jordanrooben

Alright, here's the next version. I tried to fix everything you guys said, but I am terrible with drums so I don't know how well that aspect came out. Anyway, I want to leave the primary drum pattern in for source usage, but I did change the drums during the initial solo. Here: http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/chozo-ruins-v-2

Alright guys, this last update was tough! I don't know if it's OCRemix quality, but I'm pretty burnt out with this track. Did I fix the scale clash issues? I can't tell. Is the arrangement good now? Anyway, depending on how you guys like this new version, I'll do one final mod review or submit it as is, if it has a shot at getting accepted. Here's the link: http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/kystal-lullaby-final-version

Thanks! I can hear what you mean about the lead at 1:15, but I'm not completely sure what *should* go there instead. The one at 2:36 is not actually sampled from the game, but it does sound like the synth from the game, which is why I kept it. Yeah, in the next version, I'll try to shorten the ending a bit also.

A lot of this mix came about from experimenting with different rhythm and pad samples from Evolve: Mutations in the Komplete pack. Enjoy! http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/chozo-ruins-v-1 Version 2: http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/chozo-ruins-v-2 Version 3: http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/chozo-ruins-version-3

I remember this from a while ago! I think I saw it on youtube at some point. Sweet! Really nice work here! The intro sounds a little bit empty in my opinion, and in later parts of the song, when you have mostly drums and the lead playing, it has the same problem. The piano sample you have sounds somewhat flat to me, though that's partly due to the fact that it's in a high octave. Love the arp synths late in the song. My biggest problem with the arrangement, is that it doesn't feel like it progresses very far. There's some awesome buildup and string writing, but it seams to plateau before the interlude, and then stays around that energy level until it ends. Later on it gets a bit repetetive. Needs moar strings! I really hope you keep working on this, it's really awesome so far!

Agreed on all points. Not enough remixes from the Elder Scrolls series in particular. The problem with the sound, is that the original is a relaxing down-tempo orchestral piece, and this is electronic. To be honest, the transition here isn't bad at all after the intro, and first minute or so. Having melody fragments at a higher tempo during the beginning sounds a bit unprofessional to me. The intro feels somewhat empty; like something is missing. Once the song kicks into gear, it sounds much better. The drums are nice! I think that you might want to try to replace the first lead with something more full. The guitar soloing is awesome. The soloing based off of the source is cool too. When the source melody returns, the bell doesn't seem to be powerful enough compared with he rest of the soundscape. The Coda is cool too, though it feels slightly too short. I think that your biggest issue is handling the intro, and making sure that the melody fits the style without sounding unprofessional. Overall, it's a cool track once you get past the intro.

Alright, new version ready. Enjoy! http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/kystal-lullaby-7

Well, this is pretty awesome! Reminds me of Kamelot, particularly Ghost Opera. The choir, and orchestra elements are super-sweet. It's a bit on the repetitive side, but in my opinion, the added soloing, and dynamics make it plenty interesting to listen to. I can't say anything about the mixing/mastering because I only have access to low-quality speakers right now. I love it arrangement wise though. Do I hear something from Castlevania (bloody tears?) near the beginning of the last quarter, and right after the intro?

Agreed on the drums. Some organic acoustic drums would do better here. Especially those shakers. Around 2:00 there's no solid lead until around 30 seconds into that section. Maybe if you put more emphasis on some of the backing tracks, it would feel less lead less. Great work with adding some energy in that section. The harp lead solo(?) sounds great. Nice piano at the end. It could use a bit more length there though. Overall, there's not a whole lot of higher pitches, or much low pitch stuff. The lowest I noticed in my first listen, was the warm pad. The harp, or maybe the flute would be the highest instrument, but none of them go too far from the mid-range. That gives it a watery feel, but also a semi-muddy one. All that however, is just my opinion. Great start here! The pads and choir are quite nice. They sound natural. Good luck!

I think this might have a shot at getting accepted, or at least a repost decision, so I'm putting this on mod review before I submit it.

I just added a new version. http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/kystal-lullaby-4 It's got a lot of new stuff.

New (sorta) version.

Yay! One of my favorite tracks. Here's my thoughts: Up until the melody at ~1:00, the song is divided between a creepy atmosphere, the relaxing synth "leads" and the percussion. The percussion doesn't really fit with the other two timbres. They're very "fake" sounding, while the other timbres are synthetic, but in an organic way. I really like the atmosphere you set up, but the drums sound like they're hacking it apart. Those pizzicato strings (if that's what they are) could work, but the samples you used are unrealistic. You could try using a synth instead. I believe that you have some new material during this section. Regardless, I like it. The fade-in for the lead is okay, but that method has been overdone, and frankly, there could be a better transition. I have absolutely no experience with dubstep outside of a couple songs her on OC, so I can't critique that aspect of it. It may be in keeping with the style, but the drums are totally overshadowed by the bass. It could be a good idea to add more punch to them. Around 2:20 you have some good sounds, but the drums again clash with the timbre of the leads. It may just be my opinion, but the first bass actually kinda works. The drums could also use some variety. Kudos on not muddying up the lower frequencies. The bass does override some of the lead though. The transition around 3:10 works, but is a bit rough. Maybe having some notes extend into the first 1/2 a bar or so of the next section. The gradual pitch drop into the next section is cool. Around 3:30 you have a good idea with a lower tempo section, but the drums sound like they're dying and the lead sounds like it's forced into being slower. When you enter the coda, having the drums simply stop is distracting. Maybe add a pattern that ends them, or even another pitch drop would be better. The coda itself, is nice and atmospheric. It's simple so there's not much to critique that I can tell. I would however, not cut the song off. Have the notes end and fade out before stopping the song. Adding a bar or two can cause it to be much smoother. You have some good ideas, and this is far from a bad track, but you need some work on merging the two timbres/styles. Good luck! You've got a good source here by the way.

