Difference between revisions of "Music"

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'''Music tracks''' in FreeSpace are determined by the [[music.tbl|music tables]]. Mission designers can use the Mission Specs editor (Shift-N) to set the music track that the mission will play. In-mission music is dynamic: it changes depending on in-mission events. This is the list of such events:
+
'''Music''' tracks in the FreeSpace game engine are determined by a music table, specifically named <code>[[music.tbl]]</code>. Mission designers can use the Mission Specs editor (Shift-N) in FRED, FRED2 and FRED2_OPEN to set the music track that the mission will play.
*Arrival of enemy ships (can be disabled for certain ships in FRED)
 
*Arrival of friendly ships (can be disabled for certain ships in FRED)
 
*Completion of mission goals (can be disabled for certain mission goals in FRED)
 
*Player death
 
*Peace (when enemy is either not present, or are well outside firing range)
 
*Combat
 
  
Apart from in-mission music are briefing music tracks that are played only in command and mission [[briefing]]s. They can be set in FRED. Briefings are limited for one track per mission.
+
==Music Types==
 +
The FreeSpace engine supports the playback of specific music tracks when certain events are called in-game. These events can be split into two types: interface music, and in-mission music. Certain events can also have sub-events, each with a different music track assigned.
  
Furthermore, there are three music tracks for debriefings: "Success", "Average", and "Failure". "Success" is played if all mission objectives are met and the player is allowed to progress in the campaign; The debriefing will play the "Fail" music track if the player fails most of his primary objectives or is not allowed to progress in the campaign. "Average" is played in any other scenarios. <sup>[this paragraph requires verification for accuracy]</sup>
+
All music tracks must be in Waveform Audio format (.wav).
  
Lastly, each main hall has its own music track. These tracks can be used in command and mission briefings, too.
+
===Interface Music===
 +
Interface music is played outside a mission, such as when the player is at the menu screen (also known as the "mainhall"), during briefings and debriefings, and at the credits screen. The locations (and events) that fall into this music type are:
 +
* the mainhall
 +
* the Credits screen
 +
* Command and Mission Briefings (can be set in the Briefing editor [Shift-B]; both briefings share the same audio track)
 +
* Mission Debriefings
 +
** "Success" (when all mission objectives are met)
 +
** "Average" (when the player is allowed to progress, but not all mission objectives were met)
 +
** "Failure" (when the player is not allowed to progress)
 +
 
 +
===In-mission Music===
 +
In-mission music is played only during a mission. The events that trigger music during mission play are:
 +
* ambience (this is automatically played when none of the other events listed are occurring; may have multiple tracks)
 +
* battle (when hostile targets are within firing range or their arrival triggers a music change; may have multiple tracks)
 +
* arrival of enemy ships (can be disabled for certain ships in FRED; may have multiple tracks)
 +
** during ambience
 +
** during battle
 +
* arrival of friendly ships (can be disabled for certain ships in FRED)
 +
** during ambience
 +
** during battle
 +
* completion of an objective (can be disabled for certain mission goals in FRED)
 +
* completion of all non-secret objectives and no hostile targets are present
 +
* failing an objective
 +
* when the player is killed
 +
 
 +
==FreeSpace Open Additions==
 +
{{Table3610|
 +
FSO adds several features to the existing ones described above, as well as the following [[SEXP]]s:
 +
* [[change-soundtrack]]
 +
* [[play-sound-from-table]]
 +
* [[play-sound-from-file]]
 +
 
 +
Besides adding support for OGG vorbis (.ogg) files, mission designers can use the above SEXPs to change in-mission music based on any event that happens during a mission, as well as use interface music during a mission.
 +
 
 +
The Fiction Viewer, an FSO-exclusive feature, also calls its own music. Additional ambience tracks can also be called during a mission.
 +
}}
 +
{{Table3612|<br/>
 +
Later builds of FRED2_OPEN allow mission designers to select custom tracks for the three debriefing events through the Debriefing editor (Shift-D). Although the engine is capable of this since at least FS2 Open 3.6.10, this was not integrated into the FRED GUI.}}
 +
 
 +
==Official Music==
 +
Most tracks were created by Dan Wentz, who composed the majority of the music for both [[FreeSpace 1]] and [[FreeSpace 2]]. Some [[FreeSpace 1]] [[Cutscenes (FS1)|cutscene]] scores were collaborations with Steven von Kampen, a composer and sound designer from Noiz Audio who was hired for the project.
  
