Music Exercise
Saturn Bomberman: Boss Music
This music is very serious and brings up a feeling of danger or challenge. It is used when the player has to fight a boss which is tense battle between the boss and the player that lasts for around 5-10 minutes. I love this music as I believe it perfectly captures the emotions and tension of a boss fight.
Fallout 3: Butcher Pete:
This music is very unusual. It is part of a number of songs that are used to create a fictional universe of a dystopian nuclear apocalypse if the cold war had resulted in nukes being dropped all over the world. It uses music called "Big Band" music that has a kind of jazz feel to it. This music is part of a group of music that plays as the player traversing the wasteland that the game is set in. The music itself is incredibly enigmatic because of its upbeat tune but unusually dark subject matter. It is not clear whether Butcher Pete is actually about a serial killer or whether it is a metaphor for a womanizing man who got on the wrong side of the law.
Crash Bandicoot: Theme Music
This music is very upbeat and exciting. It uses a xylophone or steel drum which makes it sound playful and sets the theme for the "South Sea Island" style of the game. The genre of the game is a fun puzzle platformer and I think that the music sets the tone for the rest of the game.
Don't Starve: Theme Music
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGO72jL7veU&index=2&list=PL-TSnrPsfhGtH3-4yw8dnYm8U8K-LfYIO
This music is quite creepy but it is also fun and upbeat. It sets the tone for the game as a weird and wonderful adventure which captures the game's style effectively. The game also has a very distinctive and unusual visual and musical style. This theme music fits into this style perfectly with it use of instruments like the xylophone and the organ which are quite unusual and they give an older time period, perhaps around the mid 1900s.
Why are music and sound fx so important to game development?
Music and sound are incredibly important for game immersion. The idea of game immersion is that a game so closely simulates real experiences, that the player is solely concentrated on the game at hand and nothing or little else. Music and sound are an important part of that, as without them the experience would not emulate real life and thus the player's immersion would be broken. This contributes to a more arcade type experience where the player can easily detach themselves from the content that they are experiencing. A prime example of this would be the difference between something like a flight simulator game, where everything is created to closely emulate real life aeroplane flight, and a mobile game such as Candy Crush where resembles more a casino slot machine.
What is waveform,(wavelength, amplitude, frequency) pitch, Hertz, decibel level dB, sound generator (loudspeaker)?
Amplitude is the size of the vibration, and this determines how loud the sound is. We have already seen that larger vibrations make a louder sound.
Frequency is the speed of the vibration, and this determines the pitch of the sound. It is only useful or meaningful for musical sounds, where there is a strongly regular waveform.
Wavelength In physics, wavelength is the distance between two successive identical parts of a wave It is commonly designated by the Greek letter lambda (λ).
Hertz is the unit of frequency, symbol Hz
Pitch is the subjective allocation of a sounds frequency on a scale. It relates to how high or low we perceive the sound to be. It is closely related to frequency but is not the exact same.
Decibel level is a measurement of a sounds pressure level. It is measured in relation to the typical threshold of a human ear. Decibels themselves are a measurement of a ratio between two variables.
A Sound Generator is any object that vibrates to produce sound.
The definition of Foley is:
The definition of Timbre is:
Don't Starve: Theme Music
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGO72jL7veU&index=2&list=PL-TSnrPsfhGtH3-4yw8dnYm8U8K-LfYIO
This music is quite creepy but it is also fun and upbeat. It sets the tone for the game as a weird and wonderful adventure which captures the game's style effectively. The game also has a very distinctive and unusual visual and musical style. This theme music fits into this style perfectly with it use of instruments like the xylophone and the organ which are quite unusual and they give an older time period, perhaps around the mid 1900s.
Why are music and sound fx so important to game development?
Music and sound are incredibly important for game immersion. The idea of game immersion is that a game so closely simulates real experiences, that the player is solely concentrated on the game at hand and nothing or little else. Music and sound are an important part of that, as without them the experience would not emulate real life and thus the player's immersion would be broken. This contributes to a more arcade type experience where the player can easily detach themselves from the content that they are experiencing. A prime example of this would be the difference between something like a flight simulator game, where everything is created to closely emulate real life aeroplane flight, and a mobile game such as Candy Crush where resembles more a casino slot machine.
What is waveform,(wavelength, amplitude, frequency) pitch, Hertz, decibel level dB, sound generator (loudspeaker)?
Amplitude is the size of the vibration, and this determines how loud the sound is. We have already seen that larger vibrations make a louder sound.
