ReMix: Pulseman 'StereoSuperhero'
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- Game: Pulseman (Sega, 1994, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): Steve Pordon
- Composer(s): Junichi Masuda
- Song(s): 'Stereo Protect'
- Posted: 2001-10-25, evaluated by djpretzel
Steve Pordon aka Legion303 writes in: "My take on the "Stereo Protect" music from the Genesis game Pulseman, using voice samples from the game. 150 BPM." Not our first ReMix from Mr. Pordon, but definitely our first Pulseman (2d platformer, Sega Genesis) submission, and a good one at that. Well filtered and patterned synth lines open things up, with what sounds like a cute girl counting to 4 (game sample) introing the bass + drums. I like the sounds of cute girls, so naturally this made me happy. But I digress. Some interesting key changes and FM-ish digital synth effects keep things interesting, and a nice "thank you for playing" sample wraps things up. Strong techno, with nice details - for instance, the intro 1, 2, 3, 4 pans from hard left to hard right. Solid work, nothing to complain about here - grab it.
Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the Steve Pordon had that imperfectionalist approach to his work, but
often he brings in so many ideas in regards to arrangement and
variation thereof. It's a difficult source to work with as well,
since it's basically one big buildup on that same 16 note rhythm
pattern for most of it.
Thankfully there's been some good attention paid to it with some solid gate and filtering work done towards the countermelody synth that managed to give it some life, and some good shaking up of the progression throughout. It has this clean quality for even a 2001 mix, though it ended up similarly coming at a cost with a minimalist atmosphere and a subdued drum set that have made this age with time.
It's a cute one to see if you're a Pulseman fan though. It's obvious that it's shown a considerable amount of age, but I still found it to be a pleasant listen, even if it's nothing really too revolutionary.
- Rexy on December 26, 2011
Thankfully there's been some good attention paid to it with some solid gate and filtering work done towards the countermelody synth that managed to give it some life, and some good shaking up of the progression throughout. It has this clean quality for even a 2001 mix, though it ended up similarly coming at a cost with a minimalist atmosphere and a subdued drum set that have made this age with time.
It's a cute one to see if you're a Pulseman fan though. It's obvious that it's shown a considerable amount of age, but I still found it to be a pleasant listen, even if it's nothing really too revolutionary.
- Rexy on December 26, 2011
Ok, when we start off, we hear a MUCH better high end synth and it
sounds great. It slowly builds into the meatier sections of the
song. The kick is really subdued and is lacking the better tone
Steve's previous mix had. Arrangement wise, I can hear some growth
in here in comparison to his previous mixes, but Steve has shown
himself to be a textures man. I think the biggest issue I have is
that the instrumentation in this is really groovin, but the drums
just feel so lackluster. If they would have been big bold and
beautiful, I would have felt much better about the mix. Personal
preference tho :)!
- tweek on August 19, 2010
- tweek on August 19, 2010
The voice at around 25 seconds in threw me off - did it really need
to be panned from left to right?
The mix doesn't deviate terribly much from the loops - I would've liked to see some more changeup in the pacing or a diversion from the repetitive progression. And then...it ends without bringing more to the table.
- Bahamut on September 28, 2009
The mix doesn't deviate terribly much from the loops - I would've liked to see some more changeup in the pacing or a diversion from the repetitive progression. And then...it ends without bringing more to the table.
- Bahamut on September 28, 2009
I liked the integration of the voices in this track. I think this
one does it properly, not thinking "play music-> stop music to
deliver generic sci-fi quote-> continue with music". I like how
they kind of hover in the background just beyond comprehension.
Other than that, I'm not terribly fond of the high-pitched noise
that occurs several times in the track, but that's just me :) Good
job overall!
- justinj212 on January 15, 2009
- justinj212 on January 15, 2009
The repetition didn't really hurt too much for me. It did drag on a
bit but I didn't really like it any less because of this. The
vocals were pretty cute, and they really do suck you in on the
intro. Not much else to say though.
- Master_Yoshi on December 11, 2008
- Master_Yoshi on December 11, 2008
I don't think the vocal samples really fit in here, especially the
"Thanks for playing" at the end, but then again I'm not really
familiar with the source.
I agree with previous sentiments that this would be fine for background music, the vocal samples especially pull this remix in that direction, and that there could have been more to this remix.
