Were most of the CD Audio tracks of the 90s just MIDI recorded from high end devices? \ VOGONS

Were most of the CD Audio tracks of the 90s just MIDI recorded from high end devices?

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First post, by lion2

Posted on 2018-07-02, 15:06

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Back in the 90's I was amazed at the CD Audio tracks available for some games. I always used to think that they had live bands/orchestra's recording the music. However, as I got older and was able to listen to MIDI tracks using Roland Sound Canvas's, those old CD Audio tracks seemed to sound a lot like them.

So were many of those songs just recorded tracks from high end synthesizers? Probably cheaper to do that than hire a band or orchestra.

Reply 1 of 11, by leileilol

Posted on 2018-07-03, 06:49

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Only the really lazy ones (i.e. Hexen)

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Reply 2 of 11, by dr_st

Posted on 2018-07-03, 08:07

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What about Warcraft II?

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Reply 3 of 11, by GL1zdA

Posted on 2018-07-03, 09:38

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leileilol wrote:
Only the really lazy ones (i.e. Hexen)

Total Annihilation is no live performance and I wouldn't call it lazy.

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Reply 4 of 11, by gdjacobs

Posted on 2018-07-03, 13:52

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MW2 is recorded straight off a JV1080.

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Reply 5 of 11, by mrau

Posted on 2018-07-03, 17:31

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gdjacobs wrote:
MW2 is recorded straight off a JV1080.

how do You know that?

Reply 6 of 11, by gdjacobs

Posted on 2018-07-03, 20:38

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The composer told us what he used.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150608014644/ht … cles/jeehun.htm

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Reply 7 of 11, by lion2

Posted on 2018-07-13, 13:39

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leileilol wrote:
Only the really lazy ones (i.e. Hexen)

Why would a developer have to be lazy to use a high-end midi device? A lot of studios were small back in the 90's so I assume the logistics of hiring a band would've increased development costs.

BTW, I found a posts that states that the CD Audio from Lunar Eternal Blue was recorded straight from a synth
https://amp.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comment … d_in_old_video/

Reply 8 of 11, by leileilol

Posted on 2018-07-14, 06:51

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I mentioned Hexen because its CD audio tracks are literally the same MIDI tracks but rendered from a SoundCanvas. It's one of the laziest ones out there, and Raven's done better effort for CD audio on a couple games prior to Hexen

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Reply 9 of 11, by lion2

Posted on 2018-07-17, 18:12

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leileilol wrote:
I mentioned Hexen because its CD audio tracks are literally the same MIDI tracks but rendered from a SoundCanvas. It's one of the laziest ones out there, and Raven's done better effort for CD audio on a couple games prior to Hexen

I understand now. They didn't make any effort to make the CD Audio tracks sound unique.

Reply 10 of 11, by Neco

Posted on 2018-10-25, 00:06

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dr_st wrote:
What about Warcraft II?

Warcraft 2 was undoubtedly recorded MIDI. But from what exactly, I don't know. The SoundCanvas SC55 comes very close to sounding like the CD-Audio

Reply 11 of 11, by gdjacobs

Posted on 2018-10-25, 01:33

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I believe it was an SC88.

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