TheReverend

Hey all, it's been a while since I've been here. I have a piano waltz remix of the Village and Town themes from the SNES version of SimCity and was hoping for some constructive criticism and evaluation of this track. I've only done a little effect work, and while it's not dry, it's not polished either - but that will be fixed. Mostly looking for critiques of the arrangement and content. Thanks for listening! Valse de SimCity: https://soundcloud.com/ryan-joseph-miller/valse-de-simcitywip Sources: Village - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPcP8MRh8r4 Town - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzL5W8regZY&list=PL49FD69EAB07C9C7A&index=4

Thanks again for the feedback everyone. In this newest update, I tried a different guitar sample and tried to humanize it a bit more. Made some other adjustments to volume levels and I also added a new part later in the mix. Please let me know what you think! I certainly appreciate it!

Thank you all for the prompt feedback. I don't have too many options to change the guitar sample. A lot of what I have access to sounds the same, so I'm not sure where to go with that quite yet. However, I did modify the release so (hopefully) it sounds more organic and less robotic. I changed the e-piano sound to something with less brightness at the top end. Some minor changes to quantization. I didn't want to do too much and have it sound sloppy. Minor adjustment to djembe crescendo. I appreciate your feedback guys! So so much!

Hello all. This is a mix I have had for years and years, but I didn't really work to get it polished. It's complete and I'm looking for opinions or suggestions, as I'd like to have it considered for admission to the site. It's a remix of a very short theme, the menu select from Mario 64. Please give it a listen! Thanks! Source: http://youtu.be/2HhdZMpSvXg Remix: https://soundcloud.com/ryan-joseph-miller/file-select-v9-5-sm64-file

Pros: I really like the synthy brass instruments you have playing the initial chord arps/stabs. In fact, the general sound of the song really does it for me. It sounds almost ethereal with a little bit of an edge. I love the atmosphere! Especially that wobbly pitched synth. The piano really lends itself well on top of the synth sounds you have. I can't say any more how much I enjoy the sound. The drums give this an easy groove and I think the sound you have achieved with the drums really complements the rest of the track. I found myself bobbing my head while listening to this mix. Cons: Stylistically the mix is a solid adaptation from the original source, but I worry that the progression and chord structure would keep this too much like the source to be considered as an OCR track. It is somewhat repetitive, but it's to be expected (to a degree) in this genre. There are many clever things you can do to keep it refreshing even if it is repetitive. I think timaeus hit the nail on the head here. He's got a lot more suggestions in his reply that offer some very specific changes that could really help you elevate this mix above the rest. It's on the edge of something to really capture the listener, but it's not quite there yet. Other Thoughts: This is good stuff. The sounds you have and the mixing sounds pretty solid. With some attention to the arrangement and progression (as mentioned earlier by timaeus), this thing can really take flight and garner some serious consideration for OCR. I hope to hear more soon!

Pros: It is refreshing to hear this theme (The Day the World Revived) included in a mix. It's a beautiful, albeit short, track from a beloved game. I really like the atmospheric sound you have, namely the stuttered bells throughout the track and the pianoish/bell chords you lay down. The gated synths give this a nice electronic feel too. Cons: The drums here are the most glaring issue with the song. The rest of the mix sounds inspired and you've paid attention to the sounds you create. The drums, on the other hand, sound plain, boring, and are not dynamic at all. It sounds very much like a drum machine. Now, I know you don't want something really organic because it won't fit the soundscape. However, there's some significant work that needs to be done here. I can't offer much advice because I have little experience with a trance style of drums, but you might consider some different samples to include to supplement the kick and hihat. That's really all I hear in the song ever is kick hat kick hat kick hat kick hat. You will have a lot more freedom over the sequencing of the drums if you can find some additional samples to flesh out the kit. A snare seems like a must to me and some other hihat sounds and cymbal crashes would help too. Other Thoughts: I'll have to listen again later to see if I have any other critiques. The drums really made it difficult for me to appreciate the other things you have going on here. That said, you do have some good stuff, so don't give up! I think with some TLC on the drums you can really make this mix shine.

timaeus is right. This track is really, REALLY loud and the parts are not clear. It makes it difficult to hear the source usage. It sounds like you have some cool stuff going on (I am clueless about metal), but the song just sounds smashed, muddy, and loud. Perhaps bringing the volume down some and doing some EQ cutting like timaeus suggested would clear it up. I'd like to hear what you do with it. This is a creative take on a timeless theme that has been done over and over and over. It's a refreshing style for the source. Just don't blow my ears up!

