Super Mario 64: Dire, Dire Docks Remix ("Thunder Synthony") *UPDATE: MAR 2, 2011*

[M249-M4A1]

Super Mario 64: Thunder Synthony

(a Dire, Dire Docks remix)

Hi everyone, first time on the forums but a long time listener of ocr. Just got this short remix done but I'd like to know what you guys think before I move on.

First I know I'm missing the other part of the song but I'll get to that later. And I'd like to know how the music balances on the left and right speaker because I've been having a hard time getting it balanced. Is there too much activity on the left / right side?

Thanks for the feedback and help guys!

Current Remix Version (April 27, 2011):

http://tindeck.com/listen/pzgv <--- PARTIAL update; features beta instrumentation pending approval from you

Source (song I'm remixing):

Old WIP Archive (from newest to original):

OLD [#14]: http://tindeck.com/listen/hfdk (April 2, 2011)

OLD [#13]: http://tindeck.com/listen/phyz (March 2, 2011)

OLD [#12]: http://ocrwip.fireslash.net/?fid=1115 (February 26, 2011) *DEAD LINK*

OLD [#11]: http://tindeck.com/listen/kwdn (February 1, 2011)

OLD [#10]: http://tindeck.com/listen/crjf (January 26, 2011)

OLD [ #9 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/rpdq (December 25, 2010)

OLD [ #8 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/vrty (December 7, 2010)

OLD [ #7 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/ixoz (December 4, 2010)

OLD [ #6 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/zuum (November 17, 2010)

OLD [ #5 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/slqo (November 12, 2010)

OLD [ #4 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/cwxg (September 15, 2010)

OLD [ #3 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/umfn (September 6, 2010)

OLD [ #2 ]: http://tindeck.com/listen/gist (July 29, 2010)

ORIGINAL: http://tindeck.com/listen/hnfu (June 20, 2010)

[Invader_Quirk]

The left/right balance seemed fine to me, but I'm listening to it on some crappy earbuds so make of that what you will. My main suggestion at this point is to scrap your drum track. Everything else has a cool atmosphere and arrangement, but the drums make it sound like public domain infomercial music, especially when you fill with a cymbal clash. If it was me, I'd go for more deep, resonant percussion like jungle drums or something similar to a Blue Man Group sound. Hope this is helpful in some way.

[M249-M4A1]

Thanks for the suggestion. The drum track is a bit too static and boring after a while and I'll definitely be looking to redo that. The fill also isn't the best sample, which I know sucks but sounded good for the time being. Any suggestion as to specifc instruments to use for the jungle effect you mentioned?

[adjacentshadow]

OK so i am a big fan of this source, dire dire docks. However though all of the remixes

that people keep doing, they never seem to get a particular part of the song.

Focus less on the instruments that you are now, and focus on the VIOLIN part that nobody hit right yet.

On a lighter note, thanks for the remix your attempting. I never get sick of them.

[Invader_Quirk]

Any suggestion as to specifc instruments to use for the jungle effect you mentioned?

I was thinking instruments like those in Congo Jungle from DKC. Some timpani, steel drums, bongos, something with a deep hollow sound. I think this would really help create that deep underwater feeling. It might seem strange to put jungle drums in there, but in my head it sounds really neat.

[M249-M4A1]

Hi everyone, got an update for this song and I need some feedback on the sound, originality, etc!!! Thank you so much for listening and your feedback!

UPDATE: http://www.tindeck.com/listen/gist <--- OLD

[Sbeast]

Just checked out the updated version. It seems like you've gone for an orchestral remix with added synths. An interesting choice and for the most part works really well. Its a dynamically rich remix and it kept my interest throughout. Theres also some decent added material happening from 2:05 onwards. I love the delay/filter effect on the intro melody, but the snare sounds like its auto-panning and I'm debating whether that fits in well or not, (its a nice effect but gets a bit distracting). The "pitch dive" at 2:53 and the short snippet from the Mario Overworld BGM at 3:10 were nice touches. Not much more I can say, it will be interesting to see what the mods make of this. Good luck!

