Jared Hudson

I couldn't agree more.

I say with all honesty that this mix is just...outstanding. The mixing, vocals, instrumentation, the whole nine yards...all just fantastic. It's damn near pro-level recordings, hell it pretty much IS there. Anyways, I love rock, and this piece almost reminds me of J-Rock like from FLCL. Mad props to this piece, and I genuinely hope you continue to pump out mixes of this caliber. Great singing too. Star Salzman..you have competition! Jared Hudson

Jeremy Robson is back, and I have to say it wasn't what I expected. I want to start off making it very clear that Robson puts a lot of effort into this piece, and his technical focus was there. I heard the first version of this before the brass change and was prepared to write a very harsh review. But Robson managed to revise the brass samples, and clean it up a bit. As far as sample use, I felt the execution was still lacking, and very average. Let me make it clear that I am not judging your piece soley by samples, but if execution lacks, it can make the listening experience less enjoyable. Aside from samples, let's look at the composition. All the technical elements are there, and I hear many variations of the themes from FF7, but many remain quite true to the original...almost to the point of a cover. The main characteristic of this mix that REALLY annoys me is the lack of dynamics used. It's just blasting like an over-compressed rock song. I get tired of listening to it barely halfway in, as that brass just keeps...wailing....wailing...wailing....god dude. I hope you can empathize what I'm getting at. Also, some of the technical runs seemed a little "fake" as when it comes to orchestration, such as some flute trills I noticed. Maybe it was the sample execution that gave the illusion of it, but my ears didn't like it. I will commend Robson on his extreme effort in the composition, because that is the most important area. Samples are secondary, but unfortunately, in this mix, the samples and use of dynamics are what really destroyed this mix. I enjoyed your first Symphonic Suite more than this. One high note, thank you for not using as much reverb. You definitely did well there. Jeremy knows what he is doing, and I see massive potential, as I think I said in his first song, but I still think he could've been more innovative in dynamics, and spanning more instruments of the orchestra. This was an average listen for me, and nothing I'd ride home about. Average Jared Hudson

Just giving the links again

LET'S REVIEW THE SONG NOW! As far as the song actually goes, I liked the song. I don't hear too many acoustical arrangements for CT. It may be a little simplistic, but I had it playing as I was just walking around the room, and I enjoyed it..as a nice little piece of music. Nothing mind blowing, but certainly above par in my book. Not bad Jared

Miles Davis influenced...hell yes. I remember commenting on this song on VG Frequency. I like the smooth rhodes piano throughout the piece. It gives it the smooth jive that a lot of 60's jazz pieces had. The mute trumpet definitely defines the Miles Davis sound as well. One thing I think that could've been better was the panning and placement of the instruments. I felt many instruments were too centered, not that it takes away from the mix, cause it is pretty rich clear other than that factor. Although, the frequency response on the trumpet was a little shrill, and needed some high frequencies cut (compared to a Miles Davis recording). Anyways, nice jazzed up breaks and stops throughout the second half of the song. Btw, is that an old electric Wurlitzer piano doing the riffs? Ambience was a nice touch as well. I'm glad you didn't over do it. I also applaud you on decent drum programming. Many people can't seem to get that right. Trumpet played was clean, precise, etc, but didn't seem daring enough to escape the realm of the melody. Improvisation is a strong part to jazz, and I just didn't hear enough of it, but that's my opinion. Miles Davis did "Someday My Prince Will Come" from Snow White which showed great use of improvisation and adaptation on Disney's tune. You might want to check it out. All in all, great listen on that fact. This is a quality mix from a mixer who knows what he is doing. Great effort was applied in making this jazz/fusion mix. Other than a couple minor fixes, this is rock solid. Kudos for the live lead instrument. If you had used a synth trumpet, I would have mauled this review. LOL! Great job Jared Hudson

VG FREQUENCY AFTER DARK

TOTAL PWNT! I ROFL THROUGH THE NIGHT! YAYEEEAAH BABY!

No anticipation. Release it now you fag. If you aren't editing it, you can upload tonight...it'd be up by tomorrow!

Larry....I was downloading your show at 3.5MB a second......I swear to god. 63MB in about 15 seconds.

Hmm, I couldn't find that I reviewed this song, so I'm reviewing it. Many people obviously have praised this mix, and for good reason. The only thing is, I personally don't believe it's as "great" as people say. The very first thing I notice is the amount of reverb. If reverb could talk, it'd say "TURN ME DOWN!". To me, it was only a mask for mistakes and imperfections of the piece, and sucked the life out of the mix. As for composition, it remained quite true to the originals, in which I praise, but at the same time, it actually became even more simplified than the originals. He never strayed away in a different direction. I also noticed many left out notes and a couple quick passages, probably mostly due to the restrictions of Robson's sample sets and articulations. I didn't see any real innovation in this piece, other than a great compilation of music using high quality sample sets. Don't get me wrong, the piece is enjoyable, but again, not as "great" as most say. Jeremy Robson is definitely talented, but needs to work a bit on mixing techniques, and a little more innovative thinking into his compositions. Definitely an enjoyable listen though. Jared Hudson

