ReMix: The Secret of Monkey Island 'Metal Monkey'
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- Game: The Secret of Monkey Island (LucasArts, 1990, DOS)
- ReMixer(s): Ryan8bit
- Composer(s): Andy Newell, Barney Jones, Michael Land, Patric Mundy
- Song(s):
- Posted: 2002-06-09, evaluated by the judges
Ryan8bit makes his OCR debut with a very charismatic SoM ReMix that's got a lot of attitude. While at time this electric guitar and drums arrangement does get a little spastic (see 1'24"), the sheer energy and verve compensate duly. I just think it's cool that this neat little pirate theme could work so well in a heavy rock (with a slight ska feel due to offbeat chords) context - Ryan8bit really does pull it off, with chiming, high-end guitars, a deadly, beefy bass, meaty chunk chords, and heavy-hittin' drums that pack a wallop. If you're not one for guitars, it certainly won't be your thing, but the playing, mixing, and the arrangement itself are all first-rate. No restraint, no subtlety, no delicate "ambient synth textures" here, just in-your-face rock. Highly recommended.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the An ancient 8bit track, you can tell his playing was as good back in
the day, but the production is very rough, and the drums are super
plodding.
Some of the tapping and background shredding was nice, but it was buried.
Ryan is a real guitar force now, so it's cool to hear that he had to go through all the work too and didn't automatically know exactly how to do it all.
- OA on April 2, 2008
Some of the tapping and background shredding was nice, but it was buried.
Ryan is a real guitar force now, so it's cool to hear that he had to go through all the work too and didn't automatically know exactly how to do it all.
- OA on April 2, 2008
Hoo boy, this was........rough. :(
I can give Ryan some extra points for trying to make something new and individual, but I couldn't enjoy this remix as much as I would. It sounds like it was recorded 6 feet away from the microphone, and the guitar and bass almost blended into each other. A true guitar fan would appreciate this, even I can hear how good the guitar is played, but it's too much for me.
- Bummerdude on April 27, 2006
I can give Ryan some extra points for trying to make something new and individual, but I couldn't enjoy this remix as much as I would. It sounds like it was recorded 6 feet away from the microphone, and the guitar and bass almost blended into each other. A true guitar fan would appreciate this, even I can hear how good the guitar is played, but it's too much for me.
- Bummerdude on April 27, 2006
I like this.
it has power, it's amazing how the monkey theme can sound.
I'd give this a A+.
kthxbye.
- Nineko on February 21, 2006
it has power, it's amazing how the monkey theme can sound.
I'd give this a A+.
kthxbye.
- Nineko on February 21, 2006
I simply love this one; I listen to it all the time! The bass
should kind of be put behind the guitar, and I thought the guitar
sound was kind of weak, but the bass was strong, which I believe
would be better the opposite. Secret of Monkey Island ruled, one of
the best games I've ever played which I still play to this very
day. Good job on the remix, though it's actually more a metal theme
of the song, but oh well. Two thumbs up, I simply love it.
- Pagerot on July 25, 2003
- Pagerot on July 25, 2003
Monkey Island is one of my Favorate games. I play guitar and always
wanted to play the theme song. I've been looking for a long time
but can't find ANY Tab for it. Could anyone give me this tab or
have a link to the CORRECT tab?
Thanks in advance,
Shadow
- Shadow789 on June 4, 2003
Thanks in advance,
Shadow
- Shadow789 on June 4, 2003
It's one of the most raw pieces on overclocked playlist, second to
only jivmasters mix from way back. I like it, it's a bit too
hardcore, and the base is too clean, and there are a few balance
issues, but it IMO captured and morphed the theme of monkey
island
BTW, the curse of monkey island was the best game in the series, hands down. The only problem was that long-winded insult dueling part
- Ebonyks on June 11, 2002
BTW, the curse of monkey island was the best game in the series, hands down. The only problem was that long-winded insult dueling part
- Ebonyks on June 11, 2002
Mustin wrote: I wouldn't call this guitar work "well done." It's pretty raw, actually.
