zircon
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Posts posted by zircon
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This is a beautiful, beautiful remix and I must have played it a dozen times already. This is the way the game should have remixed it (not that the original remix, used when you're running out of jail, isn't good).
More of this high-energy, intense-yet-orchestral stuff, please!
(And Smackahoe Tribe, where is that screenshot with the girl lying on the bed from? It looks familiar.)
As much as I like this style, I fear I would trivialize it by making another remix in a similar fashion. I *was* working on a remix of a Secret of the Stars battle theme, using a more dramatic (and less whimsical) approach to my instrumentation, but I decided against it.
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I can get a great sounding detuned saw from the 3xosc. Listen to my FF6 remix titled "fearless" if you want an example. That one is old though. I should try and stir one up real quick. Of course, maybe we're thinking of two different things here. If you can, hook me up with a little clip of a song so I can see what you're thinking of.
Link us up to your FF6 mix, man
For an example of the detuned saw sound I'm talking about, like I said, check Breath of Fire Sad Melody on this site, by ffmusic_dj.
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Actually, Rellik, I agree with you. I've tried making ultra-fat detuned saw synth leads with 3xosc, but I haven't gotten anything really good out of it. To date, the best detuned saw lead I've tried is the first preset in the Junatik ensemble which comes with Reaktor/Reaktor Session. Second would be fm7's "Trance Lead" preset. Both of these are very similar to the detuned saw instruments found in ffmusicdj's Breath of Fire - Sad Melody.
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I feel I know the music standards of OCR better than any other person who actually doesn't create phat b33tz.
Are you insinuating something?
He's insinuating ROFL, or that you're a fag. or both?
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very cool stuff. From personal experience, I can tell you that it's very hard to make 'full' mixes like this one, and very hard to sequence guitars and solos in the kickass way Prot does. The whole mix is just amazing, with tons of energy and great synth/drum work. This is probably his best work, narrowly beating out KRool (which was also excellent).
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Unfortunate problems ahead: I've been trying to get a phat sound by layering some synths, but it makes it helluva lot harder to automate anything. I have to copy the automation several times and using VSTi-plugs isn't making it any easier (curse you Superwave p8 and your filters!)
I've tried linking all the knobs to an external controller, such as the Peak Controller and Formula Controller, but apparently it can be only linked to one knob at a time.
Anybody know a way around this?
Can't you use the Layer tool?
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thanks, everyone
getting on OCR was my motivation for getting into digital music, so this mix getting posted made me very happy. a big thanks to various wip and remixing forum people for helping me out with an assortment of issues that came up in the production of this.In case anyone is curious, I used the following tools for this remix:
* FLStudio 4.5.2 for sequencing
* Fruity soundfont player for all the orchestral instruments
* Free drum samples, all of which can be downloaded at http://www.soundtempest.net/ in the resources section
* z3ta+ for a few of the lead synths and harmony synths
* Roland V-Synth (which I've now returned) for the 2nd chorus lead
* 3xosc and String Theory for various other harmony synths
* Free soundfonts for everything else, including Florestan Martellato Strings, Cadenza, Cadenza Strings, and Fluid R3
If I remember correctly, almost all effects were FL effects, with maybe a few mda ones - I don't quite remember. Finally, if anyone wants, I can send them the .flp for this, though I don't know how useful it would be to them.
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I don't mean to intergect anything too soon, or out of place, but this seemed like an appropriate thread: Do any of you own the refx Vanguard softsynth? What do you make of it?
Yeah, from what I've seen in my research for good VST's the Juno is definately kick-azz, but I'm pretty poor at the moment, and the Vanguard is definately affordable. Do you agree that it's potential is mostly in trance?
As far as I am aware, Vanguard is a high-quality VA synth. I don't own it, but I've heard plenty of good things about it. Though it has some features that seem to be trance-oriented, I think it seems to be a good VA all-around, and could fit it one of many genres. The reason why it's popular for trance/dance etc. is because of the presets, which are particularly suited for those genres.
However, if you're looking for a synth that would fit in a variety of genres and packs a lot of power, you might want to look elsewhere. Some synths you might consider are z3ta+, Rhino, and fm7.
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Edirol orchestral is the VSTi. Thanks anyways.
What you can do though is record the VST playing as you're sending the MIDI out, take that audio, and add effects to that. Would that work for you?
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Hi there,
Ok, i'm running a VST which requires me to use MIDIout's to represent instruments. Can i set an effects channel for just one of these midi outs? because at the moment i am forced to give the whole vst an effects channel.
thanks!
I'm not sure what you mean. What kind of VST is this? Most VSTs simply generate sound through the fruity wrapper.. in fact, every VSTi I've used does that. However, regardless of what VST you're using, you definitely can't set any effects on a MIDI Out channel.
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Disco Dan rules.
He takes simple tunes from game soundtracks, a seemingly random assortment of instruments, and FLStudio and turns a repetitive chiptune into a magnum opus. Then he does it again. And again. And again. And each time, instead of getting tiresome and mundane, each song is just as good, if not better, than the last, never using the same idea twice. As shown by the driving dance/ethnic groove of this mix, the hauntingly beautiful Green Amnesia, or the techno-symphonic bliss of Triforce Majeure, Disco Dan not only kicks the metaphorical ass, but he consistently does it.
