Chimpazilla

I don't think this is an improvement mixing-wise, if anything it is louder and more overcompressed. The track is hitting -7db RMS, YOWZA that's loud. This is the most compressed waveform I have ever seen, and I hear zero dynamics in this track. This isn't going to do it. I suggest you get some assistance with mixing and mastering it. I still feel like the arrangement is too repetitive but it isn't the big dealbreaker here. Why is the timbale so loud? edit 5/13/15: Listening to the newest version. Night and day - mixing is significantly improved, now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about, THAT'S how the track should sound!!!! I knew it was in there under all that smooshedness. Still room for improvement in the mixing details, but nothing to keep it from passing. I hate to agree with zykO... and only because we've been dealing with overcompression on this track... but it could use just a TEENY bump in overall volume. I'm seeing -14db RMS now, it could be bumped up to -12 or -10 without sounding too smashed. If you do this, PLEASE DO IT CAUTIOUSLY. It isn't necessary though, I'm not going to require it for the YES

previous decision ReMixer name - Mak Eightman real name- Max V. Kravchenko userid: 32137 Submission Information: Title - "The Champion" link to RESUB - Attached Name of game arranged - Kunio Kun Nekketsu Soccer League(aka Goal 3) System: NES Name of individual song arranged - Ending(credits) Link to the original soundtrack - http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL068985D7A912F97A&feature=player_detailpage&v=3GCEPfRFqRo FIFA2014 World Cup EP project. Director: Hakstock Hi! Had no time or wish to rerecord stuf, so I just remixed and remastered it. Thanks.

This is a good conservative rock version of this source, short and sweet, but I think the mixing isn't there yet. The guitars are crispy and sound like they have been boosted in the mids and highs. The drums sound a bit odd, the kick is quiet and the snare has a woody tone. The drumming is somewhat on autopilot other than during the transitions. I can't really hear the string backing although I know it is there. Definitely needs another shot at the mixing but this is a good start! NO (resubmit)

Hi there, here's a track I just finished. Your ReMixer name Ianuarius Your real name Juha Keränen Your email address Your website http://musicianexperience.wordpress.com/ Your userid (number, not name) on our forums, found by viewing your forum profile 49703 Name of game(s) arranged Mega Man 3 Name of arrangement Wily's Last Defence Name of individual song(s) arrangedDr. Wily Theme 2 Additional information about game including composer, system, etc. (if it has not yet been added to the site) Composer: Yasuaki Fujita, System: NES, Release year: 1990 Link to the original soundtrack (if it is not one of the sound archives already available on the site) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXrqr4OKASM Your own comments about the mix, for example the inspiration behind it, how it was made, etc. I posted one track a few years back but it was more of a meddley so it wasn't picked up. I learned from that experience and now made this thing. Still love Mega Man and MM3 is my absolute favorite from the series. Thanks!

This is very cool and the lyrics are awesome! Very cool disco source, I can see why you wanted to remix it. I'm not sure I hear much of the source in here though, other than the chord progression and some bass. The beat is completely different. I really like this approach though. Can someone else help me out with the source use? I hear the bass is playing source from 1:02-1:41 and 2:24-3:06 (bassline is 0:40-1:07 in the source). Other than this though I don't hear much source at all. The bass seems to be really lacking in lows. The lowest element in this mix is the kick and it hits at around 70Hz. Also the mix peaks at 0.6db, it isn't distorting that I can hear, but anything above 0db seems like an odd ceiling choice. Despite the very cool lyrics, the track sounds pretty repetitive after awhile, although there are a lot of nice little details. So... interesting idea, awesome vocals, bass not bassy enough, and is there enough source? Other Js, halp! edit 5/16/15: Listening again, and I still can't discern the source. If it is there, it's just buried too deeply for me. I'm going to say this is too liberal, but if Larry can point out where I'm wrong, I'm open to changing my mind. It is a cool track though! NO

