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Aquaria => General => Topic started by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 04:14:49 am

Title: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 04:14:49 am
Alec I have listened to alot of game music since I started playing videogames. Now I read the spot on the music for Aquaria.
I'm still trying to understand it's flow and your description of it. I believe until I have heard the music and played the game that Aquaria holds a similar type of feel & atmosphere to Ecco. Atmospheric? Melodies? Rythmic Undertones? These things I look for. If you would I'd like you to listen to some of the tracks from my fav game soundtrack of all time.
I'm trying to get a sense of if the music is particualrly on the same type of setting as the music I have loved for many years. Please listen and give resounding detail on how the msic is similar or different from these tracks.
You may or may not have heard these tracks before.  ;D :P

I have provided some tracks so you could listen if you havn't already heard from them yet.

http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3182/c008ad/Ecco%20Songs%20Of%20Time/15-motion_e.mp3 (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3182/c008ad/Ecco%20Songs%20Of%20Time/15-motion_e.mp3)
- Mayhem (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3182/2c512e/Ecco%20Songs%20Of%20Time/16-the_machine.mp3)
- Aqua Vistas (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3182/911f72/Ecco%20Songs%20Of%20Time/12-aqua_vistas.mp3)
- Friend or Foe (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3182/1ef0b8/Ecco%20Songs%20Of%20Time/14-friend_or_foe.mp3)
- Sounding Echo (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3182/943fc2/Ecco%20Songs%20Of%20Time/17-sounding_echo.mp3)
- Passage from genesis
 (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/1614/f8dbef/Ecco%20The%20Dolphin%20-%20Defender%20Of%20The%20Future%20Rip/109_-_passage_from_genesis.mp3)
----------------------------------------------------------
Tracks you must listen too. :)

 - Purge (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/19b3f3/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/03.mp3)
- Beautiful <---  :o (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/d845a8/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/07.mp3)
- Tranquil (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/5efdab/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/12.mp3)
Title: Re: Music. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: vitaminNewB on February 08, 2007, 06:53:56 am
I'm sorry but i was just listening to those tracks and just had to say   :o.
You have great musical tastes.  I don't know about you but one more tiny little music snippet would be nice.   ;)   ;)  **nudge** **nudge**  just kidding.  I like this post.
Title: Re: Music. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 06:59:31 am
Here's a few favorites out of my own game collection. I liked over the course of years I thought sounded great.

  - Super metroid (Red Brinstar) (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/179/00cbf7/Super_Metroid_-_Sound_In_Action/20_-_brinstar_red_soil_swampy_area.mp3)
 - Super Metroid (Brinstar) (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/179/7a1756/Super_Metroid_-_Sound_In_Action/19_-_brinstar_overgrown_with_vegetation.mp3)
 - Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver: Ruined City of Dunahim  (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/792/bef220/Legacy%20of%20Kain%20Soulreaver%20Original%20Soundtrack/04_ruinedcity.mp3)
  - Enclave  (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/4036/d3e869/Enclave%202002%20Original%20Soundtrack/05._celenheim_(dark).mp3)
  - Enclave (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/4036/f565f8/Enclave%202002%20Original%20Soundtrack/07._the_outland_wastes_(dark).mp3)
  - Zelda: A link to the Past - Lost Woods  :-* (derek)  (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/1422/8682be/Legend%20of%20Zelda%20A%20Link%20To%20The%20Past%20Original%20Soundtrack/06._forest.mp3)
 Zelda: ZOOT - Gerudo Valley  (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/562/800ebd/Legend%20of%20Zelda%20Ocarina%20of%20Time%20Original%20Sound%20Track/68_gerudo_valley.mp3)
http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/562/df95a9/Legend%20of%20Zelda%20Ocarina%20of%20Time%20Original%20Sound%20Track/69_spirit_temple.mp3 (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/562/df95a9/Legend%20of%20Zelda%20Ocarina%20of%20Time%20Original%20Sound%20Track/69_spirit_temple.mp3)
http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/1866/41f872/Ghost%20in%20the%20Shell%20Movie%20Original%20Soundtrack/05_-_ghost_city.mp3 (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/1866/41f872/Ghost%20in%20the%20Shell%20Movie%20Original%20Soundtrack/05_-_ghost_city.mp3)

 There is more but didn't want to post them all here. :)
Title: Re: Music. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 07:48:42 am
Quote from: vitaminNewB on February 08, 2007, 06:53:56 am
I'm sorry but i was just listening to those tracks and just had to say   :o.
You have great musical tastes.  I don't know about you but one more tiny little music snippet would be nice.   ;)   ;)  **nudge** **nudge**  just kidding.  I like this post.

