Wassup Thunder

Staying inside the lines is an interesting challenge with MnP, the first time I made a submission I was scared to make any variations! But I'm finding it a brain stretcher to try and remix something faithful while simultaneously unique. This and the PRC have really helped me learn more composition and editing skills.

Hi there everyone.
Did something for testing out a few things with a pack I got and thought I'd post them here.
 
Original midi for Spider Dance was pulled from: https://www.vgsynth.com/undertale.html
Any feedback on this is appreciated!

Dude right? I'm at this point like...so what if TWO of my songs may sound similar? But at the same time I want each of my songs to be their own little butterfly ugh. And yet also at the same time, I want to establish a sound that is my own. Why do we do these things to ourselves lol?

I am so pathologically opposed to being locked into a sound or genre that it's actually counterproductive when I come up with an idea and immediately scrap it because it sounds too similar to a style or feel I did in another song, even if the song itself would be completely different.  I honestly wish I could dial it back somewhat.

So I guess the premise to this inquiry came from my recent works on this soon to be submission
So, as you can see, I haven't even gotten a review let alone a submission, but I find that not only did I like what I did, I feel like I found a sound I can resonate with to the point where I could do it again.
So I started working on a different song from FFVII and a lot of the same sound ideas came to mind and similar approach composition wise. Part of me is like...is this me finding a style/a musical voice? Or is this just me being unoriginal/lacking inspiration? I'm sure whatever else comes out will be its own thing but it would still be atmospheric, combining different orchestral/cinematic aspects together. It's very perplexing to me. Until now I never really locked into a single style in my head. I guess some examples being these three songs
 
 
I think simple and atmospheric with vocals is kind of my thing when I take a closer look at the compositions...hmm.
 
Anyway, what do you guys think of this process? Do you try to run away when you see yourself getting locked into a sound? Do you try and shake it off or do you take it as "your sound?"

Hmmm...That's a good question.
I'm still trying to figure that out for myself. Honestly, I want to feel that I have a style that I'm pressing towards...but it seems to change with what I learn/like at the time. I try to stick to gaming roots with electronic music and 80's synth, but I'm coming from a classical music background on voice.
Most recently the sound has taken on a funky feeling...but that's from working with the sound pack I got and adapting to it. Everything beforehand was just making one massive loop like traditional composition, and now I'm learning to work using looped drums/effects in the workflow. Currently the top two are using a blend of the two methods, third is from the single loop workflow I did beforehand only. In making these, I'm actually surprised I could make something with these sounds.
^This one was pitched up a third because I felt it would be more nostalgic for the listener, the version with how my voice is pitched normally can be found here.
But that's all stuff I made in the last week or two. Stuff from even a few months ago has a different feel. I'm going to avoid posting more than 3 Soundcloud links due to how large the inserts are, but my rearrangements and compositions 'Polymer Soul', '16 Bit Drift', 'Digital Space', and/or 'Virus Waltz (Voice)' are a pretty good indication of the changes since August.

Honestly, I want every song to feel like what I wanted to do with it initially...but things keep changing between execution and planning. There's going to be overlaps in style, only thing I concern myself with at this point is trying to be better than I was with the last project. That texture is formed by each experience.
The feeling is very relatable, seen it in art friends and myself. But I've killed myself on artwork before for the rough draft to outshine the finished product. Sometimes good enough is all you need. Once something is in the hands of the audience, it takes on a different significance that we have no control over.
The icon I use is a finished work I did, and the rough line art showing progress for it is the thing that makes the rounds with fans. Every few days, there's some kind of notification on it. It annoyed the heck out of me at first, but these days, I'm just glad it makes people happy.

NP, I'll color inside the lines, just the colors might be hot magenta pinks and blues. >_>

@Dextastic
Would be an interesting challenge to see if you don't fall into doing electric guitars for the main parts like the song leads / encourages to use.
Just like apparently I shouldn't fall to using vocals / vox every time / every song.

I seriously need to play Chrono Cross already... So I'll start with this song.

I seriously need to play Chrono Cross already... So I'll start with this song.

Compo: MnP (Meat 'n Potatoes)
Hm, since we just had a slower song for 120, I think I'll pick something a bit more upbeat and fitting to bring in the new year: Magical Dreamers ~ The Wind, Stars, and Waves from Chrono Cross.  (Editor's Note: Not to be confused with Radical Dreamers, which was done all the way back in MNP 11 and is an entirely different song) -Kat
Deadline: Jan 28th @ 1PM
Vote Ends: Feb 2nd @ 1 PM
MnP ARCHIVE  - made by Trism
submit: https://compo.thasauce.net/rounds/view/MnP121
 
