I'd like to contribute ambience music for FMs

**Sephy** · 10th Sep 2009 08:12

edit: 04-11-2011
Download the current package as one zip file (224 MB):
http://www.benedikt-grosser.com/file...ce/Ambience.7z

edit: 16-09-2009
Here's a link to a directory with all the downloadable ambience sounds I've made so far. (NOTE: not yet converted to ADPCM) :
http://musik.ardw.de/ambience/
Whenever I make new files, they will be put into this directory.

If you want to give it a quick listen before blindly downloading stuff:
Link to a Flash Player with examples - Nr. 1
Link to a Flash Player with examples - Nr. 2
Link to a Flash Player with examples - Nr. 3

Below the line is the original thread:

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

Hey everyone!

I really love the ambience music in Thief and the creepy, eerie, uncanny atmosphere that it creates... I think it's one of the things that make Thief such an intense and special experience.

Also, I'm a composer myself and (though I usually do orchestral stuff) I, too, like to venture into the mysterious realms of scary, creepy ambience music time and again...

So I thought, why not try and make music for a Thief FM?

First of all, on the following page are a few samples of ambience music I created. Some of them have been inspired by Thief, some by Silent Hill.

Ambience Samples
(If you're having problems with the flash player on that page, please try the direct links at the end of this post)

To be honest, though: I have never really worked with DromEd, so I have no clue how music or ambience loops are used in Thief, what format/size/etc. they are supposed to be, if they can be layered, etc. etc.

I assume, some of the samples above would be too long like this and should be split into loopable pieces or something?

Anyway, so far I only want to ask what you guys think of this. Should I try and contribute music for future FMs?

If anybody out there wants to use one of the samples above, just let me know...

Sometimes people seem to have problems with the flash player so that the songs are all distorted and not working properly... in that case: here are 6 direct links to the songs:
Ambience Sample 1
Ambience Sample 2
Ambience Sample 3
Ambience Sample 4
Ambience Sample 5
Another Ambience Sample (Silent Hill Tribute)

**zappen** · 10th Sep 2009 08:23

That's a good idea and it sound exciting.

As far as format/size/etc. are concerned just open an existing AMB file and look at it's file attributes to make sure that your AMBs runs under thief.

It would be advantageous if the sound is not too long but can be played in an endless loop.

**Sephy** · 10th Sep 2009 12:03

As far as format/size/etc. are concerned just open an existing AMB file and look at it's file attributes to make sure that your AMBs run with thief.

Actually, (as embarassing as it might be to say that on this forum) my experience with DromEd really equals zero...

(the only editor I ever touched for a longer period of time was the one for Unreal Tournament 2004)
I assume AMB files are the sound files or packages in DromEd or something like that?

Do you also create them via DromEd?
Guess, I'd better find me a quick tutorial for DromEd's bascics, later.

It would be advantageous if the sound is not too long but can be played in an endless loop.

Ah, I thought so... Thanks for the tip!
I'd really love to try it. So far, I've mainly composed longer, orchestral music for a few games and trailers (if anybody's interested in examples), but I've also always wanted to try something new like this.

**SlyFoxx** · 10th Sep 2009 13:01

Those sound very good. Maybe a bit modern here and there but you certainly have talent!

For ambient stuff they should loop and be short. At least that's how the original stuff worked but there's no hard rule that says it has to be so. But something that might play once and then cut off could certainly be longer. It all depends on the situation.

In you T2 directory open the RES folder and copy snd.crf someplace. Rename it snd.zip and extract all. The raw music .wavs are in the SFX folder and you'll see folders for all the other game sound as well.

If you want to see the files that tell the game engine how to handle sounds look on disc one for Editor/schema and open. You'll see a bunch of files that can be opened with notepad. For example open AMB_01.sch and you'll see...

//WIND
schema m01wind
archetype AMB_M01
volume -3000
pan_range 2500
poly_loop 2 4000 5000
windlit1 windlit2 windlit3 windlit4

...that's the instructions for a wind sound...4 different .wav files combine to make a single wind ambient. Some music ambients work the same way some use only a single .wav.

So all those .wav files are controlled by all those schema instructions. But don't worry. You won't have to know any of this to be helpful to a mission designer. I'm just giving you an idea of what goes on behind the scenes.

Sound protocol for Thief is IMA ADPCM 4bit 22,050 hz. I like to use 44,100 hz though as it tends to make a good difference most of the time.

**redrider** · 10th Sep 2009 22:20

Awesome stuff Sephy!

Out of curiosity, what are the main soft synths you use? What is your host/sequencer?

**Sephy** · 10th Sep 2009 22:41

Thanks a lot for all the info, SlyFoxx! Basically, that was exactly the kind of info I was looking for!

I guess I'll go and play around a bit with that and experiment with creating smaller, loopable clips.

**Sephy** · 11th Sep 2009 07:58

Okay, I tried to make some small ambience bits and loops.

I put the results in another quickly accessable flash player, so you don't have to download them all if you want to check them out (I hope, it's not lagging...):

LINK TO THE FLASH PLAYER

Alternatively, if anybody wants to download them and try out how they'd sound in a mission, here are links to the separate wave files (haven't been converted to ADPCM yet, though):

Basement
Something 1
Something 2
Ambience Loop 5
Ambience Loop 4
Ambience Loop 3
Ambience Loop 2
Ambience Loop 1
Basement Ambience Loop
Dark Loop
Dark 1
Dark 2
Dark 3
Bell 1
Bell 1_2
Bell 1_3
Bell 2
Bell 3
Bell 4
Bell 5
Bell 6
Bell 7
Alone 1
Alone 2
Alone 3
Mix (this one is ADPCM already)

What do you think? Are those suitable? Should I make more? Is there something I forgot and should take into consideration the next time I try to make new ones?

By the way: The last file in the player (and the download list above) was a first experiment of how it sounds if I take one of the loops I made as background and mix in a few of the other bits, since I figured that is more or less how the game does it, too.

**PsymH** · 12th Sep 2009 05:17

Hello Sephy.

You work sounds great, I would like to use some of them in my FM. Many thanks!

**Sephy** · 12th Sep 2009 07:35

Originally Posted by PsymH

I would like to use some of them in my FM.

Sure, go ahead!

Let me know if there are any problems with the files (for example if one of the loops doesn't loop well), since this is the first time that I tried creating music for Thief...

I'll probably make more waves as soon as I find the time. I'll update the thread then. Maybe I'll also set up a separate page with player & download links together...

What kind of mission are you working on?

**PsymH** · 12th Sep 2009 11:26

Check this thread

http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125910

I think "AmbienceLoop5" doesn't loop very well. Oh and a other thing - Thief has problems to play the files and crashes. I think it's something wrong with the format. But for me it's not a problem because I always convert the files myself in a suitable format.

Can you also make "natural" sounds like wind? I'm just curious

**sNeaksieGarrett** · 12th Sep 2009 12:24

Nice. Thanks for sharing with us.

The mix is pretty cool. These tracks sound very horror-like.
A couple tracks remind me of Down in the Bonehoard.

**Sephy** · 12th Sep 2009 15:06

Originally Posted by PsymH

I think "AmbienceLoop5" doesn't loop very well.

Oh, you're right. Thanks!
I tried to repair it:
http://www.ardw.de/musik/ambience/AmbienceLoop5.wav
Is it better now?

Originally Posted by PsymH

Oh and a other thing - Thief has problems to play the files and crashes. I think it's something wrong with the format. But for me it's not a problem because I always convert the files myself in a suitable format.

Hm, maybe that's because the waves I have uploaded are not yet converted to ADPCM, for I thought whoever wants to use them might want to chose for himself into which ADPCM format he will convert them.

Originally Posted by PsymH

Can you also make "natural" sounds like wind? I'm just curious

I'll give it a try. But with wind the only problem is that I'm not yet sure what's the best way to make it so you don't hear the point where the wave loops...
Does Thief use wind loops consisting of only one wave? Or would one usually use poly_loop for that and combine more than one wind wave (as in the example SlyFoxx gave earlier)?

(As you might guess, creating loops is quite a new territory for me. I've it done before, but not very often... but I definitely want to keep trying & sharing my results

)

Your FM looks awesome by the way. I look forward to playing it.

**intruder** · 12th Sep 2009 19:29

I'm working on a mission which is similar to Trail of Blood and I wonder if you could create some "Pagan music", like the sad tune that keeps playing when the Pagan ghosts appear (schema: m10sad) ... ?

**Gloria Creep** · 12th Sep 2009 21:21

THIS IS GREAT!!! My compliments. Most sounds I really like!

and I'm not (yet) even a FM maker!!!

I like the first part of the Silent Hill Tribute a lot.
and lots of other bell sounds a.s.o.

Grosse Klasse Sephy! Dus hasst gerade manche Taffers gerettet!

Gloria Creep

**PsymH** · 13th Sep 2009 03:53

Originally Posted by Sephy

Oh, you're right. Thanks!
I tried to repair it:
http://www.ardw.de/files/AmbienceLoop5.wav
Is it better now?

Yes, now it's perfect, thanks!

**Sephy** · 13th Sep 2009 06:13

Originally Posted by intruder

I'm working on a mission which is similar to Trail of Blood and I wonder if you could create some "Pagan music", like the sad tune that keeps playing when the Pagan ghosts appear (schema: m10sad) ... ?

I hope I found the right file...(m10sadQ.wav or something like that?

)
I tried to make something which turned out not completely similar to it, but at least with a sad aspect. I made two versions:

http://www.ardw.de/musik/ambience/SadSmall1.wav
http://www.ardw.de/musik/ambience/SadSmall2.wav

Tell me if it's not yet what you're looking for, then I'll try something else...