Glad you liked them. It is what I hope Aquaria music sound similar too. For it is just beautiful as it is methodic & very tranquil.
Here's some more tracks with a under the sea & ocean atmosphere associated with games like Aquaria from the game I highly attribute aquaria to.

- Passage (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/d96e75/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/03.mp3)
- lurking (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/352749/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/04.mp3)
 - Asundi (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/e18d6c/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/05.mp3)
 - Voyage (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/63c23a/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/06.mp3) <---  ;D
- Rolling (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/7103cc/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/09.mp3)
 - Listen (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/913147/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/11.mp3) <---  ;D
- Escape (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/2d8e98/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/14.mp3)
- Crystalline Waves (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3173/8c3b13/Eco%20The%20Dolphin%202%20Sega%20Cd%20Original%20Soundtrack/16.mp3)
 - Before the Storm Comes (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3677/87f0ee/Ecco%20The%20Dolphin%20I%20(Sega%20CD%20Version)/12_-_(home_bay)_(before_the_storm_cometh).mp3)


-----------------------------------
These 3 go hand in hand..Make sure to listen in corresponding order :)

 - Mayhem (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3677/2f01a2/Ecco%20The%20Dolphin%20I%20(Sega%20CD%20Version)/07_-_(the_machine).mp3)
 - Destruction (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3677/d7ffab/Ecco%20The%20Dolphin%20I%20(Sega%20CD%20Version)/10_-_(welcome_to_the_machine).mp3)
 - Carnage (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/3677/a1d27e/Ecco%20The%20Dolphin%20I%20(Sega%20CD%20Version)/11_-_(home_bay)_(aftermath_of_the_storm).mp3)
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 08, 2007, 08:31:44 am
I posted some music samples on the blog (http://www.bit-blot.com/?p=6) a while ago.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 08:41:36 am
Yes I just noticed them 1 hour ago. I hope you like the tracks I posted as well. If you hadn't listened to them already. I thought you may be interested in listening.

Loved the first track. Would definitely like to hear more in the vein of that. :)
Actually the second one is great as well. The third is more upbeat. Sounds quirky.  ;D
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 08, 2007, 08:44:17 am
I listen to a lot of game music.  ^-^
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 08, 2007, 08:44:58 am
Quote from: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 08:41:36 am
Loved the first track. Would definitely like to hear more in the vein of that. :)

...and so it begins.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 08:47:26 am
Quote from: Alec on February 08, 2007, 08:44:58 am


...and so it begins.

...as well it should.  :P
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 08, 2007, 08:48:22 am
Ouch.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 08:52:35 am
Quote from: Alec on February 08, 2007, 08:48:22 am
Ouch.

You know. You'd be surprise how many have not heard or had no idea these tracks existed. I hope they like them. And I was right. From the sound of the 3 tunes it does seems as if the music is similar.
I should of held off now I want more.

Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 09:01:55 am

Constructive Criticism: More Ambience & Atmosphere. Soft mellow tones. Less quirkyness. There's my critique.  ^-^
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 08, 2007, 09:07:15 am
The tracks you posted are good game tracks! It would be cool if everyone shared their favorite game music.

I've been badgered this last week by a couple people sending me music samples and telling me to make the game music more like this, or more like that. Everyone has their own idea what it should sound more like. Interestingly enough, it was in the opposite direction of what you like! I guess I feel pressure to own up to everyone's expectations, but don't be offended if I don't adopt suggestions. In the end, the best I can do is make music that sounds good to me.