MISSION STATEMENT
The goal of Compo:MnP is to promote that "meat and potatoes" conservative approach to remixing: this includes the mood and composition of source tunes. It is up to the remixer to create their own personalization, or to simply give it a sound upgrade. Moreover, the compo is a great opportunity to hone your remixing skills and give video game music the respect that is due. SOME reinterpretation is recommended, but not required.
MnP Instructions/Guidelines
Source-Picks are limited to the era of gaming 1984-2006.  In other words, Nes/Sega Master to PS2/GC/XBox 1.  Going to relax this rule with certain Indie Titles like Shovel Knight, Undertale and possibly Crypt of the Necrodancer.  Update me upon further titles that have that 'Retro Fidelity'.  Thanks! Modifying the Source is fine, so long as it doesn't sound completely separate from its original intent.  Small tempo changes are OK.  But not 140 to 80 etc.  Submissions must be at a maximum of 20mb (keeping in step with ThaSauce's file size max). Only 1 entry per participant. Previous winner cannot participate but can submit a BONUS entry. Try to avoid making quality-based comments on submissions until after the Round is concluded.  It is to avoid a Bias in Votes. MISC/TIPS
- When picking a source tune, make sure it has a MIDI to make people's lives easier.
- In-game sound FX are permitted, so long as they don't comprise the whole track (i.e. replacing entire MIDI tracks with just sfx)

Here's some of my thoughts, since i didn't get a chance to vote.
Kat - Oh man this is pretty, i love the contrasting sections between the rock and the orchestral, that works perfectly. If i have to be honest, the drums in the first half could be mixed a bit better, but the rest was soo good. Really nicely done well done!
Wassup Thunder - Jesus that scared me lol. The orchestration really turns it into more PRC than MnP, it's gone from a slow emotional tune, into a cinematic film cue. Again the orchestration is awesome, and works well, but it's very PRC not MnP. Great job!
TheVodouQueen - The chords are pretty....this is a chord progression i dig, like a lot. The contrasting sections works like a charm too, the whole track is too pretty. The vocals for me were a mixed bag. I like the idea of integrating it, but i feel it works best without them, i'm more a fan of the instrumental. The overall instrumental is very pretty, especially the ending. Great job!
APZX - This is also pretty, i am in love with the synth choices, soo good. It's a bit too much on the amount of instruments, i like the ending a lot, you could add that in halfway to make it more spaced out, and not as busy. But the idea was lovely, i really like this a lot. Great job!
HoboKa - I don't think i've ever received a real HoboKa entrant in a long time lol. It's always a bonus haha, Dex even said it lol. I do love the choir though, it's a beautiful addition with the piano. I do think it's a very static arrangement, you could add more, and make it more than 2 instruments. Great arrangement though! Great job!
Souperion - The strings are nicely integrated. I like how it balances between strings and winds, very well done. I also like the pause in the middle, it's a great breather. Overall really nice solid take on the source. It could stand to add more variety, in the addition of instruments, as well as expansion, but the idea was lovely. Great job here!

Sorry i didn't get a chance to vote, Christmas makes it really hard for me to be online.
But now that's it's over, I'll send over some thoughts my way, for this and PRC
Congrats Kat! Hope you pick a good un.....

Haha, thanks for giving the feedback though. Even "questionable" feedback can help an artist get introspective to improve. I think it's great that there's so many entries.

Good round all! And no sweat, Hoboka, I get ya. I agree with a lot of feedback that I veered from the MnP style a bit much, so I'll focus in on that next round! I appreciate the feedback in this contest. I'm always trying to get my orchestral elements to sound more organic and full, along with improving my arrangements in general. Can't wait to see the next round!

Haha, thanks for giving the feedback though. Even "questionable" feedback can help an artist get introspective to improve. I think it's great that there's so many entries.

EDIT 2 million
OK.  The real feedback that I want to convey was in the Results/Comments.  All other attempts...just...didn't match up to what I really think.  The problem is...I'm no good at this.  It's getting hard to give quality feedback cuz things have picked up again and we're getting a lot of quality entries.  So...it falls down to minor gripes and that's when the questionable feedback arises.....I'm sorry for all the updates/edits.  I'm so derp X_X
 

Good round all! And no sweat, Hoboka, I get ya. I agree with a lot of feedback that I veered from the MnP style a bit much, so I'll focus in on that next round! I appreciate the feedback in this contest. I'm always trying to get my orchestral elements to sound more organic and full, along with improving my arrangements in general. Can't wait to see the next round!

Vote's in. Hope it made it, (said it did). I saved a Notepad file of it just in case.

Results
Kat got 1st with 24 points.  Wassup Thunder got 2nd with 20 points The Voduo Queen got 3rd with 17 points.  APZX got 4th with 13 points. Kat please PM me with your source pick for Round 121*** (copy-pasta fixed)  
Comments
Great round folks!!  But...looking back, I gotta say that my feedback on Wassup Thunder's entry was pretty bad.  I still stand by the scoring, but the feedback I gave was just...terrible.  Production niggles aside, the Composition, it is VERY good and it is still within MnP's scope.  So I failed there.  Apologies man.  X_X
Souperion's Vote
1st: Kat's Winter's End.
2nd: Wassup Thunder's
3rd: APZX's.
Thanks, sorry for the mishmash.

Gotta stuff that Turkey extra hard with DINNER. 

Did a submission myself as well.

Heya!
I'll let this be my first time joining in on the PRC fun.
Think I'll stick to VG remixes, but put a unique spin on whatever themes / sources I use. Will be my first time conglomerating songs together across a series of games to make 1 song.
Hope it works out. >_<

I'll make my vote tonight. 
...still tired and pooped from all the cooking I did for Xmas dinner. XD