Mega Man: The Wily Castle Remix Gauntlet 2011

[Phonetic Hero]

I just wanna take a sec and say I'm really enjoying this compo, everyone involved is 100% awesome, and the pressure is pushing me to write cool shit. So thanks everyone, I'm having a blast mixing!

pH

[AMT]

So kind of offtopic but we're all in a Megaman mood over here- I may not be entering in this week's mixing, but I needed to write a MIDI player for Flash, so I figured the inaugural song had to be one thing:

http://www.swfcabin.com/open/1320717997

[Nabeel Ansari]

So kind of offtopic but we're all in a Megaman mood over here- I may not be entering in this week's mixing, but I needed to write a MIDI player for Flash, so I figured the inaugural song had to be one thing:

http://www.swfcabin.com/open/1320717997

The Beat Busters LLC. are in no way affiliated with this product.

(No, I'm not using it in my remix.)

[DrewGourley]

I'm gonna keep this shit light, because there's already some heavy stuff coming down the critical chute. Last time I got caught up giving some artists tough love feelings were hurt, a stir was created, and I came off as an asshole. That's not what anybody here wants. These guys are really great artists and if sometimes they end up falling flat on their face it's our job to pick them up and dust them off - because the more they do, the better we all fare. That said:

Two Minds Without a Single Thought - Zero, let me pick you up and dust you off...

Moving on.

Under Construction - I really thought the use of the Piano throughout this mix brought it a great deal of interest and success, but that main synth fell really flat and kept me from getting into it.

The Last of the Clan - I like the epic kung-fu movie theme here, the intro is a tad bit corny, but not off-putting. Really like the use of instrumentation here, it seems to almost tell a narrative. There's definitely some awesome creative stuff going on here, but for me the problem is towards the middle. It just got a little tired and repetitive and I became disinterested. It felt just the tiniest bit too slow.

Totally Rad Winter - Awesome, AWESOME TO THE MAX! Nice little 80's tune here. I'd have to say that Sir_NutS is the balls. Overall pretty solid, I didn't notice any glaring offensive things in this mix. Though I liked it quite a bit, the 80's thing isn't winning votes from me too much anymore.

The Knight who says ROCK! - Straighforward 80's rock anthem here, REALLY NICE stuff. Can't hate it, but can't vote it because there are better things happening in the other submissions. If I could vote for five groups, this would certainly get my fifth. A large part of me hopes that other votes for this group will carry them over, I can't stress enough how much value is in this submission, but it just can't make my cut. I think I'm becoming a whore for electronica. WHY CANT I LOVE ROCK THE WAY I USED TO?

She's a Squirter - WILDMAN Strikes again (we'll credit him with that title, because Strader is a fucking Wildman), and does really well. All members of this team highlight well throughout this mix. Great example of using full collaboration to bring this one together, and it's catchy as hell. Nice work WILDMAN and team. If I could vote on four submissions you guys would definitely get my fourth.

Burn the Castle - Oh, I think I just found a way I could love rock the way I used to. AMT comes in here and MELTS MY FUCKING FACE OFF while Jewbei and Neblix loom overhead spreading waves of electronic joy all over the place. So I guess for me to love rock, it just needs to be a rock threesome with a couple of electric chicks. That reference may be a bit of a stretch, since they are all dudes, but this song is spot the fuck on. Right at the very moment things could have gotten repetitive or boring... STOP... ROCK ORGAN... STOP... ROCK OUT. Finally, the building up while fading out is a really cool way to end it. Leaves me wanting more, and if all goes well, I'll get it. You guys get my #3 this round.

Double Doctors - MainFinger, I was following your progress with this one via your updates on Twitter, and you were showing some frustrations. Whatever you did to pull through, you definitely made it. I love your use of that great WILY LAUGH, it's a perfect example of EXACTLY how to do this in a mix. I don't know enough about your partners in crime to pick them out of this mix, but I can definitely feel your style here. Fast paced, fun, and golden brown delicious. You're my #2 this round!

