Robot Cousin Soundworks

So, here’s a thing…

Sound effects by me, game by Svampson, or Patrik Riström. Sound’s not nearly done, but it’s something. Much more fine-tuning to go, of course. Needs footsteps!

Aside from this (and work), I’ve begun working in Unity3D, slowly-but-surely developing my own game. The idea I have isn’t original, and I’m fine with that. What matters is whether or not it’s fun. I’m aiming for it to be (really, who wouldn’t be aiming for that?) and so right now, I’m learning how to script proper physics. In my opinion, when it comes to side-scrollers, you can’t beat the ‘feel’ of Super Mario Bros 3. I don’t aim to beat it, I am to match it.

I’ll post more on the development as it comes along.

In other news, once again, I’m all set to try and make an album in the month of February. I’m planning on mixing shoegaze with chiptune. We’ll see how well that turns out.

An open letter to whomever is involved in Ghostbusters 3

I am a die-hard fan of Ghostbusters. Die-hard. This means that, because of my love for the franchise, I cannot be killed by conventional weaponry.

My pseudo-immortality aside, let’s discuss the goings-on of a possible GB3.

Now, everyone I know has, at one time or another, come up to me and mentioned “Hey, did you know they’re making a Ghostbusters 3?!” or “I heard Bill Murray IS/ISN’T (seriously, pick one) going to be in it!” because, apparently, my undying love for the busting of ghosts is fairly apparent to anyone I cross paths (…or streams?) with. And that’s totally fine! I love being that guy who’s madly in love with the films and cartoons (and novelizations, and toys, and play-doh, and…) based off of a group of scientists and blue-collared workers running a business that’s based on using electrifying science to trap nightmares in a box in their basement. I love it! I have been watching GB1 since I was 4 years old, and I saw GB2 in theatres. That being said, I already know what you’re going to tell me about GB3.

I don’t mean this as a gripe, I really don’t. I’ll just save you some time! Believe me (as “I am ready to believe you”), during my internet surfing, if the G-word pops up ANYWHERE, I click on it. I don’t care if I’ve read it before, I read it again, dammit.

So, with that being said, do I want a 3rd movie? Yes, and no.

Yes. I want more Ghostbusters. Who doesn’t? I want them to be in the public eye again, like Transformers and G.I. Joe are (though I’d rather not go down THOSE routes). I want toys to be sold again, I want new references dealing with spooks, spectres, and ghosts to permeate every facet of media as we all get caught up with ghost-fever once again, 30 years later (holy crap… 30).

But how are ya gonna do that, guys? Aykroyd, Ramis, and Reitman… those are actually the only 3 guys I personally would require to be involved. EVERYONE seems to believe that a 3rd movie hinges on whether or not Bill Murray’s in it. Don’t get me wrong, Peter is very important, but that’s just it… Peter Venkman is important. That levity, that casual, ongoing sarcasm, even the face of the some prehistoric bitch or Carpathian asshole is absolutely necessary, but there ARE others on this planet who can (and should) bring that to a new film.

No, I don’t want Galifinakis in there being all… Galifinakisy (nothing against him, if he can play someone other than all of the characters he’s already played, sure!). I don’t want Seth Rogen spewing loads of inappropriate (for a GB film) language because he’s today’s “it” comedic actor; I want a good mix of horror, special effects, and well-timed comedy. Comedy in the face of danger, comedy that’s not really sure whether or not it WILL “see you on the other side, Ray.” Don’t mix a bunch of sex into the whole thing, like Apatow usually does. Nothing against Judd, that works fine in his movies, but this wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) be “his” movie. Make a film that makes adults laugh in earnest, and makes younger movie-goers desperate for a proton-pack of their own. Give children the IDEA that, somewhere, there are cool guys ready to stand up and laugh in the face of whatever is hiding underneath your bed, and they don’t need to be as afraid anymore.

