Monobrow

You want to use the FX channels. IN FL Studio press F9. Basically, in each channel (instrument) in your step sequencer, if you click on it, a box pops up called channel settings. To the right is -- which says FX. When you press F9, the mixer comes up. Channel M is the master Mixer, this means whatever FX you put on it, will apply to the entire mix. You generally don't want to use this for everything though, so they've conveniently given you individual FX channels to use for separate instruments. TO put separate FX on a channel in the step sequencer, change the -- to 2 thru whatever number you have effects on... And then in the actual Mixer, apply whatever effects you like (fruity default effects such as reverb, chorus, EQ, etc. etc.) to change the sound of your instrument that you are applying the effects to. So say you have a flute in your step sequencer that you want to add some reverb to, to make it sound nicer. You change the FX box in the channel settings to 3. You go into the actual mixer by pressing F9 (you can also just find it in the viewer), and you apply reverb to mixer INSERT channel 3. (they are called inserts). So now your flute should have some reverb on it. On the right side of the mixer, you can apply reverb by clicking a channel arrow under IN. There are several slots you can put different effects on for each insert. This way you can put reverb, or chorus, or EQ, or any combination of these on each individual channel, and have it apply to as many instruments as you want. You can apply insert 3's effects to whatever channel in your step sequencer you want as long as the channel settings box you open up when you click the channel is at 3. In each mixer slot, there are knobs. If you right click these knobs, you can EDIT EVENTS, which means you can automate things like, when you want your flute to use reverb, and when you don't. This way the effects you choose won't have to be on your instrument the whole time, so you can effectly turn them on and off. Another valuable tool is the SEND channel in the mixer, which, say you have your flute set to insert 3, and your piano set to insert 10, but you want them to both share the same reverb, but not the same EQ or other effects you have on them. So you create a SEND, which is just like an insert, where you can say, apply that reverb. All you have to do, is put reverb on say, SEND 1, then in insert 3 and insert 10 for your flute and piano, create a SEND fx, apply it to 1 (just like you picked which FX channel you want your instrument to use), and they will now use the SEND... It's a great way to save memory and apply certain effects to as many channels as you need, to create uniformity in sound if you need it, without losing out on individual effects you want on separate channels. You can probably learn more on YouTube, or from tutorials, but read this a few times and press F9, and mess around a bit. Good luck!

Yay Kyle! See you there!

Thanks for the compliments! This is a bump becauuuuuuuuse: I just realized after all this time, the the mp3 link cut short by about 30 seconds, so if you downloaded this previously, the real version is up now instead. NOW enjoy!

Who said anything about DW? Way to miss the point Brandon. *_*

I don't think you understand all the work that goes into a project. It's a really big deal, a lot of work, organization, and the bigger the OST, the bigger your resource pool for remixers you have to draw from. It may seem like resources on this site are unlimited, but they really are not, especially w/ people that will stick w/ you, make super high quality music, etc. etc... Getting a couple dozen people to do in unison is actually really pressing. My point being, if they are all involved in about 4-5 other projects (which a lot of them are) then finding the time to make a song, let alone the best song ever (which would be a prerequisite for something as awesome as FFVI IMO)is going to be harder. I know a lot of people that won't join projects just because they are sick of working on them. I also know a lot of people that won't take on project songs for their favorite games just because they feel obligated to work on other songs they promised to do for another project. Having 3 deadlines in the same month can really suck. What's more, I know people that join every project ever because they love all the songs, but have bit off more than they can chew and then drop everything. I personally don't blame them, because if things were a bit more spread out w/ starting actual projects, the resource pool would be easier to dip into w/out people getting overwhelmed (and sad/depressed because they don't have the time to remix their favorite song) Then there's the fact that there's such a huge backlog. I have songs on projects that are to be released that are at least a year or two old, if not more, that do not accurately represent my current ability etc. at all. It does suck to have to wait 2 (or more) years after you've finished a song for it to be released. My point is for a lot of remixers here, that have expressed desires not to have so many projects being run at once, not because they are selfish evil people, but because they love all this video game music but can only stretch themselves so far. FFVI, being as popular as it is, will obviously eventually be done, and probably by more than one group of people, and it's so huge an OST that I am sure that anyone that really really wants to be a part of it will eventually be able to be... With a backlog of other projects that will be released within the next couple of years, I'd personally rather have a breather on starting new projects for a bit... So people that have spent so much time working on them, can have a break, a chance to have their music actually catch up to their current state of mind *_* And while you're waiting, why not enjoy upcoming projects like: Wild Arms, BadAss, DKC3, MMX, Kirby Superstar, SD3, Super Mario 64, FFIX, Unsung Heroes, Lufia II, TMNT3, Zelda... etc. etc. etc.