Besides the cheesy title, this is my best wip yet. Listen, enjoy, and review! Version 1: http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/kakariko-village-3

I'm usually not a fan of vocal VGM music or high-pitched vocals, but this mix is completely amazing. I really can't express it, but there's something ethereal about this song. Wow.. just... wow.

To be honest, I think that for the style this track is in, I'm happy with having it staying around the same energy level. It is after all, a lullaby (mostly). Keep those reviews coming!

Bump to clarify that there's a new version in the OP.

Bump for update.

First, I highly recomend not using youtube for anything if you want feedback on the track. Mainly, because I can't tell if it's poorly mixed, or if you tube totally destroyed the quality. The intro sounds cool, but that vocal clip, while creepy enough (and I feel that you're trying to play on that), is not used well. For the first ~30 seconds, you build up energy, and then chop the whole volume down for the vocal clip. And, after it, the volume and energy jumps right back to where it was. If you want to have a clip like that, I recommend not lowering the volume, but instead have only drums, or chords playing at the same volume under the vocal clip. After the intro, when your lead guitar comes in, it sounds pretty cool. I don't have too much experience with sampled guitars, but it sounds like it's sampled to me. Mainly, because it's stays at pretty much the same velocity for the entire time it's playing. You should try to humanize it. You have sections in there where the backing leaves, and the lead plays another melody. I would advise you to use a different sample, or change the octave for the lead in those sections, because the way you have it, there's not much variety. The drums sound muffled. That could be because you have too much reverb/effects, or it could be flat samples. They also are a bit quiet. I know that it's common in this genre for the drums to be quiet, but you may want to consider making them a little bit louder. That though, is just my opinion. Finally, there's not much dynamics, or variety in the arrangement. You use the same samples for the whole track, and while that's not bad, it lends itself to being somewhat boring. The real problem IMO, is that all the stuff stays at the same octave levels. You could easily raise or lower the guitar by an octave in certain sections. I definitely like how you have sections where the backing is absent, and you have what sounds like wind or something. You're on the right track there, but, and again, this is just my opinion, you should make them a little bit longer, and do something to the guitar to make it stand out. Keep in mind though, that some of the things I said may not actually be problems. Try putting it on soundcloud, or box, or tindeck and see if you have the same volume issues. Overall, you have a good start. None of the samples are fake-y sounding (except possibly the drums), and if they really are samples, isn't exactly easy to accomplish. The de-tuned end is a nice touch, but because it's also a fade-out ending, is a bit cheesy. The vocal clip is a bit unnerving too. Good luck!

When you're humanizing tracks, when and how should long sustained notes be humanized? Are there times when i'ts not important to humanize them?

This is the first time I've ever fully humanized a song, so I'd love some feedback on that aspect. Listen, enjoy, and review! Version 1: http://soundcloud.com/jordanrooben/desert-waltz-teehee-valley

Haha! Great! It's great to see someone sticking with their track, and producing steady updates! And, I have to say, It's paying off with this track. I love what you did with the transitions. The delayed notes at the beginning are a nice touch to keep the intro interesting. You have some pretty decent sounds too. The drums though, don't fit. At least IMO. They sound too hi-fi in the middle of the chippy atmosphere. I would listen to the drums on this song, and try to see if you could mimic it somehow. I like how you altered the melody, and the chords. It makes it new, and fresh. The bass section around 2:13 is pretty cool and glitchy. I think the biggest issue with your arrangement is that it's too basic. There are sections that are fuller, but as a whole it's quite sparse. I would try to have parts for at least high, mid, and low ranges. With chiptunes like this, you could even try having two different patterns playing with a stereo seperation. The interlude, is cool, and one of the best parts. I like the string(like) sounds in the background, and the lead there is nice. My biggest concern, honestly, is just that it feels somewhat incomplete because it's so sparse. It's got plenty of potential, and you've made good progress though!

Well, you're right. Its thr krozoa palace music. Thanks!

Bump for a new update. I put all the details of what I changed in the OP. Listen, review, and enjoy!

Um... Wow! That's amazing. I really liked the shift into electronic, and how you brought it back to orchestral at the end. The only thing at all I could say to improve would be that the beginning is a bit muddy sounding (to me).