Pros: I think the intro is pretty sick. I feel like you're winding up for a drop at around :08, but the track keeps chugging along. It works, but I think you can REALLY amp up the excitement here. The synth blips, slides, and whatever other madness that is at 0:54 is super sweet! I think the phasing lead sound you have in the beginning carries the melodic line fairly well. Just be careful not to overload us with that sound. I like the slightly detuned bass sound in the beginning. I feel like as the song progresses it could really benefit by morphing that sound into a razor sharp saw or something similar to give it a grating edge. Just my opinion. Cons: The drums become repetitive quickly. The sound in general is really, REALLY loud and the soundscape often sounds muddy. This makes it difficult to pick out some of the individual parts. The "B" portion of the song works, but I think this is really a time where you can give the track some time to breathe and open up. The fast pace could benefit from some openness and fresh air. The listener could definitely be hooked even more if you do it right. Just a suggestion. I find the song holds my attention well up to 1:08. That's your "B" portion I think. This is where I think you should switch out some instruments or open things up for the listener to keep them interested. Other Thoughts: You definitely have some seriously cool things going on here, but in general the track is just really damn loud and it sounds like you've compressed the ever loving stuffing out of the whole thing. I am excited to hear more. I hope this helps!

Hello all! I've made a few updates to this track, namely adding sax parts, trying to shuffle up the repetitive drum tracks, and fleshing out the mix. A few things to note: The transition from 3/4 to 4/4 is still rough. I haven't yet decided how I want the mix to make the switch, but it's there. The intro is a bit long at :40, but I tried to bring out the source melody a bit more so it is more easily recognizable. I changed the chord structure a teeny bit. It may not be enough yet to keep it interesting, but I'm trying and open to suggestions. Please let me know what you think! I'm excited to hear what OCR has to say about it. The updated link is in my original post.

Derp. My mistake. Apparently I completely ignored OP's parentheses. So, ignore the OCR related comments, although I have to admit I didn't know the acronym MnP until now. My apologies for the confusion!

Pros: You've taken some liberty with the soundscape that gives it an open, ambient, metallic, and airy feel as far as some of the fringe instrumentation goes. I think you can do a lot more of this to give the whole song this atmospheric feel with some tweaking of the other sounds and some creativity with the arrangement. The bells and chimes near the end of the song really amplify this effect in my opinion. Cons: The lead instrument sounds really flat and dry. Like a synth organ that hasn't been processed or changed at all. The bass line is pretty bland. I'm not saying it has to be way over active here, but it just sounds like a pad that is always playing the bass note for the length of the bar throughout the whole song. Synth strings at 0:40 are a good reprieve from the lead instrument, but they still sound...plain. It may be worth mentioning that the arrangement is far too similar to the original for a "remix" as far as OCR is concerned, but if this is a project meant for different criteria, you can ignore arrangement critiques. The arrangement sounds robotic as well, as if there is no humanization of the rhythm or note velocities. I know the source well but I haven't listened to it. It may be that the overall tuning of the song has changed, but the chord progression is nearly identical if I remember correctly. This arrangement seems to lack your own style and take. Breathe some Necrox style into this and pump it up! Other Thoughts: Overall this sounds like a MIDI rip with some nice instrument flares on the edges. The main melodic lines are nearly note for note copies of the original melody throughout the song and they are played by instruments that sound uninspired and flat. This has a long way to go to qualify for an OCR remix, but I'm not sure if that's what you are intending. If you are aspiring to submit this to OCR, you can work within the sound structure you have, sans the lead instruments. Use that with a heavy dose of creativity and your own take on the original melody and you can grow from there. P.S. - this might sound harsh but I'm trying to be constructive. I myself am far from a professional remixer or sound guru. I mean no offense by any of it.

