Dragon Boxes w/ Faulconer Soundtrack?

[SativaSam]

One of the things I loved the most about DBZ was the Bruce Faulconer soundtrack. I have the entire soundtrack on my iPhone, but I really wish it was on my Dragon Boxes.

I've bought 2 dragon boxes so far (Vol. 3 and 5) and the video quality is obviously great, but the Japanese soundtrack overall just isn't as good as the Faulconer!

I really don't understand why Funimation screwed up every release of DBZ. The orange boxes have unbearably bad video quality but they have the Faulconer music...

I am just curious, is there a way online somehow to add the Faulconer onto the Dragon Boxes? I've heard of people editing it and doing it, just curious really.

I still have a lot of DBZ to purchase for myself, it just sucks that the only DBZ release with Faulconer is the awful orange boxes...

You basically give up great video quality just to hear a soundtrack... It's just not the same without hearing stuff like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHwqOVJjWnw

[DragonBalllKaiHD]

Because Dragon Boxes are not for dubbies. They are for the fans of Japanese version.

[VegettoEX]

That the FUNimation Dragon Box release even has an English dub track at all was a rather late afterthought/addition to them, by the company's own admission -- the product was primarily aimed at the Kanzenshuu-style of hardcore audience that had little interest in watching the show in English, nevermind with its replacement musical score.

Provided you own the materials you want to work with, it is possible -- though still technically against the law according to the DMCA in the United States since you need to break encryption to do it -- you can extract audio tracks from the orange bricks and add them to the Dragon Box video track in editing software of your choice. There would likely be some minor trimming work to do here and there as the frames would not necessarily line up with each other as-is.

[SativaSam]

Because Dragon Boxes are not for dubbies. They are for the fans of Japanese version.

Sigh... You can be a fan of both the English and Japanese versions in their own right.

I bought the Dragon Boxes because I wanted the best video quality for DBZ, it's that simple. I just don't understand why I have to sacrifice a good soundtrack. The Japanese soundtrack has some good songs, like the previous episode recap, but I grew up watching the Toonami version of DBZ (which I am sure most of us did unless you're from outside the U.S) with the Faulconer and really enjoyed it.

I just really, really hate the way Funimation handled the DBZ releases. It's as if you get punished for buying one or the other. Buy a Dragon Box? Don't get any Faulconer. Buy an orange box? Get terribly over saturated video and 16:9 widescreened garbage. I like Japanese DBZ as much as anybody, just wish they would've taken the time to get both soundtracks.

[VegettoEX]

Because Dragon Boxes are not for dubbies. They are for the fans of Japanese version.

Totally inappropriate style of comment. There are better ways to say these kinds of things -- I would hope my own response can be seen that way.

but I grew up watching the Toonami version of DBZ (which I am sure most of us did unless you're from outside the U.S) with the Faulconer and really enjoyed it.

Almost exactly 50% of Kanzenshuu's visitor base is from outside North America.

EDIT: Scratch that... as-of last month, the vast majority of visitors are what I'd personally consider "international".

[theoriginalbilis]

In order to do the process yourself, you'd need to use audio and video editing software in order to rip your desired audio and then sync it to a video file. I'm sure there are fans on here who are away more knowledgable on the subject. There are fan efforts online that have the Faulconer track synced up with the Dragon Box video, but it technically falls into the area of piracy.

Personally, as good as some of the Faulconer tracks are, I wouldn't want it on my Dragon Boxes. They've always been the best representation of the original uncut TV airings, and an even more localized version doesn't fit the purpose of them.

[SativaSam]

Because Dragon Boxes are not for dubbies. They are for the fans of Japanese version.

Totally inappropriate style of comment. There are better ways to say these kinds of things -- I would hope my own response can be seen that way.

but I grew up watching the Toonami version of DBZ (which I am sure most of us did unless you're from outside the U.S) with the Faulconer and really enjoyed it.

Almost exactly 50% of Kanzenshuu's visitor base is from outside North America.

EDIT: Scratch that... as-of last month, the vast majority of visitors are what I'd personally consider "international".

Oh I apologize. I'm new to the forum and I just assumed most people were from the U.S I'm sorry.