Jeff Ball is awesome! I think this is a really well thought-out and executed mix. It has a very nice intro, great pacing, the right amount of build, climax, and cooldown. Since it's Thanksgiving, I'm going to use a turkey analogy: Jeff brined the turkey (intro), he stuffed it until about 1:30 (build), put it in the oven to brown it until about 2:30 (climax) where he bastes it (cooldown), inserts it back in the oven (build), then he takes it out of the oven in all its glory at 4:40 (climax 'splode), & what a glorious turkey (song) it is! It's dance/trance/ambient so I disagree about the length, if it was your regular 90s mix, it'd be at least ten minutes lol. I love some how interesting the harmonics are in this, really nuanced and smart. Great work Jeff and Happy Thanksgiving!

Can we kind of cool it on new projects while the 50 others wrap up?

the one i linked is the best song ever you can't deny it mr fish luers! edit: THAT WAS ALL IN CAPS AND SO WAS THIS SO THER!!!@@#@!!

Haha, so much Konami love. IMO though this list isn't very good, but hey w/e it's popular vote. I'm sorely disappointed that one of the best Mega Man themes EVER, EVER (and a Wily Castle to boot) didn't even make the top 100.

Nice job! This is gonna sound weird but when those background pads going whoosh everywhere are more exposed, I don't like them as much... Could just be that they (seem like) are playing the same notes through the whole mix and my ears are subconsciously tired of them by about halfway through. Any way, maybe you could change up the chords or even just notes a tad they are playing and make the progression more interesting? Or have them drop out even when other things drop out... My ears really did grow tired of them on the first playthrough. Besides that, nice mix, it has a lot of promise.

Hello there. Cute intro. Okay right off the bat... I like the idea of all the instruments coming in together. The problem is, they are all in the upper register, a little too tinkly, and have too much resonance overall, and there is definitely some frequency clashing when they are together. Some things need some EQ bad... The piano seems to be the lead, but it gets lost easily... I would EQ around that piano w/ your other instruments, don't be afraid to cut out some frequencies. I really like your electric piano sample, however I don't get to hear it most of the time which is a shame. Also the piano is very dry, which can be appropriate except for the fact that a lot of other instruments come in and that seem unnecessarily wet in comparison, where I think the piano could use the wetness instead. In fact, I think that you should cut the reverb down on a lot of instruments by at least 10 - 20%... When they all come together, there's too much resonance and things get muddy, especially when the drums come in. The drums are also a bit too wet IMO, I do like the rhythm though. Also I think your suspended cymbal is a bit too loud when it fully rings, maybe turn it down again by about 20%? When the bass/cello whole notes come in, they are too overpowering for me (but I am on headphones so take that w/ a grain of salt)... And I think maybe it's also too overpowering in the lower-mid ranges... I'd have it taking up the 20 HZ ranges, EQ'd down in the 50 HZ range, and maybe EQ'd up a tad in a sweet spot (listen for where it sounds best, usually around 1-2 khz range) ... As for the writing of the bass... I also think that maybe having that tuba or w/ doing quarter notes and whole notes the whole time is a little too plain and actually detracts from the rhythm... Maybe try for some rhythmic changes w/ your bass at the "FOUR AND" in each measure instead, don't be afraid to mess around like you have w/ everything else. Keep your drum patterns in mind when you do this. I also think the lower mids to mid range seem kind of sparse, especially if you take my advice about your bass... It may need to be filled up a little bit, the violin notes do this alright, but I think you could possibly chord up the song w/ that electric piano to fill the void nicely. Also the song feels too short, like you were just getting started. And finally, overall I would say it's very cute and a nice foray into a mostly ignored theme, but the execution just needs to be rethought/improved, at least for OCREMIX quality. But that aside, the rule of thumb is when writing music like this... You want things to stand out as separate in interesting ways, and sound good that way when they are doing their own thing, but be very balanced when they join in w/ other instruments without clashing. This can be very hard to do, because music of this nature is extremely fragile and when things go wrong, they are exposed to the listener very easy. I should know because I am a huge "omg I have 25 instruments playing at once and I want them to stay there I love all them forever" person myself lol. Hope this helps and good luck!

