DragonAvenger
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Posts posted by DragonAvenger
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- ReMixer name - mikedm92
- Real name - Michael Markie
- Website - https://www.markiemusic.com/
- Game arranged - Quake
- Name of arrangement - Slipgate
- Name of song arranged - Quake Theme
- Misc sounds used: Screams from original track, Quad Damage power up sound
- Additional information - Composed by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, game on DOS/Windows PC
- Link to the original - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv5Jvr2Fp48
- Your own comments - I wanted to take the iconic grungy-industrial soundtrack of Quake and put a modern metal spin on it, with more upfront chugging electric guitar and acoustic drums, while still retaining the dark atmosphere that the soundtrack is known for. I achieved the classic NIN guitar sound in the intro and interlude by removing the guitar cabinet from the equation, leaving the raw amp tone unmolded by the specific frequency shaping that cabinet speakers are known for.
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The playing is definitely emotive here, though it is a bit difficult to get past the plodding pace here. I think the developments that do happen take a very long time simply due to the tempo, which makes it a difficult listen. I wouldn't have minded having a slower section to start or somewhere in the middle if it was used as a tempo change or emphasis, but as is it really starts to drag very quickly. The other big issue that I think is contributing to this is the fact that the first ostinato pattern that starts the arrangement continues throughout the entire mix unchanging. After a while that was the only part I could focus on, and it became distracting. I think having some sort of change or drop out of that section would make a huge difference.
I was personally fine with the piano sounds as is, but they might be a little fakey for some of the other judges, I'm curious what they will think.
For me this is close, but the plodding and the repetitive background are not doing it for me. Good luck!
NO (resubmit)
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ReMixer name: ZiSotto
Real Name: Zack SottolanoWebsite: https://www.youtube.com/c/zacksottolano
https://soundcloud.com/zack-sottolano
https://twitter.com/ZackSottolano
https://www.instagram.com/zsottolano/
https://www.patreon.com/zacksottolano
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tat9MZnRP8BZIHiYiR4TdUserID: 14501
Name of Game Arranged: Final Fantasy 8
Name of My Arrangement: "Wanderlust"
Name of Song Arranged: "Blue Fields"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link to Original Track ReMixed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNdGoENQNQ4Comments:
Blue Fields. Who could forget this memorable melody sparking you to action as you first exit Balamb Garden with Squall & Co? This is one of those songs that is permanently etched into my brain due to the countless hours spent grinding on the world map. This whole soundtrack is one of Uematsu's best imo, but I always liked the sense of mystery and comfort in the repetition of the notes this particular song evoked. I figured the best way to get it out of my head would be to create my own unique interpretation.
I present to you "Wanderlust". This is a wistful piano-centric orchestral arrangement I composed of the song "Blue Fields" from Final Fantasy 8, originally written by my favorite composer Nobuo Uematsu. Blue Fields can be heard anytime you are traversing about the world map, and is instantly recognizable, catchy, and just gets you in the mood to jaunt about, explore and adventure around the captivating world of FF8. The version used in the game is much more up-tempo and has a march-like cadence to it.
For my re-interpretation, I wanted to keep with the piano theme, and slow it down into a plodding, gently developing, brooding, contemplative, and introspective piece. To do this, I first recorded the piano part with light reverb. After that, I duplicated the piano part so it plays twice in succession, as the song itself is fairly short, and I wanted enough time to experiment with it. I wanted to have 2 different variations of the theme to keep it evolving, so for the first part, I focused on orchestral arrangements with countermelodies and soft ambiance. For the second play through, I stripped down some of the ambiance and created a 2nd piano part using a mellow grand piano preset on my Kawai ES7 digital piano and added delay and reverb effects. I then just improvised for about 2 hours with the song on a never-ending loop until I came up with something I liked as an accompaniment melody and laid that track down, which I think added a very ethereal, dreamy quality. I purposely didn’t follow the exact melody of the song for the second half with the improvised piano, and made it a bit more discordant and harsh.
