Q: Hi, these questions are directed to David Wise. What, in your opinion is the greatest song you ever composed? And second, the DKC series' music is considered some of the best gaming music ever composed. What was your inspiration for the songs, and how did you manage to squeeze so much quality out of the SNES's skimpy little SPC700 chip, which is known for its programming difficulty? It's truly a work of art. Also, what is your favorite work from the DKC series? My favorites would be DKC2's Mining Melancholy & Disco Train. (ThirdMarioBro)
Dave W: I personally like the Water level from the first SNES DKC game. Both from an emotional and technical perspective.
The inspiration for the DKC SNES music: at the time there was a synthesizer called the Korg Wavestation. I wanted the SNES to sound similar to this synthesizer. It used a method of playing back waveforms in a pre-defined sequence. Very much like many drum loops are broken down and replayed, but in a more melodic way. It was also a good way getting around the fact that the SPC700 didn't have a dynamic filter per voice. I could therefore use many very small single cycle waveforms, which sounded much better combined than if played individually.
Q: Well I'd like to ask...
1. What music software does the Rare music team use (Sound Forge?), and what live recordings are used?
2. Does Rare pride itself with a proper sound studio (obvious really), and what equipment is there? (Green Gecko)
Dave W: 1. I use Steinberg Cubase SX and Wavelab. Native Instruments Virtual Synthesizers.
2. Pro tools HD with a Pro-Control. A few good microphones.
― chaki in charge (chaki), Thursday, 13 January 2005 05:16 (twenty years ago)
three years pass...
These sound SO MUCH like Genesis' "Invisible Touch," esp. the factory levels.
― Abbott, Friday, 8 February 2008 18:28 (seventeen years ago)
fifteen years pass...