 Music and sound development. |
Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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| Music and sound development. |
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-sulan- has agreed to take the postion of Skyrims sound and music
director/composer. And all posts sound related goes in here please.
Welcome Aboard -sulan-
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10.03.2006 22:13 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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Here's my thoughts for now:
For the ambient/sountrack-type music, I'm thinking at least 40mins of music. Tunes for:
*Exploration music:
-Majestic, heavier themes for mountains (heavy strings and pronounced
basses, some brass/horns, and some big drums and "Pizzacatos").
-For hostile places (some dungeons, evil forests(?) or the like) more tense, slightly horror like...
The file hm1.mp3 I thought would go in this category.
-Lighter and more mysterious tunes for forests (harps, bright violins, flutes).
(The file hm0.mp3 I thought would go in this category.
-More lively folkmusic-type tunes (harps, violins, flutes) for cities and taverns.
*Combat music:
More heavy, more beat, more tense than the exploration music (heavy strings, big drums, brass, pizzacato beats...)
I'm trying to put in some medeival, northern/celtic influence to it, allthough symphonic/orchestrated (film-music-like).
Tavern music and city music I think can be less symphonic and more folkmusic like though.
And also I'm thinking some special places/occations might have unique themes attached to them...
What do you think? Any and all suggestions/comments/criticism/wishes are welcome!!!
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10.03.2006 23:00 |
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Danath_in
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Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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sounds like a plan to me ..
one thing I would like to see is something solemn with organs for the temple interiors and for the halls of the greybeards.
so far I havent a clue what the main theme track should sound like
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10.03.2006 23:06 |
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Danath_in
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Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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someones voice will be used for the reading of the 500 and I do belive I already have a victim err vollenteer for that.
I was thinking along the lines of background for the reading.
anyone have a suggestion on this ??
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10.03.2006 23:11 |
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Galrina
Seigneur
Registration Date: 18.09.2005
Posts: 210
Location: SW IN
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From what I understand, the music in Ob will be handled differently
than in MW. Instead of 3 or 4 main themes, it will be possible to have
different music for any area you wish. I imagine having a main dungeon
theme for the generic, fun, non-quest type dungeons and having
variations for special dungeons (such as underneath a capitol city or a
major quested dungeon). (Ditto for mountains and forests.) Being a fan
of mountains and forests myself 
I can see a few surprises waiting behind trees. Ancient, abandoned
mines, ruins, all will lend themselves to dungeon crawls and quests,
limited only to our imaginations.
I have a feeling that any music you make will be more than acceptable
and will do much to set the tone for those brave enough (or foolhardy
enough) to explore our mountainous home.
Love your work!~
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10.03.2006 23:15 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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what I was thinking on the reading of the 500. a single drum being used
wich in this type of recital wasnt an uncommon practice.
with the tempo being more of a slow solem beat
what ya think
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12.03.2006 04:16 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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| quote: |
Originally posted by Danath_in
what I was thinking on the reading of the 500. a single drum being used
wich in this type of recital wasnt an uncommon practice.
with the tempo being more of a slow solem beat
what ya think |
I think I have an idea of what it could be like, sort of cultish? Since
it?s pretty quick and easy to do, I'll make a few examples and we can
pick what we like best
btw. We might consider merging the voice and drum files into one? If space is an issue I don't know...
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12.03.2006 04:56 |
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KuKulzA
King
Registration Date: 07.09.2005
Posts: 7,061
Location: USA / Taiwan
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wow... I am totally amazed.... these are very good -Sulan-!
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12.03.2006 05:14 |
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minsu
Associate
Registration Date: 14.03.2006
Posts: 2
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Hi all,
Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm -Sulan-'s brother and I will
assist him in the composing and sound design a bit. As -Sulan- has
probably already mentioned we are running a project studio so we have
access to quite a bit of gear.. and we love this kind of stuff!
I haven't actually played any of the other games in the Elder Scrolls
series, but I'm really looking forward to the Oblivion release. I'm a
real-life RPG buff, having spent most of my time as a GM, so I love
fantasy worlds.
Anyway.. that's me. Just thought I'd say hi. Hi! |
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14.03.2006 01:21 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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hey now we have a name instead of my brother LOL
welcome and nice to meet you for the first time and I my self started
in rpgs back in 1975 when DnD first came out and as yourself did ended
up either DMing DnD or GMing Twilight 2000 or Traveler.
I am really excited about the music clips sulan has already posted and cant wait to hear the finished productions hehhehe.
