Yoo, this is a dope remix to kick off the new year! Nice usage of the different styles in each half of the remix! That’s quite the journey this remix took throughout the years (since 2022, that’s wild, haha)! Good on you for trying again & again at it! Much thanks for the shoutout! Glad you got to experience the intensity of going fast!
Hey, Ryu! Thanks so much for the enthusiastic and uplifting feedback. :D I'm really glad you liked the energy of this remix, as well as the use of different styles! I wasn't sure at first how transitioning from D&B to half-time rhythms would go over, but the more I worked on it, the more things really came together. I really wanted the track to feel like it experienced a Mega Evolution! 😁 Thanks for reading the description and for referencing it in your comment - that means a lot! Indeed, this is one of two projects that took the span of multiple years to complete (the other being "That Person's Name Is" from Bravely Default), and I am really proud of being able to finish it, after nearly giving up on the piece a couple years back. Whenever I read about other remixers having similarly arduous experiences working on projects, it always motivates me to be a bit more tenacious with stuff like this. And yeah, of course! High-tempo pieces are always so much fun to work on, but they really require precision and intent to not fall flat, and I think you've got that locked down! Thanks again for the awesome comment, and I hope to see you in a couple weeks at MAGFest! 🌟
The perfect way to start 2025. The very first Pokémon game that I played completely was Pokémon Sapphire back in the day (I had played Pokémon Blue before in a fake cartridge that had 25 games in one but it never saved my progress) and this takes me back. Pokémon music is incredible, whether it is city themes or battle themes like this one. The intensity of this theme with the fast tempo and melodies reflect the intensity of the fight and you caught that well. Every sound is accurate and every note has intention which added to my enjoyment of this remix. The production of this theme is pristine. Every sound works together like a dance of each sound-- not fighting each other but working with each other to make this theme into one whole. The EQ makes every instrument have it's own sonic space that makes it easy to enjoy this, even at louder volumes. The drums have a bit of a ska tempo which was interesting, even if the textures of the sounds themselves were from something you'd hear in a house song. The surrounding synth sounds create a nice atmosphere where the main leads can shine and in the next part the leads shone even brighter (even more so with the actual letters that talked about light and shining elements too) The visuals are on point. The artwork itself felt nostalgic in some ways when remembering battling Zinnia and I always liked the clothes that she wore. I have a soft spot for Rayquaza because in my first run in Sapphire, it was a part of my team and he was way overpowered. And of course, the background and red and yellow lines go so well with the texts that talk about how bright the stars are shining-- making one feel like they're there, perhaps talking or battling with Zinnia yet still stopping for a moment to admire the bright moonlight and stars. I can see the work that came into this one and it was all worth it. You reinvented this theme with your own style and different genre elements, but still held the essence of the original close. Quite an enjoyable remix and it was an experience from beginning to end. You gave this song justice, amazing work!
Consolous, thank you so much, man!! It means a tremendous amount that you take the time to write such detailed and heartfelt comments, especially in spite of how busy you must be with the massive level of engagement on your own channel. I loved reading about your early experiences with the series, and that really takes me back. My first games in the franchise were Red and Blue, and I was one of the last in my friend group to get a Game Boy Color and the games. But wow, playing a bootleg version that doesn't save your progress sounds tedious! You must have gotten _really_ familiar with the opening sections of the game. XD I agree, though, with your sentiment regarding the series' music. Few other series have as solid and consistent soundtracks as the Pokemon games do, and the fact that even the Route themes are memorable speaks to the care put into each entry's OST. I'm delighted to hear that you felt the energy and intensity of the original battle was conveyed well here, and thank you for saying that! My earlier iterations of this remix didn't really have the intent you spoke of, and I think it was only where I tried to go with a specialized sound style that things started to really come together. Besides modifying the instrumentation, I also wanted to add in some supplemental parts (like ascending and descending runs or rhythmic response segments) to augment the arrangement a bit. Everything came out just as I had hoped, and it's so encouraging to hear that you felt that those ideas were realized here! Thank you for your specific remarks regarding the production! Trying to balance the different instruments and make space for them in the mix was one of the most challenging aspects (especially mixing the taiko and electronic drums), and it happened gradually over several work sessions and iterations, which is my preferred way to make adjustments to a mix. It's unique feedback to hear that it's enjoyable even at louder volumes, and I appreciate your saying that! I tend to listen to music at a relatively low volume (or so I'm told), so I rarely crank things up, but it's definitely something I should actively consider in every remix from now on! The drums were definitely my favorite aspect to work on here, and it's interesting that you mention them having a ska tempo. I was primarily going for a D&B - and later Drumstep - rhythmic style here, and this rendition sits at a steady 175 BPM. I'm a big sucker for half-time sections, so I wanted that to utilize a half-time feel to make the Mega Evolution segment feel heavier and more powerful. And it's heartening to see you note the shimmering and atmospheric elements in the music, even drawing a connection to the in-video text, and that kind of attention to detail really speaks to your passion for both music and video elements! Speaking of which, I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the visualizer here, as well as the story I tried to tell through the dialogue and the changes in both Zinnia's and Rayquaza's forms. I agree that Zinnia's design is really cool, and I especially like the tattered cape she wears, in tandem with the awesome spiral anklet that houses her Mega Stone. I was so impressed and amazed when Kali showed me her design of Zinnia with the thematically-colored happi which unfolds to reveal a shiny Mega Rayquaza-inspired design! Rayquaza itself always struck me as an awesome Pokemon, both in my first playthrough of Sapphire and even now, and it felt so OP, with its Extreme Speed, incredible base stats, and being at Lv. 70 when first encountered. Man, you're getting me so nostalgic for this game! 😁 Thanks again for the wonderfully detailed comment, my friend. You took note of everything I hoped people would notice, and then some. Take care, and I'll see you soon! 🌟
Wow this remix really got better and better, I love it so much! What a great farewell to the year of the dragon! And it's funny Rayquaza shows up here, because the next year is the year of the serpent lol
Marisol, it's really good to see you! I always love reading and responding to your comments, and it means a lot that you took the time to listen to and write about the remix. 😊 I am thrilled to hear that you felt the music escalated in a positive way throughout, as that was my exact intent here. Granted, I always try to make sure that no part of the track is neglected, but I wanted the Mega Evolution sequence onward to be special - for it to really bring the heat! 🔥 I know a strong intro is important to hook listeners right away, but I feel that a song should pull out all the stops near the end and have a good sense of progression. I really appreciate your feedback in that regard! And I'm happy that you felt it was a fitting way to bid the Year of the Dragon adieu! I had nearly forgotten that the Year of the Snake is next, which was a rather serendipitous coincidence, since Rayquaza seems to have both draconic and serpentine features. I'm tickled you pointed that out! Thanks again for the wonderful comment, and I hope you have a great start to the new year! 🐉
DUDE! Our scene is on FIRE right now and you just add fuel to the flames man! Like I said, DnB REALLY works for you. You are absolutely killing it with this style man. Fricking love you dude and I HATE the YT Algorithm that JUST showed this to me two weeks late lol CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN LESS THAN A WEEK!
