Flexstyle Members
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Posts posted by Flexstyle
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I'd argue that ALL music is derivative. You could probably get away with doing an incredibly similar "remix" and still have it become an original song in the mind of most listeners. Heck, most of the music here on OCR is only a game remix because we say it is!
Chord progressions, even melodies, can be super-close to something else; however, as long as you put your own spin on it, I'd wager you won't run into trouble.
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Just keep in mind that SSDs based on Flash Memory actually has a maximum write operation per memory cell, and once its maximum write number has been reached, the cell will fail.
I would not use an SSD for anything you update often, or write to frequently as more frequent use literally just speeds up the time the drive will fail.
All flash memory is only good for a certain number of write operations.
I would not use an SSD for an OS drive, as OSs download updates and are the primary drive for virtual memory/page filing as well as the main drive for writing/saving/copying files.
What use is an SSD if it's not the boot drive? Just mirror it to a regular mag-platter drive regularly for backup purposes. Besides, most new SSDs have a far lower failure rate than the early ones did.
EDIT: Also, I'm gonna +1 Newegg. If you say it's too expensive, you're looking at the wrong site, haha. Plus, they have some seriously excellent deals on a regular basis. Just subscribe to the newsletter.
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At the current SSD price points, you're really best off spending your money on an SSD big enough for your boot material (OS, important programs, etc.) and going with a decently-fast hard drive for everything else.
I'll slip in and add to the OP that I value my sound card very highly. ASIO4ALL is great, but it doesn't beat having a dedicated sound card (with dedicated drivers and non-CPU-driven audio processing). Plus, I get far higher recording quality, which is important because I tend to record vocals, guitars, and other sorts of things on a regular basis.
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I have no idea if the Concrete Men will end up being able to do an entry into this final round or not. Schedules aren't lining up for us.
This is what happens when there's a month-long break in between rounds, haha. Durn MAGfest, interruptin' stuff an' bein' too far away for me to go to this year....
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I noticed they've got my Eye of the Storm album up there, too. I give that album away for free/pay-what-you-want. People regularly buy it for a solid $5-10, not the measly $1.53 they're charging for it.
I mean seriously, at least charge what it's worth.
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CAVEAT: I may sound harsh, but I mean nothing but the best and I’m trying to help.
<MODREVIEW>
Right, here’s my problem—your sound on this one isn’t all that full. The arrangement is quite conservative, but that might not be a huge problem; let’s address fullness, mixing, and the like—I’ll let someone else deal with arrangement issues.
First, that kick drum is pretty weak. If you’re gonna go rawk/metuhl, you’re gonna want a strong, punchy kick, probably with some “clicky” bits in there for the high end. I suspect some compression on the drums in general may help, especially if you can compress each part of the kit (i.e. kick, snare, overheads, hi/lo toms, etc.). Drums can make or break a track like this, and the weak ones here don’t help your case. Compression will, however, help said case.
While we’re on the subject of drums, I’d also like to mention that the actual programming of them is a bit unrealistic, as well. Go through your sequences and make sure a human could (and would) play them. Remember, a drummer only has two hands and two feet! Things like playing a crash at the same time as a hi-hat, playing a hyperactive fill, anything like that should be watched for. Voicing issues—that is, making sure velocities are varied (and realistic) enough for the genre would help your case.
Guitars: They’re not quite as thick as I’d like to hear, especially the rhythm guitars. Are you recording multiple takes and then layering those takes left and right? It’s hard for me to tell. A bit of compression might do wonders for these, as well. Perhaps even some cutting of the midrange EQ before you compress ‘em.
Finally, that bass guitar or whatever you’re using sounds like something from the Sega Genesis, IMO. Sequenced, I’d assume? Everything sounds so flat and uninspiring with it. You can get away with sequenced bass guitar, but you’re going to need to find a better version of said bass. Unfortunately, I haven’t got any idea where to find something really good aside from maybe one of Impact Soundworks’ libraries, which require Kontakt. EQ-wise, you wanna take out the low-mid and simply boost the lows—that way, the kick and the bass occupy slightly different levels of the bass spectrum.