==List of tracks==
 
 
===FreeSpace 1===
 
===FreeSpace 1===
(This list is based on the [[FSPort]] version of FreeSpace 1)
+
(This list is based on the [[FreeSpace Port]] version of FreeSpace 1)
  
Main hall music: Choco Mousse
+
Main hall music: "Choco Mousse"
*1. Fortress
+
*1. "Fortress"
 
**[[Eve of Destruction]]
 
**[[Eve of Destruction]]
 
**[[The Darkness and the Light]]
 
**[[The Darkness and the Light]]
 
**[[Shell Game]]
 
**[[Shell Game]]
**[[Exodus (FS2)|Exodus]]
+
**[[Exodus (FS1)|Exodus]]
 
**[[Field of Destruction]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Field of Destruction]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*2. March
+
*2. "March"
 
**[[The Field of Battle]]
 
**[[The Field of Battle]]
 
**[[Last Hope]]
 
**[[Last Hope]]
*3. Chaser
+
*3. "Chaser"
 
**[[Small Deadly Space]]
 
**[[Small Deadly Space]]
 
**[[First Strike]]
 
**[[First Strike]]
 
**[[A Failure to Communicate]]
 
**[[A Failure to Communicate]]
 
**[[Secret Recovery]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Secret Recovery]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*4. Worlds Apart
+
*4. "Worlds Apart"
 
**[[Avenging Angels]]
 
**[[Avenging Angels]]
 
**[[The Aftermath]]
 
**[[The Aftermath]]
Line 38: Line 72:
 
**[[Cloak and Dagger]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Cloak and Dagger]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Exodus (ST)|Exodus]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Exodus (ST)|Exodus]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*5. Spook
+
*5. "Spook"
 
**[[Paving the Way]]
 
**[[Paving the Way]]
 
**[[The Big Bang]]
 
**[[The Big Bang]]
Line 44: Line 78:
 
**[[Running the Gauntlet]]
 
**[[Running the Gauntlet]]
 
**[[The Return to Ross 128]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[The Return to Ross 128]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*6. Haunted
+
*6. "Haunted"
 
**[[Pandora's Box]]
 
**[[Pandora's Box]]
 
**[[La Ruota della Fortuna]]
 
**[[La Ruota della Fortuna]]
 
**[[Black Omega]]
 
**[[Black Omega]]
 
**[[Ghosts]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Ghosts]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*7. Marauder
+
*7. "Marauder"
 
**[[The Hammer and the Anvil]]
 
**[[The Hammer and the Anvil]]
 
**[[Where Eagles Dare]]
 
**[[Where Eagles Dare]]
Line 55: Line 89:
 
**[[Clash of the Titans]]
 
**[[Clash of the Titans]]
 
**[[The Wait]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[The Wait]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*8. Strike
+
*8. "Strike"
 
**[[Out of the Dark, Into the Night]]
 
**[[Out of the Dark, Into the Night]]
 
**[[Tenderizer]]
 
**[[Tenderizer]]
Line 62: Line 96:
 
**[[The Great Hunt]]
 
**[[The Great Hunt]]
 
**[[On the Run]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[On the Run]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*9. Monolith
+
*9. "Monolith"
 +
**This soundtrack may have been specifically designed for [[Good Luck]]; see note below.
 
