The Grand Classist Tournament


Voting for Round 1 is over!!

The matchups were as follows...


nsfplus:

RadamLee (Arial)

vs. kleeder (Baskerville)

damifortune (Viola)

vs. birdrun (The Tough Guy)

Blue Christmas (Stabby Draggy)

vs. Jakerson (Cool Kid)

kilowatt64 (Night Owl)

vs. Dippy (Razer Porcupine)

allgear:

Tex (Succulenton)

vs. Dunehawk (Waterbuck Villager)

Minerscale (Oldie the Umarell)

vs. Viraxor (Batthew)

02FD (Brewitch)

vs. mirageofher (Aismo)

Download the entries from Round 1 here

__

birdrun's entry is around 4min and 45s long. So, if your NSF player defaults lenght to less than that, please, adjust your settings accordingly so that you can hear the whole song! EDIT: or listen to the MP3 render I just uploaded.


The most important thing to consider when voting is how well the entry incorporates and arranges both character themes featured in a duel (the themes are linked in the duels above). Enjoyability should also be considered, but this is primarily an arrangement competition.


How voting works


- Anyone can vote! Non-duelists are more than welcome to vote, too;

- Cast your votes for each duel by typing the name of the duelist you're voting for between asterisks (e.g. *funute*);

- The asterisks are necessary to avoid misunderstandings, so please, add them in your vote;

- There is a total of 7 duels. You must vote for all of them for your votes to count. BUT if you're a duelist, you must skip voting for your own duel and only vote for the other 6;

- Comments are optional, but artists like receiving kind words on their work, so they are welcome and appreciated.

maybe this is obvious but i checked the voting image and am not finding the answers - how are we voting? is it a 1-7 scale like an xhb, or are we picking a winner out of each matchup? if it's numerical a la xhb, are we expected to make distinctions within a matchup (i.e. not giving a 5 to both entrants)? are we just publicly posting the votes right here in the thread or messaging you?

also what happens in the event of a tie?

in the event of a tie, both entrants are required to battle again but they need to wear a tie while composing. obvious.

dami: it says in the "how voting works" section in the post that we vote for each duel by entering the name of the duelist we're voting for in asterisks, like *jakerson* for instance

hey hold on, tex! after i fought to keep my entry in the tournament, i finally made changes according to what you wanted. i thought you said i was welcome to make changes, so i sent a new one with additions well within the extended deadline. what happened?

alright, hey everyone.
despite the entry period extension, i managed to record my videos.
thx for the extension tex, im not sure why you thought everyone has endless and flexible time, but here we are now.

RadamLee vs. Kleeder: https://youtu.be/SuFMqLvL6Tg
damifortune vs. birdrun: https://youtu.be/9HjFztsSDjQ
Blue Christmas vs. Jakerson: https://youtu.be/7ZOg4GAtBoA
kilowatt64 vs. Dippy: https://youtu.be/XqCckOCtuzI
Tex vs. Dunehawk: https://youtu.be/MThZ5MnQ2J0
Minerscale vs. Viraxor: https://youtu.be/l3k2CmiOWIw
02FD vs. mirageofher: https://youtu.be/KdH_UNoXlR0

after further listening to each rounds, i decided on the following votes. i think i commented well enough in my review-videos, but short comments are attached anyway.

damifortune vs *birdrun*
(even tho the sound design on damis entry was cooler, i think the variety in both sections and ways of theme-incorporation was better executed in birdruns entry.)

*blue christmas* vs jakerson
(i can vibe better to blue_christmas entry, even tho jakersons isnt bad at all. i like the way the stabby draggy theme was pushed onto a new level here, and how the cool kid theme was better recognizable in the B part)

*kilowatt64* vs dippy
(while i really enjoyed the way dippy used the themes as one ongoing melody, i think kilowatts way of using call&response and different instruments works better. i also think, dippys entry couldve used more room to breathe sometimes, my ears had trouble processing that endless stream of sound at some points. kilowatt does this better imo)

*tex* vs dunehawk
(yea, as i said in my video. tex executed basically everything perfectly. this wld be an all7 vote for sure in the botb system, and no matter how good dunehawk was (it was a good entry, dont get me wrong lol), theres no way they cld beat a perfect entry.)