Thank you so much, Theølogy!! That is such a massive compliment to receive, especially coming from a veteran community leader. I couldn't agree more that people in the VGM remix scene are tearing it up, and it feels like everyone is just leveling up in all kinds of ways - I am sincerely honored to be a part of that, and it's humbling to hear that my remixes have only added to the blaze! ❤🔥 Sometimes I feel so proud of what everyone is doing that it makes me feel like I'm bursting at the seams... 😅 I really appreciate your remarks about my approach to this genre - thank you! Working with a DnB style is challenging, yet fun and extremely rewarding, and seeing such glowing feedback from you on the two Drum and Bass-styled remixes this month has me feeling very confident about these outcomes, as well as future projects. Listening to Ryu Matrix's music in particular got me feeling the need for speed, and I gotta say, I am hooked! :D And thank you for taking the time to listen and comment, even a couple weeks after its initial release! I know much of the world looks at music as something to be consumed and promptly forgotten about, but I love that people in our community care deeply and are invested in each other's creations to the extent that we'll happily tune in to releases that are weeks, months, or even years old! The UA-cam algorithm is indeed a weird and frustratingly opaque thing, and it's honestly wild that some videos with certain titles, thumbnails, and/or description keywords will get blasted into everyone and their mother's recommendations while others never see the light of day. I'm just grateful that we have an (ever-growing) core group of people who don't rely solely on whatever YT is pushing at the moment, allowing for a sustainable support system. Again, thanks so much for your enthusiastic and encouraging comments, man. And dude, I am so excited to see you, as well! Hard to believe it's less than a week now! 😁
DS to DS, thanks so much, man! Reading your comments always brings a big smile to my face, and I'm really happy to hear that you enjoyed this remix, even despite not being familiar with the game it originates from. The ORAS duo are my favorite pair of remakes yet (though I have high hopes for potential Unova remakes!) and the new music is a big reason for that. I'd been wanting to remix this song for a few years now, and things finally came together in the way I hoped they would! Thanks again for taking the time to listen and comment - your support means a tremendous amount! ^_^
Thanks for the enthusiastic comment, Dolphinazee! It's always a delight to see your reactions to remixes on the channel, and I seriously appreciate your interest in each one. Thank you for the continued support! :D
It sounds so catchy perfect ! Great drums and mixing again. Even if I don't have much affinity with this Pokemon OST, the work accomplished commands respect! And Happy New Year (if I haven't already wished it for you).
Hey, MidiMusic! It's always a pleasure to read and respond to your comments, and I really appreciate your taking the time to listen and share your thoughts on it. ^_^ I'm so glad you liked this one, despite not being familiar with the ORAS games' soundtrack. Thanks for the specific feedback regarding the mixing and drums! I'm really proud of how those particular aspects came out, and it was a challenge to mix the taiko drums with the electronic drums, but I am very happy with the result, and I feel like I learned a good deal in the process. It's encouraging to hear that the remix is full of energy and that you felt it's a rendition worthy of acclaim - thank you for that! And likewise, my friend, I hope you had a great New Year, as well! So far, 2025 has been off to a strong start, and I truly think that this will be the best year yet for our VGM remix community. Thanks again for the support! 💛
Excellent as always mate. Truly a remarkable remix. I love just how much your percussion pops here. Really well balanced too. The visuals and camera movement, fading for text, and transformations all work wonders for how simple they actually are. They add a lot of engagement and I’m definitely taking notes for my own work. You inspire me. Happy new year mate, and may this be your best year yet!
Star Haven, thanks so much!! Your comments are always such a joy to read and respond to, and it warms my heart to know that you enjoyed this remix video so much. ^_^ I'm really happy with how the percussive elements came out here, so it's heartening to see such positive feedback on that aspect in particular. This was my first time incorporating Taiko drums and sticks into a remix, and I was honestly surprised at their being able to mesh with the electronic drums in the latter half. DnB and Drumstep are both genres that I love, so it was just a lot of fun to work on the drums and percussion, as well as everything else. Thank you for your kind remarks regarding the visuals, as well! I know you always keep a keen eye out for the approaches I utilize, and your feedback has been very important for me to help shape and refine the staple elements of the visualizers. Indeed, the fade and blur applied to elements behind the text is not something I would have thought to incorporate, but just about every technique I've made use of was because I saw something that I felt worked well in someone else's video and wanted to adapt it into my own visualizer. I'm truly humbled to hear that these elements can be inspirational for you, as well! I really appreciate the kind wishes, and I do think that this year is going to be exceptional! And I hope the very same for you, my friend! I know we've talked about collaborating for quite some time now, and I would love to get things in motion when you have an opportunity (no rush, though)! Please feel free to reach out on Discord (my username is the exact same on there) if you use it; otherwise, we can get in touch via some other method. Thanks again! 💛
Great remix once again! I really like what you did with the percussions, and how they change their pace at 1:15, for example. I feel like it's really hard to remix something this popoular and well done like this track, but you managed to bring a fresh perspective without losing the essence of the original. Great work!
Thank you, DarlingJack!! Such positive feedback means a tremendous amount, especially coming from you. I was honestly quite daunted by the challenge of remixing this track, because of how well-loved it is, and I know that people's expectations are sky-high for a masterpiece like Battle! Zinnia. That was primarily the reason why I set this project on the back burner multiple times, because I felt like each of my earlier attempts was a straight downgrade. And I realized that my attempts to make the original theme even more moving and intense would inevitably come up short, so I instead focused on trying to utilize a distinct, yet compatible sound style. I was experimenting with different instruments, and when I gave FL Studio's "Shakuhachi" preset a try, I knew right there and then that it would be the core sound to build to rest of the instrumentation around. It's weird, how taking a chance on something different works out serendipitously well sometimes! I appreciate your mention of the percussive elements, as well! A good amount of time and effort was spent on them, and I wanted them to be dynamic and dense, in terms of both rhythm and sound selection. I am really proud of how the taiko drums came out in the latter part, and I didn't anticipate that they'd synergize so well with electronic drums, but I couldn't be happier with the result! Again, thanks so much for taking the time to listen and comment on this remix. I'm beyond grateful for your support and enthusiasm! 💛
Wow, I love the energy in this one EQ. I haven't played ORAS but my first pkmn game i ever played was Ruby, one of my favorite gba games and my fav pkmn game, and Rayquaza was always one of my favorite legendaries. The remix has this dark but groovy and intense energy, very fitting for a final boss type of song. Love the composition in this and your remix I think even elevates the original. Love the DnB drums and lead sounds. I also really enjoy Kali's art. The shading, coloring, and art style looks really awesome. Excellent work you guys I'm always excited for your releases!
