Stasis Failure - A remix of Gene Gadget from Sonic 3D Blast (Saturn)

[foxhead128]

Well, this is my first time posting here for feedback, and I'm rather amateurish to begin with. So anyhow, here's my story: I was meddling around with LMMS, trying to compose *something* dark-sounding, and then suddenly realized that the upbeat tune for the Sonic 3D Saturn's Gene Gadget does a sinister genetic laboratory no justice at all. This resulted in a remix that turned out okay, so I decided to submit it under the name "The Doctor from Hell." However, I didn't quite expect it to get accepted, and it certainly didn't - the feedback pointed out that the remix was too repetitive, and not true enough to the source:

Production is pretty good, though a little crowded and the kick could use more oomph. Biggest problem is how liberal this is compared to the sources; even when you bring in the Gene Gadget theme, it's modified and not that obvious. If I heard this cold, I probably wouldn't have known what game it was. The remix is also a little too repetitive like you said. Sorry, not gonna be the one to get you there, but if you have another remix closer to the game tune, send it our way!

Vinnie Prabhu

OverClocked ReMix

While your submission is appreciated, after initial review OverClocked ReMix has decided not to post it or forward it to the judges panel in its present form.

There are several common reasons why submissions might not make it to OCR's next stage of evaluation (bolded & italicized if applicable to this submission):

• the arrangement is merely a MIDI or game music format file assigned new instruments and/or given added effects
  
• the arrangement is not different enough (e.g. structure, tempo, instrumentation) from the original game music
  
• the arrangement is too texturally sparse, too underdeveloped and/or too repetitive
  
• the sound quality (e.g. sample quality, sequencing, mixing, processing, recording) is poor
  
• the writing or performance quality (e.g. frequent clashing or wrong notes, mismatched key signatures, sloppy timing) is poor
  

Less common reasons include (bolded if applicable to this submission):

• extensive direct sampling of the original game music audio
  
• extensive incorporation of non-game music or lyrics (e.g. mainstream, classical, etc.)
  
• arranging music that was not originally created for a video game
  
• the arrangement bears little resemblance to the original game music
  
• creating a track out of sound effects
  
• creating an entirely original track that in no way arranges game music
  

Therefore, I decided to revamp it somewhat, mainly following the feedback, along with some suggestions from my brother. The remix ended up being renamed "Stasis Failure" in the process of doing so. Its current incarnation can be found at http://ocrwip.fireslash.net/?fid=890, and the original Gene Gadget themes can be found at http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/947/14 and http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/947/15; both were used in the production of the remix.. Again, it's still a work-in-progress, so odds are that it'll have a zillion problems left to iron out. I think I've fixed the kick, but I'm not sure how well I've remedied the other problems yet, so critique away - I'm going to need all the help I can get!

foxhead128

[Tarnish]

Well, I hate to break it to ya, but I think the whole thing is still very repetitive. Hardly something happens throughout the whole track, and even if a little change does happen, then that gets repetitive very fast. It does have a feel like a "sinister genetic laboratory", but it still gets boring pretty fast. Imo either make it shorter, or make it more varied.

[Scrap McNapps]

I pretty much have the same views as Tarnish. I like the production and the sound choices but the repetition is holding it back. Try to add more variation, trim down the track, or a combo of both.

[foxhead128]

Okay, thanks for the feedback! I'll see what I can do about the repetitive parts; expect to see a newer version in due time. And if there's anything else you'd like to add about this remix, I'd like to hear it, too - you shouldn't have to hold anything back at all.

[ambient]

What the others said.

But wow, that source is awesome. Love it. It is actually pretty repetitive on its own, but damn its catchy. Might actually remix it myself!

EDIT: Hmmm. There isn't really much beef to this track to remix it. There is really not that much in terms of melody. Move on and pick something else.

[foxhead128]

Hmm... I was afraid someone might say that. Yes, that's indeed very true - Gene Gadget is very repetitive, and has little meat to offer. At the same time, I think it would be kind of a shame if I just dropped this remix right now. I was thinking about a solution, and wonder if it might be possible to tie in another track from the same game? This might be aided by the fact that most of the Sonic 3D Saturn tracks seem to have a variant of the same general motif (for example, Green Grove Act 1 at about 0:09 and Volcano Valley Act 1 at about 1:36; their tracks are respectively available at http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/947/4 and http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/947/10). Any thoughts on that idea?

[jabond23]

I actually loved this remix right up until :55 or so when that sort of bass drum effect kicked in. I love the feel of the intro, and ambient said it best that its an awesome evil genetic lab sounding song. It strikes me more of an ambient track, and those can be harder to remix than others. I'm hoping you spend the time to fix the issues with this track. Also, the production sounded great in the intro then it gets very loud and kinda hard to listen to for that very fact.

Good luck man cause i'm looking forward to hearing your next update.