1. First, I took the CD, ripped in EAC with 100% quality on each track
2. Ran that through Audirvana, which up-converts and up-samples to 32/88
3. Empirical Labs EL-Q Lil FrEQ Equalizer
4. Aphex 2020-MKIII Broadcast Audio Processor
5. Tube-Tech MMC 1a Multi-band Compressor
6. Adobe Audition and used iZotope Ozone 4 and a texture synthesizer
7. Lexicon PCM96SUR-A Multi-Channel Reverb
8. Focusrite Red 3 – Dual-Channel Limiter
9. Audacity, recording at 32-float/88khz
10. Dithered and down-sampled with iZotope Ozone to Redbook
I won’t reveal much on this remaster, but as you can tell, it was a lot of work. I actually compared real-life acoustics and tone to the recordings, so it was done almost completely by ear. Since Metroid’s soundtrack was never mastered, this let me work my magic. When comparing music, volume is usually what makes the decision of quality for a listener. Unless you have a trained ear, volume will always sound better, no matter how much equalizing you do, which is why many people use compression.
I simply found a great balance between volume and clarity. Nothing was overdone. This took me a week to get the settings just right, the volume and limiter perfect and actually increasing detail and dynamic. The compressor was basically used for multi-band gain to get a general flat response. (Eq’d afterward) The frequency response of the album is completely flat, so all instruments are audible and the realism of the sound space is increased greatly. The reverb was tweaked by playing the non-reverberated music through extremely flat studio speakers in the sound booth. I then tweaked the reverb settings to replicate that space, and it worked beautifully, and in my opinion replicated the space better than i have ever heard a reverb do. I didn’t replicate the tone, I just replicated the "space" so the audio becomes more alive.
Sum Up of the Major Improvements:
Every instrument heard clearly.
Ruler-Flat frequency response across the entire album.
25% More dynamics.
Stereo field edited for a complete natural and ultimate realistic sound environment.
Volume issues between commercial albums fixed.
Sonics have been improved greatly. (Including sub-sonics and ultra-high frequency harmonics)
Sound "textures" have been synthesized into the harmonics of the instruments to make them more real.
Much less phase issues and cancelation.
Mastered for mp3. [High harmonics have been edited in a way that doesn’t conflict with the standard mp3 encoder (In other words, you can compress the lossless files in your favorite encoder and not have to worry about as many artifacts!)]
Extremely high quality mp3 download and FLAC available.
Looked over before releasing by 3 highly respected professional engineers.
For those who really want to see how big the difference is, you can check out a demo here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqMqI9ILTzE
(There are some artifacts in the demo that you will hear that are not in the download files. They are a result of being encoded to such a small bitrate for YouTube Streaming purposes.) (Demo thanks to wad11656)
LINKS
FLAC:
Part 1: Metroid Prime OST FLAC.part1.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?2y422b445kkb440)
Part 2: Metroid Prime OST FLAC.part2.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?j2dnu5susth0hw5)
Part 3: Metroid Prime OST FLAC.part3.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?t7gh8tj6sztjg3r)
Part 4: Metroid Prime OST FLAC.part4.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?i4u8850h1s56tey)
Part 5: Metroid Prime OST FLAC.part5.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?jg0qtn19ojkwk1m)
Part 6: Metroid Prime OST FLAC.part6.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?v4q71o969y79i77)
MP3: Metroid Prime Soundtrack MP3.zip (http://www.mediafire.com/?tt0ktbt4ilow73o)
Note: The MP3 was compressed with Max, which uses LAME 3.98. The settings used are:
Encoding Engine Quality: High
Stereo Mode: Joint Stereo
Quality: 100
Variable Bitrate Mode: Fast
I also told Max to put the encoder settings in the comment of each file, but I used some custom settings as well that Max doesn’t have, and it didn’t put them into the the comments on the files, only what it used.
(Variable bitrate more is the speed of how fast the bitrate varies. It’s on fast, so the quality is much more than normal VBR)
(Basically the highest quality mp3s can go without getting insane file size.)
Haha, so, what do you think?
I’ll post my thoughts in about a week, probably, as i’m out of town for a while.
I’ll save it for later!
I’ll save it for later!
…so will i
thank you
I am always happy to hear when people enjoy my releases. Hit me up if you want anything else done that hasn’t been done yet =)
Any plans for a Metroid Prime 3 remaster, FLAC and such?
I can’t find any rips in FLAC and I don’t own the game… >.<
If I had FLACs of the game I would def. do it.
If I had FLACs of the game I would def. do it.
Great job enhancing the quality so far!
If you want I can convert all audio files from Metroid Prime 3 to FLAC and post them here for further analyses. I believe the game uses the same .dsp format as the previous two titles for Gamecube, and it can be converted with winamp and its in_cube.dll plugin.
If you want I can convert all audio files from Metroid Prime 3 to FLAC and post them here for further analyses. I believe the game uses the same .dsp format as the previous two titles for Gamecube, and it can be converted with winamp and its in_cube.dll plugin.
That would be awesome! That way I can master them. Wouldn’t be considered a remaster since the files from the gamecube aren’t mastered.
=)
———- Post added at 03:12 PM ———- Previous post was at 03:05 PM ———-
Great job enhancing the quality so far!
If you want I can convert all audio files from Metroid Prime 3 to FLAC and post them here for further analyses. I believe the game uses the same .dsp format as the previous two titles for Gamecube, and it can be converted with winamp and its in_cube.dll plugin.
Hmmm, I might try doing that to Prime 1’s OST. Is that what PrimeBlue did? If so I can get his FLAC files and master them and see if they beat the CD release. =DDDD
Hahah woo!! XD
=)
Hmmm, I might try doing that to Prime 1’s OST. Is that what PrimeBlue did? If so I can get his FLAC files and master them and see if they beat the CD release. =DDDD
Ok, I’ll try to get it done tonight then. Also a question about master/re-master thing, what is the difference?
I don’t know who PrimeBlue is but he must be someone who ripped Metroid Prime 1 and/or 2? If everything goes smoothly with your Prime 3 project, then yes it would be interesting to see a game-rip re-master of 1 & 2, and compare them to the CD release.
I don’t know who PrimeBlue is but he must be someone who ripped Metroid Prime 1 and/or 2? If everything goes smoothly with your Prime 3 project, then yes it would be interesting to see a game-rip re-master of 1 & 2, and compare them to the CD release.
Well, mastering is taking a mix and preparing it for the average listener. Remastering is taking a already mastered mix and tweaking it a bit so it can compare with other commercial products.
If your into old audio, remastering is also taking the original mixes and making them sound like they were recorded yesterday.
Technically, a game rip is actually just a mix, not mastered because it never went through that process of making it of commercial quality.
PrimeBlue was a guy from a different forum that I found while searching for the Metroid Prime 2 Echoes soundtrack. He ripped the audio, but never mastered it.
So, mastering a game soundtrack and comparing the actual master to the CD would be quite interesting to see if I could beat it in overall quality and fidelity.
Right now I have PrimeBlue’s Metroid Prime edit, which is the retail release but the tracks loop twice.
I’d advise you not to screw around with other people’s work.
???
Ok, so apparently converting Metroid Prime 3’s music files to something listenable is not that easy after all. Instead of .dsp the game uses .fsb files, and so far I’ve tried several command prompt tools that suppose to deal with this type of files, but it’s not giving the proper results yet. And the in_cube.dll for winamp is not the solution in this case. Though I’m sure there is a way to do this, so will keep on searching.
Is there a problem with improving your hard work?
I don’t see why you would be offended by somebody helping the community to achieve a better soundtrack than what was originally released.
And I’m still gonna do it. Maybe not release it, but if it does defeat the released soundtrack I might. Of course, giving you credits. =)
Haha, well, enjoy! =)
Well, it depends, the mp3 was compressed using Max, which uses Lame mp3, but it was on maximum quality settings so I think you should be fine 😉
thanks!!
thanks!!
Haha, no problem!
Hmmmm, weird, lemme see…
I dont’t hear anything on the Title, or the Menu Screen, and I downloaded the mp3s from the same link you used.
It might be the player because some players aren’t compatible with variable bit-rate.
Try downloading the FLAC files and using VLC to listen to it. It also might be your headphones? I’m not sure, is it the whole song or just a part?