I always have belived in the old saying "Take your time and do it right the first time."
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14.03.2006 01:29 |
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Siegfried
Archduke
Registration Date: 07.03.2006
Posts: 2,598
Location: With Your Mom...
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Hi there minsu! Can you guys do a few pieces with bagpipes? I think it
would be really cool to ride through rolling green hills and have
bagpipes playing, or maybe somewhere in the mainquest the player will
march into battle with an army and they'll have bagpipers and drummers
with them. They say that bagpipes are really inspiring on the
battlefield. |
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14.03.2006 01:33 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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yea they are for the enemy to kill all who are playing it LOL
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14.03.2006 01:36 |
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Siegfried
Archduke
Registration Date: 07.03.2006
Posts: 2,598
Location: With Your Mom...
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You have the option to be evil and sneak into the soldiers camp and sabotage the bagpipes to lower morale.
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14.03.2006 01:40 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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| quote: |
Originally posted by Danath_in
yea they are for the enemy to kill all who are playing it LOL |
hehe... 
I'll see if I can get hold of some bagpipe samples, and try to put
something together. I'd never thought of using bagpipes really, but it
could be cool for battlemusic indeed!!! If I can't get bagpipes
specifically I can do something of that style (wild yet monotome
melodies) with flutes and stuff...
btw I posted this in my initial post, second post in this thread...
I'd like anyone doing sound for the project to read it, all for the goal of reaching good quality
Sound stuff
We'd like to master all the recorded voice and sound for the mod, to achieve a good and even quality.
This means you sending your recorded files to us (-Sulan- or Minsu),
and we put some gate/EQ and stuff and run them through a nice preamp.
It's quite possible to achieve good results with a regular computer
mic, it'll never reach the capabilities/possabilities of a nice
soundcard+ preamp+ mic+ recording-room. But, with some testing and
playing around before recording, and good editing/mastering afterwards
- We can reach good results!
Here are some guidelines, (many of which are obvious) for recording with a regular computer mic. I'll be updating these.
Guidelines for recording voice
Some guidelines for recording voice to achieve a good enough result:
* Make sure where you record is as quiet as possible, !!!especcially
from computer fans!!! Interference and "scratch-like-noise" is pretty
much unavoidable with a regular computer mic, but those can often be
dealt with by gating and EQ'ng etc...
Recommendation: A closet/cupboard (word?) with clothes make a great recording room!!!
*Make sure the input volume/gain is as high as possible but not clipping/disting/peaking.
*This one is obvious: Don't blow into the mic, try on a mic-"sock" or place it on the side of your mouth.
*Generally it's preferable to keep the mic close to your mouth.
*Experiment, it does pay off! Different placements, different surroundings/rooms can make great differences!
Try to get as clean a sound as possible, with as little interference as possible.
*The number one thing to avoid (as mentioned in the first point) is
noise with a constant tone, like a fan. Because that's very hard to
deal with afterwards...
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14.03.2006 02:07 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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Good information -Sulan- I dont know squat about recording ..
so far everything thats been posted is easly downloaded you might want
to make a thread for the soundfiles to be posted to and only soundfiles
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14.03.2006 03:21 |
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LostInGeneral
Guardian
Registration Date: 14.03.2006
Posts: 68
Location: Canada, eh?
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I'm brand new here, and though my intentions are to work in other
areas, I thought it might be feasible to help record some music as well.
I play an electric bass, and generally with some software that came
with my soundcard I can have it record pretty well, but I just had a
question; since that's all I play and all I currently have access to,
is it still sensible to record pieces as samples, or something? Or
maybe record a set and then mix it with the work of others?
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14.03.2006 03:33 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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| quote: |
Originally posted by LostInGeneral
I'm brand new here, and though my intentions are to work in other
areas, I thought it might be feasible to help record some music as well.
I play an electric bass, and generally with some software that came
with my soundcard I can have it record pretty well, but I just had a
question; since that's all I play and all I currently have access to,
is it still sensible to record pieces as samples, or something? Or
maybe record a set and then mix it with the work of others? |
The only music I've started working on now is the "soundtrack" of the
mod so to speak, and what I've planned for that is a
symphonic/orchestrated (as the original music) with some scandinavian
and celtic, medieval and folkmusic influences. (examples are in the
second post of this thread).
I mostly use samples for this, but I'll play some cello and drums every now and then...
Minsu (my brother who hangs around here in the studio with me) is
planning to work on some tavern and town music, which will be more
folkmusic-like. Mostly using samples also I believe, but there'll be a
recorded Violin and flute and possibly - if it doesn't sound too
"modern" - a guitar every now and then...
