Play The Game (Fickle Orchestral Version)

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Btw Fickle, did you EQ the entire track or just Freddie's vox at that one point where the problem is?

Peace,
Adam.[/QUOTE]

Do you mean "the entire track" as in the entire song, or as in the entire multi-track at that one point? If the former, no, if the latter, yes. As I said, it would have taken me a while to have re-EQ'ed the isolated vocal part, then made a new section and inserted it into the original, if you understand what I'm on about, and at the time, I was tired and not in the mood for any more fiddling about. Obviously, once it's mixed, and saved, I can't 'unmix' it again, as I don't have the facilities, so it means starting again from scratch. I just did it quickly as a rough illustration, but, to my ears, there isn't a problem.

Ah... I didn't realise you were still doing destructive editing. Well, now I realise what you meant by taking hours to redo. Ah well...

Peace,
Adam.

EDIT: Btw, you should try working with Audition's multitrack section for your mixes. Trust me, once you get in the flow of using that, it'll be less like work and more like fun! I've been down the route you've taken and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Lost tracks and mixing mistakes that will remain. Now I keep all tracks in mixed and unmixed form so if there's anything I need done, it takes seconds to do.

Nice job there Fickle. EQ woes aside (not like I can actually *tell*, these bog standard Mac speakers don't offer much of an insight) it's a neat synchronisation you've got here.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Zebonka12 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Nice job there Fickle. EQ woes aside (not like I can actually *tell*, these bog standard Mac speakers don't offer much of an insight) it's a neat synchronisation you've got here.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Zeb!

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME]EDIT: Btw, you should try working with Audition's multitrack section for your mixes. Trust me, once you get in the flow of using that, it'll be less like work and more like fun! I've been down the route you've taken and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Lost tracks and mixing mistakes that will remain. Now I keep all tracks in mixed and unmixed form so if there's anything I need done, it takes seconds to do.[/QUOTE]

Believe me, I've tried, and I don't even know where to start! I just seem to prefer Soundforge's editing facilities, and can never get such clean edits in Audition, for some reason. It's probably just me. I will give it another try when I find something else to do.

As I was about to ask you to be a judge - I really don't want to say too much.

However, why do you need the Brian May bit at all? How would it sound Brianless - ie, just Freddie and orchestra?

Would you be able to post that version too?

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME]However, why do you need the Brian May bit at all? How would it sound Brianless - ie, just Freddie and orchestra?

Would you be able to post that version too?[/QUOTE]

It should be quite easy to remove Brian - but not tonight. I'll post it tomorrow.

theres nothing wrong people with this track, its the best thing since his prophets song remix

thanks , this is a beautiful track , stop moaning and enjoy it , thanks mr fickle , another gem as always

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]father to my son wrote: [/QUOTENAME]thanks , this is a beautiful track , stop moaning and enjoy it , thanks mr fickle , another gem as always [/QUOTE]

That's an ignorant thing to say. No one is moaning! This is a forum; I would suppose Fickle would enjoy any kind of feedback, even suggestions on how to improve things.
Indeed - wouldn't it be a completely useless fan mixes forum if all we did was say 'THIS IS FANTASTIC' and offer absolutely no insight into 'what' it is we like about it, and what might make it better?

Christ!

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I totally understand, ern2150, that it can "take the fun" out of it for some people. I'm always willing to step in and lend a hand when possible. I'm the kind of person who enjoys it and doesn't let it get to me. Though, this was recently tested when I spent 6 months trying to please a band with their mixes... ugh! I'm not invunerable!![/QUOTE]

Understood. I love remixes but I seriously burnt out on making them for awhile, and the littlest roadblock would put me off. I think I'm going back to loving it though...

[QUOTE]In response to the comment about the engineering fear about it possibly leaving you to enjoy normal music listening less, it doesn't happen to me. I never sit down and start picking things out. I only do that in a studio setting where it's usually needed, hence why it happens here![/QUOTE]

Good to know! I like to think I'm the kind of person that can turn that on and off at will.

And please, folks, knee-jerk + internet = you looking like a fool. Adam's criticisms are just that, valid criticisms, and yes he may annoy you with his persistence, but I think he'd be the first to admit he wouldn't be hurt if you couldn't be bothered to make or even ignored the changes he's suggesting.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME]However, why do you need the Brian May bit at all? How would it sound Brianless - ie, just Freddie and orchestra?

Would you be able to post that version too?[/QUOTE]

Right, this is my last shot at this. JSS asked for a Brianless version, so here it is. It wasn't possible to remove all of Brian, but this is the best I can do without spending lots more time on it. To be honest, I like it with Brian in it, so this isn't my preferred version, but some might be interested to hear it.

http://rapidshare.de/files/31481140/Play_The_Game__Fickle_Orchestral_Mix__-_JSS_Brianless_Version.mp3

http://rapidshare.de/files/31481140/Play_The_Game__Fickle_Orchestral_Mix__-_JSS_Brianless_Version.mp3

Very interesting (and well done).

For me, this works on two levels.

First - it offers a truly unique 'insight' on the track, (rather than merely cut 'n paste or extending what ALREADY exists). It has a vision beyond it's confines (if that makes sense).

Second - I think this suits the 'Barcelona' Freddie, and I can certainly imagine him performing this (without Montserrat Caballe - or Queen for that matter) as part of his 'Classic FM' repertoire. (In my mind's eye, I can even 'watch' the blue tuxedo-Caballe-less video version).
Pity about that Brian bit though!

Do you think you can now come up with the definitive 'Reggae/Ska', 'Rock 'n Roll', or 'Country & Western' versions?!

I see what JSS is saying -- an extension of my alternate reality of Queen performing orchestrals, this would be more like the way Brian May concerts went.

You were thrilled with the "Back to the Light" stuff, but it just cranked it up one more level to hear "Headlong" performed.

So Freddie would waltz out, clean-shaven, blue-suited, not know exactly what to do with his hands since he couldn't carry around the mic, rip into Barcelona, a bit of Excercises in Free Love, all to classy applause, and then the lights dim, and quietly at first, you hear "open up your mind..." and the crowd roars...

(Shakes head vigorously) Wow, that was almost a sad fan moment :) Whaddya mean, whaddya mean "almost"??

I really liked this Orchestral Version... have you got other ideas in mind in this style?

I also think that Play the game could have worked as a rock-orchestral version... with piano-bass-drums-guitar starting at "this is your life", stopping at "my game of love"... and joining again the orchestra at Brian's solo.
A little bit like a 'musical'-song..

I was a bit dubious about this, but HEY! It's surprisingly good. The two sources really mix well together.

Did the orchestra come from vinyl?