The song features 44 tracks, including 4 piano live recordings, violins, ambient textures, pizzicato style strings overlaid on the left hand of the piano to give it that poppy, airy sound like it has in the game…and mostly floaty soundscapes I created messing around with synths and using the wonderful creation engine that is Omnisphere Spectrasonics 2. Hope you enjoy!
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Definitely one of the less-mixed Zelda songs there, but it has a really nice melody, and I like the upbeat approach you took here. The bassline does some really nice work to fill out the soundscape as well, and I enjoyed how you worked the balance between the two.
I felt like the structure of the mix gets very samey as it progresses. There's a lot of the same sounds and the source is followed pretty closely from start to finish. Some more variation into any and all of those aspects would help make the track a lot more interesting. I'm also not particular fan of the buzzy lead, especially because it is used for a majora-ty (tee hee) of the mix. Overall the various instruments are easy to hear, though I do think the buzzy lead adds a lot of mud to the track.
The transition at ~1:05 is pretty sudden as well, some sort of lead-in would make it less jarring when the other instruments come in.
I think you have a fantastic start here, but overall the track needs more variation to separate it more from the source and bump up the interest level. Hit up our WIP forums to get some more advice and I'd like to hear this again.
NO (resubmit)
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Greetings!!!!!!
Here is a link to my submission:
Contact Information
· lazerwoplh
· Phillip Merriman
· 14338
Submission Information
· The Legend Of Zelda: Majoras Mask
· Dream Of Being A Zora
· Zora Hall
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- https://youtu.be/Ji3v_5hExcY
- So this is my first actual “remix”. I guess you could maaaaaybe consider my rendition of “At Zanarkand” for classical guitar a remix, but thats more of a cover, no? Ive been thinking about doing an actual remix for a while, ever since I submitted At Zanarkand a couple years ago, but never took the plunge. Then about a week ago, I randomly found the midi file for Zora Hall online, with just the chords and melody. I figured, “No transcription work to stop me from doing a remix now!” So I thought I’d plop it in to Cubase and see what happened. Whammo! I actually liked how it turned out! Now, the REAL challenge: showing other people *GASP*
Thanks for listening!
-Phillip Merriman
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Whoa, was not expecting this sort of sound to fit the main theme, but it’s a super fun take that hits a lot of unique areas. I can see the source usage issue, but I feel the track makes a lot of turns back to the source and I would have no issue identifying it.
I thought the ending was rather abrupt and anticlimactic. I wouldn’t mind it being as short as it is but even a small build to the ending would have been a nice touch. Regardless I think this gets the job done and has plenty of style to boot.
YES
Edit: also save the animals
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Nothing to add here, the gents have all mentioned the good stuff. There were a few sections that I wasn’t feeling the harmonic choices, specifically the ~2:00 section and right near the end, but I didn’t find them to be a deal breaker. Nice work, as per usual.
YES
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I'm a little concerned about the direct sampling of the source at the beginning, though it doesn't last particularly long. Aside from that there isn't a ton to add that hasn't been mentioned already. The track definitely pumps, which is especially noticeable on headphones. There are a good number of breaks from that pumping though which is a good break for the ears. I'd have liked a little more variety in the main melody itself, but I do think there's enough structure changes to keep this interesting.
Personally I'm not feeling the out of tune synth that's used, but it fits the feel of the song well and adds a frenetic frenzied feel to it. (alliteration ftw). Nice work overall.
YES
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ReMixer name: prodigis
Real name: Zach
Email address:
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJlafNdX5YcIPYnoMYltDg
UserID: prodigisName of Game: Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow
Name of Arrangement: Water Guns Are For Raves
Name of songs Arranged: Cerulean CityRemix:Comments:Hi there! This is my first submission to the site, which in fact I only recently learned about. I've been remixing each of the main themes from the original Gen1 Pokemon games in a different style. For this piece, Cerulean City, I chose Happy Hardcore, a somewhat trashy and over-saturated rave style that I felt matched well with the unrelenting cheese of the original theme. While this isn't my favorite genre, I am pleased with how its hallmark elements meshed with the source material.---------------------- -
Very creative approach here. I'm going to echo that the intro, while very nice, doesn't seem to connect super well with the rest of the track. The source is adapted pretty strongly, and while liberal, I do think that once the meat of the track starts it's there in enough of a capacity to be fine. I personally loved the 1:22 arrangement you did. I'm good to go on this one.