Nothing really right now that comes into my head :/
But if anything comes into your head feel free to record and post it!!!
ps. If you intend for it to mix with other stuff, make sure to record it with a click.
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14.03.2006 03:52 |
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LostInGeneral
Guardian
Registration Date: 14.03.2006
Posts: 68
Location: Canada, eh?
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I play finger-style, so it doesn't sound hard or scratchy or anything, but more smooth, kind of like a double bass.
Just throwing it out there.
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14.03.2006 03:58 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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| quote: |
Originally posted by LostInGeneral
I play finger-style, so it doesn't sound hard or scratchy or anything, but more smooth, kind of like a double bass.
Just throwing it out there. |
That's good to hear!
I play drums and Cello myself, drumset-type drums is my main instrument
though. I've played with a bunch of bands through the years, and as a
drummer I really have to grow tight with the bass-player for a good
swing, time and feel 
I think finger-style is the only way to play bass, in most surcumstances anyway
Just out of interest, what bass is it? My favourite is the fender Jazz-bass
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14.03.2006 04:13 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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Cool! Yeah for hard rock pick-style playing makes sense, for more attack and cut through the massive mix 
I played a bit in a synth-black-metal band, was fun but I found my endurance lacking hehe..
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14.03.2006 04:44 |
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Galrina
Seigneur
Registration Date: 18.09.2005
Posts: 210
Location: SW IN
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Hi Minsu and Lost
Samples are wonderful for those of us on this end! lol However far be
it from me to try and tell a musician what to play! No no.. I was
married to one for many years.. I know better! LOL
While you can expect helpful criticism the odds are if Skyrim is your
inspiration then it will fit in somewhere I'm sure. Also, you may get
requests for certain types of music from other folks on the team..
although if Danath harms one bagpipe I'll personally see that he pays
for it painfully! 
(Did you want the songs posted here as well? No guarantee on when and
how many of those will appear; inspiration is a harsh and flighty
mistress/master. lol) 
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aka Lacey or Mrs. Danath_in. hehe
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14.03.2006 19:16 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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14.03.2006 20:20 |
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minsu
Associate
Registration Date: 14.03.2006
Posts: 2
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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On bagpipes... Shouldn't be too hard to recreate with samples if we can
find some. If anyone stumbles across some, give us a shout. Even better
if you find a real one and send it to us.
Now I'm not too familiar with bagpipe-type music if you know what I
mean... Anyone have any reference songs that one could inspire oneself
with? And while we're on that, if any of you guys stumble across
something that makes you go "oh, that would fit nicely in Skyrim", go
ahead and post it here and we can all let ourselves be inspired by that
too.
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14.03.2006 22:06 |
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noremorse
Honorary Member
Registration Date: 05.01.2004
Posts: 1,555
Location: Oklahoma, USA
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14.03.2006 23:09 |
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Quentin Fortune
The Fourth Horseman
Registration Date: 12.11.2002
Posts: 3,547
Location: Silgrad Tower, Upper Chambers 2
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| quote: |
Originally posted by -Sulan-
Yeah it?d be nice if you posted lyrics and songs here!!
It?d really be nice to have Quentin sing some songs at taverns and stuff if he likes
I think, it?d be especially cool to make an NPC gleeman that is Quentin who sings and playes the "box-with-strings-on-it"
[...] |
Too much honour, if you ask me, and - sorry to spoil the party - I
intend to give the famous rogue Quentin Fortune his home in Upper
Chambers 2 where he indulges the salvages of his adventures and
occasionally meddles with Silgrad Tower's political affairs. 
But thank you for the kind words and as long as Galrina provides me
with her wonderful lyrics, I'll be turning them into songs ... as long
as Mrs. Muse continues to kiss me.
Greetings
Quentin
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That's
what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck
and sails, that's what a ship needs, but what a ship is - what the
Black Pearl really is - is freedom.
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14.03.2006 23:14 |
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Quentin Fortune
The Fourth Horseman
Registration Date: 12.11.2002
Posts: 3,547
Location: Silgrad Tower, Upper Chambers 2
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Hah! Good news come in bundles ... alright so do bad news, but who cares? I don't.
Alright. First, I got my microphone working again, the better one that
is so I don't have to rely on the headset and you'll be able to hear a
better version of King Borgas soon.