[Cyril the Wolf]

I would prefer a different kick sound on the drum kit. As well as taking that snare and monoing it. Having it slightly in my left ear is very distracting.

Oh man, this has great sound in it. that first climax you had seemed a little... clippy or too full. I dunno why, but maybe lay off the limiter a little bit if you are using one. If not then figure out what instruments are competing with each other for space. Like the piano and timps for instance.

I dislike that end. Personal thing. I would have loved to have it do something with the melody and end on the tonic. But that is just me. I'm a very root-end oriented person a lot of the time.

[No Escape]

Hmmmm...This isn't bad at all. I agree with the snare problem. It sounds like there may be too much verb on it, them you boosted it to bring it up in the mix (just guessing). I like your string patches, they have a good feel to them (not necessarily real, but pleasing to hear). I also disliked the end. It felt to me like it ended mid progression. I would look into that a little. So far, not bad. I'll be pleased to hear the revisions made.

BTW, check out how authoritative Sbeast with an Axel is. I couldn't even argue with any of his critiques. No, really, I wanted to ask him what auto -panning was, but I couldn't even try. Just...too...tough... *runs away from imminent double tap B*

[Sbeast]

BTW, check out how authoritative Sbeast with an Axel is. I couldn't even argue with any of his critiques. No, really, I wanted to ask him what auto -panning was, but I couldn't even try. Just...too...tough... *runs away from imminent double tap B*

Lol, you can't run away from my grand uppercut . If you listen at around 00:30 the snare sounds like its alternating between the left and right speaker on each hit. I think this is called auto-panning, but you can acheive the same effect using a tremolo, or pan automation.

[Malheureusement]

This mix is AWeSOME! Great bell sounds! The only critique I have is that the ending was too abrupt. The track just kinda...ended. lol it threw me off, I was like WUT?! But it sounds amazing excluding the non-existent outro.

[Skyggesang]

This is quite a good track!

The instruments sound swell and I think they were nicely picked together. They make for an orchestral feel, but also keeping the electronicness in it, which I love. I can still picture this track more or less in a game like Super Mario Galaxy. I don't know your old drum track (n00b here), but this one fits well, in my opinion.

It has some great, unexpected touches in it, like at 01:18, where you added a break mid-melody, and 02:53, the extra bar of fade in. And most of all, the subtle melody of the Overworld theme of Super Mario Bros.. That put a smile on my face.

The song plods along nicely, subtlely varying your melodies and creating a good build-up with the use of your instruments.

I only experienced this after listening to the whole song, though. The first minute I felt the repetitiveness. It proves once more that a song should be listened to in its entirety before judging it (try telling some of my friends that...). At a second and third listen, it wasn't bothering me anymore. Still, might be a small note.

I do agree with Malheureusement on the outro. I felt it was too abrupt as well. If you'd add one or two extra bars with that part again, with the drums fading out and the strings and piano sustaining their notes, to make a suggestion, it's a whole lot better.

I also agree with Cyril the Wolf on the kick drum sound. It sounds a bit flat and particularly in the interlude at 02:03 it takes down the power too much. Add a bit of bombasm there.

And finally, a small thing: I have speakers with bass boost on them and I always listen to tracks with and without it. With the bass boost, the mix sounds a tad bit muddy. But hey, those are my speakers.

[M249-M4A1]

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it

I've been working on it a bit more and realize your all right. And as for that abrupt ending, the song isn't quite finished! I wanted to end it with the piano or bells that keep close to the original melody.

And as for the beginning repetition, I agree that it's a little boring and I wanted to throw in some brass instruments, or make a new original segment or something like that. I just got back from a long vacation and I can't even think!

But thanks again for the suggestion! I'll be working on them very soon!!

[M249-M4A1]

Hey guys! Again, thanks for all the suggestions! I'm still working on this, but I wanted to touch up on some bland parts that I've kept in mind for the longest time.

The kick drum I am working on still. I've tweaked it a bit (not in this track), tried a new kick drum, and haven't quite found that full, deep-resonating sound yet.