Contact Remixer name: RoBKTA ft. dr. halc Real name: Roberto bazzoni and Drew Wheeleremail address:Website (Facebook Page): https://www.facebook.com/robktamusic UserID: 53459 Submission DetailsGame Arranged: Ridge Racer Arrangement name: Cruisin' 110Song Arranged: Disco BallAdditional Information: system Sony PSP, release date 2004, original composer Hiroshi OkuboOriginal song: http://youtu.be/X3GLPLsjD24 dr. halc's comments: Rob is the man. I think we impressed each other with our Club Needlemouse/Kong albums, and a collab seemed inevitable (though, this is actually our second time working together, the first being an instrumental tune for his "Outrax" compilation album). I didn't have anything to do with the arrangement here, that's all Rob; he hit me up asking if I'd be interested in throwing down some rhymes. I was so inspired by his beat, I wrote and recorded the whole tune within 24 hours! Funky fresh. Ch-yeah! Lyrics: (In da) In da crash (crash) In da race (in da race) (Rob) RobKTA drop the bass (drop the bass) (In da) In da crash (crash) In da race (in da race) (And the) And the flag (flag) And it waves (and it waves) Gentlemen, start your engines I'm crusin' 110 to infinity against the wind sense an orange whip in your slipstream then I zip around your right so fast it puts you in a tail spin I race to win, first place again The track bends to my will, and wheels squeel In my pimped out whip I got a little red button so I press that sucker and leave ya eatin' dust yo That's right That's right Ya know its right yo That's right That's right I'm passin on your right bro That's right That's right Ya know its right yo That's right That's right Rob, break it down yo Got rage for me? Turn the radio on And you'll hear the sound of my victory lap song My boy Rob drops a smooth groove in the passenger seat Handed me both the mic and the keys Flow around the track again with each lap Turn up the sub so loud the glass cracks Rear-view shattered, better watch your back 'Cuz your bout to get lapped, yo (chorus) (In da) In da crash (crash) In da race (in da race) (Rob) RobKTA drop the bass (drop the bass) (In da) In da crash (crash) In da race (in da race) (And the) And the flag (flag) And it waves (and it waves) We got a good lead, so lets slow it down Put on the cruise control, chill out this time around Kickin' back the seat, feet up on the dash Changin' up the beat, we ain't gonna crash Cruisin' ludicrous speed, wanna catch me? You're calling that fast? We call it half speed You're gonna wish you were never-ever even born Hear this whistle play when I slam on the horn (Can't catch me) When I fly by in my fly ride I got my eyes on the prize (Can't catch me) Your shit whip gets flipped when it slips on my oil slick (Can't catch me) Rob break the beat down cause we're taking this race into town (Can't catch me) Gonna race me? You aint got a chance 'cuz I always take first place (ch-yeah) (chorus) Gentlemen, start your engines I'm crusin' 150 to infinity and back again Sense an orange whip on your six, see me when I drift around the corner so fast it puts you in a tail spin I race to win, first place again The track bends to my will, and wheels spin In my pimped out whip I got a little red button so I press that motherfucker and leave ya in the dust, yo I’ll be crusin’ 110 in the sunrise of the city (In da) In da crash (crash) In da race (in da race) I’ll be losin’ you again in the sunrise of the city (And the) And the flag (flag) And it waves (and it waves) Ridge racer (chorus) Woooo (Ahhh!) Take it away RobKTA Dr. halc OverClocked ReMix, let's go You're gonna be hearing more of this Haha, I like this guy This is good shit Ridge Racer get down ya'll Peace!

Really great performances here! The guitars and drums are really well done. So, is the bass midi then? The bass sounds good but it is lacking in lows, not much going on below 90-100Hz. Drums could be louder, otherwise I think the mixing is working well. The string backing feels appropriate and is sequenced well. I feel like I hear enough source although I haven't done a breakdown. I'm not completely sold on the breakdown section, and the fact that 1:38-1:41 sounds like an ending doesn't help. The breakdown stands out a little stark against the rest of the arrangement until 2:05 when the drums and bass return. So for me, 1:41-2:05 is a bit awkward and empty, but this just may be one woman's opinion. My issues aside, this is a great track! edit 5/5/15: When the vote splits, I revisit my vote. I'm listening again and reading Larry's and Vinnie's votes, and I understand what they are hearing. I also understand Vinnie's comment that he isn't even sure he could mix this well himself (and wow he's really good at production). I had to listen twice again to figure out what the deal was. The track does indeed sound bleedy and muddy, but it sounds like the type of mixing I would expect from a purely orchestral track. Maybe that's why it didn't jump out at me. If I listen at 1:44, the production there sounds like the orchestral "wall of sound" that one would expect in a 100% orchestral track. The problem is that you've mixed the guitars, bass and drums all the same way as the orchestral instruments, with the end result being a wall of sound. It is cohesive as heck, but it isn't quite working. This is a conundrum! I don't know how to tell you to mix this! On the one hand, the orchestral sections need to sound cohesive, and they do. But the guitars and drums need to pop out, but you don't want them to sound "pasted on top" of an orchestral background. This one will be tricky. Start with eq and just clean up every instrument, taking care that there isn't so much frequency overlap, and let's see what happens. I think the levels and panning are already pretty good. Good luck. NO (resubmit)

