Figured this out myself while trying to mod in a custom song, I amplified it through Audacity and when it was working ingame it was WAY louder than i anticipated
UFO Catcher, unlike its more destructive counterpart, was getting tweaks and changes and new phrases weeks before release-I was a little manic about it. In a lot of ways, the final version reflects my mental place at the time; I was overwhelmed, Absolutely At My Fucking Limit, but still doing everything I could to keep moving forward, running entirely off the fervent desire for our game to make people feel something. It sounds corny because the truth is corny. Go for Rank S-don’t give up!
I don't know what happened to my comment, but just wanted to say this song and where it plays is special to me. It truly did make me want to push through and improve every day after college to improve my racing. I love how dreamlike it all is, and can't wait to do it all over again in the harder difficulties. This game is something special
and y'all did it. I felt a lot of things playing ring racers, this game has a lot of big moments and they will be stuck in my head for a while, but, getting your first A rank, reaching the special stage for the first time, and hearing this, that was more than what i already felt, it was not just joy, it was the feeling that this game is trully something special, made with soul, effort and heart, above everything. I cannot confirm for everybody, but you and all the kart krew really made something that make me feel a lot of things.
The lead melody of this track is beautiful, sincerely. Sometimes getting too lost in the details with tweaking can hurt a song, but every detail here adds up to that complex feeling you're discussing here and you can feel it. I love the times where the main lead or a supporting synth will start to pitch down. It's like you can feel parts of the song trying to reach higher and higher but it can't just quite get there, never a full resolution. Then that little twinkling synth will grab your attention, almost like the visuals of the special stage itself or the chaos emerald grabbing your eye, and gives the song a little more curiosity and determination to carry on. Idk, I just really enjoy the push and pull of the writing here and it deserves its flowers on top of its role as being a good special stage song.
> RING RACER VOLTAGE OVERLOADING > EXTERNAL RESONANT FREQUENCY DETECTED > RELEASING LIMITERS TO ATTEMPT TO MATCH AND OBTAIN EXTERNAL RESONANT FREQUENCY > "You know what to do. Catch that UFO."
Special Stages in Sonic games are always some form of unknown dimension, and this one nails the otherworldly unknown perfectly, with the Chaos Emerald being your only key in escaping.
That line of thinking is why I love how the chains binding the lock shatter when the UFO catcher is destroyed. You’re so close to unlocking the door in front of you, all that’s left is to grab the Key and undo the lock
Imagine for a moment. Your friends tell you that they're getting back on the track, and they've spruced up everyone's ride. Interested, you tag along. It's been a while anyway, and you've watched the tapes of them testing their newest tricks. It's a lot, but you understand! Maybe. Time for the tournament. Everyone agrees to take it slow for this first run. Just a fun little romp to knock the rust off. You make a few rookie mistakes here and there, but that's fine! It's giving you time to get used to your kart, and everyone else seems to be adjusting too. You cross that finish line for the last time, and take home the confidence in your standings. Not bad for a first run! There's a spark in your engine, but when you check it, it's gone. Ah, well. Time to take your place on the podium. Come the next tournament, and everyone agrees: it's time to step it up a Gear. Your interest had turned into confidence. But everyone's grasp has gotten stronger. Where you once merely strolled, your foes now drive. Your opponents turn that confidence into humility. These victories must now be fought for, and it's no longer gonna be easy. But something stirs within you, urging you to rise to the challenge. Battered, bruised, and a little bit ashen, you turn that humility back into experience. Let's try this again. You re-enter the tournament, this time with knowledge of the layout. The tracks that you once took as just another loop, you give to it respect. Your handling still slips, but now you account for it. Its gifts you took for granted, you now give back, surpassing racers with an amateur calculation that begins to now strike true. Every victory begins to mean something. Every checkered line you cross in the lead, every ring you take with you past that final lap. It pushes you further. And with every push, your engine growls just that little bit louder. And here you are again. The final lap of the tournament. 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd... 1st. You've done it. You've fought, and you've won. In your excitement, you take a victory lap. But your kart doesn't stop. Your kart won't stop. You won't stop. Louder and louder does your engine roar. The sparks are back with greater fervor. The thrill of such a hard-fought victory cracks through reality itself. And when you go to turn that corner... ...you're someplace else. A claw rushes right past you, before the sights come into focus. While you're reeling from the change in scenery, though, you run through an item box, and get gifted a Jawz. You look ahead to the claw once more. In its grasp, you see it carrying a Chaos Emerald. Suddenly, everything becomes crystal clear. _It's time for you to claim your prize._
@@mohwe1007 funny enough, your writing on the unofficial upload was half the inspiration for this! really wanted to capture what it was like running into the Sealed Star completely blind, so thanks for that lil' push!
