Bit Blot Forum

Aquaria => General => Topic started by: dhakkel on December 10, 2007, 02:26:54 pm

Title: Soundtrack
Post by: dhakkel on December 10, 2007, 02:26:54 pm
Stalfos asked this in the FAQ but I think Alec missed it, so here's a big attention-seeking topic!

You guys gonna release a soundtrack? I'd love to put te Kelp Forest music on my mp3 player :D!
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 10, 2007, 04:33:02 pm
Absolutely.  I'd love to get a nice disk version of this.  I did look to see if I could somehow rip it from the game, but no luck.  I also figured I could manually record a lot of it, but hell... that's a lot of effort, especially if we're later going to get a copy we can buy from you guys.  So I'll wait on that.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 10, 2007, 04:34:24 pm
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to produce it?
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Ian on December 10, 2007, 05:41:06 pm
Stuff like this looks kind of cool:

http://www.firebrandinc.com/Firebrand-Pricing-Replicated-CD.html

But there's probably some place where they do everything for you.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: dhakkel on December 10, 2007, 06:13:48 pm
A digital release for now would be good. Or even do both, like Stabilizer do.

Here's Stabilizer's myspace (http://www.myspace.com/stabilizer), maybe you can get in touch and see how they make their albums? They're an internet-only band who release free downloads and CD versions for those who want them. Not suggesting you do FREE downloads (free maybe if I say it again subconsiousness will kick in free) but a download behind a pay barrier and CD versions would probably sell well.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: RvLeshrac on December 10, 2007, 06:41:29 pm
Stuff like this looks kind of cool:

http://www.firebrandinc.com/Firebrand-Pricing-Replicated-CD.html

But there's probably some place where they do everything for you.

For a small developer or indie musician, it really only works if you have a guaranteed number of orders. Depending on pricing and preordering, you can move up a tier in duplication (1-500 to 501-1000, etc etc.) without breaking the bank. The key word here is "preordering".
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Winter on December 10, 2007, 06:43:08 pm
What about the remixes? I think I've heard somewhere in the Jenna-Interview something about that..
Do you want to make them Alec?
Or do you want to make some kind of competition out of it for the forum-users here??
The best remix could be published with your original tracks.   :D

I am interested.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 10, 2007, 06:54:30 pm
That'd be cool!

The Doctor (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?action=profile;u=177) has already made a pretty awesome retro remix:

http://buzinkai.net/PXTone/aquaria.mp3 (http://buzinkai.net/PXTone/aquaria.mp3)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: shinygerbil on December 10, 2007, 06:57:14 pm
I was going to suggest the good Doctor as a good candidate for remixxin'. :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: dhakkel on December 10, 2007, 06:58:32 pm
That's excellent, if a little short. Oh well, at least I have 1 Aquaria mp3 now :D!
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 11, 2007, 03:31:22 am
Lulu.com does CDs, if I'm not mistaken, though I've no idea about the quality or whatever.  I've ordered a few books from them that turned out quite well, though, so it might be worth looking into.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Two Jacks on December 11, 2007, 05:25:25 am
That'd be cool!

The Doctor (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?action=profile;u=177) has already made a pretty awesome retro remix:

http://buzinkai.net/PXTone/aquaria.mp3 (http://buzinkai.net/PXTone/aquaria.mp3)

Oh man just got an idea for a cool Aquaria mod!

All the songs remixed like above and all the graphics made retro! It would be pixelated Aquaria, or Retquaria (Retro+Aquaria).
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: DialogPimp on December 11, 2007, 10:13:08 am
Not sure if I read this correctly or not (so my reply might be completely off topic), but you could get in touch with Tim at http://www.coldstorage.org.uk/ (http://www.coldstorage.org.uk/). He did the WipeOut soundtracks and seemed to successfully release a double album internet-only.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Winter on December 11, 2007, 11:00:34 am
Okay Alec!

So can you give us some original samples/tracks/wavs to remix??    :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 11, 2007, 11:03:09 am
What would be the most useful way to do that?
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Don Andy on December 11, 2007, 11:04:53 am
What would be the most useful way to do that?

Licensing under Creative Commons and offering them for download, I'd guess. That allows redistribution and remixing, as long as the original author is credited.
That is, if you want them to be free xD
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 11, 2007, 11:08:57 am
I mean in terms of files.

