ReMix: Sonic Adventure 'Peacemaker'
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- Game: Sonic Adventure (Sega, 1998, DC)
- ReMixer(s): halc
- Composer(s): Fumie Kumatani, Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, Masaru Setsumaru
- Song(s): 'Theme of "TIKAL"'
- Posted: 2011-02-20, evaluated by the judges
...And we're back... Thanks to everyone who showed up at our Katsucon panels on Friday; Katsu was actually the first anime convention I ever attended, way back before OC ReMix existed, so it was cool to finally come back and contribute something after all those years. Today we've got a special mix for ya; it's from Sonic Adventure and it's by halc, which would be cool enough in and of itself, but he's really deviated from his normal style and put together a non-chip arrangement that's more in the Morse or DarkeSword lighter jazz/funk school. Oh, and it's excellent - Drew writes:
"And now for something.. completely different! This is my first 100% chiptune-free remix. This has been a long time coming, and I feel like I should have more to say about it!.. but nothing really comes to mind. I've been exploring some different styles lately, so expect some more off-the-wall mixes like this in the future~"
DEFINITELY looking forward to those; while I'll be 110% clear that I love halc's chip-infused style and have enjoyed posting each mix, I also love it when artists branch out and try new things, and the results in this case speak for themselves. Slick, intimate acoustic kit panned a bit left, EP comping on the right, plucked and blown Asian instrumentation on the melody, legato and pizzicato ensemble strings, and a heapin' helpin' of SMOOV. Bottom line is, halc can work in this style just as effectively, this track is just as slick and polished as his more electronic stuff, I'm a big fan, and I'd love to hear more. OA concurs:
"Instrumentation is pretty similar to the source, but feels a lot more organic and also has a clap added, which is something that most songs should have, this one included. I like the bass writing, and overall the vibe gives me a sort of DarkeSword feel, which means you are probably doing something right. Very cool that you are stepping out of your comfort zone and doing a good job. I like it."
Ditto that; great ReMix, our first from Sonic Adventure in over six years (!!), and it's coming from a fantastic artist who with a single stroke has expanded his palette and shown both diversity & style.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the A Halc song that isn't chiptuned? Whoa.....but hey, if you can make
it sound good, why not? And that is what Halc does here. A cool
natural-sounding ReMix with a tinge of eastern to it. Very nice,
smooth, chill ReMix.
- Crulex on September 28, 2012
- Crulex on September 28, 2012
WesternZypher;755892 wrote: Anything that can be favorably likened to Morse (sounds a lot like posu yan, too, in a good way) is an immediate download for me.
This.
Yes, it is not perfect (clap etc), but it is still a very, very enjoyable track. Love the somewhat Asian feel of it.
- Martin Penwald on April 20, 2011
ProtoDome;765655 wrote: I think it's just plain wrong you can be talented at other things.
says you, mr. i make amazing chiptunes and jazz songs and pokemon albums and album covers and song titles and forum posts and
- halc on March 31, 2011
I hate this, why is it not chiptune? Why are things different? I
don't think I can accept that things are different. Why is your
first non-chiptune mix not studio quality? Why would you ruin
everything by being different? Why is there change? I don't like
change.
I think it's just plain wrong you can be talented at other things.
- PROTO·DOME on March 31, 2011
I think it's just plain wrong you can be talented at other things.
- PROTO·DOME on March 31, 2011
Brandon Strader;756492 wrote: And it's a good thing that OCR isn't so high standard to the point that everyone has to have thousands of dollars worth of platinum-quality VSTs.
For God's sake, this. It's exactly the reason why Liontamer Yes'd despite his nitpicks. Some of y'all need to relax about this apparent "bar."
Great justice was done here, thank you, halc.
- metaphist on March 31, 2011
Sadly, this wasn't an instant download for me like your normal
mixes are but I do really like to see you branching out (as
numerous others have already stated). It's a good mix especially
considering it's completely different than the chippy norm but not
my personal cup 'o tea.
That said, I am really anxious to see future mixes like this that don't follow the "typical halc mix formula". Watching you and other artists on here grow and improve is absolutely amazing, it really is! Skilled Branch halc + Skilled Chip halc blend would = eargasms of epic proportions.
P.S. InsertRupee is pure awesome.
- stealthchicken on March 3, 2011
That said, I am really anxious to see future mixes like this that don't follow the "typical halc mix formula". Watching you and other artists on here grow and improve is absolutely amazing, it really is! Skilled Branch halc + Skilled Chip halc blend would = eargasms of epic proportions.
P.S. InsertRupee is pure awesome.
- stealthchicken on March 3, 2011
Ooh, it's exciting to see you branch out. I can definitely hear
some Darkesword influences here. I'm in the anti-clap track camp,
but I still enjoy the overall feel of this. Just don't forget your
roots. I still love to listen to Sound of the Dogfish.
- meboeck on March 2, 2011
- meboeck on March 2, 2011
Glad to see that, in a game with some of the best, rockin'est tunes
in the series, that a softer track like this gets a remix.
It's just a great remix; nothing else really needs to be said. It's recognizable to the original track, but very subtle, and doesn't put all the chips on some overbearing electric-guitar-solo.
It's calm, smooth, and just has a unique feel to it. Very interesting mesh between styles of sound, I can definitely see this is going to be on Repeat for the next several years.
- Daemon Gildas on February 26, 2011
It's just a great remix; nothing else really needs to be said. It's recognizable to the original track, but very subtle, and doesn't put all the chips on some overbearing electric-guitar-solo.
It's calm, smooth, and just has a unique feel to it. Very interesting mesh between styles of sound, I can definitely see this is going to be on Repeat for the next several years.
