Dextastic

Are you using reference tracks when you're mixing? If you don't know what that is, a "reference track" is just a song you like the sound of, in a similar genre, that was professionally produced. The idea is that you should switch back and forth between listening to your mix and the reference track constantly when you're mixing to help you get your sound and EQ balance closer to that of the reference track. If you don't do that (and you only listen to your own mix while mixing), eventually your ears will start to deceive you into thinking your mix sounds good, just because your brain has gotten used to it, even though it would sound terrible to you if you were listening to it fresh.
FWIW, and I didn't listen too carefully, I liked the one called "Latest Edit" better.

Are you using reference tracks when you're mixing? If you don't know what that is, a "reference track" is just a song you like the sound of, in a similar genre, that was professionally produced. The idea is that you should switch back and forth between listening to your mix and the reference track constantly when you're mixing to help you get your sound and EQ balance closer to that of the reference track. If you don't do that (and you only listen to your own mix while mixing), eventually your ears will start to deceive you into thinking your mix sounds good, just because your brain has gotten used to it, even though it would sound terrible to you if you were listening to it fresh.
FWIW, and I didn't listen too carefully, I liked the one called "Latest Edit" better.

Rockin! Zelda 2 was actually my favorite Zelda game, heretical as that may sound, and I think you did a really nice job with these themes. I just wish the drums weren't so busy. I like prog metal too, and with my experience in the genre the drums are *sometimes* as crazy as you've got them, but frequently they're a bit more chilled out (like toward the end of your piece) to let the other parts breathe a little more.

I think I'll participate in this compo, and this is a pretty classic tune. Remember finally getting this on virtual console and being stoked.

Ahhh, I don't think you should have conceded based on the merits of your work alone because I thought your track was quite excellent, although I can understand not wanting to pick the next source. I like the beginning of your remix better than mine. I'm not sure how I feel about the part where you slowed it down, but that makes it all the more epic when you sped it back up. You also used the whole of the source unlike me. Dat ending though...I'm a stickler on endings and I would have liked to hear one here. Anything! Maybe I was supposed to imagine it looped instead. Hmmmmmm.
Anyway, lemme check...yes, I slowed my remix down to 145 BPM throughout. I actually forgot to check the BPM in the original midi before I got to work, which I see now was 151 BPM.

You know how it starts on the first beat of a measure? Try starting it with a little run in a little before that, and maybe start that run at a slightly lower volume and quickly fade it in. That may or may not work - every transition is different so you'll just have to try it and see if you like it.

I really dug your bonus mix, FreakyT. I was worried, based on the first 15 seconds or so, that it was going to be kind of sparse and boring but boy was I wrong about that! You did all kinds of great stuff that came together really well and kept me eager to hear what was next, and I thought the ending was sublime. The only jarring thing for me was when that trumpet-like lead entered at :47, but then it works well after that.

I've got something in the works.

Sub'd...wasn't fun to work with, but I did it somehow!  Literally 20 crashes and over9000 glitches later lmao..

Shameless self promotion time ftw.  You sly, sly devil you, Christopher.  I couldn't help but purchase the album  
Since we're on the topic of self promo-stuff, I've kinda kept it on the down-low, but I've got 2 albums in the works, for some time (maybe too long). One is kind of a weird general-interests Electronic-Hybrid, and the other will be more focused on thematic VGM for game, visual novel and video stuff, so I'm hoping to make 'a limited creative commons license' and all that jazz.  
Also, thanks for coming down to MnP to put in the good word and stuff Mazedude - it really helps reinforce my resolve to press on with the competition   (same with the rest of you guys :D) 
 

Sorry, all I checked was that it played back alright for me in Winamp. I know @Master Mi has done a remix for this tune. Maybe he could chime in with what midi he used, and maybe he'd like to participate this round?

Sorry, all I checked was that it played back alright for me in Winamp. I know @Master Mi has done a remix for this tune. Maybe he could chime in with what midi he used, and maybe he'd like to participate this round?

@Dextastic
You don't have use the gate as a full on gate either. Just use it to turn down the sustain part automagically
 

Or, you could actually try the advice first and make judgment calls afterwards... If you don't want the critique, then don't ask for it.
If you never cut frequencies and you boost instead, then I can almost guarantee that your music will sound resonant somewhere in the midrange. If you neither cut nor boost, then you'll likely get midrange clutter that makes your lead compete for attention. I get that you can adjust volumes, velocities, and panning. But those are not the prominent issues here. In fact, even real orchestras need EQ to sound right. It's often not because the instruments were faulty... it's generally because the microphone(s) used were, and EQ is often necessary to even out the frequency pickup of the microphone(s) used.

You could always just post a link here to the right file (host it on Google drive or soundcloud) and I'm sure people would be happy to have a listen.)

Phew, got dat vote in!

Submitted!

Wow, 5 entries up already. Great stuff! I'm trying to mix my entry right now.

Pretty nice. The only criticism I have is the harp sounds a bit dull. It could probably be enhanced to the point where it really sparkles with some...I'm not great at mixing, so I'll just have a guess...EQ, saturation, and a slight volume boost? And maybe an EQ cut in the synth where the harp needs to shine.

My composition is coming along decently. Probably 2/3 of the way done? 

I am having a blast with this source. Great pick Zorrakh!

Rockin! I'll admit I never understood why they had the fast-paced trancey songs in the SS2 soundtrack - it just sounded so out of place in game - but I think you did a great job with it. There's a lot of movement and a lot of changes and different parts to keep the listener interested.

Ohhh it is on.
I've got some ideas for this, but sleep first. Unfortunately.

Explain your usual workflow and describe what aspects of it you think need to be improved. Or maybe pick a part of someone else's remix that you enjoyed and try to recreate it.

Actually there's still an hour and a half left to vote
 
Sorry to hear about that Losing a pet is always heart wrenching.