This may sound stupid to you guys considering this is a hardcore DBZ forum, but in my situation, like I said, I have Vol. 3 and 5 of the Dragon Boxes... Would I be better off just buying the orange boxes for the rest of the show (Buu Saga, World Tournament, early DBZ) to get the Faulconer music? Or continue buying the Dragon Boxes?

I love the video quality of my boxes, I just really miss Faulconer. I have a really hard time making a decision like this because I can't really weigh the pros and cons. Just wanting your guys' opinions if you don't mind.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Oh I apologize. I'm new to the forum and I just assumed most people were from the U.S I'm sorry.

No need to apologize, because while not technically correct, that's a perfectly logical assumption (that apparently was correct until last month)! This is an English-speaking forum, whose owner is based in the U.S., after all!

This may sound stupid to you guys considering this is a hardcore DBZ forum, but in my situation, like I said, I have Vol. 3 and 5 of the Dragon Boxes... Would I be better off just buying the orange boxes for the rest of the show (Buu Saga, World Tournament, early DBZ) to get the Faulconer music? Or continue buying the Dragon Boxes?

I love the video quality of my boxes, I just really miss Faulconer. I have a really hard time making a decision like this because I can't really weigh the pros and cons. Just wanting your guys' opinions if you don't mind.

It does indeed suck, but unfortunately, you will have to weigh the pros and cons in this case. Or get both, but that would be ungodly expensive. It really depends on what you care about more. Or, worst case scenario, you could get the Dragon Boxes and then just watch DBZ on Hulu when you want to hear Faulconer's score (in terrible video quality).

[VegettoEX]

whose owner is based in the U.S., after all!

Technically, we're 2/4 U.S.-based, 1/4 Japan-based, and 1/4 intergalactic-based.

[sangofe]

Because Dragon Boxes are not for dubbies. They are for the fans of Japanese version.

Totally inappropriate style of comment. There are better ways to say these kinds of things -- I would hope my own response can be seen that way.

but I grew up watching the Toonami version of DBZ (which I am sure most of us did unless you're from outside the U.S) with the Faulconer and really enjoyed it.

Almost exactly 50% of Kanzenshuu's visitor base is from outside North America.

EDIT: Scratch that... as-of last month, the vast majority of visitors are what I'd personally consider "international".

Off topic, but very interesting info. I assume most of those are from Europe with a few from Asia and Australia?

[samuraix123]

I understand SativaSam completely. I would honestly be afraid to attempt or let someone else mess around and attempt to put a different audio on my Dragon-boxes. I'd be watching them like a hawk and if something popped up and said ''Error'' I'd get aggravated and worried LOL but SativaSam, I love the English soundtrack as well but after watching the series in English with the Japanese music, I fell in love. That's officially the way I watch the series. I like to watch the Japanese dub as well. Hopefully Funimation will either give us another release like the level sets or continue them.

[SativaSam]

I understand SativaSam completely. I would honestly be afraid to attempt or let someone else mess around and attempt to put a different audio on my Dragon-boxes. I'd be watching them like a hawk and if something popped up and said ''Error'' I'd get aggravated and worried LOL but SativaSam, I love the English soundtrack as well but after watching the series in English with the Japanese music, I fell in love. That's officially the way I watch the series. I like to watch the Japanese dub as well. Hopefully Funimation will either give us another release like the level sets or continue them.

I just feel like when listening to the Japanese soundtrack, a lot of the music sounds like something I'd hear in an 80's dance class. Watching Gohan turn SSJ2 w/ the JP music was just... lifeless. Like, the scream in Japanese was epic, but the background music sounded like it didn't fit at all. I'm not making fun of it, it just feels like that way to me. A lot of people on this forum have said the Faulconer doesn't fit, but I'm the exact opposite. I feel that with a heavy action show like this, you need a heavier soundtrack with guitar to support it... That's the beauty of opinions I guess, everybody is different.

[Fizzer]

If FUNimation had continued the level sets they'd be pretty much perfect. I'm in a similar position to you; I do really like the Japanese version, but the US soundtrack just holds a certain nostalgia for me that I can't let go of, so I'd like to watch the series with that audio from time to time. I don't think we know if the level sets would have included the different opening animations, or even if there'd have been equivalent releases of DB and GT, and they didn't have the Japanese title cards or credits or the NEPs on them, but to me they're probably preferable to the US Dragon Boxes. Hopefully we'll get all three series in form or the other, eventually.