On a more specific note, this is one of my favorite dance remixes on the site. I really never thought that a banjo, violin, and set of non-traditional percussive instruments could possibly combine with smooth synths, basses, and electronic percussion to form a dance song, but I was wrong in a big way. I don't have any problems with the mixing of this piece either, as I think if you're listening to something energy-filled and uptempo, you *should* be assaulted with a wall of sound.
Finally, the arrangement is excellent, far better than the average 'four-on-the-floor' techno MIDI rips that are uncomfortably common. The original melodies and harmonies are still present, but Disco Dan's improv sections and breakdown in the middle are also well-implemented and clear. Speaking as a remixer who has tried this dozens of times, I can safely say it is NOT easy to create original sections or variations in a remix without disturbing the flow of the source material, and keeping the same mood and style. Major props to Dan here as well.
What more is there to say? People often consider Disco Dan to be one of the best remixers on this site, if not the best: listening to this remix should tell you why.
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Thanks, I'll try that.
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Can you save or export a song as an mp3???? It seems like you should, but... is aif an mp3 format or something?
No, you can't export to MP3. AIFF is not a compressed audio format, like MP3, but rather a lossless format used on Macs as a parallel to WAV. As far as I am aware, there is no significant difference between WAV and AIFF, though you would probably find slightly greater compatability using WAV files than AIFF files. As time goes on, that too will disappear with the continued development of multiple-format samplers and synths.
It's better to only be able to export to WAV/AIFF anyway, since you have greater options. You could encode as an MP3 using any one of numerous encoders, or OGG, or FLAC, or AAC, or WMA, or whatever. My suggestion is pick up dbPowerAmp music converter and grab a bunch of plugins for it. If you know what you're doing, you can encode better-sounding MP3s with it than default encoding schemes of other audio programs like FL.
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There's only one violin marcato patch, as far as I know, in Orkester anyway. I'll try distortion + compression though. thanks!
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I like this piece, but the quality of it really gets on my nerves ... there is so much clipping
it should've at least been dusted off before being posted on OCR. My 2 cents.Rock on Disco Dan.
There is no clipping. I've listened to this with three different sound systems (mp3 player and two computers) with headphones, earplugs, and speakers, and I simply didn't hear any. It's probably you
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I have a question; how can I make the Orkester marcato violins sound sharper? They sound sort of soft and warm, not edgy and bright like they should. Is there a particular way I should EQ or apply reverb to make them more substantial?
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...hahah, zircon. That's a pretty silly question, imo. Why would the sequencer have any idea what type of effect the plugin is? Yes, it runs through the effects in the order they appear, top to bottom. And that's a pretty important fact, as well... you could have been able to figure it out just from the fact that there are now "move up/down" commands for the effects.
I was more thinking the FL effects, as FL treats its own plugins differently (ie. you can slide with FL plugins but not other plugins). You never know.
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Like this- how do I open the actual plugin window?
Hm.. that's very odd. It SHOULD open in a fruity wrapper. Did you try increasing your resolution to 1024x768? FL had problems with lower resolutions. Also, how are you adding the plugin? You should make a Fruity Wrapper channel, then find the plugin on the list, generally.
I also have a rather basic question for FL users here: is the order in which you load effects in a mixer channel the order in which the effects are processed? Or is there a preset order (ie. all EQs come before all compressors which come before all reverbs)?
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Did you buy it? Pirated versions I hear have that problem, one of the main reasons being is that the program you actually get is a beta. So did you really buy the software?
No, it's not that it's a beta. I've never heard that one before. It is, however, that pirated versions of FL tend to be missing samples found in the demo projects. I know because it happened to me when I tried to pirate it (for the record I actually did buy the producer edition).
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I have a question: is there an *easy* way of recording audio in FL? So far, the only way I know of is making a sampler channel, loading a wav, opening the wave editor, and recording from there, but that's really annoying. right now, I use another program for it, and supposedly, there is an easier way.
Yeah, but you need a soundcard with ASIO inputs. If you have that, you can route that input into FL's mixer (the "in" dropdown box at the bottom of the mixer; if you have any experience with routing vocoder channels this should be second nature to you), then you can record audio from that input using FL's disk record function. You'll need the Producer edition to do all this.
ah, yeah. analoq just told me about this, and it works great. also, my soundcard doesn't have ASIO inputs, but with the asio4all driver, I was able to use this method. Very handy. thanks!
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I have a question: is there an *easy* way of recording audio in FL? So far, the only way I know of is making a sampler channel, loading a wav, opening the wave editor, and recording from there, but that's really annoying. right now, I use another program for it, and supposedly, there is an easier way.
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man, I can't believe how well done this is. this could be my favorite remix of all time at this point, and I admit that my chrono trigger wip (calamitous judgment) was influenced pretty heavily by this. Absolutely MAGNIFICENT orchestration, drums are perfect, structure is flawless.. this is just absurdly good. Disco Dan continues to be one of my favorite remixers.