Oh, and the classic channel on GamingFM (http://www.gamingfm.com/main/) is sweet. :)
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. (alec, derek come in..) (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 08, 2007, 09:14:28 am
I think I may change the title of the thread. :) And thanks for the link. I have a new pass time.

"I've been badgered this last week by a couple people sending me music samples and telling me to make the game music more like this, or more like that. Everyone has their own idea what it should sound more like. Interestingly enough, it was in the opposite direction of what you like! I guess I feel pressure to own up to everyone's expectations, but don't be offended if I don't adopt suggestions. In the end, the best I can do is make music that sounds good to me."

I guess it was my overly exaggerating expectations. On the music front that is.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 08, 2007, 09:32:51 am
Crits are good! I just want to make sure that people understand that I can't take everything they suggest to heart. But that doesn't mean they should stop making suggestions!

But yeah, don't expect the game to sound exactly like Ecco. ;)
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Ian on February 09, 2007, 06:54:54 pm
You wrote the music, you can do what you want =P

..music is a hard thing to criticize. You can make suggestions on stuff to change or add, but I mean, just because someone wants the soundtrack for the new soul reaver to be written entirely by Eminem doesn't mean it's gonna happen. Same thing goes for the feel of the music. But, on the other hand, you CAN use suggestions to add to the music, if you think they'll improve it.


...so... more cowbell?
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Quemaqua on February 10, 2007, 06:05:20 am
I think I would also say that my personal preference would be more stuff like the first and second tracks, but honestly, I like the third track fine and wouldn't be at all disappointed with stuff like that either.  I heartily encourage you to keep using lots of soothing elements like the background synthie stuff.  I think that keeps a really nice thread running throughout and makes it all feel appropriately oceanic.  Being a musician myself, I can appreciate the difficulty in getting opinions from people on this kind of thing.  Still, I like where you're headed and have no reason to believe the soundtrack will be anything less than addictive.  Keep it up.  =)
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Citrus on February 10, 2007, 01:38:02 pm
I listened to the music clip posted on the blog and thought it was great. I have no suggestions or anything.

But here's some music I like, anyway.

