Help me pick new FFR music to release. **Another Song**

[[Prophecy]]

Hi there guys. I think the purpose of this thread should be somewhat self explanatory just from the title alone. Regardless, I'll attempt to explain my intent in greater detail just in case.

Disclaimer: This is not a submissions thread, this is not a link thread just so people can dl current ffr music, (that's already covered in the stickies) even though some of it is avaiable via my site. This is also not a suggestion thread because I'm requesting feedback to guide my future actions in regards to music submissions to ffr as opposed to commenting on a feature I think should be implemented. The purpose of this thread is such:

I've written hundreds of songs. Eventually, all of them will be available for download off my site. In the meantime, I'm looking to "put to work" the songs that are already there and will be soon. I really enjoy this community and am happy to see my music incorporated into a game which so many people enjoy. However, I don't always know which songs it is of mine that satisfy the tastes of most FFR players and my main man, aperson, who does the stepfiles to all my songs is busy and has a very limited amount of time to step new releases. That's where you come in.

I'd really appreciate feedback on what you think WOULD or WOULDN't be appropriate for FFR, based on what's on my site. The Music sections is divided into three sections: Misc. Originals, for Multimedia and Remixes. Any song in these categories are elligible for submission/stepping. Thanks in advance.

The website is: http://www.prophetikmusic.com/

Also, if there is a song that you think should be modified in one way or another and there seems to be a general consesus then I'll do it. For example, maybe you like a 6 minute song and think it should be cut down to say 3 minutes (to fit in FFR) and others agree, I'll edit it. Then I'll see if aperson is willing to step it. He's a pretty damned cool guy, I'm sure he would.

Lastly, I'm not accepting any offers to step my songs. aperson does all my stuff and if you absolutely have to step a song, please talk to him, not me.

Once again, thanks in advance. :D

[Icemage]

Oooh, great stuff Prophecy! :D

I'll note here that I'm not a musician, nor do I have a lot of training in musical theory, but what I opinions I have, I'll happily share.

(Aside: Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving others the opportunity to sample and provide feedback on your work!)

Quick commentary on each available track:

I, CaveDweller
Great music, great beat. Quite long, would need to be cut down by more than half to be playable in FFR without people complaining of tired fingers, but lots of great stepfile potential here.

Journey Home
I like the wisftul overtones of this track, but its a bit too passive to make for a good stepfile (except maybe for beginners). Might be a bit too dark and Spartan for most people.

Pondering Stuff
Already appears in FFR R1. I really like this track, and was quite happy when it was added.

Jerome 2005
Nice rap/techno fusion. I'm not much into rap, so can't really comment in an educated way about the lyrics, but the backbeat is nice. Might be a bit tricky to step due to the odd notes on the rap lyrics, but that's something that aperson would know better than I. Also a bit on the long side at 4:28.

Dark Piano
Interesting minor key work. A bit short at 1:08, stepping could be difficult due to the extremely consistent note patterns.

Jap Sen
Reminds me a lot of Tribal Transcendancy with an Asian twist. Song length is good at 1:50, should be fun to step as well.

The Monastery
Oooh! Chanting, neat rhythm and sounds. I love this track! It has fantastic stepfile potential (especially for the growing number of people here who demand complex stepfiles). At 3:28, might need to be trimmed down slightly, might have to ask the admins here what they prefer.

Tribal Transcendancy
This is already on FFR. I like this song and stepfile a lot, even if I'm horrible at it :D 2:55 length is about as long as most people can tolerate in FFR I'd guess.

Hop Hop Demo #3
I'm sure this was created to be the backdrop for a rap or hip-hop song. Lovely piano melody, but the piece "feels" incomplete without matching lyrics... exactly as it should. Can't recommend it for FFR, as it just hasn't got enough substance by itself to make for a good stepfile.

Hip Hop Demo #4
Similar issues to HHD3 above. Can't recommend for FFR for same reasons, lack of stand-alone substance.

Trance Demo
Great stuff! Length is good, but the ending is a bit abrupt; would probably need some polishing on the end (maybe a fadeout or other effect?). Could use a title too. Otherwise perfect!

Drums and Bass Demo #1
Awesome! A bit long, but great tunes and effects. Could use a more descriptive title, but other than the name and the length, good to go as is.