Hiya, Contact information: Remixer name: Jorito Real Name: Jorrith Schaap Email: Website: http://www.jorito.net/ Userid: 3917 Submission information: Name of Game(s) Remixed: Contra Name of Arrangement: Oh noes, there be aliens in my waterfall! Names of songs arranged: Waterfall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U58a-svZok8) and some subtle references in the calm part to parts of Jungle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O04bPRzqEEk) Link to the original soundtrack: Comments about the mix: For years the music from Konami's Contra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_(video_game)) waterfall theme has been stuck in my head and I thought it'd deserve a remix. Of course there are plenty of rock/metal Contra covers around already, so I decided to do things a bit differently. A few months ago I finally found the time and inspiration to actually do something with this track, so I fired up my DAW and some orchestral patches and started working on it. I'm not much of an orchestrator, but I like combining different genres and thought injecting a bit of rock would be a good idea. After a few WIPs I offered a demo link to some people at #ocrwip. Ivan Hakštok liked it and offered to play the rhythm guitar. A bit later, I found some nice drum video by Erik Vreven and asked him to play in the drums. Finally, deciding it needed a bit more climatic ending I added in a MIDI lead guitar, decided a real guitar would immensely improve things and asked Sixto if he would play a bit of lead guitar. So there you have it, a full on rock/orchestral take on Contra's waterfall theme combined with some (not so) subtle references to the level 1 "Jungle" theme in the calmer parts of the song, featuring the following guest contributors: - Ivan Hakštok (rhythm guitars) - Erik Vreven (drums) - Sixto Sounds (lead guitar) Cheers, Jorrith -----------------------------

This is quite the mellow yet groovy jazz/funk version of the Chrono Trigger main theme, I'm loving the vibe right away. What I'm not loving is that first lead. Is it a faux trumpet, or is it a synth? This timbre is walking that line where it is "too real to be fake and too fake to be real." This type of sound does a weird thing to my brain as I try to internally decipher what I'm hearing, and my brain goes back and forth between real and fake even though I know it's a synth. I feel like this lead sound is a very weak choice for this reason. I hear plenty of source up until 2:20. When the guitar solo begins, I still recognize the backing chord progressions, but the soloing takes the mix quite far away from the source for me. I know it is still there but it is REALLY interpreted during this second half. I adore the soloing, but I don't feel it is mixed all that well into the soundscape, it sounds a bit too loud/dry, giving it a "pasted on top" feeling. It could stand to come down just a hair in volume and have some early reflection reverb added to it, just a little bit. Honestly I'm right on the border of whether or not this track is passable. It is very groovy and well crafted but there are a couple of big issues I'm not sure I can get over: that first lead sound is one, and the guitar solo mixing and diversion from source material is another. I'm going to wait and see what some other Js think before voting. edit 5/16/15: Listening again. That trumpety lead is still bugging me, it's less about it being in the uncanny valley and more because I just think it is a weak sound, and it goes on for a loooooong part of the song. The timbre is too wide and reverby/delayed and it just lacks impact. It is a sound I would probably use as a countermelody or backing element instead of a lead. The guitar soloing is really very nice! But it still sounds pasted on top. I think this can be fixed fairly easily with a little less volume and a touch of early reflection reverb. I still feel like the arrangement goes off course away from source too much, but it flows well and the backing structure is there, so this squeaks by for me, source-wise. Larry feels like source is fine, so I feel confident with cosigning on that with him. I agree with DarkeSword and Palpable that the song intros pretty suddenly, this isn't a dealbreaker but it isn't optimal. I also feel like the ending is abrupt and not fully resolving. This is indeed a close call, but I feel like I have enough issues with it to warrant a request for a resub. I hope you do though, it's really nice overall. NO (resubmit please)