I'm still working on a good ending, also. I want to end with either a bang that sticks true to the original melody, or at least finish it off with a full orchestra, the bells, or a piano segment. Having it all mashed up would be okay (for me), but the point of Dire, Dire Docks, in my opinion, is that it's a very light song and shouldn't be too overly powerful. I put some breaks in the song just for that purpose -- to mellow it down a bit.

Hope you guys like this song -- I always look forward to, and value any and all input suggestions!

UPDATE: http://tindeck.com/listen/umfn <--- OLD

[Invader_Quirk]

Sounds great except for the drums, so I eagerly await your changes.

[M249-M4A1]

Got another update here. I've been getting real frustrated with this song, mainly because of the volume issues. I don't know why, I feel like its either too soft, or too loud. Of course, when its a calm section, it plays softly but I just can't get that feel...

To me, this update is sorta big, because it adds rain and thunder effects and gives Dire, Dire Docks a very dark, mysterious, and slightly angry approach (unlike the original, which is very calm). My previous versions was pretty much just music, but no real feel or mood it. I was trying to imitate the thunder with the timps and the deep-resonating hits, etc. Still experimenting! Ideas welcome!!

I was thinking of naming this song something that's close to Song of Storms from Zelda, except maybe using words like flash flood, symphony, I don't know. Something angry sounding.

Theres still some work I have to do, some notes sound a little bit muddy, and the tamb plays too harshly over normal speakers, yet it sounds fine in headphones, so I'll look into that.

Any suggestions and feedback is welcome! I would love to get this song done.

Note: Still haven't worked on a strong ending, so I just faded out.

UPDATE: http://www.tindeck.com/listen/cwxg <--- OLD

[Tyler Gill]

Very well done! I'd say you managed to pull of the intense variation of this song very well - especially while relistening to the second to last update. The previous one sounds like something from Super Mario Galaxy to me, which is good, but I like the sound of the new one too - Dire, Dire Docks is my favorite piece of video game source ever, but it rarely gets played in an intense way. But now on to the more specific review:

I liked the storm fx at the begining, though they seemed just slightly too loud at first. I was afraid when it started that they were going to continue through the whole piece and drown out the music. So I might say even just fade it down a little at first as the music starts to come in. You could also bring that back in, possibly at the end to tie it all together as the storm comes back and covers up the song.

I also really like the arrangement, and the many little motifs you have running around throughout the song, but without distracting from the main melody. You did that very well too.

At around 1:50, the synth that comes in and takes the lead melody sounds a little out of place to me. Not necessarily bad, but a little weird. For the rest of the piece, the main instrumentation is orchestral, with some synths in the background adding to the intensity and overall feel. But then, when that synth comes out in front, and only stays there for about 10 seconds, and then goes back into the background to barely be there for the rest, it feels kinda weird - like an orchestra had a measure of trance in the middle of it. Once again, my suggestion (that may not need to be taken at face value) would be be to make it more similar - either make it a little less prominent right there, or make it a little more prominent toward the end of the piece. Whichever one gives you the sound you want.

But with all that said, it sounds really good too me. And besides, it doesn't really matter what I think you don't agree with it. Congratulations on making such a good first mix! (Especially for such a great source tune Good luck on getting it submitted!

[M249-M4A1]

Woo!! After almost 2 months I finally had the time to get a good ending (at least I think).

I ... went back and touched up on a lot of parts of the song that were either too bland, or didn't have enough mood to it.

I ... also decided to name the song "Thunder Synthony" because the thunder adds some effect to the mood of the song, and it also reflects my use of light synth thoughout this entire piece.

I ... still would like to touch up here and there but I want to know if what I have right now is good.

Big thanks to everyone who has commented and I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

There is a lot more I have to say about this piece, but I just can't figure out where to begin talking about it, so I'll bring it up a little bit later when my head clears up!

ANY AND ALL FEEDBACK WELCOME! I CRAVE YOUR OPINION!

UPDATE: http://tindeck.com/listen/slqo <--- OLD

SOURCE:

[M249-M4A1]

Alright another update -- this one focuses on the removal of some muddy spots that had given me some headaches, and the addition of 2 bridge parts that were originally only played once in my prior mixes.