YES
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Going to disagree that this is too transformative when we've accepted and posted something like My Child (and plenty of other academic mixes) that include retrogrades and other transformative arrangements that aren't necessarily recognizable. I didn't really have an issue hearing the source but I do agree that you have to know what you are looking for to pick it or at times.
The effects are a bit of a head scratcher to me, specifically since the group setting of live brass doesn't really seem to fit having such effects, but I still give that up to personal choice by the artist.
Nice work overall!
YES
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Nothing to add that hasn't been said. The balance could have used some tweaking but it's not a deal breaker as is. I'd have liked some changeup on the rhythm guitars, they do start to get pretty repetitive before they drop out for a bit, then back to the same rhythm again. Mostly nitpicking here but something to consider for next time.
YES
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Man, I still love the 1:01 section, it really tires everything together so well. Similarly I'd like to note that I never noticed the squish noises before and it was a nice touch. I can hear the issue with the saw bass and I think while it wouldn't hurt to bring it down a touch I didn't find it to be a deal breaker. The other parts are still clear and the energy is high.
It's both kid and squid to me!
YES
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Really nice rhythmic variation of the source. I love that people are still finding ways to arrange songs that have been done in what you think is every way possible. I want add bothered by the production by the gentlemen, but there were a couple areas where I thought the melody could have come through a tough stronger. The ending has been mentioned as well and I'm in agreement that it's pretty lackluster.
Either way the arrangement carries the day, nice work!
YES
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The source reminds me of the Mega Man X credits just based on the feel alone. Pretty fun source to work with, and I think the style your are going for works well.
Once the guitar comes in there is a ton of mud here. Aside from the balance issue that MW mentioned I felt like there was a lot of buzz in my ears from the guitars. It's pretty distracting and also is constant through to the end, which fatigues the ears. Overall that needs to be toned down, and it wouldn't hurt to drop it out here and there.
MW mentions the lack of source and I do have to agree with him. I'm not sure if it is a different source or some original, but it takes a long while to get back to the source you listened. If it's another source let us know!
This needs some work but you have a good start here.
NO (resubmit)
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Tough one for me here. There's definitely the chords, but a lot of it relies solely on them for arrangement. That being said I do think this has enough to get by in regards of arrangement. I do think it's really close and I'm curious what the next judge thinks.
YES (borderline)
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There's not much else to mention that hasn't already been said. The track is definitely repetitive, especially in regards to the percussion. Overall is suggest shortening the arrangement and adding some more original sections to break up the repetition of the source. Along with that there are a lot of clashing parts, both harmonically and in the part writing. Sir Nuts mentioned listing to some tracks critically to see what works for them and I think that is a fantastic idea. See what parts others use to support the melodies and how all the parts work together.
There's a lot of work here to be done, but keep at it and keep improving!
NO
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MW has some good points about the production, there's definitely a lot going on at times, though I don't think it is a deal breaker on its own. The buzz in the bass is definitely a factor, and it might be worth switching to something that takes a bit less space for some of the busy sections.
The synth lead that comes in at 0:50 and 1:59 doesn't seem to fit the key very well, I'd suggest with looking at the notes there to make sure everything fits correctly or consider another synth if that is the issue. 3:16 sounds much better.
I do think the arrangement suits very conservative, which might be alright I'd there weren't other issues, but all together this isn't adding up currently. If you're up to it I'd suggest using our WIP forums to get some more feedback. Good luck.
