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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 17, 2003, 06:56:18 pm

Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 17, 2003, 06:56:18 pm
Having just spent a considerable amount of time extracting all the music from C&C and RA, converting it to wav (which involved having about 30 DOS windows open at once), converting those wavs to mp3, and then forming a playlist of it, it's got me thinking, which game could be said to have the best soundtrack?

My vote would have to go to Red Alert, or Operation Flashpoint. What do you say?
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Turnsky on October 17, 2003, 07:01:22 pm
Hmm... i'd say either Halo or MGS2... IMO
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: phreak on October 17, 2003, 07:04:17 pm
doom level 1 sounds alot like master of puppets.  that said, i've always liked doom music
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Killfrenzy on October 17, 2003, 07:13:39 pm
Little Big Adventure.

Smacks everything else hands down. I can't think of any other game whose soundtrack I actually extracted.

That said, the music from Tyrian and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is superb!
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Taristin on October 17, 2003, 07:21:52 pm
Sonic 2 - Sky Fortress! :p

I like HALO, the FS/FS2 Cinema musics, and I can't think of any more ATM, but some games have awesome soundtracks.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Descenterace on October 17, 2003, 07:23:32 pm
Some of the tracks on the Descent 2 and Vertigo CDs were pretty good.  Can't give track numbers (not meaningful ones, anyway) coz I copied all the D2 and D2:V tracks onto a single CD...
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Thor on October 17, 2003, 08:12:45 pm
aside from those metioned, Homeworld, tony Hawks and halflife had good music
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Galemp on October 17, 2003, 09:10:32 pm
American McGee's Alice, without question. It was composed by Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails and it's freaking awesome.

You can actually get it at the iTunes music store. You'd be better off buying the game for $10 in a bargain bin then extracting it though. 'Tis a damn fine game. :D
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Deepblue on October 17, 2003, 10:41:42 pm
:eek: I can't believe you forgot TA!!!
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Liberator on October 17, 2003, 11:41:54 pm
Planescape: Torment

Best Computer RPG
Best Music, Jeremy Soule IIRC
Good Story
Best use of the Infinity Engine

*scuttles off to install PS:T, and have a go*
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Blue Lion on October 17, 2003, 11:52:46 pm
I tend not to hear soundtracks really, usually I turn them off.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Galemp on October 17, 2003, 11:57:48 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Blue Lion
I tend not to hear soundtracks really, usually I turn them off.


That's horrible!
The only game I turned the soundtrack off for was the original Aliens vs. Predator. There was enough ambient sound, and it made it a hell of a lot scarier.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Devils_Hitman on October 17, 2003, 11:59:24 pm
Quote
Originally posted by PhReAk
doom level 1 sounds alot like master of puppets.  that said, i've always liked doom music


YESSSS!!....exactly.


I reckon baldurs gate 2 music is the best, oh and freespace 2 of cource.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Knight Templar on October 18, 2003, 01:00:30 am
Zelda(s), Mafia, Warcraft, CnC, Halo, Perfect Dark

Hey Pete, think you can share the CnC wealth? ;7
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Drew on October 18, 2003, 02:53:53 am
Chrono Trigger.
Chrono Cross.

even tho i lisnt to hard stuff those soundracks still blow me away.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Nico on October 18, 2003, 03:40:41 am
Quote
Originally posted by Galemp

The only game I turned the soundtrack off for was the original Aliens vs. Predator. There was enough ambient sound, and it made it a hell of a lot scarier.


that's why I keep it on :D ( besides the musics are great ).
Otherwise, too many games with colol soundtracks, like mechwarrior2, diablo2, etc etc.
Have no favourite, then.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Kamikaze on October 18, 2003, 03:44:58 am
In no particular order...

