Halo Soundtrack

[Camp]

I just purchased the Halo soundtrack http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00...5156726-5213643 only to find out it's not using the same recordings from the in-game music. It's the same songs but they're rerecorded.

 

I was hoping for longer versions of the songs found in the game but, from what I can tell, these versions sound quite a bit different. I haven't actually received the disc yet but I've downloaded a few tracks from Kazaa and have been disappointed.

 

Anyone know if the whole disc is re-done or if it has some actual game music?

[Kain rising]

I've got the soundtrack and I love it, but I have to admit I'm not really sure if all the songs are all completely redone or not - I don't really think so, it seems like some of them have just been given fully-developed intros and endings, and some of the "Suite" pieces seem to combine some cues. There's definitely a lot of music that makes me think of specific parts of the game though, so it's still very recognizable. For example, 'What Once Was Lost', 'Lament for Pvt. Jenkins', and 'Devils... Monsters...' (tracks 12-14) did a good job of recreating the creepiness and tension of the 343 Guilty Spark level.

[Failsafe]

I'm with iCamp on this one. I was disappointed particularly with 'Devils... Monsters...' that it wasn't the same as the version that was used late in the game (the second or third last level). The version on the CD is still good but not quite as catchy.

[Carlucci]

I had never gotten around to ordering this, but since I finished my Legendary quest, I actually kinda miss the music.

 

I ordered a copy from Amazon.com yeasterday, and then noticed that there is a special edition that was released in November. Upon closer examination of my Amazon order, it looks like I am getting the SE, but it doesn't explicitly mention that.

 

Halo Soundtrack Special Edition

 

The special edition Soundtrack includes a Halo? 2 bonus DVD containing trailers and videos from the highly anticipated game from Bungie Studios, as well as previously unreleased Surround Sound versions of new music composed by Marty O?Donnell from the Halo universe.

 

I'll let you know my impressions of the CD. Can't wait to hear some of the surround sound tracks.

 

Also, anyone got a link to a good Halo Desktop theme?

 

Carlos.

[Kain rising]

Originally posted by Carlucci@Mar 4 2004, 01:09 PM

Also, anyone got a link to a good Halo Desktop theme?

I don't have any links to a fully put together theme, but there's lots of goodies on Bungie's site:

http://halo.bungie.net/

 

A good number of high quality wallpapers (under Extras) and a ZIP file of "system sounds" (under A/V)

 

Some of the outtakes from the voice actors are hilarious as well...

[Failsafe]

Carlucci, please let me know how you make out with the Halo soundtrack. Here's my little story for your interest:

 

About two months ago, I ordered the Halo soundtrack from Amazon. I had been meaning to buy it for a while and I saw it would come with a bonus DVD, I thought it was a good time to get it. It arrived in a few days but with no sign of the bonus DVD. I e-mailed Amazon that night indicating that although the CD was in perfect shape, the bonus DVD was nowhere to be found. They replied back promptly apologizing and shipped me another copy.

 

A few days later it arrived and still no bonus DVD! :bang: I e-mailed them back a second time telling them to forget it since I figured there was, in fact, no bonus DVD. They also mentioned they would like one of the CDs returned (at their expense). I have yet to do this.

 

So, if you do indeed receive this bonus DVD, I would really like to know so I can hound them some more. BTW, the only indication that it would include a bonus was the image of the CD cover on their webpage - it had a sticker mentioning it.

[Carlucci]

Will do!

 

It's interesting that the site I linked to with the announcement has it's own link for "buy now". If you click that link, it takes you to sumthing.com. If you then click on "buy" from that site, it takes you to Amazon.com

 

Amazon.com makes no mention of this being the special edition, but the picture shown clearly has a sticker that says, "includes bonus DVD".

 

My guess is that they erred in recognizing that there was something new about it, and depleted their existing stock of the old ones before sending the new.

 

I'll let you know. You've got a great case to appeal for the DVD, though. Keep on 'em!

 

Carlos.

[Carlucci]

Well, after my patience finally expired on "super saver" shipping, I contacted Amazon.com and reported my package missing. They responded within a few hours and agreed that it was lost, so they are rushing me out a replacement 2nd day UPS. I should finally receive my soundtrack on Tuesday.

 

Great customer service to send the replacement 2nd day! If the original ever shows up, I will return it just because I am so pleased with their quick response.

 

Carlos.

[Failsafe]

Amazon has always been great regarding their service. Now let's see if you that DVD...

[Carlucci]

Got my replacement shipment today, and I am happy to report that I DID get the DVD special edition. Jeremy, fight Amazon for your DVD!

 

Giving it a listen with my Klipsch Heresys right now (gotta have horns, baby!). Sounding ok to me overall. Not a great recording at all -- the bass is a little too overdriven sounding right now, even at lower volumes. The recording lacks the aural "depth" of the game music. The source material was probably not of the best quality, and it shows. Maybe I'm just used to the 5.1 arrangement in the game, and the 2-channel mix will take some getting used to.

 

I disagree on "Devils...Monsters", Jeremy. It seems a spot-on recreation of the in-game music, albeit a little short. Some of the earlier tracks seem to have additional passages and more expansive themes.

 

Man, my 11 yr. old son is sitting here telling me EXACTLY at what point in the game each track appears, and I think he is absolutely right! Good thing that kid makes good grades, or I would start to worry.

 

#21, Library Suite is too creepy, and not musical enough for me. I will probably just delete that one from my playlist.

 

#25, Dust and Echoes, is awesome! Love the morose sound of the strings at the end.

 

Theres a cool piano piece at the very end of the last track (Halo), after several seconds of silence (about at about 3:20) , that we have never heard in the game, but sounds really beautiful. Again, it's too short.

 

I gotta say, most of the tracks sound faithful to the game to me. I wish a lot of the tracks were LONGER! Just when they get on a roll, they end too soon. I love it! I can't believe I waited this long to get it. :tu:

 

After listening to Halo, my CD changer switched to the "Peter Pan" soundtrack, and wow, the differerence is all the evidence I need of just how poor the recording of the Halo Soundtrack is. Still passable, but nowhere near what I've come to expect on exceptional recordings like this Peter Pan disc and Pirates of the Carribean, which has insane, but awesome, recording levels (get both, BTW!). If Halo had sounded this good, I'm sure I would have been crying and cheering!

 

I'll listen to the surround mixes on the DVD and post my impressions of those later tonight.

 

 

Carlos.

[Failsafe]

Got my replacement shipment today, and I am happy to report that I DID get the DVD special edition. Jeremy, fight Amazon for your DVD!

:bang: I don't even know if I'll bother at this point. It's been a couple months since I ordered...wonder if they'd still honour my claim.

 

I disagree on "Devils...Monsters", Jeremy. It seems a spot-on recreation of the in-game music, albeit a little short.

Carlos, check out the blurb inside the booklet that came with the CD. It says the theme, mood and duration of songs can change from person to person using the game's dynamic audio playback. So perhaps the version of Devils... Monsters... I heard wasn't the same one you heard in the game.

 

Theres a cool piano piece at the very end of the last track (Halo), after several seconds of silence (about at about 3:20) , that we have never heard in the game, but sounds really beautiful. Again, it's too short.

I found this too by just letting the CD play. Very, very nice piece. Agreed, too short.

 

After listening to Halo, my CD changer switched to the "Peter Pan" soundtrack, and wow, the differerence is all the evidence I need of just how poor the recording of the Halo Soundtrack is.

I hadn't really listened to it on my sound system (which is unhooked right now unfortunately). Too bad it isn't up to Grade A standards.

 

Glad everything worked out for you, Carlos. I'll probably send Amazon an e-mail tonight to get the DVD. It's the principle dammit! :green:

[Carlucci]

Glad everything worked out for you, Carlos. I'll probably send Amazon an e-mail tonight to get the DVD. It's the principle dammit!

 

Jeremy, if the "lost" package ever makes its way to my door, I'm sending you the DVD from it. (that's if you don't get it resolved first)

 

I finally popped in the DVD to check it out. It has the Halo 2 teaser Trailer, the Halo 2 12-minute E3 demo, and the music from each.

 

The trailer/demo are great in DD 5.1 sound. The music is awesome! More orchestral than the original Halo music. Can't wait to get my hands on that soundtrack too!

 

 

 

Carlos.