Your top 5 favorite compositions

[JohnFreeman]

the rules are simple, post your five favorite MPCs! Say a few words on why you love the composition if you like!


Battle vs. Lord Blazer (Wild Arms 2) in Mario Paint Composer by Rusty8984

- Some composers may remember 2009 with a bit of a bitter taste. It's often regarded as a time when soundfonts got "out of control", and the beginning of a loss of interest in MPC. Maybe it was a bit overboard with soundfont abuse, but don't dismiss soundfonts for that reason! Take a listen to this song. Put on some headphones and crank up the volume, this composition demands it! Can you feel the power? If it doesn't get your adrenaline rushing and your blood pumping, then it's not loud enough! Masterful work, Rusty


Thriller by Michael Jackson in Mario Paint by geoffnet1

- A classic! Geoffnet has a knack "MPCing" songs very well -- capturing the mood and groove of a song and making it work with MPC's limits. This, I feel, is his masterpiece. The percussion is experimental and catchy, and works very well, the attention to cutoffs brings out a funky quality in the hearts, and the car chords gives the song a subtle, powerful presence (think shy guys/piranha plants). You can't help but sing along when the song hits the chorus

Most surprising of all is the tempo of the song. Listening to it today, it's hard to believe this song was composed at 477 tempo. There's something about this style of composition I find nostalgic, the simple challenge of trying to make a song sound great within the limits of MPC. 2008 was a wonderful year, wouldn't you agree?




Katamari On The Swing (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER ALL ABOUT namco Mix) ／ SEXY-SYNTHESIZER [Katamari Forever] by balloon303

- Switching gears from a old-school classic to a modern masterpiece. If geoffnet illustrates everything I love about the old-style of composing, then balloon epitomizes what I love about modern MPC: that ambitious, anything-is-possible spirit that ties itself to many compositions today. I mean, just listen to this song. Is there any way we could have predicted MPC could come so far, back in 2008? It's absolutely incredible how much an art form can evolve in just a couple of years. This song is a technical marvel and a masterpiece.



Sammer's Kingdom - Mario Paint Composer by GuruXander6060

- There's something mystical about this composition. It started as an experiment, something very different from other compositions at the time, but it is its unique qualities that make this song stand out so much to me. How did Guru get that twangy Mario head sound? Mario heads are a terrible instrument to try to sustain, especially at that tempo. How did he keep those GameBoys from utterly overpowering the song? They should seem much louder, but my ear pushes them into the background. If there's only one melody line for much of the song, how does it manage to sound so full? This composition is a mystery to me, but that's what makes me love it all the more. I believe LoloGuru summed it up best with his comment: "Ethereal. And I don't use that word lightly."

(it's a minor shame about the audio/video de-sync, but that makes this composition more interesting to me. It's harder to follow along with the video to see how Guru pulled all these tricks off! that sly fox!)



Green Brinstar from Super Metroid in Mario Paint Composer by LoloGuru

- Here it is! I'm floored every time I listen to this. LoloGuru was one of the first people unafraid to use the full range of the little green bars under each line of notes, and his dynamic prowess pays off beautifully in this work. This is my favorite composition from LoloGuru (or any composer, for that matter.) It's a song you can watch multiple times, and be impressed with a new facet of LoloGuru's technical skill each time. Here, try it out now. Pay attention to the percussion. It initially has a subtle presence, but there's so many cool things going on there! Those high, echoing ships establish an eerie atmosphere beautifully, as if a menacing something is rustling through the dense vegetation towards you! Did you notice the contrast between the low and high boats? The woody low B sound contrasts beautifully with the rustling of the high, leafy boats. Listen to the jungle beat of the mushrooms. Did you hear the way the mushroom chords raise in pitch as the bass lead climbs upward during the second half of the song? It's an impressive touch, and really tells the viewer that every note counts.
Despite all these subtle percussive effects, Lolo is able to establish a strong backbone for this song. He is very concerned with the flow of the song, as evidenced by the soft, high ship chords that play as a pick-up into each new phrase. It all sounds marvelous.

Oh, here's another thing: did you notice how strong the bass presence was? The bass provides an anchor for the space-echo Mario heads and twinkling stars in the beginning. LoloGuru emphasizes this anchor, using heart octaves and planes to ground the composition as much as possible. This provides a earthy backdrop that allows the space instruments to shine. Another thing about this bass; did you notice how low it was? Lolo kept the bass low to the ground, even if it meant being out of octave range of the original song (he remedies this by using a low B flat mushroom in place of an ultra-low G heart, an almost unnoticeable work-around.) Low bass is usually drowned out by other instruments, but in this song, it's often the only instrument at maximum volume. Lolo's unique use of the heart instrument really contributes to the somber, eerie mood of this masterpiece.