Foyer Theme
Very dark, very foreboding. Feels like it was composed to be a piece of background music, as it doesn't have a strong foreground profile (just that pianissimo keyboard work), so not a good FFR stepfile candidate. Very nice, however!

Snow Theme
Gorgeous melody! If this had a stronger foreground profile (see above commentary on Foyer Theme), it would make for a reasonable stepfile, but its a bit slow and long, and would require a lot of changes to make it work well as an FFR stepfile I think.

Isolation Theme
Niiice. Much stronger foreground instruments than the other two posted themes, length is good, pace changes are excellent. Lots of good stepfile potential here! Ending could use a longer fade, otherwise no changes required at all for adaptation to FFR probably.

Chekan Winter
I believe this song appears in FFR R2 already. Great song. :D

Dream an Eastern Peace
Spicy beats! I adore the attention to detail with choosing sounds and melodies which have an Middle Eastern feel to them! Great song! Too long for FFR at 5:05, but if it could be slimmed down, would make for a fantastic stepfile. I love the track as is, though, it is amazing! This song is going into my permanent playlist!

Super Green Prophecy
Too long for FFR, and there's a few quiet spots in the track which might make it unsuitable as a stepfile, but a good track nonetheless. If the quiet parts could be trimmed down and the overall length reduced, this would be a good stepfile candidate, as there's a lot of nice stuff going on with pacing and beats.

Prophecy of a Dark TO
Very long track at 5:54, has some super cool rhythm swaps which would make for a great stepfile. Would need to get chopped down a lot to be placed into FFR, and I'm not sure what could be trimmed away without losing the integrity of the song.

Back to the Planet | I Once Knew
For some reason the opening to this track reminds me of some of Danny Elfman's work in the film Edward Scissorhands (please take this as a compliment, because that's the way it is intended!). Energetic, crisp, with shadowy undertones. Awesome stuff, would make for a great stepfile if it could be cropped down to about half of its original length.

Vector Point Engineering Water Buffalo
What a strange and bizarre title, but wow, what incredible music! Fantastic stuff, would love to see it stepped in FFR, but the length is hefty, and the whole track is so good I couldn't begin to imagine where length could be cut to make it fit into the FFR style.

On Top of Jacob's Ladder
Oh. Wow. Such a lovely and touching tribute to someone who I can tell was a very good friend. As much as I enjoy this piece, I don't think editing it and placing it into FFR would be appropriate; would almost seem like sacrelige. I think Stephen is smiling down at you, its truly remarkable.


Icemage

[[Prophecy]]

Wow. Thanks a ton Icemage! Didn't expect someone to go and do ALL of the songs.

Anyways, I have one question though, is there a song that you think should be done first?

Also, I'm gonna keep releasing new music onto the site for a while and if you could let me know what you think of it fitting into FFR too, that'd be fun. In fact, I just uploaded a brand new song just now:

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/?page=song&id=break_of_dawn

Once again, thanks a bunch!

[Icemage]

Break of Dawn
This is a fabulous track, and more to the point, it's already perfectly formatted for FFR. Song length at 2:30 is just right, the percussion background offers a lot of neat stepfile opportunities, and there's even a FFR-esque fade right at the end.

In order of "cool" factor and tracks for which entries to put into FFR, taking into consideration how much editing work would be required for each, my list would be something like:

In order of effort required for remixing/polishing:

1 - Break of Dawn. No extra work required, song length is good, complexity is good, and both opening and ending are polished and clean.

2 - Isolation Theme. Minimal work on the ending should make this a good stepfile candidate without too much additional effort.

3 - Trance Demo. All this needs is a less generic name and a cleaner ending and it'll be good to go to be stepped I think.

In order of aesthetics:

1 - The Monastery. I really love the energy and cool chanting in the background of this piece. Shouldn't take too much effort to crop off 30ish seconds of the track to make it fit into the FFR standard, and I'm sure aperson would have a blast stepping this file, as it has so much going on in the subharmonics as well as the foreground.

2 - Vector Point Engineering Water Buffalo. I adore the complex harmonies in this track. If there were any way to get this song down to a manageable FFR length (under 3 minutes), I'm sure it would be one of the most popular songs. The constant instrument changes offer a lot of chances for really neat (read: challenge even the best players) pattern swaps.