Like separate wave files for each part, or just the notes (so you can use your own instruments) or what.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: dhakkel on December 11, 2007, 02:59:44 pm
So what have you thought about releasing the original tracks, so far? Have any of the links here been useful?

I mean, remixes are nice and all, but I fell in love with the tracks in game so it'd be nice to have those too :x.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Winter on December 11, 2007, 03:05:59 pm
@ Don Andy: Yes the creative common - solution is of course necessary!

Alec, you could offer both, the separate wave files (for example one wav-track with drums only, and than one wav-track with the pad-sounds and so )
and the notes!
The notes would be very useful for building new chords for example! if you give us the notes too, we don't have to guess them.

How did you make the music exactly? Which programs?
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Battlerager on December 12, 2007, 07:33:09 am
As a video game music remixer, I think its ALL ABOUT GUESSING THE NOTES.

And, pouring your heart into a rearrangement/remix.

I don't need no sound files, I got my ears and my guitar and midi programs and stuff ;)

EDIT: Sorry if that sounded like bragging or ranting, but I really tend to be emotional about video game music  ;D
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Winter on December 12, 2007, 01:22:57 pm
 :-\
No!
But you need some material! Some tunes/sounds/audiofiles!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remix)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 12, 2007, 01:34:13 pm
Seems like either method could yield cool results.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Don Andy on December 12, 2007, 01:40:12 pm
Hmm, maybe you can just distribute the soundtrack as simple MP3s in anyway you desire (selling it, just offering it for download) and give out special "source" files of the song on request, for anyone daring to make a remix?
People who don't need source files, like Battlerager, can always just work off the normal MP3s.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Theogrin on December 12, 2007, 01:42:18 pm
Either way - using clips from the original masters, or taking the melody itself (the 'song') and working with it - can probably be considered a valid remix.  :)  That said, I prefer to work with the melody itself.  For those interested in making the 'Dance-style' remixes, I suggest Audacity - and for those interested in doing the other variety, there's FruityLoops (which is expensive, but more than decent).  There are probably some free variants on the latter if you poke around enough!
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: DragonXVI on December 12, 2007, 02:56:56 pm
I've been using Fruityloops for a good while now, and while it is pricey it comes with everything you need to make pretty much any kind of music, the rest is just gathering samples/soundfonts/synths/etc (Although It's fun to mess around with Slayer 2...)

Reguards to releasing the soundtrack as both Wav/mp3 and (MIDI I guess would make sense? If people were just after the specific notes). If memory served the guy that did the music for Kameo put all the midis on his site, and then had the mp3 version, after he'd sent the sheet music generated from the Midis to the orchestra, the end result.  Was pretty cool stuff...

But I also agree and disagree with Battlerager, it's fun working out the notes for yourself, easier so if you're used to playing by ear, but some remixes I've heard deliberately have a wrong note or two and it just bugs me :p

Personally I wouldn't mind doing a few mixes from ear of the main theme, working it into a more sinister piece and also a fast-tempo boss encounter (I like doing those, personally :D )
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Don Andy on December 12, 2007, 03:08:54 pm
Personally I wouldn't mind doing a few mixes from ear of the main theme, working it into a more sinister piece and also a fast-tempo boss encounter (I like doing those, personally :D )
Thinking about it, the music from the title screen (if you mean that one) would sound really epic as a fast paced boss battle music.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 12, 2007, 03:11:23 pm
BTW it'd be cool if when some of the mods are ready, they used some of the remixed tracks :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 12, 2007, 03:34:08 pm
Being a musician, I rather hope to fiddle with some of this later.  I half-dream of making a mod (God knows I don't have the time, but...), and if I did I'd want to throw original music in there.

Also, remix has always been a misnomer to me.  You aren't really remixing something, you're rerecording it.  Most remixes are really just covers that may or may not use some of the original sounds, aren't they?  Not that it matters.  I'm rambling.

But yeah, I can really hear the Home Waters theme done up with electric guitars.  I wonder how sacreligious Alec finds the idea.  Heh, I guess I should just record it and find out.   :o
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Don Andy on December 12, 2007, 03:36:43 pm
BTW it'd be cool if when some of the mods are ready, they used some of the remixed tracks :)
If someone remakes the title screen as boss music, I'm SO using it xD
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Dozin on December 12, 2007, 04:00:38 pm
I know this may sound like a strange suggestion, but if you're gonna release the music for free, can you release it through a game patch which enables access to a "Sound Test" screen on the main menu? Kinda like from old NES and SNES games.  :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: dhakkel on December 12, 2007, 04:48:38 pm
Uh, please don't do what Dozin just suggested. Well, I mean, feel free to do that TOO, but please also release them as a cd/mp3 files or something :(.

