Bowlerhat

I personally think that when you make music, especially for a non-profit kind of thing like ocr, it's actually really important to see as much reviews as possible to your remix. Not necessarily to improve, but because it can be really motivational to see people like your music. And then not just some "wow, I really like this", but at least a "wow, I really like this, because..." kind of response. My mum says she likes my music, but she can't give as fine a reason as a fellow vgm lover that actually knows what I'm remixing. Seeing people liking your stuff, and besides that also knowing what you're actually doing, is so much cooler than just hearing some random bloke saying he/she likes your mix. And I think that the review panel is a really good place for that kind of thing. As I'm relatively new to this place I don't know how it was in its days of supposed glory, but I do know that right now it isn't really as nice as it could be.
But, since I've never left a review myself, I don't really have any right to speak... Although, I think that after reading this topic I just might start doing it.

Like I said, every major DAW is pretty much great these days. Even Logic which I personally dislike working in. You can't go wrong. They all borrow so many features from each other that it really is a subtle flavor difference.

Hmmm, so much options...
Democratically speaking, logic sounds like the best pick, but since I also still have to buy Sibelius, new speakers, clothes and pay €400 of service costs for my new room I think it'll have to wait a few months. In the meantime I'll try some of those free trial versions.
Thanks for the dawesome advice, people!!

Hmm, I personally feel like there are a few odd things harmonic wise, in the mix. 
 
At 00.47, when the bongo's come in, there's some clashing between the main lead and the II-V-I chord progression. It just doesn't sound very natural, the combination that is. Because later at the epic organ solo it sounds fine. The ending is pretty abrupt harmonic wise, too.
 
And, this might be a personal thing, but I'd personally choose a different instrument than the violin to play the melody at the loungy bridge thingy. It fits the melodic vibe, but considering that you're using a double bass, organ, bongo's and synths I'd expect something more loungier, like a flute or a trumpet. But using a violin is interesting as well, so it isn't really that important. You should lower the volume of every last note of the musical sentences, though. It may be the most important note, but I think you're accentuating it a little too much right now.
 
But, nonetheless, this is really good!! 

Ok, so I'm back. Gotta do some stuff, yeah. And so the project is active again.

Hey all!
 
Obligatory 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHRONO TRIGGER'S NA RELEASE post
 
While we had hoped to release the album in time for the 20th anniversary of Chrono Trigger's NA release, we have some exciting updates to share!
 
-The album titled has been officially set as Chronology: A Jazz Tribute to Chrono Trigger
 
-All but two tracks have been sent off for post production! We are getting very close to having the music finished.
 
-Jorik Bergman (Bowlerhat) has signed on to play flute on a tune for the album.
 
-djpretzel will be helping us to get a website up and going for the release!
 
That's all for now folks! We hope to be getting a trailer out to you sometime in early autumn. Stay tuned!

I would add more variation in the left hand so that you aren't doing the three-hit pattern (with one note with your pinkie and then two chords with your middle finger and thumb) as often. I've been hearing that throughout pretty much the entire piece. Maybe switch to arpeggios every now and then (wherever it makes sense), or switch up the overall rhythm.
 
I do hear that you've added your own chord alterations, which is a plus, and 3:07 - 3:15 was a good example of varying your pacing.
 
I don't know if 3:00 - 3:01 was intentional, but it feels out of the key.

How is your recording setup? Are you doing it on a single microphone, or did you set one up close to the inside of the piano and one outside to catch the ambiance? If not, a two-microphone setup can help you capture both the meat of your performance as well as the ambiance, with which you can mix in such a way as to make it sound as balanced as you need it to be. Just make sure that the two microphones are recording onto two separate tracks.

Hope that helps!

If you really want to do it well, try reading this article.
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan08/articles/pianorecording_0108.htm
 
Like Gario suggested, it would be optimal to have two mics. One to capture the ambience of the room, and one to capture the direct sound of the piano. For example, an omnidirectional mic helps you capture the ambience and width of the sound.

+1 on modifying your mic setup.  There are tons of article out there on techniques and methodologies.  Choose the one that best suits your capabilities (your room, your piano, your recording device/interface) and give it another go.  The performance was rather nice actually.  You play quite well.  I think the reverb just assaulted the details of what it could have been, so it is hard to judge things beyond that.  When it comes time to remix and you want to touch the reverb, look to Pensado for some tips (http://www.pensadosplace.tv/category/into-the-lair/).  Some of his vocal reverb advice is magical on piano.

Looking forward to the next take through a multi-mic setup!  Keep at it!

I like the arrangement, it is very nice.
 
The tone however is too hollow. There is too much reverb, it sounds too distant. Piano tone by itself should sound more like this
 
Did you record this through mic or use midi?
 
I hear some mistakes, which leads me to believe this is recorded. Recording a piano piece through microphone is really difficult, because you have to practice the piece for at least two weeks or even more depending on the length and difficulty. One small mistake and you have to redo everything. It's not like you can do various takes and take the best parts out of each take. And this is 5 minutes, which is fairly long.
 
There are some amazing piano VSTs and sample bacnk for free online (again I am assuming you recorded this with a microphone). Doing this with a great software piano instrument and fixing the mistakes through midi would sound a lot better.

Just edit the first post and add a Mod Review tag to the first tag on the list. Use the Full Editor and you'll see it.

I tend to travel quite a lot, which restricts practising multiple instruments. It's possible to pack my flute in my bag, but if I have to take my singing books, piccolo and trumpet with me as well than it gets harder. And then I'm not even mentioning the impossibility to pack a grand piano... So I mostly break up my practice sessions on conveniability. Which results in some pretty desastrous situations. Since I've been in Oslo for almost two weeks now I haven't touched a single instrument except a crappy recorder I tried out at some marketplace! And because before I went to Oslo I was in Malmö (Sweden), and also had exams in Leiden (The Netherlands) I haven't touched my trumpet for over 2 months. My advice for other people with similar problems as me is to practise music that doesn't require any physical instrument efficiently. I train my transcribingskills while listening to music in the train or plane. By combining absolute pitch, intervals, recognising chordprogressions and an iPod you can get pretty far. And if you don't have absolute pitch you can at least practise your intervals and such. With knowledge like that I just do the arranging in my head and work it out on actual instruments when its possible. And of course, you can sing scales and such wherever you are. And then, when I'm back at home I can do some hardcore trumpet playing, spent at least an hour a day on the piano and still have time left for some actual recording because I already did all of the arranging in my head. It's perhaps not the best way from a schedular perspective, but it works for me and it's better than trying to pack your piano.