**[[The Pursuit]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[The Pursuit]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
*10. Darkside
+
*10. "Darkside"
 
**[[Silence All Voices]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Silence All Voices]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Hellfire]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Hellfire]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Secrets Revealed]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
 
**[[Secrets Revealed]] (''[[Silent Threat]]'' expansion pack)
  
'''Note:''' The last mission, [[Good Luck]], has no soundtrack.
+
'''Note:''' The last mission, [[Good Luck]], has no soundtrack. However, a CD of enhanced music tracks provided by Dan Wentz implies that this track was intended to be used in [[Good Luck]].  It would have been the only standard single-player FS1 mission with this music.
 +
 
 
===FreeSpace 2===
 
===FreeSpace 2===
Music tracks in FreeSpace 2 are named after some [[Wikipedia:Books of the Bible|books of the Bible]].
+
Music tracks in FreeSpace 2 are named after [[Wikipedia:Books of the Bible|books of the Bible]].
  
Main hall music tracks: Aquitaine, Psamtik (Terran and Vasudan main halls, respectively)
+
Main hall music tracks: "Aquitaine", "Psampik" [''sic''] (Terran and Vasudan main halls, respectively)
  
*1. Genesis
+
*1. "Genesis"
 
**[[Surrender, Belisarius!]]
 
**[[Surrender, Belisarius!]]
 
**[[The Great Hunt (FS2)|The Great Hunt]]
 
**[[The Great Hunt (FS2)|The Great Hunt]]
Line 81: Line 117:
 
**[[As Lightning Fall]] ([[Special Operations Command]] loop)
 
**[[As Lightning Fall]] ([[Special Operations Command]] loop)
 
**[[Clash of the Titans II]]
 
**[[Clash of the Titans II]]
*2. Exodus
+
*2. "Exodus"
 
**[[The Place of Chariots]]
 
**[[The Place of Chariots]]
 
**[[Slaying Ravana]]
 
**[[Slaying Ravana]]
Line 87: Line 123:
 
**[[Their Finest Hour]]
 
**[[Their Finest Hour]]
 
**[[Apocalypse]]
 
**[[Apocalypse]]
*3. Leviticus
+
*3. "Leviticus"
 
**[[The Romans Blunder]]
 
**[[The Romans Blunder]]
 
**[[The Sixth Wonder]]
 
**[[The Sixth Wonder]]
Line 94: Line 130:
 
**[[Dunkerque]]
 
**[[Dunkerque]]
 
**[[Into the Lion's Den]] ([[Special Operations Command]] loop)
 
**[[Into the Lion's Den]] ([[Special Operations Command]] loop)
*4. Numbers
+
*4. "Numbers"
 
**[[A Lion at the Door]]
 
**[[A Lion at the Door]]
 
**[[Into the Maelstrom]]
 
**[[Into the Maelstrom]]
Line 103: Line 139:
 
**[[Bearbaiting]]
 
**[[Bearbaiting]]
 
**[[Straight, No Chaser]]
 
**[[Straight, No Chaser]]
*5. Deuteronomy
+
*5. "Deuteronomy"
 
**[[Battle of the Wilderness]]
 
**[[Battle of the Wilderness]]
 
**[[A Game of TAG]]
 
**[[A Game of TAG]]
Line 109: Line 145:
 
**[[Speaking in Tongues]]
 
**[[Speaking in Tongues]]
 
**[[Argonautica]]
 
**[[Argonautica]]
*6. Joshua
+
*6. "Joshua"
 
**[[Endgame]]
 
**[[Endgame]]
*7. Revelation
+
*7. "Revelation"
 
**[[Love the Treason...]] ([[Special Operations Command]] loop)
 
**[[Love the Treason...]] ([[Special Operations Command]] loop)
 
**[[...But Hate the Traitor]]
 
**[[...But Hate the Traitor]]
Line 118: Line 154:
 
**[[Exodus (FS2)|Exodus]]
 
**[[Exodus (FS2)|Exodus]]
  
====Bonus====
+
===Extra Music===
* [[Bite Me]]
+
Higher-quality versions of the music in FS2 were made available for download as ZIP files on the game's official website while it was still available. Each ZIP file contained the audio track and a text file containing some technical and historical details. The tracks available were:
 +
* Ancients &mdash; Genesis battle track A with extended opening
 +
* Ambience I &mdash; Unsuccessful debrief music; a note on the website mentions it originally used as main hall music
 +
* Revelations (sic) &mdash; Three parts; Chapter II has an extended ending
 +
* Joshua &mdash; Three parts
 +
* Numbers &mdash; Three parts
 +
* Ending Score &mdash; Combined ending cutscenes music
 +
Edited variations of these tracks are included in <code>MV_Music.vp</code> and will play in-game if high-quality music is enabled.
 +
 
