Gario

If you want a single, powerful voice I'd recommend octaves or unisons instead (it'll be better using different instruments, though). I'm dead curious, though - what classes are you taking (or have taken) in music theory? I could help point you in a good direction (as in what classes to take, what to listen to and what not, etc.) if your interested... Ack, and please post the source!! EDIT: Oops, I didn't see it, thanks!

Alriiiiiight, I've got my new computer, I've got my sound station set up, I'm joining this round - there ain't nothin' you can do to stop me .

Post the source please - it'll help us critique it better. The first thing I notice is the counterpoint... I'll be frank, it really ruins the song, for me. Nothing moves smoothly - the frequent use of parallel fifths and such throughout make the song sound clunky as a whole. I'm writing a guide on counterpoint (probably won't be finished for another week or two) so I recommend keeping an eye out for that. If you want a piece of the guide that specifically refers to the glaring problem I'm refering to PM me - I'd be glad to help with it. I can't help pointing these things out - I'm a counterpoint stickler . Onto the production issues... Alright, the instrument choice is too homogeneous. Nothing sticks out to me as the melody or harmonies - it all sounds like a wall of sound, to me. Not knowing the source shouldn't affect my listening to this as a piece of music - the instrument choice is inherently flawed. This can be partly remedied through proper mixing, but again there isn't any work done to that area that fixes the problem above. Bring out the melodies by raising and lowering the volumes in the mixer - it'll really help clarify your ideas greatly. The piano is too artificial sounding. Either get a different instrument or play around with the dynamics. Tweeking the velocity should help the sound dramatically (although I don't know if the velocity is an option is Reaper - you'll need to go to someone else for that information). The mastering sounds... non-existent. Connect an equalizer to your mixer (if there isn't one there already) and bring up the bass a bit. The treble could use a lift, as well. Overall, not bad for a first piece, but certainly not close to OC standards (if you submit this it'll probably have the same outcome as my first piece - rejection without further evaluation for production issues and possibly for arrangement issues due to odd notes). That's what it's here for, right? I'm sure we can send you in the right direction, if your willing. I've actually been wondering what your music sounded like, as you've added some incitful information here in the past - now I know . Oh, and please post the source - it'll help us dramatically in critiquing .

Ack... that was cruel. Why isn't the whole thing there? I'd like to hear it in context, please . I'm gonna add that the J's will probably still attack you on the sample quality (the mixing is great, I'm talking about what samples you use, themselves). Of course, that's coming from me - my last remix used pure sounds that came with Reason 3.0... I can't help much for that - I'm more guilty of it than you are. Does anyone else believe that the samples are a bit cliche and low quality and have some suggestions on other samples to use for this song?

Is that a new copyright law or something? I've read that the copyright lifespan is 25 years, then it may be refreshed for another 25 years up to two more times total (meaning a maximum of 75 years of copyrights). I read this in a 2004 music business book, so it could very well have changed. Personally, that's one reason why I'm pissed off at Disney. They've dominated the entertainment market for quite some time, so did they really need to go around that copyright law for Mickey? They actually appealed for another 50 year extention for the copyrights on Mickey Mouse (past the 75 year limit). Really, do they need to bend the law just to continue to make money from that stupid mouse? I felt that the public domain took a turn for the worst when that happened - perhaps that's when the law changed to what AnSo is saying up there...

Gimmicky? Yes. Any less awesome? No. I loved both of those videos. Very creative, that's for sure. Thanks for the vids!

Umm... to quote Dane Cook here, that dolphin is a 'BAMF'. He's just itching to kick the shit out of underwater... stuff. I like the Japanese jelly thrown in there, though - keepin' it real for all of us. I'm sorry, but I've gotta say the American version of River City Ransom is way better than the Japanese version, there. It doesn't make up for the crap we did to poor Kirby, though .

Damnit, dPaladin, why did you bump this thread? You just allowed Nekofrog to ruin the FF7 song for yet another listener... namely me. I will agree that they both sound like Schubert's symphony, though. Now, who would win if they fought - Batman, Sephiroth or Schubert? That would be a simple way to settle who's song it really is.

Damnit, I wish I had a clever way to say 'Happy Birthday', but I guess I'm not as cool as everyone else. Happy Birthday McVaffe!

Okay, sometimes I really can't tell who's joking and who isn't - it IS a forum, after all... Thanks for clearing that up!

I wasn't suggesting anyone 'rip him off'. I was pointing out an example of a remix vs a straight arrangement. Rozo does quite well changing things up for that exact source, so I figured it was an excellent example to use. Sometimes it's best just to give an example and Rozo's song was perfect for that job. Besides, he IS an accepted OC remixer, even though that particular song hasn't gone through the judging process yet.

