ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Dirt Devil'
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- Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): zircon
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Devil's Lab', 'Kefka', 'Opening Theme', 'Umaro'
- Posted: 2008-02-17, evaluated by djpretzel
I'm proud to announce that OC ReMix Judge, ReMixer, and Director of Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream, Andrew Aversa, was recently declared the winner of SquareSound's Uematsu tribute competition. While fellow judge Larry Oji was a guest judge on the panel evaluating submissions, Andy's medley from FF6 actually ranked as high or higher with the other, non-OCR judges involved, so there's no conspiracy. I think when you hear this mix, which wraps several other themes from the game around a central motif on Devil's Lab, it'll be obvious that they made a solid call. On the decision, Larry writes:
"Objectively speaking, I personally felt zircon's track deserved to win, but being a colleague of mine, I was certainly proud the other judges of the competition felt the same way as well. It's definitely speaks to Andy's talent, and he's always impressively represented OC ReMix."
Upon hearing the good news, Andy wrote:
"Man, this was a great way to start my day. I'm really happy. Honestly, I wasn't even 100% confident on my entry because I had actually made no less than THREE attempts at a remix for this before I arrived on this concept, which I started really late into the contest. I ended up submitting about 20 minutes before the deadline :P"
I guess the fourth's time the charm, in this instance. Tim from SquareSound writes:
"With an impressive combined score of 96.22% from our judges for his Final Fantasy VI medley entitled "Dirt Devil," Andrew Aversa is our winner! Congratulations Andrew! ...I personally would like to thank everyone involved in this competition. All your efforts truly shone through, whether as an entrant or a judge. I really appreciate all the hard work each and every one of you has put in."
This was an especially cool competition/event because Tim really went to great lengths to involve other communities, including OCR. Larry got to guest judge and, while all of us were busy, making time for things like this whenever possible is definitely something that makes the whole online game music community more integrated.
Unlike a product bearing the same name, this ReMix doesn't suck at all. Zero sucktion. A bit-crushed beat intros the whole thing, which then gets layered up with cleaner drums before offbeat piano chords come in and an evil-but-funky bass enters. It's the lead, however, that does most of the heavy-lifting, with plenty of sequencing flourishes and twists and turns. There are also a good number of hybrid/orchestral breaks, like 0'49", with pizzicato, harpsichord, and clarinet all playing off each other and a giant modulated synthline gurgling in sync. There's also meaty electric guitar chugs, triumphant major-key refrains, more pizzicato-arpeggio breakdowns, mechanical anvil and related percussive fx, timpani, choral pads, and lord knows what else in here. And it's only 3'37"! No doubt that Andy packed a lot of punch in a tiny package on this one. The weaving of themes definitely makes it one of his more intricate arrangements to date, but his production chops came along for the ride every step of the way, making for a piece that well represents the arrangement/production ratio we like to emphasize so much. Very cool competition that I'm glad OCR had a chance to participate in - download this (awesome) ReMix then go check out the other submissions at SquareSound!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the The transitions are awesome, really blending well, and since the core is Magitek Factory - which is one of my favourite tracks in the whole game, alongside Kefka's Theme and a few others - it appeals to me all the more. Kudos!
- Sorceror Nobody on July 21, 2009
This piece is engaging. You might not expect where it's going in the first dozen measures, but you'll love it when you get there, every step of the way. And when the piece comes to a close... it's like.. the bittersweet feeling of returning home, alone, after an exciting week of adventure that is likely to never happen again (this is why some genius made Repeat).
I'm amazed by how much stuff is going on. Not only are there like uncountable quantities of instruments and drums/percussions/percussive sounds, the automation going on is impressive (well, this is zircon's work...).
This is one of those required listens if you frequent this site, if not for the enjoyment of the work, at least for the appreciation of the workmanship and the creativity involved. I feel so lame for not listening to it with a more open mind a year ago.
Though a tad bit late, congratulations, zircon - you deserve it.
- SoulinEther on June 7, 2009
No need for me to say this is an incredible arrangement, but I will, anyway.
This is an incredible arrangement. It is easily one of my favorites on this site. I can't say much about this that hasn't already been said - the seamless transitions, the wonderful interpretation... that damn fadeout that starts a new idea that I wanted to hear more of, yet at the same time I can't imagine ending it any differently.
All I can hope is that you've got more coming later this year for us! (Woo! Power to 2009!)
- Gario on April 9, 2009
- metalsnakejuice on April 6, 2009
As for the fadeout, I think it adds a bit of charm to to the piece. I just can't help but think it wouldn't be the same without it.
- Sir_Downunder on April 6, 2009
- Flare4War on April 5, 2009
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
This take on this score, no doubt, trumps them all as far as I'm concerned. I won't go into comparing it to some others which I also like. Suffice to say this is an instant favorite. It captures everything it's suppose and adds a bit more.
Honestly, the fadeout didn't bother me at all when I first heard it and after hearing zircon's intent on it I like it even better. There is an entire new theme coming in as it fades out. Leaving plenty to the imagination.
There's no question guys, this remix leaves you wanting more but that is what good remixes do.
The intro is impecable. The jump around transitions at 2:13 and then again at 2:23 are awesome. They just make you smile. You can't help it. You just smile. The bit from 2:54 to fade out is simply beautiful and has zircon trademarks written all over it. I think this is some of zircon's best work. That statement alone should speak for itself.
Truly remarkable work. 5 out of 5 on my vista ratings.
Incredible job. Congratulations to zircon on taking place #1.
This arrangement is deserving of the recognition.
- Flare4War on April 29, 2008
- ZeroBass.Exe on March 20, 2008
- playingtokrush on March 18, 2008
I love the track as a whole but those 10 seconds are simply fantastic.
- Groovemaster303 on March 17, 2008
Thanks again for the comments everyone.
- zircon on March 16, 2008
I don't know how people pull out ideas out there ass like this. o_O
- Nicholestien on March 16, 2008
Platonist;386283 wrote: in some ways i do agree, im very fond of powerful fadeouts, which in this example really IS a monster ..
but as many know, including myself - zircon could really set this off in a powerful last BLOW if he'd have the time
im not saying that the fadeout is bad, it's awesome either way.. but he COULD .. couldn't he? ;)
Im sure he could. But Im sure hes also done that neumerous times... its nice to vary things up just for the sake of being different. it makes life more interesting. if every song had a final BANG at the end.... youd always expect a bang and it wouldnt be considered "good" unless the bang was present. well you get the picture.
- 1makes2 on March 14, 2008
Argle;380984 wrote: I dunno why people are complaining about the fadeout, I got no problem with it. The image of a monster stomping off is actually very apt. :lol:
in some ways i do agree, im very fond of powerful fadeouts, which in this example really IS a monster ..
but as many know, including myself - zircon could really set this off in a powerful last BLOW if he'd have the time
im not saying that the fadeout is bad, it's awesome either way.. but he COULD .. couldn't he? ;)
- Platonist on March 14, 2008
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