ReMixer name: sschafi1 Real name: Sean Schafianski E-mail: Submission Information Name of game(s) arranged: Chrono Trigger Name of arrangement: Kronos Name of individual song(s) arranged: Chrono Trigger Comments: Here's a funky take on the main theme of Chrono Trigger! This may or may not be inspired by the Bad Dudes, haha... Standard funk fare with funk kit, keyboard, slap bass, synth, guitar, and pad. Throw in a little funk guitar solo and you got yourself a funk chart! This track follows the same progression and pace as the original (I used sheet music from the OSV and jazzed up the chords a bit). This is actually the first track on my Chrono Trigger Jazz Arrange album, but I wanted to offer this piece for free to give people a taste of the arrangements I offer. What better way to distribute for free than OCR, right? Please, enjoy! ---------------------------------------------

Lots to like about this mix! I'm definitely hearing plenty of source, and I actually prefer it instrumental-style. I am liking the changes in mood throughout this piece. In the intro there are some bits of pad or something that seem off somehow, they sound off-key and just odd like they aren't releasing correctly, I'm not sure how to better phrase this, but the problem persists all the way from 0:00-2:28 when the electric guitars start. The acoustic guitars in the intro are lovely. The EP is also very nice. At 1:06, the drum kit sounds too heavy for the mood and the beats are generic. At 2:28, the hats are sounding loud, repetitive and distracting. The piano sounds quite stiff and quantized in this section. The piano sample isn't the best, but it sounds more humanized up until 1:36, at which point the piano writing becomes sort of predictable and stiffly quantized to the grid a bit too much. At 2:28 this stiffness/quantization really stands out, it feels like the piano timbre really doesn't fit well at that point, the writing doesn't fit with the faster drum pattern happening all the way until 3:31. Same issue at 3:31 though, with a slightly different drum pattern, and the constant crash is too loud and too samey. I'm really loving the solo at 4:20. This is the best part of the track yet! But the constant crashes are distracting during this section as well. At 5:15 we are back to the stiff piano, and the beats here are so plain, stiff and quantized, and the kit again doesn't fit this mood, it is too heavy. The lead writing in this section doesn't vary from the earlier section. I feel like there is a lot right with this track, but a few issues are holding it back for me. The piano sample isn't doing justice to this track since there is so much exposed piano throughout, and quite a bit of the piano writing is stiff and fake sounding and also repetitive and uninspired. The drum kit feels too heavy during the softer portions, and the drum writing is very stiff. Also, the pad weirdness in the intro. So, a few things to work on. Love that solo, though! NO (resubmit)

ReMixer name: sschafi1 Real name: Sean Schafianski E-mail: Submission Information Name of game(s) arranged: Drakengard 3 Name of arrangement: Ignus Name of individual song(s) arranged: Black Song/Kuroi Uta Comments: Being a huge fan of Keiichi Okabe and his work on NieR, I figured it was time to make a Drakengard 3 remix to commemorate this fantastic new game! This is a pop/rock arrangement of Black Song International. The original name is much longer but "International" means the same thing, haha. Here, you get a very good helping of the source material, so it is definitely not too liberal this time around. I bought the official piano book and used the exact same progression as the original source; it is a little longer than the original because of the added guitar solo. The arrangement starts mellow and slowly builds while gaining instrumentation, then bursts out into the rock section. After the guitar solo, it ritards and goes back to being mellow and slows down considerably at the end as per the original. I hope you all enjoy!