- Daemon Gildas on February 26, 2011
NOT A CHIPTUNE?!?! Was not expecting this lol. Great shit halc. I
really love that you didn't make this a chiptune track, not that I
don't love your chiptuney epicness, but this makes me realize that
you can do other things with your music and you have a great ideas
that work on paper.
That panned kick sounds weird at first but it doesn't bother me enough to throw a hissy fit about it. The jazz feel is great and I love the strings that play every so often, I'm not sure what you call that technique but it's a nice touch. I don't know what people are talking about but as I hear this song, it's definitely above the bar. The issues that people have seem more like stylistic ones rather than aspects that actually matter when judging a song here.
I'm done talking. Like I've said before good shit halc, I really do hope you make more non-chiptune stuff this was awesome =D!!
- BlackPanther on February 24, 2011
That panned kick sounds weird at first but it doesn't bother me enough to throw a hissy fit about it. The jazz feel is great and I love the strings that play every so often, I'm not sure what you call that technique but it's a nice touch. I don't know what people are talking about but as I hear this song, it's definitely above the bar. The issues that people have seem more like stylistic ones rather than aspects that actually matter when judging a song here.
I'm done talking. Like I've said before good shit halc, I really do hope you make more non-chiptune stuff this was awesome =D!!
- BlackPanther on February 24, 2011
I think when you start holding established musicians like halc to a
higher standard than you would a newcomer or a regular, just
because they're ocrfamous, that is a slippery slope and it's
dangerous to go down. Would this mix have passed if it was subbed
by a newcomer? I personally would say yes, but think about it.
Having said that, this is the worst song halc has EVER made. More
chiptunes please. QQ. I'm kidding son. Just wait until 'your' mixes
with live instruments start droppin. Let's see how many panties get
twisted then. :-P
And it's a good thing that OCR isn't so high standard to the point that everyone has to have thousands of dollars worth of platinum-quality VSTs. They can be quite tough on production but they won't NO something for being sequenced, unless it's super lo-fi or mechanical. If this didn't pass, then I would expect it to set a precedent that songs similar in production to this wouldn't pass, and everyone would have to, not step their game up per se, but drop a heavy penny to get those fancy sound libraries.
- Brandon Strader on February 23, 2011
And it's a good thing that OCR isn't so high standard to the point that everyone has to have thousands of dollars worth of platinum-quality VSTs. They can be quite tough on production but they won't NO something for being sequenced, unless it's super lo-fi or mechanical. If this didn't pass, then I would expect it to set a precedent that songs similar in production to this wouldn't pass, and everyone would have to, not step their game up per se, but drop a heavy penny to get those fancy sound libraries.
- Brandon Strader on February 23, 2011
Salluz;756436 wrote: chthonic attacked the credibility of the review
you misunderstood
I was only attacking the notion that it shouldn't have passed the panel; the rest of his review was fully within reason. but claiming that a remix is below the bar after it has already been posted is nothing short of an insult in my book, and does not qualify as "honest critique"
to be fair, this is my closest friend we're talking about, so obviously I'm more than a little biased and liable to become emotionally involved. that is what I was referring to when I said I was holding my tongue
I'm sorry if I shouldn't have posted again but I felt the need to clarify my comments
- chthonic on February 23, 2011
Come on now guys, review threads are for expressing opinions about
tracks. Don't barge in with this "your opinion is wrong" stuff. The
song is here so it passed the bar but that was never what Salluz
said anyway. Please keep pointless arguments out of this and post
about the track instead, all opinions are just that... opinions.
- anosou on February 23, 2011
- anosou on February 23, 2011
halc;756421 wrote: what are you getting at, salluz?
It's obvious.
Point is, ike anything else, you have your pros, your cons, and the extra. There's an honest critique, then someone flames it. Since chthonic attacked the credibility of the review, I posted Liontamer and Palpable's judgements, which were similar to that review. To attack one is to attack the other.
It's cool, man. Deuces. 8)
- Salluz on February 23, 2011
what are you getting at, salluz? that the song isn't perfect?
obviously it's not, no song is, but those votes both got big yes's
underneath 'em. I'm not a judge, but I'm not afraid to say for
myself with confidence that this song is above OCR's bar. it
wouldn't be posted if it wasn't.
anyway, I had a lot of fun making this, and I'm glad there are so many of you enjoying it. I could give less of a shit about the rest. :D
- halc on February 23, 2011
anyway, I had a lot of fun making this, and I'm glad there are so many of you enjoying it. I could give less of a shit about the rest. :D
- halc on February 23, 2011
Thank you, chthonic, you may bite away considering this:
- Salluz on February 23, 2011
"Palpable" wrote: I am all in favor of people stepping outside their comfort zones, and this was a successful venture for sure. The laidback, jazzy atmosphere is a great match. Very enjoyable.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the stereo delay on some of the elements, particularly with the drums. I kept hearing the left side more than the right. We'll see if the fourth vote thinks this is an issue; if not, I'm happy to drop it.
"Liontamer" wrote: The intro sounded pretty awkward due to the notes from the plucked instrument. I thought the simple clap pattern didn't fill things out enough and had no synergy with the other instrumentation, so I was glad when it dropped out at 1:00.
The quiet pizz strings at 1:00 sounded slightly behind the beat, but perhaps that's just me. The jerky, exposed string sequencing at 2:28 and 2:38 was painful to hear. The bowed strings during the verses were solid, but the articulations there also could have been refined. Not that the sequencing was terrible overall, but achieving more natural-sounding articulations for your organic instrument samples is something you need to work on. Aside from that, I thought the instrumentations and textures were solid, particularly the multiple cool percussion accents.
Overall, Drew certainly gets the job done with this laid-back, very personalized interpretation. That said, this is a great start, and I hope we hear more from you stepping outside chiptune sounds, just to see where else that takes you.
- Salluz on February 23, 2011