I don't see how I can take sound test -> mp3 player, heh.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Dozin on December 12, 2007, 05:35:15 pm
Ya it seems impractical now that I think about it. ^-^
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 12, 2007, 05:43:41 pm
A jukebox/BGM mod would be cool tho.

Like a dance party cave or something.

(a la zoo race)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Battlerager on December 12, 2007, 05:46:24 pm
Haha, yeah, Remix might be the wrong word.

I was talking about Rearranging/Rerecording,  yeah.


Those are so much fun making.
Its really a challenge to keep the balance between "too close to the original" and "no one recognizes this song anymore". Lots of fun.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Winter on December 12, 2007, 06:44:47 pm
Well well...
But where are the original files now?
Wie didn't come forth.  ???
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Ataraxia on December 12, 2007, 07:42:32 pm
I too must express my love for the soundtrack. You did an amazing job Alec!

I'd definitely buy it if released. Especially a digital download! I'm at work right now... and I've been craving the music since I got here!
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 13, 2007, 04:32:42 am
I've never been a fan of downloads (though I'd take one if that was the only option).  My hope is for a nice CD with art and junk.   ^-^
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Ixis on December 13, 2007, 06:21:22 am
Aquaria soundtrack? Here you go: http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIA-Shambala-2007_W0QQitemZ280181802387QQihZ018QQcategoryZ307QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 13, 2007, 08:29:11 am
That chick looks totally eighties.

Also, is it pathetic that I went through the editor and used Audacity to capture a bunch of music to listen to at work?  Curse my generation's complete lack of patience.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Theogrin on December 13, 2007, 03:31:43 pm
Aha!

We already have a 'sound test' for music - you can change the background music in the mod editor.  Now all we need are the song names, and we're good.  :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Don Andy on December 13, 2007, 03:38:37 pm
Aha!

We already have a 'sound test' for music - you can change the background music in the mod editor.  Now all we need are the song names, and we're good.  :)

http://www.bit-blot.com/forum/index.php?topic=275.0 ;)
Title: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 13, 2007, 03:40:59 pm
You don't really even need that, mate.  [EDIT - Yeah, see above.]  Though honestly, I feel bad for even mentioning it now.  I hope such information wouldn't hurt the sales of a pressed CD, especially since one has to put in the time and effort when going the editor route (plus it doesn't sound perfect and the beginning of each song is obscured slightly because it fades in as the previous music fades out).
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Zam on December 13, 2007, 03:44:07 pm
<3

ilust
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on December 13, 2007, 03:46:44 pm
A soundtrack CD would have other and new stuff on it anyways, so its not a big deal.

As a separate thing, it'd also be cool to do a piano-only soundtrack like they do with the FF series.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Theogrin on December 13, 2007, 04:50:06 pm
On top of the bonus and new stuff, there's the fact that the mode I suggested is a sound test - which means you'd have to go to *extensive* lengths to get the music off in a form that can be easily played, and it'd be more work than it's worth (for any other soundtrack).  I'd just use it for listening to the song before remixing, to keep the melody in my head.

Heck, I'd buy a pressed CD just to support the developers again!  :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Ataraxia on December 13, 2007, 04:52:00 pm
A soundtrack CD would have other and new stuff on it anyways, so its not a big deal.

As a separate thing, it'd also be cool to do a piano-only soundtrack like they do with the FF series.

That's a great idea. The music in Aquaria would be perfect for a piano only soundtrack!
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Don Andy on December 13, 2007, 04:52:46 pm
On top of the bonus and new stuff, there's the fact that the mode I suggested is a sound test - which means you'd have to go to *extensive* lengths to get the music off in a form that can be easily played, and it'd be more work than it's worth (for any other soundtrack).  I'd just use it for listening to the song before remixing, to keep the melody in my head.

