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Hello there! As I'm between projects, I'm just working on keeping my YouTube channel going lol. I been working on this for a week and I think it had some nice ideas going for it. I wrote some more details in the description but basically, I wanted to do some FFIX stuff in honor of a vtuber I like watching LOL. Anyway, I hope you find something enjoyable about it. It was fun to work on.

Definitely will give some feedback sooner or later when I have time to listen at my PC. Especially since I also use Shevannai. Edit: I also have Insolidus but I rarely use it these days because I often find it cumbersome to get what I want from it

I'm hoping I can come up with something more instructive like Wassup when I'm less sleepy but my tip for now is to listen to some true classical music (as in music from the actual classical era like Bach or Mozart). If you can read sheet music then going on YouTube and seeing the versions uploaded with sheet music to follow along may help too. If you don't like classical music (please don't force yourself haha) then I think learning some basic theory stuff if you don't know any (which is 1000% fine!) and try just playing things in thirds. Like insert the notes in your daw or however you like in thirds and just see how they sound. Use your ears and maybe move them around a bit. Have fun and see what sounds interesting! Although I'm classically trained, I still suck at remembering a lot of complex theory things so a lot of the time I rely on my ear and just fiddling around to see what may work. Some of the best things I've made were mistakes haha. So don't be shy and just see what works! Last tip I have is to find midis of songs you like and literally just one to one them. Like find out which instruments are what (if they arent labeled) and load some VSTs and watch it play. Look at the notes or the midi blocks while the song is being played and see what is doing what. Isolate tracks on solo if you need to as well. And honestly if it sounds hot? Copy it. Add it to something else and see how it fits. Sometimes you'll be surprised at how well it does and when it doesn't, try and move parts of it around to force it to fit. Essentially what you are doing is learning about melody and harmony by deconstructing already made ones and hearing how they sound while seeing what they look like in your DAW. I know the word copy sounds like a no no, but at first that's all we are doing is copying. Later you can make it your own or even sometimes just copy it straight up if it's just a snippe of a basic harmonic or melodic progression and it fits your piece. Plagiarism in music starts when you are really straight up taking a whole musical line along with its placement in a piece and the other musical structures around it. But if it's a few notes or chords, then lord knows it's been done infinite times. As you become more skilled. You'll be able to do this less and rely more on your instinct. Which may still include things you like that you first heard from other places. But that's music imo. That's your heritage and you gotta own it sometimes. Anyway, sorry I'm rambling. I hope you find a path that leads to stronger melodies and harmonies!

Feedback time! Sorry I wont press the button so fast next time lol. Wassup Thunder - What Fire Taught the Sea Everyone's titles are so cool! I think as with Vodou, I have to say I wished the guitar here was backed off jusst a bit. The main lead guitar that is. Honestly, this mix though is uhh, fire lol. I am really enjoying the energy you got going on here. These drums too are really doing it for me. Maybe I want a bit more from the samples but dude you are working them. OOOOOOHHH the drums right before the last section where you kinda break it down right before the guitar kicks back in?! Now that was sick. This last section works well enough for me but maybe I wish there was somne more energy? Hmm, no, I think what I'm looking for is maybe its a bit too dry for me in the mix. Like there isn't enough air to the overall sound. Honestly though, I have a problem keeping my tracks from being too wet sounding so this could be personal preference ya know? Still, I think the mix sometimes sounds too robotic and straightforward and could use some life somewhere. Unfortunately how to do that is uhh, beyond me! Still, this was such a fun listen and you put a lot into the different instruments and their place within the enemble. What a pleasure to hear. TheVideoGamer - Bonds of Kick and Hi-Hat Off the cuff, this mix is too loud for my tastes. Like its really loud even for an electronic song. But once I put it down, I'm finding a lot I enjoy. Firstly, I love that rhythm with the low synth. I think its just really interesating to take this song and switch the genre up but still keeping the original DNA somehow. Its not something I'm too great at and I could learn a thing or two from this. I will say this song sounds like one of the older OC Remixes I've heard but I can't quite put my finger on which one. I suppose thats a good thing but it also maybe takes away from some of the uniqueness? Going to the outro, I'm wondering if you could have taken the opportunity to bring something new into right before fading out. One problem with the song I think is the amount of repitition? Sometimes it just felt like it all blended together. Still, that rhythm had me moving throughout so its hard fro me to be too negative haha. Another thing I really wanted more of was this polyrhythm feel. I really suck at rhythmic sections and such but there were parts where it felt like it was touching polyrhyhtm and others where it felt full on poly. But everytime it would hit that sweet spot, the beat would seem to even out? I'm wondering what I'm hearing there. Anyway, good job! TheVodouQueen - Seafoam and Brimstone, Upon the SHores of Tallon IV First of all, what a gorgeous name haha. Thats some real artistry. So we start here with these lovely sea and waves samples. I adore this type of stuff so I'm digging it. Oooh some interesting work with the panning and the different instruments. I think the percussion is just a tad harsh sounding? It could be the time of night that I'm listening to this. I'll see in the morning if its the same. I am wondering about these samples for the strings you got. They sound really close to the original to my ear. Moreover, they work very well. Okay, more samples with the thunder. Super dig it. I wonder which samples you used? The choir coming in after is a nice touch. Still a bit harsh for me I think. I think going through this song you had some really lovely ideas with the effects and the approach to atmosphere. I think though, personally I was a bit underwhelemed with the melodic and harmonic aspects of this song. Partially it is the VSTs being used maybe but I think there was a consistent harshness to them or rather, a lack of subtlety when I wanted it. I think I would have really enjoyed this more if this was laid back and the song explored more of the melodic and harmonic aspects than the effects since this was meat and potatoes. That being said, I'm a sucker for the effects so I would adore to see this expanded upon one day if you ever choose to. Good job! Souperion - Dream of Flowing Fire Once again, everyone had lovely titles. Even the bonus! As you said in the description, you kept it really simple. Some interesting choices with the melody. going for the dotted quarters and dotted eighths instead of the more straight forward original. It gives it a nice little pulse that I'm enjoying. What a pretty koto and yangqin though! If I had any cash I'd be interested in getting a VST with some. Unfrotunately a lot of stuff with those instruments seem to be a bit more than I'm willing to pay for. Anyway, you use them well here. I think my only wish is if there was some more exploration here, but I think you just wanted to keep it really chill here and laid back and let the original arrangement work for you. Not a bad decision imo!