*minerscale* vs viraxor
(probably the hardest decision in this round. but overall i think minerscales entry managed a little better to stay in my head. the more minimalistic instrument choice makes for a better listening experience as a whole, and even tho i think viraxor was on the exact same level regarding theme-incorporation, i think minerscale deserves the point for sound design and arrangement here. but again, it was extremly close imo)

02fd vs *mirageofher*
(another tough one imo... i think its a little harder to spot the themes in miohs entry, but i think its a way more rewaring feeling if you find them, and then what makes me giv them the point is that their overall arrangement glued the themes together a little better than 02fd did. it feels more organic and thought-through. another close one tho)



awesome, i actually managed to review and vote in time, even tho i had to literally skip more important activities for it. lmao

my votes
i think *minerscale* wins
i think *dami* wins
i think *dippy* wins
i think *tex* wins
i think *jakerson* wins
i think *klaedde* wins

i hope this is all to vote on. i am constantly fearful of having my vote not counted bc i forget one or two xD

my hopes
i want to see dippy vs jakerson
i want to see tex vs kw64

Hey, everyone. I meant to update the votepack with mirageofher's latest update but forgot. The files were replaced just now. So please, download the Round 1 entries again.

@mirageofher: sorry about this! Please, check if everything is fine now.

@damifortune: It's just how Viraxor paraphrased. There is no numerical scale. You either vote for one person or the other. And yeah, we are all posting our votes publicly right here in the thread in the same way kleeder did.

If there is a tie, I'll invite someone to vote to break the tie.

Just going through the pack -- my entry is 4m 45s, so NSF players that default to 3 minutes and fade out will chop off the end! Not sure if this hits anybody else's entries, just something to look out for.

Correct me if I'm not the only reason, Tex, but I wound up forgetting about (and nearly forfeiting) the competition due to poor time management leading to me initially failing to make an entry for this round. I'd like to thank Tex for their patience and understanding, and apologize to anyone who was affected by the extension.

Listening to Dippy's entry on our matchup, I am smiling the whole time. Well done. This concept is so cool! I get what Tex was saying about how fun it is to hear something you've written worked on by someone else.

I should hopefully get around to voting tonight or tomorrow night and am excited to check out kleeder's videos afterward

@birdrun: I added an alert to the first post about this. Hopefully everyone will be able to comply.

*radamlee* vs kleeder
*damifortune* vs birdrun
blue_christmas vs *jakerson*
*kilowatt64* vs dippy
*tex* vs dunehawk
02fd vs *mirageofher*

*radamlee* vs kleeder

damifortune vs *birdrun*

*blue christmas* vs jakerson

*tex* vs dunehawk

minerscale vs *viraxor*

*02fd* vs mirageofher


I definitely had to go back and forth between character themes and these submissions a few times in some cases to make a decision, and some of the votes changed. Enjoyed listening to everyone's work. I felt like a lot of the submissions placed a bit more emphasis on their opponent's theme than their own, - not something I expected, just an observation that I thought was cool. I took this like "let me see what cool thing I can write that features the other person's theme up front and then blend the two." Gives me good vibes for whatever reason

Adding some of these to my botb favorites list in spirit. I'll settle for dropping them in my local collection.

TASTING NOTES:

radamlee vs *kleeder*

Really close, I liked both entries very much, but I found there was more clarity in kleeder's mix so they get my vote. *Not* by much though!

damifortune vs *birdrun*

That intro from birdrun is just epic. Damifortune's entry is boppy as hell though. Another super close one!!

blue christmas vs *jackerson*

omg that texture from jackerson is immaculate I've never heard that from an NES before. Though I suspect there's lots of samples going on. It's sick as. Love the chords too. Blue Chrismas's is straightforward, it sounds good but jackerson's is really interesting from the texture alone! I have to give it to him.

*kilowatt64* vs dippy

Kilowatt64's entry is funky as all hell I am a big fan. Really tough decision. I might have to just pull the fact that Kilowatt's entry is so clear and economic with its ideas. Congrats!

*tex* vs dunehawk

Tex: Good heaven's I feel like I'm in a late 80s/early 90s infomercial! Such fun. Great material I'm very impressed. I like Dunehawk's too but I have no choice but to award this one to tex.

0f2d vs *mirageofher*

I'm glad you could join us 0f2d! I like your drum and bass! I find some of the drum and the bass to be a bit muddy in the mix, honestly moving everything up by even maybe a perfect fourth would fix most of those sins. Very funky either way.

Miraageofher I'm a sucker for the oboe. It's really very pretty thank you I likey


Thank you to everyone for your entries they were all divine and the world is just a little bit better now that you've thrown these out into the world :)

I loved many of the tracks, but ofc we do need to pick a winner, so here are my votes. All of you are amazing composers.