FF6
Chrono Cross
Unlimited Saga
Sacrifice
System Shock 2
Freespace 2 :D

off the top of my head
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Ulundel on October 18, 2003, 04:27:10 am
Mmm...either Homeworld 2 or Morrowind but since they're both so different I can't prefer one to another.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 04:32:00 am
You know, I have extracted the music from many a game. If you want any, give me a shout.
HomeWorld
HW:C
OpFlashpoint
Red Alert
C&C
TA
UT
Deus Ex

I'm currently working on getting the Republic soundtrack, but it's not easy.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Gortef on October 18, 2003, 04:41:28 am
Final Fantasies
FS/FS2
Halo
MGS
Max Payne
CC/CT
Lunar

there's some...
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Setekh on October 18, 2003, 05:00:59 am
FS just for Playing Judas, and FS2 for Leviticus. ;)
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Ulundel on October 18, 2003, 05:26:26 am
Quote
Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
HomeWorld


Tell me how you did that. I can't seem to find anything that can extract that wxd file.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 05:29:11 am
If you look around on the HW fansites, you should find HomeSong.exe. You can then use this to extract that file. It extracts them in Relic's own aif format, so you'll need a winamp plugin for it. Winamp can then convert them to wav if you wish.

I had Homesong.exe on swooh until this morning. :rolleyes:
If you can't find it anywhere else, I'll put it back up.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Ulundel on October 18, 2003, 05:58:23 am
The winamp plugin doesen't want to work for some reason
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 06:02:35 am
What version of Winamp are you using? I found that since I got the new version of Winamp 2 it hasn't worked.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Ulundel on October 18, 2003, 06:09:25 am
Actually I'm not using winamp at all cause it slows my system down. Just downloaded the newest version (3 I think) for converting those files.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 06:43:01 am
I believe that the plugin only works with older versions of Winamp 2
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: vyper on October 18, 2003, 08:01:26 am
Half Life - its dated now but it had the best original application of soundtrack in shooters IMHO.

And on the subject of Winamp, I'm liking teh Beta of 5.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Ulundel on October 18, 2003, 08:11:49 am
Quote
Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
I believe that the plugin only works with older versions of Winamp 2


Bugger
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: kasperl on October 18, 2003, 08:34:39 am
they're still available AFAIK
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Flipside on October 18, 2003, 08:57:11 am
You can get smoe of the Homeworld music as MP3's but I can't remember where :(

As for Doom/Doom2, I think the music was ALL Midi versions of Rock Songs, 'Them Bones' by Alice in Chains, 'Mouth for War' by Pantera, 'Hallowed be thy name' by Iron Maiden to name 3 :D

Flipside :D
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Razor on October 18, 2003, 09:10:35 am
I played Freelancer this week. Outstanding game. Even with all those mega details, it doesn't lag a bit on highest performance and on 1024*768/32bit. Microsoft and Anvil have outdone themeselves. Music  in the mission where the Donau was destroyed was awesome. I liked all the soundtracks. Everyone of them.
I recently watched an Episode of X men evolution called "No good deed" and I really liked the song in one part. I contacted the music author and he even sent me the ORIGINAL soundtrack from that special part. :eek: Really good show. :D Too bad they won't be making season 5. :(

Quote
That said, the music from Tyrian

:yes: ;7 Did you hear the music from the exansion pack?
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Nuclear1 on October 18, 2003, 09:32:39 am
I already know how to do Homeworld. I just wanna know how he did RA.

That said:

Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 10:23:14 am
How I did RA?
You need a little program called RAMIX, then use that to open the Scores.mix file. From there you can extract the aud files, there's an app with it to convert them to wav.

I used to same method for C&C. RAMIX can also be used to extract the cutscenes, interface, sound effects and whatnot. I can't remember where I got it from, so if you want it, MSN me.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: diamondgeezer on October 18, 2003, 10:37:45 am
Best music = anything done by Koji Kondo and his boys. BTW, have a look ta the VGM Archive (http://www.vgmusic.com/) :nod:
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: karajorma on October 18, 2003, 11:05:21 am
I'd say that GTA : Vice City had a great soundtrack but it's not at all original since they just licenced a bunch of 80's tunes :)

FS1 & 2 automatically get on the list of course but if we are talking about the greatest soundtrack ever that award has to go to Turrican 2 on the Amiga. I can listen to the soudtrack to that game for hours without getting bored.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Gloriano on October 18, 2003, 11:20:51 am
Starwars:knights of the old republic
Jeremy Soule&John Williams

whole final fantasy series


GTA3>A vice city
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: elorran on October 18, 2003, 11:59:46 am
For those interested in extracting and converting music files from either Homeworld, Homeworld: Cataclysm or Homeworld 2 you will need the following tools.