Originally Posted by PsymH

Can you also make "natural" sounds like wind?

I think I finally solved the problem of making the wind loopable. I hope I was succesful.

The file names are of course merely based on my own ideas and associations with the sounds ; feel free to use them wherever you want...

All wave files have not yet been converted to ADPCM, since I think it's better for the people who use them to get the unconverted file and then decide for themselves what kind of ADPCM they want to use.

**intruder** · 13th Sep 2009 06:45

Originally Posted by Sephy

I hope I found the right file...(m10sadQ.wav or something like that?

)

Yes, it was the m10sadQS.wav

Originally Posted by Sephy

I tried to make something which turned out not completely similar to it, but at least with a sad aspect. I made two versions:

http://www.ardw.de/musik/ambience/SadSmall1.wav
http://www.ardw.de/musik/ambience/SadSmall2.wav

Tell me if it's not yet what you're looking for, then I'll try something else...

Thanks Sephy! They sound good, especially SadCello.wav!
I don't know how to describe it, but is it possible to create some kind of "forest music / Pagan forest music"? I have no knowledge in creating sounds so I don't know how else to explain

It should sound like a enchanted, eerie forest at night, like in the cutscene that follows Trail of Blood: CS10.avi ...

**Independent Thief** · 13th Sep 2009 07:14

Wonderful work, I have my music needs met in the FM I'm working on-but I will keep you in mind for the next ones!

**Beauty-Man** · 13th Sep 2009 11:49

Great work and I'm doing the same.

**Sephy** · 14th Sep 2009 06:46

Originally Posted by intruder

is it possible to create some kind of "forest music / Pagan forest music"? [...] It should sound like a enchanted, eerie forest at night, like in the cutscene that follows Trail of Blood: CS10.avi ...

Sure, I'll probably look into it one of the next days and see what I can do!

**Sephy** · 15th Sep 2009 07:18

Here are some new files I made today!

Pad+Bell1-3 were three more resuls of playing around with those bell sounds before I turned to something else.

The PaganSiren waves actually sound a little bit like something in the Pagan territory in Thief3 if I remember correctly...

As for the other files... there are also general loops and other... well, stuff. Just listen for your self.

(I also updated the directory with all files created so far)

**intruder** · 15th Sep 2009 17:22

This is really great work Sephy!

Thank you very much

Especially Pad+Bell1-3 and ForestBellLoop1-2 are exactly what I need

**sNeaksieGarrett** · 15th Sep 2009 18:35

Nice!
May I suggest that when you give an update, just tell us the new tracks but move all of your links into a compact package. That is, move everything to the original post, so that those looking for the files will have a quick reference instead of having to hunt the thread.

On another note, Ambience Sample 4 seems to be corrupted a little bit after halfway. Could be how it's supposed to sound, so I apologize if it is. Hard to describe, but it sounds like it's fluctuating as if a track on a CD player was getting skipped around.

edit: Just wanted to say, I've been listening to your non-thiefy tracks, and they are really great! Great work Sephy

Some high quality stuff there. (I mean this)
May I ask, what is your job?

**Sephy** · 16th Sep 2009 00:16

Originally Posted by sNeaksieGarrett

May I suggest that when you give an update, just tell us the new tracks but move all of your links into a compact package.

You're right. That'll be better.

I'll just add the link to the full directory to the original thread and, as you suggested, mention in future updates what's new.

Originally Posted by sNeaksieGarrett

On another note, Ambience Sample 4 seems to be corrupted a little bit after halfway. Could be how it's supposed to sound, so I apologize if it is. Hard to describe, but it sounds like it's fluctuating as if a track on a CD player was getting skipped around.

Hmmmm, I tried listening to it just now, but I think it sounded okay (to me at least), so I'm not sure if I know what you mean... Can you try downloading it again? Maybe the download was corrupt or something?

Originally Posted by sNeaksieGarrett

edit: Just wanted to say, I've been listening to your non-thiefy tracks, and they are really great! [...] May I ask, what is your job?

Thanks a lot!

Actually I'm still a student (25 years old now), though I wish my job was creating music for games someday.

But I have no idea how to get into such a position, yet...

(When I started studying in 2004, there were no universities for something like game design, etc. in Germany - just recently a few have been established and I wish they'd done that a bit earlier

- so I started studying something completely different and continued composing as a sideline, hoping that someday I'll find a way to make that my main job. Well, who knows what the future holds...

)

**sNeaksieGarrett** · 16th Sep 2009 00:21

Cool! You've got some talent, you'd probably do well in the game industry.

I'm also a student myself.

Sorry, in regards to the loop, it was from the flash player, not the download. Maybe if I recorded it from how it sounds on my comp and sent it to you?

Can I get any of the non-thief stuff for download? I really like the song "Final Fight" it sounds similar to a final fantasy game track. Or at least, that's what it reminds me of.

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