Hmmm, knew I should have rar’d the damn thing…
Here are the separate tracks: Track 1 – 01 Title.mp3 (http://www.mediafire.com/?ywdrb96lvqnoddz)
Track 2 – 02 Menu Select.mp3 (http://www.mediafire.com/?kprk69ecxqd3pss)
Tell me if they still do mess up…
Haha, alright! My favorite tracks are numbers 7 and 21 =D
The ambiance in them is amazing…
Hahaha, well have fun! haha…. Just tell me when you finally get them working =D
And by the way, you missed several tracks… =(
I don’t see why you would be offended by somebody helping the community to achieve a better soundtrack than what was originally released.
And I’m still gonna do it. Maybe not release it, but if it does defeat the released soundtrack I might. Of course, giving you credits. =)
Your "remasters" are no improvements, as several people have pointed out to you. And as you obviously don’t have any respect whatsoever for the work and the objection of other people, there goes all future releases of me. Enjoy!
Doing it only for personal use would be fine, but as for distributing…
Well, it’s Prime Blue’s rip, and he should be allowed to decide whether or not it’s put up for download.
Maybe you can find another rip by someone else who wouldn’t mind, or better yet, learn how to rip the game yourself (and then you’re all set for any other games you want to do, too).
And Prime Blue, you shouldn’t cancel all future releases over something that hasn’t happened yet. Lots of people really appreciate what you’ve done (me included), and would like for you to keep going.
Well, I don’t understand what you mean.
First, my remasters are a big improvement to the overall quality of the soundtrack. That’s exactly what a remaster is supposed to be. If I had no respect for the work of other people, I wouldn’t have released this or even started this project a year ago. And I agree with andrew, I havn’t even tried to remaster your rip. Why go all immature and freak out over something somebody said? You obviously havn’t download my release, and you surely havn’t compared the original to it. So don’t put anything down till you have tried it. And if you want to get all technical, why don’t you do a ABX test so we can see that there are audible improvements? I used over $20,000 worth of equipment to make this project happen, and for someody to just walk in, without even giving the project a chance, and saying that there is no improvements hurts a bit.
I have done it actually. Ummm… Lemme see…. Thread 79699
———- Post added at 05:28 AM ———- Previous post was at 05:27 AM ———-
This is the fourth time? XD Well, no problem! I’m still excited to give it a thorough listen :b
Yeeehhhh, haha, well, I keep learning as I go, this is the final though haha.
Anyway, I’mma download this after work tonight then make a YouTube video comparing the two versions and post it here, I think 😛 …So people know what they’re getting before they download a humongous file ha ha
Anyway, I’mma download this after work tonight then make a YouTube video comparing the two versions and post it here, I think 😛 …So people know what they’re getting before they download a humongous file ha ha
Haha, good idea, but Youtube plays most of their audio in mono, so lets hope everybody uses the high quality settings. There was a lot of work spent on the stereo field that you will notice straight away if you compare the originals to this one. Also, if you are going to do this, make sure to upload the original, and the remastered to compare, not other versions of my remaster.
Bahaha, I am an audiophile, but I have my reasons. If you can’t hear the difference, why worry? ANYWAY, yes, try n upload it in 1080p.
Btw, the lowest I will listen to audio, is 256. if it’s vbr, then that’s different, but, I am an audiophile, and can easily tell the difference between a 196k and a 320k. =)
I still can’t believe that people think that converting a 128 kbps MP3 to FLAC makes it higher quality. I’m not talking about someone in particular (wasn’t it EmteCoke that was uploading FLACs of poor quality CD bootleg things?), just those in general. Essentially, a 128 kbps MP3 converted to FLAC, is just a very poor quality audio file, that takes up about 10 times as much space as is necessary.
Also… did I ever tell you the time that I just went over the top and just used GoldWave to make the most ridiculously large audio file ever? I used a FLAC of "You – Destructive" (or whatever it’s called), and just increased the sample rate, and bit rate to the maximum possible, because I was bored and had nothing to do. And basically, it’s a 64-bit WAV, at 192000 Hz, with a bitrate of 24576 kbps, or 24 Mbps (megabits per second), i.e. for every single short tiny second, the song chewed up a whopping 3 Megabytes. Yeah… 3 whole megabytes every second — And I just converted a file to a nice 4-bit IMA ADPCM mono 8000 Hz 32 kbps WAV. The 18 minutes and 18 seconds long file is just 4 Megs.
I’m bored, aren’t I?
Also, how’s it going with the soundtracks?
