This mix inspired me to do my own, and make it the text message notification tone for my phone. I'm thinking of putting it on the NGAP, but I doubt anyone wants to hear me say "New message" in my worst Solid Snake impression. Maybe if I did the Game Over like you did, and cry out for Snake. Hm...
Anyway, I'm not particularly fond of the drums in this one. Something doesn't feel right with them, though I can't put my finger on what.
~joshy676
Very nice! Not much to say about this mix, other than that the sound is great and the loop is more or less spot on. :D
~joshy676
Bravo!
Except for the percussion being a bit... inorganic... at times (the breaks after "SEPHIROTH!" and the little motif in 3/8, for instance), this mix is rock solid and ass kickin'. I'd love to hear more tom work from the drums, and somehow, some way, we'll both have to find a guitar soundfont or VST that doesn't sound like utter garbage, but you otherwise have a great mix here, Shawn. Well done!
~J
Ha, thanks, Josh. Thought you might like this one. o3o
A bit too much phase/flange; otherwise great!
There are a couple of small production issues I have with this piece. One is the aforementioned overuse (or perhaps just supersaturation) of whichever LFO it is you're using, whether it's phaser or flanger. The other is the lack of clarity toward the end of the loop between the strings, synth and organ. It's a bit tricky to get those split up because they're all in the same frequency bands, but the wall of sound seems overly thick in the upper register where these voices are hanging out. Perhaps a bit of EQ changes or some harder panning would sort that right out.
Otherwise, you've got a great loop here, Shawn. Good job!
~J
Eh, who knows what I can do. All I know is that I'm glad I could make it loopable. Thanks for your reviews, as always, Josh!
I like it, but...
I like the execution of this arrangement, Shawn. I think the slide activation on the harmony synths was a great choice, as well as your overal instrumentation choices.
But the one thing keeping this from getting a ten from me is this: it's very mechanical. In spite of the syncopation going on, especially at parts like from :24 to :35, the piece doesn't groove. And it's not something to do with drumkit selection, mixing or any of that noise; the issue is that between the bass, rhythm guitar and drums, there isn't a well-established groove (especially at :40 to :52), so it doesn't feel right. Because the drums are overly minimal from :52 to :57, the melodic buildup is emotionally muted.
The next part, though (:57 to 1:03), is a great example of good groove. The drums provide rhythmical seasoning, in a sense, to this segment, which is a transition into what should be a tight groove. The basic backbeat pattern the drums are playing, though, is missing key accent points that would establish better emotional flow with the rest of the rhythm section. If, for instance, the hi-hats were being hit with a dotted quarter note accent pattern equivalent to the rhythm guitar line (even if the closed-closed-open pattern doesn't change), the drums match the rhythm section more; you could also add some kick drum hits on certain "ands" in the even-number measures of the pattern that makes up that section.
On your next arrangement, try playing around with these ideas. Experimentation is the key to progress and musical success. :D
~Joshy676
P.S.: I probably sound hypocritical on some of the points listed above. I'm learning, too. xD
About time I get less than a 10 from you. Not that it's a good thing, but it's needed.
Yeah, I admit it doesn't sound THE BEST I could have made it sound, but I was basing it more off of the Dissidia 012 version, so it was a little hard. But I thought it sounded good, so... yeah. THanks for your review and advice, Josh. Hope to hear more from you.
Great work!
I really like where you went with this one. The synth work and the drops are well done here, Shawn. I think this is deserving of download just so I can use it for an alarm clock tone. :D
~Joshy676
P.S.: Sorry about the late reply. I got hit with finals and work simultaneously, and on a couple of days, I couldn't even find the time to turn on my computer.
It's no worry, man. I'm just glad you were able to review this. Thanks, Josh!
Interesting, interesting.
Sound balance is pretty good, and I like the loop clarity. I've never been able to pull it off, for one reason or another.
The strange time signature (or perhaps it's just the strange syncopation in an otherwise normal time signature) really throws me off when I listen to it. And this is coming from a guy who regularly plays and writes pieces that flow through four time signatures in an eight-bar span. :D
Anyway, well done again, Shawn.
~Joshy676
Well, that's Motoi Sakuraba for you. XD Some of his songs don't follow a particular time signature, lol. Anyways, thanks for your review man!
Groovy.
I love that this piece has a moving rhythm section (even if the notes themselves aren't within each measures). Other bits like the delay on the melody really make it groove.
I haven't heard the original (and shame on me for not!), so I'm going to give that a listen tomorrow. In the meantime, great work here, Shawn. :D
~Joshy676
You really oughta give her original work a listen, Josh, because she is just top-notch. I envy her skill, but I'm also driven to work towards the same level. Thanks for your review, man!
It's... It's...
Shawn, I can't think of the right words to describe this one.
This would be a good way to start: This is worthy of all the awards, Shawn. ALL OF THEM.
It's beautifully done, and in only two days since I "finished" mine.
I think the only this gets better is a direct collaboration.
~Joshy676
Well, I had this version in the works for a while, but I couldn't find any way to get through it without it being jumbled up. The pieces you gave to me really pushed me through that barrier, so credit for the contributions made goes to you, my friend. Thank you for your review, and keep on rockin'! Wish you luck with your Project 52, cause at this point you're gonna need to pull out all the stops.
-Shawn
MUST. FINISH. ENDLESS CONFRONTATION MIX...
SO I CAN REMIX THIS!
This arrangement is so on point, Shawn; I think you know it as well as I do! Well done, good sir. :D
~Joshy676
Ha, you've got a knack for short, yet very sweet reviews, man. XD
Yeah, I didn't really have anything else to do, so I decided to start this, took me a bit to finish though because I was listening to one whole part over and over again, but I'm glad I got it done. Thank you, Josh! And I can't wait for the Endless Confrontation mix. I'm very positive you guys will actually make it sound better than I did with its redux. XD
He/Him. Drummer for Totally My Hat! One half of Pixels & Paradiddles.
Age 33, Male
Drummer
GCC AZ
Griffin, GA
Joined on 7/15/04
SSJ3 - MGS Game Over 
Ssj3 - J-e-n-o-v-a Looped