ReMix: Sonic & Knuckles 'Robotnik Radio'

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Sonic & Knuckles

Steve writes:

"As Project Chaos was closing to be finished, it turned out that boss 2 was free and i was nearing the end of iMushroom, so i said, hey i'll give it a try. Unfortunately i accidentally began working on boss 1 (s3andk) instead! But i made a pretty nice WIP anyway because i was in the zone. The intro is a little garage-jazz style, but after about one minute, the beat comes in. If you're observant you'll hear a number of samples from the Sonic games. Some people have complained about not recognizing the source, but all i really did was replace and restyle the chord progression to something more spicy. Special thanx to; Binster, Dryer Lint, Azar and Sindra for helpful feedback."

GaMeBoX is on a roll, as his second piece off Chaos maintains the high level of quality his initial sub did, and the overall high production values that the entire project enjoyed. Steve's got a very strong ability to mix lo-fi sounds with more realistic and/or processed ones and achieve a vibe that's flavorful and textured. Things start off with radio dial fuzz, bit crushed drums with upright bass, piano, and a lounge EP vibe. Note how the primary kick/snare combo is crushed but the ride cymbals employed are clean; good example of the aforementioned juxtaposition. Things change up a bit at 0'58" as hip-hoppier drums kick in and funk gets infused. The overall sound is cleaner from here on out, but Steve does a downright genius job of using in-game samples and motifs throughout the remainder of the piece. It's honestly rather scary how he's been able to use these sounds in a new context, not simply as static samples but as dynamic, living instruments. The classic Sonic "spring" sound is the primary and probably most obvious example of this, but there are many others. While the panel was unanimous, I still feel after reading their decisions that I liked this piece a good deal more than some of them; I really don't have a significant bone to pick on either side of the arrangement/production continuum. Larry augments the above play-by-play with some of his own:

"Piano sample opening things up doesn't sound very realistic, but is performed decently and also had some nice effects on there to compensate for the sounds. Nice segue at :59 to some tite beats. Lead comes in at 1:16 and is really too dominated by the beatwork, but the clean production makes it less of an issue than if other people did the same thing. Very tasteful use of the Sonic 3 SFX at 1:49, especially the spring noise being played around with like that. Excellent changeup in the lead instrumentation at 2:06; same at 2:23 to keep it moving."

This mix really showcases how to embed in-game samples into an arrangement in a fashion that is transparent, musical, and increases the nostalgia/wow factor without being gratuitous; what were previously FX become instruments and motifs unto themselves, which is a nifty feat. I love Steve's new style on both of these Sonic and Knuckles pieces; it fits the material like a glove, and he pulls it off with panache and ability to match.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Are you serious? This thread needs way more than 2 pages. I can't stop listening to this, the groove is just so sick. We all know the SFX are good, yeah yeah, but listen to how he adapted the melody so well to the style...just sick.

- metaphist on April 20, 2007
This remix reminds me somewhat of Joshua Morse and po!'s Watermelon Flava; however, because of the too loud beat, it's just not as chilled and laid back as the aforementioned song.
Nonetheless, this is nice work. As someone mentioned before, the SFX used give this track a nice, retro atmosphere, and I really dig that. The only thing bothering me a bit is the end; it's just too abrupt.

- Martin Penwald on March 10, 2007
I gotta agree with what was said just before. GaMeBoX's remixes were my favorites out of the whole project bunch because of how unique they sound. My favorite part starts at about 1:00 in when the whole "urban" groove comes in. And the way the spring SFX blend in with the instrument at 2:08 was total sweeeeetness. You did an awesome job in transforming the sounds into something musical.

- JustChris on March 5, 2007
This was probably my most played track from the project, so I'm glad it finally made it as an individual submission. The intro is definitely the best part, the way the piano just meanders around is one of my favorite styles.
Top notch.

- badhabit on March 4, 2007
This was one of my favorites from the Chaos Project and I was hoping that this would get submitted as well as iMushroom. Like most have already said, the SFX used in the song add that nostalgia factor and don't come off as cheezy to me. But more than that, this song is just mellow. I like how the best was introduced and also that it's taken out just a few seconds before the song ends. Good stuff.

- MisterBiggler on March 1, 2007
lmfao, awesome. Beat is a little loud, but I like the stuff packed into this. You gotta love the "pick up ring" sound used at 1:41. Classic!

- Robotaki on February 27, 2007
Another great one frome GaMeBox. I really like the laid back style of this track. The sound effects are nice and lend a certain nostalgic element to the song. The drums are kind of loud, but I either forgave that or just stopped minding after the second or third play-through.
This is a very nice track, and pretty well mastered. I just wish it maybe had another element, like a solo or another key change or something. There just isn't one section that stands out for me. The song just kind of ends on me, and I'm suddenly left groove-less,

- Broken on February 27, 2007
i dont know, personally i dont like this genre, but i guess you have to look from someones opinion who likes the genre and in that case, its pretty good. great job!

- The Instrumental Light on February 27, 2007
If there's one thing I love about GaMeBoX's tracks, it's the samples from the games themselves being used, and more, the fact that they sound completely natural, rather than forced into the track. Robotnik Radio is no exception to this, and was an excellent addition to Project Chaos. Drums being loud is no problem.

- BlueMage on February 27, 2007
There is a hella funky subtle arrangement underneath the drums here struggling to be heard. Pretty please do a remaster with quieter drums. :P

- Villainelle on February 27, 2007
This was one of the S3&K tracks that I had on repeat in my car, whilst sipping on jin & juice(i.e. Route 44 cherry-lime Dr. Pepper). I really loved the way this sounded like a well produced hip hop track. I'm not sure if that was the genre GaMeBoX was going for, but that's what my my mind kept thinking. Plus, the bass in my car was thumping, & my car bass sucks, but it sounded good. Long story short, I like them drums, loudness & everything.
Best recognize, fool, this track is the bling blam, or whatever the young people say these days. Gets my JTown Seal of Chilling-wit-dem-ladies-cruising-down-the-lane-shooting-fools-wit-my-gat-or-some-such-nonsense.

- The Joker on February 27, 2007
I agree with the judges that the beat is too loud, the mix is supafunky and has a lot of style. If I had a low rider and didn't live in barren tundras of Minnesota, I'd be bumpin to this LIKE EVERY DAY.
The piano doesn't feel very natural, but it doesn't last long enough to be a glaring issue. I love the wiggly synth leads, and even though it is painfully loud, the beat is tight. The breakdown of sonic sound effects used musically reminds me a bit of a BT track, but it is handled with way more skill.
Super props, you are one funky dude.

- OA on February 26, 2007
What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

- djpretzel on February 26, 2007

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