Post by SketchMan3 on Mar 16, 2012 0:16:56 GMT -5
Discuss. I've just started on Disc 2.
My thoughts:
Hmmm... not bad... the sampling of a riff from Arachno's "A Sad Touch" in track 2 was pretty ingenious, and made my ears... feel really good.
But... the organ sample was really bad. Too close to be excused as synthy, too far to sound genuine. And that brings me to criticism...
DON'T READ BEYOND THIS POINT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN UNSPOILED FIRST-TIME LISTEN TO THE ALBUM.
Now I remember why I've stayed away from OCR all these years... =\
The actual MIXING is horrible. Distorted guitar tones are just gross. And everything just sounds thin... like it was recorded in somebodies bedroom... which it probably was, lol. Not enough professionalism in composition, mixing, and arrangement. And, somehow... most OCRemixes that I've heard lack that unassuming "indie amateur" appeal for some reason, even though it is indie amateur music, and this project is no exception. maybe the unassuming part...
But... it's not so bad that I'd delete it from my hard drive. It's actually pretty enjoyable to listen to. And there are some outstanding arrangements and gems. But the project as of track 4 of Disc two just doesn't live up to the hype. I was expecting better quality.
Way too many technical things that are wrong with it, even if the ideas are good. Too many unfitting additions and clashing original riffs and runs that shouldn't be there (I promse you I heard the same annoying descending riff in the first three songs)...
Synthy embellishment is supposed to be the strong point of remixes, isn't it? The project just point blank has fallen flat on that account with the exception of a couple of gems. Oh wait... Track
OKAAAAY.... so, after writing the above, I decided to check the bitrate of the mp3s (I downloaded the mp3 version first)...
Really, OCR?? Really? 92 kbps? 128 kbps? The quality is all over the place... The mp3s should at least be halfway decent (192+ kbps) I hope I don't have to download the FLAC files just to get something halfway decent... no wonder some of the songs sounded so thin... That's part of the problem. Quality control and criticism is too lax. It's too inclusive, not exclusive enough (Contrast "Cave Story Remix Project" to the massive "Cave Story Remix Project 2")
Disclaimer: Due to the lateness of the hour, I have my speakers turned down to a comfortable volume. Not too loud, not too soft. That could have something to do with it.
I know this sounds overwhelmingly negative, but I'm not in a mood to write positive stuff right now... I'm still digesting everything... maybe it'll go down sour and turn sweet in my stomach, lol...
EDIT: Thank you M-H for the Primrose theme! You've redeemed the album for me. Good. Good stuff. I'll ignore the guitar tone, because at least it's serviceable and the playing is top-notch.
Also... I mean... being a musician myself, an aspiring video game music remixer, I may be shooting myself in the foot being so critical. Maybe my best stuff isn't even as good as this? But I'll take that chance...
Edit 2: Lol, these guitarists need to either stop scooping their mids so much so their tone can grow some, *ahem* testosterone Or just get some better pedals/amps/mfxunits that can give a passable distorted tone. At least a Transtube Peavey or a Bad Monkey. At least. Most of the lead tones are ok, but the rhythm crunch is just too cracker crumbly for me. And some songs just DON'T need a guitar solo. Especially with a wimpy tone. Again, shooting myself in the foot, lol.
'Kay, I'm done.
My thoughts:
Hmmm... not bad... the sampling of a riff from Arachno's "A Sad Touch" in track 2 was pretty ingenious, and made my ears... feel really good.
But... the organ sample was really bad. Too close to be excused as synthy, too far to sound genuine. And that brings me to criticism...
DON'T READ BEYOND THIS POINT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN UNSPOILED FIRST-TIME LISTEN TO THE ALBUM.
Now I remember why I've stayed away from OCR all these years... =\
The actual MIXING is horrible. Distorted guitar tones are just gross. And everything just sounds thin... like it was recorded in somebodies bedroom... which it probably was, lol. Not enough professionalism in composition, mixing, and arrangement. And, somehow... most OCRemixes that I've heard lack that unassuming "indie amateur" appeal for some reason, even though it is indie amateur music, and this project is no exception. maybe the unassuming part...
But... it's not so bad that I'd delete it from my hard drive. It's actually pretty enjoyable to listen to. And there are some outstanding arrangements and gems. But the project as of track 4 of Disc two just doesn't live up to the hype. I was expecting better quality.
Way too many technical things that are wrong with it, even if the ideas are good. Too many unfitting additions and clashing original riffs and runs that shouldn't be there (I promse you I heard the same annoying descending riff in the first three songs)...
Synthy embellishment is supposed to be the strong point of remixes, isn't it? The project just point blank has fallen flat on that account with the exception of a couple of gems. Oh wait... Track
OKAAAAY.... so, after writing the above, I decided to check the bitrate of the mp3s (I downloaded the mp3 version first)...
Really, OCR?? Really? 92 kbps? 128 kbps? The quality is all over the place... The mp3s should at least be halfway decent (192+ kbps) I hope I don't have to download the FLAC files just to get something halfway decent... no wonder some of the songs sounded so thin... That's part of the problem. Quality control and criticism is too lax. It's too inclusive, not exclusive enough (Contrast "Cave Story Remix Project" to the massive "Cave Story Remix Project 2")
Disclaimer: Due to the lateness of the hour, I have my speakers turned down to a comfortable volume. Not too loud, not too soft. That could have something to do with it.
I know this sounds overwhelmingly negative, but I'm not in a mood to write positive stuff right now... I'm still digesting everything... maybe it'll go down sour and turn sweet in my stomach, lol...
EDIT: Thank you M-H for the Primrose theme! You've redeemed the album for me. Good. Good stuff. I'll ignore the guitar tone, because at least it's serviceable and the playing is top-notch.
Also... I mean... being a musician myself, an aspiring video game music remixer, I may be shooting myself in the foot being so critical. Maybe my best stuff isn't even as good as this? But I'll take that chance...
Edit 2: Lol, these guitarists need to either stop scooping their mids so much so their tone can grow some, *ahem* testosterone Or just get some better pedals/amps/mfxunits that can give a passable distorted tone. At least a Transtube Peavey or a Bad Monkey. At least. Most of the lead tones are ok, but the rhythm crunch is just too cracker crumbly for me. And some songs just DON'T need a guitar solo. Especially with a wimpy tone. Again, shooting myself in the foot, lol.
'Kay, I'm done.