Don't Make Me Cut You - Halc! You CRAZY DEVIL! You're doing some kickass dubby type thing here. Some may say it's a trending topic, but if I could have anybody throw some dubstep in my face, I'd rather it you than anybody else. And nobody else can do what I hear William James Rocketboom the Third doing near the end of the tune. Of course, the polish of nutritious is sprinkled throughout this puppy - he knows just how to include all of the major food groups to create a healthy mix. How could this NOT be my #1 this round?

...because Benny Benassi Briggs came in here and fucked my shit up! thats why.

Dubious Brother - There are so many good things going on here, I can't help but love it. All of the variances in sound and pacing, all of the takes on themes, and that really cool canned voice thingy, which is used so, so well. That intro, just popping around in its own happy bit world, then the piano comes along, building, building. DROP - then all hell breaks loose (in a good way) The subtle strings in the background, the bitty stuff accentuating everything throughout, and that PERFECT piano riff sprinkled in just the right places. I had this whole thing figured out until you came in here and knocked my #1 pick off. Ben Briggs, Emunator, Ectogemia: #1 this round, hands down.

[Nutritious]

Don't Make Me Cut You ...How could this NOT be my #1 this round?

...because Benny Benassi Briggs came in here and fucked my shit up! thats why.

Apparently Briggs blew Halc all the way off your top three

(just messing with you dude )

[Brandon Strader]

She's a Squirter - WILDMAN Strikes again (we'll credit him with that title, because Strader is a fucking Wildman), and does really well. All members of this team highlight well throughout this mix. Great example of using full collaboration to bring this one together, and it's catchy as hell. Nice work WILDMAN and team. If I could vote on four submissions you guys would definitely get my fourth.

I made it by myself silly goose

WILDMAANNNNN

[Magellanic]

My brief rundown of the tracks:

She's a Squirter – Really impressive chip tune track. Nice textures happening in the accompaniment. The two sources are pretty well combined. A lot of energy for a steadily paced tune.

Don't Make me cut you – I do like the intro but I love it when it kicks in at about 1:20. A high energy track with a lot of complexity which lends itself to multiple listens. The highlight for me is the synthy-guitary-solo.

Totally Rad Winter – Funky stuff and I love it. Its perhaps the 80's vibe that draws me to this, but its just really well written. Nice integration of sources and really nice instrument timbres. Chilled but energetic, really like it.

Double Doctors – A cool and creative track. The sampled laughs will probably be like marmite for some but its done really well. Like some of your stuff I've heard before the arrangement definitely holds your trademark of it constantly moving and evolving. Very enjoyable track.

Burn the Castle – The other rock mix of the round which offered something very different. There is a really good integration of sources here. I really love the synth parts in this and the bass offers a lush rock-bed for everything else. 1:20 is a highlight moment for me, the transition is brilliantly done and raises you to the right level for the rockin' in the next part.

The Last Clan – A real gem of the round. The idea, arrangement and instrumentation are beautifully executed. This mix is a real change from all others in the round but that's not the sole reason for it standing out. Lovely atmosphere that makes me wanna just keep it on repeat.

Two Minds Without a Single Thought – Some good ideas and I just think with some more development you could develop this into something more substantial. Its got a melancholic and almost lonely feel. Don't fear from exploring other chords.

Dubious Brother – Funky chiptune. I just love it. Bright, happy and upbeat. This mix makes me smile.

Under Construction – Love the opening piano, I thought there was going to be a concert piano recital at first This one has a nice swung and chilled feel. Looking forward to hearing some more of your work.

I'm sure anyone could have reviewed and scrutinised over the tracks in far more detail, but with it being a competition and all it kinda changes things. I can't speak for anyone else, but for me ,with a time constraint, it means that I have to cut short on certain aspects to bring up others I'm not so hot on (ie production aspects). Perhaps I'll develop my track further, but meh, perhaps its fine as it is

[DrewGourley]

I'd like to add this clarification because I've been notified that some things about how I voted may be unclear. I feel since I respect Halc, Will, and Nutritious as much as I do, I owe them at least some sort of explanation.