[DragonBalllKaiHD]

Because Dragon Boxes are not for dubbies. They are for the fans of Japanese version.

Totally inappropriate style of comment. There are better ways to say these kinds of things -- I would hope my own response can be seen that way.

My apology if that's coming off as inappropriate to you. I was just being straight-forwarded- that they are for the fans of Japanese version.

SativaSam, quite frankly, Funimation didn't screw up the releases for past several years. They are long past that. They released some excellent products so far, such as blue and green bricks, Kai, and Level sets. And Funimation definitely did not screw up Dragon Box. Like others have said, they are for the fans of original Japanese version. Ever since Funimation's poor dubbing and terrible orange bricks, it was even surreal that they got Dragon Box just for Kanzenshuu folks, and even included dub track. It shouldn't even be there at all, but they put it there anyway. We should treat it as an extra, but the fact of matter is that Dragon Box was, and is, aimed for the fans of Japanese version, hence why they never included dub music track.

[CashmanX]

I just feel like when listening to the Japanese soundtrack, a lot of the music sounds like something I'd hear in an 80's dance class. Watching Gohan turn SSJ2 w/ the JP music was just... lifeless. Like, the scream in Japanese was epic, but the background music sounded like it didn't fit at all.

Look up the airdate of that episode, then subtract the number of years until you hit "1989".

Like EX has pointed out so many times in the past, I think Funimation has generally succeeded in making people genuinely believe that Dragonball is a late 90's/early 2000's show.

[dbboxkaifan]

Dragon Boxes w/ Faulconer Soundtrack?

No. The Dragon Box Dragon Ball Z FUNimation collection were intended for the fans of the authentic Dragon Ball Z edition, and having the English dub in there is solely an extra. It shouldn't even have a dub there, let alone crap extras (FUNimation trailers).

but the Japanese soundtrack overall just isn't as good as the Faulconer!

This is your opinion but even so, *sigh* saying Faulconer is better than Kikuchi, is like comparing Hanns Zimmer to Lil Wayne it's incomparable because they produced quality music. Faulconer is techno, while it isn't bad, the music placements in DBZ-US is a mess.

You basically give up great video quality just to hear a soundtrack... It's just not the same without hearing stuff like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHwqOVJjWnw

Sounded like shit to me, but as I've said Faulconer music is good just isn't how they placed it randomly and non-stop in DBZ-US.

[SativaSam]

I just feel like when listening to the Japanese soundtrack, a lot of the music sounds like something I'd hear in an 80's dance class. Watching Gohan turn SSJ2 w/ the JP music was just... lifeless. Like, the scream in Japanese was epic, but the background music sounded like it didn't fit at all.

Look up the airdate of that episode, then subtract the number of years until you hit "1989".

Like EX has pointed out so many times in the past, I think Funimation has generally succeeded in making people genuinely believe that Dragonball is a late 90's/early 2000's show.

I'm well aware that Dragon Ball began in the 1980's... but it doesn't mean that the action/adventure anime's soundtrack itself needs to sound like its decade of dance music...

I truly just think it comes down to how you watched it first. If you watched it in Japanese first, then you're likely to despise any changes they made such as the Faulconer soundtrack or the dub in general and that's just the way it is.

And once again, a lot of you guys (while you may not realize it) are really coming off as elitists... I'm not trying to insult you or anything but just because you like the Japanese version of DBZ better doesn't make you a better person...

The Dragon Box is OBVIOUSLY for hardcore fans, but let's be honest, adding the Faulconer soundtrack (which I am pretty sure Funimation paid for the rights to, hired Bruce, and probably STILL has the rights to) to an ENGLISH Funimation published release of the Dragon Box isn't that farfetched, and it really does not make any sense to me why they didn't do it.




tl;dr: You can be a hardcore fan of Dragon Ball and still want the Dragon Box to have a multitude of soundtracks.

[VegettoEX]

If it was that important to people, they would have supported the "Level" Blu-ray sets. Instead, it was indefinitely canceled because they couldn't afford to even keep producing it with such minuscule sales.

Also, I watched the series in English first.

Dragon Ball is a product of its time, and I'm glad I can enjoy it as-is as a product of that time. I understand you want something else, but maybe it's the universe doing its damnedest to convince you over to our side .