NO (resubmit)
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Pretty much in agreement with Larry here. The humanization does have some flaws, but I think it's mostly due to being compared to the lube playing and on its own would still be alright. The transition at 1:20 was fantastic; if you're going to do a medley that's the way to go between sources. The latter transition is a bit rough but not the worst thing. I wasn't super feeling the way the track ends; it felt like there was going to be more to the track, but it's not a deal breaker to me.
Nice work, and nice getting some live instruments!
YES
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This is a tough one for me. As MW mentioned, there's a few aspects of this arrangement that would normally give it some dings in regards to our arrangement, but when that is the intended style it is another story. The repetitive nature is the biggest part that is throwing me off. The drums and bass are especially the culprit though the guitar gets stuck in some loops as well. I think even with the style you are going for I would have liked some more subtle changes in the various instruments and parts.
The arrangement feels sparse, despite MW's breakdown. To me there aren't enough elements that are tying in to the source. A lot of times it is just the melody, and even that is spread thin. It's like the arrangement to be brought a murky closer to the source either through chords or more prominent melody.
If this came down to just the repetitive nature or just the melody use i think it would be good to go, but both issues brings this a little too far for me. I hope you rework the source into this a little more because I think the style emulation is fun even with the repetitive nature. Good luck in the rest of the votes.
NO (resubmit)
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Gario hits this on the head, the track has a great premise, and there are some parts that are executed well, but the overall soundscape sounds very basic overall and there's little in there to break up the soundscape. I'd have liked a more dynamic section that uses some different synths or instruments.
Hope you keep working on this one.
NO (resubmit)
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This is super peppy and a lovely listen. Really enjoyed the overall 80's vibe and Heaven's guitar playing really add a nice touch. Love the overall details from the instruments to the harmonies. To nitpick I felt that the section near the end was a little crowded and some of the instruments got lost but the main instruments mostly pull through. Not a deal breaker!
YES
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Love the intro bringing the melody and some great drum work, then the bass comes in super beefy and you know it's about to get lit, fam. The main melody comes in again work a lot of energy. The breakdown and bridge are a good change of pace and work really well worth the direction of the source. I didn't find the repetition to be much of an issue since it was spread out and also occurred after a strong bridge. Bringing it home felt nice.
I do agree that some sections can get a little crowded, though I didn't find that the main parts were being lost.
I'd dance to this.
YES
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First note here is that the time stamp on the source in the YouTube doesn't appear to be correct, it I'm missing it completely. Right not I'm just going to be mentioning production issues I'm hearing and structure. EDIT: source is at 55:05. Quick listen through of that and I'm good to go arrangement wise. It's a little close on the structure, but I think the style change does a lot for it.
Love the slow harpsichord set up, and jumping into the faster melody works right away to get the listener interested. Similar, the trade of between the leads is clean.
The biggest thing I notice just about right away is that the low end is completely lacking in presence here. There's a bass playing, but it's so high in the register that it sounds more like a mid instrument. I'd love there to be a doubling down an octave to beef up that low end here. I'd say that is the biggest issue currently.
The other bigger issue I have is with the middle section of the track. The beginning starts out very energetic and fits the gents great. One 1:15 hits the melody drops out and the track stagnates. It feels really awkward, made more so by the lack of low end. The same stagnation happens at 2:04 thorough the end. The track then tapers off and the fade ends abruptly. I think the track needs to get something going on more strongly in those sections.
The drums sound awkward in a few sections, the 1:47 fill is strangely mixed and feels very random.
All in all I think this needs another look. It has some good promise, but the lack of low end and some of the emptier sections make me want to hear some edits. Good luck
NO (resubmit)
OCR03860 - *YES* Quake "Slipgate"
in Judges Decisions
Posted
This sounds fantastic, and it's straight up whether or not it's too far from the source at times. Had to do a few listens through and A-B to get a feel of how you adjusted things, but I think there's enough of the melodies throughout that this stays recognizable. Quality work here, love the chugs and the overall dark and depressive feel this has.
YES