- 42 on December 8, 2008
I agree with previous sentiments that this would be fine for background music, the vocal samples especially pull this remix in that direction, and that there could have been more to this remix.
- 42 on December 8, 2008
Yup, could definitely use more elements thrown in and yeah, a bit
more break from that one arpeggio. It wouldn't necessarily take a
lot, but it should be something substantial. The track has a really
nice feel, but doesn't have enough meat in it to stand on it's own.
That's a pity, I think it could be great.
--Eino
- evktalo on December 11, 2007
--Eino
- evktalo on December 11, 2007
I just couldn't enjoy this mix after the first 30 seconds or so,
unfortunately. I'm not a huge fan of this style as it is, and I'm
completely unfamiliar with the source material; that coupled with
the repetition made me quickly lose interest. The synths are really
nice, but aside from that, it just feels like it's the same thing
over and over again, and the key change at 1:17 does little to
alleviate this problem.
Not really music that you can listen to intently, but, as mentioned by other reviews, it probably makes pretty decent background music if you're doing other things.
- Yoshi3gg on December 10, 2007
Not really music that you can listen to intently, but, as mentioned by other reviews, it probably makes pretty decent background music if you're doing other things.
- Yoshi3gg on December 10, 2007
I'm in agreement with OA for most of this. It's really repetitious,
which is alright for background music. Trying to focus on it is
difficult, as I'm constantly hearing the same thing over
again.
Regardless, I liked how it started out, it pulled me in quickly. Wish it could have kept my attention more.
- DragonAvenger on December 2, 2007
Regardless, I liked how it started out, it pulled me in quickly. Wish it could have kept my attention more.
- DragonAvenger on December 2, 2007
I've never heard the original (or even of the game), so I'm not
sure how the interpretation stacks up, but it seems to me that
things get a little mired down in repetition. THe mix seems to get
a good start, but spins it's filtered and panning wheels for a few
minutes before closing down.
Synths come and go throughout, but the same arpeggiated pattern plays throughout the entire mix, and it's so much in the forefront that the rest is just laid off to the side. Even the key change doesn't really help. About 2/3 of the way through the part drops out for a breakdown, but within a few seconds it is right back.
The synths are nice, but it's too repetitive for me to want to listen to more than once. After the first time, i've heard that arpeggio enough, thanks.
- OA on March 27, 2007
Synths come and go throughout, but the same arpeggiated pattern plays throughout the entire mix, and it's so much in the forefront that the rest is just laid off to the side. Even the key change doesn't really help. About 2/3 of the way through the part drops out for a breakdown, but within a few seconds it is right back.
The synths are nice, but it's too repetitive for me to want to listen to more than once. After the first time, i've heard that arpeggio enough, thanks.
- OA on March 27, 2007
definitely awesome.
maybe I'm biased because I like this genre, but this song seems cool to me.
someday I want to do a collaboration with its author.
- Nineko on November 20, 2005
maybe I'm biased because I like this genre, but this song seems cool to me.
someday I want to do a collaboration with its author.
- Nineko on November 20, 2005
That little robotic female voice is cool, like the whole song was
ripped from the game (which I haven't played) revamped with tons of
effects.
My brother put this on a cd once, and he doesn't like as many of these songs as I do, so uh, that means you should, um, DOWNLOAD IT, yeah... If you like techno.
- AnotherOneBitesTheDust on August 8, 2002
My brother put this on a cd once, and he doesn't like as many of these songs as I do, so uh, that means you should, um, DOWNLOAD IT, yeah... If you like techno.
- AnotherOneBitesTheDust on August 8, 2002
Pulseman 'Stereo Superhero'
One thing about electronic genres is that they can get repetitive. Not just in one song but between songs. That is one thing I think Steve Pordon does a good job of avoiding here, is sounding just like something else we’ve all heard before. Instead he whips us up something with a lot of 303, nice weaving tunes, and some experimental samples to keep us on our toes. Nice work Steve, keep it up.
- Ginnsu on May 23, 2002
One thing about electronic genres is that they can get repetitive. Not just in one song but between songs. That is one thing I think Steve Pordon does a good job of avoiding here, is sounding just like something else we’ve all heard before. Instead he whips us up something with a lot of 303, nice weaving tunes, and some experimental samples to keep us on our toes. Nice work Steve, keep it up.
- Ginnsu on May 23, 2002
