Features
IMPORTANT NOTE: My ‘enhancements’ are literally myself enhancing the original MIDI file quality, for use through modern MIDI equipment and is not meant as enhancing the work by the original composer!
Donating
If you would like to consider donating, please click the link below:
> Donating
Categories
- What is ScummVM?
- What is the Music Enhancement Project?
- Which games are included?
- Are there any samples?
- Full soundtrack downloads
- Where are the games?
- Which audio format?
- Enhancement process and hardware?
- Comments and Questions
- Subscribe
- Disclaimer
What is ScummVM?
ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files. The clever part about this: ScummVM just replaces the executables shipped with the game, allowing you to play them on systems for which they were never designed!
ScummVM lets you run these adventures: Adventure Soft’s Simon the Sorcerer 1 and 2; Revolution’s Beneath A Steel Sky, Broken Sword 1 and Broken Sword 2; Flight of the Amazon Queen; Wyrmkeep’s Inherit the Earth; Coktel Vision’s Gobliiins and games based on LucasArts’ SCUMM (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion) system. SCUMM is used for many games, including Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle, Sam and Max and more. Compatibility with supported games is continually improving, so check back often.
Among the systems on which you can play those games are Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Dreamcast, PocketPC, PalmOS, AmigaOS, BeOS, OS/2, PSP, PS2, SymbianOS/EPOC and many more…
What is the Music Enhancement Project?
A lot of the point and click adventure games from the past of years gone by, used the MIDI format for presenting the music. Although this worked well at the time of release, by modern standards and varying users with different MIDI hardware, this results in an average performance for the music reproduction.
Using pure digital recording methods and Yamaha workstations, it is my personal aim to increase the quality of the music, however still remaining true to the originals. Using ScummVM, to which I will be aiming the tracks to be used for exclusively, we will all be able to enjoy the game music all over again with hopefully a far superior sound quality.
I am working on these enhancements with no commercial gain and in my own free time, therefore if you can help this project financially, please use the donate option near the top of the page. Also remember that the ScummVM team have their own donation system to help cover costs and development of their program.
It is important to note, that the original composers put a lot of effort in to the original MIDI files and we should remember their massive contribution. Please also note I am not a professional musician and I am working on these soundtracks for my own personal enjoyment of which hopefully others will also take an interest in my project.
Which games are included?
I would like to enhance quite a few game soundtracks, although permissions have to be obtained so these can be released legally. Please note though that I will not be releasing individual tracks from other games not listed below, as I always intend to work on the full soundtrack of a game so it can be used within the game itself.
I am currently working on the following games for use with the ScummVM software:
- Beneath a Steel Sky (80% complete)
Beneath a Steel Sky is a science fiction, more specifically cyberpunk, point and click adventure game with comedy elements, created by Revolution Software published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment, and initially released in 1994 for DOS and Amiga… [read more] - Discworld (100% complete)
Discworld is a graphical adventure game developed by Teeny Weeny Games and Perfect 10 Productions in mid 1995. It features Rincewind the Wizard (voiced by Eric Idle) and is set in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… [read more] - Inherit the Earth (100% Complete)
Inherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb (ITE) is a computer game, developed by The Dreamers Guild and published by New World Computing. The adventure featured a world full of talking, humanoid animals, amongst them a fox on his quest to find a stolen orb, a relic of the mythical humans. The game was originally released for the DOS platform and later ported to the Macintosh… [read more] - Simon the Sorcerer (100% complete)
Simon the Sorcerer is a series of point-and-click adventure games created by Adventure Soft. The series follows the adventures of an unwilling hero of the same name. The game has a fantasy setting and is a comedy… [read more] - Touché: The Adventures of the Fifth Musketeer (5% complete)
Touché: The Adventures of the Fifth Musketeer is an adventure game developed by the British software company Clipper Software. The game is about Geoffroi Le Brun who wants to become a musketeer. It take place in the 16th century and you travel through France. The game starts out in Rouen with a murder and then a fight. You also have a servant, Henri, that helps you during the game.
Are there any samples?
Here are some examples in ogg format. Windows users, I recommend Winamp to play these files:
Beneath a Steel Sky:
- Death and Unstable Tunnel (4095 hits)
- Press Room (2904 hits)
Discworld:
Inherit the Earth:
Simon the Sorcerer:
- Bridge (985 hits)
- Forest (884 hits)
- Main Theme (1494 hits)
- >> Video Preview of a selection of tracks <<
Notice: If you wish to post about these samples on your website, please do not link to the files directly, but this link instead:
http://www.jameswoodcock.co.uk/?page_id=54#arethereanysamples
Full soundtrack downloads
Where are the games?
You can download a few games for free from the ScummVM website as they have obtained permission, however for most games you will need to either buy or own the original title.
Which audio format?
Due to the superior audio compression quality and compatibility with the ScummVM program, I will be using the OGG Vorbis Codec. Clean MP3 versions may be available in the future.
Enhancement process and hardware?
I will be using Cakewalk Express 6, XG Wizard and a Yamaha Tyros 2 workstation. Remaining faithful and where possible using the original MIDI information as a starting point, the files will be restored removing old MIDI commands, re-balanced, re-voiced from an assortment of a possible 1000 instruments, Edited using XG effects and finally recorded digitally for a pure final version for release (with permission).
Yamaha Tyros 2 features:
- Super Articulation Technology
Taking sonic realism to even greater levels, ‘Super Articulation’ adds unique performance characteristics to a range of orchestral voices. Just play as normal and ‘Super Articulation’ delivers expressive finger slides to guitar sounds, breathy legato phrasing to saxophone sound, or a range of bowing effects to string instruments. - New Style Selection
400 dynamic styles feature additional MegaVoices, including strings, brass, saxophones, trumpets and new guitar and bass sounds. in addition, stereo sampled drums, organs, electric pianos and pad sounds create an awesome sound field. - Organ Section
A host of organ samples and styles, voices in the UK, faithfully reproduces the sounds of Theatre, Classical, Jazz or Rock organ. - Hard Drive Recorder
Install an optional Hard Disk Drive and the Hard Drive Recorder enables quick and easy audio recording and allows you to store and burn sounds to CD. Vocals or other instruments can be recorded via the line in socket, so everyone can make their own studio quality CDs! And the facility to import real audio from any sound source enables you to play along with your favourite CD. - Sample Playback
Take advantage of the wide range of sample libraries available and expand Tyros 2’s sonic Palette.
Comments and Questions
You can leave comments and ask questions regarding the ScummVM Music Enhancement Project on this forum: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Comments.
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Disclaimer
The ScummVM Music Enhancement project was created by James Woodcock to help enhance the MIDI music of some titles that are compatible with the ScummVM program. Enhanced work by James Woodcock must not be used for profit or hosted elsewhere without express permission from James Woodcock.
Game information quotes from Wikipedia.
Inherit the Earth copyright The Wyrmkeep Entertainment Co.