3 - Dream an Eastern Peace. My favorite track on this whole list, this offers a really different feel and style of music than anything else that FFR has to offer. Could be hard to trim down to something that could be placed on a stepfile, however. I don't see many places that could be trimmed off the song without losing some of its rich content.


Icemage

[plasmix]

It would be hellatight if you could post Tribal Revival. ;)

[Eyoshi]

I think both Jap Sen and Break of Dawn would be great songs. Both have sounds that can make for great step rythmns, and have nice melodies.

Dark Piano was pretty good, as well. It would actually be nice to see a song that focuses on piano melodies. However, I think if you were to use it in FFR, I think the length should be extended to at least 1:30.

[[Prophecy]]

It would be hellatight if you could post Tribal Revival. ;)

DONE.

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/?page=song&id=tribal_revival

Heck, while I was at it, I decided to load another piece from the Tribal series.

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/?page=song&id=tribalchild

Thanks a ton so far guys on the feedback, I'll let you know where all of this goes.

[Bahamut-X]

Your music is KICK ASS. Great stuff.

[dontcareaboutmyid]

I, Cavedweller

I'm going to have to disagree with Ice on this one. While song has good beat and energy, I don't hear a good break point where you could edit it for FFR.

Journey Home

This song, like Ice said, is too passive. songs need to have an energy that matches with FFR and this isn't one of them.

Jerome 2005
Before I listened to this, reading ice's comments, I was thinking, "you don't break up songs with lyrics" big olde no-no. After listening to it, I actually thought that at 1:24, you could just end it with the lady solo-ing the "jaaaooo" or whatever it was she sang. You could also do it at 2:28 if you wanted something longer. Lord knows the Hip hop section could use a new song.

#3 on the songs to step

Dark piano
It's too short, doesn't have the FFR energy, and frankly isn't something that a person would want to play. Sorry for the vrutal honesty.

Jap Sen
Now this song, this is something I could see have multiple versions. The overall energy, the multiple layers and different musical scores SCREAM THROW ME INTO FFR!!! I'm tempted to throw this into stepmania and makes steps for it for my own personal use, if I had the time....

#1 on list of Songs to be stepfiled!!

The Monastery

I'm on the line on this one. You know there are some songs that you can only play once or twice on ffr before you're like, "the steps are dumb, lets try something new." I can see this being stepped like that. It can be stepped, but if done improperly, won't get the playage other songs will.

Break the Dawn
Is that a xylophone, or other woodbased mallet instruments I hear? STEPFILE!! That would be a first. I can just see the triples hits already to the beat

#2 on the list to step file

I'll go on with the two tribals and the remixes tomorrow sometime.

[Kilgamayan]

Didn't you do As Do I?

[[Prophecy]]

Didn't you do As Do I?

Yes. I'll let you know when that song's up on the site too if you want to dl it.

I, Cavedweller

I'm going to have to disagree with Ice on this one. While song has good beat and energy, I don't hear a good break point where you could edit it for FFR.

Editing that song, and any other songs I have won't be any trouble. Usually in situations like these, all it requires is to use the intro, cut out the middle and have it go straight from intro to the end. This happens alot when songs are mixed for the radio or for movies. If you'd like an example from a well known film, check out Napolean Dynomite. Near the end of the film, the "happy hands club" does a performance and the music they used in the background was from a well known boy band group. The song itself was cut up to fit the slot in the flim and if I remember correctly it was the intro and the ending chorus (and maybe a verse, I forget). Either way, it worked just fine.

Also, as for Journey Home and Dark piano, the impression I'm getting from you guys is that MOST people wouldn't really be able to get into them, but that they would be decent songs for beginners.

Overall, It seems that Break of Dawn so far is the clear winner as far as the next song to step.

Your music is KICK ASS. Great stuff.

Thanks a bunch man, it's always very nice to know one's work is appreciated. That goes for the rest of you guys too =)

Ok, newly uploaded song time! I just uploaded Manifesto, another song from my musical.

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/?page=song&id=manifesto

This one is the theme for the VILLIAN when he gives out his evil plan in a way that makes the audience shiver. Muahaha. I picked this one because I thought it'd be a nice change of pace and because the length is about two and a half minutes. Thanks for taking the time to listen. :D

[-Fallen-]

Break of Dawn is insane.