The first time I entered one of these stages was, legitimately, a magical experience. It feels strange to say this about a silly, pixel-y Sonic racing fangame, but this song and the stage’s visuals paired with the high-stress of actually getting the emerald made a big impact on me. I listen to this song when I’m feeling sad and existential for a new perspective. The song itself has such a surreal yet hopeful feeling to it. It feels like I’m somewhere beyond this reality - somewhere I shouldn’t be, but somewhere full of beauty and freedom where my own passion and wonder is all I need to fly. … That last part made me sound like a stoner, didn’t it? 😅 I swear I came to this opinion on the song without any mind-altering substances involved! Wonderful job on the soundtrack, and this song in particular, Tyron.
this song, and the visuals were what carried me through them, entering one genuinely feels like you ascended onto a higher plane of existant i love it so much
Went into rhe first stage COMPLETELY blind not knowing about the existence of special stages beforehand. I was totally MYSTIFIED and having a grand time even though i was getting DOMINATED due to still getting a hang of the controls. Never in my life have levels been so entrancing yet so utterly frustrating at the same time. Also Venice is a good level, i love it
I don't think it's much of an exaggeration to say this song feels *transcendent* to me. Incidentally stumbling into a Sealed Star for the first time and witnessing its grandiose, temple-like halls accompanied by *this*...it felt like I had made a pilgrimage to a holy place. That entire first stab at it was spent soaking in the immaculate vibe-I didn't even notice I was losing a life when the Emerald escaped; my eyes were locked forward. I don't think these words are enough to capture the feelings this piece awakened in me, but I hope having your work next to godliness means at least something.
That’s what they’ve always felt like to me Remnants of a broken reality or place. It’s original purposes long forgotten or exist as little more than set dressing for a pocket dimension created by the emerald itself to test your skills and to prove your worth of owning such a powerful artifact Something transient, transcendent, otherworldly, yet strangely lighthearted and whimsical- especially on your first time encountering a special stage. “You’ve broken past all other barriers and any opponents that stood a chance. You’ve risen so far above the crowd you’re in the stars. Let’s see if you can earn your place amongst them.”
Y'all knocked it out of the park with this one. This song really does feel magical and encapsulates the feeling of a special stage in a Sonic game PERFECTLY. Even when I was mega struggling with the stages themselves at first, this song kept me going. It helped me get better at these stages, and now I can consistently beat all of them on the first try! I still go back and listen to this song consistently, good job Kart Krew :)
I hadn't encountered my first Special Stage until the Extra Cup. Up until then I hadn't been playing with the intent of ranking high, the AI at the time for 2.1 was too strong for me, and I was just happy coming out of a GP with a silver or even a bronze monitor, as long as I could move on to the next cup. That changed when everything clicked into place for me to enter a Sealed Star, and get a chance to catch a Chaos Emerald. I was shocked, I didn't even think these would exist in the game. I managed to get it, and right then and there, the game opened itself up. Post-credits, there were more Emeralds to collect, I unlocked an eighth cup below the first row, and the Emerald itself unlocked a whole other page of cups. I was pumped and ready to take on the rest of the game. It wasn't all smooth, hell, there were plenty of bumps along the way, but the ride as a whole was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had with a kart racer, maybe even with racing games in general.
I wasn’t spoiled on the special stages, but the little progress meter that was below the results screen I was spoiled on. I wasn’t sure what it was about and I kept fighting till I figured out what it was, and when I was first thrown into the special stage, it was exciting yet beautiful with the music playing. It really amplified my sense of wonder, and kind of felt like I was stepping into some mystical dimension, which I greatly appreciate.
a calm track for some of the most challenging special stages I've seen in a sonic game. even if they're hard, the theme is incredible and I love the approach they took for it. The emeralds are usually a fun challenge, with only maybe 1 or 2 exceptions with stages that are perhaps too short or too little opportunity to attack. In other words, it's incredible. Good work, Tyron!
