KING'S QUEST VI - FANTON XR VERSION

[Tom]

shad0wfax has been kind enough to share his work with the KING'S QUEST VI "Fantom XR" conversion with us.  You'll find the XR conversions appearing on the King's Quest VI Digital Soundtrack page over the course of time as shad0fax completes them.  The long, Introduction Theme is currently already available.  Enjoy!

[jbltecnicspro]

I like it, good job man

[HondaSiR]

I'm listening to the music right now. I must say it is incredible! The instruments sound more realistic than its GS counterpart. And the reverb is just right IMO. Very nice indeed! Now I can't wait for the XR's Girl in the Tower rendition. Keep 'em coming!  :smt023

[Ari]

Shadowfax:
About a year ago I recorded a longer version of the kQ6 opening theme. It was recorded from the CD version and contains additional themes that aren't included in the original disk version. You might want to use that instead of the current version you used. You can find it here if you wish.

[shad0wfax]

I wish I had this file prior to make the conversion! KQ6 introduction theme is long and it has been a quite hard work to convert it. Thanks a lot for this "extenden version", but I think I'll keep it apart and I'll convert it at the end (I've been quite a long time with this theme and I just don't want at this moment to convert it again!).

In any case, thanks for the file, but I'll keep on going on and let this for the end.

[Ari]

Fair enough. I should have thought of that before.
If you do get to it in the end, it'll be great, because there are a couple of themes (although very short ones) which I really like.  

[Triton^]

Great work

The Fantom really shines in the intro piece. Can't wait to hear more

[Tom]

A slew of new "XR" songs have been added to the  King's Quest VI Digital Soundtrack page  -- Tracks 2-17, and 20.  

[Wodball]

Nice little surprise at the end of the Wallflowers there, shad0wfax. I sure wasn't expecting that one, though I probably should have.

--Woody

[Alistair]

I really didn't care for it, however I thouroughly enjoyed Shadowfax's version of the track (being slightly creative with the guitar lead in the 2nd half, nice)- is it possible to remove it and upload that one as well?

- Alistair

[Tom]

I didn't notice that before...Nice touch, indeed!  I love it!

[shad0wfax]

The "ole!" shout at the end of track 20 is a small joke, in fact. I've got in my Fantom a small bunch of flamenco-oriented instruments and voice effects, and some of them suited this track well. But I didn't want to "get far away" from Mark's original theme, so I only put this tiny element at the end. On hte other hand, if you judge that this is inappropiate (because it's not a conversion in the strict sense), I can remove it.

[Ari]

Overall, I'm very pleased with what you've done, Shad0wfax. Great work!
One gripe, though. Some parts are extremely low on reverb. too low IMO. For instance, the guitar part in the beginning of the opening themes.
I know it's a matter of personal taste, but still.


Now some other thoughts (not criticism):
Track 14 (Black Widow's Web). I've always felt this theme was meant for greater things, meaning, I think it really has potential to... err... how shall I put it... burst or explode. The beginning is great, the trombone really gives it a heavy bluesy feel, and you can sense the theme building up. Then the distortion guitar comes in adding to the build up (which really shines on the Fantom IMO), and finally the piano comes rolling down and all hell breaks loose, or rather, is supposed to. but 3-4 seconds later, when the drums settle down, all you have left is the guitar (which sounds great), but I get the feeling something is lacking. I don't know, maybe more horns or keyboards or something.

Does anyone else here share this feeling or understand what I'm blathering about?  :roll:

[Alistair]

Shadowfax generally underuses reverb, I think it's his taste.  But I agree with Ari.

Also agree with Ari about the Black Widow theme. I think it does reach its' potential in the original Braymen arrangement, however it just needs to be mixed right.

I don't like the 'Ole' simply because it has no semblance to the game. Noone would say it, not Alex, or the flowers themselves. One thing I like about KQ6 which makes it a special game for me is the long soundtrack where I can visualize every bit of the game and the music as the game is unfolding in my brain. In that case, the sound effect seems silly. However I admit it is a nice touch. But for my CD, I'd prefer not. Maybe 2 versions?

- Alistair

[shad0wfax]

Some parts are extremely low on reverb. too low IMO. For instance, the guitar part in the beginning of the opening themes.

I've told a couple of times that I personally like to use reverb in limited doses, because it's an effect quite prone to be overused. It's personal taste, of course, and that's the reason why I love most 70's audio recordings (Alan Parson's project, Supertramp, to cite two examples), with all those instruments playing "in your face". In the 80's there were a heavy reverb abuse, with the result of making the sound not better, but only muddier.

Despite that, I'm using more reverb in the KQ6 conversion than in my prior conversions, because the KQ "atmosphere" suits well for deeper reverbs, especially in the most orchestral themes. But I unsderstand that some people think that there is still "too little" reverb, if thery're used to deeper reverbs or if they simply like deep reverbs.

However I admit it is a nice touch. But for my CD, I'd prefer not. Maybe 2 versions?

No problem, Alistair, I can record another version without this effect. Would you like it to be sent to you by e-mail?

[Alistair]

EMail's fine.

And yes, Alan Parsons used less reverb, but his sounds were amazing and had arguably more chorus than most people used. What reverb/chorus levels are you actually using?

 -Alistair

[Ari]

Also agree with Ari about the Black Widow theme. I think it does reach its' potential in the original Braymen arrangement, however it just needs to be mixed right.

I never thought it reached it's full potential in Braymen's version either. something there is lacking, and it's not the mixing or the sounds, rather a shortage in backing instruments and drums.

I've told a couple of times that I personally like to use reverb in limited doses, because it's an effect quite prone to be overused. It's personal taste, of course, and that's the reason why I love most 70's audio recordings (Alan Parson's project, Supertramp, to cite two examples), with all those instruments playing "in your face". In the 80's there were a heavy reverb abuse, with the result of making the sound not better, but only muddier.

Despite that, I'm using more reverb in the KQ6 conversion than in my prior conversions, because the KQ "atmosphere" suits well for deeper reverbs, especially in the most orchestral themes. But I unsderstand that some people think that there is still "too little" reverb, if thery're used to deeper reverbs or if they simply like deep reverbs.

There definitely is a lot more reverb than usual, but to me, the guitars sound a little flat - or not accoustic enough.

And BTW, I too share your love for Alan Parson's Project sound. I think some of his works, especially the instrumentals, are simply ingenious.  

[Tom]

The remaining XR versions of 'CD-1' have now been added...

[jbltecnicspro]

Alright!  Can't wait to hear the "City of the Winged Ones!"

EDIT:  Wow!  Sounds just like the real instruments!  I can literally picture having my friends play this at the recital hall at school.  Good job shadowfax.

[jbltecnicspro]

Also, I must comment on the Fantom XR's strings.  They really have more depth to them, and they sound very nice!  Wow...if only I had the money for one, lol.