 +
Some additional music tracks that were created for FS1 and FS2, but not included in the game files, were released to the community in a music pack named <code>FreeSpace Music Pack (Extras).zip</code>. This pack included variations of game tracks, several unused outtakes, cutscene scores and trailer music, as well as a humorous bonus track, "[[Bite Me|BiteMeJason2.mp3]]". The pack was first uploaded to ShackSpace by [[Hard Light Productions]] Forums user Nix, and discussed on [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=43106.0 this thread].
 +
 
 +
The music files downloadable on the official website and <code>FreeSpace Music Pack (Extras).zip</code> are mirrored on SectorGame's FreeSpace Files section.
 +
 
 +
===Remixes===
 +
In early 2012, composer Dan Wentz started creating remixes of the main tracks in FS1, as well as Aquitaine, Exodus, and the Credits music in FS2, publishing most of them on his SoundCloud page, and creating [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=80194.0 this thread] for further discussion of the works.
 +
 
 +
Edited versions of the FS1 remixes are included as an optional component of the [[FreeSpace Port]], and a trimmed version of the Aquitaine remix is used as main hall music in [[Blue Planet]]'s ''FreeSpace Blue'' campaign. Like the extra music previously released, all remixes are mirrored on FreeSpace Files.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
(These SEXPs are exclusive to [[FreeSpace Open]])
+
* [[music.tbl]]
 +
* [[User-made music]]
  
*[[change-soundtrack]]
+
==External Links==
*[[play-sound-from-table]]
+
* Extra Music:
*[[play-sound-from-file]]
+
** '''[http://web.archive.org/web/20080403110450/http://www.freespace2.com/downloads.cfm FreeSpace2.com Downloads | The Internet Archive]'''
 +
** '''[https://sectorgame.com/fsfiles/?dir=uploads/Multimedia/Music%20%28Streamable%29 Music (Streamable) | FreeSpace Files]'''
 +
** '''[https://sectorgame.com/fsfiles/?dir=uploads/Multimedia/Sound%20%26%20Music%20Packs Sound & Music Packs | FreeSpace Files]'''
 +
* Remixes:
 +
** '''[https://soundcloud.com/daniel-wentz Daniel Wentz | SoundCloud]'''
 +
** '''[https://sectorgame.com/fsfiles/?dir=uploads/Multimedia/Music%20%28Streamable%29/Dan%20Wentz%20-%20FreeSpace%20Redux Dan Wentz - FreeSpace Redux | FreeSpace Files]'''
  
 
[[Category:The games]]
 
[[Category:The games]]
 +
[[Category:FRED Tips]]

Revision as of 05:18, 27 April 2020

Music tracks in the FreeSpace game engine are determined by a music table, specifically named music.tbl. Mission designers can use the Mission Specs editor (Shift-N) in FRED, FRED2 and FRED2_OPEN to set the music track that the mission will play.

Music Types

The FreeSpace engine supports the playback of specific music tracks when certain events are called in-game. These events can be split into two types: interface music, and in-mission music. Certain events can also have sub-events, each with a different music track assigned.

All music tracks must be in Waveform Audio format (.wav).

