Gario

I was going to post this in your visitor messages, but it was too long. So I'll post it here instead. In response to how I got my CoT mix up to the levels while preserving dynamics... "That's sort of hard to answer, actually, since there's quite a few things that I do to get dynamics in a pretty highly compressed environment (and that song in particular has compression all over the place, for the effect). For my synths & drums I actually set the velocities to affect amplitude, which makes for easier note-by-note dynamic effects. I tend to mix both pre-limiting on the master track and post-limiting, since it's important to make sure those levels are not red lining to start with (the pre-limiting mixing helps with this), but it's also important to hear what the 'final product' is mixed like, so to speak. You can't rely on the red zone alone, since that can only take your mix so high. You really need to trust your ears and raise the limiters in order to get the desired levels of volume. Be sure to watch for both hard clipping (that 'fuzz' that occurs when the mix is in the reds), overcompressing (when the track sounds like it gets quieter artificially to keep the sounds at the sounds at one level) and 'pumping' (pretty much rhythmic overcompression - normally from the drums being too loud). It's really an art that just takes time to get used to. Also, that CoT mix of mine in particular sort of cheats, since I purposely bit-crushed most of my sounds for effect. Since that often sounds like hard clipping the parts that do clip (there are a few in there I know about) sound intentional. That's really an artificial trick, though, that won't apply to most tracks, though, so don't go relying on bit-crushing everything you have for that reason :P" So yeah, there really isn't and avoiding raising the limiters on the master track, if you want to get the desired levels. A little redlining can't be helped, but often that occurs in inaudible ranges before it happens in a range that the human ear can hear so you need to be ever vigilant yourself for the clipping.

I personally use www.box.net, but there are other places like Tindeck and Fireslash's WIP uploader that I've seen used around here.

... damn you Soundcloud and your lack of downloading ability. This is awesome. The scat solo is quiet, but otherwise the entire track is very impressive. If you do a re-record of it I'd recommend making it a little longer, since the 2 minute mark is just a little short. Just saying.

Subtle stabs at your critics ear is biting the hand that feeds you, bro. It's more accurate than you think - the reason I didn't recognize anything is because the source really is non-existent, especially if the listener doesn't have any point of reference (like me, at the time). The middle has a little of the Ocean Palace in the middleground, but that's it (the descending line later is a common musical gesture - calling that Magus is deceptive, especially when those aren't the notes in Magus' song). And yes, I hear what you're trying to do with the source (like at the beginning), but changing the notes by that much really turns it into something completely different. It's not a bad thing, but it's not something that OCR would accept, either. The source needs to be readily apparent if you want this to be on OCR. Not agreeing with the feedback is fine, but it's not alright to direct personal insults at the benefactor, no matter how subtle they are. Watch what you say next time.

That's because Zero Punctuation, as awesome as he is, really isn't too much more than an entertainer. It's not as funny to focus equally on what is good about a game and what is bad - simply bashing on what is bad really makes for a funny video. It's sort of the Rush Limbaugh of VG critiques - you present a one sided argument very heavily for the sake of entertainment. It's fun to listen to and the points can be perfectly valid, but at the cost of a balanced review that knows what's good and what's bad about the subject at hand. Egoraptor's review, on the other hand, took a look at the good and the bad and gave it praise when due and faulted it as much as it deserved. A balanced review is quite a bit more useful than an unbalanced one when it comes to being informative, and it's possible to make that just as entertaining (Egoraptor's voice is pretty iconic & easy to make anything funny, really, so he cheats ). Not badmouthing ZP, just saying how it is. I still watch what he puts out 'cause it's quite entertaining.

Alternatively you could just make a new thread advertising your new endeavors when they come to fruition. I think that would be the ideal route, actually - some people might want to just see Dance Pad action while others might want to just see your reviews, and that'll keep things clean for everyone.

Not familiar with FL, specifically, but whenever I needed to change a function on a MIDI I would set a program script to a different number (0-127) at the particular time frame in question. Not sure if that's viable or not, but that's how I worked around the midi channel limit, back in the day when I wrote MIDIs. I'm sure someone around here could verify if that's possible on FL. Sheesh, it's been close to five years, already...

