ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'The Last Schala Mix Ever'

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Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
ReMixer(s): Brandon Strader, halc
Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
Song(s): 'Schala's Theme'
Posted: 2011-06-15, evaluated by the judges

The last 'Schala' mix... EVAR?!? Yeah, right, and Duke Nukem Forever will come out this year... oh wait. While I'm relatively certain artists will continue sending in unique, worthwhile arrangements of this theme for a good, long time, that doesn't stop this collab between halc and BS from being a great, distinct take on one of VGM's "greatest hits" - Brandon writes:

"I was sittin' around wasting time as usual, and suddenly I had the idea to make a Schala mix... yeah yeah, I know... Everyone gets one, that's my motto. Keep an ear out for my Terra and Ice Cap in the near future. What actually inspired this was that I really enjoyed and fell in love with the clean tones that my 7-string made. I used some different pickups to record each part. There's the one melody that goes throughout the whole source played completely with harmonics, the lead parts, and some nice rhythm parts. The harmonizing chords are my favorite. I made a 4:30 or so long mp3 pretty quick, and decided to send it to halc to see if he wanted to do anything with it... he can tell the rest of the story!"

Wheeler deals:

"I whipped up all of the electronic elements and some of the percussion, and also mixed the track. Brandon always has lots of creative ideas in his arrangements and so I quite enjoy expanding on his work. Please enjoy this Schala mix. :P"

Well since you asked so nicely... The mix of clean guitar tones and similarly pure, warm synths REALLY works well, and the crunchy, chill/urban beat that Drew added is spot-on. It's not really a mystery why 'Schala' attracts so many arrangers - it's a beautiful, memorable melody that stands out even among other great RPG themes from then and now. Some might say it's been mixed to death, but personally I still love Beethoven's 9th every time I hear it, and I think the "classics" of VGM have similar durability and lasting appeal. This arrangement isn't too awful wild, but it's not too literal, either... I'd say it leans, quite effectively, on the relationship between the electronic & plucked/strummed textures, playing both off of the snap-crackle-pop drums, and works more due to the texture & emotion employed than anything else. Vinnie's decision was short, but I think he summed it up well:

"The source was pretty marginalized after 2:29, but with the Schala pattern audible almost the rest of the time, there was no question of what I was listening to a remix of. I liked the approach a lot; we don't have a lot of gentle remixes on this site, and one that combines chiptunes and clean electric guitar is rarer still. The execution was excellent and the song came across smooth as a sunstone."

Yes. Bottom line, don't let the cheeky (cocky?) title fool ya, this is a damn good mix that does gentle-but-soothing justice upon well-tread, but still amazing, source material.

― djpretzel

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

Wow. You know, when ReMixes are good, I don't really care how many of a certain tune there are. This chill urban mix is very cool and to combine some of that acoustic guitar with Halc's style made this melody even better. Last Schala? Nah. One of the better ones, though? That is for damn sure.

- Crulex on May 11, 2012

I don't think I would grieve too much if this was the last Schala mix to ever happen. Sadly, I'm sure it's not.
This mix is a pretty peaceful yet sad take on the Schala source, which is a big difference in itself from most others. The acoustic guitar adds a nice touch in carrying across the mood. Drew's chippy stuff takes a backseat here, which isn't a bad thing, and makes sense here. Not a bad job by the Drew & Brandon show!

- Bahamut on December 16, 2011

Nice to see how well halc's sound meshes with the clean sound of Brandon's 7-string.
I do agree that the percussion is a tad too loud, though.
Good stuff.

- Martin Penwald on August 11, 2011

Gorgeous work, guys. I'm a big fan of the source and I'm impressed by the synergy and honesty of this mix. Such a beautiful sound, really. Glad this got through! :D

- Karth on July 16, 2011

This mix needed time to get into, with the flood of Schala mixes it isn't easy to differentiate between each track but this one makes a difference. It has less mystery and more relaxing in it - love it.

- Swanky on June 24, 2011

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

- Wed on June 21, 2011

strange how a 16-bit video game is so timeless and epic.

- bobby1983 on June 20, 2011

Perfect for a rainy day like this. Could have been longer, but thanks anyway. :<

Cyril the Wolf;788315 wrote: Brandon in Halc.

I believe another thanks is in order.

- Dafydd on June 19, 2011

Great mix. The only thing I don't completely love is the chiptune drum sounds (just the sounds, the patterns are fine). A live acoustic drum track would turn this from "great" to "amazing" for me, I think.

- Ian Schmidt on June 18, 2011

dat schala.
dat strader.
dat halc.

- delbuster on June 18, 2011

Cyril the Wolf;788315 wrote: Brandon in Halc.

[img]http://think.faesthetic.com/wp-content/uploads/yes2.jpg[/img]

- Brandon Strader on June 17, 2011

Well Brandon in Halc. You done good.
Love every bit of this, nothing is out of place and it just FLOWs.

- Cyril the Wolf on June 17, 2011

Master_Yoshi;787954 wrote: I would say that while the others are more prominent, Schala's theme is much more haunting and emotive. The fact that it does not take the center stage only ever adds to the appeal, making those times that you do hear it burn into your memories that much more.
As for the mix. If this were the last Schala mix ever, I would be satisfied. This is fantastic work, and I will have it on many a playlist for years to come.

I'm sure that plays a factor, but I'm thinking, just like Ice Cap Zone, the reason may wind down to the fact that since the structure is really simple it's easy to arrange.

- Shadix on June 17, 2011

Ahh dang I wish this was longer. It's sooo relaxing and soothing. I wouldn't say chill...it's got this warm undertone (dat guitar) to it that you just want to wrap around yourself. Beautiful and moving.

- WesternZypher on June 16, 2011