Kibatsu!! Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, man. Such high praise means a tremendous amount, especially coming from you. ^_^ I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the remix despite not having played ORAS (highly recommended, by the way)! That's awesome to hear that Ruby was the game that got you into the series, and I have very fond memories of playing Sapphire (then later Ruby and Emerald). Besides having an incredible soundtrack, the Hoenn region is just so rich, and many of the trainers are memorable, even to this day. But above all, I think the games had such an adventurous atmosphere, similar to how Johto feels distinctly cozy. The way you could really just explore everywhere, from mountaintops to the ocean depths, is something you almost never see in the main series games. And how sick is Rayquaza, right?! I love Rayquaza's design, and its Mega Evolution is somehow even cooler. Thanks for sharing those memories! I love the words you used to describe the energy of this remix, and they perfectly encapsulate the kind of sound I hoped this remix would have. Even though there was a pretty significant change in instrumentation, I wanted to retain the core intensity of the original, and it's heartening to hear that this goal was met! For how epic (and I don't often use that word, but it really is) Zinnia's theme is, you'd expect her to have a post-game superboss difficulty level (like Red from Pokemon G/S/C) but the fight against her is admittedly underwhelming. I hope that if Zinnia gets featured in another mainline game, they'll give her a team that's more on-level with just how incredibly powerful her team is! Thank you for the remarks regarding the composition! Honestly, at first, I was hesitant to change anything in the arrangement, because it's just SO DANG GOOD, but there turned out to be more opportunities for details like flourishes, countermelodies, and ascending/descending runs than I had initially anticipated. Those are the elements I'm most proud of here (aside from the taiko drums), and it means more than I can say that you noticed and mentioned them specifically! Kali and I really appreciate your kind feedback regarding her artwork, as well! This is some of my favorite work that she's done yet, and the design she made for Zinnia's "Mega Evolved" form really just blew me out of the water and motivated me to go an extra mile with the visualizer. Thanks for mentioning specific aspects of the art - you have both a remarkable eye and ear for detail! It's so encouraging to hear that you look forward to new releases on this channel. I really just love making remix videos so much, and the genuine enthusiasm you show for them just makes each one that much more special. Thank you!! 💛
Thanks so much for the feedback, jsnotlout! It means a ton that you always take the time to listen and comment, and I'm psyched to hear that you enjoyed this one, despite not being familiar with the original. I really can't say enough about Zinnia's battle theme, as it's one of my all-time favorites - definitely recommend checking it out, if you're interested! And thanks again for your support! ^_^
Thanks so much, Cheery!! I really appreciate the kind feedback, and I'm delighted that you enjoyed this one. ^_^ I agree that Zinnia's battle theme is one of the best in the entire series, and it's easily in my top 3 favorites. The ORAS soundtrack in general is just too good! Hope you've had a great start to 2025 - thanks again! 💫
iRead!! Thank you so much, man! I'm truly elated to see such an enthusiastic and positive reaction to this remix, and it means a ton, coming from you. I'm psyched to hear that you felt this remix had the kind of intensity I hoped it would convey. :D Thanks again for taking the time to listen and comment! 💛
Yo EQ I love what you did with this track!! I played through Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in late 2023, and I really enjoyed them. In terms of Gen 6 I had only played X and Y until that point, and I had never played the original Ruby and Sapphire, but I had such a fun time with my playthrough of the remakes. (I even completed a living dex for them, so that was fun!) Especially the Delta Episode, it felt like a really cool epilogue to a really cool Pokemon story! I really enjoyed Zinnia's theme then, and I really enjoy what you did with her final battle theme here! My favorite part about your remix is the overall tempo. You did a great job at maintaining the epic feel of this track! The percussion work you did with the japanese drums, as well as the modern kicks and snares, are mixed very nicely and pleasant on the ears. I am very biased towards high-tempo themes and songs, so I especially enjoyed that aspect of this remix! I also must say that the general instrumentation is, as per usual, phenominally well done. I love how all of the instruments mesh together, and the implementation of the japanese instruments fit like a glove. I imagine you used Sakura, yeah? Either way, I feel your instrumentation keeps the theme your signature level of fresh, as well as respects the original character the theme is tied to. This remix was absolutely well worth the wait. I totally feel you on your journey with this remix, I've felt the same with a few of my mixes as well. And I imagine it became very satisfying to finally have all the pieces start coming together and you becoming pleased with what resulted. Which, I think, became a very high quality, official sounding Pokemon remix of one of the best battle themes that the series has to offer. And, of course, I cannot go without saying how well the art for this mix is! The Mega-Zinnia outfit is so cool, and I love that she has the Shiny Rayquaza color scheme to match her guardian. The atmosphere of the piece is great, and both Zinnia and Rayquaza in both of their forms look high quality. (Which, by the way, if you read this in time and have Scarlet or Violet, don't forget there's a Shiny Rayquaza raid happening, and you can get it right now until tomorrow!!) Once again, absolutely awesome mix EQ! I will most definitely be coming back to this one many times in the future, and I really enjoyed listening to this. I hope you had a great start to the New Year, and I hope this year is even better than the last. Which, by the way, a SECOND remix is coming out this month?! I'm certainly very much looking forward to that! I can't wait to hear what it is. Until then, see you around friend! :)
Bland! It's really good to see you, man! ^_^ Thank you so much for the incredibly detailed and personalized comment - I had a big smile on my face the entire time reading it, and I really can't put into words how much it means to know that you enjoyed this remix to such an extent. I got nostalgic reading about your experiences playing different games in the series, and I'm glad to hear you had a chance to play the ORAS games - they're my favorite remakes to date (though I have very high hopes for potential Black/White remakes🤞)! The 3DS is one of my most-played systems ever, and I just loved the way that both X & Y and OR & AS played and felt. The OG Ruby and Sapphire definitely still hold up, so if you have an opportunity to play either one (or better yet, Emerald), I highly recommend it! But that's awesome to hear that you took the living Dex approach in your playthrough, and I think the DexNav feature from ORAS is one of the best features I've ever seen in the series. It really made trying to 'catch 'em all' feel rewarding and tangible, and a huge part of why I like those games so much. Plus, the shiny chaining mechanic with sneaking is brilliant - I hope they'll revisit that in a future game! Like most people, I was completely floored when I heard Zinnia's battle theme for the first time. It was one of those situations where I had to double-check and make sure that the music I was hearing was actually coming out of my 3DS' speakers. I really didn't think the composers could top the unique theme they made for Wally, but I was more than happy to be convinced otherwise! I know that fan expectations for this track are _very_ high, and I tried to polish this track over many months and iterations as best I could; seeing such you write such positive feedback makes those efforts feel realized! I'm glad that you liked the fast-paced tempo being kept intact here! I forget offhand what the original tempo is, but this remix clocks in at a steady 175 BPM. I often try to keep remixes at the original tempo, if possible, so they can potentially be used for mashups, and because it helps to preserve the energy of the OST version. The percussive elements are the aspect I'm most proud of, and I appreciate your specific mention of the taiko drums, and how they were mixed with the electronic samples. That was one of the most difficult and intensive parts of the process, but I couldn't be happier with the result! The idea to use taiko drums and sticks emerged relatively late in the project, but now it feels completely integral to the sound identity of the remix. I was able to learn some key techniques in the process, too, like creating a "ghost" track for the kick which would provide data for the big taiko drum to sidechain to, without actually outputting sound to the master. I know this is probably a novice technique for most, but I always get excited when I'm able to learn new things in a project! Thanks for your remarks regarding the instrumentation specifically! As you correctly surmised, Sakura was a key player here, with a pair of string leads modified from "Bowed 6", and interestingly enough, "Sax 5". "Buzz Aldrin" has become another favorite of mine, with the dampen knob lessened so the sound has much more sustain. I also made liberal use of FLEX, one of my absolute favorite plugins, with the General Midi library's "Shakuhachi" being perhaps the most critical instrument of all. I think it's one of the library's best instruments, and by a considerable margin! I was also fortunate to come across a fantastic koto preset in Serum, which basically uses a sampled koto in the Noise generator, with no oscillators. That koto preset is definitely something I want to use frequently, even