I had every intention of voting Halc, Nut, and Will's #1 because it is simply awesome, but after hearing Ben's LAST after having done all of these writeups, I couldn't rectify un-voting my #3 and shifting everybody down in that fashion. I realize it seems a little fucked up, but I had to pick 1 to be #1 and since both are worthy in my mind, I made the decision to instead replace my #1 vote and leave the others alone. It was based on a lot of factors, one being that your mix is doing so well already, being bumped off of my little list isn't going to have a big impact on the outcome. Another reason is because I'll be the first to admit that WillRock and Halc are HUGE favorites of mine, and Nutritious is right up there too. Making this decision to drop them completely after having listened to Ben Briggs entry helps to dispel at least my large feeling of giving them the nod just because they are who they are, which I am very capable of being guilty of.

In conclusion

[DrewGourley]

I made it by myself silly goose

WILDMAANNNNN

Then you are the sexiest WILDMAN anybody could have ever asked for.

[Chernabogue]

Awesome mixes, dudes. I always feel I'm a noob after listening to such stuff.

[DarkeSword]

I'd like to add this clarification because I've been notified that some things about how I voted may be unclear. I feel since I respect Halc, Will, and Nutritious as much as I do, I owe them at least some sort of explanation.

I had every intention of voting Halc, Nut, and Will's #1 because it is simply awesome, but after hearing Ben's LAST after having done all of these writeups, I couldn't rectify un-voting my #3 and shifting everybody down in that fashion. I realize it seems a little fucked up, but I had to pick 1 to be #1 and since both are worthy in my mind, I made the decision to instead replace my #1 vote and leave the others alone. It was based on a lot of factors, one being that your mix is doing so well already, being bumped off of my little list isn't going to have a big impact on the outcome. Another reason is because I'll be the first to admit that WillRock and Halc are HUGE favorites of mine, and Nutritious is right up there too. Making this decision to drop them completely after having listened to Ben Briggs entry helps to dispel at least my large feeling of giving them the nod just because they are who they are, which I am very capable of being guilty of.

In conclusion

That's extremely silly. Your voting practices are extremely silly. Listen to all of them first, then make your decisions!

[Brandon Strader]

i voted based on which mixes affected me emotionally, or moved me in some way

WILDMAAANNNN

[Nutritious]

I'd like to add this clarification because I've been notified that some things about how I voted may be unclear. I feel since I respect Halc, Will, and Nutritious as much as I do, I owe them at least some sort of explanation.

I had every intention of voting Halc, Nut, and Will's #1 because it is simply awesome, but after hearing Ben's LAST after having done all of these writeups, I couldn't rectify un-voting my #3 and shifting everybody down in that fashion. I realize it seems a little fucked up, but I had to pick 1 to be #1 and since both are worthy in my mind, I made the decision to instead replace my #1 vote and leave the others alone. It was based on a lot of factors, one being that your mix is doing so well already, being bumped off of my little list isn't going to have a big impact on the outcome. Another reason is because I'll be the first to admit that WillRock and Halc are HUGE favorites of mine, and Nutritious is right up there too. Making this decision to drop them completely after having listened to Ben Briggs entry helps to dispel at least my large feeling of giving them the nod just because they are who they are, which I am very capable of being guilty of.

In conclusion

For the record, I'm fine with however you choose to vote. Don't sweat it on my account

[DrewGourley]

That's extremely silly. Your voting practices are extremely silly. Listen to all of them first, then make your decisions!

I know...

I'm going back to my hole now...

[DrewGourley]

i voted based on which mixes affected me emotionally, or moved me in some way

WILDMAAANNNN

SO, since your mix made me rock hard I should vote you as 1, 2 and 3.

Done.

[Brandon Strader]

SO, sine your mix made me rock hard I should vote you as 1, 2 and 3.

Done.

I hope you meant it made you rock hard in the sense that you rocked out, hard...