I don’t want a retread of the first and second films. Even though I love GB2 despite it being a LOT like GB1 (though not as much a carbon copy as Home Alone 2 is of its predecessor… seriously, those are the same movies), it still offered something different. If GB3 can offer something DIFFERENT, in terms of plot, I’m all for it. But holy shit, keep the chemistry the same, even if you get new guys. Yes, Aykroyd and Ramis (and Murray!) are WAY too old to be busting, but that doesn’t mean that no one else can, because I firmly believe that there is a combination of writing, directing, and acting that can truly break out the spirit of the first two films from the containment unit of creativity.

Please do it. Please don’t screw it up. I’m ready to believe it can happen.

Been a long time, comrade…

Such is the line spoken by Jack Krauser in Capcom’s ineffable Resident Evil 4. I use it both because it HAS been a long time, and also because I’ve been enjoying the HD re-release of RE4 on Xbox 360. I think it’s a damn fine title, and will always love it.

I’m slowly but surely becoming a game developer. I’ve screwed around with Stencyl for a bit, but I want to make something more than what that tool, while useful, could give me. I don’t want many limits, despite not being very code-savvy YET. When I get there, I want there to be avenues left to explore.

So I’ve decided to undertake learning Unity3D. I have about 10-12 game ideas, and one I’m specifically gearing towards as my first. The book I got, Beginning 3D Game Development with Unity by Sue Blackman, is REALLY informative, and is current as of April of this year (Unity changes a lot). I’m racing to learn it, not only to have a game out sooner than later, but also so the teaching remains relevant, and I learn about the new features as their added in upcoming versions.

I’ve wanted to develop my own games for years now, but it’s taken a LOT for me to kick myself in the ass to actually start.

Tonight, I started. And it feels amazing.

Here, have a demo. Amelia (early demo)

So, I’m a huge fan of Minecraft and I was at work today, not doing much during lunch hour. I was checking out the latest version (1.8 prebuild 2) and had encountered the Enderman/Endermen. Without going into too much detail, I found them really freaky, until…. I heard them. They were using the same sounds as the (Minecraft) zombies do. Those sounds aren’t bad, but they’re very much zombie sounds.

I thought to myself “What’s scary and creepy?” There was only one answer…

Baby laughter!

2 of the following 4 sounds (the non-loop ones) are modified versions of a baby laughing. I remember first hearing something like this during The Blair Witch Project, when the three campers are woken up by noises right outside their tent. It was creepy until you hear the baby, and then it’s brought to a whole other level.

I know that they probably already have Enderman sounds ready to go, but I couldn’t help it. Hopefully, someday when there’s proper mod support, I’ll develop a full sound-pack.

Here you go!

Enderman One

Enderman Two

Enderman Chitter Loop

Enderman Whistle Loop

I’ve been a member of the Something Awful forums for about 4.5 years now. I love it there, and would suggest registering as a member to anyone reading this. It’s $10, but that’s just a one-time fee, not per month, or even per year; once. I have easily gotten my money’s worth and then some. As far as entertainment is concerned, it’s the best investment I’ve ever made.

The reason I bring this up is because recently, in the month of July, I participated in the sixth annual SA Game Dev Challenge. The rules are simple: create a game within the month of July (with June being a general planning month) based on a somewhat-loose theme as suggested by forums mod Shalinor. I don’t know what themes had been for years 1 and 2, but year 3 was ‘Swarms’, year 4 was ‘Dealing with the Devil’ and last year’s theme was ‘You Can’t…’, which obviously allowed the developers/designers to really go nuts with interpreting how they could base a game around such a simple half-premise.

This year’s theme was ‘Death and Taxes‘. The entry I was involved in was titled ‘Psychopomps‘ and is playable here. It was made in Flixel, and only requires that you have Adobe Flash installed, which is, of course, free and compatible with almost every browser out there.

The designer, artist, and myself are VERY pleased with what we were able to put together in just 30 days. Keep in mind, nothing could be coded, drawn, or composed prior to July 1st, and as far as I can tell, we stuck to that (I know I did).

If you’re interested in hearing the music outside of the game, and even a track that wasn’t used, I’ve posted the links to it all below. Enjoy, and tell me what you think!