Mayhem in Monsterland, the happy intro screen music.
~~~~~ (http://www.c64.org/HVSC/MUSICIANS/R/Rowlands_Steve/Mayhem_In_Monsterland.sid)
(play Rowlands_Steve/Mayhem_In_Monsterland.sid with this (http://www.dreamfabric.com/c64/jsidplay/) and choose song 4)
The Jet Set Radio and Katamari soundtracks are lovely.
And I loved the music in Rayman 1 and 2.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: vitaminNewB on February 10, 2007, 08:05:54 pm
Quote from: Quemaqua on February 10, 2007, 06:05:20 am
... I can appreciate the difficulty in getting opinions from people on this kind of thing. 

So, sooo, very true.  But, crits do make you so much more aware as an artist of any type. 

Quote from: Quemaqua on February 10, 2007, 06:05:20 am
...  Still, I like where you're headed and have no reason to believe the soundtrack will be anything less than addictive.  Keep it up.  =)

And i'll bet that 100% of the people who first heard the music in the aquaria teaser, after that first time of hearing it, had it stuck in their head.  It definitely was stuck in my head.  And i can honestly say that i've never heard that track anywhere else before.  Or any variation of the other 3.  And just 30secs got you hooked!  To me, that's a sign of uniqueness in my books.     

Soothing and ambiance, like Krissy said, are definitely a must.  And synthies like Q said.  I think Ian made a good point.  If you've listened to some of the ecco tracks, you'll notice that many of them sound as if they fit ecco perfectly.  The musical instruments are used to mimic the sounds of a dolphin which was neat.  But, I'm already loving the idea of Naija singing and the musical note combinations and all.  Should make for some good gameplay. I think that because Naija is a mere-being/humanish that would fit her and the game perfectly.  I like the idea of the other worldly vocal sounds too.

I love the Voyage track though.  You just gave me eccoitis.  ^-^

So, anyway.

As long as it sounds  absolutely, exactly, perfectly, 100% like Aquaria that'll be fine.   8)  How about Just put those three samples on repeat throughout the whole game and it'll be cool.  I agree with Q, more than that and our heads might eXPloDe.   @.@

Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: vitaminNewB on February 10, 2007, 08:16:48 pm
Quote from: Ian on February 09, 2007, 06:54:54 pm
.. by Eminem

Hey, you know Em.  Well i'll be jimmy, Me too!  I was just rapping with him the other day and he was like, "yo i like ecco", and i said "uhh, yeah me too.  I really enjoyed it.", then he was like "e" and i said "uh, cc?"  and then he said "o".   
***ducks, runs, hops, skips, and backflips out of forum***


Quote from: Citrus on February 10, 2007, 01:38:02 pm
... The Jet Set Radio and Katamari soundtracks are lovely.

You should post Jet Set Radio in the games we've loved section for sure.  That game was  :o.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 11, 2007, 06:16:53 pm
I remember talking to Derek about art early on, and how he wanted to make everything have very vibrant color. Basically he avoided the temptation to dye everything in the game blue to make it all seem "underwatery". I think with the music it naturally worked out to being the same thing... looking at the levels that Derek created and how all the different areas of the game have a distinctive feel to them. Sitting down to write the music was like: what's this area about, what gives it an identity apart from the rest of the game.

It makes sense to have ambient chill music in certain locations, i.e. where Naija is relatively safe and calm. Some areas are dark and creepy and have more action going on. In other areas, there's a focus on nature and the diversity of the creatures. Some track changes also occur at story points, and that helps emphasis changes in Naija's perception/emotion. There's one motif that is used in places in nearly all the tracks (with a different variation in each), and they all share some common instruments. Other than the style of composition being similar, that stuff helps bind the tracks together.

Ecco was never one of my big inspirations for working on this game, and the only time I really think on its similarities is when other people bring it up. I think this game does its own thing, and therefore it can sound, look and feel different than Ecco. I'm sure some things will be similar based on the fact that its set underwater and not many other games are, but other than that there's no direct link for me personally. Our inspiration tends to come from games like Zelda; for me Blood Omen:LoK in some instances as well.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Quemaqua on February 11, 2007, 07:08:12 pm
Zelda + Blood Omen underwater?  Sign me up!
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 11, 2007, 07:37:41 pm
Well... as far as games go. The ocean itself was the source of "some" inspiration. :P
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 11, 2007, 11:11:15 pm
Quote from: Alec on February 11, 2007, 06:16:53 pm

Ecco was never one of my big inspirations for working on this game, and the only time I really think on its similarities is when other people bring it up. I think this game does its own thing, and therefore it can sound, look and feel different than Ecco. I'm sure some things will be similar based on the fact that its set underwater and not many other games are, but other than that there's no direct link for me personally. Our inspiration tends to come from games like Zelda; for me Blood Omen:LoK in some instances as well.

 :o :o Blasphemy!!  :P
Really? Legacy of Kain? Wow I would have never thought. The only games I loved in the LoK series were the ones after Blood Omen. :) I think I'm going to play the first one again to get a sense of what you are referring too.
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Krissy on February 11, 2007, 11:20:30 pm
Here's a few more game music favs...

Enclave%202002%20Original%20Soundtrack/05._celenheim_(dark).mp3 (http://Enclave%202002%20Original%20Soundtrack/05._celenheim_(dark).mp3) - Enclave
http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/76/b026bc/Xenogears_-_Original_Soundtrack/106_faraway_promise.mp3 (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/76/b026bc/Xenogears_-_Original_Soundtrack/106_faraway_promise.mp3) - Xenogears
Title: Re: Music of the Ocean. Post our Fav game music. (^_^)
Post by: Alec on February 11, 2007, 11:54:27 pm
Hmm, I don't think you'll learn much about Aquaria from playing Blood Omen. I think it had some influence on me, but I don't think anyone who played Aquaria would think of Blood Omen. It has a similarity in that the main character narrates stuff, and you can move around / do stuff as its narrating. Its more something that inspired me in general 'cause I liked it. :)

But yeah. Aquaria isn't strongly related to any one game, as far as I see it.