Zelda's Musical Renaissance

Normally, I begin my threads with a lengthy, heavily worded explanation for how I want it to be discussed. However this time around, I'm far too lazy, so I'm going to keep it short and simple:

What kind of music do you want to be in the next Zelda? Should it be orchestrated? Should we stick to midis? What kind of instrument should Link play? What themes should the music adhere to? Should it be Celtic-based, Arabic-based, East Asian-based, etc? What kinds of instruments should the developed rely heavily on in order to achieve a certain artistic feeling?

Personally, I think that the music should be on a more epic scale than it has been in the previous games. I'm certainly not the only one that's sick of hearing midis, as ZREO has dedicated most of their time to transform the music of Zelda into something listenable.

I'd also love to hear an East Asian influence in the next Zelda's music. For instance, the happy tunes of the hulusi, the calming sounds of the bamboo flute, and the weeping cello.

EDIT: Also, this would be an interesting sound for the new Gerudo Desert.


Discuss.

mastahsword:feel the sting of my blade

I've always wanted nothing more but soundscapes for Zelda. Pure, unadultured sounds of nature. Granted that will never happen, as Koji Kondo loves making music.

I would also like it if there were more remixes. None of this (forgot the specific French name, in which one song is incorporated into others) that TP used.

I dont think it should be based on any one type of music. Zelda is full of all types of environments. From forests, to cities, to fields, to deserts, to oceans.
I think the particular environment of the area should be used to inspire music. I think previous Zelda games did this well.
For example: Gerudo valley's theme (OOT). the very sound of it conveys a hot, sandy desert. and Hyrule Field's theme (OOT) conveys the shear vastness of the area. Kakariko Village's theme (OOT) reminds me of a calm, safe, peaceful village.
Thus, I beleve that the music in a Zelda game should be used to help animate the world, and become part of the environment.

I don't mind, as long as they don't remix everything again. TP's OST was horrible because there were about 3 new tracks and the rest were all remixes.

I'd rather have a somber ambiance rather than a full-out soundtrack. Minimal instruments + ambient sounds fitting to a particular environment = auditory orgasm.

I really want the original overworld theme to return, assuming we will get a Hyrule Field type hub area with dynamic music.

I would like the new overworld music to begin with the short original overworld theme and then segue into new parts as they have done with OoT's and TP's Hyrule Field themes.

Originally Posted by Marshmallow Moo

What kind of music do you want to be in the next Zelda? Should it be orchestrated?

Orchestrated, end of story.

I was amazed that they finally decided to take that route with Super Mario Galaxy and it sounds amazing. It's interesting that some themes are still MIDI. I suppose some themes just sound better in MIDI, but in Zelda, they should go 100% orchestra.

I think they should look at more cultures and draw more inspiration from, for instance, arabic music (Gerudos?) or maybe have no music at all in some areas, like in Wind Waker? I liked that.

Originally Posted by Marshmallow Moo

Personally, I think that the music should be on a more epic scale than it has been in the previous games. I'm certainly not the only one that's sick of hearing midis, as ZREO has dedicated most of their time to transform the music of Zelda into something listenable.

Wow what an insult

I mean, Kondo & Co spent a lot of time making the music work with the limited consoles (NES-N64), especially making small memorable tunes that fit a specific ambience/atmosphere and still sounds like music. Remember that most games back at the early NES era just had beeps for music - or no music whatsoever.As I see it, they have tried to do something epic in every game, even though they had to resort to MIDI.

As for ZREO, I like what they are doing - but honestly, just tossing more instruments/better quality instruments to already existing themes doesn't automatically make them better. They claim that what they're doing is making orchestrated versions.. but.. wouldn't that require an orchestra or real instruments?? Their music sounds like MIDI to me. It's easy to claim that your version of a theme sounds better since you "easily" produced it on your PC/Mac that is.. well many times more powerful than a NES, on software that someone else wrote (That's right, Kondo had to program the NES by himself to get the proper sound).

Some themes were designed for the specific NES LEDs (Overworld theme) and actually sound best on the system itself. I see videos on YouTube where people play the theme on their pianos and while it sounds alright, most of the time they are interpretations of the theme and strays a bit from the original theme - which is understandable.

Of course, later games have themes that translate better to "normal" instruments due to the advancement of sound hardware in the consoles.

Originally Posted by Marshmallow Moo

I'd also love to hear an East Asian influence in the next Zelda's music.

Sure why not. I would even like to see a more japanese- or chinese-influenced setting. A lot of unique elements (including music) unknown to regular players can be used to create a more unique Zelda title or at least some unique characters and areas.

Originally Posted by Marshmallow Moo

Should it be orchestrated? Should we stick to midis?

Are. You. ****ing. Kidding. Me?

Ever since Mario Galaxy, I've always wanted a full orchestra for Zelda. I think that they can replicate the same level of musical interactivity that they had in SMG.

But ZREO's style just bugs me for some reason.

I want to see some remixed tunes which sting me with nostalgia, but I also want to see new music which blows me away due to their originality.

