ReMix: Resident Evil 2 'Ada's Groove'

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Game: Resident Evil 2 (Capcom, 1998, PS1)
ReMixer(s): ABG
Composer(s): Masami Ueda, Naoshi Mizuta, Shun Nishigaki, Shusaku Uchiyama
Song(s): 'Ada's Theme'
Posted: 2004-02-24, evaluated by the judges

Sometimes ReMixers like ABG submit one great mix to the site and then we never hear from them again, lost to the abyss of time, space, and ST:TNG-style anomalies of the Internet. Fortunately, in this case, we get a sophomore effort: a brief but slick arrangement of Ada Wong's theme from Resident Evil 2, our second from the game's soundtrack. This seems as good a time as any to also mention some changeups to our illustrious panel of highly underpaid (as in zilch) but diligent and steadfast judges - Beatdrop has stepped down, CotMM is on hiatus, and we have two new additions of Darkesword and Daniel Baranowsky helping us quickly whittle down the ever-formidable queue. Depending on who you are and your involvement with the site, this may have different degrees of relevance/meaning to you, but suffice it to say that all judges, past, present, and future, play an extremely vital part in making the site what it is.

The original here is a brief, thirty-second bit that ABG's taken and tricked out, adding a deep-delicious sub bass, some crafted d'n'b breakbeat work with nice DSP, synth pads, and moving synth patterns, keeping the original motif similar on a pipe/flute lead. Some nice backwards loop breaks, stereo affectations to the kick and good separation and cross-panning on the supporting synth elements. The unanimous opinion of all judges was that this could easily have been longer, and rather should have been longer, to further develop the melody. Sure, it's going off only 30 seconds of original, but with the ingredients in place and esp. as solid as they are, there was calling for some additional liberties, harmony and counter-melody, and all that jazz. For some, this was a show-stopper, but we calls 'em like we gets 'em, and the majority of the panel felt that despite the short length, what's here is worthwhile and can stand on its own well enough. For my money: it's good enough to loop twice every time you wanna listen to it, which sort of addresses the length issue, and it's a very satisfying arrangement, in terms of addition and layering more than modification. Good stuff from ABG, who next time none of us would mind being a bit more indulgent and liberal and work towards a more substantitve form, but who has nevertheless produced another enjoyable electronic work.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

This is the best OC remix I've ever heard so far. I had this on loop literally for about 7-8 listens in a row. The only thing I don't like is that it's so short...just like the Resident Evil Main Theme. This has the perfect dark touch mixed with an amazing drum beat. You just can't beat this :)

- Codamadius on December 3, 2011

yesssssir you nailed it!!!

- Chako on October 21, 2009

Ah Ada's theme... A fond memory of the only game that I've completed 43 times already
(mainly due to speedrunning in fact).
It kicks off in the exact same spirit as the original: atmospheric nape, & flute.
Flute whose cheap sound buged me at begining.
But I quickly forgot about it when the low pad, piano & synth joined the fun.
Nice modulation right off the bat, and soon after enters the biggest addition to the original : drums.
A perfectly fitting pattern of what I suspect to be a mix of D&B + Jungle.
It gives the song so much energy, with the intervention of multiple synth, and a delightful near-sub bass.
I loved how the whole soundscape got filled progressively, then slowly emptied, only to come back to life shortly thereafter.
With the exeption of some very minor saturations mainly due to the flute, this is a wonderful arrangement.
I enjoyed it a lot, even if it was way too short.
Despite that, it is one of my favorite OCremix to date.

- Dj Mokram on May 7, 2009

What a find! I must have not heard this track before, because something this good I would not so easily forget!
The flute is a little dead sounding, but it's still a good sample. Beyond that it's pretty much perfect. Great beats, excellent synths, and very creative progression throughout. There's a lot of attention to panning, making it sound super awesome with headphones or in an area with spread out speakers.
The synth arpeggio along with the syncopated bass give it a very driving feel, and when you throw the fast paced loop over it, it evokes a serene and starry night sky above and driving purpose below. Add a B section and double the length, and it'd be completely amazing.
Super recommended, this is complete quality.

- OA on February 5, 2008

Too brief! The only criticism I had. Great sound choices, effects & production, awesome energy, and a total (but effective) style change from the original. Someone kick ABG and make him realize he needs to submit more high octane hotness like this.

- Liontamer on October 5, 2007

This is a great mix, and I seem to have company in feeling that this mix is a little too short. At first I was a little frustrated, but then I realized that its short length is a good thing. It will always leave me wanting more and that ensures that it will remain one of my favorite remixes.

- A Gang of Field Mice on December 1, 2005

This song conveys so many situations, evokes so many feelings and memories from RE2 whilst portraying the character of Ada in a perfect light. It sounds lonely, desperate, determined, fearful and anticipant amongst other things. A tribute to the idea that music is more than just sound, but holds meaning relating to the subject on which it is based. Terrific.

- mecca on April 18, 2005

Great electronic ambient feel. I too feel that the only striking improvement would have been an increase in length. It ended just as it was getting into its stride! Music of this genre typically /does/ tend to last longer, which would have been quite acceptable.

- fisherman on March 18, 2004

This is a [i]great[/i] mix! Strong sounds, deep bass, perfectly tied in with a well-done melody.
It sounds absolutely bitchin' in my car.

- Atomic Dog on February 27, 2004

Great vibe and energy to this one good job yo

- Al Capwn on February 27, 2004

To me, this was easily one of the best tunes in RE2, maybe even [i]the[/i] best, despite its very short length. Ok, maybe I'm just consumed by nostalgia but [i]damn[/i] does it feel good to listen to this again. The original was a deeply sad, gentle tune. The remix transforms it into a deeply sad, "dangerous" tune, sort of. And I must say, it works very well. Props.

- blackmyst on February 24, 2004

That synth in the background is very nice indeed.
I, personally, would have prefered it to be a little heavier, but that's just me, it's nice.
I think I'll download the original to compare.

- The Orichalcon on February 24, 2004

ah here we go. Finally something closer to the sort of music I often listen to. :) This is pretty good. I'd get rid of that flute though. I guess it's personal taste to me but I thought it was a bit cheesy. Also there's no expression in it, perhaps why it sounds cheesy. The rest of it was cool though and the beat was a surprising but welcome addition. Not least because, until it came, I was worried with the swelling pads and its new age sound that this was going to sound an awful lot like an OCR WIP of my own! But yeah, the breakbeat added a nice modern touch to the song.

- nostalgic gen on February 24, 2004

From the beginning to the very end of this mix it sounded perfect. Very nice work. I love it.

- †pikachu† on February 24, 2004

Very nice, a short but sweet remix.

- Scuba on February 24, 2004