Don't worry guys, I'm going to give feedback lol. I accidentally pressed the vote button before I could add the feedback. I got it in a notepad on my desktop and I'll be posting it here in a few hours once I return home!

Me too~

Thank you so much for those kind words. I feel good knowing it made someone feel something.

Unfortunately the original project file is lost due to an accidental overwrite so the only thing I have left is my compressed YouTube version. I want to post it on the website but I only have a YouTube link Regardless, I wanted to channel some of the flavor of Xenogears and some of that "ethnic" vibe that is sort of non-descript yet everyone kind of knows haha. I suppose at this point its a mix of things. Anywho, I choose to bring that out in the choir sections and added some percussion in inclusion to the original. Lastly, there are two different soloists. One is a lady vocalist and the other is a Xin Di I think. I can't remember which Chinese flute I used haha. There is an outro I used for this version which I would have cut for this competition since its meat and potatoes so I won't comment on that. So just a nice conservative approach with some added goodies here and there. I wish I had a non-YouTube version to share!

I think there is a time when we reach the end of our journey with a song and I believe I have here. I did want another evaluation but I ended up just kind of going with my gut, putting on the finishing touches, and calling it finished. I'll be submitting this version and whatever may be, may be haha. But I'm happy with how it came out and am ready for my next project.

Thank you so so sooo much for these tips! The next time im doing some sketches for my YT channel for a battle theme I'll take into account what you have taught me here timaeus222! Seriously, that is so helpful for someone like me who learns mostly on trial and error. Thank you.

Well, it went through the uhh process I suppose! The beginning isn't different at all sans the EQ done to the whole track. Mostly was done with automation to target some of that midrange and boost the highs a bit. Still an amateur though so I'm unsure if I got where it needed to be or even went overboard. The middle part is much different I'd say. I had a hard time trying to find out something to replace the vibraphone (honestly, I'd still be find with it just being its own kinda pedal tone and always there) but I think this has its own unique flavor as well! The drums come in a bit more to help assist with the new feel and a guitar helps out where the vibraphone used to be. The vibraphone comes back at the end though. The only thing I'm pretty sure of is the cymbals are too loud right now (edit: that should be fixed). They could go down a few steps or so in velocity. Besides that, sometimes I think the song is too busy but I've always had that issue as a composer personally. The ending section is supposed to be a cacophony of sound though so I think maybe it suits it well. Anywho, those are my thoughts and maybe this will be the final version besides a few things to clean up. I'd still appreciate another review and/or other thoughts right before I submit it though! Thanks much. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_VsUAV2W8v3XAUaYAEMkxf9wh_sb_hTi/view?usp=sharing edit: needed to fix a few things here and there that were obviously weird.

I honestly had no idea what to expect with this library until it dropped and man....I wish I could get it haha. Maybe later this year but I think this is just super inspiring sounding! I don't do hardly any work for music professionally so the stuff I get is usually only to just...make things so for me, a great library needs to be able to just work. I don't mean that you don't need to do any extra programming or work after you play or insert notes, but I think when you sit down and mess around, you should feel like you can start making music just by fiddling with things. I guess its why I like/often buy phrase based libraries (mostly for voice). Anyway, spitfire libraries often give me that kinda feel where I can just sit down and write. What do you guys think of Solstice? Is it something you are interested in using for remixes here or in other creations?

