Comparison of Modern Renditions – MUS 122: Ruhan F and Chet H

Original MIDI-

Very steady rhythm, somewhat off-putting, live music/recordings aren’t perfectly in sync
Strings are well replicated by synthesizers, but the synthesized horns and drums not as well, both sound muted, and the renditions on the horns sounds ‘fuzzy’, the notes don’t sound clear, almost quavering rapidly
Uses synthesizers well in creating rapid cascading sets of notes both increasing and decreasing in pitch
There are sections where different portions clash with each other, i.e. the soundstage is so narrow that certain synthesizer sounds blanket others, reducing the clarity of the piece

Orchestral-

Tempo has been increased
Use of actual instruments adds greater detail to piece, for example violin vibrato and crescendos/diminuendos are more noticeable,
as well as this, cellos show a stronger start to the beginning of each note, i.e. more force applied to the bow at the beginning of each note, increases loudness, adds tension
The piano sections sound especially different and more realistic from original, the change/light pick up in pitch on the backend of each note helps add more tension to the piece, which makes sense considering it describes Sephiroth, a man unhinged by a major crisis of faith and identity
Vocals are less ‘muddy’, easier to discern from the original MIDI
Less prominent backbeat, follows more classical inspirations that Uematsu had

Black Mages (Rock) version-

Prominent backbeat, follows rock convention
Use of electric guitars and synthesizers
Electric guitar adds more force, impact to piece, notes are very prominent, both in loudness and in pitch, makes piece sound more ‘aggressive’
New riffs added to piece, specifically for the guitars, follows more metal and rock stylings
Less reliance on strings
Despite use of louder instruments such as electric guitars, soundstage is still more open than MIDI, easier to discern individual instruments/components, vocals are more clear
Whole new break added for the rock elements, no strings, just guitars, drums, with even heavier backbeat, and vocals
This section also has guitar solo, following rock genre
Despite deviating heavily from both MIDI and orchestral versions, the new inclusions further refine the message of the song, the heavier backbeat and use of guitar provide a greater sense of doom and foreboding, fitting since the song is meant to occur during the final boss fight where the fate of the world hangs in the balance