Interface Music

Interface music is played outside a mission, such as when the player is at the menu screen (also known as the "mainhall"), during briefings and debriefings, and at the credits screen. The locations (and events) that fall into this music type are:

  • the mainhall
  • the Credits screen
  • Command and Mission Briefings (can be set in the Briefing editor [Shift-B]; both briefings share the same audio track)
  • Mission Debriefings
    • "Success" (when all mission objectives are met)
    • "Average" (when the player is allowed to progress, but not all mission objectives were met)
    • "Failure" (when the player is not allowed to progress)

In-mission Music

In-mission music is played only during a mission. The events that trigger music during mission play are:

  • ambience (this is automatically played when none of the other events listed are occurring; may have multiple tracks)
  • battle (when hostile targets are within firing range or their arrival triggers a music change; may have multiple tracks)
  • arrival of enemy ships (can be disabled for certain ships in FRED; may have multiple tracks)
    • during ambience
    • during battle
  • arrival of friendly ships (can be disabled for certain ships in FRED)
    • during ambience
    • during battle
  • completion of an objective (can be disabled for certain mission goals in FRED)
  • completion of all non-secret objectives and no hostile targets are present
  • failing an objective
  • when the player is killed

FreeSpace Open Additions

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

FSO adds several features to the existing ones described above, as well as the following SEXPs:

Besides adding support for OGG vorbis (.ogg) files, mission designers can use the above SEXPs to change in-mission music based on any event that happens during a mission, as well as use interface music during a mission.

The Fiction Viewer, an FSO-exclusive feature, also calls its own music. Additional ambience tracks can also be called during a mission.

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:
Later builds of FRED2_OPEN allow mission designers to select custom tracks for the three debriefing events through the Debriefing editor (Shift-D). Although the engine is capable of this since at least FS2 Open 3.6.10, this was not integrated into the FRED GUI.

Official Music

Most tracks were created by Dan Wentz, who composed the majority of the music for both FreeSpace 1 and FreeSpace 2. Some FreeSpace 1 cutscene scores were collaborations with Steven von Kampen, a composer and sound designer from Noiz Audio who was hired for the project.

FreeSpace 1

(This list is based on the FreeSpace Port version of FreeSpace 1)

Main hall music: "Choco Mousse"

Note: The last mission, Good Luck, has no soundtrack. However, a CD of enhanced music tracks provided by Dan Wentz implies that this track was intended to be used in Good Luck. It would have been the only standard single-player FS1 mission with this music.

FreeSpace 2

Music tracks in FreeSpace 2 are named after books of the Bible.

Main hall music tracks: "Aquitaine", "Psampik" [sic] (Terran and Vasudan main halls, respectively)

Extra Music

Higher-quality versions of the music in FS2 were made available for download as ZIP files on the game's official website while it was still available. Each ZIP file contained the audio track and a text file containing some technical and historical details. The tracks available were:

  • Ancients — Genesis battle track A with extended opening
  • Ambience I — Unsuccessful debrief music; a note on the website mentions it originally used as main hall music
  • Revelations (sic) — Three parts; Chapter II has an extended ending
  • Joshua — Three parts
  • Numbers — Three parts
  • Ending Score — Combined ending cutscenes music

Edited variations of these tracks are included in MV_Music.vp and will play in-game if high-quality music is enabled.

Some additional music tracks that were created for FS1 and FS2, but not included in the game files, were released to the community in a music pack named FreeSpace Music Pack (Extras).zip. This pack included variations of game tracks, several unused outtakes, cutscene scores and trailer music, as well as a humorous bonus track, "BiteMeJason2.mp3". The pack was first uploaded to ShackSpace by Hard Light Productions Forums user Nix, and discussed on this thread.

The music files downloadable on the official website and FreeSpace Music Pack (Extras).zip are mirrored on SectorGame's FreeSpace Files section.

Remixes

In early 2012, composer Dan Wentz started creating remixes of the main tracks in FS1, as well as Aquitaine, Exodus, and the Credits music in FS2, publishing most of them on his SoundCloud page, and creating this thread for further discussion of the works.

Edited versions of the FS1 remixes are included as an optional component of the FreeSpace Port, and a trimmed version of the Aquitaine remix is used as main hall music in Blue Planet's FreeSpace Blue campaign. Like the extra music previously released, all remixes are mirrored on FreeSpace Files.

See also

External Links