Hi! I'm an experienced composer and sound engineer. Are teams allowed in this jam? If so, would anyone like to work with me on this? I'm trying to work on more projects like this one!
Thanks man, I appreciate that. Yeah I think if I went back to that with fresh ears now, I'd probably adjust the bass so that it translates better to all systems. There's a lot of sub there and some mid information due to the bit quantizing, but it's missing something in the bass area.
Really cool! loving the slap bass and great job on the MIDI guitar part. I only have one major critique - the mix could use some more presence, brightness, and impact. It's a bit flat as it is.
Sorry if that sounded too critical - I foolishly decided to comment on all 32 other submissions in one sitting, so I was a little worn out from Pokemon music overload haha. It's a really good piece!
Yeah I get that. Learning to mix is a never ending lesson! It definitely takes a long time to get to grips with. Sounds like you're well on your way though!
Really good! You maintain a lot of interest throughout and it definitely fits with the theme. I like the change in keyboard chord rhythms and the counterpoint between the instruments. My only criticisms are that occasionally, notes feel out of time slightly, and that the mix is a bit flat and could use some brightening.
There's a complexity in this that you made work, which is great. It also sounds like it belongs on the game you're imitating! The only criticism I have is that it's a bit short. Extending it and allowing for a contrasting section in the middle would be cool.
Thanks so much, I appreciate the kind words! Writing the 2026 version was made a little easier by already having the 1996 version as a blueprint but there was a nerve-wracking stretch of time of slow progress. Fortunately, I had a burst of inspiration towards the end of the jam haha.
Thanks! The funk breakdown is the result of me not being able to control myself but I did notice that a lot of the newer Pokemon soundtracks often veer off on genre tangents, so I didn't mind too much. Also - it was fun.
Thanks! Yeah that would be cool haha. I almost recorded some guitar for it but I felt like it would end up being too much. Kind of wish I'd tried it now haha.
Thanks! I used The Black Kit in BFD 3 for most of the drums but with some different cymbals and hat swapped in. I also used Slate Trigger to beef up the kick and snare a little. I actually did create another melody but it felt like the piece lost focus, so I kept it the same throughout. It could be the result of listening to both though, as you said.
You have a lot of good ideas here that don't quite work together. The melody, chords, and bass would all be great developed in their own separate pieces. I do absolutely get an electric vibe from it though, especially the melody synth!
Really nice! It definitely captures the feeling you're going for. I like the intention of the piano but I think it might be a little too forceful. I reckon it would be more effective if toned down just a notch.
This is very good, especially for a couple of hours work. I think it gets a little too busy in the middle where the piano melody joins in, so perhaps culling some notes or melody lines there would be a hood idea.
I like this a lot. Great interplay between the instruments and some tasteful variation to keep it interesting. Perhaps the drum kit is a little loud and/or the other instruments could be given more presence but this is minor. Great work!
Really cool and fits well as a battle theme! Great choice in sounds. My only critiques really are regarding the mix. The balance seems to favour the high end too much causing the piece to sound thin and airy. The arrangement deserves more weight than the mix is providing. If you do another mix, check the frequency distribution and see what you can change in order to achieve more punch and depth.
It definitely has an epic feel to it but is perhaps a bit slow for battle music. It could definitely use more of a rhythmic element to it. Some kind of urgent pulse and drives the piece forward. Harmonically though, it's excellent!
This is cool. Lots of nice textures. Perhaps too many elements fighting for space at once, making the track murky and overcrowded. Personally, I'd reduce the amount of reverb, get a bit more liberal with the EQ, and push the drums forward in the mix a little to act as an anchor. It would give the piece more weight and focus.
I like this a lot for an ice type battle theme. The piano with delay sounds lovely. Good work. I do agree with ForsakenSounds555 here in that the snare and hihat are a bit to harsh for the rest of the music. Either pulling the levels back or rolling off the high end would help blend it in better, I think.
This starts off really good, I love the vibe, but I think it sort of breaks down as it progresses and becomes quite chaotic. It has a sort of 80s synth prog feel to it. Like Trevor Horn or Thomas Dolby on acid.
It definitely gives me title screen vibes. Very cool. I would definitely say some adjustment of the mix would be beneficial in order to bring certain elements into focus a bit more.
Really good battle theme! I like the syncopated section in the middle of the piece, though I think maybe it goes on a little too long without an aspect of it changing slightly, i.e. an alteration in harmony. Overall, it sounds faithful to the Gameboy battle theme style.
This is very Nintendo. I like the bounce and groove of it and the whimsical melody. The mix is very murky though and could use some cleaning up for the sake of clarity and to really accentuate the colourful and cheerful vibe you have going on under there.
Very good and definitely gives me the impression of a snow/ice area. A more percussive sound might have been better for the arpeggio to more accurately give the impression of falling snow, I think. A subtle introduction of another instrument later in the song could give more variation without detracting from that calm and reflective feel you're going for.
I like this a lot. Great choice in sounds and harmony and communicates your theme well. It's very quiet compared to the other entries I've heard though, so it might be worth pushing it into a limiter slightly to get the volume up.
This is nice. Very seaside. The chords remind me of the kind of thing Nintendo like to use for their consoles. Introducing some instrumental variation for colour would be good. In the upbeat section, the lead over the third chord feels a little dissonant and a slight change in melody there would definitely improve it.
Very bold and emotional. It definitely communicates your theme well! I think adding another instrument by either introducing a call and response, or by swapping from the trumpets or horn in a certain section would add some colour and variation to the piece, but that's probably just personal taste as it sounds great as it is.
This is really good! Excellent harmonic structure and enough variation to keep it interesting. I found the lead sound a bit annoying, but I think that's just on me because I find that sound annoying in original chiptunes too!
This is cool. Very watery. I think this might get stuck in my head, so thanks for that. The only criticism that occurs to me is that this could be developed further by incorporating another section, or a change in pace or instrumentation.
This seems like the beginning of an idea but it's more of an extended jingle or interlude as it is. It definitely needs development. At least there's something to develop though!
This is great. Very Pokemon! You said what you needed to in less than 2 minutes. The transition between the first two parts felt like a bit of a stumble and could probably be reworked in order for it to become SUPER EFFECTIVE, and I feel like more time could be spent on instrument placement and levelling. But honestly, as it stands, it's already excellent work.
Very cool. I like that you've imagined a specific scenario rather than a area, battle, etc. It certainly communicates the scene well. It might have been better to allow the low synth to breath a bit with some rests and movement and I wasn't sure about some notes you used but this is great work regardless.