For Homeworld and Cataclysm:

* Winamp version 2.x (not 3.x).  You can download v2.91 from here http://www.hiigara.com/files/winamp291.zip - 2.2MB
* Relic's audio plugin for winamp to play the extracted files (only works with winamp 2.x).  http://www.hiigara.com/files/aifr.zip - 11KB
* The Penesound program, a nice little program superior to homesong in every way.  http://www.hiigara.com/files/penesound.zip - 100KB

For Homeworld 2 you will need:

* Winamp 2.x (see above)
* Relic's audio plugin (see above)
* Relic Archive Extractor (by Delphy).  This is the new version of the big file extractor for the updated BIG file format used by Homeworld 2.  It is available here: http://www.a-fluffy.demon.co.uk/homeworld2/
(you want the full install version)


WINAMP/PLUG-IN
Once winamp is installed, place the aifr plugin file in to the 'plugins' folder in your winamp directory (folder).  It will more than likely be in your 'program files' folder (for those who don't know).

You should now be able to play the aifr files (sometimes they will be called *.aifr and other times *.aif    * meaning the name of the file).

You may need to open your winamp options and deselect the aif and aifr files in winamps associated files.  This is because another audio format also uses these file extensions and my cause a conflict error in winamp.

PENESOUND
This program requires winamp to work properly so you will need to tell it where to find the winamp folder the first time you use it.  Make sure you don't have winamp active when you start the program as it will automatically start winamp.

From here you can now open the wxd files in the Homeworld and Cataclysm folders to extract the audio files.  You can also open up some other files to extract the voice/sound effects and the animation.  The extracted files should be in the same place that you installed your HW games (unless you set the program otherwise).

RELIC EXTRACTOR
This one is straight forward.  Once you've installed it, load it up and open the music.big file located (somewhere) in the Homeowlrd 2 folder.  Once it's loaded simply select 'extract all' from the options and the program will extract all of the music files and convert the names over for you as well.  The extracted files should be in the same as the relic extractor program (probably in the 'program files' folder).

CONVERTING.
If for some reason you decide you need to conert the files into a wave or MP3 format you can do so.

In winamp 2.x's options go to the 'output' section under 'plugins'.  Select the 'nullsoft diskwriter' option and then close the options.  Now any digital audio file (meaning midi files won't work) you play through winamp will be converted into a wave file (standard PCM format).  You should now be able to convert these files into MP3's with relative ease (there are plenty of free MP3 converter programs on the net.  LAME is a good one to look for).

Just remember to set your 'output' type back to what it was otherwise you won't be able to listen to files in winamp (they will just keep converting).  And remember not to have 'replay' selected when you are converting otherwise it will keep converting the same file over and over :)

And that covered the general basics.  Any questions you've got can be directed to [email protected]
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: magatsu1 on October 18, 2003, 12:21:14 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
Deus Ex


could I have that please ?

my favouites are:
System Shock 2 (the lack of music in the cargo bays really cranked up the atmos.)
Deus Ex (as you might expect)
Doom (simple but cool)
Super Probotector on SNES/Famicon (classic)
i also liked the Boss music in FF7.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 12:37:33 pm
Quote
Originally posted by magatsu1

could I have that please ?


Any particular track?
I ask because they're in a rather uncanny format, and I can only convert them one track at a time.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: magatsu1 on October 18, 2003, 12:53:06 pm
oh, I thought you had them converted already.

but, if it isn't too much of a pain, Liberty Island or Hells Kitchen are good tracks. Cheers

have you got any of the Ion Storm tools by the way ?
or do you stick with just music files ?
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: redsniper on October 18, 2003, 01:43:52 pm
The best video game music ever would have to be the MGS2 theme. Some other great music is the boss fight/alert mode music and the escape music from MGS1. Metroid Prime also has some awesome songs, especially the early boss fight music. The Max Payne theme is excellent, as well as some of the songs in Halo. Now that I think about it, Final Fantasy 3 also had really great music, especially the overworld theme. Golden Sun's is pretty good too.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Nuclear1 on October 18, 2003, 01:54:07 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
How I did RA?
You need a little program called RAMIX, then use that to open the Scores.mix file. From there you can extract the aud files, there's an app with it to convert them to wav.