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grats on getting posted! you know I like your stuff generally, so I don't have much to say. this is very ziwtra in style (think willed assault), in a good way. it's a little rough as some people mentioned here in terms of sound, and I know your mastering ability has gotten better as of late, but it's definitely not bad with this mix. Great job with the rearrangement of the original, as well as execution- breaks are great, so are effects (etc).
this is *really* not just a generic techno piece, and it's waaay above the level of quality of your average rejected techno mix here. it doesn't have a simple, repeated rhythm- the drums are chaotic and energetic. it incorporates the right balance of the original theme and improv/variation. there's not much to complain about.
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I practically died when I saw a new McVaffe mix up on the front page when OCR4 went live. McVaffe is my favorite remixer by a long shot, and as I've mentioned in other reviews, I pretty much *expect* each new song I hear by him to be kickass. And from his remixes, to his original stuff, and to this new release, he has never failed to be awesome.
This is a really fantastic medley, with the usual superb, well-implemented choice of instruments. The time signature changes and transition are well done, and the flow of the song is never broken. It's rare to hear someone use meaty drums with a full orchestral suite and ethnic percussion, but somehow, McVaffe does it, and does it well. Not only is the arrangement most excellent, really bringing out the best in the original themes and varying them, but the execution is flawless.
two thumbs up!
VST, DirectX instruments and effects thread
in Music Composition & Production
Posted
I'm very bored at work, so I thought I'd write out some VST/DX recommendations of mine.
- Recommended free VSTs -
* Superwave p8 (http://home.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm) - The ultimate free softsynth for dance music. This has a Prophet-ish sound coming from it's "Super Wave" function and massive detuning capabilities. It's CPU-heavy, a bit buggy, and not that flexible, but is superb for making any sort of dance/trance sounds. The presets are also great.
* Crystal (http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/download.html) - A real beast of a softsynth. Crystal has more sound-mangling capability than any other free synth I've yet tried, putting it in a class of its own. It uses up massive CPU, is complicated to program, and is not good for simple VA (virtual analog) stuff, but for strange sounds, effects, and pads, this is your synth.
* sfz (http://www.rgcaudio.com/sfz.htm) - a simple but effective soundfont player. I both love and hate this plugin; I love it because the sound quality is better than any other free soundfont player I've tried, and even better than FL's commercial player. But I hate it because it refuses to load large soundfonts if it thinks you don't have enough memory. Nonetheless, I would recommend no other free
soundfont player over this one.
* polyIblit (http://www.bostreammail.net/ers/polyiblit.html) - A surprisingly in-depth VA synth that's not too heavy on CPU. The presets are pretty "blah" in my opinion, but the synth is very flexible and is really all you need for relatively simple subtractive synthesis.
* String Theory (http://www.kvr-vst.com/get/1074.html) - A "physical-modelling" softsynth that emulates string/plucked instruments. While it won't convince anyone if you use it to replace real string instruments, I find it can create a whole lot of unique pluck sounds that fit in much better than pluck sounds generated from normal subtractive synthesizers. Very cool.
* Drumatic (http://www.e-phonic.com/vstplugins/drumatic.html) - A simple but effective drum machine that's very CPU efficient. Using 808 and 606-modelled sounds, you'll find a lot of potential uses for this synth in any type of electronic music.
* Ganymed (http://www.kvr-vst.com/get/217.html) - A complex FM synthesizer that's a bit heavy on CPU. This synth has a set of rock-solid presets, all displaying the potential of the synth; from sharp, digital, sequenced patches to warm pluck sounds. This might be my favorite free synthesizer, and my second favorite FM synthesizer.
* "Classic" effects series (http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php) - A set of excellent, CPU-efficient effects. All of them sound exceptional, better than most free effects I've seen. There aren't many presets for each, but what's there is good. If you're looking for a simple, core set of effects, look no further.
- Recommended commercial VSTs -
* Native Instruments Absynth 2, Pro-53, fm7(www.nativeinstruments.com) - Ok, I know I'm going to sound like an NI salesperson, but I absolutely LOVE these products, which range in price from $200 to $400. fm7 is an incredibly powerful FM synth modelled after the Yamaha DX7, Pro-53 is a near-flawless emulation of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (and is probably my favorite VA synth), and Absynth 2 is a modular synth capable of producing a range of sounds, excelling at ambient effects and pads. I use these synths *constantly*, and they're worth every penny.
* rgc:audio z3ta+ (http://www.rgcaudio.com/z3ta%2B.htm) - One of the most powerful softsynths in existence, available for a mere 150 pounds (about $230 USD). It eats up CPU like crazy, but is capable of almost any type of synthesis you can imagine. The presets are very good, and the interface is slick and smooth. I believe AE is a big fan of this synth as well. If you're going to buy one synth to fit all your needs, this one is probably your best bet.
* Cyanide 2 (can't seem to find a link for this.. where did it go?) - An excellent waveshaping distortion effect. This easy-to-use plugin, which combines waveshaping with EQ and filtering, can turn a mild synth sound into a screaming lead or rumbling bass in no time. There are very few presets, but they should give you a good idea of what the effect can do. CPU usage is not too bad, but grows when you make more complex waveforms for the distortion.