Focus that sound so it's not so hissy. Then bring it up in the mix. Chorus and compress the bass so it doesn't take up so much of the spectrum.
I didn't "agree" with the arrangement, really, but I've never really liked any of the songs I've heard from this series of games.
Ah well.
Interesting - see, I would counterpoint that guitar work can be both "well done" and sound "raw" at the same time. I don't think everything in the world needs to sound overproduced and slick, and that's what I like about many mixes that make it through that have elements like this singled out.
A dead-on, perfectly articulated guitar that was more in keeping with Van Halen or something like that would have been inappropriate, to me - this mix is raucous, and the guitar should reflect that attitude. That's actually what I liked most about the mix, on repeated listening.
As a sidenote, compressing the bass should make it take up less of the spectrum, but chorusing would do the exact opposite - make the sound fatter and louder and more dominant. That's sort of paradoxical advice, though I agree a smudge of compression alone would have helped.
- djpretzel on June 10, 2002
True, but a Monkey Island mix more towards what the original style
was can be found here at OCR (the one by AmIEvil). I just wanted to
go for something that no one else would likely do; something more
original.
- Ryan8bit on June 10, 2002
- Ryan8bit on June 10, 2002
I'm going to have to agree with EmptyMy here.
In my opinion, part of Monkey Island's charm was, and I quote from the back of the carboard CD-case... "Ear splitting reggae music!"!!!!! Somehow metal just isn't as much fun. I'd really go for a live performed reggae rendition of Monkey Island though... I really want to hear the Steel Drums go at this music.
- Fieari on June 10, 2002
In my opinion, part of Monkey Island's charm was, and I quote from the back of the carboard CD-case... "Ear splitting reggae music!"!!!!! Somehow metal just isn't as much fun. I'd really go for a live performed reggae rendition of Monkey Island though... I really want to hear the Steel Drums go at this music.
- Fieari on June 10, 2002
First of all, Monkey Island is one of the best games I've ever
played, and I absolutely adore its music. I've tried many times to
remix one of the tracks, without result. So when I saw this remix I
downloaded it immedietly.
I really dig the intro, it felt very heavy. When the melody kicks in, and the characteristic metal Iron Maiden-ish guitars started chomping, I was somewhat dissapointed. I'm no big fan of metal. But that's not a flaw with the remix, just a conflict with my personal taste.
I like the song, because it's a well done Monkey Island remix.
- EmptyMy on June 10, 2002
I really dig the intro, it felt very heavy. When the melody kicks in, and the characteristic metal Iron Maiden-ish guitars started chomping, I was somewhat dissapointed. I'm no big fan of metal. But that's not a flaw with the remix, just a conflict with my personal taste.
I like the song, because it's a well done Monkey Island remix.
- EmptyMy on June 10, 2002
I agree with skulkrusha on the bass thing. I think it is
too...dominant to tune it that low. This way it is a little
disturbing in my opinion because it never really overpowers the
rhythm, but catches the ear and distracts the attention of the
listener. You have already explained why you did it this way. This
is just a piece of my mind. :wink:
- Lomion on June 10, 2002
- Lomion on June 10, 2002
Thanks. Yea, it's just that I played with it for what seemed like
such a long time... I guess for my next mix I'll post it in the WIP
forum and you guys can help me. :)
And yea, I have a bass amp, but it's nothing special. And what I had was a high bass, a low mid, and a medium treble setting... I think it was my post equalization that took away that low feel. I think I turned a portion of the lower bands down just because the bass was overpowering and rattling.
I'm not sure what you meant about the annoying beat throughout... the only thing that really remained constant was the open hi-hat. I know you said it wasn't the drums, but was that maybe it?
Also, which distortion patch would you have used? On my preamp, the best setting (or at least to me) is the grunge one on full gain, but if you think there is one (or should be one) that was/is more suitable, I'd definitely keep it in mind.