if I'm not going for an overall traditional Japanese sound style! A final detail I'd like to explicate is the top bass that was used here, which I think was a slight modification of Serum's "Mean Rawr Bass" from its base library. Working with Vector U helped me to see the importance of using a top bass with strong mid-low presence to complement the sub-bass, and now I really try to make sure that whatever bass(es) I'm using can be heard easily on any sound system, such as a phone or laptop. I didn't mean to go so far down that tangent, but I just really enjoy explaining the process! In any case, I'm really happy to hear that the instrumentation offered that essential "fresh, yet familiar" feeling that I always strive for! Kali and I are sincerely grateful for your mention of her artwork in the visualizer, and I honestly am completely enamored by the new costume she's wearing, as well. When I saw Kali's sketch for "Mega Evolved" Zinnia, I was _so_ stoked, and her later illustrations of the ceremonial platform and Rayquaza's two forms really just rounded out the scene perfectly. I'm glad you found the designs to be high-quality, as well! Initially, it was a bit frustrating because to do the camera zoom and pan effects, I had to treat the video as a single, rendered item in order to use have everything move in tandem in the ZGEV. But for some reason, trying to zoom in on rendered videos in the ZGEV - even if they're rendered in 4K - always resulted in a reduced-quality image, so we ended up doing most of the "camera work" in After Effects, which turned out to be easier, anyway. So I'm glad we found a workaround, and hopefully it can help to make future videos a bit more dynamic! And thank you for the tip about Shiny Rayquaza, and also for pointing out the thematic colors in Zinnia's design! Admittedly, we didn't go for the limited-edition dragon because we've found the high-level raids to be punishingly difficult and janky in terms of mechanics. Hopefully she or I can trade for one down the line! It means so much to hear that this remix felt like a wholly worthwhile endeavor, and I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment and pride you've felt with both your remixes and originals that have been a long time in the making (like your recent piece from Project Scramble, which is lovely, by the way). Speaking of which, I have not been good about commenting on people's remixes lately - at least, not to the extent that I'd like to - but I'm hoping to have more time to dedicate to that aspect of UA-cam which I truly cherish. And yes, I do have an additional remix planned for this month, and it's an unprecedented non-VGM remix! Thanks for reading the descriptions in full, as always! My hope is that it won't cause people to think that this channel is suddenly changing gears, because monthly Nintendo remixes will always be the #1 focus here, without fail. But still, I'm excited to try something new! 😁 Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for the wonderful comment, and for being so encouraging and supportive over the years. I'll see you soon, my friend! 💛
Thank you so much, man! I really can't convey how much it means that you always take an interest in each new remix, and that you also take the time to provide feedback. 😊 I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, and I appreciate your specific mention of the traditional Japanese elements. I feel like those were really the glue that gave this remix the direction and intent it needed! I was lucky to find some great taiko drum samples, alongside solid shakuhachi and koto presets, and I definitely want to integrate those into future arrangements, as well. Again, thanks so much for the nice comment, FlameCheese. I always really look forward to reading what you write! ^_^
Hey, Xael, thanks so much for taking an interest in this remix! I'm really happy that you enjoyed Zinnia's costume designs, and Kali and I are grateful for the kind feedback! ^_^
What an incredible remix! As always, you continue to outdo yourself with every release. I may be a little late to the party with this one, but it’s never too late to dive into the good stuff. You’ve taken on breakbeat again, and it’s an instant hit for me! I absolutely love it when you step out of your comfort zone as both a musician and remixer. The violin in the beginning is such a beautiful touch and a perfect homage to the original theme. It’s clear you’ve put thought into preserving the harmonic changes of the original, yet you’ve managed to infuse it with your signature Eqaualyze sound design. That balance between honoring the source material and innovating your own style is truly impressive. Your growth as an artist is undeniable, and this track is proof of just how far you’ve come. What a way to kick off 2025! Revisiting an iconic theme from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (or ORAS) is a nostalgic treat, and you’ve handled it masterfully. I especially love the stylistic shift you made by blending electronic elements with traditional Japanese music. The use of a koto-like instrument and stick percussion, reminiscent of traditional Japanese festivals, was such a brilliant choice. The way the track evolves is stunning. The seamless blend of electronic and Japanese musical elements creates a narrative flow, as if the song itself is telling a story. The progression feels deliberate and meaningful, and the way it all comes together at the end is nothing short of magical. It’s a perfect example of how your artistry continues to reach new heights. Well done, I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thank you so, so much, Poke&Remix!! I was really hoping that you'd enjoy this remix in particular, and I'm ecstatic to see such positive and enthusiastic feedback on it. ^_^ And please, if anything, I'd say you're _early_ to the party - or festival - and it means the world that you so quickly took the time to listen and comment after this video was uploaded. Seriously! I mentioned in my response to your comment on the Zora's Domain remix that this one in particular drew inspiration from you, and I want to now explicate that. When you created the series of traditional Japanese-styled remixes prior to the release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, I was so - and am still - so impressed at how authentic and cool they sounded, and from that moment on, I had it in mind to take a similar approach and incorporate traditional elements. While this remix leans more into the electronic side, it wouldn't have ever come fruition without direct inspiration from that style you utilized, so thank you for that! (by the way, your "Pokemon Legends Arceus Prediction/Remix: Wild Battle" video is still one of my all-time favorites of yours) This one is, as you mentioned, definitely a step further outside of the comfort zone I lived in for my first few years making remixes, and it was my intent for this piece to sort of set the tone for the direction I want to go in 2025. Granted, I don't plan to do anything drastically or radically different, but I want to continue trying new genres and sound styles, and even remix a couple non-VGM themes for the first time ever. Your continual encouragement of my efforts to expand have motivated me, critically, to remain confident in that regard! I appreciate your specific remarks regarding the instrumentation, and it's awesome to hear that you felt this remix struck a balance between preserving some key qualities of the original and infusing it with new sound design! I'm a sucker for string instruments (I mean, who isn't?), and that synth violin lead from FL Studio's Sakura is one of my bread-and-butter leads, so I just had to use it in a track that heavily features violin to begin with. I'm tickled to see you mention a signature sound design for this channel, and it makes me feel so accomplished to have that be the case. As much as I'm inclined to use certain instruments and synths that I really like, I also want to make a concerted effort to utilize new sounds and diversify incrementally. The koto you mentioned was a lucky find, and although I was originally using the one in FLEX's General Midi library, I found a preset in Serum midway through the project that I felt had a more robust and authentic sound. I still kept the original in as well, since it had a nice bright timbre that was good for the quick ascending/descending runs. And I'm incredibly proud of how the taiko drums came out here; that was just a lot of trial-and-error putting together layers of drum and stick hits to try and craft something that was exciting and would jell with the electronic drums that were already in place before the shift in style occurred. It makes me so happy to hear that the music feels a bit reminiscent of Japanese festival music, as that was my exact intent here. Kali always carefully considers the musical style when creating her designs, and when she showed me her initial sketch of "Mega Evolved" Zinnia, I was sincerely floored. Her final designs ended up creating a stunning scene, which perfectly complemented the progression I wanted to be conveyed through the music. Your mention of the music itself telling a story is really such an enormous compliment, and it makes me feel like all my intentions were truly realized here. Thank you again for the time you spend writing such detailed and thoughtful comments, and your constant encouragement and enduring interest in the channel means the world. Here's to an exciting new year, my friend! 💛
I was very shocked when you based this remix on two prominent genres I did in my heyday Drum and Bass and Traditional Japanese style is honestly so cool to play around with you have perfectly fused both genres together I cannot wait to see what you have cooking next! Until the next remix my friend!
Yoo, this is a dope remix to kick off the new year! Nice usage of the different styles in each half of the remix!
That’s quite the journey this remix took throughout the years (since 2022, that’s wild, haha)! Good on you for trying again & again at it!
Much thanks for the shoutout! Glad you got to experience the intensity of going fast!