Psychopomps – Onward

Psychopomps – The New Guy

Psychopomps – Boss Me Around

Psychopomps – Val’s Back

Psychopomps – Your Quest has Ended

Psychopomps – Dirty Little Secret

I am really switching gears in the next little while, and I’ll write all about it here once I do. For now, here’s a little self-jam I did to the ‘house’ theme from Zelda 2. The drums aren’t perfect, but then again, I’m merely posting it here just because I like it. No editing.

If All Else Fails

Been going through a few audio-related troubles as of late, but anyone who’s on my facebook (both readers of this website) already know the basics. I came home Friday to find that the Firewire light on my Presonus Firestudio was solid red (rather than its usual blue) when the unit was powered on.

Damn.

After troubleshooting my ass off, I basically learn that it’s the unit, and Presonus, because I’ve registered it, say that I can send it back, no charge, and they’ll fix it (also no charge). Yay for 1-year warranties! However, I took a guess at the date that I had purchased it, and called Long & Mcquade in Fredericton to confirm, because they keep EVERYTHING on file. I was off by 27 days (I registered the product and said it was purchased April 30th, but it was actually April 3rd.) Anyway, Graeme, who I originally bought it from, casually asked why I was needing that info, and I mentioned that it was because it was no longer working.

“Well, don’t worry, just bring it right into the Long & Mcquade in Moncton and they’ll send it off for you, and give you a rental unit of something similar at no charge until yours comes back.”

I practically had hearts in my eyes. So here I sit, after installing drivers, and updating firmware, with a Presonus Firestudio Project, one level down from the unit I own (the 2626 model. Main difference is that mine has additional ADAT connections). I could not be more pleased by the service I received from both Long & Mcquade and Presonus themselves.

And it turns out that, even if this had happened outside my warranty, it would’ve been about $90 to repair it. Considering the price and quality of the Firestudio (I stand by that my issue was caused by me, leaving it on when the computer is off, or in sleep mode), that’s a bit of a steal. Still, very glad I got it for free.

As for RPM, I am still considering getting started this year, albeit late. Honestly, I don’t feel as bad if I don’t do it, since I’m constantly writing new music (that I’m not allowed to post here) at work.

Speaking of which, I finally, FINALLY got my copy of EastWest Gold Symphonic Composers Collection. I’ll definitely whip something up in the near future for your listening pleasure, so you can hear the sheer Disney-esque quality of the sampled instruments.

In other news, Bombs Away is still being worked on. I’m also whipping up a theme song (just for fun) based on a webcomic/graphic novel my friend Ben produces (writes/illustrates) called Zom-Ben. That’s been years in the making, but I’m finally getting to it. Also, Ben and I have a project in the works that looks like it may actually happen, but I don’t want to jinx it too much by mentioning what it is yet, so I’ll just leave it at that. Let’s just say, this time, I might do it right.

Oh, and just to make this post at least somewhat interesting, even though I’ve posted this on Facebook, as well as my Twitter (oh yeah, I have a twitter now. @robot_cousin if you care about that kind of thing. I don’t even know if I do yet), but here you go again. The general sound of Bombs Away, thus far. Warning: Not mixed, not editing, and definitely not finished.

Bombs Away (demo medley)

Sonically yours,

Jordan.

The esteemed Curtis Carey, animation-wonder of The Curtis and Tara Show, has graciously lent his talent and spare time to animate a music video for my 30-second-track, ‘Exuberance’, originally posted here.

Enjoy!

I desperately want to make music this good.

I have been a huge, long-time fan of Tripping Daisy. When Wes Berggren (guitarist) passed away in October of 2000, I felt sad. Both for the loss of Wes, and also for the loss of that beautiful sound.

After TD understandably called it quits, they released one more album, self-titled, and on it held the magificient opus Tragiverse. I believe I’ve already spoken about that.