- Ryan8bit on June 10, 2002
And yea, I have a bass amp, but it's nothing special. And what I had was a high bass, a low mid, and a medium treble setting... I think it was my post equalization that took away that low feel. I think I turned a portion of the lower bands down just because the bass was overpowering and rattling.
I'm not sure what you meant about the annoying beat throughout... the only thing that really remained constant was the open hi-hat. I know you said it wasn't the drums, but was that maybe it?
Also, which distortion patch would you have used? On my preamp, the best setting (or at least to me) is the grunge one on full gain, but if you think there is one (or should be one) that was/is more suitable, I'd definitely keep it in mind.
- Ryan8bit on June 10, 2002
Interesting bass, but hard to hear... And there's an annoying
beating sound (not the drum part) that keeps on recurring through
the song, similar to the sound you might get from hitting a rebound
pad. For the lead part, I'd try using a different distortion patch
(if you're using an FX pedal, that is). While I admit it's a good
lead part, the distortion you chose spoils it a bit.
Now, as for the bass, it sounds a bit too clean, more like an acoustic guitar (and I know you can get acoustic basses, they're just damn expensive). It's best if you can get your hands on a bass amp, it sounds best then (ignore that if you have one already). Also, maybe the bass sounded a bit empty in places. I tend to have the bass level on my amp around medium-full, then with middle and treble close to medium. That gives it a nice high-bass sound. Some people put all their settings on medium, that gives it an even texture, which can sound good, but here it sounds like you put the bass down too low, with the treble and middle getting the most attention. Or perhaps you used a normal guitar amp... Also, the rhythm guitar and the bass guitar should be around the same volume. If you really don't want the bass overpowering the rhythm, the bass should only be playing the root note of whatever chord the rhythm part's playing. That would also give your power chords a heavier feel (although you'd have to have your bass level turned right up).
Apart from that, It's a good mix overall, with only a few flaws. If you'd spent a bit more time playing with it, it could have been excellent.
- skulkrusha on June 10, 2002
Now, as for the bass, it sounds a bit too clean, more like an acoustic guitar (and I know you can get acoustic basses, they're just damn expensive). It's best if you can get your hands on a bass amp, it sounds best then (ignore that if you have one already). Also, maybe the bass sounded a bit empty in places. I tend to have the bass level on my amp around medium-full, then with middle and treble close to medium. That gives it a nice high-bass sound. Some people put all their settings on medium, that gives it an even texture, which can sound good, but here it sounds like you put the bass down too low, with the treble and middle getting the most attention. Or perhaps you used a normal guitar amp... Also, the rhythm guitar and the bass guitar should be around the same volume. If you really don't want the bass overpowering the rhythm, the bass should only be playing the root note of whatever chord the rhythm part's playing. That would also give your power chords a heavier feel (although you'd have to have your bass level turned right up).
Apart from that, It's a good mix overall, with only a few flaws. If you'd spent a bit more time playing with it, it could have been excellent.
- skulkrusha on June 10, 2002
KrispyKreme wrote: Maybe its me, but that guitar was really ruff and chinky sounding. The bass was kinda nice although it got repetitive and same with the drums. I never played the game, but there seems to be alot of guitar wailing songs comming from it, which I'm not a fan of. I give it a 6/10
Actually, it's a piratey game... I went in a whole different direction that's bound to either please or totally disgust.
Mustin wrote: I wouldn't call this guitar work "well done." It's pretty raw, actually.
Because it's not the quality of your FF6 "The Atomizer"? I guess you'll have to define raw for me.
- Ryan8bit on June 9, 2002
Maybe its me, but that guitar was really ruff and chinky sounding.
The bass was kinda nice although it got repetitive and same with
the drums. I never played the game, but there seems to be alot of
guitar wailing songs comming from it, which I'm not a fan of. I
give it a 6/10
- krispy on June 9, 2002
- krispy on June 9, 2002
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