The first time I heard this, I was taken aback by how peaceful, kinda magical this track sounds I may have had no idea what the hell I was doing in my first try at a special stage, but I loved being greeted by this track in every attempt
Didn't know about the special stages going in. Finished relaxed (easy at athe time) and saw the message about turning up the difficulty Alright, that was my plan in the first place. Beat ring cup again, and MAN it was magical seeing the stage pop into view. These stages (except spikes, i hate spikes) are all these whimsical challenging stages and this song is the PERFECT representation of that. An otherworldly beauty unlike any sonic special stage I've ever seen, fangame or otherwise. Took me a bit to actually get through them (ESPECIALLY spikes) but i never felt like they were unfair, i knew with enough trial anx error i coulf make it through them. And i did! (Venice best stage btw, Fountain is really good but i just LOVE how venice plays) Then the super emeralds came
This is probably my favorite song in the entire game no kidding. Its a calming yet stressful stage as your chasing the emerald and the music helps keep me in focus. Even when i was going for the Super Emeralds i changed it to this song specifically cause i love how chill it is. I get to have this on repeat now so thank you for this banger.
This is genuinely one of the best special stage themes I've heard in a Sonic game, fan made or otherwise. It captures the emotions of trying your best to get the Chaos Emeralds so damn perfectly. Now if only the stages themselves weren't a major pain in the ass >_>
Looooove this song, easily my favorite Sonic special stage music of all time. Coupled with the visuals of the Sealed Stars it gives such an otherworldly feel, like traveling through a long-abandoned ruin before triggering something and now the ruin knows you are here and has decided to test you. Do you have what it takes? Can you claim the ruin's mysteries?
Fuck the special stages but damn bro love this track the dreamish vibe sells the visuals of a special stage and it straight up sounds something out of Tower of heaven or one of those rainy songs from the mid 2010s
I'm not sure what the true message of chasing down and destroying a claw machine is, but seeing as its one of the greediest arcade games and likely a big cash cow for SEGA I can't help but feel some symbolism.
@@PyrodiacTrue, but if Kart Krew releases a download means they can release high quality files as they're coming from the source, rather from the lower quality of TH-cam or the game itself.
Honestly, I find that to be more of an annoyance than anything else, especially compared to probably my biggest issue of the entire game outside of the tutorial, that being that failing too many times requires you to do the WHOLE CUP ALL OVER AGAIN just for a CHANCE to try again. It's especially awful for the Chaos Emeralds as you haven't unlocked the special mode yet. I understand wanting to punish the player for not playing well but I don't like it when the punishment is wasting my time.
Fun fact: this plays at 400% volume in-game, with a comment in the MUSICDEF file reading "LOL"
Figured this out myself while trying to mod in a custom song, I amplified it through Audacity and when it was working ingame it was WAY louder than i anticipated
UFO Catcher, unlike its more destructive counterpart, was getting tweaks and changes and new phrases weeks before release-I was a little manic about it. In a lot of ways, the final version reflects my mental place at the time; I was overwhelmed, Absolutely At My Fucking Limit, but still doing everything I could to keep moving forward, running entirely off the fervent desire for our game to make people feel something.
It sounds corny because the truth is corny. Go for Rank S-don’t give up!
Aw, I hope you feel better now!
so are we gonna talk about the 400% (# LOL) volume that this song plays at in-game according to the MUSICDEF in music.pk3
I don't know what happened to my comment, but just wanted to say this song and where it plays is special to me. It truly did make me want to push through and improve every day after college to improve my racing. I love how dreamlike it all is, and can't wait to do it all over again in the harder difficulties. This game is something special
and y'all did it. I felt a lot of things playing ring racers, this game has a lot of big moments and they will be stuck in my head for a while, but, getting your first A rank, reaching the special stage for the first time, and hearing this, that was more than what i already felt, it was not just joy, it was the feeling that this game is trully something special, made with soul, effort and heart, above everything.
I cannot confirm for everybody, but you and all the kart krew really made something that make me feel a lot of things.
