MnP 124: Magical Starsign - Bena Rikashi

[TheVideoGamer]

Compo: MnP (Meat 'n Potatoes)

Congratulations to Wassup Thunder for winning the last round! As a result, he get's to choose this month's MnP source! Here's what he had to say about his pick:

"Here's an obscure tune from my youth! Not many have heard of Magical Starsign, an old RPG on the nintendo DS, but you should hear the track Bena Rikashi, the theme of a bustling city on a wind planet! It's short (only 30 seconds of material), simple, sweet, and gots lots of room for interpretation!" - Wassup Thunder

GAME: Magical Starsign (Nintendo DS)

SOURCE: Bena Rikashi

VIDEO:

Note: The video names the source as Puffoon. Wassup Thunder has told me, this is incorrect. Good to be aware!

Deadline: 26th May @ 1PM

Closing Date: 28th May @ 1PM

Vote Ends: 6th June @ 1PM

MnP ARCHIVE  - made by Trism 

submit: http://compo.thasauce.net/rounds/view/MnP124

MISSION STATEMENT
The goal of Compo:MnP is to promote that "meat and potatoes" conservative approach to remixing: this includes the mood and composition of source tunes. It is up to the remixer to create their own personalization, or to simply give it a sound upgrade. Moreover, the compo is a great opportunity to hone your remixing skills and give video game music the respect that is due. SOME reinterpretation is recommended, but not required.

MnP Instructions/Guidelines

1. Source-Picks are limited to the era of gaming 1984-2006.  In other words, Nes/Sega Master to PS2/GC/XBox 1. Still not sure, about this one yet. Gonna do a poll to see what community census thinks, in the future. 
2. Modifying the Source is fine, so long as it doesn't sound completely separate from its original intent. 
3. If you're gonna do a genre change, at least make sure the original aspect of the source is not lost.
4. Tempo changes are fine, as long as it's not a big change. I'm talking like, going from 80bpm to 140bpm. 
5. Submissions must be at a maximum of 20mb (keeping in step with ThaSauce's file size max), and submitted as a MP3 file.
6. Only 1 entry per participant. Previous winner cannot participate but can submit a BONUS entry. 
7. Try to avoid making quality-based comments on submissions until after the Round is concluded.  It is to avoid a Bias in Votes.

MISC/TIPS
- When picking a source tune, make sure it has a MIDI to make people's lives easier.
- In-game sound FX are permitted, so long as they don't comprise the whole track (i.e. replacing entire MIDI tracks with just sfx)

Edited June 2, 2021 by TheVideoGamer

[Souperion]

Listen to those DS-era synth strings. Good times. Fun fact: this game has a thing for naming most everything after food.

[Wassup Thunder]

I really look forward to finding ways to expand on the song, and seeing what everyone else comes up with.
Also, I found that the midi file was a little wonky, so I created a new midi file to make things a little easier on everyone, included below.

Bena Rikashi midi.mid

[The Vodoú Queen]

Heya.

I see there's a general poll up about source picks for MnP. Noticed there's a lack of a "both" or "either" option. I voted the 1st from preference, but TBH I wouldn't mind just vg music across the board, old or new school. As long as it has a MIDI found to work with, I don't think it's a big deal.

Also plenty of songs from games I like that came out after 2010, (from Indie stuff like Blasphemous to mainstream like Dark Souls 3). 

So, fwiw, I think one should be able to choose from any console era provided you can give us a source to work from. Cause I know some people here can translate songs to MIDIs fairly easily. Would be kind of a waste not to have the sheer breadth of choice or a change up due to era constraints.

Edited April 28, 2021 by The Vodoú Queen

[The Vodoú Queen]

Also, nice pick @Wassup Thunder. Never heard of Magical Starsign before...

...Think it might be time for some experimentation again... I sense a hip-hop / trap beat with lyrical work possibly in the near future.

[TheVideoGamer]

7 hours ago, The Vodoú Queen said:

Heya.

I see there's a general poll up about source picks for MnP. Noticed there's a lack of a "both" or "either" option. I voted the 1st from preference, but TBH I wouldn't mind just vg music across the board, old or new school. As long as it has a MIDI found to work with, I don't think it's a big deal.

Also plenty of songs from games I like that came out after 2010, (from Indie stuff like Blasphemous to mainstream like Dark Souls 3). 

So, fwiw, I think one should be able to choose from any console era provided you can give us a source to work from. Cause I know some people here can translate songs to MIDIs fairly easily. Would be kind of a waste not to have the sheer breadth of choice or a change up due to era constraints.

The whole reason i made this poll, was because i wanted a consensus on whether people preferred remixing older games, or newer games. I didn't add a both, because i'm specifically looking for a preference, rather than a general viewpoint. Currently source picks are limited to the year 2006 and earlier. I'm planning on adjusting this rule, or removing it completely, and as of now, it starts with a Poll.

I'm also going to add a few more adjustments, to encourage people to submit lesser known video games, rather than big name franchises. I say encourage here, it's not a mandatory requirement. Again these are merely trials i'm doing. I can also revert back if things don't work. Updates will appear, throughout the course of the month. Keep an eye out...

Edited April 29, 2021 by TheVideoGamer

[H36T]

Okay~ time to put my fox in the fray!

[Wassup Thunder]

15 hours ago, HarlemHeat360 said:

Okay~ time to put my fox in the fray!

........ What does your fox say? 

[The Vodoú Queen]

23 hours ago, HarlemHeat360 said:

Okay~ time to put my fox in the fray!

\o/ woot

7 hours ago, Wassup Thunder said:

........ What does your fox say? 

Uhhhh... Bork bork?

[Souperion]

Got something in. Keep at it, folks.

[TheVideoGamer]

Entrant in!

[Wassup Thunder]

Finished my bonus entry!

[The Vodoú Queen]

Got mine in, although it might be a little bit...unorthodox... ^^;

Edited May 26, 2021 by The Vodoú Queen

[TheVideoGamer]

Welcome to the Voting Stage!

• There are 4 entries this round.
• There is 1 Bonus entry(s) this round
• There IS a voter bonus this round!
• Wassup Thunder has a vote worth 2x. 
• When Voting, if possible, avoid granting 1:1 covers top spot.  MnP requires a bit of remixage after all.  
• Don't vote for Bonus entries please. 
• Do let me know if you have problems voting, and we can sort something out.
• Try and not make any comments about each entrant until after voting has concluded. Thanks!
• Participants may not vote for themselves.  

Vote ends 6th June 1PM.  

Vote here: http://compo.thasauce.net/rounds/view/MnP124

[TheVideoGamer]

Ok i was out for 3 days on vacation, so i didn't have time to announce the voting. So i've extended it by 2 days, so everyone can get a vote in!

Sorry it took so long! It's hard when your away, but i'm here now anyways!

Edited June 2, 2021 by TheVideoGamer

[TheVideoGamer]

Also i've closed the poll, thanks for voting!

Keep an eye out for the next round, as i will be showcasing some updates! 

[TheVideoGamer]

Votes in!

[The Vodoú Queen]

Hey guys,

I'll be getting to doing the critiques later on tonight, depending on how the evening goes.

But I also figured I should answer something:

@TheVideoGamer

Quote

"This is hip-hop? To me this feels more like a breakbeat/house thing. I assume because you are adding a rap accapella, you think it's hip-hop, i don't know it sounds lovely anyways."

AFAIK, FWIW, "Hip-Hop" is basically an umbrella term for a type of music, what I'd call the 'supergenre'. Breakbeat, Trip-Hop, some form of House, etc, I'd call 'sub-genres', that fall under the umbrella of Hip-Hop or Rap. Guess it just depends on what elements are emphasized in the song and "stand out" that gives it differing aspects to conform to one sub-genre or the other. IDK, you could argue it one way or another, cause it's somewhat subjective, but yeah--I realize and am aware that the song came out more like a House track than straight-up classic Hip-Hop. I wasn't trying to go for heavier elements like Old Skool (ex. the song "Jump" by Kris Kross), with the whiny, string-sound synth / arp and deep 808 bass 'boom-boom', lol. Song has too much percussion play, so yeah, it probably does err more on Breakbeat, like it's comin' straight outta Jet-Set Radio--but I did say that the genre was also Trip-Hop / Rap. "Adding a rap acapella" to it had nothing to do with my determination of its genre.

Not saying any of this to slap down your comment, or be like "you're wrong", but for clarification. ^_^; Not pulling the "I'm Black so haha I know better" card either, (even though I am African-American and female, if people weren't aware.) Am always willing to learn more about music, but I did kinda grow up with this stuff (Rap and Hip-Hop, I mean)... xD My folks played "Straight Outta' Compton" (N.W.A.) as much as "Crazy Train" (Ozzy Osbourne) or "So What" (Miles Davis)...so I guess take it as whatever. Mostly (with) a grain of salt. xP

Edited June 8, 2021 by The Vodoú Queen
Also, VG, thank you for the kind comments and constructive criticisms about my song as well. :)

[TheVideoGamer]

Results

• In 1st place with 15 points: Souperion
• In 2nd place with 11 points: TheVodouQueen
• And the last place hero with 10 points: TheVideoGamer
• Wassup Thunder created a bonus mix.

Souperion please PM me with your source pick for Round 125. Ideally for next week. (Roughly the 1th of June)

Congrats to everyone who participated, you peeps did great! 

Comments:

Welp, looks like i'm the last place hero lol, well done all! Also keep an eye out for updates, in regards to the poll! Congrats to all of you!

Edited June 9, 2021 by TheVideoGamer

[TheVideoGamer]

2 hours ago, The Vodoú Queen said:

Hey guys,

I'll be getting to doing the critiques later on tonight, depending on how the evening goes.

But I also figured I should answer something:

@TheVideoGamer

AFAIK, FWIW, "Hip-Hop" is basically an umbrella term for a type of music, what I'd call the 'supergenre'. Breakbeat, Trip-Hop, some form of House, etc, I'd call 'sub-genres', that fall under the umbrella of Hip-Hop or Rap. Guess it just depends on what elements are emphasized in the song and "stand out" that gives it differing aspects to conform to one sub-genre or the other. IDK, you could argue it one way or another, cause it's somewhat subjective, but yeah--I realize and am aware that the song came out more like a House track than straight-up classic Hip-Hop. I wasn't trying to go for heavier elements like Old Skool (ex. the song "Jump" by Kris Kross), with the whiny, string-sound synth / arp and deep 808 bass 'boom-boom', lol. Song has too much percussion play, so yeah, it probably does err more on Breakbeat, like it's comin' straight outta Jet-Set Radio--but I did say that the genre was also Trip-Hop / Rap. "Adding a rap acapella" to it had nothing to do with my determination of its genre.

Not saying any of this to slap down your comment, or be like "you're wrong", but for clarification. ^_^; Not pulling the "I'm Black so haha I know better" card either, (even though I am African-American and female, if people weren't aware.) Am always willing to learn more about music, but I did kinda grow up with this stuff (Rap and Hip-Hop, I mean)... xD My folks played "Straight Outta' Compton" (N.W.A.) as much as "Crazy Train" (Ozzy Osbourne) or "So What" (Miles Davis)...so I guess take it as whatever. Mostly (with) a grain of salt. xP

Yeah, what stuck out to me, was how fast it was, and that made me confused. Thanks for clearing it up for me! I'm used to hip-hop going between 70bpm to 120 bpm, and this felt like 130-140bpm. (Well ok, trap music is 140-180, but i often feel it as 70-90bpm because of the way the patterns are structured. Also this felt like a breakbeat, so that might have been why i was a bit confused.). Again this doesn't make it bad, it just felt fast to me, so i wanted to get some clarification. Also i do listen to a fair bit of hip-hop, so i am familiar with the tracks linked. 

Update: I think there is a spelling mistake that might have trigged the confusion. You've listed it as Trap-hop, and i assume you mean Trip-Hop, unless i am wrong. All in all, i still think you did a great job on yours! It's all good.

Edited June 8, 2021 by TheVideoGamer

[The Vodoú Queen]

Yeah, sorry... I guess in hindsight it's a bit of everything, huh. Has a bit of Trap, and a bit of Trip-Hop. ...So now I'm unsure what to even call it, haha.

It's ok. Now I understand what you meant. It is a bit fast for Hip-Hop (132 bpm I listed it as.) So yeah you're probably right, it may be more-so House or Trap with Rap elements than anything. I would guess the heavy use of sampling plus the vinyl DJ scratching and breaks made it real Breakbeat-y. Oh well, was kind of me playing around with a lot of different aspects of the said genres, so it's a chimera. Haha.

There's never anything wrong with asking. XD Thanks again for the props, and it's always good getting to know minds of like music tastes and knowledge. :3

Congrats Soup.

[Souperion]

This was a fun round, I enjoy having to get creative with short sources. Good job all, I'll try and find a nice source for the next.

[TheVideoGamer]

Congrats Souperion!

Next round is up!

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by TheVideoGamer

[Wassup Thunder]

A really fun round, congrats everyone!

[The Vodoú Queen]

I hadn't forgotten, lol...

----

1) 'Benny Rikashi and the Puffoons' – Souperion

Pros:

• This is a beautiful remix of the source. Everything melts and melds right in. Well-coordinated and organic. Love it.

• I'm not usually one into Bluegrass / Country, but I liked this a lot. Especially the creative addition @ 1:44, that kind of turned the song into a pirate jig, a la Pirates of the Caribbean. Really cool.

• There's so much variety here! Also, loved the ending.

Critique:

• Disappointed there's no dueling banjos. Also, half-expected a hurdy-gurdy or accordion to come outta nowhere in some parts. The song really didn't need it, but it was just a weird expectation on my part, especially when it began to build up to the end.

• I'd honestly be a nick-picky SOB if I sat here trying to find “issues” to critique on here. In reality, I can't really think of any, and on first listen-through, I was very satisfied with the finished product.

• Excellent job! Never thought I'd actually super enjoy a Country song for once. xD

 

2) 'Beats Rikashi' – TheVideoGamer

Pros:

• I'm kinda glad and taken aback that you went the truer path of 1:1 remix this time around, aside it being the MnP standard. Usually, you'd do something much more hardcore, whether or not your tune is in keeping with the MIDI completely or not. Major props there, going outside your usual mould.

• Like Wassup's, I like the bombastic, cheery atmosphere in this piece. It's great to hear.

• Love the percussion! I think it could've had some steel hanging drums in it somewhere, since you mentioned you were trying for a Caribbean / Jamaican party, or rather, marching band vibe. The swinging synths really provoked that feeling, but yeah, good stuff.

Critique:

• Thought the bass was a bit too..."bassy"? The reverb and volume on it, I mean... Sorry—I know what you were trying to go for but it was overwhelming from the get-go.

• The drums are extremely loud, too. I had my headphone volume down to < 20% and it was still kinda overmuch. Again, I get what you're going for, but balance is key I suppose.

• Wasn't feeling the ending, apologies, but this composition is not bad at all for something not generally “in your wheelhouse.” I enjoyed it nonetheless. :3

 

--BONUS--

+ 'Fairwinds Festival' – Wassup Thunder

Pros:

• Really love the happy-go-lucky, playful atmosphere you made with the song. Had a similar cadence and feel to the 'Millennial Fair' song from Chrono Trigger. It was a real joy to listen to.

• The strings were a wonderful addition halfway through the song, and rounding it all up with the bells / chimes at the end was fabulous.

• It was loud, but never felt “too” loud throughout. It felt just right for the mood you were trying to express and set. Excellent work with sound balancing, as far as I can hear.

Critique:

• To be honest, there wasn't really much in the song I could hear or pick out that was specifically problematic. The instruments seemed fairly well-balanced between the lot, and nothing really swamped or stomped on any other track used in the composition.

• I think my only major concern was the lack of a discernable fore, middle, and background between instruments. A lot of it was very “in-your-face” / foreground-related, with no midground and a bit of back (the drums and percussion.) Having a few of the lighter instruments maybe more in-between things might've helped, but I wouldn't want to take too much away from the loudness and bombasticness of the song, when it's supposed to be very uplifting and joyous.

• Great work, though!