Dj Exias Shawn Badolian https://exias.bandcamp.com/ 25296 Game: Tombs and Treasures Remix Name: Akbal Resonance Original Songs: Ball Court, World Map Composer: Takahito Abe Platform: NES A friend of mine was really fond of this game growing up, and though I've never played it, I agreed to remix it for him. He was especially interested in a mix involving the ball court and world map themes, which is the focus of this song. At first I didn't know where to start, or how I was going to link the two completely different songs, but as time wore on ideas kept coming until this was made. One particular challenge was the fact that the originals were very, very short in length, so I knew I had to really do some work to make reach the 2:40 mark. That being said, it's a short song, but overall it carries itself well. --------------------------------------- Ball Court: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgd8jfHdueE World Map:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmztYf_s5Z4

Oh wow, this starts off so very cool. Really nice timbres used to establish the ice cave mood. Very nicely combined with the water temple material, very nice melding of the sources. I'm highly impressed by this. But just as I feel like the whole idea is getting established (as it is a slow burn build), the song is OVER, fadeout style. I can't sign off on this being a full enough arrangement. But I'd LOVE to hear this expanded with more arrangement ideas added, at the very least another full minute of material. NO (resubmit)

Your ReMixer name: Zas Your website: http://zazmusic.bandcamp.com/ Name of game(s) arranged: OoT, bitches Name of arrangement: Pale Blue Fire Name of individual song(s) arranged: Ice Cavern, Water Temple Howdy, this is partly a "proof I'm still alive and working on this" kinda thing but also one of the parts of the project I'm more proud of - it might seem slight at 2min, but there's a lot of content packed in there (zelda fans, count the references) and I tried to make it all as seamless as possible. It's also one of the prettiest parts of OoT that NEVER gets remixed, imo Anyway I'm wrapping up Gerudo and the endgame suite, and then some revisions to do, and this stupid project might actually be done! Somewhere around 2012 or 2013 or whatever I got something of a life, but thankfully I've lost it, so I can finally strangle this albatross and get back to what really matters: arranging obscure tracks by Yoko Kanno. Until next time! ice cavern: water temple:

No source after 3:10? But I hear Song of Healing so clearly! I protest! Ah, Brent's usual bizarre style. Sounds cool right away. You really know how to mangle timbres and set a mood. When the theme begins at 0:32, I'm not sold on this. The sequencing is purposely loose but to me it sounds sloppy. Honestly my biggest problem with this concept is that Saria's song still maintains its happy feel and it really doesn't fit... and sadly that ruins the whole effect for me. I can't get my mind around this much disconnect. In spite of the terrific timbre mangling, the soundscape feels too empty. Sometimes this works but here I really feel the emptiness instead of an artistic concept. At 2:00, the whole arrangement slows down to such a trickle. Yowza, such resonances in this section. I wish I liked this, but I don't. I'm sorry. This one just doesn't work for me at all, I wish I had something better to say. NO

Remixer name: Redg Real name: Brent Wollman My website: https://soundcloud.com/redg-sound UserID: 41181 Game arranged: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Name of arrangement: Slender Name of individual songs arranged: Saria’s Song ( ) Remix link: In response to nature’s beguiling calls, hearts flock together. A cryptic tongue encoded within gestures & songs; effortlessly deciphered. Breakdown: 0:00-0:32 - No source 0:32-0:53 – Main melody with some rhythmic liberties 0:53-1:17 - This is the B section from the source. Definitely reinterpreted a lot. The notes are the same, but the rhythm is very different. 1:17-1:38 – No source 1:38-2:00 – Main melody again 2:00-3:10 – B section again, this time much closer to the original. 3:10-Out – No source Saria Song of Healing

I've heard this one in it's recent wip form, and I'm thrilled to hear it completed here. You are getting better and better at establishing these really WIDE soundscapes... I love it! You're a master with these bell timbres too. I love what you've done with the Goldeneye pipe sample, I won't even bust you for overuse because you've effected it and it just sounds so damn cool. It is one of my favorite sfx ever. The mixing is really nice, this is the most lush sounding piece from you so far. It's really clean especially considering the amount of reverb used. That's a really low kick, it hits at a nice deep 50Hz, and you've separated it from the bass really well. One of my favorite sounds in the mix is that organ at 1:40, you've used it so subtly but that vibrato on the timbre is super cool. Then there's that pitch-bent Goldeneye. Nice. Source use is a bit nebulous in the first minute until I hear that first bit of Aquatic Ambience at 1:02, but I know you've used some source bits in the intro, and there is plenty of source throughout the rest of the mix. Overall this is quite a dreamy listen! You've added just the right amount of ear candy without overdoing it. I can listen to this on repeat and just space out! Nice work! YES