Hey, Ryu! Thanks so much for the enthusiastic and uplifting feedback. :D I'm really glad you liked the energy of this remix, as well as the use of different styles! I wasn't sure at first how transitioning from D&B to half-time rhythms would go over, but the more I worked on it, the more things really came together. I really wanted the track to feel like it experienced a Mega Evolution! 😁
Thanks for reading the description and for referencing it in your comment - that means a lot! Indeed, this is one of two projects that took the span of multiple years to complete (the other being "That Person's Name Is" from Bravely Default), and I am really proud of being able to finish it, after nearly giving up on the piece a couple years back. Whenever I read about other remixers having similarly arduous experiences working on projects, it always motivates me to be a bit more tenacious with stuff like this.
And yeah, of course! High-tempo pieces are always so much fun to work on, but they really require precision and intent to not fall flat, and I think you've got that locked down! Thanks again for the awesome comment, and I hope to see you in a couple weeks at MAGFest! 🌟
The perfect way to start 2025. The very first Pokémon game that I played completely was Pokémon Sapphire back in the day (I had played Pokémon Blue before in a fake cartridge that had 25 games in one but it never saved my progress) and this takes me back. Pokémon music is incredible, whether it is city themes or battle themes like this one. The intensity of this theme with the fast tempo and melodies reflect the intensity of the fight and you caught that well. Every sound is accurate and every note has intention which added to my enjoyment of this remix.
The production of this theme is pristine. Every sound works together like a dance of each sound-- not fighting each other but working with each other to make this theme into one whole. The EQ makes every instrument have it's own sonic space that makes it easy to enjoy this, even at louder volumes. The drums have a bit of a ska tempo which was interesting, even if the textures of the sounds themselves were from something you'd hear in a house song. The surrounding synth sounds create a nice atmosphere where the main leads can shine and in the next part the leads shone even brighter (even more so with the actual letters that talked about light and shining elements too)
The visuals are on point. The artwork itself felt nostalgic in some ways when remembering battling Zinnia and I always liked the clothes that she wore. I have a soft spot for Rayquaza because in my first run in Sapphire, it was a part of my team and he was way overpowered. And of course, the background and red and yellow lines go so well with the texts that talk about how bright the stars are shining-- making one feel like they're there, perhaps talking or battling with Zinnia yet still stopping for a moment to admire the bright moonlight and stars.
I can see the work that came into this one and it was all worth it. You reinvented this theme with your own style and different genre elements, but still held the essence of the original close. Quite an enjoyable remix and it was an experience from beginning to end. You gave this song justice, amazing work!
Consolous, thank you so much, man!! It means a tremendous amount that you take the time to write such detailed and heartfelt comments, especially in spite of how busy you must be with the massive level of engagement on your own channel.
I loved reading about your early experiences with the series, and that really takes me back. My first games in the franchise were Red and Blue, and I was one of the last in my friend group to get a Game Boy Color and the games. But wow, playing a bootleg version that doesn't save your progress sounds tedious! You must have gotten _really_ familiar with the opening sections of the game. XD I agree, though, with your sentiment regarding the series' music. Few other series have as solid and consistent soundtracks as the Pokemon games do, and the fact that even the Route themes are memorable speaks to the care put into each entry's OST.
I'm delighted to hear that you felt the energy and intensity of the original battle was conveyed well here, and thank you for saying that! My earlier iterations of this remix didn't really have the intent you spoke of, and I think it was only where I tried to go with a specialized sound style that things started to really come together. Besides modifying the instrumentation, I also wanted to add in some supplemental parts (like ascending and descending runs or rhythmic response segments) to augment the arrangement a bit. Everything came out just as I had hoped, and it's so encouraging to hear that you felt that those ideas were realized here!
Thank you for your specific remarks regarding the production! Trying to balance the different instruments and make space for them in the mix was one of the most challenging aspects (especially mixing the taiko and electronic drums), and it happened gradually over several work sessions and iterations, which is my preferred way to make adjustments to a mix. It's unique feedback to hear that it's enjoyable even at louder volumes, and I appreciate your saying that! I tend to listen to music at a relatively low volume (or so I'm told), so I rarely crank things up, but it's definitely something I should actively consider in every remix from now on!
The drums were definitely my favorite aspect to work on here, and it's interesting that you mention them having a ska tempo. I was primarily going for a D&B - and later Drumstep - rhythmic style here, and this rendition sits at a steady 175 BPM. I'm a big sucker for half-time sections, so I wanted that to utilize a half-time feel to make the Mega Evolution segment feel heavier and more powerful. And it's heartening to see you note the shimmering and atmospheric elements in the music, even drawing a connection to the in-video text, and that kind of attention to detail really speaks to your passion for both music and video elements!
Speaking of which, I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the visualizer here, as well as the story I tried to tell through the dialogue and the changes in both Zinnia's and Rayquaza's forms. I agree that Zinnia's design is really cool, and I especially like the tattered cape she wears, in tandem with the awesome spiral anklet that houses her Mega Stone. I was so impressed and amazed when Kali showed me her design of Zinnia with the thematically-colored happi which unfolds to reveal a shiny Mega Rayquaza-inspired design! Rayquaza itself always struck me as an awesome Pokemon, both in my first playthrough of Sapphire and even now, and it felt so OP, with its Extreme Speed, incredible base stats, and being at Lv. 70 when first encountered. Man, you're getting me so nostalgic for this game! 😁
Thanks again for the wonderfully detailed comment, my friend. You took note of everything I hoped people would notice, and then some. Take care, and I'll see you soon! 🌟
Wow this remix really got better and better, I love it so much! What a great farewell to the year of the dragon! And it's funny Rayquaza shows up here, because the next year is the year of the serpent lol
Marisol, it's really good to see you! I always love reading and responding to your comments, and it means a lot that you took the time to listen to and write about the remix. 😊
I am thrilled to hear that you felt the music escalated in a positive way throughout, as that was my exact intent here. Granted, I always try to make sure that no part of the track is neglected, but I wanted the Mega Evolution sequence onward to be special - for it to really bring the heat! 🔥 I know a strong intro is important to hook listeners right away, but I feel that a song should pull out all the stops near the end and have a good sense of progression. I really appreciate your feedback in that regard!
And I'm happy that you felt it was a fitting way to bid the Year of the Dragon adieu! I had nearly forgotten that the Year of the Snake is next, which was a rather serendipitous coincidence, since Rayquaza seems to have both draconic and serpentine features. I'm tickled you pointed that out!
Thanks again for the wonderful comment, and I hope you have a great start to the new year! 🐉
DUDE! Our scene is on FIRE right now and you just add fuel to the flames man! Like I said, DnB REALLY works for you. You are absolutely killing it with this style man.
Fricking love you dude and I HATE the YT Algorithm that JUST showed this to me two weeks late lol
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN LESS THAN A WEEK!