There's my favorite mario paints, hope i didn't ramble too much, lol! Post your favorites, guys!

[BlutoCash]

Goddamn it JF, 5 just isn't enough. I wonder how many others are planning on posting in this, but are spending hours pouring through their favorites trying to decide...

Honorable Mention (Sorry I just had to cheat)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh1DvCl7FEg
Proving that he is a god walking amongst mere mortals, Gallahaut displays his complete mastery over all senses of hearing and sight. Would any of us believe this video was real if anyone other than him uploaded it?

5. Megaman X5: Zero Stage 1 - RehdBlob

This one is still fairly recent, so I haven't had time to dwell upon why I love it so much. I admit I only watched it the first couple of times for the amazing baby face wind effects, but the more I watch it the better it sounds each time. This might be my favorite composition to watch visually with all the instruments whizzing by.

4. Donkey King Country 2: Hornet Hole - JohnFreeman1337

This is the first YT video I ever favorited. It is one of the earliest MPC vids I ever saw, and it taught me a lot about what dickspeed and volume control could do. Also the first time I found myself preferring a paint compo over the actual song it was covering.

3. TIE - Donkey Kong Country Aquatic Ambience
By FriedFischer w/ Custom Soundfont


By Levus28 w/ Original Soundfont

I'm sure we've all had that moment when we listen to a compo that we never thought could be done in MPC. It's quite a fantastic feeling, and to this day I've never felt it as strongly as when I watched these for the first time; I seriously never knew mario paint compos could ever recreate a song that sounds like this.

2. Silver Surfer (NES) Level 1 - ElectricPopTart18

I was a huge Tim Follin music fan before I ever caught wind of mario paint compos online. I used to listen to the OST for this a lot, and after I began watching mario paint stuff I used to type in songs I liked to the YouTube search field along with the phrase "mario paint" to see if someone had done them. I half seriously did that with this song and was amazed to find it done. I was even more amazed to find it done really really well. I think Follin's music has a very distinctive style, and perhaps this video isn't as amazing if one isn't familiar with that. Oh well, I love it.

1. Evolution of Video Games Epic Medley - adolfobaez

I'll go out on a limb and say that this video is my favorite thing on the internet. That's even over all of the free porn!
Obviously there's no sondfonts, dickspeed, or altered octaves. It's all about Adolfo's sublime musical talent tugging at my nostalgia for old video games. I love how every song is a funky interesting remix while at the same time staying so true to the original music. I love how every song transitions beautifully into the next. He makes it sound effortless. To date I haven't heard anyone else compose in the style that Adolfo does (but sometimes M7M3 comes close...). I think this compo shows off his style better than any of his others.
I love how it goes in a slight chronological order. I love the selection of songs themselves; these 25 songs probably aren't universally appreciated. But it's almost like he tailor made the selections for me by handpicking my favorites from over the years. I will never ever get tired of listening to this video.

[GuitarMaster72]

1. Metaknights Revenge - ElectricPoptart

The thing i just loved about this was the fact that he just made every instrument run into each other and just blend together really nicely. it was almost hard to distinguish what instrument happened where, and it was all thrown at you one time. The slides were like nothing i've ever heard before, slides can't possible get any better or smoother than that. also pretty interesting how he used stars as some kind of percussion instrument. percussion was spectacular in every little drum roll spot. not to mention the fact that it was at a pace of like 3000 at least. best part of the whole thing was the little flower fanfare part at like 0:26 and again at 1:01... not sure why, but i thought that just stood out the most as the coolest 4 seconds of the whole piece.

2. CaramellDansen - Mario7Mario3


Instrumentation was genius! percussion was outta this world! notes were not just solid and bland, you added your own little flair to each tiny little part. if there was a dull part with not many notes, there was always some kind of tune happenin in the backgorund. I'm not sure what else to say for this one... even though i'm not sure i've even begun to explain the intensity of this piece. it's amazing how such a lame song can be done so fantastically in mario paint. i have to confess a little somethin tho... as much as i don't like being biased, i kinda am a little... the only reason this wasn't placed as number 1 was cuz i was more familiar with the song choice of the other one.