Hey now, you mean the early Proto stages? I was seriously thinking about doing those, too - you should let me know when you start it (either for the sake of competition or collaboration - either is good for me (; )I can't say it's my favorite MM soundtrack (MM3 holds that dubious honor for me), but it certainly deserves more attention than it's gotten, here.

Man... America is so angsty, doing that to Kirby. Seriously, does Kirby really look pissed off in the games? Come on, Kirby is more worried about filling his fat ass over the 'serious drama' that occurs in his games.

Most of your rules were great pieces of advice, except I am at a complete loss as to what this means... Could you clarify, please? I'm really curious, here...Oh, and for this... I'd recommend NOT just picking up a book on music theory and reading it... when you sing or listen to music listen for what specifically sounded good (and what didn't) and make a mental note of it. Try to replicate it in your DAW, afterwards. You'll learn so much more if you do this first before picking up a theory book... of course, after you've done that for a while pick up those damn theory books and find out what you've been listening to and realize why it works.I find that to be more helpful to composers than just reading up on a bunch of crap - listen critically (Of course, this is all a mood point if your a trained musician already, as you'll probably know all that stuff...). I'm also on Yoozer with the 'Getting away with it' bit. If people will pay you for your work, great! It's not an opportunity everyone can enjoy.

I'm not going to lie, that analysis of smirks was amazing. Thanks, Author; I wish I had your skillz and attitude (I'm sure your wearing that damn smirk right now ).

Don't forget to fear Nekofrog and his completely destructive monsters he creates under the guise of 'OHC Compositions'... It's mandatory.

I didn't get the kid's age on the other forum. If s/he is older than 18 then s/he has no excuse, whatsoever. Reality is a cruel son-of-a-bitch, and it should hit you full force at about 18. Oh well, what can I say, TheSnowStorm, your just a much nicer guy than I am. By the way, if it was an aspiring composer (like you implied in the topic) I wouldn't be so harsh, but seriously; what the person wants is a job as a video game performer, which isn't even remotely realistic, and it isn't composing. The person can play a few instruments, great - now they need to look for real performance jobs that can make him/her money. ... and what the hell is the gender; I hate writing s/he and him/her...

It meant that you needed to smirk, if you were cool. Obviously.

Hurrah! I've actually just got into this game, so the old soundtrack is still fresh to me . By the way, the old soundtrack was awesome. I'm going to listen to the new track with the game as soon as I can.

That octopus is fucking smirking. Look closely at the shading; as he's grabbing the barbarian's ass, that fucker is smirking. I hate that fucking smirk trend - I'm glad it got replaced by the 'I'm in a craptastic game' frown.

Y... as in 'Why'... Please read what you just wrote and shoot the video game trombone player for making you write that.

So, when you say your starting out, do you mean your 'I-haven't-ever-touched-a-DAW-before-and-I-don't-know-what-is-what' starting out, or is it more like 'I've-tinkered-with-some-programs-like-MIDI-sequencers-and-scoring-programs-but-the-DAW-has-a-bunch-of-new-stuff'? If it's the first I'd seriously recommend picking up a MIDI sequencer and learning the ropes of basic sequencing before entering the world of screwing with a DAW. The thing is, with the more powerful workstations, you'll need to deal with a whole lot more variables just to make a sound, but if you don't know how to input the sounds then you'll be very much screwed. Not only are you looking at what notes the sequence should be playing, but also the plugins, the connections, the mixers, etc. must be in the right spots and such in order to just make a sound. That's great and all, but if your an absolute noob it may make it difficult to learn any aspect at all as you'll need to basically learn everything simultaniously in order to make sound. Granted, it could work for you, but by the sound of it you might benefit from downgrading a little before getting into the more powerful equipment. Of course, if your already familiar with basic sequencing then those things are exactly what you should be worrying about, so time and patience would be all you need (along with the other stuff mentioned before). If your a complete noob then I'd recommend practicing basic sequencing for a little while until you get the hang of that before entering the realm of more complex sequencing; otherwise just try making random stuff just to get a feel for sequencing (personally I like to remix crap in order to get a feel for a new program ).

lol, thanks bLiNd, for the WIP. This thread is now dedicated to all sonic 2 chemical plant zone remixes... That's only part of your remix, right? It sounds exactly like the original, too (which would be a complaint from me, except I don't know what the rest sounds like... Great sounds, though, as always). I know you've got more than that up your sleeve - post the rest in a new thread so we in the WIP forums can really enjoy it (and may have the slightest possibility to give good feedback). This was only a small sample, you tease. That's just cruel .

...you were too nice, there. That was the 'appropriate' answer, but I'll give you credit for not completely crushing the child's dreams. If he's an instrumentalist he should go out and try to find a real profession that involves his technique - video game instrumentalist isn't going to cut it for him at all.