I dig the song, I do. It’s just not OCR-quality, IMO, especially with the mixing issues and drum sequencing wonkiness. Hope you can improve the issues I’ve listed here and make this a truly worthy mix!
</MODREVIEW>
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famous remixers
Oh, come on, I'm not a famous remixers!
I'd have to, y'know, actually be famous first.
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I listened to this project non-stop on my drive from Mission Viejo, CA to Glendale, AZ (five hours). Hadn't quite finished the bonus disc by the time I pulled into my driveway, and I only skipped a couple of the bonus songs. That's how good this project is.
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I'm gonna have to add another game--Starcraft II. I have the soundtrack in my car right now and it is FREAKING AMAZING. Probably one of my very favorite soundtracks of all time.
Gonna throw in another vote for Deus Ex: Human Revolution (such a good game, the music is quite good, playing through it right now) and Rayman Origins (which I have never played, being a PC-only gamer, but I've listened to lots of it on YouTube).
And, as an added bonus, I'd like to throw in our own zircon's work on the
. I've played this through on repeat several times as well. -
Wow, totally did not realize this was OCR00005. It's been one of my favorites for a long time, ever since I downloaded the "complete" torrent back when there were about 1800 or so mixes on the site. Without having listened to the source, this is the sort of thing I wouldn't mind hearing on the site even today, as long as a bit of production polish was applied. Pretty much nails the "'90s Techno" sound, which, while cheesy, is something I totally have a soft spot for, since I grew up loving that sorta thing.
Props to Instant Remedy for creating such a long-lived ReMix!
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You should post it in the private project forums.
So I can hear it.
I don't actually have access to those forums right now, haha. Since I'm a super-late, just-barely-official add-on to the project 'n all that.
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That's 3 electronica specialists in-a-row for the workshop mod team!
I'm actually first and foremost a production specialist--meaning, I'll be (hopefully) able to give detailed feedback on every aspect of mixing, no matter the genre.
I've been somewhat active over the last week or two, and as soon as this nutty weekend is over (I'm doing tech work for a local music festival for two days), I'm gonna get my butt in gear and throw lots of detailed criticism at y'all!
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I'm pretty much done with Eiko's theme right now. Just adding some finishing touches on the mixdown.
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Yes, quite frequently. I create the music that I want to hear. Why not listen to it?
This is exactly my view. I wouldn't make the music if I didn't enjoy the finished product! I'm trying to please myself first, and then anyone who likes my music is a bonus listener.
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True story: the night before this got posted, I was listening to it in my car, wondering if PR had submitted it.
Guess this answers my question, haha.
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I'd suggest that this track may not quite be ready for mod review, and you might want to try and get some more opinions from folks before you mark it as such. Also, make sure you include a link to your source (even if it's just a MIDI somewhere) so we have something to go off of. Check this post for a bit more info on the mod review process.
A couple of quick things, though--your kick drum seems to be panned to the right, which is really annoying and very contrary to "proper" trance structure (keep kick and bass centered). Also, your supersaws are drenched in some kind of reverb that makes them seem muddy, and by that I mean you should probably cut back on the reverb, as well as possibly cut out some midrange frequencies from the supersaw.
Let's see about a couple more revisions before mod review, eh?
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<MODREVIEW>
Oh dear, you actually want me to mod review this? I’m having a really hard time nitpicking anything here. Drums are nice and punchy, I really dig the arrangement, the guitars are all shining through in their appropriate spots very nicely, and my metal face is in full gear.
Let’s see, I’m gonna dig a little deep here, but here’s what I’ve got for you:
- Drums could stand perhaps just a touch more velocity variation, as a lot of hits sound the same very close together. Kinda depends on the kit you’re using, really.
- Some of the guitar chugs could use tightening, timing-wise (especially at the beginning of the song and at about 0:55 or so)
- Uh…needs moar killer studio chops? Honestly, I got nothing else for you.
I’d recommend you sub this, personally. I’m also going to stick it in my car, because metalface and car goes together quite nicely.
</MODREVIEW>
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OH WAIT...I had an amazing idea for all us bored people! It's totally original and is in no way, shape, or form ripping off DarkeSword.
