Big Blue (F-Zero) | Yamaha Reface CP/CS/DX, Uno Synth Pro, Elektron Model:Cycles

The story about a driver who didn't give up...

My own arrangement of the epic Big Blue theme from F-Zero performed on synthesizers with drums mostly arranged in Ableton Live (and the Model:Cycles). It's close to the original in form, but there are some special twists and turns, and an added unique coda.

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Instruments used in this video:
Yamaha Reface DX: FM bass, FM organ
Yamaha Reface CP: one section played solo
Uno Synth Pro: melody lead and fills
Yamaha Reface CS: bass, comp, fills, melodic playing
Ableton Live: The core 707 kit seems almost like a perfect match for the original drums
Elektron Model:Cycles: alt bass & drums for ______

Note: No synths were damaged or harmed during the recording process for this video :D


Set to my own gameplay footage of F-Zero 99 (and another couple surprise games).

Affiliate links of gear I use (commission on every sale is earned but you get to support this YouTube channel at no extra cost to you!):
Synths:
Yamaha Reface CP: https://amzn.to/4hzXKeX
Yamaha Reface CS: https://amzn.to/3UGtyop
Yamaha Reface DX: https://amzn.to/3UKeSET
Yamaha P37D Melodica: https://amzn.to/3YGjIV3
Uno Synth Pro: https://amzn.to/3Av5LkB
Arturia Microfreak: https://amzn.to/3As2xhR
Arturia Minifreak: https://amzn.to/3YBYCa8
Korg Minilogue XD: https://amzn.to/4ek60gh
ASM Hydrasynth Explorer: https://amzn.to/3O4lGt7
Roland JD-Xi: https://amzn.to/48VDhNT
Elektron Model:Cycles: https://amzn.to/4fec9fi
Elektron Syntakt: https://amzn.to/3YGkf9v
Korg Volca Bass: https://amzn.to/48DF3Tq
Korg Volca NuBass: https://amzn.to/4eklVLi
Korg Volca FM: https://amzn.to/40CJJaf
Korg Volca Modular: https://amzn.to/48ER62O
Korg Volca Mix: https://amzn.to/3AlggXP
(I use the original Korg Monotron here on this channel, but it is discontinued...)
Korg Monotron Duo: https://amzn.to/3YvP1BK
Korg Monotron Delay: https://amzn.to/3YCFfOf

Microphones & mic gear:
Shure SM7db: https://amzn.to/4fDOmoz
Shure SM57: https://amzn.to/40BKYGB
Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Preamp: https://amzn.to/40UFnvt
Mic Stand Smartphone/Tablet Mount: https://amzn.to/3AEd21q
Gator Frameworks Microphone Stand: https://amzn.to/3YCDC35
Amazon Microphone Stand: https://amzn.to/4eizKKw

Audio interface:
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen (what I own and use): https://amzn.to/4hCEgpW
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen (latest model): https://amzn.to/3UFJxmI

Cables:
Amazon Basics 3.5mm Aux Cables: https://amzn.to/3NWne8z
Elebase 1/4 Inch TRS Audio Cables: https://amzn.to/4fegQ8F
Hosa Stereo Breakout Cable: https://amzn.to/40UFJCj & https://amzn.to/40BLX9L (shorter length)
UGREEN USB A to B cable *(crucial cable for some synths)*: https://amzn.to/4ekkLiU
FORE MIDI to USB *(necessary for MIDI control)*: https://amzn.to/3AzeVMV

Camera mounts and video recording:
Desk Mount Camera suitable options (the one I use is discontinued): https://amzn.to/4fCDd7K & https://amzn.to/3CeKfRN
Selfie Stick/Tripod (very similar option to mine): https://amzn.to/4fCDmrO
(I just use a Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ for video recording - Samsung phone cameras are usually fantastic for everyday recording)
The latest Samsung Galaxy here: https://amzn.to/4fzypzZ

A sound treated room with bass traps and monitors would be ideal for music production, but at minimum decent headphones that can reproduce sound sources with clarity are necessary. These are the headphones I use that help me create these types of recordings and other recordings on my channel:

Headphones:
AKG K240 MKII: https://amzn.to/48Di6Qq
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2: https://amzn.to/3UFLuzy
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X: https://amzn.to/3NXLk2Y

AKG K240 mk2 55 ohms - these are okay; I think music producers may be mixed on this, but at the very least they're extremely comfortable for long durations of usage as an open-back and the most economical option of the three I own.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 - I only bought these when they went on sale late 2022 and then all of a sudden I saw plenty of musicians across so many different settings in Youtube videos using these lol. They are fantastic for many purposes. Sounds can feel like they originate from in your head though.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X 48 ohms - I had heard Beyerdynamic was a legendary brand and that the original DT 770s were often loved by producers... now I know why! Very sweet sounding compared to the ATH-M50x. Even as a closed-back, it creates a very spacious and natural listening environment.

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#videogames #videogamemusic #synthesizer #fzero #fzero99 #yamaha #elektron #ikmultimedia #musicarrangement