*Radamlee* vs kleeder

damifortune vs *birdrun*

Blue Christmas vs *Jakerson*

*killowatt64* vs Dippy

Tex vs *Dunehawk*

Minerscale vs *Viraxor*

02FD vs *mirageofher*

nsfplus

radamlee vs *kleeder*
Radamlee's entry was really good, but i just feel like kleeder's entry makes me want to actually dance and jam. Kleeder's entry also has the better mixing i think.

damifortune vs *birdrun*
Damifortune's entry is really nice and chill, and also some really cool progressions and just a nice feel i adore. Birdrun entry's also really amazing and so majestic, it feels like i'm walking through the clouds as the sun rises. I feel like Birdun's entry is the slightly better one even though Dami's entry is also really great.

blue christmas vs *jakerson*
Blue Christmas's entry makes me feel like i'm some kind of villain plotting an evil plan against christmas, it has lots of character and also is just a really fun tune to listen to. Jakerson's entry is pure unadulterated jam that i fucking love, it's just so good in every level :3. Jakerson has my vote.

*kilowatt64* vs dippy
idk why but kilowatt64 managed to make a really funky tune i dig a lot, it's just such a total jam. Dippy's entry is also really good, but i just kind of prefer kilo's entry more.

allgear

*tex* vs dunehawk
Tex's entry is just amazing, it's just a total jam to listen to and i vibe with it a lot; it has some of the best melodies I've ever heard from this site so far. Dunehawk entry is just not that good in comparison, i mean it's still a good song on it's own but compared to Tex entry it pretty much loses the competition and now i feel like a total dick for saying that ;_;

minerscale vs *viraxor*
minerscale's orchestal godness returns and is a total deilight to listen, it's just really pleasant and fills me with joy and calm. meanwhile viraxor's entry is just so imaginative, transports me to another world while listening to it as if i was floating to somewhere really nice and magical; it's such a really amazing song to listen to and i vibe with it a lot. I honestly prefer viraxor's song even though minerscale's song is good too

02fd vs *mirageofher*
02fd's song is really chill, it feels like i'm playing a PS1 game and it also feels so optimistic too.
however... holy fucking shit mirageofher's entry sounds like it's coming from a fucking zelda game, it's so magical and etheral; i love it with my soul. mirageofher wins this one

*Radamlee* vs. Kleeder

*Damifortune* vs. birdrun

kilowatt64 vs. *Dippy*

*Tex* vs. Dunehawk

*Minerscale* vs. Viraxor

02FD vs. *mirageofher*

I have derped. I was busy and I will not have time to votate like a potato. Please accept my deepest apologies for being a scrub.

Radamlee vs *kleeder*

Loved both songs here but i HAD to go with kleeder. I was pleasantly surprised by the beginning of their entry too. Felt like pretty unique vibes for a kleeder entry.

damifortune vs *birdrun*

The vibes were immaculate on birdrun's entry. Appreciated dami's entry here, but I just like birdrun's entry more. I will say though, I think that dami's entry was mixed better at certain points.

Blue_Christmas vs *Jakerson*

Jakerson's entry reminds me of jungle music. If you sped up the tempo and put an amen over it, the song would be perfect. I also love how the song is tuned, gives it a very warm feeling along with the pads.

*Tex* vs Dunehawk

Tex was INCREDIBLE here. The arrangement? great. The mixing? pristine. His entry reminded me of the late Ryu Umemoto, who was one of the FM legends of his time. Also kinda reminded a bit of Sonic CD as well.

*Minerscale* vs Viraxor

Appreciate what Viraxor was going for here (reminded me of A Hat in Time), but I feel like Minerscale's entry was executed in a better, more elegant way. Very calming.

02FD vs *mirageofher*

02FD's entry just didn't grab me like mirage's did. Reminded me a lot of Super Mario Galaxy, and I'm sure we can all agree that Mario Galaxy's soundtrack is fantastic.

FRICK!! i lose!! oh well. mioh did such a crazy good job. ok, loser's bracket time

...oh and here are my Votes


CHIPIST A
I love a good radamlee track (it's like injecting silliness directly into your veins), but kleeder got the atmosphere + swing points. Those are important points, I think we can all agree.
with that in mind...
radamlee vs *kleeder*

CHIPIST B
damifortune, your's reminds of an actual NES game, but like in the way shovel knight reminds you of an NES game but is technically not. this is Good, it captures the style well. also cool noise stuff throughout!
birdrun, you had a very crazy opening. Your song was a little slower paced, which I am not accustomed to for NES music, oddly, but it was very cool, and the solos were nice
The winner?
*damifortune* vs birdrun

Unfortunately, I found dami's more slightly more enjoyable. It was really close. but I could feel the limitations of the NES straining birdrun's entry, whereas dami's kind of felt like it did what it wanted without much compromise. I dunno. I'm bad at having opinions, but that's my take.