I still can’t believe that people think that converting a 128 kbps MP3 to FLAC makes it higher quality. I’m not talking about someone in particular (wasn’t it EmteCoke that was uploading FLACs of poor quality CD bootleg things?), just those in general. Essentially, a 128 kbps MP3 converted to FLAC, is just a very poor quality audio file, that takes up about 10 times as much space as is necessary.
Also… did I ever tell you the time that I just went over the top and just used GoldWave to make the most ridiculously large audio file ever? I used a FLAC of "You – Destructive" (or whatever it’s called), and just increased the sample rate, and bit rate to the maximum possible, because I was bored and had nothing to do. And basically, it’s a 64-bit WAV, at 192000 Hz, with a bitrate of 24576 kbps, or 24 Mbps (megabits per second), i.e. for every single short tiny second, the song chewed up a whopping 3 Megabytes. Yeah… 3 whole megabytes every second — And I just converted a file to a nice 4-bit IMA ADPCM mono 8000 Hz 32 kbps WAV. The 18 minutes and 18 seconds long file is just 4 Megs.
I’m bored, aren’t I?
Also, how’s it going with the soundtracks?
Wtf, I posted but now it’s gone… stupid thing….
Yup, I used to think I could convert the files, then re-encde them to a higher quality format, I learned that made them worse. >.<
(Back before I got into the audio stuff)
I’m currently on the second half of the music. It’s alot of work, and if I charged, well, it would put you back quite alot. 😉
Oh yeh, i hate how so many people can just sit there and concentrate on their 128k audio files. >.<
Makes me realize how low quality our modern audio is. If the normal person knew how low their fiiles are heard a lossless version of what they are listening to, they would never use mp3 again. I know my 11 year old brother felt that way haha.
There’s one big problem, which relates to the above posts somewhat. How does one know that they are downloading a 320 kbps MP3, and not just a 128 kbps saved as a 320 kbps MP3?
On another forum I go to, you can upload soundtracks there, and I always upload mine in a 448 kbps AAC format, with the M4A extension, which IMO, is pretty high quality.
Also, you said you posted it but now it’s gone… what did you post that’s now gone? That is, what is this thing, that is stupid?
There’s one big problem, which relates to the above posts somewhat. How does one know that they are downloading a 320 kbps MP3, and not just a 128 kbps saved as a 320 kbps MP3?
On another forum I go to, you can upload soundtracks there, and I always upload mine in a 448 kbps AAC format, with the M4A extension, which IMO, is pretty high quality.
Also, you said you posted it but now it’s gone… what did you post that’s now gone? That is, what is this thing, that is stupid?\
Yah, I’m the same way haha. I only download 256 mp3 and higher haha. Also, a 128 converted to 320 will have black spots in the frequency analyzer and 90% of the time, a 16khz cut-off.
Also, I posted a reply, but it never appeared, so the reply button is stupid. ^^
(Random forward-slash for-the-win)
If not, what is the answer to this question? (Thread/topic hijacking FTW!)
Also, how’s it going with the soundtracks?
If not, what is the answer to this question? (Thread/topic hijacking FTW!)
"I’m currently on the second half of the music. It’s alot of work, and if I charged, well, it would put you back quite alot. ;)"
Haha, I never said I would charge, so don’t expect me to get it all done in time like a charged ost would be. (My point I tried to make) 😉
Basically. 😉
Nah, I’ll (hopefully) have it done by midnight. =)
Yup. damn dude where do you live? btw, i’m so tired, had a private lesson, 2 4 hour rehearsals, and like 3 hours of driving. It’s bed for me. Tuesday is the next day I don’t have much going on. Hopefully I can do it then. Sorry. >.<
Just those 3 in order.
Up at 6 every morning =)
Metroid Prime OST ~REMASTERED!~ – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqMqI9ILTzE)
Sorry that took so long, assett! I finally got it up, and in 1080p like you asked! 720p and 1080p both use 156 kbps bitrate as far as I know, but I still did 1080p like you asked. ha ha…Hope it’s kinda what you were hopin’ for!
Cheers!
Oh yeah�He definitely added something; ha ha…It blew my mind at first too, then I realized it was added in 😛 I’m like, "Wow! I thought the differences would be a lot more subtle!" ha ha
Omfg dude, freaking awesome! Get job! We need to put it up as a response to a couple of many watched prime videos that have the soundtrack. Like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mziw3FQkZYg
See how it has like 200k watches. I know it’s not that much, but, the more the better! If you could, since you got the original file, go around and may be post it as a response to all the prime soundtrack video on youtube. It’s a big task, so I will gladly help out in any way I can. =) If you send me the video, I can do it too.
