38 réponses à ce sujet

[M. Rieder]

Well, do you?  I am currently deciding if I want to put music in The Wizard's Apprentice II and I am interested in people's thoughts. 

[nicethugbert]

I'm always listening to music or something else when playing modules. If the module has very good music that enhances the feel of playing it, I listen to that. MotB had very good music. I can still hear one of the tracks right now, the spooky Myrkul's temple theme. So did SoZ. I think the OC used mostly recycled music from NWN1.

[MasterChanger]

Unless it's truly awful, I definitely love hearing music while playing a module. Being immersed in and engaged with a sense of place and character is much easier to me with a good soundscape.

[Eguintir Eligard]

mix both. constant drone is old and uncalled for in neutral areas like an uneventful dirt road

[PJ156]

I agree with the last post. Music is an important part of building the mood of the mod but IMO it works better used sparingly. In a few areas to accent the module rather than in all areas. 

Battle music is good but I seldom notice it which makes it very good I guess since I think you should not be noticing the music but just be aware of it.

I think it is like many tricks of the toolset in this respect. Same goes for ambient music, birdsongs, cutscene convos etc used sparingly they are very effective, overused they can become tedious or annoying.

PJ

[manageri]

For battle I'd definitely use music 100% of the time. When not in combat it's not quite as important (music only in combat could even serve to emphasize it) but I generally like background music everywhere. I just played through Path of Evil which didn't use music almost anywhere (even combat) and I didn't like that at all.

[Arkalezth]

PoE's lack of music was original and real, and I didn't miss it as much as I had thought, but I like music in modules, custom if possible. Sometimes the best memory I have of a module is its music.

PJ's approach is interesting too, but in combat I like to really notice the music. For example, there was a module in NWN1 by Hugie that used this song for combat. It was perfect for combat IMO, and I definitely noticed it.

[The Fred]

Personally I tend to play with the sound off, a habit I've gotten into through playing on a laptop a long time ago with semi-broken sound, and wanting to be discreet whilst playing. I tend to have my PC's sound completely off all the time, which is kind of wierd, I guess.

That said, I do like to use certain pieces for certain combats and things - there are one or two tracks which feel really quite epic (such as HotU's Large Battle, I think it was, the one from the end of Chapter 2, and "Fight! Fight!" which I love) and I like to save these for boss fights to help distinguish those fights from the more "mundane" ones.

Modifié par The Fred, 15 janvier 2011 - 12:19 .

[kamal_]

Arkalezth wrote...

PoE's lack of music was original and real,

I did it as a design decision. I wanted to emphasis sounds that are normally drowned out by the music. There's only music in inns (where i figured it would make sense to have some) and on the overland map.

So yeah, if you want to see what it's like, download and play and vote for my campaign

[M. Rieder]

kamal_ wrote...

Arkalezth wrote...

PoE's lack of music was original and real,

I did it as a design decision. I wanted to emphasis sounds that are normally drowned out by the music. There's only music in inns (where i figured it would make sense to have some) and on the overland map.

So yeah, if you want to see what it's like, download and play and vote for my campaign

PoE is definitely on my playlist.  It will be awhile as I am already woefully behind my desired schedule in builiding TWA2.

[M. Rieder]

Arkalezth wrote...
PJ's approach is interesting too, but in combat I like to really notice the music. For example, there was a module in NWN1 by Hugie that used this song for combat. It was perfect for combat IMO, and I definitely noticed it.

This brings up an interesting question.  How safe is it to use mainstream copyrighted music on my module?  Is it realistic to ask these enormous record labels for permmission and have them actually respond? Actually say yes?  Is it a situation where this little mod I am making will be too small for it to matter? 

In looking for music, I actually have considered music from Pirates of the Carribean, because it is so excellent.  There are some other artists that have phenominal music.  I've tried the creative commons but have had limited success finding something that really hits the mark.

[M. Rieder]

I apprecieate the replies.  I am still watching this thread, so if anyone else wants to add their opinion, I am listening.

[Arkalezth]

M. Rieder wrote...

This brings up an interesting question.  How safe is it to use mainstream copyrighted music on my module?  Is it realistic to ask these enormous record labels for permmission and have them actually respond? Actually say yes?  Is it a situation where this little mod I am making will be too small for it to matter? 

I've wondered about that, too. I have no idea, though I think I have seen that in more than one module. Also, I don't know if it falls into the same category, but some Markus Schlegel's modules had some tracks from Baldur's Gate.

This was the module I was talking about. You could ask the author, but maybe he doesn't know either. And it's for mages BTW, you may like it if you haven't played it.

