[♫]Arcanum's Music Library

[Arcanum]

♫ Arcanum's Music Library ♫
Last update: 2/28/08

To quote Shizu, "hello and welcome to my music library."  :smile:

I've been writing music for a game I've been working on lately, but on a whim I decided I should share a few of the pieces I wrote with the community. You can use these, as long as you credit me. My name's in the ID3 tags on the Mp3s as the artist, if you want to use that, otherwise, just say "Arcanum" in your credits.

If you want to commission me to do a few compositions, feel free to PM me. I tend to only do paid work, but if I like what you're using the music for I can make an exception. As a composer, I like specifics though, so try to not be vague if you do want to commission me.

Anyway, I personally prefer to use OGGs in game because they loop smoother, but some prefer Mp3s, so I put both file types up.
I will probably add more to this post as time goes on.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A boss theme.
Fatal Struggle:
[Length: 1:51]
Fatal Struggle OGG
Fatal Struggle Mp3

A theme for sneaking around somewhere. This actually wasn't for anything in particular, I just sort of wrote it on a whim.
Sneaky:
[Length: 1:41]
Sneaky OGG
Sneaky Mp3

A theme for a forest-y location in my game.
Largecia Forest:
[Length: 1:35]
Largecia Forest OGG
Largecia Forest Mp3

A battle theme. I used a hi hat in this one... and I'm not really sure why.
Taste of Steel:
[Length: 1:33]
Taste of Steel OGG
Taste of Steel Mp3

A piece I wrote a while ago to depict an airship journey through a violent storm to an undiscovered floating continent. This one is a revamped version of that song. This one doesn't loop smoothly, unlike all of the others here, just because it doesn't really work that way as a song.
Discovering the Floating Continent:
[Length: 3:07]
Discovering the Floating Continent OGG
Discovering the Floating Continent Mp3


Update on 2/28/08:
I wrote this one for a music contest over at Sakari-Infinity, but since there weren't enough people who entered :sad:, it didn't end up happening. This one's supposed to be used as something of a "Final Dungeon" theme, but I could imagine it could have some other uses as well.
Dark Fortress:
[Length: 2:30]
Dark Fortress OGG
Dark Fortress Mp3


Tell me what you think. And I don't really want to hear the "orchestral music doesn't fit with 2D graphics" argument...  :smile:

 

[pathbinder]

They're all good, but Sneaky could use a little more "suspense" in it.

 

[HarryE]

These are brilliant! I can think of places where I can use two of those peices (maybe even all 3!). The peices are really, truly creative. Well done!

 

[Jstreet]

These are excellent Arc. Largecia Forest's shaker could use a bit more reverb and be turn down a notch it stands out a bit since you have it panned more to one side at its current volume.

Might I ask what software you use?

 

[Arcanum]

Thanks Bruno. It's always cool to hear my stuff is being used. Which two were you thinking of using?

And Jstreet, I use Reason 3.0 with a package of (expensive) refills called the Miroslav Refill Gold Bundle. I guess I'll lower the shaker's volume in the mix then, if it's too prominent... and more reverb does sound like a good idea. I'll probably do that once I get home, since I'm at school at the moment. Thanks though.

And that reminds me... I haven't heard anything new from you in a while... have you been composing much lately? I heard Temple of the Scrolls and Loyalty to the State, but I haven't heard much else from you at all.

And pathbinder, do you think some light percussion like shakers and other things making sort of ominous sounds would do the trick?

 

[Shizu]

RMXP is coming into an era of plentiful and wonderful musicians. There are some music that don't go with 2D graphics/RMXP environment, but I can assure you, that music, especially orchestral will fit. It all hangs on how it is composed, and Arcanum's music doubtfully fails to meet these requirements. There's something about your ominous type that I can never seem to get bored of. Fatal Struggle is certainly something to remember.

 

[pathbinder]

pathbinder, do you think some light percussion like shakers and other things making sort of ominous sounds would do the trick?

Shakers...ominous sounds...hmm, yup, that might just work. Give it a shot.  :thumb:

 

[Jstreet]

I have to get the hang of Reason... Are VSTi like EWQLSOG compatible with the software?

As for me, I've been at a bit of a block lately. Hopefully, I'll be able to put something new out this weekend.

 

[Shizu]

I have to get the hang of Reason... Are VSTi like EWQLSOG compatible with the software?

I'd say VSL OPUS 1 Refill, but EWQLSOG, from what i've heard and compared sounds much more  crisp and bright, even though they're about the same price.