I used to same method for C&C. RAMIX can also be used to extract the cutscenes, interface, sound effects and whatnot. I can't remember where I got it from, so if you want it, MSN me.


Interesting. I'll take a look at it. ;)
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Ace on October 18, 2003, 01:54:22 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Liberator
Planescape: Torment

Best Computer RPG
Best Music, Jeremy Soule IIRC
Good Story
Best use of the Infinity Engine

*scuttles off to install PS:T, and have a go*


Believe it or not, it's not Jeremy Soule, I forgot the name of the guy, but it's not Soule.

PS:T
Homeworld/2
HW:C (Hiigara under attack track)
FreeSpace/2
WC3: The Frozen Throne (That evil imperial-march esque Arthas theme is fun)
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 02:30:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by magatsu1
have you got any of the Ion Storm tools by the way ?
or do you stick with just music files ?


Just the music, though I can't remember how I got them. I think I used UnrealEd, but I'm not sure.

If you're using Winamp to play them I could send them as they are, if not, I'll convert them.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 02:38:13 pm
Well, I've converted those 2 to mp3 anyway.
You'll have to MSN me if you want at em, as I don't think I've room anymore on Swooh
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Slasher on October 18, 2003, 02:43:01 pm
Thanks for the info on how to get the C&C: RA music Petrarch. :)

My favs would have to be:

Unreal
Unreal Tournament
FreeSpace 2
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault/Spearhead

MoH had a really nice, orchestrated score that fit the 1940s theme.

Regarding Deus Ex, I think there's a plugin for WinAmp that lets you play .umx files without conversion.  I don't have Deus Ex myself (don't kill me please), but I know it's based on the old Unreal engine which plays its music from .umx files.  There's plenty of programs out there to convert the music from .umx files to .wav or .mp3 too, if you want it in a CD burnable format.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Petrarch of the VBB on October 18, 2003, 02:51:39 pm
Extracting them from the umx files is easy enough, with any version of UnrealEd, I remember now. They're then in s3m format, which Winamp can read anyway.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Slasher on October 18, 2003, 02:51:56 pm
Here's that .umx plugin for anyone that's interested.
http://modsquad.beyondunreal.com/review.php?id=39
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: StratComm on October 18, 2003, 03:08:09 pm
You know, GOTY edition of Homeworld came with a CD containing all of the tracks.  It would have had the raw sound files, since it could play on any CD player.  Maybe that's where the MP3 versions came from?

I'm still partial to the music in FS1, since it fit the mood really well.  The one that sounded very brassy (haven't played FS1 in ages, but it was the music most commonly heard when fighting Shivans) was probably my favorite, very moody, hanging and (at times) nerve-wracking in conjunction with the missions.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: phreak on October 18, 2003, 05:07:48 pm
Rise FM from GTA 3 is pretty cool
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Shadow_jdct on October 18, 2003, 05:12:39 pm
FS2, C&Cs, Emperor:Battle for Dune, many FFs
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: Pez on October 18, 2003, 05:51:34 pm
This one is so easy and no one has mentioned it! The best soundtrack is of course the soundtrack to The Secret of Monkey Island. The opening theme and the LeChuck's theme are classic tunes. Just listen to them here. (http://www.scummbar.com//resources/downloads/index.php?todo=MP3)

Oh yeah, Freespace 1 and 2 have some great tunes too.
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: karajorma on October 18, 2003, 06:27:10 pm
I was tempted to mention Monkey Island too. The music is very cool and anything with dancing monkeys in it can't be bad.

LOOK! Behind you! A three headed monkey *steals all the mp3's on the website* :D
Title: Best Game Soundtrack.
Post by: magatsu1 on October 19, 2003, 07:15:53 am
Petrarch:
I grabbed that .umx plug-in so I'll have a pop at extracting the files myself. Ta.

*thinks about mentioning CIV2*
*decides living is quite nice TVM (so doesn't)

can't forget Mario Kart Battle Mode.

I'll stop bumping old(ish) threads now.