The lead melody of this track is beautiful, sincerely. Sometimes getting too lost in the details with tweaking can hurt a song, but every detail here adds up to that complex feeling you're discussing here and you can feel it. I love the times where the main lead or a supporting synth will start to pitch down. It's like you can feel parts of the song trying to reach higher and higher but it can't just quite get there, never a full resolution. Then that little twinkling synth will grab your attention, almost like the visuals of the special stage itself or the chaos emerald grabbing your eye, and gives the song a little more curiosity and determination to carry on. Idk, I just really enjoy the push and pull of the writing here and it deserves its flowers on top of its role as being a good special stage song.
> RING RACER VOLTAGE OVERLOADING
> EXTERNAL RESONANT FREQUENCY DETECTED
> RELEASING LIMITERS TO ATTEMPT TO MATCH AND OBTAIN EXTERNAL RESONANT FREQUENCY
> "You know what to do. Catch that UFO."
Special Stages in Sonic games are always some form of unknown dimension, and this one nails the otherworldly unknown perfectly, with the Chaos Emerald being your only key in escaping.
That line of thinking is why I love how the chains binding the lock shatter when the UFO catcher is destroyed.
You’re so close to unlocking the door in front of you, all that’s left is to grab the Key and undo the lock
Imagine for a moment.
Your friends tell you that they're getting back on the track, and they've spruced up everyone's ride. Interested, you tag along. It's been a while anyway, and you've watched the tapes of them testing their newest tricks. It's a lot, but you understand! Maybe.
Time for the tournament. Everyone agrees to take it slow for this first run. Just a fun little romp to knock the rust off. You make a few rookie mistakes here and there, but that's fine! It's giving you time to get used to your kart, and everyone else seems to be adjusting too.
You cross that finish line for the last time, and take home the confidence in your standings. Not bad for a first run! There's a spark in your engine, but when you check it, it's gone. Ah, well. Time to take your place on the podium.
Come the next tournament, and everyone agrees: it's time to step it up a Gear. Your interest had turned into confidence.
But everyone's grasp has gotten stronger. Where you once merely strolled, your foes now drive. Your opponents turn that confidence into humility.
These victories must now be fought for, and it's no longer gonna be easy. But something stirs within you, urging you to rise to the challenge. Battered, bruised, and a little bit ashen, you turn that humility back into experience.
Let's try this again.
You re-enter the tournament, this time with knowledge of the layout. The tracks that you once took as just another loop, you give to it respect. Your handling still slips, but now you account for it. Its gifts you took for granted, you now give back, surpassing racers with an amateur calculation that begins to now strike true.
Every victory begins to mean something. Every checkered line you cross in the lead, every ring you take with you past that final lap. It pushes you further. And with every push, your engine growls just that little bit louder.
And here you are again. The final lap of the tournament. 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd... 1st. You've done it. You've fought, and you've won. In your excitement, you take a victory lap.
But your kart doesn't stop.
Your kart won't stop.
You won't stop.
Louder and louder does your engine roar. The sparks are back with greater fervor. The thrill of such a hard-fought victory cracks through reality itself. And when you go to turn that corner...
...you're someplace else.
A claw rushes right past you, before the sights come into focus. While you're reeling from the change in scenery, though, you run through an item box, and get gifted a Jawz. You look ahead to the claw once more. In its grasp, you see it carrying a Chaos Emerald. Suddenly, everything becomes crystal clear.
_It's time for you to claim your prize._
My. God. That is... an amazing interpretation of how you get into it.
I'd say this is even better than how I put it XD
@@mohwe1007 funny enough, your writing on the unofficial upload was half the inspiration for this! really wanted to capture what it was like running into the Sealed Star completely blind, so thanks for that lil' push!
@@areoants9453 😆
I appreciate it. You made an excellent description yourself
Both of you get my seal of approval!
Such a magical song, I was in complete awe the first time I reached one of those, glad I wasn't spoiled.
The chaos emeralds are really hard to catch, but it's such a fun challenge!!! Those are probably my favorite special stages in a fangame ever.
The first time I entered one of these stages was, legitimately, a magical experience. It feels strange to say this about a silly, pixel-y Sonic racing fangame, but this song and the stage’s visuals paired with the high-stress of actually getting the emerald made a big impact on me. I listen to this song when I’m feeling sad and existential for a new perspective.
