2manygentlemen

Yeah! So much progress! Not. (Finals week can do that to a body.) It's something, though. Next update will feature the entirety of the original song and even some dynamics. Probably could use some thicker instrumentation, as well. Would that be the case? That said, I don't anticipate the next update taking an entire week like this one did, optimistically. I foresee the remix as a whole being finished sometime before the 26th century, so don't completely count it out.

Thanks for the feedback, PixelPanic (and belated thanks to C7)! By the click, I'm guessing you meant the clave-like thing. I've made it much quieter, and also tried to make other parts louder, now. Also, another section has been finished. Haven't messed with any dynamics or stuff, yet, but I will heed your advice regarding the intro. If I work diligently, I could have another update in a couple hours. (I wouldn't hold your breath, though.)

Actual progress has been made. I did more revision on the intro and now have actually added more of the song. There's also some organ and more synths, as well as an improved (IMO) bass patch and a more fitting percussion pattern. Actually many instruments were redone with Synth1. Yeah, pretty slow progress, but I've been strapped for free time lately and I AM trying to make this a quality mix.

I've done some more work on the intro, trying to make the instruments more interesting and creating a more varied percussion part. Also, the tempo has been lowered some, if mainly to account for the percussion being more syncopated. It's still just the intro, but hopefully, better than before. Still a long ways to go, but it's progress, at any rate. BTW, most of the instruments were done by me with TAL-Elek7ro and clearsynth, except the E-piano (Used a LazySnake preset modified its parameters around) and the drums (used TS-808) Would you say this is a step up? (Next, I'm going to do the rest of the original theme and sort of build around that. Also, I think I'm going to end up adding more to it before this part, for more of a building-up effect. Good plan?)

I've begun work on my first real remix, that being of the super awesome Port Town theme from the original F-Zero. I've only got the intro, so far. Obviously, I've got plenty of work ahead of me, but in the meantime, what do you think about the direction (or lack thereof) I've got going so far? Is this an alright start? What would you say is working and what isn't? Feel free to lay down the criticism; I am all ears!

What are your feelings regarding use of samples, soundfonts, and presets? Do you find a mix to be of lesser value if these are used, as opposed to an author making their own patches and/or recording physical instruments?

I'm no veteran, but I do love Mario Kart. Would it be alright with you if I join in and do Airship Fortress? Or Waluigi Pinball, if it has to be a song from your list. (If this is something that is for the far-ish future, I could cover both, I bet. Your call, though.)

So much truth in that statement. Also, F-Zero GX has some amazing tunes. 2003 is still modern, right?

I dunno if it'd be exactly what you're looking for, but I've found Snorgan to be cool to screw around with.

I like the additions you've made; it's really added to the remix. The throwback to the original with the NES-ish instrumentation is especially good. All I've got to say is to keep adding to it; listening to this mix ends up making me hungry for more.

I like what you've got going, so far. The overall style is quite pleasing to the ears, and sounds like something you'd hear in Extreme-G (assuming you've heard its soundtrack), especially the new section you put in (0:54-1:20). I think the transition from the aforementioned part back to the original song was a bit abrupt, but otherwise, I've got only positive things to say about it. (Actually, 1:57 to the end does sound a bit sparse, but I'm guessing that's going to be elaborated on; is that so?)

I thank you guys for the guidance. I've now been messing around with TAL-Elek7ro II for a bit and using what I've learned so far about subtractive synthesis, I've been able to actually get some cool sounds out of it. Also, Rozovian: Props to your making that guide. It's full of solid information. It's actually making me feel like I have an idea as to what I'm doing.

I'm quite new to messing around with synths and remixing in general, and would like to get a start with operating synths, so I'm not just relying on presets/samples/soundfonts. What freeware vsts would you most highly recommend for someone looking for something real basic, user-friendly, and easy-to-understand? Something that can cover a decent variety of needs (like being able to make leads, basses, and even percussion), or something specialized to be real solid for one type of sound (like being built specifically for basses, for example), would be especially appreciated.

The doctor's prescribed you a diet! The Dr Pepper Diet, that is! I've been a fan of this site and its contents for years and years; only now, though, have I really gotten the nerve to join in and try my hand at remixing. I've no real experience, besides screwing around with MIDIs and percussion IRL, but I'm eager to learn and open-minded! Mega Man, Sonic, and F-Zero, mainly have brought me great joy through their music. Prog rock and jazz are also genres that really appeal to me. Anyhow, I hope to learn a lot and have fun!