ReMix:Final Fantasy IX "Qu's Marsh (Swamp Rat)" 4:14

By Steve Pordon

Arranging the music of one song...

"Marsh of the Qu Tribe"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy IX (Square , 2000, PS1), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2002-01-24, evaluated by djpretzel


Mainly due to a stripped-down intro that exposes the choir patch used a bit much, the first bit of this submission from Mr. Pordon, which he actually sent in quite awhile ago, didn't strike me quite right. The timpani patch used is unique though - appears to have a bit of a chorus/flange on it. When the main melody comes in at 0'42", things click more into place and it's very much an 'ah, so THAT'S where he's going with this' moment. The lil-drummer-boy snare pattern that comes in is tight, and stereo separation is such that you can track each element individually in the mix. I like the arrangement, but do have a beef with some of the patches used (in particular the choir), and would have liked to have heard some reverb or some DSP to give it a bit more ambience. Nevertheless, it is an hypnotic number, and the main melody - mixed loudest - sounds quite good.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
RecyclingPixels
on 2022-03-09 21:29:47

Came here to say that this track is still within my top 5 from here... yes even in 2022... this track takes me in a very unusual place that I cannot describe, if there was reverb it would instantly become an eargasam...

I get what some of the audiophiles are saying... Music hits everyone very differently...

avatar
tweex
on 2010-08-19 23:00:30

Hmm, well it seems that Steve came all this way only to slip back into his midi sounding roots. Everything seems to be out of tune with one another in the intro and then when the piano comes in, wow, big pitch difference there. The production value just kills this for me! However, there is one HUGE thing to point here. Arrangement wise, this builds up to something much more complex and involved than Steve's previous mixes which is a huge piece of growth. With this mix moving into a really good arrangement direction, I only hope the production is close behind. That being said, the problem I have with the arrangement is that Steve worked it all out, then copied and pasted it again to double the length of the song, almost as though it was straight out of the game. Come on Steve, rally back for me, buddy!

avatar
42
on 2009-12-27 00:03:13

This sounds like it came straight out of a Ocarina of Time temple, what with all the chanting and dark foreboding atmosphere.

Everything, imo, sounds so bizarrely appropriate. All that "slightly off" unnatural feel to everything from the piano to the choir (especially the choir feels off) feels fitting for being lost in some dark, desolate swamp.

The weak point of this mix is around 3/4 of the way in. There is when things feel so repetitive and like I've heard it a million times before, but for the most part this is a solid mix.

avatar
Bahamut
on 2009-09-14 23:44:53

I've always thought the original song is strange, and this song is a strange take on a strange song...go figure.

Wow that piano sticks out though. The drums also stick out too. Arrangement-wise, I don't also see terribly much differing from the original. Just not a memorable piece, sorry Steve.

avatar
Evil_Cronos
on 2009-01-05 13:37:17

Why is everyone complaining about the midi-like piano, It really suites the mix well. The other thing that other people were complaining about was the dark feel to the song is not the same as the original piece. But that doesn't matter, the remix doesn't need to have the same feel if the remix is a different style from the original. Overall this mix is one of the better mixes from FF9. A definite improvement on the original, which got boring rather quickly.

avatar
DragonAvenger
on 2008-09-30 21:23:29

It's a different style, but I always thought the quality wasn't much better than the original, which really drags it down. This mix has been in my library a while, but it doesn't really stick out. It's a good adaption from the original, but it isn't really able to keep my attention.

avatar
anosou
on 2007-12-06 07:13:56

I want to hear this one with expensive samples and I want it now!

I've always loved Qu's Marsh and this arrangement is pretty decent, too bad with the GM.

avatar
OA
on 2007-02-22 11:30:50

Sooo midi..

Sorry but the sound quality of this really prevents me from getting into this. There are some good ideas presented, but it just sounds cheap. The piano transition could have been a little less abrupt as well.

With better samples and some polish this could be an awesome mix.

avatar
Bummer
on 2005-11-02 14:41:31
This is a strange idea on the Qu's Marsh, making it darker and fugue-like.

Would suit perfectly if the Qu´s whipped up a cooking ritual, it may be a little dark, that piano helped much in that subject, the guitar likewise, got a good sound out of that one. And then the choir in the beginning, I always thought someone did that in the beginning, but that might as well be marimbas or bells or drums of some sort.

It repeats, I´ve noticed that, I thought the track had ended and gone on repeat, but when I checked it was just in the middle.

BUT, good song, Steve bringed out the Qu´s in an other perspective.

avatar
FinalGamer
on 2005-02-17 08:14:28

This is a strange idea on the Qu's Marsh, making it darker and fugue-like. 7/10, really. It's not bad, and is alright to listen to, I think, but not amazing. original though so if you like sombre techno music, then this is good.

avatar
Uberwulf X
on 2003-06-30 01:03:37

Yeah... it's alright, but kinda raw. The first time I heard it, I admit- I listened to it often. It does have that darker sort of feel, but I like it. It's just something.. it just may be the the samples and their cuts that take points away for me. After a while, the novelty wore off.

avatar
Eccles
on 2003-06-24 09:40:13

Its okay...but not fantastic.

I dont like the mood this piece has...it seems more kinda dark and dismal and hopeless, which isn't what the original had, though I dont supose this really matters on here so...

The piano sample irritates me..I dont know why, but it just sounds 'off'.

The snare sample is kinda dry and MIDI-like (though the Timpani sample is pretty sharp)

I dont like the choirs used either...they seem a little off-key and I dont like the abrupt start-stop thing they've got going on.

I'd have liked see more of the guitar, personally. I dont like the way it only played a few notes repeatedly during certain parts then was ignored (perhaps swapping the piano and guitar over could have worked)

Overall...Im divided.

Its not terrible...but then again its not fantastic either.

avatar
djcubez
on 2003-01-11 14:32:28

yeah, the quality is a drag but it still is a pretty good remix. It got changed around a bit and definetly put into a new "style" which is what this site is about (as far as I know) so good work.

avatar
orkybash
on 2002-05-22 00:48:49

Final Fantasy IX 'Qu's Marsh (Swamp Rat)'

Well, sorry to say it but this mix really doesn't do it for me. Three are some cool parts that I can't help but enjoy, but the GM-ish sound quality and the needless repetition really drag it down. Not that bad, but not that great either.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy IX (Square , 2000, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Marsh of the Qu Tribe"

Tags (0)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_9_Qu's_Marsh_(Swamp_Rat)_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,167,528 bytes
MD5:
71b9799cdf8934a9c2b657e3ac0edfc4
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:14

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes