Halo: Groove WIP

[PrototypeRaptor]

So I've wanted to remix the halo theme for, well, as long as the first game has been out. So I've finally come back and done a mix of the menu screen - it's a real lo-fi chillin' sorta song.

The only other music I can really compare it to is Rob Dougan's - it uses an orchestra and drums, etc.

I'm thinking of adding vocals but I sure as hell can't sing. The style would be more like Dougan's - real gritty and harsh.

Anyway, let me know what you think about the song in general, if the vocal thing is a good idea, parts to add, etc.

-EDIT-

Mix is done, from my point of view. Tell me what you think!

FINAL VERSION: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/lupz/HUMANITY

------

otherlinks:

www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ldcm/halomcnovoc

v2: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/bpoi/halomcv2

v3: (vocal test warning! bad singing inside XD): http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/kave/halomcvoc

v3: (non vocal): http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/xmdb/halomcv3

v4: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/wegj/halomcv4

oddversion: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/xdhy/halomcfinalfunnyversion

regularversion: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ynbz/halomcfinalnonvocal

[PrototypeRaptor]

sorry for the double post, but I've been finishing things up.

say hello to version 2, baby!

changes:

-added an ending (harp ftw)

-fixed some eq issues

-got rid of that awful guitar

-added several piano parts/more instrumentation

-flange on the drums (at parts)

so tell me what you think...seriously. I want some comments!

link: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/bpoi/halomcv2

[tweex]

Very interesting idea on the theme. A couple thoughts.

Very electronic intro. Not bad. It gets slightly repetative. Try adding another gated or rhythmic synth in there to help give it some body. It doesn't need much because you crank into it not too long after.

The flanged drums sound fine there. My suggestion is to lose the effect after the break at :29 and when they come back in; have them pumpin' to drive the song. With the synth choices you have and the flanger on the drums, it gets really grating.

Also, work with the drum sequencing a bit. The loop that you're using gets a little tiresome considering they stay pretty much the same for the first 2 mins of the song .

At 1:30, when the effects on the drums are gone, most of the punch that you were getting out of you kick is gone. Try to get that low end back a bit.

The effects on the drums are your choice, but at 2:31 they ought to be loud n' proud.

The sound is good and I'm diggin' it, but it sounds like it's trying to be released so it can really drive, but it's being held back. Let this bad boy out of the cage so he can do some damage .

Lookin' forward to updates!

[PrototypeRaptor]

Alright, taking Tweek's advice, I return with v3 of the halo groove mix!

Changes:

-more punch in the low freq's of the kick

-even more orchestra eq tweaks

-an actual ending! huzzah!

-more drum sequencing (more patterns)

-most importantly, some messing around with some vocals

they are probably terrible, as everyone knows you can't really hear yourself sing. I like the lyrics though...perhaps a collab is in order?

Anyway, let me know what you think! And thanks for my lone commenter - your advice was sorely needed...

LINKS:

v3(no vocals): http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/xmdb/halomcv3

v3(vocals): http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/kave/halomcvoc

[PrototypeRaptor]

bleh, another double post... oh well, need comments, heh

v4 changes: removed vocals (decided I didn't like 'em)

-speed up part at the end

-more kick bass

-more soloish stuff at the end

-even more drum sequencing!

that's all for now; i'm getting really close to submitting this...give me some comments! Please?

link:http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/wegj/halomcv4

[tweex]

I will say that I liked the vocals . Can't really say why, but I did. Totally up to you though mate.

The drums on the whole sound much better. I like the limited use of the effects. Before I felt they're were a bit overused, but now they seem to create a pretty nice feel.

The lead that comes in a :42 is a little jarring to me. Might be good to bring it down just a hair.

At 1:30, that really feels like the first climax of the song. I hear the quick build that you use to get to it, but when it comes down on the 1 of that measure, I feel like it's lacking a little. Maybe an extra layer on the drums, gated/rhythmic synths, or something. It feels like it wants a bit more in that section.

I think i may hear some clipping at 3:10 coming from the flute sample.

The tempo shift is a little akward, but i kinda like it. It doesn't stay in for long, but I think that might be ok. I don't like hearing them slow back down though. Maybe at 3:37, have them cut out and just have the strings and piano (or maybe it's a harp) hold the transition together back into the slow part. Just a thought.

The harp feels like it's burried in a bit too much reverb. The sound of the song for the most part is fairly crisp, but when you break it down to the harp, it feels as though we've just walked into the back of an auditorium while a harpist is playing. I'm not saying it's a bad sound, but rather it doesn't seem to fit as well with the current soundscape that you've created.

A lot of personal opinions and taste went into my critique, so take it how you will . Keep it up mate.

[Sole Signal]

First off, this is pretty cool. I like this style a lot.

Some comments...most are probably personal preference.

:29 - I don't like the drop off/snare intro transition. It feels like something should come in around :30 to help with the transition (maybe a single high string note that stabs into the next section?)

:32 - Sweet groove.

:42 - Don't like the abrupt introduction of the lead. There's gotta be a better way to bring that guy in. I'm sure you can figure something out.

