ReMix:Raiden II "Airborne" 4:27

By tefnek

Arranging the music of one song...

"Level 7"

Primary Game: Raiden II (Seibu Kaihatsu , 1993, ARC), music by Go Sato

Posted 2004-08-15, evaluated by the judges panel


tefnek sent in a really fun big beat Streets of Rage mix back in May that showed both skills and promise, in addition to being a blast to listen to. He follows that up with a sophomore outing that's not from as recognizable source material, a funky techno take on Raiden 2, our first on the site. It's from level 7, and MIDIs are available out there on the web, but even if you're not intimately familiar with the game, or like me lacked the skills to get past level three or so without cheating profusely, this is definitely worth checking out. There's a great variety of synths and synth fx, with funky sweeps, some edgier processing at around 3'00", and a generally movin' vibe that are all very accessible no matter who you are. Integration of scratching fx over the breakbeat-style percussion makes this a lil' similar in style to the ReMixer's first sub, but this is a bit more melodic, with strings playing a consistent role in either background progression harmonies or the main chorus. Malcos wrote:

"The arrangement kept my attention constantly focused on the mix, sounded good. The only 2 crits I would give this is that the drums were a touch too loud, and the last shrill sound was a little strange at the end."

Shariq and Larry agreed, so Larry contacted tefnek and got a revised, more polished version where even the already minor quibbles were addressed, making for a solid genre adaptation that doesn't focus on manipulating the main melody but instead adds myriad mojo in the additions department, with top-notch percussive fx and a tasty smorgasbord of analogue textures. Great to see accessible, popular genre mixes, especially when they're glued together well as this is, applied to less obvious source material. The days of the purely 2D vertical shooter may be winding down or even gone, but Raiden and Raiden 2 were some shmup milestones, and this mix pays homage to the second with some great mixage.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Black_Doom
on 2020-05-16 13:02:30

Oh, this is really lovely! This sort-of uplifting dreamy techno soundscape is just perfect. I can totally agree that there's nothing too outstanding or mind-blowing in terms of arrangement, but on the other hand there's a plenty of variety and subtle details here and there (like scratches and twinkling sounds) that made me appreciate this track. The beat may be repeating a lot, sure, but I don't care at all. The groove is super catchy and I love it! And boy, that phat, almost guitar-sounding synth at 3-minute mark is so good. Defenitely spiced the things up a bit. Very solid stuff overall!

avatar
42
on 2009-12-14 22:58:56

This reminds me of Knuckle's asteroid stage theme in Sonic Adventure 2. I really like those twinkling star bit notes in the back ground. The more I listen to this, the more I like it. There's a lot going on here, changes in speed, style, dynamics, etc. but also everything feels layered, which is interesting. Ultimately it doesn't do anything to drastic or explosively, but I like it, it feels mellow and very purposeful.

avatar
OA
on 2007-07-25 19:40:29

I can hear the similarities to Drop and roll here pretty easily, but I am of the opinion that this is a serious step up, and a better mix overall. Not merely relying on a super-repetitive (though badass) beat, there is a lot more room for the rest of the track. The levels are great and the break down to the uber-distorted synth is easily my favorite part of the track.

I haven't heard the original, so I am not completely sure of the interpretation, but it sound far enough removed from a straight ahead shooter for me to make the logical leaps.

Nice big beats with some melody; can't ask for much more than that.

avatar
blueblazer1224
on 2004-10-07 03:58:33

this song is amazing. The sound is crisp and clean the whole way through. The beat and the melody go perfectly together and the scratching effects add a nice touch. I stand in awe of your skill. Keep em coming man.

avatar
Jean Quad Van Damage
on 2004-10-03 12:28:05

This is aweful nice. Amazing how all the remixes for the starship shoot em ups grab my attention, and take me for an awesome ride. This one is just so nice. So serene, and calming for me...I love it.

avatar
flipt
on 2004-08-26 11:38:52

I really don't like the background sound. I think this mix would have been better without it, permaps something a little less explicit and whacky sounding - but there are some parts in it that are really cool, especially starting at 2:28 and the stuff around 3:00. 6/10.

avatar
RimFrost the Tourianist
on 2004-08-18 19:20:23

Oh my :o This IS cool ! Amazing work ..im gonna check out all his tunes and so should you 8O8O

Seriously, visit Tefnek's site. He has some great music on there.

I did . And it's a gold mine ...NO a diamond mine :D

avatar
DJBobtheGoat
on 2004-08-18 10:34:37

Seriously, visit Tefnek's site. He has some great music on there.

avatar
mrjag
on 2004-08-18 08:34:59

This guy is really one of mine. 8)

avatar
Flare4War
on 2004-08-16 22:38:06

This mix started and ended well. There were times when I thought it was alittle too busy, where I would have rather just hearing the theme. There was also a spot or two where I thought the percussion was too explicit.

Over all, well done. I like it.

avatar
zircon
on 2004-08-16 13:25:23
thanks guys for the comments.

zircon, i dont know if you mean premade loops when you say loops, but i programmed the drums in both songs using one-shot samples (and totally different samples as well). i did however use a similar technique to process my drums. so i hope the similarity you see is just my style :)

nah, wasn't implying that you used premade loops. I meant the drum patterns themselves were very similar (ie. when the bass drums, snares, and hats struck). The sound of the drums from the two songs were definitely different, of course.

avatar
tefnek
on 2004-08-16 13:07:03

thanks guys for the comments.

zircon, i dont know if you mean premade loops when you say loops, but i programmed the drums in both songs using one-shot samples (and totally different samples as well). i did however use a similar technique to process my drums. so i hope the similarity you see is just my style :)

avatar
zircon
on 2004-08-16 10:40:54

This is a pretty cool mix; sort of like a toned down Drop and Roll (which I loved) with more 'real' elements. Great synthwork and drumwork, which I've told tefnek already. Arrangement and mastering are good as well. My only complaint is that the main drumloops used here are virtually identical to the loops used in Drop and Roll, only they have (apparently) less effects. It's not a big deal though since the loops were good to begin with.

avatar
Coucou
on 2004-08-16 05:24:31

Excellent electro sounds.

They create a very original climax.

Thanks.

avatar
Kujila
on 2004-08-15 20:35:30

GOD BLESS YOU MAN! Finally a Raiden II remix! Raiden II has awesome music, and this mix is absolutely wonderful This guy deserves 20 bux :D

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Raiden II (Seibu Kaihatsu , 1993, ARC)
Music by Go Sato
Songs:
"Level 7"

Tags (4)


Genre:
Hip Hop
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Strings,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Raiden_2_Airborne_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,774,832 bytes
MD5:
0bcc3f9ef4b010cc6528a67d71dac157
Bitrate:
170Kbps
Duration:
4:27

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes