QFG2 Musical Musicness

Message

cew-smoke · #1 Post by **cew-smoke** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:14 pm

I'm almost definitely sort of sure that I remember there was a thread discussing the music of the QFG2 music that had been done. I did a search and apparently my searching ability kind of sucks. So, I apologize for the repetition. Is all of the music completely done? Wasn't there a link to hear a sample of the music that was done? Is that sample still around somewhere? I guess I'm just looking for a little tidbit to wet my proverbial Quest for Glory whistle. BTW, no adult references should be read into that last statement.

Thanks in advance for helping to point out the obvious to the mechanically declined.

Music Head · #2 Post by **Music Head** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:13 am

There is a music sample in the 01-23-04 designer journal update.

http://www.agdinteractive.com/news-2004.php

Ibanezrg82 · #3 Post by **Ibanezrg82** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:30 am

Want to hear some QFG, Trial music?

Play the original through your stereo.

adeyke · #4 Post by **adeyke** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:44 am

If you have a MT-32 (real or emulated), then the original QfG2 will already sound good. If you don't, though, and have just been using the AdLib option, QfG2VGA will be an enormous improvement.

MacGyver · #5 Post by **MacGyver** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:44 am

Yup music from the 90s games are already very well rendered

gamecreator · #6 Post by **gamecreator** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:53 pm

I was link-jumping starting with Music Head's link and landed at http://www.agdinteractive.com/QFG2.php. It has this stats image:

Now, I was wondering if you guys could post an updated stats page as the game stands, as well as let me know when those original stats were first posted.

Thanks!

cew-smoke · #7 Post by **cew-smoke** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:03 am

Ummm, yes Ibanezrg82 I am well aware of how good the original music was. I had an MT-32 back when Sierra first announced their support for it. So I got to hear the original 'vision' of what Sierra was trying to do back then. I have played the entire series through at least a half dozen times or more. However, if you had been following the information on this game you would be aware that there has been some original music done for the game and that is what I was looking for.

#8 Post by **Erpy** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:31 am

Not sure when that last one was posted, but the current stats are:

Total sprites: 11710/30000
Sprite folders: 155/500
Total views: 358/600
Total GUI's: 50/50
GUI buttons: 224
GUI labels: 155
GUI sliders: 9
GUI textboxes: 13
GUI listboxes: 6
Inventory items: 98/300
Characters: 108/300
Dialog topics: 347/500
Dialog messages: 900/3000

Ibanezrg82 · #9 Post by **Ibanezrg82** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:06 am

no harm meant, cew-smoke.

I too would like to hear some of this new QFG2 music.

MT-32? Can you compare that to Adlib? Roland, right?
Damn. I always wanted to hear one of the oldies with a non common card.
Compare, please. Was Roland better than Adlib, back in the day?
I never heard a true Roland so I can't compare.
I am waiting for the release though, think I'll take it all at once.
Snippits kill a good music experience.

adeyke · #10 Post by **adeyke** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:37 am

Soundtracks designed for Roland MT-32 sound much better than AdLib. Someone with more technical knowledge on the subject can explain it better, but the main thing is that the MT-32 supports custom samples for the instruments, whereas AdLib is just a synthesizer. So AdLib soundtracks sound very tinny and synthetic compared to MT-32 sountracks. The difference is like night and day.

Just listen to some of the music on Quest Studios that was recorded from the MT-32 and compare it to how your game sounds.

Kloreep · #11 Post by **Kloreep** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:47 pm

Erpy wrote:Total GUI's: 50/50

I don't know anything about AGS, but it looks like you're at the max with this particular data point. Did it mean any problems making the game?

#12 Post by **Erpy** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:37 am

Naw. Those last two GUI's are for debugging purposes only and the game could do without them.

Alistair · #13 Post by **Alistair** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:02 am

Very briefly on the MT-32- aside from the MT-32 being a better synth than Adlib music cards (much more notes able to be used at once, hence better sounding instruments, not beeps and boops or clanks, and the MT had nice LA synthesis as well), it was also what Sierra's games (up to 1992/3) were composed for, QFG2 in 1990 being an example of that.