3. DKC2 Mining Melancholy - ElectricPoptart

Now, i didn't wanna choose 2 songs by the same person, but i had no idea this was actually from ElectricPoptart until just recently, cuz it was uploaded under the username AeolianWhispers. I couldn't beleive the percussion in this thing, it was just a bunch of echoing drums everywhere, and even though it didn't sound like the original percussion of this thing, it was pretty fantastic to see the interesting twist he put on the percussion. It even inspired me to do my own version, which (i don't mean to toot my own horn here but) is like the 2nd or 3rd best version out there (freeman's is pretty cool, although he used a soundfont, which is a little pet peeve of mine).

4. MMX1: Sigma's Fortress 1 - Pokesonic

Megaman X has to be a game housing some of the best music SNES ever had. And one piece i liked in particular was this one. Poke TOTALLY uses every ounce of his skill in this song. It has a ton of power in the main melody, bass, and the percussion was incredible. Even his little echoing stars in the beginning blew my mind. And just when you think it stops there, you're dead wrong. His use of the instruments everyone hates using (the boos, coins, and shy guys) are very well added and puts in that extra sense of eeriness this song has. i was actually surprised at how much ambience was added to this, and how noticeable it was.

5. SMW2: Yoshi's Island: Athletic Theme - PhantomTaco

Now this one didn't have a wide range of instruments used, BUT i just loved how he used the instruments he did. the planes in the background were like PERFECT, and the drums were unusual in the OST, which would seem hard to recreate, but he totally nailed it! and also the little mario heads and the little gameboy solo towards the end was simply spectacular.

[KM]

5. History of the Moon - Ultrathing

Now you may think I'm being modernist (OH THIS WAS JUST RELEASED RECENTLY YOU CAN'T REMEMBER THE SONGS YOU LIKE) but my goodness this song is so sexy and ultrathing just made it great. Look at those echoing mario heads! This is what ambience in mario paint is supposed to be about. Creating a good atmosphere for other lines to line up in. Masterpiece, and it always gets me going (you can read that any way you wish >_>)
4. City of Delusion - balloon303

Am I biased? Yes, but doesn't song choice factor into your favorite mpcs? The ones with the most replay value, and the ones you can just watch over and over and feel the music? I love the dynamics and creativity in this one, which has become a staple of balloon's composing style nowadays. An incredibly cool song just got cooler. The pigs, boos, and yoshis really give it a sense of playfulness. I know balloon may not hold this one in as high regard as the other ones, but boy is this one of the best I've seen.
3. Aquatic Ambiance - Levus28

Remember what I said about ambience before? No, this surpasses the former. With those tremolo shyguys, the fat heart chords, man is this fun to listen to. When I saw that preview I shitted my pants. Now I need new underwear. As the song swells and decays, you can just feel every ounce of musicality put into it. I truly adore this song.
2. Stickerbrush Symphony

My favorite video game song turned into an equally as great mario paint. Amen, we must rejoice in the god that is this composition! A song we deemed impossible was completely turned around, flipped on its head, and spun around 75 times while playing the piano (read: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6cKCkjCyOo). The wonderful chords and melody just fit so nicely you sit on your computer chair in complete awe, no?
1. Spark Mandrill - theEvilGrimace

Lots of you are wondering why I put THIS song as my #1. This was one of the first MPCs I ever watched, and this is an over-and-above rendition of a great megaman song. Think about it. Were this released today, I'm sure it would at least be on most of your top 10 or 25. But get this: it was released almost THREE YEARS AGO. I know most of us look at this but do not look at the importance of this in the timeline of MPC. We can talk about BKFB all we want, but this is really what made people start using dickspeed. tEG popularized it with this wonderful and absolutely magnificent song.

Honorable Mentions
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXBz0qHCCwg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyTkDGi3f_Y
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aLApEgShZI

[MrBretowsky]

5 - Spark Mandrill, by theEvilGrimace



This is the first Mario Paint video that blew my mind with dickspeed.



4 - The Last Supper, OC by BrianLED.



My third favorite OC, from the composer that is my main inspiration.



3 - Full Imperial March, by RehdBlob



The most epic video of the most epic song from Star Wars... and FULL!



2 - Invisible OC, by Gallahaut



Is there the need to say anything about this? I guess there are not even enough adjectives to describe the awesomeness.



1 - A BrianLED NES OC, by....... BrianLED



THE BEST MPC OC EVER, AND DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST MUSICS I'VE EVER HEARD AND WILL EVER HEAR! BRIANLED RLZ!