Frequency is the speed of the vibration, and this determines the pitch of the sound. It is only useful or meaningful for musical sounds, where there is a strongly regular waveform.
Wavelength In physics, wavelength is the distance between two successive identical parts of a wave It is commonly designated by the Greek letter lambda (λ).
Hertz is the unit of frequency, symbol Hz
Pitch is the subjective allocation of a sounds frequency on a scale. It relates to how high or low we perceive the sound to be. It is closely related to frequency but is not the exact same.
Decibel level is a measurement of a sounds pressure level. It is measured in relation to the typical threshold of a human ear. Decibels themselves are a measurement of a ratio between two variables.
A Sound Generator is any object that vibrates to produce sound.
What is Foley?
The definition of Foley is:
NOUN
-relating to or concerned with the addition of recorded sound effects after the shooting of a film
Foley usually refers to sound effects that are recorded to replace everyday sound such as the opening and closing of a door or a drink being poured. They are added in the post editing of a film after filming and can be used in various types of media and the best types of Foley integrate seamlessly into the final production.
What is Timbre?
The definition of Timbre is:
NOUN
noun: timbre · plural noun: timbres
-the character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity
Timbre is what distinguishes different types of musical note that have the same volume and pitch. For example a guitar and a piano could play the same not at the same volume and pitch but are easily distinguished between. Some things that are different between these things are spectrum and envelope.
The Psychology of Sound
Speech: Speech is often used as a metaphor for the characters themselves. Often the male protagonist in a story will have a very deep and masculine voice. An example of this would be Bruce Willis' character in Die Hard. He has a very deep and gruff voice that exemplifies his tough, stubborn character. It also shows the characters personality with some of the dialect that he uses. His famous phrase of Yippee Ki Yay Mother***ka shows the characters personality as jovial but aggressive. In this clip it also shows the fantastic use of Alan Rickman and his voice for a stereotypical villain. His calm tone to his voice and his slow speech pattern, paint him as a cool collected villain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEOVNmSR7_c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEOVNmSR7_c
Symbolism: the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. An example of symbolism in films is in American History X where the flashback scenes in the film are exclusively in black and white. There is a lot more symbolism in American History X and the main character Derek is compared to Jesus Christ. In his film Derek goes to prison for a violent crime and reforms his opinions on race and prejudice. This is very similar to Christ dying and being reborn and there is more evidence of this symbolism in Derek's tattoos. Derek has a tattoo saying D.O.C. (Died on Cross) and his swastika tattoo resembles a crooked cross. Sound symbolism in this film is in the climax of the film when the character Danny dies there is a chorus of angelic voices that can be heard. This is to show the Christian Symbolism of the film and to show that this story has a purpose or a moral and is not just random events.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Afx0TAyYTk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Afx0TAyYTk
Iconography: the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these. In films and video games iconography is often used to create an environment or a setting. For example in a western film or video game you would expect appropriate images. This would things such as saloons, tumbleweed, desert e.t.c. An example of this would be the game Red Dead Redemption that is set in the wild west. The game features wild horses, lassos, Snake oil salesmen and other wild west imagery. This is some music from Red Dead Redemption, it has a lot of stereotypically western sounds and utilizes a bell sound that inspires images of two cowboys dueling with pistols.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpXXfCzSmJQ
3D audio: 3D audio effects are a group of sound effects that manipulate the sound produced by stereo speakers, surround-sound speakers, speaker-arrays, or headphones. This frequently involves the virtual placement of sound sources anywhere in three-dimensional space, including behind, above or below the listener.
Surround Sound: A system of stereophony involving three or more speakers surrounding the listener so as to give a more realistic effect. It allows for more immersion and the illusion that the listener is in the media itself.
Interactive Adaptive Audio: An audio system that is designed to have its pre-determined sonic behavior influenced in response to real-time events, and is comprised of an Interactive Audio Engine and Interactive Audio Data. This is a very vague definition and is explained in more detail on http://www.projectbarbq.com/reports/bbq03/bbq03r5.htm
List a range of music and FX sources
-Newgrounds is an American entertainment and social media website. It primarily features Adobe Flash Animations and browser based games, but it also has pages that cater to art and music. Many users create art and music for the site that can be used copyright free, non-commercially. I personally used some music from Newgrounds in my maths maze game.
-Machinasound.com
-Audiolicense.net
-Soundbible
Using at least 3 of your favourite games explain the purposes of game. e.g. mood, action, suspense, intro sequence, closing sequence, credit sequence, plot advancement, interactive adaptive music?
