8 réponses à ce sujet

[Ted Anderson]

I've just recently started planning out a mod of my very own, and while it's still early in the planning stages, I want to start thinking about some of the more difficult parts. And right now, I'm thinking about music.

From the little I know about mod-making, I'm assuming there are four basic ways I can get music for my mod.

1) Use the music provided in the editor.
2) Compose my own.
3) Use copyrighted music and hope I don't get sued.
4) License music.

Approach 1 is the easiest and cheapest, but also the least satisfying for me. I want my mod to have a very particular mood and atmosphere, and having the proper music will go a long way towards establishing that. So, no offense to the composers for NWN2 and the various packs, but I'd rather have something more...original.

Approach 2--well, I have zero musicianship skills, so unless somebody out there has a lot of time and a 40-piece orchestra on their hands, it's a no-go.

I'm actually seriously considering approach 3. I've been digging around in my music library for some good tracks, and I've found quite a few that I think would work well with my mod and would love to use. However, there's a pretty good possibility that if I do this, I'll get the pants sued off me. The mod isn't being made for commercial release and no money is changing hands, which might be enough of a defense, but the RIAA is trigger-happy and I'm sure they can afford better lawyers than I can.

So approach 4 is looking better and better all the time. A little poking around has led me to Magnatune, a site that specifically allows you to listen to, download, and license music from independent artists for a relatively low price, half of which goes to the artists. It's where Jonathan Blow got the music for Braid, which is a pretty good recommendation. I've listened to samples of a few of the musicians available through the site, and I think it would work pretty well for the mod; best of all, I can use them legally, knowing that the artists will be properly compensated for their work.

Any recommendations? Am I going about this the wrong way? Are there other resources I should consider? What do most people do for music when mod-making?

[kamalpoe]

5. Use music licensed under the Creative Commons.

6. Ask if anyone would like to compose some for you. Especially useful if you actually know someone who can, but you can make a request on the custom content forums.

7. Use music from existing games (variation of 4). There are many mods out there that have done this. No one's been sued yet, so you're probably better off than if your tracks were say, something in the top 40.

[Ted Anderson]

kamalpoe wrote...
5. Use music licensed under the Creative Commons.

Do you (or anyone else) know any good one-stop-shops for CC-licensed music? Any good places to start searching for this type of music?

6. Ask if anyone would like to compose some for you. Especially useful if you actually know someone who can, but you can make a request on the custom content forums.

See my note on approach 2 above. It'd be nice, but I don't know any composers with enough spare time. But hey, if someone wants to volunteer, by all means, do so!

7. Use music from existing games (variation of 4). There are many mods out there that have done this. No one's been sued yet, so you're probably better off than if your tracks were say, something in the top 40.

That's a good point. I should start digging around for game soundtracks that fit the mood I'm thinking of...anyone out there have the soundtrack to The Dig?

[kamalpoe]

I've used

http://www.jamendo.com/en/

for CC licensed music. I don't know if it's the best source, but there's plenty there.

[Shaughn78]

I have been using the 3C - Music Pack for some variation to the standard music include with NWN2

[Eguintir Eligard]

I made all the custom music for my module with two tablespoons a wash tub and an empty triple malt liquor jug with three x's on the label.

[Ted Anderson]

Eguintir Eligard wrote...

I made all the custom music for my module with two tablespoons a wash tub and an empty triple malt liquor jug with three x's on the label.

Did you empty the jug first?

[dunniteowl]

Ted, I think the jug was a work in progress during composition.

[Eguintir Eligard]

thats why i said empty. Although pitch shifting is made easier with a little liquid volume to it.