Anyway, Tim Delaughter (singer and ‘leader’ of Tripping Daisy) went on to form ‘The Polyphonic Spree‘, a 20-or-so member musical troupe that is always uplifting and magical. But despite being a fan, I always thought that the slight ‘edge’ that was in TD’s music was lost when it went in this new direction. So, I kept up with some of the Daisy’s old members, more specifically Ben Curtis.

Curtis, after Tripping Daisy, went on to form The Secret Machines, who are very excellent, and I strongly suggest getting their first 3 albums, September 000, Now here is Nowhere, and Ten Silver Drops.

Curtis left TSM a few years ago, and I’d still be sore about that (he’s just so damn good!) if he wasn’t doing an AMAZING job, along with the Deheza sisters, rocking it out as the School of Seven Bells. I find it really tough to get into new music (crank old man here!) but I just can’t help but love SVIIB.

This is one reason I don’t mind not having him in TSM.

A long time ago, in a mindframe so far from the one I currently reside in, I did video game covers/remixes.

Here’s the one I was proudest of. Originally from Dr. Mario, I give you:

Dr. Fever

Everyone remember Zed?

For anyone who might not, here’s a quick blurb, from the link I just posted.

ZeD was a Canadian variety television program and website. The series premiered on CBC Television in March 2002 and ran to 2006. Hosted primarily by Sharon Lewis and Ziya Tong, ZeD publicized creative works from Canada and other countries, including a substantial portion of material created by viewers and new artists. ZeD thus considered itself to be “open-source television.”^[1]

It was a pretty neat show, I must admit. I really liked it. Liked it so much, I submitted quite a few tracks for it. This was during my Halifax months, from 2002-2003. So you’d have a profile on there, and you’d upload whatever you wanted to, and then the show would then, at no charge, but also with no payment to you (who cares!) choose from a bunch of the content online to showcase each week. Well, imagine my intense excitement when a track of mine was actually featured! Yes, my music was going to be on national tv!!

The track was called ‘Crimson Head’, and, at the time, I was very proud of it. Thought it sounded good, and had a good flow. I listen to it now, and can still sort of pull some of those feelings up from the grave of the past, but mostly, I cringe. I cringe when listening to a lot of my older stuff. Hell, some of my newer stuff as well. But you know what? I kept writing, I kept going.

“You have to get all of the bad songs out of you, so you can start writing the good ones.”

I’m not sure who first said that, but it certainly fits. Anyway, this track was, at the time, my pride and joy, my finest accomplishment, my little electronic opus (don’t worry, it’s only like 4 minutes long). It ended up getting the attention of certain people. I tried to write more like it, but apparently, that failed.

And today, I’m going to let you all hear it.

Crimson Head

http://www.codeorgan.com/

The jist of it the site, from the site itself…

The Codeorgan analyes the ‘body’ content of any web page and translates that content into music. The Codeorgan uses a complex algorithm to define the key, synth style and drum pattern most appropriate to the page content.

Firstly, the Code Organ scans the page contents and removes all characters not found in the musical scale (A to G), and then analyses the remaining characters to find the most commonly used “note”. If this is an even number the page is translated to the major pentatonic scale of that particular note, it becomes minor if there is an uneven number.

It’s sad and nerdy, but I think it’s neat that www.robotcousin.com is in the key of Cm.

Second track completed.

Before you listen, while I hate making excuses, I really must stress that I plugged in my guitar, loaded up Addictive Drums and the ImpOscar, and said “screw it”. This is what happened. Barely mixed, barely edited, I do enjoy how it feels like a celebration of sound, as if you were to put a soundtrack to a flashy, abstract painting.

Just keep that in mind.

Sleeper

Just finished my first track (which will actually be track 3) of my RPM Challenge 2010 album. I have a name for the album, but I’m not putting that out until the artwork is all done. Yeah, I’m going all the way.

Anyway, I’ve already gotten farther than I did last year, and I don’t plan on stopping. I have a few other half-finished tracks on the go, hopefully will be uploading them within the week. Also, this track, along with any other RPM tracks, will not appear in the flash player below until they’re all done, or when February ends. So for now, here you go;

Element Zero