ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'To Lost Epochs'

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Chrono Trigger

Newcomer CarnCarby, aka Ryan Humphrey, writes:

"Okay. So it's debatable whether the site needs another cheesy Chrono Trigger piano tune, but here it is anyway. I actually started on this by messing around with Earthbound's Sound Stone melody, and then due to the harmonic similarities it sort of bled over into CT's music. I don't really do much in this style, but these games -- and these songs in particular -- bring out the shameless sentimentalist in me, and I wanted to make my own arrangement to pay tribute to that. The piece was conceived as something of a reflection from years down the road; the opening uncertain and tinged with loss, moving into a more mature memory of simpler times, finally closing with satisfied acceptance. It became a fun project of wrapping themes around each other and seeing how they could fit together. I was reasonably pleased with how it came out, and thought I might submit it to the site to see if it can stand alongside some of the great stuff I love by bladiator, dhsu, klutz, and others."

I think we've got room for another cheesy CT piano mix, don't you? As long as artists bring their own style & approach to the music, we can make the space, and while CC definitely has some influences from other pianists on the site, he's got his own thing going here, mellow, supple, & subtle. Gonna let the judges do the work for me on this one... AnSo writes:

"Not the most spastic arrangement around, and I admire that. A very Romantic feel with a bit of Jazz thrown in, well thought out and enough arrangement to make it interesting."

Mr. Taub wrote:

"I haven't heard a cheesy piano CT remix in awhile. The sample is a bit bright and airy for my taste. However it's not THAT bad, and the performance is certainly creative and proficient. There's really not much to say. Well done."

Palpable added:

"This is a delicate piece, and the long stretches of empty space make it nice background music. I really liked the ways the themes intertwined, and I think the writing in places is very inspired. Definitely not the most attention-grabbing arrangement but good for what it is. The volume could definitely come up on this, and a touch more reverb might give it more space to fill the empty parts. I don't think the production is really a problem though, and the tone sounded ok. I enjoyed it as is."

And that should probably tell you what you need to know... even in arenas that are already saturated with coverage, like CT piano mixes, Mr. Humphrey illustrates that fresh blood is welcome & encouraged. We're gonna take a break from n00bfl00d for a bit, as our work on Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is about to see the light of day, but we'll be back with more hot n00b action after the break. In the meantime relax, sit tight, and let CarnCarby pepper your ears with some lovely work on the ivories.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
This is an incredibly warm and emotional arrangement. I was amazed by the expressiveness created by tempo and volume changes.
Excellent work, particularly for a new ReMixer. Go CarnCarby!

- glasfen on December 11, 2008
This is awesomely arranged! This piano arrangement gives new life to each song being arranged and ties them all together into one comprehensive bundle of pianotastic joyousness. I'm simply brimming with the Chrono Trigger nostalgia, it's bursting from me and consuming the darkness inside me and leaving only fond remembrance of what a game really should be. Ninja Gaiden II... I need not thine bloody embrace, for the songs of a squaresoft bid me to soar and be rid of thine gore... at least for this moment, I am at peace.
Strange verse aside... this is one fine Chrono Trigger arrangement. I thought I'd heard it all out of To Far Away Times... well after this, I don't need to hear anything else... this nailed the feeling, and took everything good about it and made it better. This is one smooth medley. I'm digging every second of it. Thank you for producing such a fine work! I absolutely love it. Man this is good stuff.

- restraunt_style on December 10, 2008
This is really, really, REALLY good. I've become a huge fan of piano over the years, and this song really is up there in terms of awesomeness. Your arrangement is solid, and when I say that, I mean it. I really want to hear more of you in the future. Well done.

- LuigiFan on December 7, 2008
Another beautiful and moving solo piano piece, excellent work.

- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
I admit, the introduction had me in slight doubt that it would be "another cheesy piano solo," but once it started to pick up, it stayed up there and stayed beautiful. I'm usually not a fan of the piano mixes on OCR, but this one struck me as quite good. Previously mentioned, the transitions are practically invisible, and I just love how the piano is programmed to a degree where it almost sounds like it takes more than 1 pianist to get it all done.
I wonder...just wonder...what would this remix sound like with a properly tuned drumline added onto it? Hmm...

- Duokun on December 6, 2008
I'm not the biggest fan of solo piano remixes, and I'm not the biggest fan of CT songs either, simply because they're overused.
However, I have to admit that this remix really surprised me. It's a wonderful song that flows beautifully.
Unexpected, very nice work.

- Martin Penwald on December 5, 2008
A medley without medleyitis? Who knew?
Though I agree about the piano sound getting really muddy in the low mids, the way the themes were handled was excellent, and the alterations made to probably my favorite songs on the soundtrack were really tasteful.
Awesome work, I love this one, fix up your piano sound a bit and let's hear some more! :-)

- OA on December 3, 2008
Willrock07;478799 wrote: Not bad :razz:
I did like this, the arrangement was great, and for over 6 minutes, it didn't get boring, which is a very hard feat to achieve - well done :D
However, I did have a few small problems - Like the judges, I thought the piano sounded a little fake.
but the biggest problem for me was the amount of sustain and reverb on the piano, particularly at the beginning. Some of the chords bled into each other and they clashed as a result, I didn't like the sound of that much. The judges didn't comment on that, so maybe thats just me.
Anyway, nice work :nicework:

I thought the same thing, but really, I can't find fault with it (not that I want to). The best thing about this mix is how the song builds itself up, almost like stairs, yet it still maintains a pattern.

- Salluz on November 30, 2008
Really stunning.

- The Runaway Five on November 30, 2008
Ha, yeah, I figured somebody would probably recognize the reference. I think I was on a kick five years ago when I created the userid; I feel a little silly still using it, but eh, Carn's a good kid.

- CarnCarby on November 28, 2008
You know Carn,
Out of all the guys in Battle School I'd have figured Dink for a piano player...but you have proved me wrong here. Excellent style and emotion, keep bringin the goods.

- Soul Splint on November 28, 2008
Seamless transitions are a pretty big plus. Often times in songs with so many themes in them, the transitions are kinda iffy or too sudden. You pull off these transitions markedly well. I too think the piano doesn't quite sound organic enough, but even with samples, the song is still very pretty and moody.
You did an excellent job. The judges and other reviewers here have said what's on my mind to the negative, and as for the positive? I can't really offer much other than I really like how you arranged it all. Great flow, good sound, and another generally excellent piano mix.
Hope to see more from you in the future!

- Triad Orion on November 26, 2008
So I'm really impressed by the way you fit all these themes together just about seamlessly. Wow. Fantastic work.

- DrumUltimA on November 25, 2008
Very emotive, nice work.
I'll just reiterate what several people have already said, that a better piano sample would've made a huge difference. Also, I think the movement in the left hand in the beginning gets a bit muddy.
Those are pretty minor gripes though. I'm glad you submitted this, and look forward to hearing more from you. Cheers.

- JJT on November 25, 2008
Thanks all, glad you liked it. Production is, as you may have noticed, not my strong suit. I wish I'd had access to a real piano to record, but I was limited to samples, and I'm still learning when it comes to making them sound decent.

- CarnCarby on November 25, 2008

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