Shin SQ rage (and wild speculation) goes here

[Yoonah]

They didn't use it for EOIV since it was on the 3DS, a newer console. So that's probably the reasoning here.
Also because its a remake

[Ninten]

Where's my Sega Genesis-like music? :'C

[emailboxu]

Honestly speaking I like the orchestral music infinitely better than the crappy quality used in the first three games. No idea why everyone's bitching about great music.

[ZetaBladeX13]

Someone was definitely deprived of a Sega Genesis as a child.

[Wolkenritter]

[ZetaBladeX13]

As you may already know, Yuzo Koshiro is widely considered to be one of (if not,) the best FM-Synth composers of all time. So it's a tad... disheartening to some seeing (hearing?) a lack of FM-synth, especially since he was chosen by Atlus to work on the EO series because of how adept he was at making "old-school" sounding FM-synth, which was used in a variety of consoles/computers back in the day (PC-88/98, Sharp X68000, Sega Genesis, etc.).

I don't think he's all that great at making fully orchestrated music (in comparison to his prowess with his trusty 80's PC) just yet, but damn is he sure trying!

He also seems to really like having Norihiko Hibino on board most of his recent projects. What started out as having another AAA composer do some simple arrangements on a few tracks, turned into something much more considering how often that iconic sax has appeared in Koshiro's latest works:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHx6-HObIEw&list=PLD654C2802944D032[/youtube]
A racing game OST with a sax solo? What is this madness?!

[emailboxu]

[ZetaBladeX13]

would love to disagree =D

But to each their own, I guess. Some people just don't like techno or trance either.
While I doubt it had much to do with the fact it was fully orchestrated, I felt that EOIV's OST was the weakest of the series.

[Dangerus]

[ZetaBladeX13]

Fixed your 6th stratum spoilers, yo

[Dangerus]

[ZetaBladeX13]

It took a long time for the 6th stratum theme to grow on me, considering how little is actually going on in the song. It's more ambiance than it is a "song". The battle theme however, while trying to give off a sense of dread in the first few seconds gets kinda boring afterwards.

[Wolkenritter]

[Ninten]

In my opinion, the orchestrated music is GOOD, don't get me wrong, would never call it bad, but that FM Synth just adds more to the classic Wizardry-like RPG Etrian is replicating/paying tribute to. (Maybe replicating is not the best word, but I hope you know what I mean.)

[ueI]

FM Synth is alright, but I just don't like the music in Etrian Odyssey I-III. If you ask me, upgrading to an orchestra in IV is one of the best things they've done.