My advice to you. Don't use any other instrument other than your piano. Right now it sounds like 3 songs playing at once. You even switch keys w/ the piano... but your violin or w/e is playing in the original key? Right now listening makes me feel like a crazy person, maybe try to keep your accompany in the same key, and keep up w/ the piano chord structure? I think maybe though that the piano needs to be by itself... It is played like a solo piece, so maybe adding anything to it would take away in general.

Hey there. Okay listenng... First impression: I think maybe your initial drum might be a little too loud, as in louder than necessary to make your point. It's all I hear really. Then you introduce your kit, nice snare, I like... However I think the drum writing is kind of bland... I think some breakbeat could really help... It's too plain and doesn't drive the song, in fact I think it kind of holds the rest of the song back. You have some very weird synth choices, but I like them, you layer them nicely (later on mostly)... So that's a personal opinion... Okay so the beat drops out, and the song cools down... Nice... However I think a better way to reinstate the rhythm isn't w/ the drums, but perhaps some synth gates, get some counter-rhythm in there, maybe drive the beat w/ another bass 8th notes building back up... Then you can bring the beat back... And again, the beat is kind of bland in comparison... Get creative w/ it, make it battle out w/ your bass writing. As for the song writing itself, things start getting really interesting towards the end... and then... what? Fade out . I honestly don't feel like the song should have ended there... The song seems ready for more, it was just starting to feel really fun and things were coming together. You shouldn't end a song when things finally start to gel! Hell, do a key change, repeat the part, add a solo, anything (or all of the above)... It wasn't ready to be done! Anyway, hope this helps!

Hey! Not bad! Really nice idea to switch to minor, it fits nicely. I know the song is finished, but I am going to give some advice anyway on some things you may want to think about next time around. Or if you ever DO retackle this, for a possible OCREMIX quality post (it could happen IMO). It's hard to put my finger on what I am trying to say here, but I think it's not about the guitar skill, or the sound, it's really about the writing, I'm gonna write about it as if you were gonna change it, it makes it easier for me to approach it this way, as my problem is w/ the writing. The synth you are using, it's kind of weak compared to the guitar. Are you using any automation on it? Get some wankery in with the mod wheel, program some love into it, anything to make it more memorable. And here's some specific writing advice: 1:04... I think you should hold that note w/ the guitar, and then introduce your synth as a lead and repeat that part one more time instead of doing the next part of the song... Mess around with the lead synth, get creative, and let your guitar play some accompany (harmony) behind it... This would make your transition into what you have at around 1:04 easier. Right now as it is, that synth comes in kind of abruptly. When you introduce the synth also, I think you should go for more harmony, the guitar and the synth when doubled up don't sound very good to me honestly. So let's say you have the intro, then you play the first verse lead w/ the guitar, then REPEAT that verse and play the lead w/ the synth and accompany w/ the guitar (backing harmony)... Then you reach 1:10 ish (it would now be later in the song though if you follow my advice with repeating the verse w/ both guitar and synth), you'd be set up to smooth out this chorus w/ synth chords instead, guitar in forefront. The rest of the song will feel better paced... And you can feel at ease to be more liberal w/ the melody in the next verse. For verse 2, which starts at 1:30ish, after listening a few times... I think you should not even use that part yet... the part you have around 2:00 with the chords and solo might be more appropriate as a cool down section, that slowly climaxes as you solo and get real creative w/ your guitarwork... Keep it going a couple times, build it up, and then... BAM verse 2. Re-establish the theme, w/ guitar and synth both... Then do the part that WAS at 1:30, and repeat it a couple more times, end the song, and you're done. I am being really specific here because it's how I imagine you getting the most out of what you have. You want to lead us in, hit the listener, BAM... draw back some, give the listener some time to breathe, then build build build until you hit a climax, then keep them with you as you repeat (verse 2), and then end the song however you like... As it is now, this song kind of keeps going without any real sense of climax... So I don't feel like I'm "there" as a listener. By the time the song ends, I am left feeling slightly confused. But the good thing is, it's got some very nice production, the overall idea is pretty creative, and your guitar playing is nice. So kudos! Hopefully this wasn't confusing to you to read!

