DragonAvenger

I'll wear a tail and ears to the OCAD panel to make up for it, if that helps.

I remember really liking this one when I heard it in the WIP forums. There's been improvement since then, especially with harmonies and production. The lyrics really work for this song, and they fit creatively into the melody. While it is obvious that the autotune is used, you aren't hiding it, so I'm fine accepting it as is. YES I hope that MMX4 track hits the panel soon. Finish that one up please!

Happy Birthday!

FFIV please. I'll get it at Otakon

There isn't much I can add to what OA said. How you combined the two tracks is really commendable, since you did such a good job sewing the two tracks together. If I hadn't listened to the sources beforehand I would have not been able to tell you there were two different tracks in here, let alone from two different games/styles. Similarly, the balance between all the parts is good; nothing feels like it's out of place or overbearing. Thirdly, the track has some decent energy, although it doesn't do anything drastic to really grab my attention. I kind of wish there'd been some more risks taken in that regard, but it's still got meat on it as it is. I was a little bugged that it feels as though the same synth is used almost throughout for the main melody. I think it could have helped the track to have more variation on that front. Also, I agree with Andrew that the switch into the triplets was a big rough. It's nice when it settles in, but the actual transition needs some work. It's not the most wow-inducing track, but it's a solid arrangement of two very different sources, which is commendable. YES

Add this link for source material as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ0LG_B9SDo&feature=related Will vote later... Okay, I've had a chance to sit down with this and look at the breakdown, and things check out fine. I've got to say that I found the intro source to be less than stellar, so the fact that I'm enjoying this mix attributes towards Ben's skill level. The arrangement is very energetic and driving, despite being a bit disjointed in a couple of sections (again, the fault of the source more than the arranger). The combinations of more natural elements and the chip stuff was pretty smooth, and I liked that there were decent speed variations and dynamics throughout. YES

I think the feeling you were going for in the arrangement is very nicely done. The overall track has that feeling of regret and a bit of foreboding that works really well with the melody. The flow works well, with plenty of ritardandos and returns to the original tempos. The playing itself is also very expressive, although I think the quiet sections could have been a bit lower. What's bothering me is that some of the note choices aren't catching me the right way. Nothing sticks out as obviously wrong, but sometimes it just doesn't feel like it's as good of a match as it should be. I don't think it's enough of an issue to break the vote, but it's a bit of a detraction from the mix at times which is unfortunate. I am still comfortable giving this a YES. Good luck with the rest of the votes.

Couldn't you just check your sent mail for when you last submitted?

I agree with Lee on pretty much everything. I love the overall mood, and at times this brings a Kakariko Village feel to mind. The intimate feel of the mix is very well done, and the production is very good. While I'm not so dead set against the percussion as Lee is, I can see where he's getting at, especially on the snare. The far away placement is a little strange as well, though I honestly only noticed it after reading his vote. Certainly not something that's going to change my vote. YES

I can start by agreeing with OA; the arrangement is fantastic, and I really enjoyed listening to it. There's plenty of source, as well as great transitions and embellishments. The dance section also works really well, especially knowing the context. The arrangement is what really brings the track together. I'm not as beat up about the samples as Andrew, but I agree that they are not the greatest, and if they were upgraded it could make the track that much better. The mixing I can agree with; the lack of bass at times can unbalance things, although at times it works sans low end. Really good arrangement, and with some sound/mixing improvements this could be really good, but it's still there as is. YES

I can easily agree and say this is your best work yet. There is a lot of nuance in the track, and those details are what really bring out some life in it. OA's totally right; the source itself is nothing pleasant, and there isn't much to work with. I'm going to give you some credit though that you've made a malicious ambient track. The source is there in many different aspects, although at times it can be a little hard to pick up on. I like the hand-drums throughout. The sounds used work pretty well together (with the exception of the snare), and production is pretty good overall. There are a couple of times that I wish the source was a little more predominant either volume or balance-wise, but that's a small detail. The snare that comes in about halfway through the track unfortunately sticks out. It's not matching the rest of the soundscape here, and with everything else meshing well together it sticks out even more. It's not enough to kill the vote, but it would be a nice thing to have changed. I'm glad you kept with mixing, because you continue to improve, and it's showing in this track, despite the not-so-fun source to listen to. YES

Happy Birthday!

I like the start of the piece and the dreamy texture you have going on, it' a good lead in to many different ways you could take this track. There are some good arrangement aspects, like the glitch section Andrew mentioned. I felt that the source was used or alluded to pretty much throughout, which was nice as well. As Andrew said, it's a lot of the little things that add up here that are the problem. The first thing that stuck out to me was the drums, which at times aren't varied or interesting enough. I feel like the sound of the drums doesn't really match up with the rest at times. On another note, I'm personally not crazy about some of the ambient stuff (despite liking the opening). It feels too over the top to me occasionally, and I'd like it toned down a bit. The low end feels a bit muddy overall and could stand some cleaning up as well. This one needs some work, but it's got a good start. NO (resubmit)

I wouldn't know how to classify this, but I like what's going on. It's clear that Anticitizen isn't afraid to experiment, and it shows in some of the bold decisions he makes here. I'm a big fan of the opening build up into the melody and the overall relaxing take this has while still keeping a groove. Nice.