Hope you guys enjoy! I'm still looking for any comments and suggestions

UPDATE: http://tindeck.com/listen/zuum <--- OLD

SOURCE:

[Razor]

Oh wow! I like this latest version the best.

It's great to hear the progression of the track over the course of this thread.

[Gintokipianist]

this is great dude, i did a cover of this before but it was just "played" you have added alot and it totally works, (might be a bit offputting if you was actually trying to mario too it though ) great variety of instruments, not really a fan of the brass sound but to be fair very few brass vsts actually cut it, either way i really enjoyed this, great balance and panning. its quite busi but since its not drowning in reverb which sometimes happens with the busier stuff it totally works, more than anything else the arrangements is very cool and theres some good dynamics too

[M249-M4A1]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to set this to finished and hopefully get some more comments.

By then I'll have a story written about this song because I think it could go well with one!

[M249-M4A1]

Oh wow! I like this latest version the best.

It's great to hear the progression of the track over the course of this thread.

Thanks

I kept them up just for that purpose. I think it's fun to hear a song progress through the works, and I think its a great inspiration for new remixers because no song ever starts out sounding great -- it's feedback from listeners like you on OCR and many months of work that will turn a good track into a great one.

[M249-M4A1]

Hey again everyone! I come with an update!

This update beefs up the second half of the song. The previous version to me had no energy and while it sounded nice, it felt it dragged on a bit. So I added some variation and excitement to this one.

I also found a problem in the previous version where the bass was playing and certain notes were panned to the right for no reason, which was the cause of my L/R balance problem that I couldn't figure out.

Changed a few instruments here and there and overall I think I'm done with the arrangement and song itself.

The one thing I will be doing before I finish this song is to go back and revisit the EQ. Some instruments don't seem to be playing the way I wanted them to. For instance, sometimes the crashes seem to be floating right in front of the mic, when they should be a little bit into the background.

I've also included a breakdown of my remix against the original source tune.

UPDATE: http://tindeck.com/listen/ixoz <--- OLD

SOURCE:

**********

I'd recommend you download the mp3 and follow -- tindeck doesn't show play times!

The original source has only 4 main parts (A, B, B, C, B, B, D)

Source Pattern ............ When it Plays in Source

A = Intro ....................... 0:00 -> 0:21

B = Main Tune .............. 0:21 -> 0:31

C = Bridge #1 ............... 0:42 -> 0:56

D = Bridge #2 ............... 1:18 -> 1:28

My Remix .................... What Part I'm Remixing (refers to source patterns above)

0:00 -> 0:20 .................. * (original)

0:20 -> 0:30 .................. B

0:30 -> 0:39 .................. B (bass)

0:39 -> 1:00 .................. B

1:00 -> 1:19 .................. * (original)

1:19 -> 1:32 .................. C

1:33 -> 1:52 .................. B

1:52 -> 2:12 .................. * (original)

2:12 -> 2:32 .................. A (bass)

2:32 -> 2:42 .................. * (original)

2:42 -> 2:52 .................. B

2:52 -> 3:02 .................. * (original)

3:02 -> 3:16 .................. D

3:29 -> 3:39 .................. B

3:39 -> 3:49 .................. * (original)

3:49 -> 3:59 .................. B

3:59 -> 4:12 .................. C

4:12 -> 4:22 .................. B

4:22 -> 4:32 .................. * (original) + D bells

4:38 -> 4:42 .................. "STAR SELECT / MARIO OVERWORLD"

4:53 -> 5:32 .................. A

5:52 -> 6:15 .................. B

As always, comments and feedback is GREATLY appreciated!

NOTE: This breakdown ONLY APPLIES TO WIP #7.

NEWER VERSIONS HAVE TIME DIFFERENCES AND CANNOT BE FOLLOWED

[XZero]

Love it. I think some of the instruments are a bit too overwhelming at parts, which can be fixed with some panning and volume adjustment. That's my only constructive comment; everything else, from the arrangement to the instrument selection, is brilliant. This is an excellent take on one of the best tracks from SMB64!