And yeah, a community module shouldn't bother the music companies, but the law could say otherwise. What brings me to another question: could it be legal in some countries and illegal in others?

Modifié par Arkalezth, 15 janvier 2011 - 03:11 .

[kamal_]

There is plenty of creative commons licensed music out there. Good stuff for using too (my intro and end movies use it). And the CC license is great for community mods. I used jamendo.com to find my music.

[PJ156]

You could also try here

Music link

There is a lot of very good stuff here. The celtic music is very good and gremlins is great. There are loads of action tracks and I think the battle music from LdoTR will come from here.

I have got all my music from here except for a few tracks. Those I paid for, Chances are you won't get caught with a piece of music. However when I have asked only one artist has knocked me back and said a flat pay me 80 dollars or the answer is no.

I would love to use music from the gladiator for my combat music.

My understanding is that you can sample up to 30 seconds of music for only a credit to the owner/composer. Over that and you are into money or permission.

PJ 

Modifié par PJ156, 15 janvier 2011 - 04:38 .

[M. Rieder]

Thanks kamal and PJ, those sites are just what I needed. There's tons of stuff there that sounds great.

[Eguintir Eligard]

These are useful links. Didn't know such a library exists.

[M. Rieder]

The music is really good too. There is a band called Apocalyptica that has excellent music as well. I doubt I could get permission to use it, though.

[JasonNH]

Music is an important part of any RPG for me. It always strikes me as to how much of a difference it can make when I have been working on an area and finally add music to it. If done right, it takes it to another level.

[NWN DM]

Personally I only want music in areas where it makes sense - taverns, inns and the like.

None in combat for me either, unless it's the dramatic "be all and end all" of the campaign or module.

[MasterChanger]

My comment above doesn't really get to the heart of what I wanted to say. Music in an adventure builds very strong associations for me. If there is music in an area, it will come to life in much stronger ways, and I will remember it more.

This means that if the music is dull, repetitive, or annoying, that's what I'll remember about the area! Or if the music is poorly chosen for that particular setting, I will feel confused about what the area is supposed to represent. However, if there is a strong connection between what you are trying to communicate in your story-telling and the music, that will draw me into the game in a whole new way.

The best connection is when the author really knows what impression they want to convey at particular times, and uses music that enhances that connection. Are you going for light-hearted or somber? Dangerous, adventurous, or both?

Take a look&listen, for example, at Chaos Wielder's blog post on the music of Shagret. That's evocative stuff! Would I like the music to be this much in the foreground for an entire adventure? Well, no, just like I wouldn't want the excitement level to be this amped up for the whole adventure. You'd end up with the same effect as if you highlight every line in a textbook--nothing stands out.

For the perspective of the author of perhaps the most unforgettable series for NWN 1 or 2, read this interview with Challseus, creator of The Rose of Eternity.

Modifié par MasterChanger, 17 janvier 2011 - 12:12 .

[Dann-J]

Personally, I always have music turned off completely. I find it distracting, and it interferes with the ambient sounds. There is no sound track in real life, after all.



Then again I don't listen to music in any form, so I may be very much in the minority here.

[M. Rieder]

Hey are you the DannJ from dragonglade? If so, thanks for the tips on making a white dragon. It's going really well.

[kevL]

Arkalezth wrote...

M. Rieder wrote...

This brings up an interesting question. How safe is it to use mainstream copyrighted music on my module? Is it realistic to ask these enormous record labels for permmission and have them actually respond? Actually say yes? Is it a situation where this little mod I am making will be too small for it to matter?

... And yeah, a community module shouldn't bother the music companies, but the law could say otherwise. What brings me to another question: could it be legal in some countries and illegal in others?

.. mainstream music is probably not a good thing; many many persons already have their claws into that stuff. If you tried sending an email to those enormous record labels without a $5-bill attached, you won't hear back from them, Imo.

The people to look for are musicians and bands who are just trying to make it; then try your best to get in touch with the musicians themselves; sincerely tell them you love their music and feel it works great for a module you're building - add links to what NWN2 is all about, perhaps examples of your other mods (good U-tube videos), and that you'll include prominent exposure of the band and music, along with links to where listeners can buy their CD(s).

If you don't get in touch, but give the music exposure anyway, you're running a 50/50 gamble - they may love it and get in touch with you, or you might get a form letter from a lawyer. So make back-ups in case you have to go a different route w/ different music! I say this from having worked at a lowlevel in the industry, with more freakin' musicians I can shake a naughty stick at : I love you guys, man

Ark, if you live in Peru you can probably get away with it.

'member, although we aren't charging, Atari effectively is ..



sometimes I play with music on, sometimes off - I just like the change every once in a while, my focus increases each time I toggle (though natch not too often)