[SSP] Devoted Episode 4 Released [8/30]

[rebelcheese]

I think I'm going to keep all of the proper episodes confined to one thread, at least for now.
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Prologue Chapter

STREAM/DOWNLOAD EPISODE 4

Length: 19 Minutes

Silas Gartner: Jay C
Calgary Leone: Shudo-Ranmaru
Melissa Gartner: Mizura
Chantal Gartner: dragonknighttara
Damon Warrick: Ryomasa
Simone Johnson: Nikkikora
Amber Kasica: lightofhope18
Angela Weisman: Merodi
Toby Gartner: Kamuro
Gina Salvatore: Battousai
Trent Johannsen: mrwest16
Sarah Forsett: ElliottSkywalker

Insert song: "Angel of Death" by Slayer (Reign in Blood, 1986). Yes, that one. All rights go to Def Jam and Slayer, don't sue me.

STREAM/DOWNLOAD EPISODE 3

Length: 22 Minutes

Silas Gartner: Jay C (the former JCTrance19)
Calgary Leone: Shudo-Ranmaru
Melissa Gartner: Mizura
Amber Kasica: lightofhope18
Gina Salvatore: Battousai
Toby Gartner: Kamuro
Kyle Nazareth: Apatheria
Sarah Forsett: ElliottSkywalker

Songs used in background: "Crazy on You" by Heart and "Seven" by Sunny Day Real Estate. Obviously support the artists by buying the songs. Please don't sue.

STREAM/DOWNLOAD EPISODE 2

Length: 22 Minutes

Cast:
Silas Gartner: JCTrance19
Calgary Leone: Shudo-Ranmaru
Calgary's Mother: sschopfer
Amber Kasica: lightofhope18
Melissa Gartner: Usako
Toby Gartner: Kamuro
Sarah Forsett: SeraPhia
Trent Johannsen: mrwest16
Gina Salvatore: Battousai


STREAM/DOWNLOAD EPISODE 1

Length: 19 Minutes

Cast:
Silas Gartner: JCTrance19
Calgary Leone: Shudo-Ranmaru
Amber Kasica: lightofhope18
Chantal Gartner: dragonknighttara
Melissa Gartner: Fanta_Chan
Toby Gartner: Kamuro
Gina Salvatore: Battousai

Media ambience (episode 1 only): "Spider-Man: TAS" and "Chrono Trigger". Those who own said properties, don't sue, please.

Elements common for all episodes:

Theme: "What's The Frequency Kenneth?" by R.E.M. Released 1994 on the album Monster by Warner Bros. Support this still-active artist, and if you're R.E.M. or WB, don't sue, please.

SFX: The VAA Sound Effects Library, Soundsnap, Freesound, and dragonknighttara's extremely BIG TIME LIFESAVER footstep packet she provided for me, that sped up the mixing big time.

BGM: Red Garden OST by Akira Senju. You will notice some BGM being re-used every now and then.

If I missed any credits or have made any big errors, please let me know. I can fix big errors because I've held onto the .aup files.

[Mrwest16]

One word to describe Calgary? INSANE!

Nice job man. I think this was a step up from the prologue in terms of the mixing. And there wasn't one performance that I disliked here.

Of course considering who's in this cast that's not much of a surprise.

Great job on all fronts. This story looks like it's gonna get quite interesting fast.

[ValkyrieCeles]

Chrono Trigger BGM ftw!

I really like this story so far. Everyone acted very well and the story is very interesting! Mixing wise, you have gotten a lot better. Only thing I noticed was the levels of some people's lines were a little off: Like Shudo's lines were really low and hard to hear throughout the entire episode, and in the scene with the school BGM the lines were really hard to hear. Pretty much all of the lines that were spoken softer/whispered needed to be leveled out more so they were easier to hear.

I think the echo on thoughts could be softened a bit too. Thoughts usually have a very slight echo, not a distinct one.

But overall I really like this! Can't wait for episode 2 XD

[lightofhope18]

This just keeps on getting better. >3 I love the family interactions of JC, Tara, Fanta, and Kamuro -- those are like my favorite parts. Battousai's Gina moments were probably my second favorite -- her character had such fun lines and lightened up the conversations. Shudo, you are so perfect for the insane creeper/stalker since you sound so innocent and sweet sounding. I can't wait to hear you become more insane.

I noticed some light hissing in the background of a couple lines (Tara's, I think) and a little bit of hollowness in a couple of mics, but that could have been a ambient effect. The use of the right/left channels was good, but was very distracting a certain moments, especially with the Spiderman scenes; I started to listen to that conversation than the one between the characters. I think turning the volume down on that would make it less distracting. Some character's need more volume in lines since the SFX or BGM is drowning them out. The chapter ended pretty abruptly and I think fading it out would have been less subtle.

Overall, another well mixed chapter. I am really enjoying this production and I am so pumped for the next part. A job well done, rebelcheese!

[rebelcheese]

One word to describe Calgary? INSANE!

Nice job man. I think this was a step up from the prologue in terms of the mixing. And there wasn't one performance that I disliked here.

Of course considering who's in this cast that's not much of a surprise.

