Magellanic

What a fantastic debut. Very close to the original, but its such an enjoyable mix. Really captures the feel of the original source but seems to highlight a longing and melacholic emotion. The steady tempo definitely contributes the most to that feeling. Regardless of there being less personal interpretation arrangement-wise than newer mixes, there is still a hell of a lot of sixto's personal touches here. There is no denying it holds his characteristic style. I think any Castlevania fan would spend quite a while with this on repeat.

A really well co-ordinated orchestral/rock/electronica amalgamation. This mix has really exploited all my weaknesses. Searing metal leads, expansive orchestral soundscape at the beginning and a fantastic synth solo. Really enjoyable mix. The enjoyability factor here is high (as is the energy), its just good, rockin' fun. The balance between personal interpretation and original source material is just spot on. There certainly is no excess fat in this arrangement.

Oh yeah, definitely. I always like to clean up stuff. Its just once I get the production and such up to scratch the only thing that would make me think its not worth subbing, is the arrangement (structure, not instrumentation) and I'm not going to alter that as I feel it is what it is. Thanks for the extra ideas, I'll definitely experiment once I return to it

Yeah, that does indeed. I'll be even more excited now when the trailer appears. Thanks Stevo

So excited to see this. If it wasn't for the final tracks being due so soon I would certainly audition for one of those free tracks. Having said that, if you are wanting more tracks Fishy, just let me know and I'll russle something up. If what I come up with isn't polished enough, no problem, I'll still have a track at the end of it. Does this mean though that with the end in sight that there will be a trailer on the horizon?

Thanks for the feedback guys, its appreciated. I'm gonna leave it for a few days to see if I get anymore feedback and get a fresh perspective on it. I'll post an update and then see if anyone thinks its worth subbing or marking as mod review

Here are a couple of photos from the panel. I also have some links at the bottom of this post to some more pictures if you'd like to see them. I thought it'd be nice for you to also see some pics along with the videos even though they aren't as exciting. http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel1.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel10.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel3.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel2.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel4.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel5.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel7.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel8.jpg http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g461/MrLidawg/OCRPanel9.jpg I can also provide the photos all in higher quality if you would like. I didn't upload them in full quality simply because I don't have bandwith allowance and didn't want the thread to take an age to load. There are a few others but they aren't really of anything more than what I've linked. edit: Not a problem, it was great to be a part of it

Hey, thanks a lot for the feedback Mono. I wish I'd waited a bit now before subbing to experiment with your feedback. I will anyway though as I do like to try out different things. If this doesn't get past the panel then I have some excellent feedback to go on in addition to the judges comments. I never would have thought in a million years I'd have my music defined as sexellent, so that's made my day haha

I respect the shameless plug and also appreciate the feedback I do prefer the alternate ending version. Gario has pretty much said what I would say. It needs more change-ups or even a change down. Break-down the textures you have and give them the spotlight for a bit. Take some of the accompaniment bits out for a bit then bring them back in. If you are wanting more variation, vary the accompaniment parts, not just the leads. Having said that though, I think you could move the lead to different instruments. It switches between the same two instruments and their fairly similar in timbre. Perhaps move one into a different octave or ideally get a new instrument in there to take on the lead and give the others a break. Even in a chilled mix like this, you can have a build and release of tension. The production is really good on this and it has a fantastic feel. I'd say the biggest thing is again what Gario was saying. You need to have a bit of direction, use transistions between the sections or emphasize them more. Transitions may be short but they help lead the listener and give defiition to the structure. If you're having difficulty in coming up with a new lead instrument, layer some together. Layer the current lead with something else for some sections then take it away to give some variety. Its good stuff bud just keep doing more Edit: Monobrow replied just before I replied. Follow her advice and you won't go far wrong hehe

Haha, yeah.....its bad I only noticed that after you pointed that out.