Best of luck with your music/game review stuff. Rolfe probably won't review Shadow the Hedgehog anytime soon, though, since he sticks to older video games, so it's all on you. If you do review any video game tracks you could take a look through this thread, if you want any ideas. Just saying, you know, if you want to point out any cool little tidbits on any of those classics. /shameless plug Someday I'll revive that old thread, but I never seem to have the time... *sigh*

Well the mixing's taken leaps and bounds. It's really starting to shine, imho. I also notice you're sticking with awesome synths rather than fake guitars, which is a wise choice. The mixing is good, the instruments are sweet, the arrangement is creative. The only issue I'm having right now (other than the fact that it's unfinished, of course) is that it's pretty quiet. You might want to get a limiter on your master track and get the volume up a couple of decibels (without compramizing quality, of course). There are a couple of instruments in the mix that'll stick out when you get the volume up (2:06, for example), so be ready to do a little more mixing when it's louder. Sounding great. Let's see what the finished product looks like.

If you haven't found anyone yet try PM'ing Willrock. He'd be perfect for what you're looking for, if he's willing.

Well this is actually a pretty fun little remix. It's repetitive and quiet, though - you sure this is as loud you can take the track without production problems? Some of the textures are a little loud compared to the guts of the track (guitar and lead), so you might want to mix them down a bit. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it for what it is - a fun bit of inspiration. Nice work.

This is insane, and it's all happening over such a short time... I hope your wife's uncle made it out alright, CHIPP Damage.

You're missing three 'HA's from the first set of 'HAHA's. Don't neglect them, they're important.

I don't think the pushback could be helped, due to the rather large queue of albums that are to be released. Still, most of us are quite happy for it, especially if you're one of the late-comers (like me).

Alright, here's an update. A bit late, but oh well. Zeal Feels Good Take a listen. Give me feedback, if needed. Love it, 'cause it's a feel good piece. The cutoff ending is on purpose, by the way - it's sort of reminiscent of the beginning, as if the listener pulled the needle before the track played again. I don't know if I want to put this one on OCR, but it's crossing my mind. EDIT: It's over 8mbs, I know. I'll downgrade the kbps a bit if I decide to submit it.

Hey everybody. I'm trying to get proper samples off of various programs for a project I'm involved in, but ever since Windows decided to throw 'Vista' at me I can't seem to figure out how to make the input change from an external mic to the internal output (if that makes sense). It's a little frustrating since it seems that they're taking away functionality from their users, but I digress... Does anyone have experience recording the sound that is coming from the computer with Windows 7? Help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for that download link. I'm sure you had a bunch of people bugging you for it This track is just epic. A lot of people are giving you grief over the vocals, but personally I like them as they are. If you're looking for another track to do in a similar style, SAB2's theme song 'Live and Learn' is pretty badass... Actually I might do that one myself for shits and gigs, myself, lol.

That's an epic move. Still going to try to make as much headway as soon as I can, though, and use the extra time to really give it a buffer shine.

Why yes I do. You have access to the private forums, or should I PM them to you?

Too many birthdays to comment on. I'll be back when one of you erases himself from existence to simplify my well-wishing.

Strange instrument choice. I'm not sure if you were going for a chippy sound or just low-fi overall, but it doesn't quite come across as either. Strangely enough, I still kind of like it on a weird sub-conscience level. Perhaps experimenting with different timbres might help get you out of a mental block, there. The harmonies you use are very interesting. Try some different combinations and see where they take you - they might possibly be causing the blockage. Making up a melody to go over the track might help as well. Try writing something else that might come later in the piece. then writing to that point. Sometimes that can break a block. Perhaps you need a break from that particular track - a few months is a very long time to be staring at the same thing. Try all sorts of different things. You never know what will be the block-breaker.

I can't find the file download on that page, for some reason. A link to the source is also a nice gesture, for those that are not familiar with the soundtrack. I'll get back to you when the DL link is provided.

*Pfft*, I arranged that song for a full orchestra + Tenor way back when as my Orchestration final. Now that was fucking epic. Wish I could find that score again...

My favorite source from the game. The reason I suspect there aren't more remixes of it on OCR is simply because the perfect remix of it is already up there. I agree, though - this is just too good of a source to let go like this. I support your remix of this source . The harmonies are sex in the original, and you make damn sure not to downplay them in this rendition. The synth choral little bits are especially nice, bringing out those clusters. Personally I'd like to hear more harmony clusters, but that's a compositional preference, from me. The piano has great textures that bring a lot into the mix, however; it sounds very mechanical. Fix up the velocities, attacks and volume to make it sound more human. It also comes in a little stark when you first bring it in - perhaps you should have it come in a little bit more subtle? A vocal track would do wonders for the current arrangement - it's almost like you're writing for a vocal line... oh wait. Yeah, it needs vocals for sure. I'm downloading this 'instrumental' version now, though, 'cause it's awesome. Hope you find some singers to help you out.