OceansAndrew Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 ReMixer name: Vertexguy Real Name: Chris Kline Email Address: ChrisK@vertexguy.com Website: http://www.vertexguy.com UserID: 16102 Name of Game: Duke Nukem 3D Name of Arrangement: Duke Nukem Jam HD Name of Individual Song Arranged: Grabbag Original Composer: Lee Jackson Systems: PC, Playstation, N64,Xbox 360 Original Soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CezOHqlXAFY Megadeth version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_9SGrc4Oo Comments: This song has an extremely long history for me, going back to 2005 when I first created the original mix. It was originally inspired purely by Lee Jacksons “Grabbag” from the PC version of Duke Nukem 3D (which I use to play a lot). During production I discovered Megadeth had already done a cover of it, and thus started listening to it and becoming inspired. Some non-musician types might think this is just the Megadeth version with a solo, but I assure you it’s anything but. On closer inspection you will find that the vast majority of the composition is inspired much more directly from the original and shares only minor relation to Megadeth's. There are only a few small passages that are clearly influenced by Megadeth's cover, and they are still further altered to be unique. Even the original grab bag influences on close inspection have alterations to some of the chord structures and plenty of additional instrumentation and phrasing alterations. Then there are my own completely original passages added on top of everything to really set it apart. The quality of the entire mix has vastly improved in this HD remake to be much more on par with today’s musical standards. This was an enormous challenge to produce this track and I’m very pleased with the results. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceansAndrew Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Definitely hear the connections to megadeth and the original, but there are enough flourishes and minor personalization aspects (which become more and more apparent with each listening) that I am inclined to give this track the nod. Nice playing, good clear production, and a solid theme. Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonAvenger Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 Agreed that the playing is definitely solid. Overall I am underwhelmed with the source itself, but I think you've taken it up a notch here nicely. I think this borders on repetitive at times, but in the end I think it's not a dealbreaker. YES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Yeah, I've heard Megadeth's version a ton, and the backing instrumentation's absolutely nothing like it. The backing writing here was more dynamic and progressive. On the production side, the drums consistently felt hollow as far as filling out the background, and this could sound more cohesive with some tweaks there. It wasn't a big deal given that everything else worked strongly, and the arrangement was creative. The arrangement clearly stuck with the melodies we know and love, but there was a ton of personalization in the supporting writing and, from that, the dynamics. Loved the soloing on top of the foundation of the source tune to keep the original song in play while doing your own thing. Nothing else to say other this rocks. Nice work, Chris! YES (conditional on distortion fixes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emunator Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm totally fine with the arrangement on this, it sounds sufficiently expanded and personalized. That guitar solo at the end is ridiculous. However, I'm hearing a huge amount of fuzz/distortion on the drums almost all throughout the song. I can't tell if this is from my listening setup (maybe my headphone jack is wearing out) but I'm not hearing it on any other songs, so I'd like to see if anyone else is catching this. EDIT: After getting some confirmation that I'm not just hearing things, I'm definitely going to go conditional on fixing all the distortion on the drums. Unlike Larry, that's actually a dealbreaker for me; it's distracting as a listener and it just becomes more noticeable with every pass, so hopefully we can get that resolved because this arrangement kicks all kinds of ass. YES (conditional on distortion fixes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm hearing a huge amount of fuzz/distortion on the drums almost all throughout the song. I can't tell if this is from my listening setup (maybe my headphone jack is wearing out) but I'm not hearing it on any other songs, so I'd like to see if anyone else is catching this. Actually, that's a good catch. Maybe we can get Chris to take another pass at this, because there are minor clicks, pops, and distortions all over that percussion. There's not even a need to timestamp it, it's so pervasive. That's definitely a very legit issue. I'll go conditional on it as well. I could live it as a listener, but Emu's ultimately right that it's too messed up to let slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vig Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Yeah. Cool mix. But clipping. Cond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceansAndrew Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 try this one: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emunator Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I'm still hearing it :\ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djpretzel Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 [18:34] <@djpretzel> http://ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35950 [18:34] <@djpretzel> only issue is distortion? so I'm checking for that? [18:34] <@djpretzel> when something's in special review, a post at the end explaining why would be good [18:34] <Emu> listen to the drums [18:34] <Emu> he's submitted several fixes and i'm still hearing the issue, and i think larry is too [18:37] <@djpretzel> I hear it too [18:37] <@djpretzel> where do I come in? [18:38] <@djpretzel> final judgment based on mix as-is? [18:38] <@djpretzel> I'd prefer he resub again, AND if he can't fix the distortion or hear it himself, give us the individual tracks broken down, at 75% volume, so we can remaster ourselves [18:38] <@djpretzel> I'm surprised he can't hear it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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