previous decision remixers: Chimpazilla and anterroir name of arrangement: 'A Stormy Affair' game remixed: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time source tunes: Song of Storms, Zelda's Lullaby Hey guys! This track is a collab that David (anterroir) and I wrote and submitted in 2011. I had only been doing music for about six months at the time. I learned so much from David during this track, I owe him so much. The track was rejected for a very good reason, no leads in the first half. Oops! I always loved this arrangement and I felt like it needed to be finished! The solos have been rewritten and/or improved, and I mixed it better and mastered it in Cubase. I think it is pretty groovy now, hope you do too! edit: I was waiting for someone to catch the fadeout ending!!! HAHAHA! Yes there's a dreaded fadeout. In my defense, this was one of the first tracks I ever wrote. Also, the fadeout is purposeful, and merely fades out backing elements after all the leads have signed off. DEAL WITH IT!!! (it will never happen again) edit again: Jivey, that "organ" thing is actually autopanning left and then right for a sort of delayed effect, but I can see how you find the left copy to be louder. And yeah, this will be the first-ever Zelda remix posted to OCR. Maybe you could do a Sonic remix, there aren't any of those here either. SoS: ZL:

Oooooh this is sounding really lush, nice intro and I'm loving the soundscape right away and those little synth arps are awesome. The first lead synth at 0:59 is really nice too, could be a touch louder. I'm hearing some nice creativity in the sound choices and gated bits and effects. The beats come off as pretty plain though, simple repeated patterns for a large part of the track. The snare is a bit distant. The mixing overall is somewhat messy with things bleeding together, especially during the busiest passages such as from 3:01-3:23, there are a lot of instruments playing at the same time, I think the track could benefit from another pass at the eq to clean things up since several sections are busy. There's a bit too much volume in the midrange, I want to say 500-1000ish Hz. The writing is actually pretty conservative. The arrangement starts to border on repetitive as things pick back up again around 2:47. I'd prefer if the lead (or something) changed at that point just to add sonic variation. There is a little bit of drum variation there which helps, but again this last section needs to be cleared up eq-wise. That midrange synth (playing blocked chords) is too loud and mid-ish and competes too much with the arp you have playing with it. The bass sounds pretty good, so I think if you tame that midrange synth(s), a lot of the issues I hear are going to resolve. The writing from 1:28-1:58 is a bit stagnant, most likely because the lead synth has no expressiveness and you're playing a lot of long notes. Also the track needs a proper ending, it seems like you just gave up on ideas at 4:00 and stopped writing! Needs some sort of resolution. I feel like this is close to passing with just a bit more work. I love the concept and hope you'll spiff it up just a bit for us! NO (resubmit)

-Krow -Jordan Dromi -https://soundcloud.com/sleepingforestartist -27586 -Chrono Trigger -Kingdom of Mysteries -Corridors of Time I don't have too much to say about this remix other than I finally came up with something I'm happy with. I had been trying for a while to get a feel for the source that I love so much in order to do it justice. I wanted to make it feel familiar, yet sound new and fresh. I feel like I ended up somewhere along those lines; it was fun to make regardless. There's elements borrowed from different genres of electronic music, so I hope there are things in it anyone can enjoy. ----------------------------------------------

Well howdy thar, Stevo! And a hearty welcome back to the Land of Inbox! What a lovely track, such a nice tone to that guitar. You are right, the upper end sounds luscious and the percussives are crystal clear. Beautiful performances and mixed super nicely and appropriately. I kinda wish there was some bass in here somewhere but I won't cry about it. The track stays in the same gear throughout, which is fine, but I sure would have liked at least one section that sounds totally different, like a super slow emo breakdown. Source use is just fine, sources are woven nicely together into a cohesive whole. YES