Ahhh, a portable set up. Well regardless of the approach you take, you should be proud of the initial results here. It has a great vibe to it. I do have a SoundCloud but it's just whatever I post on YouTube for the most part or little demos of things that will eventually go on YouTube. Mostly so I don't have to make a whole video just to share/get someone's opinion. I do have some original pieces but I haven't had enough time recently to really dig into making my own music. Here are some things I have on YT though that are original.

I think as far as general direction, it's fine but I think you need more of the original's theme in there personally. Like it is almost so ambient that it lacks a relationship to the original imo. This could actually just be a result of the repetitiveness of the remix though? Like there isn't a lot going on it seems. There seems to be something trying to build but if often backs away once it's gone and done its thing. As far as production values are concerned, I don't think the instruments or sounds themselves are the problem so much as they seem to be massively clipping. Is that on purpose? I think overall it just seems there is a lack of overall direction in the remix. Just kinda...is? I think there is more to be pulled out of there. Like to see what you can do in the future. Cheers!

Ah okay, well at the end of the day I think whether you choose to expand or not is a personal choice. I was just feeling it and was sad to see it go so soon. Whicg 808 do you use? In general I've found them to be a bit cumbersome to work with because they don't always respond the way I think they should.

Reactions as I listen Okay chillin vibe. Coolin relaxin vibin Like the sound of the piano. Reminds me of Spitfire's soft piano. The guitars sound really alive. Are you playing? The 808 (I assume) is a nice little touch but may need some control. Oooh digging the accordion! I wanted more though! Nice little effects added after the transition. Is the accordion a sample so you couldn't expand on it? I think this was a very nice little track overall. I'm unfamiliar with the source but I enjoyed the vibe this had. Think you really captured what I imagine chilling in Animal Crossing is like.

I think at some point I stopped looking at this as more of a remaster project and more something I wanted to take to a more remix level. Not really sure what to do though? But I definitely would like to do more with this in the future. It loops once so after the first run through its the same song. If you have any ideas I'd appreciate any feedback!

T_____T noooo I don't wanna go back to the pro tools session. Not the EQ! Anything but that! Haha, jk, I appreciate all of the perspectives and advice you have given. It's always interesting seeing these evaluations and hearing things that passed my mind but either I had no idea how to do or I chose not to do for some reason. For the former, I just don't have a good handle on how to unmuddy some things and prevent certain types of clipping. I thought the problem was the highs but I'm guessing the mids are the ones being overloaded? Concerning the latter, I actually wondered if I should bring in a bass guitar midway through but I felt that the Corridors "motif" was needed more so I can still say I'm staying faithful to the original so I decided to leave it out and emphasize the vibraphone more. However, I also find it really helpful when you guys say things that never even passed my mind. Like how taking away the vibraphone to relax the ears from the motif that everyone knows and provide some more personalization. Maybe I'll check out the track with the bass guitar that I deactivated. I have some midi rhythms I keep around so maybe I'll search through for some ideas of what may sound good with the bass. Thanks for the help! While it feels kinda sad that I need to go back into the lab a lot more, I'm happy I came with a full product so that you could give me quality advice. Thanks again.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope I can bring more to you and others.

Hmm, I think this has a lot going for it. I absolutely adore the synth used for the melody. I think the synths for the harmony do it for me for the most part. I think they could have used some more layering at times? Like some high bright bell like synths maybe? Sometimes I was a bit frustrated by the harmonies used. Like my ear was expecting 7th chords sometimes. Especially in the beginning but hey, that's a personal choice really. Still, sometimes I think things are almost too pure. But there are some really gorgeous moments here. My favorite is not just the chord but the timbre and tone of 1:37. Like there was something really really sweet about that. I think I wanted some more of that kinda tonality! Overall though, I digged it man. Good job!

Welp, I think that's how I want to end it after all. Here is the review version in all that it is. I'm sure there is much to do but this is what my heart feels. https://drive.google.com/file/d/14MiNtpjYw4pEa6xaxjhqZiCyapZzGzPK/view?usp=drivesdk

Edit: I actually updated it one more time after making this original post and this is where I'm at. I think the ending is not near done but it will end something similar to this. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GeTufQtNo1s4SEQyMn5xSxA7o0ggEEYU/view?usp=drivesdk

Flavor wise I think you hit the nail on the head. I think the only thing I was personally looking for was maybe kind of a break from the main motif from the violins. But honestly, I think how you have it hear comes across as authentic to my ears. Good job!

Maybe that's the case for this track and you need some more experience. But from what I can hear, you got at least a good ear on you and a musical mind. I hope on your journey you continue to find what moves you! Looking forward to hearing more.

Hey man, even though it probably isn't different enough to become an OC Remix song, beauty is still beauty. There is a lot of really nice work in the dynamics here imo. The flute is nice too even though like you said, there are some ornament issues. I guess it was accidentally triggering them? What VST is that btw? Im wondering though, even though it is straight up and there are many other orchestra Terras on the internet these days, what could be done with a rather moderate arrangement to really make it standout? Maybe once you are done here, you can do some soul searching and find out how to make this really something special despite being moderately arranged?