Hello OCR. I have another thread to add to this page. I have been toying around with a new style (for me) in FL Studio while awaiting a creative burst and/or feedback on my other WIP here. This is a jazzy take on the Hilltop Chase theme from Kirby Super Star. A few things to note: This is definitely early on in the song. There are a few clipping/compression issues, the time change is still musically wonky, and the track ends before the 2 minute mark. Please let me know what you think of the style and arrangement. I am anxious to see if this is something I should trash or continue. Thanks again to all of you who listen and comment! Source: http://youtu.be/Opp9sns9z9Y My WIP: https://soundcloud.com/ryan-joseph-miller/hilltop-shuffle-kirby-super

Thank you! I have been hoping this would gain a little traction again on these forums. Some feedback will help me get things moving again. I would like to complete this and submit it to OCR in the future.

Pros: This is seriously one of the most incredible adaptations of such a readily identifiable video game theme. You have turned this into a majestic and cinematic piece. It is somewhat dark, open, and flighty, as if the listener is truly flying above the world. I can't say enough about how much I love, LOVE L.O.V.E. the arrangement you have. The strings give an incredible amount of depth to the lead melody and lend themselves well to setting the general mood of the piece. The pace picks up at 1:26. It's a nice bump to keep the listener engaged. I know this is a WIP, but by the time the horns come in again I'm ready for a wall of brass to blow me away with a massive and thunderous roar. But that's my opinion. The pace is great no matter what you put with it. Cons: I agree that the solo trumpet sound isn't entirely convincing, but it works for right now. I'll bet that you can easily get someone to provide you with a top notch sound if you want to collab on the OCR forums. The cymbal sample you use at 1:46 isn't at all convincing to me. It sounds like the quality is just inferior compared to all the other sounds you have going here. The placement isn't bad if you use a better sound (which I'm confident you will), but this one just doesn't work. I think the fact that the only two cons I can find involve sound/sample issues is quite a feat. (Of course, I am not a musical prodigy or anything). I can't really find anything that I dislike in the arrangement of the song. Well done! Other Thoughts: This remix has HUGE potential. You've done so much in 2 minutes and haven't even begun to really get into the meat of the source tune. I am so excited to hear what you have us listen to next. This is solid gold. I look forward to hearing more, and the sooner the better!

I am not at all familiar with this game or the source, but I'm going to give this a listen and share what my impressions are. I only mean to provide constructive criticism, so please don't take any of it personally if it sounds harsh. Pros: I really like the percussion and the small nuances you have in the beginning of the track. It really gives it some drive and I found I was immediately bobbing my head to the beat. I hear a faint brassy/bitcrushed brassy stab pattern that gives some depth along with that booming, fat bass. I really, REALLY like the soundscape you've painted up to 0:36 when things start to switch up and gear up for the melody. I really like the guitar sounds you have here. The first rhythmic guitar sounds pretty mellow and dark, while the melodic guitar part adds a bit of color to an otherwise dark sound. Kudos! At 1:01 you bring in a singing synth sound that really gives this a nice addition. It soars above the rest. At 1:26 you enter the B part of the song after playing around on the guitar for a bit. I liked it, but it seemed a little short for my tastes. At 1:42 you introduce an arpeggiating synth that adds a nice nostalgic layer to the sound you have. Overall I think the mix is pretty solid too. I felt like each instrument was able to breathe pretty well and I didn't have to struggle to make out the parts. This has got some pretty friggin' sweet stuff near the end with the singing synth above the rhythm section, the rising guitar line, and some strange filter effect I can't quite identify starting at 2:18. It literally sounds like you're squeezing the hell out of the sounds in the background, and I love it. Cons: I feel like you do so well in building up the musical suspense. This mix has a lot of drive and a lot of layering that you do remarkably well. It left me feeling like it never REALLY took off though. I expected some out of this world guitar riff to rock me stupid or melt my face, but it never happened. I think you have a LOT of room to really make your mix shine because the percussive groove is there, the fat bass line is there, the ominous, dark soundscape is there, but nothing really brought it to life. I bet you could get more mileage out of the song in terms of length and definitely melody if you played around with it. The ending seems a bit...abrupt. You start wrapping up the song to an ending pretty well, but the ending just happens with a short drum fill and a (brilliant) stuttered synth arp. I'm not sure if it just sounds awkward because I haven't listened to it enough, but it seems too soon, IMO. Other Thoughts: I think you have a good, solid mix going here with some terrific drive, stellar sounds and samples, and a clean soundscape that really gives the listener an urgent, ominous, and dark mood. I think this definitely has incredible potential, but it's already great. I hope you will add a bit more to it and really give it a bit more of your creativity by adding a melody that can really draw the listener in and bring this track to life.