[Icemage]

]
Also, as for Journey Home and Dark piano, the impression I'm getting from you guys is that MOST people wouldn't really be able to get into them, but that they would be decent songs for beginners.


Yep. Pretty much the case. There's quite a bit of material for beginners to sink their teeth into, but if you want your material to span many difficulties, you could do worse than choose these pieces.

]
Ok, newly uploaded song time! I just uploaded Manifesto, another song from my musical.

This one is the theme for the VILLIAN when he gives out his evil plan in a way that makes the audience shiver. Muahaha. I picked this one because I thought it'd be a nice change of pace and because the length is about two and a half minutes. Thanks for taking the time to listen. :D

Manifesto
Another great piece! The lead in on the intro before the driving beat kicks in will be very hard to step, and while I really like the percussion patterns in the middle section, the fade in/fade out on both the intro and outtro don't have much in the way of distinct beats for a stepfile. I like this piece artistically, but I don't feel its a good candidate for FFR because so much of the action happens in the background on the lead in/lead out. The middle section is really strong, but doesn't have much beat change-up, which limits its stepfile potential.


Icemage

[Kilgamayan]

]Didn't you do As Do I?

Yes. I'll let you know when that song's up on the site too if you want to dl it.

Well, I didn't want to seem like too much a leeching fag, but hell, if you're willing to, I'd love it. :D

[Icemage]

Just noticed that Tribal Child was posted:

Tribal Child
Whoah! Complex harmony and rhythm, pace changes everywhere, I am totally in love! Another great candidate for FFR stepping, if the length could be brought down a bit from the 4:15. This song has as much, or perhaps even more potential than even Break of Dawn.


Icemage

[Pumble]

Excuse me while i listen to nearly everything on the site over and over again. As Do I alone was enough to check this out. FFR and maybe SM as well would love Jap Sen and Break of Dawn. Dream an Eastern Peace was awesome too. Haven't listened to everything yet, but man, i love you.

[dontcareaboutmyid]

Back to finish off the list

Tribal Revival

I'm so mixed feelings on this song, those strings would be something to bring to ffr, but that bird is annoying. I can see steps, but I don't know how much it would be palyed having to listen to that jungle background everytime.

Tribal Child

DEMO VERSION!?! dang that thing's gonna be long. Nevertheless, not something I'd see on ffr.

and the Remixes, I won't offer my opinion on, because I'm not actually listening to them cause Smackdown's on right now.

[[Prophecy]]

Well, I didn't want to seem like too much a leeching fag, but hell, if you're willing to, I'd love it. :D

Hahaha. Don't be silly. What would be the point of me having a site for people to dl free music off of, if I refused to upload the music? I'm just amazed that anyone even likes that song lol. I suppose I should finish/redo it.

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/?page=song&id=as_do_i

Tribal Revival

I'm so mixed feelings on this song, those strings would be something to bring to ffr, but that bird is annoying. I can see steps, but I don't know how much it would be palyed having to listen to that jungle background everytime.

I can understand the birds being annoying. I remember listening to a song where the first minute and a half was just some random girl laughing. Really annoying laughing too.

However, the song is already in the R2 public beta, so there's probably plenty of people that've played it more than once. I'm sure someone has a relevent experience on this. Also, the human brain actually blocks out sound after it has been listened to about 40 (and sometimes less) times. Any serious player that wants to get a difficult to attain score on this song will not be bothered by the birds after a number of attempts unless they are bothered by them on the first attempt. That's psychoacoustics 101.

I know I've said this several times, but I'm reiterating it again. Thanks.

[Bahamut-X]

I can see steps, but I don't know how much it would be palyed having to listen to that jungle background everytime.


I kinda like the jungle sounds.

[Kilgamayan]

o ty ty

[[Prophecy]]

I've edited "I, Cavedweller". Tell me if you think the new length works. Imho, its a tad bit long for FFR, but this'll be compromised by the slow intro.

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/songs/Prophecy_feat._Prophetess_-_I,_CaveDweller_(FFR_Edit).mp3

Let me know what you think. Thanks. :D

[Kefit]

Tribal Revival and Snowflakes are among the best electronic songs I have ever heard.