The song itself has such a surreal yet hopeful feeling to it. It feels like I’m somewhere beyond this reality - somewhere I shouldn’t be, but somewhere full of beauty and freedom where my own passion and wonder is all I need to fly.
… That last part made me sound like a stoner, didn’t it? 😅
I swear I came to this opinion on the song without any mind-altering substances involved!
Wonderful job on the soundtrack, and this song in particular, Tyron.
...To be fair, the special stages really ARE something out of a fever dream.
this song, and the visuals were what carried me through them, entering one genuinely feels like you ascended onto a higher plane of existant i love it so much
Went into rhe first stage COMPLETELY blind not knowing about the existence of special stages beforehand. I was totally MYSTIFIED and having a grand time even though i was getting DOMINATED due to still getting a hang of the controls. Never in my life have levels been so entrancing yet so utterly frustrating at the same time.
Also Venice is a good level, i love it
I don't think it's much of an exaggeration to say this song feels *transcendent* to me. Incidentally stumbling into a Sealed Star for the first time and witnessing its grandiose, temple-like halls accompanied by *this*...it felt like I had made a pilgrimage to a holy place. That entire first stab at it was spent soaking in the immaculate vibe-I didn't even notice I was losing a life when the Emerald escaped; my eyes were locked forward.
I don't think these words are enough to capture the feelings this piece awakened in me, but I hope having your work next to godliness means at least something.
That’s what they’ve always felt like to me
Remnants of a broken reality or place. It’s original purposes long forgotten or exist as little more than set dressing for a pocket dimension created by the emerald itself to test your skills and to prove your worth of owning such a powerful artifact
Something transient, transcendent, otherworldly, yet strangely lighthearted and whimsical- especially on your first time encountering a special stage.
“You’ve broken past all other barriers and any opponents that stood a chance. You’ve risen so far above the crowd you’re in the stars. Let’s see if you can earn your place amongst them.”
Y'all knocked it out of the park with this one. This song really does feel magical and encapsulates the feeling of a special stage in a Sonic game PERFECTLY. Even when I was mega struggling with the stages themselves at first, this song kept me going. It helped me get better at these stages, and now I can consistently beat all of them on the first try! I still go back and listen to this song consistently, good job Kart Krew :)
I hadn't encountered my first Special Stage until the Extra Cup. Up until then I hadn't been playing with the intent of ranking high, the AI at the time for 2.1 was too strong for me, and I was just happy coming out of a GP with a silver or even a bronze monitor, as long as I could move on to the next cup. That changed when everything clicked into place for me to enter a Sealed Star, and get a chance to catch a Chaos Emerald. I was shocked, I didn't even think these would exist in the game. I managed to get it, and right then and there, the game opened itself up. Post-credits, there were more Emeralds to collect, I unlocked an eighth cup below the first row, and the Emerald itself unlocked a whole other page of cups. I was pumped and ready to take on the rest of the game.
It wasn't all smooth, hell, there were plenty of bumps along the way, but the ride as a whole was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had with a kart racer, maybe even with racing games in general.
I wasn’t spoiled on the special stages, but the little progress meter that was below the results screen I was spoiled on. I wasn’t sure what it was about and I kept fighting till I figured out what it was, and when I was first thrown into the special stage, it was exciting yet beautiful with the music playing. It really amplified my sense of wonder, and kind of felt like I was stepping into some mystical dimension, which I greatly appreciate.
The most emotional special stage theme i've ever heard for a Sonic game...
I finished every cup in the beginner difficulty. I finish the cup in the next gear… and I get this beauty. Amazing song.
There is a catcher with the emerald
We introduce you with Jawz
_YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO._
*Assignment understood, entering combat mode*
Or maybe the triple Orbi will help you lol
@@AhmedUESG
Its referencing the first ever item box you will see in the sealed stars
a calm track for some of the most challenging special stages I've seen in a sonic game.
even if they're hard, the theme is incredible and I love the approach they took for it. The emeralds are usually a fun challenge, with only maybe 1 or 2 exceptions with stages that are perhaps too short or too little opportunity to attack.
In other words, it's incredible. Good work, Tyron!
Having beaten all 14 special stages on v2.0
The challenge certainly fits the prize
Absolute favorite song in the OST, genuinely
Ah yes, the theme of PTSD.