Not much I can add here, since Larry and Andrew summed it up so well. I can definitely agree that some of the variations on the melody aren't totally fitting, but there's nothing that is glaringly wrong either. It is good to see that you are comfortable with experimenting, though. Keep it up. The production could be a little cleaner although, again, there's nothing that is sticking out as something that needs to be fixed. I would focus on trying to clean things up overall in the future. YES

I agree with Larry and Andrew on both the upping the dynamics and sprucing up some of the drum patterns in sections. I'd like to go further and comment that it seems that the vibraphone is handling the melody(ies) for almost the entire song. I don't see a reason why the other three mallet instruments couldn't take over to add more variety into this. On a similar note (and a bit of a joke), where's the timpani? Add some more variety into the patterns, and into what we are focusing on, and I think this could be a unique addition to OCR. NO (resubmit)

0-0:26 - Eyes 0:26-1:35 - Original 1:35-2:00 - Eyes 2:00-3:12 - Original 3:12-3:35 - Eyes 3:35-3:44 - Mario Now here's a fun debate to revisit: This is sitting at roughly 33% of source usage. However, the piece does keep coming back to the theme and, while the sections are fairly separated, the style and consistency makes the song feel like there is more of the source in there than there is. Based on these two reasons, along with the style adaption as well as because it's a nice and fun song to listen to, I'm inclined to say yes, despite the low amount of source. I wish, however, that there had been more allusions to the source in all that original stuff. If that had been done, I would have felt more comfortable and been much happier giving this a pass, but I think it's there as is. Good luck with the rest of the vote, this is tough one. YES (borderline on source usage)

Congratulations DJP! Enjoy every minute of it!

Not much I can say that the other's haven't covered. The arrangement is really nice to listen to, but the production needs work. Right now the compression and the sequencing are the biggest issues I'm hearing. Everything sounds so rigid, which is a shame for such a good arrangement. Please keep working on this! NO (resubmit)

The simplification works really well for this track, but it's relied on for the entire track, which get's pretty static after a while. On the same idea, there isn't any build-up or much development going on, which is what ultimately kills it for me. You need to give us something new, like a new part, or some variation, to keep our ears into it. It's a catchy mix, but the repetition is too much. NO (resubmit)

I'm going to have to agree with Vinnie here. Right now the track has some nice personalization. Overall it's a lot more chill than the original, which is nice. The issue I'm having is that overall it's lacking he energy to grab and keep my focus. There's a few factors in this. First is that the lead is somewhat hidden in the lower range and because of how well it blends with the background instruments. You've got to pull it out a little more, maybe a bit of a volume boost or having sit in a different range so it contrasts a little more. The other half of this is that things get static overall. There isn't much variation in the melody each time it comes in, so things start to sound repetitive, and the drums are similar, if not the same, throughout. Overall I'd like to hear more variation; drums, lead, instruments, dynamics, even structure. Also, take a look at the ending to strengthen it and have more of a conclusion. You've got a good base track, see how you can experiment with it to add that energy in. Keep working at it. NO (resubmit)

I'm going to have to echo the guys here. Right now the production is good, and the tempo increase was a good call for what you were going for here. I'm not really convinced with the sound clips overall: I think they were over-used, but at some points I was OK with them. The beats get the job going and keep things moving throughout. The lead synth isn't really holding the power that it should to keep up with the mix. OA's 'Vanilla' description is right on compared to the rest of what's going on. Along with that, the energy level could use some more variation to really help the big parts drive and let the smaller parts provide a good contrast. I think this one needs a little more refinement, but it's close. NO (resubmit)

Mostly going to be repeating Andrew and Mattias here. I like the beats you have going on, and there are some fantastic parts arrangement-wise, but there's a lot going on here that feels excessive, repetitive, or isn't really helping the development of the piece. If you trim this down, I think the entire mix will be more effective, and emotive. Changing the lead will help too. I love trumpet (and I'm biased), but open up your lead options to keep our ears busy. Typical choice would be a violin, which would sound good in this context. Cello might be good to, to get something in the lower range. The trumpet sample is decent, which is hard to do with brass, but OA's right that the lack of vibrato is hurting it. I'd also like to see if you can get a more open sound out of it, right now it feels very closed. I think you can get the balance just right in V3. NO (resubmit)

Happy Birthday!

Happy +1 to you!