We should totally take this next week or so and find us each a robot master from the Mega Man series of games, then have each person do a remix with that theme as well as a Wily castle theme. Any takers?
:tomatoface: -
I'm *gulp* cleaning my room. If that isn't boredom, I don't know what is.
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Played this last night at a wedding reception and nobody blinked. Love this song!
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Rexy, how dare you interrupt my MAGFest with incessant bitching.
Shut the hell up, please.
I hope you're being facetious, because that seems kinda rude. Just sayin'.
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I freakin' LOVED Chex Quest as a kid. I may just have to do a remix or two....
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I'm DJing a friend's wedding reception on Friday evening, and I'm definitely going to be slipping a few OCReMixes in during the meal...the only prerequisite I really have to work with is "classy and understated." I think I can get that from a lot of mixes here.
Incidentally, has this been added to the list? I'm planning on playing it alongside Louis Armstrong and Michael Buble during the reception's mealtime.
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I'll second DA. Organization? What organization?
I just throw everything in iTunes and delete any mixes I don't care for. If it's part of an album, however, I'll keep it for continuity's sake.
Chill Out, Doc (Ice Cap Zone/Green Hill Zone) (HIATUS)
in Post Your Game ReMixes!
Posted
<MODREVIEW>
Oooh boy, let’s see. First off, I’m not trying to be mean, at all, I promise—just trying to give the best feedback I can.
Anyways.
Let’s start with the drums. There’s only one pattern you really utilize throughout the entire song. Sure, you change it up a couple times with fills and whatnot, but the drums get REALLY boring. Also not helping your case is the fact that the pattern itself gets old after about the first two times through it—it’s very “busy,” meaning it’s got a lot going on in it (what with the breakbeat kicks and fill-esque hi-hats constantly going at it).
In fact, that’s part of what pulls this song down the most. In electronic music, you’d be surprised how much better a song is when you make it simpler, not more complex. You’ve got that busy bassline, those busy piano licks, and you’re still trying to fit in a lead melody. However, you’re not doing much with any of your riffs, and that makes the song very repetitive. I know the source itself is kinda repetitive, but you’re going to have to get past that with either super-clean production or some serious game-upping with the arrangement. I can skip to any point in the song on Soundcloud and it still sounds the same as where I was before. That’s not a good thing. It’s just the same mess the entire time.
Let’s move on into production—you’ve got a lot of things taking up space in the low-mid and the mid areas of the frequency spectrum. Your bass isn’t very deep, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since your kick has a lot of sub frequencies. However, it’s clashing with some of your other instruments. At about 1:18 or so, that secondary lead comes in, but it’s almost in the same exact frequency area as the bass is. All that together just creates a jumbled mess. In addition, your piano is taking up a lot of the same area as well.
Kick drum: It’s too long. What I mean by that is its bass frequencies are held for too long, and since you play a lot of fast fills with it, the low end gets cluttered by all those bass drum tails trying to find their space. The same kinda goes for your hi-hat sound. See if you can find a shorter one, preferably with less midrange sludge in it, and see if that helps.
The lead sound you’ve got playing the Ice Cap zone lead is messy, but not very inspiring. Elaboration: It also takes up some room in the midrange that maybe it could stand to let go of. Also, it sounds like a really fake electric guitar synth of some sort. I’d suggest playing around and seeing if you can’t get a better sound for your lead, and preferably one that doesn’t take up so much spectrum space.
Do you have some sort of compressor on the master track? The entire thing sounds squashed and muffled to some degree. Take that off and concentrate on getting the mix cleaned up before it ever hits a compressor (or a limiter).
I’m sorry, but this song is nowhere close to passing the panel, IMO. I suggest you take it back to the drawing board, since it’s got such a myriad of issues. Work on drum patterns and making them a little simpler, but with more variation over time. Watch for frequency clutter; a neat tip that I try to follow is ALWAYS cut off frequencies lower than about 120 hz if the instrument isn’t a kick or a bassline. Finally, expound on the source a bit more. Give it some life.
Please don’t get discouraged, and again—I promise I’m not trying to be mean, just honest.
</MODREVIEW>