A mix that shows when you understand your equipment, a great mix can be achieved. This is why Jeremy is well grounded in this industry. Great production, and composition as well. Although, I do notice MANY of pieces are in this same nature.....very intimate, lush, and somewhat flat, but rarely. The reverb seems to be slightly thick, but it's fairly clean, and I can tell Jeremy used it for the emulation of the concert hall. Again, great mix and composition. You know you're good, so admit it. Jared Hudson

Very unique take on this song. The drum programming and sequencing is excellent, and the elements you incorporated into the composition are very creative. I wouldn't call this jazz at all, but more of a shuffle. That muted trumpet was god awful though. I don't know what djpretzel was thinking. It sounded nothing like the real deal, just more like a whining cat. The trumpet could've been omitted. Anyways, this mix has many strong areas, and deserved to be posted on OCR. Nice tune. Jared

If you want samples like that.....BUY them. Memphis Horns...I've been wanting these for a LONG time. http://www.ilio.com/ilio/memphis/index.html

All I can say is wow. By far the most acoustic sounding production done electronically I've heard on this site. Great job...this one is a keeper. I'm VERY curious on what samples you used. Sounds like you used the Memphis Horns library, but I might be way off. I've got to know what killer samples those were. INCREDIBLE! Great job using them too! Jared

I'll admit I haven't been on the OCR scene as much lately, but someone told me to come check this song out, and let me tell ya......this is excellent work. Top notch all the way through. All the instruments were well done, the recordings were beautiful and rich, without any noise, all in key. Although, there was a bit too much bass on the track. I would've also preferred a actual ending over a fade out, but that's all taste. This one is a keeper, and I would like you to know that I enjoyed it very much. Keep up the great work! Jared Hudson

Nice chord progressions and good use of instruments. Even though this is slow, it's still something to appreciate especially coming from a new mixer like Starblaze. The piano bothered me though. It was good sample, but you almost OVER accented the piano and it cut into the mix too hard. Plus, the ending sucked....in those terms. No resolving of chords whatsoever. Overall, not a bad mix....just some minor tweaks and this would be solid. Decent work. Jared

Well, it looks like we both made our points, but notice how I said "ABOUT" all your remixes are ballads, and I HAVEN'T HEARD YOUR ORIGINALS. That was the key point. Anyways, I'VE made my point.

Kaijin, As I DO respect your opinion, I'm kind of surprised to hear that I need to go into other genres. That's all I've been TRYING to do the last year. I have rock pieces, techno, piano pieces, gothic, slow orchestrals (hardly any percussion), epic ones, pop, latin songs, polkas, musak (smooth jazz), and now currently.....jazz, ACTUAL jazz with REAL trumpet solos, and more piano stuff. If you don't call that expanding into other genres, then I don't know what the hell is. I understand some of what you said, some of those genres aren't posted as of right now. They're just sitting on my hardrive. I haven't heard any of your original music, but I do know about all your songs are ballads on OCR. Would you think that's hypocritical? I'm not trying to be an asshole, but I just want to let you know. I'll give you credit on the piano and drums. I unfortunately went on a song binge at the time of this song and made Pilot in one day. The snare wasn't accented enough (I'm a percussionist), and I do guess the piano could get monotonous after about 6 tunes. Well, that about raps up my reply. Thanks for reviewing and glad you found it somewhat decent. Jared Hudson P.S. I know what sound I need to go for (gigasounds, will BUY someday), it's just I have nothing. (free soundfonts, SBlive, program from the time of Windows 3.1, NO keyboard).

What is that static in the background? The reverb is overdone. The arrangement itself is decent, but the drums sucked. Crash cymbals every 2 seconds is a NO NO on a ballad. Guitar part was cool, but not much else was really gripping. The ending just kinda ended out quickly, which didn't sound right since the song had an epic nature to it. Not bad, but not great either.

Just as I said before when SysteManiac sent me this mix way before hand, I love the way this song sounds. Samples are top notch (for what they are), and everything is just sexy goodness when it comes to that adrenaline rushing goodness. Definitely OCR material. Awesome first submission. I'm kinda surprised djpretzel said my name in your review, but then again, that might be why I like this. A lot of the techniques and styles in this song are similar to mine, and I guess that's why I like the way it sounds. Good work. Jared Hudson

Russell, this is by far your best work.....also with the help of those sexy french horns. So those were the ones you bought for $99? Not bad. The whole mix kept me on my toes and the quality is superb. A definite keeper in my playlist and hope you buy MORE samples. (hopefully that will make up for the...ahem......not so legal stuff you have), but who gives a shit. I'm soon to be a hypocrite and you're making good music...right? Excellent work.

Well, glad you liked it, but DAYAMN! This song only got 1 review? It's been here for like 5 months! WOW! Anyone want to be a nice ol chap and give a review? Thanks!

Well, after all this time, I felt it would be good to at least say exactly what the hell I changed in this song for anybody questioning what was different. Here's the lowdown: Enhanced Percussion Enhanced Ending Added Vocals Sequencing Lag Eliminated Decibel Peaking Eliminated (no static) Mix balancing improved So ya see? It's not that I redid the song so much, it's just that I improved its quality. I wasn't pleased after hearing the first version for awhile, especially when djpretzel suggested I do some things to it so its release on OCR would be unique. Well, there ya have it. Jared Hudson (fxscreamer)

Holy crap on a stick! You guys are NICE! Thanks!