deVilhoOD - Spellbound (Remiximus)

My second C64 Mix.
A great deal of time was spent trying to capture as much of the original atmosphere as possible.
It took around two weeks on and off to finish work on this mix, and it became a bit of a head-twister at times. I tried my best to create something as authentic as possible.
Absolutely NO sid2midi was used. I did it completely by ear as a contemporary re-creation from how I heard the lead melody and backing.
The production was attentively decided. I gave it a listen on my own computer system, then a hi-fi and a typical stereo setup to make sure everything was clear and listenable.
I tried to give each section a unique feel but without drawing the listener away, so that it flows throughout. I believe the leading percussion is what really helps the song in that respect.
Unlike my previous Hubbard C64 remix, this one doesn't end with the evil fade-out.
I would appreciate it if people could listen to the entire track first before submitting feedback!
Lots of C64 love to everyone,

Pawel.

The entire tune was recorded and produced using Cubase SX 3
Guitars were recorded with my Fender Venus Vista Series electric via V-Amp Pro
Drums were played via MIDI using a custom drum preset on Native Instruments Battery 2
Edirol HQ Orchestral was used for all orchestral sounds and some percussion

Arrangers Notes: 28/07/2005 @ 12:14 AM
The RKO community definitely has unparallelled subjectiveness concerning what sounds are considered fitting or convincing. hehe. I really do appreciate all the feedback given, thanks for taking the time to listen to my mix guys

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Shouts

Dan shouts:

I should really give this very good, its a bit sid2midi at times and a BIG file, but damn the instruments are right and the atmopshere has been captured and launched thru your eardrums

Skitz shouts:

Awesome remix! I am just expecting Hanna from Visa Roster to start singing as I am working on the BitLive audio at the moment :)

Waz shouts:

This is very good stuff, buckets of atmosphere contained within and plenty of flow and feel. Just occasionally the instrument choices don't always work, but what's there is very nice work indeed.

Tas shouts:

Almost there, it has its faults which slightly bother me such as the dynamics hence a down vote slightly. Still its good stuff

anaconda shouts:

Has it's flaws. Personal oppinion pulls alot here as synth orcestras tend to be too unnatural. And the mixing here isn't quite in place. But else a good song. Good floow.

LaLa shouts:

I really like the drums and the general atmosphere of the remix. I am less fond of many of the lead instruments which I find a bit weak. But a great effort, definitely a keeper.

ifadeo shouts:

Great work!!!

kagerou shouts:

Bloody amazing. 'nuff said

zantehood shouts:

V. Nice tunes, like the drum tempo

load_error shouts:

Verrrry nice. Top tune!

nettuno shouts:

Impressive

madfiddler shouts:

Really enjoying this. Drum programming is brilliant, shame not to do more with the bass though.

LMan shouts:

Good effort!

oldmotherchaos shouts:

Marvellous -- very clever instrument selection, and it just rocks, too!

cosmic_gerbil shouts:

This rocks... It's so atmospheric :)

arkpandora shouts:

Interesting developments, with respect for the original work!

omoroca shouts:

Not bad, but a little boring! There are better remixes of this, e. G. By o2.

Brian shouts:

It's great! The best spellbound I've found! I love how you emulated the ring sync at 4:15 and the enhanced harmony at 4:57!

Nebdar shouts:

It sounds good and it is quite pleasant to listen

Nightshft shouts:

Nearly perfect =) If the game was published today, it maybe had this soundtrack?!=)

Madbit shouts:

Best version I've heard so far. Totally nailed the atmosphere of the original.

Zod shouts:

Not bad but I like original more! If what I diskovered this track yesterday and loved it. Chipophone version awesome.

Review by bartonfink

27/07/2005

Technique

Artistic skill

Nostalgia factor

Overall rating

I'm always excited when I see a new Spellbound remix because it has always been the number one C64 tune for me. I used to play that game for hours and hours… This is not bad, not bad at all. Guitar is excellent but some other sounds could be better, somehow the drums don't convince for example. Still very good though.

Review by richard_iii

28/07/2005

Technique

Artistic skill

Nostalgia factor

Overall rating

Overall, I found this remix of the song very plesant, I love the way it starts, Its brilliant. I think he has done an amazing job with this remix.. probably worked very hard on it, you can tell that alot of work has been put into it. Rob hubbard is one of the best composers! And even better… this is an amazing remix! I found absolutly nothing wrong with the insturments used.

I love it! 😃 😃 Keep up the good work!

Review by winc

08/10/2005

Technique

Artistic skill

Nostalgia factor

Overall rating

Wow… I didn't like the original SID and must say you totally blew me away with this remix. The original tune is there, even the original feel, but you just do so much with the instruments and the mix!

The introduction is… perfect! A great way to start this piece, and moving it from a typical 4/4 drum beat into the march feel was very well done! The only thing about the intro I would have liked a little more was a slighty long cymbal draw, it feels to… rushed. The addition of the thunder was… well done.

Sometimes there is a instrument or two which seem to have just "popped" out of nowhere feeling like it is a "mistake". A perfect example if what sounds like a flute off the left channel, which happens to pop up. 29seconds, . 40seconds, and 1. 39secds - and a few times through out the piece.

The only other thing I would have probably added to the introduction to just add something more to the overall impressive feel would have been a little more to the strings - just playing the chords left it slighty empty where it is begging for some high pitch strings to bring you into the piece. A few 7ths and sust2nds would have helped in my opinion.

Overall this piece shows a lot of really great work, and bar the few areas where our "technical" differences appear, this is a piece of work that really honors and improves upon the original.