[tommy73]

Hello. Urm.... read!! I guess


5. Quasar, original composition by Sexy-beard Bert

Just in case you haven't looked at the other 4 places yet, this ranks my number 1 favourite OC written on mario paint. Every ingredient that makes an OC perfect is basically in here. How creative it is, how cleverly written it is, it's just professional. I love the medieval spirit that the song has, it's amazing. Each instrument plays it's own role, and together makes it a masterpiece, honestly. Even dynamics often get quieter and louder at suitable times, and the 15/16 + 4/4 (I forget) solo is freaking kick-ass. I wouldn't be surprised if this got remade into a orchestral piece, I would make my year.


4. Tank! Cowboy Bebop OP by Low-tempo master Nami
Whilst never exceeding the tempo 1000, using soundfonts and not even using a low-A-glitch note anywhere, nami is just star at the low speed of the program. But my god, this MPC is spectacular. After listening to the OST, he included nearly everything from the OST to the MPC instruments, and used them extremely effectively too. The drum solo at the start and the first dogs in the MPC are just so clever. My favourite bit is at 0:50, the multiple flower solos, they are just lovely. FIrst time I heard this it gave me goosebumps, but realizing how limited the program is and how the instruments work, goosebumps strikes harder. I just love this, and it inspires me to do more low tempo that are awesome as that.


3. Gensokyo Millenium ~ History of The Moon by Green-bar lover Ultrathing
Oh jeez, where do I even start? I absolutely love this and adore this, the volume control is just so pro and instrument uses are really complex and goosebump-worthy. The way he uses the coins and boos makes the composition so much full-filling. Echoes of marioheads, gameboys, cars, flowers, stars, eve hearts, are done beautiful. The whole MPC is so powerful and unbelievable, but yet it's so ambiance and dreamy, I really like that. Maybe drums might be a teany weany but messy, but not once in a lifetime it can ruin the whole comp by a mile. Ultrathing, it may taken you a full year to make this, but I think it was worth it.


2. Legend of Zelda Super Epic Medley 25th Anniversary Tribute by classic Adolfo
A 16 minute medley filled with a ton of zelda songs remixed in one of my favourite MPC styles. Every translation works so damn well, in fact it what makes the medley so godly. Everything just fits through and flows like a smooth river. Sadly I'm not so much of a Zelda fan, so there wasn't much nolgastic strikes that hit me, but there was a couple from the ones I know well, and damn, I can't imagine what nolgastic feels other people who would've played alot of these games and know these music scores. That aside, not once in the video I was unimpressed. Everything was so good, and maybe it doesn't contain extreme complex volume control and impossible combinations, but it's done in the Adolfo style, with lovely use of animals and the whole thing being so creative, I love it. I absolutely regret nothing from watching this.


1. Aurora Awakes, John Mackey by a magical balloon.

Now, not sure if it's normal, but some songs I only feel like listening to when I'm in a certain mood. Maybe it applies the opposite, where I "don't" feel like listening to something in certain moods. But yeah, this MPC has a certain effect. Feeling so much anger and despair in me hurts alot. I was down, so lonely inside... sp I listened to this MPC. It told me to move on, and not give up. It really makes my heart glow alittle lighter, and I felt alittle spice of happiness through me, it really cheered me up. I recall that I never had this experience from any MPCs before, and maybe a few songs outside, but not as incredible as the 1st place prize of my favourite mario paint compositions of all time I gave too. Do I have to say anything about this comp? Seriously, words from me are not even close enough to describe how greatly made this is. If you haven't heard of this composition yet, I recommend you watch it sometime over the weekend or maybe now if you had the time to read all this explanations and reasons of my top 5 favourite MPCs?

kthxbai

[gudtavosky]

Asphalt Cocktail by Balloon

Balloon showed us that he dont need soundfonts to make a god damn symphony on MPC

Big Bad Baby Bowser by Levus

this is probably the hardest song to do on the whole game, but Levus made it sound so close to the original *-* and the song is fucking awesome

SSBB Meta Knight's Revenge by ElectricPopTart
[video src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxmq9Xk94Q4&list=FLuUqF2kJr0JKIw2klE2N3hw&index=65["][/video]
its from kirby

Octavarium by WaluiJay

its 24 minute long and still full of awesomeness

Pokemon Puzzle Challenge Danger by MediaMunkee

this song is my childhood :3 so classic

[bally]

I never find myself going back and enjoying older Mario Paint videos as much as I do this one

Just too cool and charming

Sorry I don't have much of a top 5