New Music

[Bollen]

I liked that song, however I feel it may be "too good". I like music who gives a little resistance when I listen, but most people don't like complex music.

I know, I like complex music too! But this is trying to cater for the majority i.e. is not offensive or annoying to anyone. It's impossible to write something that everyone would like....

At my point of view, the main menu music have to be straight to the point, quite repetitive and I would like if it was a little bit funky. It must have that catchy little tune that get stuck in peoples brains.

Well that's why this piece was inspired in the one already there. Trust me, after you've heard it a few times it will get stuck in your head. I've had it stuck all day and I also heard my flatmate humming it this morning. It was very tempting to go a bit funkier at the end but I had to keep reminding myself that this was for the menu....

I hope you don't get mad because of my complaining :P

Oh god no! Of course not....

[Auria]

First of all, don't worry about delays*

I think this is really in the right direction
I would like other people to comment.Only two small things :
1) I would shorten the 16-second "intro" at the start so that the little melody that starts around 0:16 comes a little sooner
2) Some horns play at the end. People will generally not stay on menus longer than about 30 seconds, so I would suggest adding a little bit of horns closer to the beginning too?

so really small nit-picking. Overall I think there is some great potential there


* I said don't worry about delays. Well it's true we won't be mad at you for taking the time you need. Just to make sure you know, the 0.8 release is expected in a month or two. So you have many songs waiting to be mixed. I think it would be a shame if they weren't ready before the 0.8 release, if you see what I mean

[Bollen]

Hello Auria, this is the last one I'm making so don't worry. It'll only take me about five days to mix them all. Specially this last one that came out nearly perfect.

1.- Intro: yes I had thought of something similar. After all, the way it is at the moment doesn't really connect the loop very well. I think what I did with the previous track would also work on this one i.e. chop the intro and move it to the end.

2.- Horns come in at 0:40, any sooner wouldn't really work. However if I chop the intro then they would sound at 0:32 approx.

I tested various scenarios before writing it, I would also like other people's opinions here.

1.- yes, most people won't stay very long in the menu. 15 seconds minimum to start the race. This is why I made the intro 15, which is a bit neutral and less likely to get annoying.

2.- Taking a bit longer to chose a kart/track (browsing): up to 30-40 seconds. You get to hear the main melody.

3.- Installing an add-on (plus a race): 40 secs to a minute. you get to hear the third section

4.- Newcomers or people interested in checking credits, add-on possibilities, settings, etc. They might stay a while, longer than 1:40: they get rewarded with a bit more variation and get to hear all four parts of the tune.

So, if everybody agrees with these observations, I'll just chop the intro and resubmit for your approval.

[Bollen]

Well, since I haven't heard from anyone I'll just go ahead and finish it tomorrow... Unless I hear other suggestions by then...

[Bollen]

OK, so here it goes with the edits. The sooner you approve it, the sooner I'll start mixing.

[Hero]

I preferred the old version. But it's up to the STK team.

[charlie]

Sounds kinda melancholic to me. I mean this in the nicest possible way; this track sounds more suitable coming in a low/last position (has that "maybe I should try again but I'm feeling down" feel to it).

The menu music should be upbeat and catchy. This is downbeat and has no overriding notational theme.

[Bollen]

I preferred the old version. But it's up to the STK team.

It's exactly like the last one, only the intro was moved to the back...

Sounds kinda melancholic to me. I mean this in the nicest possible way; this track sounds more suitable coming in a low/last position...

You should have said something before we got into final edits....

[charlie]

I mean... I don't think it needs editing. I think it is a really good track for when you lose.

For the menu? It sounds totally wrong (to me). I didn't listen to it before final edits.

[Bollen]

Well, the previous tune "STK Main Theme", was rejected for being too upbeat and happy.

it sounds very much like a victory/celebration song. When you've just opened the game, you haven't beaten the game yet, so I don't think the menu song should be that joyous

The request was:

the menu song could be slightly quieter than what we have at this time

And I'm sorry, I'm not getting melancholic from it... Perhaps that's the way you're feeling it because of this horrible weather we are having

[Hero]

Rain, Rain, Rain... especially on Halloween.

I'm happy though (STK 0.8 ALPHA 1 HAS BEEN RELEASED).

It is the teams decision in the end.

Just one thing. Under the liscense I know I may but it's always polite to ask:

may I use the old theme for a game of mine?

Maybe you could use the old theme as a win theme.

[Bollen]

Do you mean STK Main Theme? I think they're using it... What's your game? I might write something especially for you. I want to get some more credits in other styles of games so....

[Hero]

Please head over to http://forum.freegamedev.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3692 to see some stuff on the game.

Sorry I've fixed it. Try the new link.

[Bollen]

I get:

Information

The requested topic does not exist.

[Hero]

Sorry. I've fixed it:
http://forum.freegamedev.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3692

[Hero]

That kind of music always makes me feel sad and like giving up. It's really good music but for a main theme... I don't know. But most people feel differently so I'm in the minority.

[Auria]

Hi Bollen,

we've been pondering this song quite a bit to answer. First I personally don't find it especially melancholic There is still something not yet 100% right however, maybe this little "western" feeling to it? I still think that parts with horns are better suited than guitar-only parts (say from around 1:00 onwards). That part sounds less "western" and definitely not melancholic IMO. So I wonder if it can be cut to start around 1:00, maybe with a little intro, and the current first minute can be moved after?

[Bollen]

Whenever we encounter a piece that requires a lot of rework and has a lot of different opinions/objections it's usually better just to write a new one...

And no, I don't think those fixes will work. Music does not work that way... There's a logical development line, motifs and structural issues. I want to write something that the average player will like or not care, but at the same time something that can be appreciated by the connoisseur. After all, I'm doing this for credits... I need to be able to show it..

[0zone0ne]

The title screen music needs to prepare you for the game, in this case it should get you pumped and ready to race. I don't get this feeling. I don't think that it sounds bouncy enough. It just doesn't sound happy.
Of course I mean this in the nicest possible way.

[Bollen]

OK, I'm totally uninspired for this.... It's just a menu so all I'm getting is calm, not pumped. So I'll need the developers to give me some pointers. Any examples of what you want? Anything on the STK Music folder that I can use as a reference?

[ctdabomb]

well I am not a dev, but the style of music I think should be like the current one.... but that's just my opinion..... and I am not a fan of most of the new music(I thought most of the current stuff was fine)..... so take this however you want stupid comment removed.

[charlie]

I guess for inspiration, perhaps see what the professionals do...


youtu.be/AlAmXXNz5ac

[Hero]

I guess for inspiration, perhaps see what the professionals do...

That for STK music? Ick! We want GOOD music. That stuff gets in my head more than the current STK main menu theme does.

[Bollen]

... and I am not a fan of most of the new music(I thought most of the current stuff was fine)..... so take this however you want

Gee thanks! That makes me feel really appreciated....

I guess for inspiration, perhaps see what the professionals do...

There's no need to be patronising Charlie. I am a professional and I have been for 20 years. It usually takes me one take, two maximum, to satisfy a client. But here I get a lot of different opinions and not enough specifics. If STK wanted electronic music like the one you posted I could easily write it, but that is not what STK wants or is about. I was told the menu could NOT be celebratory and it had to be QUIETER than the current one.

[Hero]

Gee thanks! That makes me feel really appreciated....

We DO appreciate you! In fact (though this is not necessarily the opinion of the STK team) that you are the best composer STK has had (no offence to anyone I hope).