Malcos

Ok so this is not really a competition, as it's just for fun. What I propose is that we take 2 rns files at a time that are of a good vibe, but unfinished (I'm sure we all have some of those), and then we all have fun working on them. After a period of 2 weeks the round will finish, and I will host the finished rns files on my webspace (or yours). If you don't have time to work on both files, that's fine - just work on the one. Send me your best unfinished rns file, and I'll put it in the queue to be used as a source for the following rounds. This is for us, as OCR reason users, to learn more about reason and get a feel for how others use the program, as well as it being great fun for the person whose rns file is used as the source. Even if you don't participate in actually making a variation yourself, you can still get a lot out of it by seeing what others have done with the rns files that they submit. This is just for fun, but we have to have some guidelines at least: *The person who submits their rns to be reworked may set the guidelines as to what do do with the song itself. Remix? Finish what has been started? Change genre? Go nuts? 1. There must be no ear killing stuff in the files! No crazy infinite feedback stuff at 1khz, or anything else like that plz. I know it's silly for me to say this, but still. 2. A lot of debate on what refills can/cannot be used. Not everyone will be pleased I'm sure, but I'm sure we can please most. Do whatever you want with the synths, as long as it's not ear killing! We want to make sure that as many people can play the full rns that you've made. So, Reason factory soundbank, Orkester, Electromechanical, and SirNuts refill (the only outside refill that can be used!) These rns files will be Reason 3 compatible, but not for earlier versions sorry. 3. Following on from point 2, obviously other refills may contain synth/fx combis. Most of you will know that anything based on Reason's synths/effects will open up even if you don't have that refill. So that's ok. 4. You may use 'File > Song Self-Contain Settings' to embed drum/drum percussion. No embedding of any other sounds. But the rns file must not exceed 2mb in size. That should be more than enough. 5. You can email me the rns and file if you wish, or you can host them on your own webspace. I don't care either way, we all have lots of space these days on our email accounts. First round: FINISHED! Thanks to everyone who participated! Archive here: www.malcos.co.uk/rns/Round1.zip Round 2: Finished! Please discuss in thread...

Glad to see you're still on it! Whenever you're on the road to releasing the final of this, don't forget to let me know, I'd like to do a demo song as well as a few more combis for this.

Those pictures looked like alien instruments! 3 heads and 3 separate bridges! My Ashbory should be arriving soon, stupid Parcelforce!

Liontamer always writes the most lol, but I'll still give my own breakdown of this as well. The piano sample isn't too great, but is definitely ok. The audible very distorted part at 0.27 destroys the mood that the piano created. The 1.44-1.46 transition sounded like the volume was turned down rather than the piano being played softer. The quiet section starting at about 2.38 was good for dynamics, however the arrangement in this and other sections were somewhat simplistic and rigid. Note at 4.02 sounded off, because that note needed the chord structure to follow it. Overall this sounds good, but still needs some more work. Just those little touches can make all the difference. Slightly less rigid sequencing, slightly bigger soundscape; perhaps add some brass to strengthen the string section, or octave other parts to make them seem thicker in the louder sections. Perhaps timpani or other percussion to underline particular parts. I don't like making stylistic sugestions cause it sounds like I'm telling you what to do, but just some ideas. - and keep listening and analysing pieces that have the sort of sound you are going for. NO(resub)

(Under 'Chipp Damage' on their site) Well, all it needed was some more volume, and now it's got it. Slight compression 'obviousness'/pumping but it's a YES

I can see both sides of the vote. Out of all of the medleys that we have received this has one of the smoothest 'transition rates', although the gap at 1.36 was very noticeable. The similar left hand movement is what kept the medley sounding smooth, and this is a very nice arrangement. However I do think that the performance was quite flat, this could have had more expression, more dynamics. Ultimately, even though this is a medley, some attention should have been paid to the fact that is a piece on it's own, and so should have had some kind of build up to a climax. I'd definitely like to see a resub of this, I think the remixer can take this to a higher level of expression. NO(Resub plz)

Wow, you definitely win the prize for most monitors.

Then Reason would be free, that would be true Christianity lol. That is clever of those program makers though. It's like, 'if you use OUR program, you're making sense'. I wonder if that would work with other programs, or would it be too obvious? 'Decency', 'Esteem'? Nah, too obvious.

LOL, thanks for that.

Hey Zoola, it looks like you got 2 separate workstations there. Why's that?