Thank you so much, Theølogy!! That is such a massive compliment to receive, especially coming from a veteran community leader. I couldn't agree more that people in the VGM remix scene are tearing it up, and it feels like everyone is just leveling up in all kinds of ways - I am sincerely honored to be a part of that, and it's humbling to hear that my remixes have only added to the blaze! ❤🔥 Sometimes I feel so proud of what everyone is doing that it makes me feel like I'm bursting at the seams... 😅
I really appreciate your remarks about my approach to this genre - thank you! Working with a DnB style is challenging, yet fun and extremely rewarding, and seeing such glowing feedback from you on the two Drum and Bass-styled remixes this month has me feeling very confident about these outcomes, as well as future projects. Listening to Ryu Matrix's music in particular got me feeling the need for speed, and I gotta say, I am hooked! :D
And thank you for taking the time to listen and comment, even a couple weeks after its initial release! I know much of the world looks at music as something to be consumed and promptly forgotten about, but I love that people in our community care deeply and are invested in each other's creations to the extent that we'll happily tune in to releases that are weeks, months, or even years old! The UA-cam algorithm is indeed a weird and frustratingly opaque thing, and it's honestly wild that some videos with certain titles, thumbnails, and/or description keywords will get blasted into everyone and their mother's recommendations while others never see the light of day. I'm just grateful that we have an (ever-growing) core group of people who don't rely solely on whatever YT is pushing at the moment, allowing for a sustainable support system.
Again, thanks so much for your enthusiastic and encouraging comments, man. And dude, I am so excited to see you, as well! Hard to believe it's less than a week now! 😁
Another great remix. I grew up playing the original sapphire on my game boy but never played ORAS because I don’t own a 3DS. Either way still great.
DS to DS, thanks so much, man! Reading your comments always brings a big smile to my face, and I'm really happy to hear that you enjoyed this remix, even despite not being familiar with the game it originates from. The ORAS duo are my favorite pair of remakes yet (though I have high hopes for potential Unova remakes!) and the new music is a big reason for that. I'd been wanting to remix this song for a few years now, and things finally came together in the way I hoped they would!
Thanks again for taking the time to listen and comment - your support means a tremendous amount! ^_^
Yoooo pokemon ❤❤
Thanks for the enthusiastic comment, Dolphinazee! It's always a delight to see your reactions to remixes on the channel, and I seriously appreciate your interest in each one. Thank you for the continued support! :D
@Equalyze youre welcome and lets get an beautiful music year to go
It sounds so catchy perfect ! Great drums and mixing again. Even if I don't have much affinity with this Pokemon OST, the work accomplished commands respect! And Happy New Year (if I haven't already wished it for you).
Hey, MidiMusic! It's always a pleasure to read and respond to your comments, and I really appreciate your taking the time to listen and share your thoughts on it. ^_^ I'm so glad you liked this one, despite not being familiar with the ORAS games' soundtrack.
Thanks for the specific feedback regarding the mixing and drums! I'm really proud of how those particular aspects came out, and it was a challenge to mix the taiko drums with the electronic drums, but I am very happy with the result, and I feel like I learned a good deal in the process. It's encouraging to hear that the remix is full of energy and that you felt it's a rendition worthy of acclaim - thank you for that!
And likewise, my friend, I hope you had a great New Year, as well! So far, 2025 has been off to a strong start, and I truly think that this will be the best year yet for our VGM remix community. Thanks again for the support! 💛
Excellent as always mate. Truly a remarkable remix. I love just how much your percussion pops here. Really well balanced too. The visuals and camera movement, fading for text, and transformations all work wonders for how simple they actually are. They add a lot of engagement and I’m definitely taking notes for my own work. You inspire me.
Happy new year mate, and may this be your best year yet!
Star Haven, thanks so much!! Your comments are always such a joy to read and respond to, and it warms my heart to know that you enjoyed this remix video so much. ^_^
I'm really happy with how the percussive elements came out here, so it's heartening to see such positive feedback on that aspect in particular. This was my first time incorporating Taiko drums and sticks into a remix, and I was honestly surprised at their being able to mesh with the electronic drums in the latter half. DnB and Drumstep are both genres that I love, so it was just a lot of fun to work on the drums and percussion, as well as everything else.
Thank you for your kind remarks regarding the visuals, as well! I know you always keep a keen eye out for the approaches I utilize, and your feedback has been very important for me to help shape and refine the staple elements of the visualizers. Indeed, the fade and blur applied to elements behind the text is not something I would have thought to incorporate, but just about every technique I've made use of was because I saw something that I felt worked well in someone else's video and wanted to adapt it into my own visualizer. I'm truly humbled to hear that these elements can be inspirational for you, as well!
I really appreciate the kind wishes, and I do think that this year is going to be exceptional! And I hope the very same for you, my friend! I know we've talked about collaborating for quite some time now, and I would love to get things in motion when you have an opportunity (no rush, though)! Please feel free to reach out on Discord (my username is the exact same on there) if you use it; otherwise, we can get in touch via some other method. Thanks again! 💛
Great remix once again! I really like what you did with the percussions, and how they change their pace at 1:15, for example. I feel like it's really hard to remix something this popoular and well done like this track, but you managed to bring a fresh perspective without losing the essence of the original. Great work!
Thank you, DarlingJack!! Such positive feedback means a tremendous amount, especially coming from you. I was honestly quite daunted by the challenge of remixing this track, because of how well-loved it is, and I know that people's expectations are sky-high for a masterpiece like Battle! Zinnia.
That was primarily the reason why I set this project on the back burner multiple times, because I felt like each of my earlier attempts was a straight downgrade. And I realized that my attempts to make the original theme even more moving and intense would inevitably come up short, so I instead focused on trying to utilize a distinct, yet compatible sound style. I was experimenting with different instruments, and when I gave FL Studio's "Shakuhachi" preset a try, I knew right there and then that it would be the core sound to build to rest of the instrumentation around. It's weird, how taking a chance on something different works out serendipitously well sometimes!
I appreciate your mention of the percussive elements, as well! A good amount of time and effort was spent on them, and I wanted them to be dynamic and dense, in terms of both rhythm and sound selection. I am really proud of how the taiko drums came out in the latter part, and I didn't anticipate that they'd synergize so well with electronic drums, but I couldn't be happier with the result!
Again, thanks so much for taking the time to listen and comment on this remix. I'm beyond grateful for your support and enthusiasm! 💛
Wow, I love the energy in this one EQ. I haven't played ORAS but my first pkmn game i ever played was Ruby, one of my favorite gba games and my fav pkmn game, and Rayquaza was always one of my favorite legendaries.
The remix has this dark but groovy and intense energy, very fitting for a final boss type of song. Love the composition in this and your remix I think even elevates the original. Love the DnB drums and lead sounds.
I also really enjoy Kali's art. The shading, coloring, and art style looks really awesome. Excellent work you guys I'm always excited for your releases!
Kibatsu!! Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, man. Such high praise means a tremendous amount, especially coming from you. ^_^ I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the remix despite not having played ORAS (highly recommended, by the way)!
That's awesome to hear that Ruby was the game that got you into the series, and I have very fond memories of playing Sapphire (then later Ruby and Emerald). Besides having an incredible soundtrack, the Hoenn region is just so rich, and many of the trainers are memorable, even to this day. But above all, I think the games had such an adventurous atmosphere, similar to how Johto feels distinctly cozy. The way you could really just explore everywhere, from mountaintops to the ocean depths, is something you almost never see in the main series games. And how sick is Rayquaza, right?! I love Rayquaza's design, and its Mega Evolution is somehow even cooler. Thanks for sharing those memories!
I love the words you used to describe the energy of this remix, and they perfectly encapsulate the kind of sound I hoped this remix would have. Even though there was a pretty significant change in instrumentation, I wanted to retain the core intensity of the original, and it's heartening to hear that this goal was met! For how epic (and I don't often use that word, but it really is) Zinnia's theme is, you'd expect her to have a post-game superboss difficulty level (like Red from Pokemon G/S/C) but the fight against her is admittedly underwhelming. I hope that if Zinnia gets featured in another mainline game, they'll give her a team that's more on-level with just how incredibly powerful her team is!