Heck, I'd buy a pressed CD just to support the developers again!  :)
Well, technically, since Alec even posted a titel menu example, a sound test should be a really, really easy mod.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Kordesh on December 13, 2007, 08:40:22 pm
I absolutely love the soundtrack for the game, and I hope it becomes available in any form at some point. I guess I could also use this post to express that I love the game itself. Like many others here I'm sure I learned about it through the awards, and you guys completely deserved it. I know developing independently can be a huge pain and a big risk, but I'm so glad you took it. This kind of creativity gets lost far too often in the mainstream industry. Anyway, good luck to all involved, and enjoy your success, you've earned it.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Quemaqua on December 14, 2007, 05:07:00 am
I'd love a piano version.  I find the music very moving, and it seems all but built for that sort of project.  Just make sure you also do the OST, too.    :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Hiro on December 14, 2007, 06:00:53 am
Is the sound track still going to be included in a 'physical copy' set aswell? I liked the idea of getting the game CD, OST and some art/maps and stuff...  ^-^
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Xenonym on December 14, 2007, 09:19:10 am
And if you are offering downloads, I want it in FLAC format.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: tiamax on December 15, 2007, 08:27:10 am
Haha, if there was a soundtrack, I (being a fairly poor person) would get them for christmas presents for my friends, partially because the music is EPIC, but also as a little push for them to want to buy it.  ^-^
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Glamador on October 30, 2008, 05:31:22 am
Did you actually draw that or just cleverly photoshop some other artwork onto a CD cover?  I swear I've seen that pic before.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Xiagan on October 30, 2008, 06:13:44 am
Yes, you can find it some pages back or in the fanart section of Bit Blot. It's by Guert.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: yecgaa on October 30, 2008, 08:21:15 pm
Did you actually draw that or just cleverly photoshop some other artwork onto a CD cover?  I swear I've seen that pic before.

I just used Easy Cd cover Creator, and a random picture which fits the best on a cd shape.
Sorry.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on October 30, 2008, 08:23:27 pm
Here's the official WIP (work in progress) label for Disc 1/2:

(http://zaphire.ca/AQ/disc_label-02.jpg)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Xiagan on October 30, 2008, 11:25:14 pm
And I surely know why we won't see the second. ;)

(damn, searching for http://zaphire.ca/AQ/disc_label-01.jpg or 03 wasn't successful. ;))
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: yecgaa on October 30, 2008, 11:25:43 pm
well, thats a lot better than my version^^
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: smashIt on November 02, 2008, 11:50:39 pm
did it get a new name or is arboreal not on the 1st cd  :(
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: silverflagon on November 03, 2008, 01:03:47 am
That looks stunning Alec :D
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Alec on November 03, 2008, 01:47:32 am
did it get a new name or is arboreal not on the 1st cd  :(

Some tracks got named differently on the CD than what their filenames were in the game.

That looks stunning Alec :D

Thanks! The booklet art is really cool too. I really want to get this done, but I need to do a bunch of other stuff before I can get to it.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: ryos on November 17, 2008, 05:57:25 am
FYI for everyone waiting for the soundtrack: the Mac version contains the music tracks in plain, unencrypted OGG format. Of course, to get at them you'd need either a Mac or a program that can mount Mac .dmg files (if such a thing even exists).

I'm not posting this to suggest that people forego buying the real thing - just an idea to help people survive the wait. :)
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Aquarian2 on November 17, 2008, 11:39:58 am
@alec,
If you can post an eps or svg of "Aquaria"'s logo,
 i'm sure many of us would post designs for the cover art for the CD/DVD Audio.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: PiSketch on November 17, 2008, 05:04:31 pm
The media kit (bottom of this (http://www.bit-blot.com/aquaria/media.html) page) has a relatively high-res (Roughly 600x300) .png of the Aquaria logo, but no .svg.  If Alec doesn't mind, I can post a .zip of all the tracks in the game, either in .ogg or .mp3 format.  On the original topic, I have a dozen or so tracks from Aquaria in iTunes already, but if the soundtrack goes up on the iTunes store officially, I'll definitely buy it.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Chibi on November 18, 2008, 12:47:29 am
You should definitely look into doing that: my old English teacher (not the grouchy one) posted our rap poems on there, and I think they still are  ;) although I suspect you need to pay to place a price on the song.
Title: Re: Soundtrack
Post by: Aquarian2 on November 18, 2008, 11:47:15 pm
The media kit (bottom of this (http://www.bit-blot.com/aquaria/media.html) page) has a relatively high-res (Roughly 600x300) .png of the Aquaria logo, but no .svg.

thank you for the link