Obama gonna veto it if it gets anywhere.

I kept reading it thinking it HAD to be pasted from an Onion article.

IMHO Morrowind's story was way better.

Hahaha! I love that one.

Seriously guys, why does no one else ever mention Silent Hill 2? One of the most insanely emotional powerful game stories ever.

Silent Hill 2

Haha, oh the judge youth. Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Also GOGOGOG JUDGE THEM HURRY GOGOGOGOGO! Congratz Wes.

Oh my, that is gonna be a cool room! We'd join but we're already full!

Hey! Okay right off the bat, I think maybe your piano writing could be a little more intimate. All the notes are kinda stabby, which is okay, but I wouldn't be afraid to change up the velocity of some notes a little bit... For patterns such as this, I've found that a piano note being really soft in contrast to it being harder a measure before adds a nuanced touch. It's already been established, therefore we expect it, therefore velocity changes don't take away from it. Your cello/violins suffers from slow attack syndrome, I would raise the attack overall on the sample (or use a different sample) and then instead of having them come in w/ the same attack rate every note, use volume automation for your dynamics, or automate the attack etc... Volume automation can really help you, and gives you a direct influence on the dynamics of your song. I think your highhats and drum kit honestly aren't very appropriate for the song, just too in your face, and the rest of the song is organic. Maybe go for some more dancy/ethno drum kits? I also think the song kinda drags on a little too much before it gets interesting, it's very common though, so keep up trying to get these ideas going. What I've noticed is that when I got into music, my most interesting ideas would come very late in the song, because that is when I was really into it. So I understand why. Just work trying to not let most of the song sound like one big intro. Be ballsy earlier on. That guitar sample is pretty bad also... If you have access to anything else I would use that instead, or maybe put some fx on it, such as slight reverb, or anything w/ distortion. Mess around with where it sits. And if you don't have any better guitar samples, I suggest a synth instead. You start having some way cool ideas at around 4:00, such as around 4:25 I like the notes you have w/ the piano, the only thing being though, that the chords of the accompanying instruments don't match the chord your piano implies there, so work on matching them up. So overall? Work on your piano, make everything more intimate, work on slow attack syndrome, better drums, less of an intro feel for the first half of the song, and that fake guitar. It's a nice start! Keep trying and good luck!

Hi! Okay right off the bat, I think your choirs are a bit too fake sounding. What you can do here is automate the channel volume, do some crescendo/decrescendo with them. In fact, it would help your song's dynamics greatly if you did this with your violins, etc. So anyway, the intro is okay, the sound is clear, the piano is a nice touch. I think honestly though it might be a little too drawn out. Maybe something else going on, slowly building (possibly something gated, or maybe anything driving the intro into where you drop the beat, 8th or 16th notes etc.) Those delayed clap noises are kind of out of place, I think you might do better with a more ethnic choice instead. When the saw comes in, it's pretty cool, but I don't think it can be the only thing driving the song, get a little more complex with the accompaniment, add a 2nd synth, anything really, there's room... Also your drum writing is a little too plain, don't be afraid to get a good beat going to counter all the long notes. Contrast can really help deceive the listener into not minding long notes and chords. I also think that maybe the tempo could be increased overall, as the song stands now, as it's just a little bit too sluggish. When the Morrowind/Oblivion theme comes in, it's nice, but I think it might be a tad too late in the mix (at least for OCR standards), and I would like to hear it played up more as the song goes, don't be afraid to take the theme to different places, improv a little bit etc. So anyway, work on volume automation, drums, tempo, and more interesting writing and you'll be solid. Good luck!