ReMix: Secret of Mana 'Wandering the Wild Forest'
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- Game: Secret of Mana (Square, 1993, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Thumper
- Composer(s): Hiroki Kikuta
- Song(s): 'Into the Thick of It'
- Posted: 2002-07-12, evaluated by the judges
Judges had their fair share of nitpicks regarding this second submission from Thumper of SoM, but overall most thought the piece had more desirable elements than . . . undesirable. Beginning with a piano that's delayed in swing time for an interesting effect (some felt this created an unacceptable asynchrony between the piano and drums), Thumper brings in some rolling drums and then a flute (perhaps a bit on the loud side) to cover the melody. To me the arrangement overcomes its initial shortcomings in its latter portions, with a tasty jazz guitar showing up at 1'52" and competently taking over the lead at 2'24" - tres cool, very atmospheric. At 3'00" the piece changes gears towards a break without the piano line for a bit, then things re-enter with a meaty electric lead that soars above the mix - nothing too fancy on the playing side, but it doesn't need it. While I'll agree that the piano bit does have some rhythmic . . . idiosyncrasies . . . I still think the other elements combined (particularly the two contrasting guitars) more than make up for it. Take it or leave it, but I enjoyed the smooth jazz feel and floating sensation the mix evokes.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Wow, I remember this mix. It was nice for its time, but with the
continual growing of the scene, I think it has been bypassed
greatly in many respects.
It is a relaxing listen, if a bit harsh due to the guitar.
- Bahamut on October 11, 2012
It is a relaxing listen, if a bit harsh due to the guitar.
- Bahamut on October 11, 2012
This mix needs to go back in the oven because it is clearly not
done.
The piano at the beginning seems somewhat off, but the real issue I have with it is that it just goes on and on as elements slowly filter in. Having a drawn out intro like this is fine, but please make it more exciting than a 2 chord progression. When the flute finally comes in it is a nice copy of the in-game flute sample, but a few parts are piercing.
The guitar that comes in later is pretty ugly sounding, sometimes out-of-tune, but just tonally unappealing.
The drum breakdown is decent, though it's still the 2 chord progression, and the dirty guitar sounds slightly better, if not terribly thin. I just can't get into this mix on any level.
- OA on February 12, 2008
The piano at the beginning seems somewhat off, but the real issue I have with it is that it just goes on and on as elements slowly filter in. Having a drawn out intro like this is fine, but please make it more exciting than a 2 chord progression. When the flute finally comes in it is a nice copy of the in-game flute sample, but a few parts are piercing.
The guitar that comes in later is pretty ugly sounding, sometimes out-of-tune, but just tonally unappealing.
The drum breakdown is decent, though it's still the 2 chord progression, and the dirty guitar sounds slightly better, if not terribly thin. I just can't get into this mix on any level.
- OA on February 12, 2008
From my point of view, I'm not too much bothered by these
"undesired elements", the piano plays for a while in the beginning,
but the drums comes very slowly into the picture by using small and
quiet cymbals at first and then bring in something more
heavy.
The flute maybe is playing a bit too loud, but not enough to get a headache (depending on what level the volume is). The guitar worked fine together with the piano, strings and drum equipment, and created a very chill and smooth atmosphere. Not very "wild" as the title says, maybe a little at 3:15, but that's about it.
A very cool and descent remix, it's worth a listen or two.......or maybe 47. :D
- Bummerdude on April 27, 2006
The flute maybe is playing a bit too loud, but not enough to get a headache (depending on what level the volume is). The guitar worked fine together with the piano, strings and drum equipment, and created a very chill and smooth atmosphere. Not very "wild" as the title says, maybe a little at 3:15, but that's about it.
A very cool and descent remix, it's worth a listen or two.......or maybe 47. :D
- Bummerdude on April 27, 2006
I like the piano! I like pieces that can take one phrase, repeat it
s the basis of the song, and then have other instruments come in to
provide the variance in the song. I was never bored of the piano
motif, and though the first guitar sounded out of tune, I found
that instead of detracting from the piece, it actually added to it,
with a somewhat loose feel. An interesting piece, and with good
results.
- synthetic_realities on July 24, 2005
- synthetic_realities on July 24, 2005
The pads are nice. I don't see why the piano couldn't have been
quantized. Had there been no delay effect, the lack of quantization
would have not mattered, but as it stands, it just detracts from an
otherwise nice mix. The flute section is sweet, and the hollow body
guitar is nice, except for the fact that sounds out of tune on
parts, but it could be me. The breakdown at the end is really
refreshing. The electric guitar was a total and welcomed surprise.
- MrNemo on August 23, 2004
- MrNemo on August 23, 2004
:) Thumper has a great thing going through-out this piece, the
swung piano, and contrasting drums did it for me. One thing I could
have done without is the guitar track. I take that back, the track
itself is good; mixed well, decent tone, but... that guitar is way
out of tune. That minor flaw offset the simplistic melody (or solo)
for the worse. If I wasn't such a bitch, I would say the song was
cool, but out of tune instruments make a song hard to listen to.
But I forgive Thumper. Keep up the good work.
- blackstar on April 11, 2003
- blackstar on April 11, 2003
The intro is so sweet and i particulary enjoy the piano melody. My
only critisism is the ending which i don't hate but would prefer
something a little different thats all. I really enjoyed the
original from Hiroki Kikuta so this was a pleasure to listen too
and remixed very nicely indeed. Keep up the good work Thumper, hope
to hear more from you.