CHIPIST C
I don't know what stabby the kid reminds me of. Maybe Plants vs Zombies? Maybe spooky month? Maybe Final Fantasy?
But I really enjoyed it. Nice motif! reminds me of that one famitracker demo "the devourer's wrath" but for a different battle.

But holy shit Jakerson. the winner?

Blue Christmas vs *jakerson*
yeah, the winner. The song is so wispy. It feels so cool, like it don't care about Nothin', but it's got Everything. the ride? the drip? the paper? this sounds like this song has it All, and IT DGAF!!!!!!

CHIPIST D
kilowatt64, I liked this, and initially was like "where is the battle" but then I realized it was a character introduction and thought that was cool, an interesting take given the title. I do feel like I've locked eyes with an opponent

so when dippy makes the battle theme, I have to say, I had a hard time choosing one or the other, because they're both cool and work together quite nicely.

kilowatt64 vs *Dippy*

unfortunately it is the law that all battle themes must Kick Ass, and this certainly doesn't disappoint, so Dippy wins.

MIXIST A
this is so silly tex, I love it. i love your choice of instruments, forever and always. your style is always a delight to listen to, whatever you decide to make.

Dunehawk, nice FM! I do wish you had maybe been more mixist-y with your entry, but it was cool!
with that out of the way...
*Tex* vs Dunehawk
Good job to both of you!

MIXIST B
I liked minerscale's but I don't feel as though it was my pick. I know this is a minimalist piece, but despite the mixing issues with Viraxor's....

Minerscale vs *Viraxor*
If it had been longer, or had more instruments, my preference might have been Minerscale, but I'm sucker for Viraxor's feel in his song.

THIS CONCLUDES THE VOTATION COMMENT.

EDIT: I was a little late, but my vote breaks a tie from what I can tell. Let's see.

EDIT 2: lol, turns out I broke a tie but created another one. Will need a last voter to break that last tie.

RadamLee vs. kleeder

Both are great for different reasons. kleeder's is cute and easy listening, while RadamLee's has more of an "in your face" attitude. kleeder's take on both themes has a more liberal approach. I can hear Baskerville's theme around 1:28 and then, Arial's theme around 1:36. They are identifiable enough. So, this works for me. Arrangement-wise, though, I think RadamLee explored both character themes a bit more and used them more prominently, starting with the adaptation of Baskerville's bass motif. My favorite part, though, is at 1:27, when both Arial and Baskerville's themes are used at the same time.

Tough decision. I'm going with *RadamLee*, however.

damifortune vs. birdrun

This was the most difficult duel for me to vote for because I liked dami's right away, while my liking to birdrun's had to grow through multiple listens. dami's is cute, dreamy... the white noise work is pretty good and I liked how both themes merged. birdrun's has some interesting reinterpretations. My favorite was when Viola's theme was used as an arpeggiator at 2:28 while the chippy orch hit kept doing its thing.

Ultimately, I'll go with *birdrun* on this one. It grew on me.

Blue Christmas vs. Jakerson

Jakerson clearly has pristine production skills, but I can only hear Stabby Draggy's theme in their piece, not Cool Kid's. Blue Christmas reused both themes in a similiar way Jake Kaufman reuses melodies in Shovel Knight, so my vote goes to *Blue Christmas*

kilowatt64 vs. Dippy

Each duelist in this one only used their opponent's theme or at least only in an easily identifiable way (I can hear a few notes of Razer Porcupine's in Dippy's at some point), so this one will boil down mostly to personal genre preference. My vote goes to *kilowatt64* for adapting Razer Porcupine's theme to a gucci new jack swing groove.

Minerscale vs. Viraxor

Minerscale's was really sweet. I imagine a cute cartoon character like Winnie Pooh walking in the woods to this. I liked Viraxor's downtempo Tim Follin approach a little more, though. Really dig using an excerpt of Minerscale's bassoon every couple of bars in the latter half while Batthew's theme keeps plucking subtly. So I'll vote *Viraxor*.

02FD vs. mirageofher

mirageofher's sounds great, but I can't hear either theme easily enough. 02FD connects both themes more clearly and I dig the Apollo Justice vibes, so, *02FD*.

to break the tie:

RadamLee vs. *kleeder*
real hard to choose, but i gotta love that swing

Thanks to lasersphaser for volunteering to vote!

That ends the voting period. Results, next matchups and formats for Round 2 to be announced in the main thread later today.