JJT

Great atmosphere. However, the mixing needs some serious work, and I'd definetly think about replacing that flute sample in the section starting at 1:17. The way it phrases those melodic lines sounds really awkward and distracting. This mix has a lot going for it, but the muddiness/distortion is holding it back. I'd love to hear a resubmit of this track, cuz I actually like the concept and the groove is soothing. NO, RESUBMIT

This will make a nice addition to the site! Reminds me especially of Thom Yorke's solo album, The Eraser. Very ambitious in a non-polished sort of way. Not only that, but you pull it off well. Thanks for the resub! YES

In agreement with the other judges. Everytime you kick into a new section, my ears perk up and start paying attention to the direction the mix goes in. However, once it hits that source melody again, it sounds like you're just rehashing the same idea, and I get dissapointed. Re: synth design, yeah isn't groundbreaking, but I think it's appropriate for what you've set out to do. Not a huge issue for me. This is a fantastic start, just throw some more variety into how you interpret the source material itself, and that may push this over the bar. Best of luck if you decide to resubmit. NO, RESUB

The sequenced acoustic guitar is as convincing and well done as the piano is fake and distracting. After listening 5-6 times, these were the strongest impressions that I took from this mix. The arrangement, though conservative, is both compelling and emotive. Overall, the concept is executed well. Pixie's comments on the kick drum are spot on...I would really like that entrance to punch me in the face a little bit more. As I said, my biggest complaint is the piano, which sounds too dry and mechanical to blend well with the other elements in the sound field. This is a great effort, but there's still room to improve. YES

I'm gonna have to just rehash what Larry and Jill are saying. Check the submission guidelines. NO

Well son, you've got the gift. This track has a pocket, and it actually swings! I would say about 85% of our submissions that attempt swing don't even come close to laying down the kind of groove you achieved. Nice work on the basslines, too. As far as sample quality goes, the bass, oboe(?) and drum samples are the only major voices that are passable, IMO. The piano part is well thought out from a harmonic perspective, but it sounds really glitchy and gated. Basically, your sequencing needs some more work. Larry and Jesse's concerns re: arrangement are also valid. Aspire to more than just a genre adaption + solo section. The parts where you're branching out from the source are the strongest, IMO. Give us MORE. This was one of the more pleasant suprises I've heard since I joined the panel. I like your vibe, just make the arrangement and the production live up to the concept. NO

Solid. My only complaint is the drums which somehow sound a step below general MIDI. I'm not even sure how that works. The sequencing is fine, its just the hi-hat and cymbols that are particularly bad. You could find MUCH better samples on the 'net for free without looking too hard. Anyways... I can see a lot of people really digging this track. It rocks, and the playing is as good as the tone. I would gladly place this on the proverbial alter in tribute to the proverbial pagan gods of rawk. You get the idea. Nice work. YES

at times this sounded like something an SNES would generate. to my ears anyway. the production on this one is holding it back more than the arrangement (though the arrangement is a bit too conservative IMO). The piano sample could be improved a LOT without having to surf the net very hard. The strings are very lo-fi and Jesse is right about the attack being off. definetly not the worst we've heard, but this isn't gonna cut it in its current state. NO

um yeah. the backing synth parts might as well be ripped straight from the source. electric guitar covering the synth melody line. GM-ish drums. there's not any interpretation going on here. if you want to retool this for OCR, i'd suggest adding some variation to the melody, harmony, etc. We don't take covers. NO

Oh, whoops. For some reason I completely mis-read your post. "Last song to be put in the archives" became "last song that was posted" in my muddled head. Never fear, Dueling Consoles is safe and sound. Though I'm still pissed I got out-voted on "Figaro Chiptune."

http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01485/

What do you mean by horrible? Technically incompetent, conceptually stupid, artistically bankrupt? I agree though, the judges are full of shit.

This sounds pretty, and the playing is fine. There's just not enough reinterpretation going on. Since this was recorded years ago you may not want to revisit it at all. If you do, I'd suggest spending more time working with the source tune, and give us a little more substance. Like I said, it sounds great, its just not quite what we're looking for. NO

Your sax is most certainly NOT in tune. I'm sorry bro, RIGHT when it comes in it's sharp. And its painful. Your playing is a lot cleaner than on the last take, but until your intonation gets better this is staying a NO. The woodwind samples are okay, its just really weird to me that you're delegating melodic lines to both synths and an actual instrument. You're getting better, but you need to keep using your ears. Intonation my friend, intonation. NO

I can't really explain it, but after listening to this remix I feel like I should resist "holding back". With that in mind.... Turning the source into a bouncey, sugary, DDR house track is definetly a creative idea. Not something I'd ever want to listen to again, but I think on many levels you accomplished what you set out to do. To summarize, the arrangement works for me. All the lo-fi stuff is weird, and could probably be executed better. Also, the vocal samples grate on me by the end. However, I'm gonna stave off my personal bias and say that this lands on the sunny side of the bar. BORDERLINE YES

Really just gonna reiterate what Larry and weed said. The arrangement doesn't do anything notable with the source. The rhythm section is locked in, which is good. Time is never an issue, and the guitar/bass unison lines are tight. Good work on the performance. One thing I'd change about the production is a little more verb on the snare and toms. That would help fill the soundfield, which weed noted was a bit sparse. They feel a little dry for my taste. Especially at the beginning. Anyway, good sounds, we just need a bit more creativity on the arrangement level. It really feels like its meandering by the end. NO

I feel like I'm listening to the soundtrack of an early 90s, low budget kung fu TV show. That isn't good or bad necessarily, I just think it's worth pointing out. The atmosphere works, despite some relentlessly cheesy string and brass samples. The only part that didn't work well for me was the piano. I think a better sample could've been found and implemented without too much effort. Other than that, the overall presentation of this remix is effective enough for me to YES it without having to think too hard. YES

Ditto "Lover Reef." We accept that kind of stuff.

The Office Season 3 Pass + iPod = shortest flights of my life. If you're looking for a raw mp3 player, then the 'pod probably isn't worth the money.

yeah, not a whole lot of re-arranging of the source going on. it wouldn't hurt to spend a little more time on the melodic and harmonic elements of this mix. interesting/slightly cheesy (but not in a bad way if that makes any sense) vox aren't enough to push this over the bar. NO

spiritual warfare. actually, anything made by wisdom tree. check it out, you won't regret it.

Ha! I think my crushing loss to 'thin glow' had more to do with the overwhelming crappiness of my samples. though the jazz part didn't help. A relatively obscure remixer named darkesword did not place me high in the judging (as i recall). Also, I seem to remember Timberwolf's 6 minutes of ambiance kicking my ass too.

Thanks for getting all the IMCs compiled together. I just revisited my entry from IMC8 in '03. Its not on my HD anymore, and I hadn't heard it for years! I'm so stoked that I'm gonna take a shot at revamping it for OCR. Thanks again!

I'm actually tapping the piano strings with my finger nails during that section. I do agree that I should have turned the volume up, but yeah, its not a Sitar. Close though.

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