Glad you like them, they were fantastic to watch live Hopefully you'll be able to join us at the next one Chernabogue

Cheers for the feedback bud, always appreciated I've done a quick update as I think what is throwing the timing a bit is the Hi-hats. I've altered the rhythm at the start. It eases you in better I think before it starts goin' wild. I've increased the reverb on the lead guitar and reduced some of the reverb on other parts though there is soo little used in this track. Any way, hopefully this sounds a little better. Also, let me know if you think the arrangement is substantial for a submission. If it is I may tweak the production and such further but if not I think I'll leave it as it is as I'm pretty happy with it Remix: http://db.tt/mS7UW0IO

So another week and another competition remix is completed. I'm not too good at rushing through remixing and getting a decent mix within a week so I like to clean them up a bit. My previous compeition mix wasn't particuarly substantial arrangement-wise but I feel this one has more depth and substance. I've re-recorded the guitars, tightened up other parts that were out of time and spent far too much of my time on the produciton. The sources Knight Man: Mr. X Fortress: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt6y2E31y-Y Before entering the gauntlet I'd never mixed sources so that alone I found a challenge. Getting the themes to flow and not sound isolated was a bit of a challenge but I think I managed to get a coherant piece of music out of it. Remix: Check latest Post I'm basically posting here to get some feedback on it and to see if its worth submitting. If the arrangement isn't long enough or diverse enough then I won't bother subbing it as I can't really change it. The mix is as it is.

I have nothing to add really. Well, apart from one thing but I don't think it really affects the track in any massive way. I feel like the acoustic lead at 2:29 could be a bit more lilting. Its a tad mechanical. Saying that the vocal performance is just fantastic, the intonation is pretty much spot on. Its very impressive as the end section sounds like its a difficult part to sing. A lot of passion and a lot of heart in the performance. I love your voice Claire. Good job guys, I'd love to be able to give you something more substantial but nothing is really jumping out at me that could improve this.

Was really enjoyable and great meeting all you guys. OCR got a fantastic reception at the convention. In regard to footage, I've got videos of WillRock's and Fishy's (sorry, Cain's) performances My camera ain't that fancy so only had enough space on the ole' memory card to record the music. I have plenty of photos of the panel though. I'll upload everything tomorrow for you to have a gander.

Just thought I'd post to say this is really good. Great atmosphere captured. Its nicely expanded but retains the feel of the original.

I like it a lot.....I could always do falsetto vocals for you? In all seriousness though, I hope you find a vocalist as this will be lush.

Really looking forward to the next round and definitely excited for some more 80's lovin'. Thanks to all those who gave feedback btw. Its nice to know that even when havin' lame week I can make something that some people can enjoy. Thanks a lot to Helios for a very very encouraging review. Was feelin' quite low after the last round as the mix didn't quite end up as I wanted. Once this week is over I'll most likely iron out all the kinks and get the mix sounding good.

That sounds all good to me Also, if anyone does want my number for Saturday just drop me a PM.

I was just wondering if you guys were meeting before the panel or just gonna meet at the time of the panel? I'm just asking as I will be coming on me lonesome. Would be cool just to chill a bit and check out some of the convention. Am really looking forward to it and hearing the live music

I'm so behind on my OCR listening but having just given this a whirl and love it. This is a superb track with lots of variety, interest and solid writing. There is much to enjoy here with crazy solos and chiptuney goodness.

Nice intro. You've managed to nail the atmosphere you wanted. In general though I feel like the mix needs to be softer and smoother. The bell like sounds and such are perfect but lack some dynamic and variety. I think you could introduce one more synth to add contrast by taking a turn with the lead lines. The transition at 0:44-50 transition needs more work. Its a little bit sudden and feel like it could be made a bit smoother and seemless. Perhaps extending a leading line from 00:47 to the main melody at 00:49 would solve that. Once it hits 00:52 I think to continue the dreaminess some more it'd be great to leave out the bass drum/bass or fitler them and then bring it in later to give more impact. Even for a gentle approach, having subtle high's and lows can really add to the piece. The really high lead synth at 00:58 could be made more delicate and atmospheric by reducing the voices. It can still sound sparkley but by having a synth that high, playing a monophonic line would really emphasize the dreamy sonic-space. 2:27 works really well as a contrast to all the high pitched notes of before but I feel that the contrast is too late within the song. I reckon that you could have some lower counter-melody/accompaniment parts appear earlier to give some relief to the listener. If you can get a sound which is rich, warm and smooth it won't break up your dreamy soundscape. It might also enable you to give more expression. I feel like there could be more rising and falling within the phrases of the lead lines to give the mix that little bit more expression. Anywho, I can't really offer anything more than that as I'm having to make do with listening on my gf's laptop but hopefully that gives you something to experiment with Its a really good mix and with some extra polishing could end up being a really strong submission. Oh and in regards to the highs being bright, I don't think that is soley a production thing. I think there needs to be more contrast within the ranges used but I already mentioned some stuff about that before.

Wow, that's some impressive mouse soloing