OCRemix Song Submission: Song name: Finding Somebody to Love in this Meager World Contact Information: Your ReMixer name – Level 99 Your real name - Various Your website – http://level99.nighthorsemedia.com Your userid – 13318 Submission Information Name of game(s) arranged – Final Fantasy Tactics Name of individual song(s) arranged – Delita's Theme, World Map, Hero's Theme Composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata Comments on the song: Well, it's been nearly 2 years since I last sent you an email, submissions inbox. I'm sorry I'm so bad at keeping up my end of the relationship. It's not you, it's me. I know I've treated you like you don't exist, and I'm going to try to make up for it now. Please take me back, baby. I miss your automated responses. Last Summer, I went on a quest to get a 12-String Acoustic Guitar. I found the one I wanted, but was a bit short on the funding to get it at that time. For the first time ever, I turned to my fans for help. In return for a small monetary contribution towards getting the guitar, I would make them a song of their choice using it. One fan in particular, Daniel Kaelin, donated and requested that I do an arrangement of Final Fantasy Tactics. He didn't care which song I did, just do something from Final Fantasy Tactics. (Oh boy, I haven't gotten any better at not writing essays for submission emails, have I?) Here's the thing with Final Fantasy Tactics: I am scared to death of arranging it. The music is so complex, and layered, and perfect basically as it is. It is source material that I am afraid to touch simply because I feel like I will most likely not do it the justice it deserves. The first arrangement I ever made, back in 2004 for vgmix 2 was an arrangement of FFT. I didn't even know what I was doing back then, and once I started learning about what I was doing, I just didn't want to do FFT again until I felt competent. With this remix request from Dan, I no longer had a choice about it. This is nothing but guitars. I recorded my-my-my-my Mitchell 12-string into a MXL 990 powered by Focusrite Saffire 6 USB preamps. There's a total of 6 guitars playing at one time max. The main chunk of the song is Delita's theme, with the bridge being the World Map partially incorporating the Hero's Theme motif. The ending is Delita's theme with the Hero motif modified on top of it. Should be plenty of source usage by OCR standards. I am absolutely in love with this guitar's sound. I try to utilize all aspects of acoustic guitar sounds, and now with this new axe, I can really make the high end harmony shine while exploring the additional percussive aspects the additional strings provide. Anyways, hope you enjoy the remix, and I'll hopefully send more again soon. Stay well, inbox! Delita: World map: Hero's theme:

I'm paneling this mainly because I'm not familiar with these sources and I'm struggling just a bit in hearing the sources in the mix. A little extra J help is appreciated. This is a well crafted mix as per usual from Brandon. I think the synth lead at 1:37 might be the weakest aspect in the mix, it fits in the least with the other instrumentation (there are no other synth instruments in the whole mix), and it sounds a little thin against the heavy rhythm guitars. I'd love more synth accents, but that's just an opinion. This isn't my favorite mix from Brandon, it feels a bit "by the numbers" if I'm totally honest. It is well done but plays it safe in many ways. Still, quite a nice track, performances are solid. As long as source use checks out, I'm a YES

Whoo!! Game Boy album song, but the album will be out before this gets to you! Game: Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors (Game Boy Color, 2002 Infogrames) Composer: Katsunari Kitajima, Hiroshi Taniguchi, Katsuzo Sugihashi, Yosuke Kinoshita Sources: Prologue, Solemn Moment, Game Over 1. 2. 3. Title: Super Sand Legend 0:00 - 1:24 = Prologue 1:37 - 2:16 = Game Over 2:18 - 2:35 = Prologue (1:23 in source, loose, source is mess) 2:39 - 3:23 = Game Over 3:28 - End = Solemn Moment I remember when I was a kid, I'd always get off the school bus, run to the TV and flip on Toonami so I could catch the latest episode of someone powering up. Will he ever power up? Find out next time! As for me, I feel like I powered up a lil' on this one, at least during the middle heavy part. The nice acoustic parts were more like a power down! Whooo! Well, the acoustic parts are like the Kaio-ken and the heavy bit is full-on Super Saiyan. I loved writing and performing this one, especially dat ending. It was a very fulfilling experience, would do again. The great thing about this song, and Super Chai Tea Latte, is that I recorded them with totally fresh strings... not the usual dead strings used out of laziness or lack of inventory. I definitely think using fresh strings improves the sound quality. I've never actually played this game, but when I was growing up, I lived Dragon Ball Z, so I just HAD to tackle this. Not to mention I had claimed it years ago when The_Damned and Willrock were running this dern album. I could have sworn I used that ending riff in an original song, but I couldn't figure out which one, so maybe I didn't. But I thought I was copying the original song the whole time I "wrote" that acoustic guitar part. Dear goodness..... And now I don't think I can use the riff.... can I? I mean, I JUST used it, but I mean in an original song. That kinda blows my mind, to be honest. Prologue: Game Over: Solemn Moment: