ReMix: Star Fox 64 'Star King'
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- Game: Star Fox 64 (Nintendo, 1997, N64)
- ReMixer(s): DaMonz
- Composer(s): Hajime Wakai, Koji Kondo
- Song(s): 'Battle 3', 'Starwolf's Theme'
- Posted: 2012-06-29, evaluated by the judges
I think when a lot of mixers are just starting out, there are several types of common pitfalls in terms of mix styles/approaches that often end up with less than desirable results. One of these archetypal "problem categories" is arrangements where, presumably to heighten the nostalgia or sense of immersion, there are a bazillion ingame sound FX strewn generously throughout the track. Usually the end result isn't nostalgic or immersive so much as it is incoherent & chaotic - it's actually really challenging to make this technique classy, or at least musical. Much harder than simply sticking with traditional instrumental components, I'd argue.
I mention all of this because when someone DOES pull it off - creates a ReMix that uses a lot of ingame FX effectively & tastefully - it's really kinda cool. It's not that it can't be done, per se, just that it's very often done without the requisite polish. Star Fox is a series that's rather iconic for its ingame FX, especially in the form of repeated gibberish phrases and excited leporine demands to perform barrel rolls. It's probably king of that specific niche. And so I think newcomer DaMonz (Emery Monzerol) was a little more justified in choosing this style for an arrangement of Star Fox 64, and I'm also glad to report that he did a pretty damn good job. In his initial submission, he writes:
"I've been loving OCR since I was a lil' kid. Thought I'd give it a go I intend to do a lot of ReMixes, so I just hope you like this, no matter if it's OCR worthy or not :D I give big big thanks to the WIP forums btw. The guys over there gave me an awesome hand. I've recently been chosen to be the lead programmer and music composer of a new indie games company, and I love how your site helps me hone my music production skills. I'll make sure to give you guys a special thanks in the credits of our games :D"
Judges rejected that first version largely for some specific & easily remedied production issues, including a bassline that was panned a bit oddly. Thankfully, Emery made those changes, resubmitted, and we've now got a high-energy, breakneck, breakbeat-infused electronica mix that uses the game's dialogue to enhance the atmosphere & narrative. Sure, there's still a DEGREE of cheese, but it's like a fine, gourmet Roquefort because there's ALSO some fun, spiralling synth leads, good stereo separation, a piano breakdown, a nifty feedback-loop ending, and a bunch of other touches that make this an adventurous, exciting, well-crafted mix. Emunator summed it up perfectly:
"Haha, it's WillRock incarnate! I've gotta say, I'm extremely impressed with the sequencing and soloing going on in this track, it's like the whole song is one big synth solo that still manages to keep the source usage at the forefront. Great job with that! The obligatory Star Fox vocal clips are actually used really well, although they get pretty buried in the mix once it kicks in... I'm also digging the unconventional breakbeats, they're reasonably powerful but not overpowering or grating on the ears. The rest of the synth sounds are pretty basic, but the insane sequencing uses them properly and keeps it interesting throughout."
Peppy agrees; a roller-coaster debut from DaMonz, who uses game dialogue to create a high-speed outer space joust between dueling synths & breakbeat artillery.
Discussion: Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the - lemnlime on July 22, 2012
- genius11433 on July 15, 2012
Otherwise, this was a song that kept me listening until the end, so therefore I must have liked it! :D
Great job, DaMonz!
- timaeus222 on July 7, 2012
- Jock_Nerd on July 7, 2012
- CC Ricers on July 6, 2012
- DaMonz on July 6, 2012
Want more!
- Bahamut on July 3, 2012
- tesselode on July 1, 2012
Awesome
- Yami on June 30, 2012
- Arceace on June 30, 2012
Also, very cheddar-y at the beginning.
- DarkAura on June 29, 2012
Breakbeat electronica is a genre that's very hit or miss for me, and I'd like to congratulate you for pulling off an extremely awesome song here, DaMonz. The soloing is absolutely awesome, some of the best I've heard on this site. A staple of the genre (at least from all of what I've heard) being glitchy effects / drums are being used very well here. Also, I'm digging the soundscape and atmosphere of the song! That jump from the piano section back to the conclusion was awesome. Great focus on the dynamics in this song.
Recommending this song to anyone reading. Again, great stuff! :)
- urdailywater on June 29, 2012