Tribal Child would be awesome if it had a bit more development on the main theme. It is too repetitive as is.

I am fairly indifferent towards the rest of the music in the misc. originals section. While the songs are of genuine quality, they just don't grab my attention.

[[Prophecy]]

Tribal Revival and Snowflakes are among the best electronic songs I have ever heard.

Tribal Child would be awesome if it had a bit more development on the main theme. It is too repetitive as is.


The final version of Tribal Child has vocals. It changes up the pace alot, and there's a whole new section in the middle. If I ever edit it for ffr, it'll have the vocals.

[Icemage]

I, Cavedweller (FFR Edit)
Much tighter composition than the original. This will make an excellent mid-level difficulty stepfile, but the length is still a bit much at 3:21 (as you've already noted Prophecy). I like this version better than the original, it gets to the Prophetess' vocals much faster.

I think it could be shortened up a bit more on the intro by dropping the first 23 seconds of lead-in and starting the track at 0:23 as the ripple-synth starts, which would leave the running time at 2:58.. long, but manageable. What do you think, Prophecy?


Icemage

[[Prophecy]]

I, Cavedweller (FFR Edit)
Much tighter composition than the original. This will make an excellent mid-level difficulty stepfile, but the length is still a bit much at 3:21 (as you've already noted Prophecy). I like this version better than the original, it gets to the Prophetess' vocals much faster.

I think it could be shortened up a bit more on the intro by dropping the first 23 seconds of lead-in and starting the track at 0:23 as the ripple-synth starts, which would leave the running time at 2:58.. long, but manageable. What do you think, Prophecy?

Icemage

I agree it should be mid level difficulty. That's what seems most appropiate to me for the song. However, I don't think that cutting off the intro would be a prudent idea. My reason for this is such: The purpose of keeping song lengths down on FFR is to prevent finger strain and to keep songs beatable in bite size chunks. Since the intro is rather passive, it would make very little sense to have fast paced steps, and it may even be best to have no steps at all within those first 20 or so seconds. Thus the usual reason for trimming it down further wouldn't apply. Thanks for your input Icemage. :D

[Icemage]

True, but there's also the issue of the ADD-infected adrenaline monkeys who play this game who might find it bothersome to sit through the first few seconds of passivity to get to the first steps. :P While I'm not averse to having some quiet time at the start of a stepfile to get situated, 23 seconds seems like a long time to wait. I do understand the aesthetic reasons behind keeping the intro as is (for continuity and to show the build-up of the song layers), I'm just trying to put myself in the shoes of the average FFR player.


Icemage

[[Prophecy]]

True, but there's also the issue of the ADD-infected adrenaline monkeys who play this game who might find it bothersome to sit through the first few seconds of passivity to get to the first steps. :P While I'm not averse to having some quiet time at the start of a stepfile to get situated, 23 seconds seems like a long time to wait. I do understand the aesthetic reasons behind keeping the intro as is (for continuity and to show the build-up of the song layers), I'm just trying to put myself in the shoes of the average FFR player.


Icemage

Sorry for the complete lack of updates. Been EXTREMELY busy this week. I think its true that some may tire of the wait after many attempts. In this case, a lack of steps would seem unnecessary. Perhaps the steps should be present but very simplistic in the intro and increase in complexity at the initial advent of the rhythm. You know, kinda like a warm up.

[[Prophecy]]

LOOOOONG time since I've updated this topic. Some more songs ready for opinions.

Another earthbound remix that I did but didn't upload till now.

http://www.prophetikmusic.com/?page=song&id=sweet_dream_lullaby

I've got more music to upload and share and I'll do so in the next couple days when I have time. Thanks for listening guys!

[Icemage]

Sweet Dream Lullaby

Very pretty melody!! Only thing I found detracted a bit was the sampled vocals that just cut in from time to time... they don't seem to fit in with a song with "Lullaby" in the title. Maybe something smoother or more soothing like the faux Gregorian chant like in The Monastery, or maybe have Prophetess add some of her divine vocals, like a mother singing to a child?

For FFR purposes, a bit long, but could probably just trim off a few measures in a few places like around 1:00ish or so.


Icemage