Also,I never noticed how epic the remaster sounds….
Thanks so much for doing this!
And I never reveal ma secrets. >=D
Also, I think it needs some kind of album work.
Know anybody who would be willing to work something out?
We won’t ask you again. Tell us your secrets, or suffer the consequences.
No?
OK, men… Ready…. Aim!… FIAR!!!!!!
😛
So, how’s the other thing going? (You know… THAT thing.. :O)
Oh… there’s assett1 now. Watching this… what’s that assett1?
I have a right to be here! It’s videogame ‘business’! Assett1, that song doesn’t work anymore. (from The Simpsons, but altered, in case you think I’m going mad <_<)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4P9BLvTna8
We won’t ask you again. Tell us your secrets, or suffer the consequences.
No?
OK, men… Ready…. Aim!… FIAR!!!!!!
😛
So, how’s the other thing going? (You know… THAT thing.. :O)
Oh… there’s assett1 now. Watching this… what’s that assett1?
I have a right to be here! It’s videogame ‘business’! Assett1, that song doesn’t work anymore. (from The Simpsons, but altered, in case you think I’m going mad <_<)
Sailor suit – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4P9BLvTna8)
Hahahaha, nooo!
Haha, I love the Simpsons, but, Family Guy is better. Jus saying.
And THAT thing is almost complete >=D
Will be uploading in ~a hour ^^
Makes staying up ’til 2:00 a.m. for a few nights in a row seem worth it, with such a response!! (Don’t worry–It didn’t take me THAT long to make it–I just got started really late at night ’cause of work! ha ha)
And yeaaaah…Much too lazy to make video responses, etc…I guess I would have to let you hijack my account if you really wanted to do it 😛 (or send you the video like you said)
And you two are funny–You guys need to dig up an IM client to talk to each other on your computers or something! ha ha
Makes staying up ’til 2:00 a.m. for a few nights in a row seem worth it, with such a response!! (Don’t worry–It didn’t take me THAT long to make it–I just got started really late at night ’cause of work! ha ha)
And yeaaaah…Much too lazy to make video responses, etc…I guess I would have to let you hijack my account if you really wanted to do it 😛 (or send you the video like you said)
And you two are funny–You guys need to dig up an IM client to talk to each other on your computers or something! ha ha
Yah seriously, we’ve like spammed this thread along with 2 other of mine.
Yah, when you get time, upload it and send me a download link to the source files.
Oh, and account jacking is good ^^
———- Post added at 06:30 AM ———- Previous post was at 06:03 AM ———-
*kidnaps assett1 and holds him in a dark room surrounded by tough looking guys with guns*
We won’t ask you again. Tell us your secrets, or suffer the consequences.
No?
OK, men… Ready…. Aim!… FIAR!!!!!!
😛
So, how’s the other thing going? (You know… THAT thing.. :O)
Oh… there’s assett1 now. Watching this… what’s that assett1?
I have a right to be here! It’s videogame ‘business’! Assett1, that song doesn’t work anymore. (from The Simpsons, but altered, in case you think I’m going mad <_<)
Sailor suit – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4P9BLvTna8)
Sorry, fell asleep last night, I’m uploading the album atm. It’s in 5 parts so I got ’bout a hour left ^^
Edit: Check your private messages
Yes it would….. >.<
My mastering process adds a ton of data, so it will probably be close to 800kbps.
^^
Assett1 has simply left the entire forum and website because he felt he had committed so much that he was simply unable to work up to his expectations he had created.
I, his mentor in audio has retired in the studio environment and Kris asked me to drop by, give the news to the forums and ask if I could finish his huge project for him. Kris is now working full time in the studio with a band a week. Not only that but he is pursuing a double major in school and has found that he has little to no time to work on side projects. He said, with a small tear in his eye, that he misses you all and would like me to take his place.
I agreed that I would slowly but surly finish up his project with the Metroid Prime Trilogy and his list of other projects.
I hope you all forgive him and start looking forward again to these releases: Majora’s Mask, some Pokemon Games (Fire Red, Leaf Green, and Emerald), as well as Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX.
The releases will be slow but will be done.
Thanks!
-Mr.Assett2
Thanks!
-Mr.Assett2
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