Remix Redo: Fei Long's Theme Heavy Remix

[DrMario811]

Hello OCRemix Community!

My remix has been rejected from being posted, according to a recent email received from the judges.

The beginning of the email said (quote):

"You have a good start, but there is a little too much arrangement fat here, and some of the sounds could stand to be improved, specifically the guitar. I suggest hitting up the WIP threads and getting some additional tips. :-)"

Below that part, it also stated these two issues in bold:

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

Honestly, I was disappointed when I read that, but I did listen to my remix again, and they were sort of right. If you want to listen to it, it's been live on YouTube for two months, now. Here's a link:

Be sure to read the description. The custom song title and DJ name may be changed. The video containing the remix will now be mentioned as the prototype. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will move up from GarageBand '09 to Logic with this remix, as well. Thanks!

[Shake]

Yeah, a general rule of thumb is that if the samples aren't up to par, the whole remix will probably be rehected

Unless it has some incredible arrangement.

And they're right. Some areas like 1:15-2:01 (Almost a minute!) are too sparse and just repeat the background.

[DrMario811]

And they're right. Some areas like 1:15-2:01 (Almost a minute!) are too sparse and just repeat the background.

I definitely agree with you on the part between 1:15-2:01, and I didn't EQ the samples properly, simply because I was working with GarageBand '09 and economic in-ear headphones (which has changed now). I could have worked on that part to make it shorter and far less sparse; However, the fundamental of the remix will probably remain, but I will try to avoid repetitiveness.

I am currently learning how to utilize Logic 8 Pro, but it'll take some time.

[DrMario811]

I'm back, and I think I'm almost done with revamping the remix!

I'll let you in on a few updates:

• I've updated to GarageBand '11; I haven't moved up to Logic Pro just yet.
  
• ALL instruments have been EQ'ed properly, and the samples sound SO MUCH BETTER.
  
• Some instruments have a little more reverb and/or echo (i.e. Fretless Bass)
  
• The part between 1:15 -2:01 has been completely omitted, but now, it's silence.
  
• The following orchestral part is larger, more harmonic, slightly extended, and it almost made me cry.
  
• There are other few improvements and changes, but more of that is needed, especially around the last two minutes.
  
• I took a Music 1134 class during the summer (but not for this reason; It was a requirement).
  

The part between 1:15 - 2:01 is completely empty and silent---I don't know what to put there, yet. I might shorten it, but still write a little something there. I might stick with GarageBand instead of finalizing it in Logic Pro; GarageBand has improved. Hopefully, this will be complete before the new year. If not, I'll wait until the next iLife is released before finishing up this remix, but I'm sure this will be the best before then.

Let me know if you need to hear the new prototype to get an understanding of what I explained.