So I want to speak a bit about the music.
Firstly, I think people misunderstood me when I said something about not needing further contributions. I want to clarify again that I was speaking only in regards to the project I am working on with Grid, since he has a lot done and I'm satisfied with the efforts he is making. That doesn't mean I wish to stop anyone from contributing their own music here. Of course I don't, anyone is welcome to show whatever they have. I simply meant I don't need another composer for my own project.
Now the direction I have in mind -
It seems to me that people are not really sure about what to do with the music remixes. I'd like to explain my personal vision for it. Basically, I feel we need to set the bar high. When it comes to the characters, stages, and anything else graphics-related, we are really focusing on making the best possible result. There is a lot of discussion and a lot of criticism to ensure that. Now if you have a deep appreciation for audio as I do, you should agree that it isn't fair for the graphics to get most of the attention and for the audio to always come second. IMO, it deserves an equal amount of effort. It should be considered as a
big job, not something thrown together, and it concerns me that more people don't see it that way.
I want to give an example of the level of dedication that these music remakes should match. It has nothing to do with our style, it's very cheesy, but it's also an excellent example of
accurate music reproduction. It's by an artist called Tee Lopes, and is being used for the Sonic 2 HD remix. If you compare these to the originals, they are damn near identical. If the Sonic 2 music had been originally done today, it would probably sound just like this:
That is the kind of goal we need to set and reach, for accuracy and quality. Now the reason why midi compositions are the best method to work with for this project, is because they can always be changed. New tones for the instruments can always be made. However, if you physically record something, especially if it's already processed, you limit yourself in the freedom you have with it in production. Consequently, this creates difficulty in keeping all the music consistent in style and quality. Just as efforts are being made to keep all the graphics consistent in style and quality, the audio should be treated the same. Therefore, music that is physically recorded in its entirety, and already processed, is not ideal.
If we continue working with midi, and I'm allowed to help with production duties, I can ensure that the result will be consistent and faithful to the original. I need to stress that if the graphics for this project are remaining as true to the original as possible, then the audio should follow that direction. Which is not a re-imagining, just a huge upgrade in quality. Plugins/tones that are similar to the original sounds, either as a texture or an instrument, will need to be carefully created/selected, so that the integrity of the original music is kept. I feel that since it was created in the 90s, it should reflect the 90s.
I am fully dedicated to this project, and will do my best to see it through to the end in its best possible form. If our own production efforts are not enough, I will even outsource the final music to a professional studio for final mixing and mastering. I've waited so long for an opportunity to do this, as I'm sure you all have, so let's realize this to its
fullest potential.
I am keen to hear all your thoughts on this.