- the warlock on March 9, 2003
- the warlock on March 9, 2003
Well, first off I'd like to say it doesn't really even sound like
it's swung at all. It sounds like a triplet-based-echoed piano that
is a bit messy at times. the peice is actually pretty simple at
first, which can be good. but in this case it doesn't really strike
me as being anything original. once the guitar comes in, I
definately love it. the... let's say "lagginess" of the guitar
sounds really nice. it isn't quite always on-beat, which makes a
really nice effect. the ending is a bit bland, but it works.
in some of my original stuff i've had some fun with 7 vs. 8. it's easier to work with than 3 vs. 5, but it just sounds neat in my opinion :)
- HappyBivouac on March 3, 2003
fisherman wrote:
Maybe it's just the theory geek in me, but I love opposing meters, 2 vs. 3 or 3 vs. 4, 4 vs, 5 whatever! Now 3 vs. 5, [i]that's[/i] weird...
in some of my original stuff i've had some fun with 7 vs. 8. it's easier to work with than 3 vs. 5, but it just sounds neat in my opinion :)
- HappyBivouac on March 3, 2003
In a word, bleh. Not [i]bad[/i], just not fantastic. The ReMix
equivalent of elevator music perhaps?
(0:40) Intro's okay. A little "dizzy..."
(1:52) I absolutely hate this guitar. I really do.... It's too "runny." If there was a driving background, a little sloppiness might balance out, but the swung piano vs. straight perc. thing gives everything a subtle disorientingness already, just by itself.
(3:16) Now, the distortion guitar I like. The raw sound seems to compliment the nebulousness instead of magnifying it.
Maybe it's just the theory geek in me, but I love opposing meters, 2 vs. 3 or 3 vs. 4, 4 vs, 5 whatever! Now 3 vs. 5, [i]that's[/i] weird...
- fisherman on February 21, 2003
(0:40) Intro's okay. A little "dizzy..."
(1:52) I absolutely hate this guitar. I really do.... It's too "runny." If there was a driving background, a little sloppiness might balance out, but the swung piano vs. straight perc. thing gives everything a subtle disorientingness already, just by itself.
(3:16) Now, the distortion guitar I like. The raw sound seems to compliment the nebulousness instead of magnifying it.
I loved the unsynch'd pianos and drums, I don't think it would have sounded right any other way.
Maybe it's just the theory geek in me, but I love opposing meters, 2 vs. 3 or 3 vs. 4, 4 vs, 5 whatever! Now 3 vs. 5, [i]that's[/i] weird...
- fisherman on February 21, 2003
I loved the unsynch'd pianos and drums, I don't think it would have
sounded right any other way.
I didn't find any problems with the flute, are you guys cranking up the volume or listening to these at high vol on headphones with an amp? :P
The guitar seemed unusual but fit perfectly with the piece in my opinion.
Overall, great remix!
- Solanalos on July 14, 2002
I didn't find any problems with the flute, are you guys cranking up the volume or listening to these at high vol on headphones with an amp? :P
The guitar seemed unusual but fit perfectly with the piece in my opinion.
Overall, great remix!
- Solanalos on July 14, 2002
I like this one - brings back memories of running around in those
forests. secret of mana was dope. Guitars sound great and overall
its very good, but what's with the odd garbled noise that comes in
with the drums? I didn't understand the reason for using this and
it makes the song sound somewhat muddled. Overall, though, a good
mix.
- digital buddha on July 14, 2002
- digital buddha on July 14, 2002
I really like this remix. The flute sound font is really quite
poor, but otherwise, the production values are fantastic. And the
arrangement itself is a great interpretation. Good stuff.
- CaptainSyrup on July 13, 2002
- CaptainSyrup on July 13, 2002
Thumper thumps out some really delightful work here. DJ Pretzel
spoke of the Judges having many quams with this piece, but whatever
they were I don't notice them. I'll have to read what that was
about. I really like the wind instrument and the guitars in this
piece. The kick drum gives this a really nice sound as well. Great
work Thumper, I find it oddly refreshing.
- Ginnsu on July 13, 2002
- Ginnsu on July 13, 2002
To start off, the intro is pretty mediocre. The lack of panning
creates a lack of depth. At about 1:04 stuff improves. I sense more
depth - I become more attached to this mix. Though, at 1:20, the
mix goes boom. That flute hurts. Hurts a lot. At 1:52, the guitar
is nice, but it becomes jangled with the piano. Again, no panning
here. The strings, piano, and guitar are all center panned. It's
beautiful, though, when the guitar goes solo. Then, at 3:00, it
starts to sound like a porn groove (but less sexy). Eventually, the
distortion guitar comes in. It's pretty nice, but it lacks
dynamics. Overall, a mediocre mix. Could easily be improved simply
by panning. Too many instruments mangle with each other in that
center channel.
- DarkCecil13 on July 13, 2002
- DarkCecil13 on July 13, 2002
It's Thumper so of course it's great. Slow and melodic with a hint
of kick ass guitars. Now we just have to wait for DJP to get
Thumper's other tracks up here! Most importantly "Green Haired
Girl" which is the best Terra mix I've ever heard! Sorry
Sean...
Cam
- joe_cam on July 13, 2002
Cam
- joe_cam on July 13, 2002
