ReMix: Final Fantasy X 'Far From Home'

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Orkybash once again throws some ear candy from the more recent Final Fantasy games our way, this time covering X. Tim has a direct mixing style that doesn't emphasize esoteric DSP tricks or anything sonically outlandish but instead focuses on the arrangement itself, stays fairly close to the original, and favors natural, emotional sounds that seem to draw out the better aspects of the original. This piece is basically dominated by a piano, with drums, pads, and offbeat & unobstrusive synth bass primarily in effect as background. That's certainly how things are mixed, with the piano covering the entire stereo field and raised a bit louder than other elements, and I feel it works well. If the piano patch were tinny or of sub-par quality, that'd be the kiss of death for something done in this fashion, so don't try it at home unless you've got a passable piano or the real thing :) At 2'20" Tim probably has the most fun with the piano interpretation, throwing some great little twists in - for my money, I'd like to see more of that sort of liberty taken, as I think it adds to the piece without veering too far off course. For the emphasis it's given, the string pad used could have been "more" - it sits dead center in the mix and is a tad anemic compared to some of the better string section patches I've heard. I know that something more robust might have infringed on the piano's turf, but I feel it would have been worth it and made the mix a bit fuller. The synth that's brought in later to double the melody does something to address this, though. Coulda woulda shoulda's aside, an enjoyable and solid submission from Orkybash that is especially enjoyable towards its conclusion. Recommended.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Epic remix i just discovered, thx a lot.

- Mordicus93 on September 17, 2010
Dated, yes. Insignificant? No. I love the FFX tunes, and the artist does well with fine-tuning this mix to their specifications. Job well done.

- MechaFone on May 28, 2010
I gotta say I really like this mix. Yes, I can see the complaints about it sounding a bit dated and mechanical, but it also has a lot going for it IMHO. The extensions to the base melody seem so natural that they've become part of my internal impression of what "To Zanarkand" sounds like. On top of that I really like the piano solo... I want more of that. It'd be nice to see Orkybash make a triumphant return like a few other old timers have lately.

- Kaxon on April 2, 2010
A classic VGM source track that unfortunately ended up being a remix too mechanical for even me. :/
I do like that it started out with just pads at first, as opposed to the traditional piano, and the piano deviation in the second half was pretty good stuff. Otherwise it's the same velocity piano over and over. Some cool ideas, but the execution was pretty weak. Sorry dude, not diggin it. :-(

- OA on November 27, 2009
This song has been sitting on my computer for years. Now, I finally listen to it, and I feel like a fool. If I had known it was remixing To Zanarkand, I would've listened to it long ago. Not just that, but I've been looking for backing tracks for this song for The Black Mages version called The Skies Above. But, this is perfect! While I doubt it would be used as a backing track, it can give me an idea as to how to sing the lyrics. Thank you very much. I thoroughly enjoyed this remix, since it remixes my favourite song, and I will be listening to this song many times to come.

- cremdogz on July 30, 2009
Someone has it right that by today's standards the mix feels dated. There isn't much going on in terms of original material, but the small variations in the melody are nice. I wish he had used those variations to move into and out of new stuff.
I'm not entirely crazy about the combination of instruments. I feel like there's something missing, but I can't place my finger on it.
Overall I do like the piece. It's an enjoyable mix, and is certainly something I don't mind pulling up every so often.

- DragonAvenger on July 10, 2008
never doubted that this would kick ass, orkybash has owned since the days of MIDI.

- Soapy on July 5, 2006
This has a killer beat to it. One of the best video game songs I know just got better.

- Vertigo88 on May 18, 2006
Love the song. One of my favorites from the FFX collection and i have them all. The freestyle piano has to be the best part because it shows how you amde this remix your own. It is also so catchy you want to hear it over and over again. So i put it on a cd and its out in my car where i listen to it like any other cd. Great job!

- mrbaseball0909 on January 18, 2006
Definitely dated by OCR's standards today. But it has aged well. Very catchy, and the beat is a real foot-tapper.

- Ichitootah on December 31, 2005
^That's true. And you wouldnt believe how I actually got into Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. It was the music, then I listend to all the remixed versions of the best Chrono T and CC tunes.
Then I played both of them. Completed Trigger, AWESOME game. And currently playing Cross (very good also, but I think Trigger is better so far)

- I_Love_OC_ReMixes on December 31, 2005
What I love about this is that you don't have to know anything about FFX to love this remix. I downloaded it a long time ago without knowing anything about the FFs and I fell in love with the remix instantly. There is something cleansing about it. Any non-gamer who has listend to this has told me how beautiful it is. I love the improvisation with the piano. Definitely makes my day! Good work, Orkybash!

- lady zelda on December 31, 2005
Amazing remix Orkybash
Merry christmas!!

- I_Love_OC_ReMixes on December 24, 2005
Haha... you see Tidus pull out a synth as the song is playing in the background....
But on topic... This is a nice, very nice remix. I can't find anything wrong with it.... the piano changes are awesome.
10/10

- SakakiAzu on November 12, 2005
I´m really do love an enjoyable piano remix, so my grade gets a little affected, so here goes:
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MIXES ON THE SITE, I LOVE THAT PIANO OF YOURS, YOUR GREAT ORKYBASH!
OK, it gets much affected but it is great song, if only Tidus or someone brought a synth with them, this one could be it in the game. It´s so unfair, they can fit 267 weapons and a blitzball in their pockets, but not a synth?

- Bummerdude on October 3, 2005