WILDMAAANNNN

[ectogemia]

SO, sine your mix made me rock hard I should vote you as 1, 2 and 3.

Done.

This is a fantastic post.

[shadow24]

I mean, dang, I understand ripping me apart, cuz mine sucked

Don't feel bad ZTM. I wish I was experienced and felt as confident as you to even join the competition lol. I'd be dead last and laughed out of the competition if I were to join (I know this isn't true cuz you guys are all too nice).

Just keep at it man and eventually you'll be as good as the top remixers on the site If I know anything its that persistence is key to accomplishing great things.

BTW: Any tips on upgrading from Garage Band to a real software suite? I haven't bought Reason yet but maybe I can convince myself it will be a good Christmas present to myself I just don't know if I can adjust to it....

[Obtuse]

so AkumajoeBelmont's lyrics in his "For You" remix never leave my head when I'm working with this source.

[WillRock]

BTW: Any tips on upgrading from Garage Band to a real software suite? I haven't bought Reason yet but maybe I can convince myself it will be a good Christmas present to myself I just don't know if I can adjust to it....

I do believe you can open your garageband files in logic so thats a fair choice... it has good plug in support but doesn't have VST which might be slightly limiting... not so much so as Reason however, which is self contained (I use Reason). It might be worth a logic guy to comfirm this stuff for sure... Rozo???

[shadow24]

Hey Darke,

How does the following line strike you?????

|-------------------------------------------------|

| Sigma Fortress Remix Fiasco 2012 |

|-------------------------------------------------|

Just throwing it out there..... :)

[shadow24]

I do believe you can open your garageband files in logic so thats a fair choice... it has good plug in support but doesn't have VST which might be slightly limiting... not so much so as Reason however, which is self contained (I use Reason). It might be worth a logic guy to comfirm this stuff for sure... Rozo???

If anyone has used both which one would you prefer if you were just starting out?

Will thanks for the reply I'll eventually get something but opted for a full sized semi-weighted keyboard controller last time we spoke. Its made composing sooooooo much easier even though I'm musically uneducated. Maybe I should just take the plunge "purchase Reason" and struggle through learning how it works for a couple weeks.

[orlouge82]

Helios42, prepare for a "learn to follow directions" post from Darke for posting reviews in your vote.

[DarkeSword]

UGH! Guys, seriously! ONLY POST YOUR THREE VOTES! Don't post anything else! Don't post reviews, comments or anything like that!

[DarkeSword]

Putting Helios's reviews here because they're not supposed to be in the voting thread.

1. Under Construction

I loved what was done with Needle Man's theme, and the piano was pretty great. I feel like this entry gave the most fitting cover of Wily 10-1, at least my favorite parts of it. The background keys were solid and kept the mix cohesive. 2:00-2:13 had great mixing. 2:13-2:35 was even better, definitely the highlight of the mixes this round. Piano needle man and a very suave Wily 10.

2. Burn the Castle

I thought this one had some really creative transitions and covers of the themes. Had a great start - very 'at sea' feeling. There was a good interplay of instruments, especially from 0:50 - 1:55. The guitars from 2:17 - 3:05 were great and 2:46 - 3:05 had great mixing of the two.

3. Don't Make Me Cut you

The 3rd place slot was hard for me to pick. It was between Last of the Clan, Totally Rad Winter, and Don't Make Me Cut You. I finally sided with halc for two main reasions. First off, I don't normally like glitching because it usually just detracts from the actual tune. But halc shows us how it's done! 0:59 - 1:07 was a pristine touch of glitching right at the cusp of an epic part of the song, and it sounded good. Props for that. Secondly, I thought the overall cover of Blade man was well done. The section from 2:16 on really builds on this. The suspenseful part of Blade man is kept suspenseful but also interesting. Then the really epic part of the source recieves probably the most epic breakdown I've seen of it. 2:44-2:58 was totally unique but kept the sorce close at hand. This was followed by some Will Rockin', which was a perfect and subtle touch.