Nah, that's ufo smasher
@@arcaniumdragon2444 No that's the sequel to PTSD
The first time I heard this, I was taken aback by how peaceful, kinda magical this track sounds
I may have had no idea what the hell I was doing in my first try at a special stage, but I loved being greeted by this track in every attempt
Didn't know about the special stages going in. Finished relaxed (easy at athe time) and saw the message about turning up the difficulty
Alright, that was my plan in the first place.
Beat ring cup again, and MAN it was magical seeing the stage pop into view.
These stages (except spikes, i hate spikes) are all these whimsical challenging stages and this song is the PERFECT representation of that. An otherworldly beauty unlike any sonic special stage I've ever seen, fangame or otherwise. Took me a bit to actually get through them (ESPECIALLY spikes) but i never felt like they were unfair, i knew with enough trial anx error i coulf make it through them. And i did! (Venice best stage btw, Fountain is really good but i just LOVE how venice plays)
Then the super emeralds came
This is probably my favorite song in the entire game no kidding. Its a calming yet stressful stage as your chasing the emerald and the music helps keep me in focus. Even when i was going for the Super Emeralds i changed it to this song specifically cause i love how chill it is. I get to have this on repeat now so thank you for this banger.
might just be my favorite original song for this game - excellent job, Tyron!
Godamn these special stages, but damn my habit of getting those emeralds more. especially the emeralds beyond. Shit ain’t easy even in the fun way
This is genuinely one of the best special stage themes I've heard in a Sonic game, fan made or otherwise. It captures the emotions of trying your best to get the Chaos Emeralds so damn perfectly.
Now if only the stages themselves weren't a major pain in the ass >_>
I feel like that's the whole point :)
I would be a bit disappointed if the special stages were easy, the challenge is fun, and getting better and better each attempt is satisfying.
Looooove this song, easily my favorite Sonic special stage music of all time. Coupled with the visuals of the Sealed Stars it gives such an otherworldly feel, like traveling through a long-abandoned ruin before triggering something and now the ruin knows you are here and has decided to test you. Do you have what it takes? Can you claim the ruin's mysteries?
Honestly my favorite part of the game, this is an absolutely amazing song and I LOVE IT!
Chaos Emeralds, annoying at worst but doable stages.
I somehow keep listening to this track.
I want this on Spotify ngl
Fuck the special stages
but damn bro love this track the dreamish vibe sells the visuals of a special stage and it straight up sounds something out of Tower of heaven or one of those rainy songs from the mid 2010s
I'm not sure what the true message of chasing down and destroying a claw machine is, but seeing as its one of the greediest arcade games and likely a big cash cow for SEGA I can't help but feel some symbolism.
Timeless song.
The theme of panic.
i hate the red chaos emerald with all my heart
Am I the only one that feels that this song would be even better with the droning of the UFO catcher in the background?
i hear this song VERY RARELY when im trying to s rank ring cup since the ai becomes SUPER hard on the 2nd 3rd map
is there a way i can play UFO smasher in stereo mode?
Edit: i found it...
Flashygoodness is that you?
can someone upload tinkerer’s arena music, no one has…
Will there be a downloadable release for the soundtrack in the future?
I mean you can just open up Slade and extract the music from the game files directly.
That or TH-cam to MP3, your choice.
@@PyrodiacTrue, but if Kart Krew releases a download means they can release high quality files as they're coming from the source, rather from the lower quality of TH-cam or the game itself.
Who is this guy?
*UFO CATCHER*
why are the cranes evil.
OK, but they still shouldn't penalize your score for failing...
No offense but is this the hill you're gonna die on, lol?
@@Nad_0618It is, but I'm talking about the optional special stages in particular.
@djoshawott2850 ikik, just whenever I've seen you so far it's always about this, heh.
A bonus for getting it first try would be nice though
Honestly, I find that to be more of an annoyance than anything else, especially compared to probably my biggest issue of the entire game outside of the tutorial, that being that failing too many times requires you to do the WHOLE CUP ALL OVER AGAIN just for a CHANCE to try again.
It's especially awful for the Chaos Emeralds as you haven't unlocked the special mode yet.
I understand wanting to punish the player for not playing well but I don't like it when the punishment is wasting my time.
Where are the UFOs
Whats the lore behind these stages?
drugs
These stages suck
skill issue