1:50 - Could use an echoing crash/hit/something to hit and fade out over the next 6-7 seconds.

2:30 - Same comment as :29

3:16 - I'm fine with the tempo change, but when you slow back down at 3:38, you really need a crash or something there to "finalize" it instead of the awkward shift back to the slower tempo. I'm with tweek's suggestion to just drop that last beat section out completely and fade out with the orchestral elements.

Overall, a cool track; great groove and concept. Good luck with it.

[PrototypeRaptor]

Alright, I have the final version (hopefully) of this mix. Thanks for all your comments so far! Keep 'em coming!

changes:

-reduced the reverb on the harp at the end

-drum fills

-fx for rises and falls

-vocals are back? (perhaps)

-intro for that lead at the beginning

So here it is, however, I've done two final versions.

One is a slightly more odd version where I've added the vocals back in and added a bunch of sounds from halo at the fast part.

The other is just the regular version but with all the changes.

So tell me, which one do you like better? Should I keep the vocals? The halo part?

links:

oddversion: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/xdhy/halomcfinalfunnyversion

regularversion: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/ynbz/halomcfinalnonvocal

[tweex]

I like the version with the singing. However, I would suggest dropping all the clips from the game. Sounds fairly noobish.

The vox really adds a nice layer and level of demension to the song that isn't present without it. The effects (vocorder I'm guessing) are very nice. It fills the middle frequencies that are missing without them. You work with the supper low (i.e. your bass and kick) and then you have your stings and piano playing several octaves above that. The vocals fill that gap in between.

At 3:39, when the harp comes in, the drums sound out of place. I suggest dropping them with a crash or a nice reverse to segue into the quiet part.

The change in reverb level is much better.

I feel like you may need some more diversity with the drum sequencing during the increased tempo section.

Not bad mate. Keep it up.

[PrototypeRaptor]

Alright, I promise, this is the final version. I don't know if I'm going to submit this, but, meh, it's been good practice, right?

FIXES:

-Cleared up the soundfield ALOT. Removed stuff that cluttered it, sounds better IMO.

-added a nifty little drum breakdown section with bitcrushed drums

-added a better transition to the ending

-even more changes to drums sequencing (phew)

-vocals are still in

so, that's it. Tell me what you think - if enough people like it, perhaps I'll submit it. or, I'll just continue on my new projects. heh.

link:

VFINAL: http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/tovv/haloHumanity

[Midian_Galaxus]

Wow, this is awesome, I'm glad I went forum hunting tonight. Love the vocals especially. It's got a very Manson vibe to it. Grated and kinda in the background. This is what I've always been looking for in a Halo mix. Some parts seem to clip a little, but then again I'm listening through my earphones, so I'd have to give it a listen in the morning when no one's sleeping. Great job all around. Love it.

[PrototypeRaptor]

Hey, thanks for the compliments! Anyway, I've mastered the mix (which makes it quite a bit brighter) and pretty much just finished up a few loose ends. Thanks for all your comments!

Now, back to work on the morrowind remix...

link:

http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/lupz/HUMANITY

[Midian_Galaxus]

I don't know if this is worthy enough to actually make it into the halls of OCR famedom, considering I've never been able to understand the judges panel theory as to what makes it and what don't, but I feel like this should be judged and passed. Excellent work. Too bad I know nothing of Morrowind's tunes to get excited about another mix from you, heh.

[SPARTAN II3]

Hey, Raptor, I LOVE the remix, it sounds amazing, patriotic even in a way. I'm a SERIOUS Halo fan, so that only ads to it, lol. Anyhow, I'm having issues and can only stream the song, when I click on the 'Download' link, all that comes up is a blank page. Could you maybe send me the song, or like email me a different link, please? Thanks, my email adress is spartan-ii3@hotmail.com. Thanks!

[Liontamer]

So...http://podtacular.com/node/5972

It turns out it was made by Prototype Raptor as a remix for Overclocked Remix but somehow didn't make their cut and is not featured in the Halo section of their site. It's called Halo: Groove and I think the song is way better than some of the other stuff they have in the Halo section, but I digress.

#1: ROFL.

#2: This never got subbed. Why are we getting flack for rejecting it?

[Blackwinged Saron]

its great, it has a flavor that i like

but i don't wanna listen to it again...

if you understand what it is im saying, i think it just needs something, you figure it out, that screams listen to me again.

[PrototypeRaptor]

#1: ROFL.

#2: This never got subbed. Why are we getting flack for rejecting it?

Well, it seems that the judges' rep is finally getting around - those cold, heartless beasts. You didn't even need to hear it to reject it...hmmmm...this explains the que, amiright?

but seriously, the song isn't good enough to be on here in my own opinion as the person who wrote it. It was a good learning process but the result is pretty unbalanced, muddy, and drenched in so much reverb that even Kenny G would be proud.

oh well, there's always next time.

[MadGonzo]

nice, always loved this track, even today I was still listing to

"Bpoi-halomcv2" , it was one of the first versions, and althoug Im no fan of the vocals , Ican tell that the mastering has gotten so much better