Jamphibious

FFX-2 has a pretty silly story that completely goes against the tone of the first game, I'll admit, but the battles are actually really fun. I beat FFX several months ago, and I was tempted to get this but I'm wondering if it'd be worth it. I like the idea of the new sphere grid, best part of FFX was teleporting someone like Rikku to Auron's area with a Friend Sphere and then making them super badass. I dunno, I might pick it up, extra content is nice and I did really like FFX, enough to replay it for sure.

I'm still preparing for a final recital I have on the 12th, plus managing a few other deadlines (including FF3!) but after the 12th I'm done school for good, which means I'll get a lot of time to do music from then on! I'll get something worked out for this as soon as I can.

A few people have said its hard to hear the Azure Lake hear. I dunno, when writing it I felt it was fairly clear, though I guess I can see how it might be less obvious since I do change the rhythm of it as well as harmonize it differently. In the source, the little descending melody at 0:14 - 0:16 is used throughout my arrangement. At 0:31, 0:55, and again at 1:55 I use it, with different harmonies and such but still. I snuck it in at the end of a few phrases, though those are the much more liberal uses of it. I thought the chorus-ish section at 1:05 was a pretty clear use of Azure Lake though. I'm using the melody of Azure Lake starting at 0:40, harmonizing it differently and with a different rhythm, but the melody is still quite intact and I felt it was pretty recognizable. The last 4 notes / chords of the song are also using Azure Lakes little descending melody. The Marble Garden is much more clear at times I'll admit, but yeah! Should get around to fixing this up soon, thanks everyone for all the comments and such!

Cool cool, thanks for the mixing advice. I'll be honest, the drums are a Kontakt kit and I have them routed to one mixer channel. A terrible practice I know! I'll separate the snare and kick to their own tracks to give them their own love to make 'em sound nicer in the mix. And yeah, in the 2nd verse you can hear how the bass is lighter because I have the velocities toned down, so I'll focus on the velocities throughout the rest of the mix as well to make it sit slightly farther back when it needs to. I'm not a very good guitar player which is why it seems to lack emotion when I play But I can work on it a bit and maybe get it to sound a little nicer. I was on a time crunch for the competition, after all. I'll look into the tinny lead, I agree that it could use some more presence. Thanks for the suggestions, I'm glad you enjoyed the arrangement aspect of the mix. I'll work on polishing this up a little more!

I hath supported! I'll have to try the demo soon, after I finish up some o' this dang school work.

I'll try to add you some time tonight, if I haven't already. I think I added most people in the 3DS thread but there were soooo many. Also I have NO idea what my safari is. Anyone able to check? I've only got 4 badges myself, but I started playing again recently so I should get there some time soon hopefully!

Oh goodness yes, I loved this mix in the competition. The instrumentation is just wonderful, so silky smooth. I still listen to this from time to time. Excellent job on this one!

Sources: Marble Garden Zone: Azure Lake Zone: NEWEST VERSION (05/05/2014): https://app.box.com/s/3o469xr4mhysnv0dufwy Things I've touched up: - Kick and Snare on their own mixer channels. - Improved the snare sound, I think it sounds better and more snappy now. - Brought out the kick more. - Brought down the bass instrument just a hair. - Attempted to add a bit of bass and mid presence throughout. - Altered the attack of the fake FM brass slightly. - Keyboard has slightly more presence. - "Tinny" lead around 0:41 has unison voices added with some slight detune and very minor tweaks. - Overall EQ tweaks to tone down the higher frequencies. Link to Original Remix: https://soundcloud.com/jordan-reed/marble-clouds-in-azure-skies Alright, so here's a track I did recently in the SZRC! I was pretty happy with how this one turned out, but I'd like to get some opinions on the overall arrangement and production. Aside from the small fixes I mentioned, I haven't thought of anything else to touch up. But if something sticks out, let me know! Thanks!

Dang yo, that was a close one. Well it was a good run, I'm pretty happy with what I was able to come up with this competition. Lots of great music from everyone else too! I was hoping there would be a heroic battle this round, so I hope it all works out.

Very tempted to sign up but depending on when this starts running it could be bad. I have a final recital on April 12th and will probably be pretty busy until then, but afterwards I'd be down for sure! Also if there will be a jazz round then that would be good too I will tentatively signup, yes.

Here's a simple tiny chord change that I use in some jazzier settings, and that I've heard in several VGM songs. Basically, simply changing the quality from a major 7th to a minor 7th can make an interesting yet simple change that can take a song all kinds of places! You can alter a melody to fit with the chord change to make it snazzy, you can keep going on with the new key or change back, etc. Lots of options. Example: From: C E G B To: C Eb G Bb (Add some extended harmonies for added richness) VGM example: Summers from Earthbound: I believe Costa Del Sol from FFVII uses a bit of this as well, though it also alters the root that the bass is playing. Another option for added interest.

I tend to do more laid back, jazz Frank Sinatra-esque kind of stuff when I sing. Also I rarely sing. But this could be pretty cool. I'll keep an eye on this thread maybe

Who is the one true hero?! But really you both are <3

Alas, perhaps if I update this mix later I shall use something less cheese!

Almost done with my track, I'll probably submit it before I head into work tonight. I have engaged the cheesy MIDI vibraphone this time around. Also tried to experiment a bit more with some sampling, though nothing super crazy. I'm fairly happy with the result. Definitely eager to hear what wildfirrrrre has in store

Super radical!

Yeah that's what I was thinking, it'd have to be 4 people, or someone who can VERY CONVINCINGLY portray 4 different personas

I've had to work on my music for school the last few days, plus I got a little sick Monday, but after my composition lesson today I'm gonna get some solid work in on my track! Ideas are cooking, and I'll have a good amount of time the next few days to get it all worked out. Sadly, it will not be bluegrass, electrograss, or some variant of technomanga. At least, I don't THINK it will be

I'm gonna try and claim Misty, but I think whoever claims the Elite 4 should make it an epic rap between the 4 of them. Just sayin'.

Indeed, as did I

Coooooooooooooooooooool

Ah jeez dang, I'm so sorry. I did open my track up recently and try polishing some things up, but I've been pretty busy with the ongoing Sonic competition and planning my composition recital this semester. I will seriously do my best to get my track finished by Easter, I have the core concept there I just need to take a bit of time to hammer the rest out.

Haha, running out of Marble Garden ideas myself Though I'm sure I could muster some more up. I'm getting a little busy over the next couple of weeks myself so I wouldn't be mad if you won over me But thanks for the comments! Your mix was super smooth, very funky! The snare is practically perfect for that MJ vibe. I can dig it. Noooooooooooo! :'( I'm glad you enjoyed it

I'm gonna have to go ahead an drop my claim, I definitely overcommited myself to things. I've got a final composition recital coming up next month that I need to stay on top of. If I can get something very substantial before May 31st I'll definitely send it your way, but if someone else wants to tackle Moon Beach please do! While I'd love to finish it, I can't put it at the top of my priority list until late April sadly.

Haha, I must have subconsciously, because I really liked that mix of yours. I knew something felt strangely familiar about the general feel of mine this week.