[SativaSam]

If it was that important to people, they would have supported the "Level" Blu-ray sets. Instead, it was indefinitely canceled because they couldn't afford to even keep producing it with such minuscule sales.

Also, I watched the series in English first.

Dragon Ball is a product of its time, and I'm glad I can enjoy it as-is as a product of that time. I understand you want something else, but maybe it's the universe doing its damnedest to convince you over to our side .

I think the Level sets tanked because Funimation just released so many versions of DBZ. I mean you had the original single uncut VHS and DVDs, you had the boxsets, then they did the Orange Boxes, then the Dragon Boxes, etc. etc. It got to the point where your average Dragon Ball fan had no clue as to which version to buy, so by the time Level came around it was like... Really? Another version of DBZ? The market became oversaturated for it which is really too bad. I would've bought them all had they not discontinued them, but as soon as I found out about the sets, they were canceled.

I dunno if this makes sense, but I prefer the Japanese version of the DBZ movies and GT, but not necessarily Z itself.

Not sure, maybe I just need to give it some more shots, watch a couple more episodes in Japanese w/ the JP music and see how I like it.

I most definitely prefer the way Saiyans scream in Japanese, but there's a lot good about the dub to.

[OutlawTorn]

Dragon Boxes w/ Faulconer Soundtrack?

No. The Dragon Box Dragon Ball Z FUNimation collection were intended for the fans of the authentic Dragon Ball Z edition, and having the English dub in there is solely an extra. It shouldn't even have a dub there, let alone crap extras (FUNimation trailers).

Why not? It's a North American product and, I'm sorry, a purely sub-only release wouldn't have been as appealing to the general consumer. FUNimation is a business, after all, and there would be no point in releasing the Dragon Boxes if they couldn't make back the money they invested into them. If you don't want a dub on it at all, you can always import the Japanese discs. There's really no need for such snobbery when you consider that the ideal "otaku" release would only satisfy a vocal minority of the potential consumers. The real appeal of the Dragon Boxes is the superior picture over what was done with the season sets.

And once again, a lot of you guys (while you may not realize it) are really coming off as elitists... I'm not trying to insult you or anything but just because you like the Japanese version of DBZ better doesn't make you a better person...

While it certainly doesn't apply to everybody, I do see the same thing. There are people who come across as thinking they are "better" than others or people are "wrong" for preferring anything but the original Japanese version. There's no such thing as a caste system when it comes to any sort of fandom, none of us are superior or inferior to others and everybody is free to enjoy and prefer the original Japanese version or their dub of choice.

The Dragon Box is OBVIOUSLY for hardcore fans, but let's be honest, adding the Faulconer soundtrack (which I am pretty sure Funimation paid for the rights to, hired Bruce, and probably STILL has the rights to) to an ENGLISH Funimation published release of the Dragon Box isn't that farfetched, and it really does not make any sense to me why they didn't do it.

Part of the problem is I think those same elitists believe the term "hardcore fans" can only apply to them but I've got to wonder, how many of them actually supported each and every Dragon Box release and how many of them thought "meh, it's fifteen years too late"? Unfortunately, we don't know what the status of FUNimation's license for the Dragon Box masters are as the footage for the Level blu-rays were from generational prints.

If it was that important to people, they would have supported the "Level" Blu-ray sets. Instead, it was indefinitely canceled because they couldn't afford to even keep producing it with such minuscule sales.

But is that really the fault of the consumer, or FUNimation relentlessly trying to bleed the consumer dry with constant releases of the same material? The last of the season sets had just barely been released when the Dragon Boxes were announced and put onto shelves, then the last Dragon Box was barely in peoples' hands when the blu-ray sets were introduced. There were some people who turned their noses up to them because the remastering job wasn't being done by Toei while others refused to have anything to do with them because they didn't have next episode previews or Japanese title cards. Then there's the fact that Kai was also being released at the same time.

Had the level sets started coming out now when the Dragon Boxes have all but disappeared, I'm sure more people would have embraced them. So I really don't buy that it was the product itself which failed to support the sets, rather there was just an oversaturation of different version of DBZ on the shelves at the same time. FUNimation just wanted to be the first to put DBZ out on blu-ray that they shot themselves in the foot.