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpqSdORmCX4 this is the main theme for the Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. It creates a mood of wonder and discovery which is central to the game's open world. Most of the game is spent exploring the world and discovering new places.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqNf_QVlG6w This is the battle music from the game that plays whenever the main character is fighting someone. It creates tension and suspense, in some cases, as it often plays when the player cannot yet see the antagonist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ATIsqcYP-0 From 1:30 to 2:26 the end game music plays. This invokes a sense of accomplishment and a sense of satisfaction on completing the game.
The Last of Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y97u-U0nvJM
This is the main theme for The Last of Us. It is very creepy and invokes feelings of mystery. It sets the tone for a suspense thrilled, story orientated, video game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRv2KVxbeOc
This is a video of the end credits. The music is perfect for capturing the ending to a story. It invokes images of a lone cowboy walking away from whatever events he took part in.
Ratchet and Clank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pEl-p0Qf0
This is the sound track to Ratchet & Clank. It is upbeat and fun. The games content is that of a fun, puzzle platformer and is based around the adventure of two protagonists.
What are the legal considerations when obtaining or using music/FX\?
Copyright
-Copyright is law that protects an original work from being used by anyone other than the original creator. It grants exclusive rights to the content, usually for a limited time. This applies to music as well.
Royalties
-Is money paid to a party for the ongoing use of a copyrighted product. The original creator usually agrees on a fixed price for use of certain assets. Unlike other forms of intellectual property, music royalties have a strong linkage to individuals – composers (score), songwriters (lyrics) and writers of musical plays – in that they can own the exclusive copyright to created music and can license it for performance independent of corporates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpXXfCzSmJQ
3D audio: 3D audio effects are a group of sound effects that manipulate the sound produced by stereo speakers, surround-sound speakers, speaker-arrays, or headphones. This frequently involves the virtual placement of sound sources anywhere in three-dimensional space, including behind, above or below the listener.
Surround Sound: A system of stereophony involving three or more speakers surrounding the listener so as to give a more realistic effect. It allows for more immersion and the illusion that the listener is in the media itself.
Interactive Adaptive Audio: An audio system that is designed to have its pre-determined sonic behavior influenced in response to real-time events, and is comprised of an Interactive Audio Engine and Interactive Audio Data. This is a very vague definition and is explained in more detail on http://www.projectbarbq.com/reports/bbq03/bbq03r5.htm
List a range of music and FX sources
-Newgrounds is an American entertainment and social media website. It primarily features Adobe Flash Animations and browser based games, but it also has pages that cater to art and music. Many users create art and music for the site that can be used copyright free, non-commercially. I personally used some music from Newgrounds in my maths maze game.
-Machinasound.com
-Audiolicense.net
-Soundbible
Using at least 3 of your favourite games explain the purposes of game. e.g. mood, action, suspense, intro sequence, closing sequence, credit sequence, plot advancement, interactive adaptive music?
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpqSdORmCX4 this is the main theme for the Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. It creates a mood of wonder and discovery which is central to the game's open world. Most of the game is spent exploring the world and discovering new places.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqNf_QVlG6w This is the battle music from the game that plays whenever the main character is fighting someone. It creates tension and suspense, in some cases, as it often plays when the player cannot yet see the antagonist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ATIsqcYP-0 From 1:30 to 2:26 the end game music plays. This invokes a sense of accomplishment and a sense of satisfaction on completing the game.
The Last of Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y97u-U0nvJM
This is the main theme for The Last of Us. It is very creepy and invokes feelings of mystery. It sets the tone for a suspense thrilled, story orientated, video game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRv2KVxbeOc
This is a video of the end credits. The music is perfect for capturing the ending to a story. It invokes images of a lone cowboy walking away from whatever events he took part in.
Ratchet and Clank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pEl-p0Qf0
This is the sound track to Ratchet & Clank. It is upbeat and fun. The games content is that of a fun, puzzle platformer and is based around the adventure of two protagonists.
What are the legal considerations when obtaining or using music/FX\?
Copyright
-Copyright is law that protects an original work from being used by anyone other than the original creator. It grants exclusive rights to the content, usually for a limited time. This applies to music as well.
Royalties
-Is money paid to a party for the ongoing use of a copyrighted product. The original creator usually agrees on a fixed price for use of certain assets. Unlike other forms of intellectual property, music royalties have a strong linkage to individuals – composers (score), songwriters (lyrics) and writers of musical plays – in that they can own the exclusive copyright to created music and can license it for performance independent of corporates.
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