Great job on all fronts. This story looks like it's gonna get quite interesting fast.

Aw, but Calgary only wants what's best for her beloved. She's not maliciously crazy, but she wants her way, and she wants her beloved. In the next episode, when she gets obstacles thrown her way, that's when she starts truly losing it.

The cast has been absolutely fantastic. It's kinda sad considering how much trouble I had with Calgary and Melissa that I could not get this out sooner, but Shudo and Fanta, with the way they've stepped in, pretty much saved this thing from becoming dead.

I hope you enjoy the next episode. Thank you for listening.

hrono Trigger BGM ftw!

I really like this story so far. Everyone acted very well and the story is very interesting! Mixing wise, you have gotten a lot better. Only thing I noticed was the levels of some people's lines were a little off: Like Shudo's lines were really low and hard to hear throughout the entire episode, and in the scene with the school BGM the lines were really hard to hear. Pretty much all of the lines that were spoken softer/whispered needed to be leveled out more so they were easier to hear.

I think the echo on thoughts could be softened a bit too. Thoughts usually have a very slight echo, not a distinct one.

But overall I really like this! Can't wait for episode 2 XD

You have no idea how hard it was to find not just Chrono Trigger music, but actual gameplay. I wanted some battle noises thrown in there.

I actually leveled Shudo's lines up a bit and lowered Fanta's (she was the loudest) to try to match up with JC's (as he was in the middle). I thought I had done a decent job, but I guess not good enough.

That is something I'll be looking to do in the future when I do walla-based ambiance (that is not the last school scene). I need to figure out a perfect leveling to make the voices in the background precisely that, without making them too quiet.

If this was a fandub, I would not be using an echo. I'll try to figure out a softer echo to try to signify thoughts for the next one.

Thank you for listening, and I hope this stays entertaining.

This just keeps on getting better. >3 I love the family interactions of JC, Tara, Fanta, and Kamuro -- those are like my favorite parts. Battousai's Gina moments were probably my second favorite -- her character had such fun lines and lightened up the conversations. Shudo, you are so perfect for the insane creeper/stalker since you sound so innocent and sweet sounding. I can't wait to hear you become more insane.

I noticed some light hissing in the background of a couple lines (Tara's, I think) and a little bit of hollowness in a couple of mics, but that could have been a ambient effect. The use of the right/left channels was good, but was very distracting a certain moments, especially with the Spiderman scenes; I started to listen to that conversation than the one between the characters. I think turning the volume down on that would make it less distracting. Some character's need more volume in lines since the SFX or BGM is drowning them out. The chapter ended pretty abruptly and I think fading it out would have been less subtle.

Overall, another well mixed chapter. I am really enjoying this production and I am so pumped for the next part. A job well done, rebelcheese!

I'm glad you're enjoying the conversations, considering how much this production relies on those conversations to carry the story along. XD I still think they could be better, more realistic. Gina is a character that'll become gradually more important in the future . . . despite her self-depreciation in the school scene, she is a special friend to Amber, and that will be shown eventually. And I can't wait for Shudo to become more insane too. The 2nd episode will give her ample time to show off craziness.

I really messed with Tara's lines considering she's supposed to be on the phone, and that's probably where the hissing is coming from. I'll try to fix that next time a character is on the phone. As for the TV conversation . . . I REALLY cranked that thing down low, or so I thought. I don't think I'll be pulling that stunt again, most likely, that was a really difficult mix but thankfully most of the remaining scenes won't require "background TV conversation".

I do think that I could have cranked up Shudo's lines a bit more to make her easier to hear. I was really struggling with some of the leveling. Next time, though, it should be easier. And I'll make sure the next episode fades out more than stops, I guess I did the fade out too abruptly this time, which is something I normally don't do.

Thank you very much for listening!

[rebelcheese]

Episode 2 has now been posted. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to the cast for putting up with me.

[lightofhope18]

Episode 2 link is not valid. D:

[rebelcheese]

Episode 2 link is not valid. D:

Fixed it. What happened is that I accidentally put an extra space in the URL.

[Mrwest16]

Where are all the other cast members?

Currently listening at the moment.

[Jay C]

Another exciting chapter in the psychotic endeavors of Calgary Leone. Yay!

Shudo really sold it this episode for me. She's so good at playing a psychotic teenager, it's insane (haha, see what I did there? -_-U)! That frustrated scream when she finds out Silas is taken is epic! XD

Everyone else did a great job. I continue to enjoy the outspoken yet soft take lightofhope gives Amber. A good contrast to my monotonous deliveries. XD

I enjoyed this episode, but I can't help but notice some mixing issues. The background ambiance such as the school crowd and city traffic is a tad too loud, that it overpowers a good chunk of the dialogue. I could barely make out what Calgary said sometimes when she was talking to herself. Yes, I knew what she was saying because I've read the script, but to new ears, I feel they wouldn't be able to make it out. But I know levels can be tricky, I've run into that problem a few times myself in mixing. And this is just a personal beef, but I felt it ended too abruptly. If you're not using a song to finish an episode, a slow fade out of the background noise is usually a good finisher.

But overall, I liked this a lot. Can't wait to work on future episodes!