One thing I want to see for the overworld is a single, continuous track that lasts from ingame Sunrise to the next ingame Sunrise, looping from there. During the day, the orchestra would play an adventure-tinged tune, which would slowly fade with the sunset into a slower, softer, more emotional version of the daytime tune, played during the night. This night-time melody would gain pace with the rising of the sun and gradually introduce more instruments until it eventually reaches the adventure-tinged orchestration during the daytime, which begins the musical cycle again.

Originally Posted by areams4442

mastahsword:feel the sting of my blade

Feel the power of my embarrassment, hidden under a facade of indifference!!!

I didn't like the night tune from TP Hyrule Field. It just didn't match considering that undead monsters came up from the ground and tried to kill you. I'd rather have them have the "regular" adventure music during the day and then have another more battle-like theme at night.

The only example I have is Castlevania II on the NES. As soon as it turns night, the monsters get harder and the music changes to another tune that reflects the situation: (3:16-4:35)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iadpbiL2Xc0

Much better than the eerie night music from TP that didn't fit the situation at all.

But of course, if there won't be harder enemies at night, then there's no need for music at all in my opinion or have a softer version of the day theme.

Orchestrated, definitely. Zelda just seems the kind of series that an orchestrated soundtrack would fit perfectly, and you can pull off so much with real instruments. I was so excited when I heard TP would be orchestrated... But then they changed. I was mad. D8

Zelda's soundtrack needs a fresh reboot. The latest Zelda games had soundtracks that have been nothing more than fan services. Sure, some of the remixes are good, but I'm just tired of the games constantly saying "Hey, remember Ocarina of Time? Remember A Link to the Past?"

It's time to start over completely, and try and start new memories for the series (with the soundtrack among other things). I think the only Zelda song that should return is the main theme of the series, and that can be played in the overworld with a full orchestra. Oh, and that's other thing; Zelda Wii must be orchestrated. Mario did it; there is no reason Zelda can't.

I like the Japanese influenced music Marshmallow Moo was talking about, but my own personal reference would be more like Dot Hack (minus the lyrics). I really don't know my instruments, but I love whatever is playing :55 in the video. It's gives off a great sense of adveture, it puts a smile on my face, and we haven't heard this type of sound in the Zelda series besides Wind Waker.

This might sound a bit strange but I think that rock elements could be really interesting in Zelda, kind of like in Prince of Persia. However it would have to be done correctly or it would just sound dumb

No question on if it should be orchestrated. The only pro to midis is file size and it allows the music to be more dynamic, also easier to eases into different musical pieces, so I suppose they could be useful in some situations.

Originally Posted by Catch

This might sound a bit strange but I think that rock elements could be really interesting in Zelda, kind of like in Prince of Persia. However it would have to be done correctly or it would just sound dumb

Maybe I'm closeminded by I just can't see rock music in Zelda.

Originally Posted by Senap

Maybe I'm closeminded by I just can't see rock music in Zelda.

I don't mean full out rock, if you've played Prince of Persia Sands of Time that's the sort of thing I'm talking about.

For your enjoyment even though it's not at all what I'm talking about.

P.S. I doubt you can SEE any rock music

Originally Posted by Catch

I don't mean full out rock, if you've played Prince of Persia Sands of Time that's the sort of thing I'm talking about

Unfortunately I haven't played that game yet but I'd have to check out some videos of it on YouTube.

Originally Posted by Catch

P.S. I doubt you can SEE any rock music

Of course not, silly me

Originally Posted by Senap

Maybe I'm closeminded by I just can't see rock music in Zelda.

Why not, it worked great in Final Fantasy. Check it out

Originally Posted by Catch

For your enjoyment even though it's not at all what I'm talking about.

That sounds awsome.

Anyway, I would love to see Nobuo Uematsu (the creator of the music of most of the Final Fantasy games) join up with Koji Kondo

You're right, FFVII pulls it off quite well. However, I think it works because they did the kind of shift in technology that we have been discussing on the forums. FFVII is the first FF that is set in the "future" and has rock music.

I am not sure how well it would work in current Zelda.

Hm.. now that I think about this, didn't FFVI have some rock elements in the final boss fight? FFVI is set in some renaissance like era, which could work well for Zelda I think.

The only reason I've ever accept rock music in a Zelda game is if it was played by a band in-game; e.g. the Indigo-gos from Majora's Mask.

Zelda games are generally slower-paced, so rock music would really not fit.

Believe it or not, the Honeyhive Galaxy soundtrack from Galaxy has a small bit of rock guitar (I think) in the background.

I think that if it is used differently, and in lower numbers, than you all seem to expect from it, it could work. I'd like to bring up the small guitar solo in "Final Destination" in Brawl.

Yuck, the Final Destination song from Brawl was awful. It sounded so cheesy, and down right stupid with the midi guitar. I always make sure that song is off; the other FD themes are so much better. Besides, like I stated, Zelda is a slower paced game than Mario or Smash Brothers. Rock would feel entirely out of place.

And I'd be really disappointed if Nintendo used cheesy rock in order to make Zelda "cool."