Thank you for the remarks regarding the composition! Honestly, at first, I was hesitant to change anything in the arrangement, because it's just SO DANG GOOD, but there turned out to be more opportunities for details like flourishes, countermelodies, and ascending/descending runs than I had initially anticipated. Those are the elements I'm most proud of here (aside from the taiko drums), and it means more than I can say that you noticed and mentioned them specifically!
Kali and I really appreciate your kind feedback regarding her artwork, as well! This is some of my favorite work that she's done yet, and the design she made for Zinnia's "Mega Evolved" form really just blew me out of the water and motivated me to go an extra mile with the visualizer. Thanks for mentioning specific aspects of the art - you have both a remarkable eye and ear for detail!
It's so encouraging to hear that you look forward to new releases on this channel. I really just love making remix videos so much, and the genuine enthusiasm you show for them just makes each one that much more special. Thank you!! 💛
Never heard the original theme. But this ones fire lol
Thanks so much for the feedback, jsnotlout! It means a ton that you always take the time to listen and comment, and I'm psyched to hear that you enjoyed this one, despite not being familiar with the original. I really can't say enough about Zinnia's battle theme, as it's one of my all-time favorites - definitely recommend checking it out, if you're interested! And thanks again for your support! ^_^
Very nice! Zinnia’s battle theme is one of the best Pokémon themes.
Thanks so much, Cheery!! I really appreciate the kind feedback, and I'm delighted that you enjoyed this one. ^_^ I agree that Zinnia's battle theme is one of the best in the entire series, and it's easily in my top 3 favorites. The ORAS soundtrack in general is just too good!
Hope you've had a great start to 2025 - thanks again! 💫
this goes SO HARD EQUALYZE YOOO
iRead!! Thank you so much, man! I'm truly elated to see such an enthusiastic and positive reaction to this remix, and it means a ton, coming from you. I'm psyched to hear that you felt this remix had the kind of intensity I hoped it would convey. :D
Thanks again for taking the time to listen and comment! 💛
Yo EQ I love what you did with this track!! I played through Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in late 2023, and I really enjoyed them. In terms of Gen 6 I had only played X and Y until that point, and I had never played the original Ruby and Sapphire, but I had such a fun time with my playthrough of the remakes. (I even completed a living dex for them, so that was fun!) Especially the Delta Episode, it felt like a really cool epilogue to a really cool Pokemon story! I really enjoyed Zinnia's theme then, and I really enjoy what you did with her final battle theme here!
My favorite part about your remix is the overall tempo. You did a great job at maintaining the epic feel of this track! The percussion work you did with the japanese drums, as well as the modern kicks and snares, are mixed very nicely and pleasant on the ears. I am very biased towards high-tempo themes and songs, so I especially enjoyed that aspect of this remix!
I also must say that the general instrumentation is, as per usual, phenominally well done. I love how all of the instruments mesh together, and the implementation of the japanese instruments fit like a glove. I imagine you used Sakura, yeah? Either way, I feel your instrumentation keeps the theme your signature level of fresh, as well as respects the original character the theme is tied to.
This remix was absolutely well worth the wait. I totally feel you on your journey with this remix, I've felt the same with a few of my mixes as well. And I imagine it became very satisfying to finally have all the pieces start coming together and you becoming pleased with what resulted. Which, I think, became a very high quality, official sounding Pokemon remix of one of the best battle themes that the series has to offer.
And, of course, I cannot go without saying how well the art for this mix is! The Mega-Zinnia outfit is so cool, and I love that she has the Shiny Rayquaza color scheme to match her guardian. The atmosphere of the piece is great, and both Zinnia and Rayquaza in both of their forms look high quality. (Which, by the way, if you read this in time and have Scarlet or Violet, don't forget there's a Shiny Rayquaza raid happening, and you can get it right now until tomorrow!!)
Once again, absolutely awesome mix EQ! I will most definitely be coming back to this one many times in the future, and I really enjoyed listening to this. I hope you had a great start to the New Year, and I hope this year is even better than the last. Which, by the way, a SECOND remix is coming out this month?! I'm certainly very much looking forward to that! I can't wait to hear what it is. Until then, see you around friend! :)
Bland! It's really good to see you, man! ^_^ Thank you so much for the incredibly detailed and personalized comment - I had a big smile on my face the entire time reading it, and I really can't put into words how much it means to know that you enjoyed this remix to such an extent.
I got nostalgic reading about your experiences playing different games in the series, and I'm glad to hear you had a chance to play the ORAS games - they're my favorite remakes to date (though I have very high hopes for potential Black/White remakes🤞)! The 3DS is one of my most-played systems ever, and I just loved the way that both X & Y and OR & AS played and felt. The OG Ruby and Sapphire definitely still hold up, so if you have an opportunity to play either one (or better yet, Emerald), I highly recommend it! But that's awesome to hear that you took the living Dex approach in your playthrough, and I think the DexNav feature from ORAS is one of the best features I've ever seen in the series. It really made trying to 'catch 'em all' feel rewarding and tangible, and a huge part of why I like those games so much. Plus, the shiny chaining mechanic with sneaking is brilliant - I hope they'll revisit that in a future game!
Like most people, I was completely floored when I heard Zinnia's battle theme for the first time. It was one of those situations where I had to double-check and make sure that the music I was hearing was actually coming out of my 3DS' speakers. I really didn't think the composers could top the unique theme they made for Wally, but I was more than happy to be convinced otherwise! I know that fan expectations for this track are _very_ high, and I tried to polish this track over many months and iterations as best I could; seeing such you write such positive feedback makes those efforts feel realized!
I'm glad that you liked the fast-paced tempo being kept intact here! I forget offhand what the original tempo is, but this remix clocks in at a steady 175 BPM. I often try to keep remixes at the original tempo, if possible, so they can potentially be used for mashups, and because it helps to preserve the energy of the OST version. The percussive elements are the aspect I'm most proud of, and I appreciate your specific mention of the taiko drums, and how they were mixed with the electronic samples. That was one of the most difficult and intensive parts of the process, but I couldn't be happier with the result! The idea to use taiko drums and sticks emerged relatively late in the project, but now it feels completely integral to the sound identity of the remix. I was able to learn some key techniques in the process, too, like creating a "ghost" track for the kick which would provide data for the big taiko drum to sidechain to, without actually outputting sound to the master. I know this is probably a novice technique for most, but I always get excited when I'm able to learn new things in a project!
Thanks for your remarks regarding the instrumentation specifically! As you correctly surmised, Sakura was a key player here, with a pair of string leads modified from "Bowed 6", and interestingly enough, "Sax 5". "Buzz Aldrin" has become another favorite of mine, with the dampen knob lessened so the sound has much more sustain. I also made liberal use of FLEX, one of my absolute favorite plugins, with the General Midi library's "Shakuhachi" being perhaps the most critical instrument of all. I think it's one of the library's best instruments, and by a considerable margin! I was also fortunate to come across a fantastic koto preset in Serum, which basically uses a sampled koto in the Noise generator, with no oscillators. That koto preset is definitely something I want to use frequently, even if I'm not going for an overall traditional Japanese sound style! A final detail I'd like to explicate is the top bass that was used here, which I think was a slight modification of Serum's "Mean Rawr Bass" from its base library. Working with Vector U helped me to see the importance of using a top bass with strong mid-low presence to complement the sub-bass, and now I really try to make sure that whatever bass(es) I'm using can be heard easily on any sound system, such as a phone or laptop. I didn't mean to go so far down that tangent, but I just really enjoy explaining the process! In any case, I'm really happy to hear that the instrumentation offered that essential "fresh, yet familiar" feeling that I always strive for!