The MT-32 soundtracks were 'dumbed down' for Adlib, by certain musical tracks being deleted or simplified, less notes being able to play at once being an example of that simplification.

So, there are many reasons why the MT-32 soundtracks will sound better than Adlib, similar reasoning applying to General MIDI soundtracks vs. Adlib.

- Alistair

MusicallyInspired · #14 Post by **MusicallyInspired** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:10 pm

One example. For the KQ1 EGA remake Sierra made 2 versions of the title music fanfare. The Adlib version pauses for a bit and goes right into the trumpeting fanfare. The MT-32 version throws a reverse cymbal and harp instrument going quickly up a scale (man...I don't know what that's called. I can make music but I sadly lack the correct terminology). And that's just one example. Anyone who's serious about Sierra gaming should get themselves an MT-32. They're pretty cheap on eBay I hear nowadays. I got mine for $120 CAD but that was a 4 or 5 years ago now. I've heard they've gone down lower than that.

In short, get one.

MagusRogue · #15 Post by **MagusRogue** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:03 am

anyone know how to simulate mt-32 sound through dosbox? *curious*

adeyke · #16 Post by **adeyke** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:21 am

With Munt, you can set up MT-32 emulation as your Windows MIDI output, so you can use that for the output from DOSBox.

Alistair · #17 Post by **Alistair** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:18 am

And it should be briefly noted that the emulation isn't very good, but is getting there. (So if anyone thinks that Munt will be a perfect software version of the MT-32, and is ptuting off buying one- still buy one

We're talking 30-50 US bucks.)

- Alistair

Ibanezrg82 · #18 Post by **Ibanezrg82** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:22 am

We are getting into MT-32 now. I have a question for MInspired, because MI knows his music.

Sorry, MI, first a statement.

"Don't be surprised if you hear MI around in the future."

Maybe I will ask you something later.

Alistair · #19 Post by **Alistair** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:21 am

You can always ask the guy who runs Sierra Music Central. I hear he visits this forum. :rollin

- Alistair

Ibanezrg82 · #20 Post by **Ibanezrg82** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:38 am

The only "guy" I tie directly muscial to Sierra is MS.

KQ4, QFG1, where is Mark Seibert?

Alistair · #21 Post by **Alistair** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:13 pm

Mark Seibert didn't compose for KQ4.

Also, MusicallyInspired and myself joint-founded my website. You're more than welcome to ask me any question about Sierra music- I'm one of the most knowledegable people out there on the subject.

- Alistair

Ibanezrg82 · #22 Post by **Ibanezrg82** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:42 am

Heard your site. Very good.

What was the sound dude in KQ4?

Thanks for the correction.

Alistair · #23 Post by **Alistair** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:23 am

William Goldstein, famous orchestral composer. Amazing, some of the guys who composed for Sierra (Safan, Hammer, etc.).

- Alistair

Ibanezrg82 · #24 Post by **Ibanezrg82** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:33 am

Goldstein, yeah. Rings a bell now.

Damn, I haven't played that one in a while. A very long while.

Out of context,
The people in this "general" community are akin to some kind of illegal outfit. No matter where I go they stay secretive and aloof.
It's pretty cool. Renegade gamers. Of course some hold feuds and such, better for the outfit.

johnb4467 · #25 Post by **johnb4467** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:41 pm

Alistair wrote:William Goldstein, famous orchestral composer. Amazing, some of the guys who composed for Sierra (Safan, Hammer, etc.).

- Alistair

WOW...I had NO idea Goldstein did some game composing! That is amazing, as he is really one of the legends of movie scores. Definitely the composer of some of my favorite orchestral soundtracks...and he's pretty innovative in a lot of movies in how he puts together sounds.
I must hear that music now!
Sadly, I never played through any KQ's earlier than 5, aside from the AGDI remakes of 1 & 2.