For those of you who don't know what an ashbory is, it's an unusual type of bass guitar. I bought it because of it's uniqueness, and that fact that it apparently sounds similar to a double bass. http://www.largesound.com/ I haven't actually got it yet, but it should be arriving in about 5 or so days. Anyone else here got some unusual, not so well known instruments?

This is great, no doubt about that. Beautiful chord progressions and voicing, especially in the intro. However, the main issue is to do with the liberal connection to the source. For me, this is just too liberal. Even though there has been a detailed breakdown of the connections, they are not easy to pick out by ear. I'm not asking for a dumbing down at all, don't get me wrong - I just don't hear the connections all that well at all. A clear reaffirmation in the middle and at the end of the mix would have made me easily say yes. I'm definitely keeping this, but I have my doubts about it's suitability for OCR. One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make as a judge. NO

Well this is very quirky indeed. The instruments seem to change eq as the song goes along. I agree with pixie that the rearrangement wasn't as expanded as it could have been. However, this is a very original sound, and overall this is a good addition to OCR. YES

Good energy in this mix. I agree with what has already been said, this needs some originality in terms of sound design. The voice sample is much too loud and raw over the mix, it should have been mixed in with the other instruments, and either timed better so it came in smoother in relation to the beat, or maybe rhythmically sliced? Rearrangement was there, but this needs to be developed more. NO

Thanks to the remixer for providing the source tune. I really enjoy the harmonies in this mix, and the reverb seems just right. Around the 3 minute mark there was a little mushiness with the string section and the brass, but that is a minor point. Everything is here - dynamics, rearrangement, good production. The arrangement is particularly engaging here. The full source tunes are not here for complete comparison, but from what I have to go on here, a very strong YES

I agree with the votes already cast here. This is some good production, the single issue for me is the repetitiveness of the mix. Although it is part of the genre, even within trance, this is still very repetitive throughout. NO

Could you judge host this sub plz, as the link has now gone sour.

After a super repetitive 2 mins and 18 secs, we get the source tune. The part at 4.29 when the drum loop suddenly comes in doesn't sound too good. It's not mandatory at all that the lyrics should have anything to do with the game, but in this case it could have helped, as the links to the source are scant for most of this mix. As it is, this is a trance song with some elements of sonic thrown in. The arrangement is very very simple indeed, and this added to the repetitive nature of the mix doesn't make for a very engaging listen. This needs a complete overhaul. You have the skills necessary, but the execution here just wasn't at OCR standards. NO

Ok this better be good... This is a completely different take on the theme as bgc said. Nice synth and strings work, all of the elements blend nicely here, whilst still proving a lot of energy. The horn and strings part kinda reminds me of 'finished symphony' from the ssx tricky soundtrack. YES

Yeah I second that idea

lol, yeah but I need to lose the flab around my stomach and I hate running. You're not the only person who has told me off for having one though.

Part 1: I love your chord voicings in this track, although there are some questionable notes at 0.17, 0.21 and 0.57 as well. Is this to convey the uncomfortable nature of the fact that these woods are forbidden? I really like the textures in this track a lot. What equipment do you use? Part 2: Wow, ok part 2 is superb, I really enjoy making and listening to jazz beats like this. Again, your chord voicings are just right, and loving your piano work. Super sudden change at 1.54, not sure that I was ready for that, kinda spoiled the smooth vibe, that could be the basis of part 3, battle in the woods?

That is a very big, deep kick sound! Very laid back and relaxed - this is not a sound we get often, which gives you extra points. The transition between notes on the vocal sounds a little strange, could be auto pitching, but then again I could be wrong. Not much else to say really. Very enjoyable. YES

Very close, there are a few issues that have already been touched on that make me lean towards a no vote: * The attack on the strings is too long in the melody used at around the 1 minute mark, and makes the strings sound very 'cheap' compared to the other instruments used. * Ending cuts off too abruptly. For me, the strings really spoil what is an otherwise very good sub. Granted, as Liontamer mentioned the arrangement could do with some more original elements thrown in. Needs some more polish overall. NO

It still looks messy even though I've just tidied it up, but meh. I only get the keyboard out like this when I'm actually using it. Just in case you were wondering, Keyboard is an M-Audio Prokeys 88sx, Tv/Monitor is a Mirai 32 inch, speakers are Eltax Silverstone 200s.