Kali and I are sincerely grateful for your mention of her artwork in the visualizer, and I honestly am completely enamored by the new costume she's wearing, as well. When I saw Kali's sketch for "Mega Evolved" Zinnia, I was _so_ stoked, and her later illustrations of the ceremonial platform and Rayquaza's two forms really just rounded out the scene perfectly. I'm glad you found the designs to be high-quality, as well! Initially, it was a bit frustrating because to do the camera zoom and pan effects, I had to treat the video as a single, rendered item in order to use have everything move in tandem in the ZGEV. But for some reason, trying to zoom in on rendered videos in the ZGEV - even if they're rendered in 4K - always resulted in a reduced-quality image, so we ended up doing most of the "camera work" in After Effects, which turned out to be easier, anyway. So I'm glad we found a workaround, and hopefully it can help to make future videos a bit more dynamic! And thank you for the tip about Shiny Rayquaza, and also for pointing out the thematic colors in Zinnia's design! Admittedly, we didn't go for the limited-edition dragon because we've found the high-level raids to be punishingly difficult and janky in terms of mechanics. Hopefully she or I can trade for one down the line!
It means so much to hear that this remix felt like a wholly worthwhile endeavor, and I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment and pride you've felt with both your remixes and originals that have been a long time in the making (like your recent piece from Project Scramble, which is lovely, by the way). Speaking of which, I have not been good about commenting on people's remixes lately - at least, not to the extent that I'd like to - but I'm hoping to have more time to dedicate to that aspect of UA-cam which I truly cherish. And yes, I do have an additional remix planned for this month, and it's an unprecedented non-VGM remix! Thanks for reading the descriptions in full, as always! My hope is that it won't cause people to think that this channel is suddenly changing gears, because monthly Nintendo remixes will always be the #1 focus here, without fail. But still, I'm excited to try something new! 😁 Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for the wonderful comment, and for being so encouraging and supportive over the years. I'll see you soon, my friend! 💛
Woops seems like I missed the notification when this was uploaded. Great remix I really enjoyed it, the traditional Japanese elements are nice
Thank you so much, man! I really can't convey how much it means that you always take an interest in each new remix, and that you also take the time to provide feedback. 😊
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, and I appreciate your specific mention of the traditional Japanese elements. I feel like those were really the glue that gave this remix the direction and intent it needed! I was lucky to find some great taiko drum samples, alongside solid shakuhachi and koto presets, and I definitely want to integrate those into future arrangements, as well.
Again, thanks so much for the nice comment, FlameCheese. I always really look forward to reading what you write! ^_^
I love the outfit designs!
Hey, Xael, thanks so much for taking an interest in this remix! I'm really happy that you enjoyed Zinnia's costume designs, and Kali and I are grateful for the kind feedback! ^_^
What an incredible remix! As always, you continue to outdo yourself with every release. I may be a little late to the party with this one, but it’s never too late to dive into the good stuff. You’ve taken on breakbeat again, and it’s an instant hit for me! I absolutely love it when you step out of your comfort zone as both a musician and remixer.
The violin in the beginning is such a beautiful touch and a perfect homage to the original theme. It’s clear you’ve put thought into preserving the harmonic changes of the original, yet you’ve managed to infuse it with your signature Eqaualyze sound design. That balance between honoring the source material and innovating your own style is truly impressive. Your growth as an artist is undeniable, and this track is proof of just how far you’ve come.
What a way to kick off 2025! Revisiting an iconic theme from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (or ORAS) is a nostalgic treat, and you’ve handled it masterfully. I especially love the stylistic shift you made by blending electronic elements with traditional Japanese music. The use of a koto-like instrument and stick percussion, reminiscent of traditional Japanese festivals, was such a brilliant choice.
The way the track evolves is stunning. The seamless blend of electronic and Japanese musical elements creates a narrative flow, as if the song itself is telling a story. The progression feels deliberate and meaningful, and the way it all comes together at the end is nothing short of magical. It’s a perfect example of how your artistry continues to reach new heights. Well done, I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thank you so, so much, Poke&Remix!! I was really hoping that you'd enjoy this remix in particular, and I'm ecstatic to see such positive and enthusiastic feedback on it. ^_^ And please, if anything, I'd say you're _early_ to the party - or festival - and it means the world that you so quickly took the time to listen and comment after this video was uploaded. Seriously!
I mentioned in my response to your comment on the Zora's Domain remix that this one in particular drew inspiration from you, and I want to now explicate that. When you created the series of traditional Japanese-styled remixes prior to the release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, I was so - and am still - so impressed at how authentic and cool they sounded, and from that moment on, I had it in mind to take a similar approach and incorporate traditional elements. While this remix leans more into the electronic side, it wouldn't have ever come fruition without direct inspiration from that style you utilized, so thank you for that! (by the way, your "Pokemon Legends Arceus Prediction/Remix: Wild Battle" video is still one of my all-time favorites of yours)
This one is, as you mentioned, definitely a step further outside of the comfort zone I lived in for my first few years making remixes, and it was my intent for this piece to sort of set the tone for the direction I want to go in 2025. Granted, I don't plan to do anything drastically or radically different, but I want to continue trying new genres and sound styles, and even remix a couple non-VGM themes for the first time ever. Your continual encouragement of my efforts to expand have motivated me, critically, to remain confident in that regard!
I appreciate your specific remarks regarding the instrumentation, and it's awesome to hear that you felt this remix struck a balance between preserving some key qualities of the original and infusing it with new sound design! I'm a sucker for string instruments (I mean, who isn't?), and that synth violin lead from FL Studio's Sakura is one of my bread-and-butter leads, so I just had to use it in a track that heavily features violin to begin with. I'm tickled to see you mention a signature sound design for this channel, and it makes me feel so accomplished to have that be the case. As much as I'm inclined to use certain instruments and synths that I really like, I also want to make a concerted effort to utilize new sounds and diversify incrementally. The koto you mentioned was a lucky find, and although I was originally using the one in FLEX's General Midi library, I found a preset in Serum midway through the project that I felt had a more robust and authentic sound. I still kept the original in as well, since it had a nice bright timbre that was good for the quick ascending/descending runs. And I'm incredibly proud of how the taiko drums came out here; that was just a lot of trial-and-error putting together layers of drum and stick hits to try and craft something that was exciting and would jell with the electronic drums that were already in place before the shift in style occurred.
It makes me so happy to hear that the music feels a bit reminiscent of Japanese festival music, as that was my exact intent here. Kali always carefully considers the musical style when creating her designs, and when she showed me her initial sketch of "Mega Evolved" Zinnia, I was sincerely floored. Her final designs ended up creating a stunning scene, which perfectly complemented the progression I wanted to be conveyed through the music. Your mention of the music itself telling a story is really such an enormous compliment, and it makes me feel like all my intentions were truly realized here.
Thank you again for the time you spend writing such detailed and thoughtful comments, and your constant encouragement and enduring interest in the channel means the world. Here's to an exciting new year, my friend! 💛
I was very shocked when you based this remix on two prominent genres I did in my heyday Drum and Bass and Traditional Japanese style is honestly so cool to play around with you have perfectly fused both genres together I cannot wait to see what you have cooking next! Until the next remix my friend!