 

[Erichermit]

I've got to say, these are much more awesome than I expected (Not that I didn't expect good things, Im using your "Arabian Crisis" in my game , but this is just much better than I expected.)

The boss battle song gives a nice tone of intensity and a "Arduous long drawn out battle in a good way" kind of feel, for lack of a better word.

 

[Arcanum]

Oh my god, Arabian Crisis? Hahahahaha, that piece is ancient by my standards... I've gotten loads better since I wrote that. No wonder... Anyway, thanks a lot. What are you using it for though?

Anyway, I haven't done much work on the Sneaky theme yet, or done much to Largecia Forest, but I am working on a battle theme right now which I will post when it's finished.

 

[Erichermit]

Haha, Yeah I'm using Arabian Crisis for battles with Sandworms (they're minibosses) in a optional desert area.

Looking forward to that battle theme, they tend to be my favorite kinds of songs. I think I'll use your boss battle music you've already got here somewhere in my game too =)

Keep up the good work!

 

[Eldnar]

Hey Arcanum Great Musics! When you will make more?
I Will use all of 3 musics you have been posted
really thanks
and
I will give you credits on my game!

 

[Arcanum]

I just added two new songs to the first post... I had already finished the battle theme I was mentioning a while back, but I just exported it as an Mp3 today. I also revamped one of my older songs. Some people might remember it, but I can't remember if I posted it here or not, so who knows?

 

[NeoSamurai]

And I don't really want to hear the "orchestral music doesn't fit with 2D graphics" argument...

There are people that believe that?  :shock:

Has anyone played games like Alundra or Lunar? I'd say they roughly have the same kind of music and they were 2D. And their songs definitely worked in conjunction with the games.  :wink:

Anyway, great job, man.  :smile:

 

[Reives]

Very nice songs. :> I've heard some of your stuff on YC too, excellent quality. They all sound quite original as well. I am also drooling at the range of instruments/percussions available there - do most of them come with the standard Reason 3.0 package by the way? Or included in that extra package?

 

[Arcanum]

@NeoSamurai:

I like MIDIs for RMXP because I feel that a lot of the time, high-quality mp3s of awesome live orchestral music and stuff are as incongruous with RMXP's sprite graphics as a HK charset is with an RTP tileset.

I totally agree there, 100%.

No offense to Venetia or TheAmateurAnimator... but yes, there are definitely people who think that. Though I guess it's more style of composition that they're talking about rather than quality.

Anyway, thanks NeoSamurai. I guess I'll have to check out Alundra's soundtrack now... you've got me curious.

@Reives:
Most of the sounds there are from an extra package I use called the Miroslav Refill Gold Bundle, but a few of the percussions (like shakers, cymbal and timpani crescendos, and some other assorted things) are from the default Reason sounds. And yeah, it made my mouth water too when I heard the samples that the company that makes the library provided. And I had a graduation present of around 300 dollars to spend on it, so I ordered it after only a little consideration.

Though, Reason has a decent amount of sounds on its own. I think Matt's compositions use almost exclusively Reason 3.0 default sounds, and I used to compose solely with them as well. Here's something I did a while back with just Reason's default sounds:
An old boss theme I did.

Oh and Reives, I can't wait to hear what you and James QZ are cooking up music wise for the newest Quintessence. Your stuff is always cool to listen to. It's not super complex, but it's well composed, and it creates a nice atmosphere.

(But I say you should do some stuff in other keys besides A minor. I noticed a large percentage of Quintessence's music is in that key, and it made me think, hmmm... I want to hear F# minor or G minor sometimes too, or just some other key besides A minor)

 

[Reives]

Ah I see. It still has a crisp sound even without it, which is great. Maybe I'll look into it sometimes when I get the chance. :> I've always thought EWQL was the ultimate thing to go for, but now I'm not as certain.

I'm not really that much of a composer myself, heheh - I just settle for the cliche progressions to get the atmosphere going. I'm already learning from your works here. :p James sent me a piece of his new style recently though, I listened to it and I had no idea what was going on in it. ._o It's like jazz-classical mixed (not using in-game though I think). And yep with the keys - back then I just thought I can change the pitch in the editor to whichever needed, heheh.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the info!  :smile:

 

[zenrdy]

Wow, This music sounds almost like final fantasy. Keep up the good work

 

[NeoSamurai]

I guess I'll have to check out Alundra's soundtrack now... you've got me curious.

I recommend (if you can even find one that isn't in MIDI format) to look for the Lake Shrine theme. It's probably my favorite out of all of them and it makes good use of many instruments.