. I've seen your name a lot of time posting stuff in the WIP forum, so I hope at least one of those projects leads to a great follow-up mix, Sixto! Keep it up.

[The wingless]

Onward and upwards then,

I don't mind the straightforward set up, as that is what it is, a set up for the goodies in the middle, like the plain yellow element of the twinkie, belying [sic] the sweet creamy nectar within. Or that ugly 300-pounder that knows how to bump-'n-grind on the dance floor.

Objectification of fatties notwithstanding, there *is* a lot of good interpretive stuff in the middle. It's clean, it's competent, there are some great lead ins and outs, and the intro is vampire-licious.

YES

DIE, STUPID 6-VOTE COUNT! YOU DON"T BELONG IN THIS WORLD!

EDIT: PEOPLE VOTING *NO* HAVE PWNT MY PREVIOUS STATEMENT!

[Harmony]

Wow, I’m going to have to hold this one up even longer. I agree with Zircon that the interpretation just doesn’t cut it. I hear a well-produced, skillfully executed, guitar-driven cover until 1:54. Immediately following this, 1:54-2:56 is a near-exact copy of the cover from 0:00-1:54. The last 30 seconds are another near-exact replica of 2:29-2:44. Apart from the cover-ish nature of much of this mix, the repetition in this mix doesn’t sit well with me either.

Mucho props for the organ solo. Realistic or not, it rocked the house and is only outdone by the amazing guitar work that follows it. 2:56-3:44 is great, creative stuff. Unfortunately it’s only 48 seconds of a 4 minute mix.

Although there are bunches of synths, layered guitar work and a more full percussion track than the original, none of these additions really do anything that the source doesn’t do; on some level they are simply sound upgrades.

This is a great song on its own and I know that whether this passes or not, tons of people out there are going to love it. Great work Sixto but for me to pass this I’m going to need a more creative interpretation of the original during the 3 minutes that I currently see as a cover.

NO (please rework/resubmit)

[zyko]

i liked this but there's no way we're going to say that other "covers" were not allowed and this is.

Like Harmony pointed out, the cover section of this repeats itself unassumingly. Solos do not an interpretation make. I'm sorry but anybody can solo over a chord progression and while you do it well, it isn't enough to separate this from any metal interpretation of Castlevania... consider Dracula Battle Perfect 1 and 2, even

that said, i really did like this a lot cuz it rocks; i recognize the drums, the guitar tone is solid and the playing is fantastic but you're gonna have to do a little more than this to meet OCR guidelines.

NO