Second, I have finally been able to read the whole thread and the
Danath's post about the Feast of the Dead and the mention of a
| quote: |
| slow methodical drum only beat |
made me wonder, if my Bodhran skills were still available. Kind of - so I quickly recorded two samples. 
And third, I had a longer chat with my ex, Silgrad Tower's one and only
Reena McGuire, and all of a sudden I had an inspiration and asked her,
if she had any recordings of her playing the harp and she replied "Yes,
but only older ones and ... why?"
So I asked her, if she would like to contribute the one or other song
for Skyrim and even though it was on the phone I could see her eyes
glisten (knowing each other for more than 17 years you know the facial
expression just by the sound of the voice) when she answered: "As long
as you do the recording - Yes!"
It will take some time since we'll have to adjust our tight schedules, but music you will get.
Greetings
Quentin
P.S.: nearly forgot the Bodhran samples. #1 is the rather solemn ... attempt while #2 was for me to see what I still have in me.
__________________
That's
what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck
and sails, that's what a ship needs, but what a ship is - what the
Black Pearl really is - is freedom.
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15.03.2006 22:52 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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The first one captures the solemness of the reading very very well like what I am envisoning.
the second one works well as a lead in then slowing and and gradual hollowing of the drums.
Nicely done
umm Galrina is searching her music now and listinging to a pub with no beer lol.
Galrina will have something to say most definatly on your conversation
with Reena McGuire most definatly. belive me we all understand all
about tight scheduals.
Danath
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15.03.2006 23:44 |
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Galrina
Seigneur
Registration Date: 18.09.2005
Posts: 210
Location: SW IN
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Wow.. what can I say? lol Thank you a million times Quentin! I can't wait to hear Rena's harp!
__________________
aka Lacey or Mrs. Danath_in. hehe
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16.03.2006 00:02 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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16.03.2006 09:56 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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The way I invisioned this was the music can be heard a lot farther off
then the reading so I was thinking of 2 files the music used as more of
an ambience and the reading more localized.
now wether to match the length or just play the same clip over I have no idea wich would be the best way to go about it.
very well done sulan
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16.03.2006 17:17 |
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Quentin Fortune
The Fourth Horseman
Registration Date: 12.11.2002
Posts: 3,547
Location: Silgrad Tower, Upper Chambers 2
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That sounds awesome, -Sulan- 
The funny thing is, it is a sound that - with slight modifications at
the reverb - could be used for the Argonian jungles as well as for the
Elsweyr deserts ... really great.
And about the drums for the reading ... I think it might be better to
have the drum files ready and give it to the reader so s/he can get
used to the rhythm. Ritual chants (and I add this under this category)
are often determined by the rhythm of the accompanying
drums/instruments.
My few drakes ...
Greetings
Quentin
__________________
That's
what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck
and sails, that's what a ship needs, but what a ship is - what the
Black Pearl really is - is freedom.
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16.03.2006 18:45 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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| quote: |
| And
about the drums for the reading ... I think it might be better to have
the drum files ready and give it to the reader so s/he can get used to
the rhythm. Ritual chants (and I add this under this category) are
often determined by the rhythm of the accompanying drums/instruments |
your absolutly correct in this.
I over looked this aspect thanks for the reminder.
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16.03.2006 18:53 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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16.03.2006 19:33 |
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Danath_in
Seigneur
Registration Date: 14.09.2005
Posts: 244
Location: Sw Indiana
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I will have to get with my voice person and see how long it takes to do
the reading. I think the music should be around 4 minets.
I am seeing an outside environment for this .. I hope I didn't misunderstand what you are getting at if I did please correct me
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16.03.2006 19:38 |
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-Sulan-
Chieftain of Skyrim
Registration Date: 06.03.2006
Posts: 443
Location: Sweden
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| quote: |
Originally posted by Danath_in
I will have to get with my voice person and see how long it takes to do
the reading. I think the music should be around 4 minets.
I am seeing an outside environment for this .. I hope I didn't misunderstand what you are getting at if I did please correct me |
Ok, no misunderstanding I think. The amount of reverb and delay (echo)
can be adjusted afterwards also so thats no problem, I think it should
be pretty much though as you mentioned it's to be heard from a long
distance, but it depends abit on how the game handles sounds from a
distance I guess.
If you like the beat:
*I can make a 4 minute one.
*Or I can make a loop, and give a long enough one to last the whole
reading (10 minutes?) Then when the reading is done I'll edit the beat
to be the same length as the reading.
What do you think is best?
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16.03.2006 19:54 |
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