Difference between revisions of "Music library"

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Whereas [[Game-Maker]] provided powerful, well-designed utilities for drawing, defining, and organizing graphical elements — tiles, sprites, maps — the sound side of things was always kind of a shrug. [[Sound Blaster]] support only came around with the software's 2.0 release, and the formats it supported were... curious. Any digital samples had to be in [[.VOC]] format, and any music in the very peculiar .CMF. Whereas even now it is possible to find audio applications that support .VOC, there never really were any popular sequencers or conversion utilities for .CMF.
+
[[File:VisualComposer.png|320px|thumb|AdLib Visual Composer]]Whereas [[Game-Maker]] provided powerful tools for drawing, defining, and organizing visual elements — tiles, sprites, maps — the sound side of things was always kind of an afterthought. [[Sound Designer]] is solid for editing simple PC speaker effects, then with Game-Maker 2.0 came native [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster Sound Blaster] support. Although the upgrade was welcome, the formats that RSD chose to support were... curious. Any digital samples had to be in 8000 kHz 8-bit mono [[.VOC]] format, and any music in the very peculiar and proprietary .CMF. Whereas even now audio applications like Adobe Audition support .VOC, there never really were any obvious sequencers for .CMF. The lack of tools was a regular frustration for most Game-Maker users.
  
−
So what you’ll often find is Game-Maker games with original, brilliant visuals and subversive design that borrow most of their sounds and all of their music from the demo libraries, or even from other Game-Maker games. If the original author complained, the derivative author would issue an update and give him a credit. It was a different era.
+
Ad Lib's very popular [[AdLib Visual Composer|Visual Composer]] did output a related format, which could be easily converted into .CMF files. This fact, however, was never well documented -- and as popular as Visual Composer was amongst sound professionals, it was something of an open secret -- released years before most PC owners even had a sound card, alongside hardware that was quickly supplanted by Creative's more versatile cards.
  
−
Game-Maker came with a limited set of stock pieces, which tend to populate most games. Designers also got clever, tracking down .CMF files on [[BBSes|bulletin boards]] and hacking existing commercial or shareware games -- especially early Epic Megagames releases -- for their music. Most users built up a small personal library to plug in the way a film editor uses temp tracks. If Game-Maker were ever to support a better format, or come with a custom music editor, then those temp tracks would get swapped out. Except none of that ever happened.
+
So what you’ll often find is Game-Maker games with original, brilliant visuals and subversive design that borrow most of their sounds and all of their music from the demo libraries, or even from other Game-Maker games.
 +
 
 +
Game-Maker came with a limited set of stock pieces, which tend to populate most games. Designers also got clever, tracking down .CMF files on [[BBSes|bulletin boards]] and hacking existing commercial or shareware games -- especially early Epic Megagames releases -- for their music. Most users built up a small personal library to plug in the way a film editor uses temp tracks, while waiting for RSD to implement a more obvious music format.  
  
 
==Stock tracks==
 
==Stock tracks==
  
−
===GMSONG1.CMF===
+
These are the tracks included in the Game-Maker sample library, and used to track all of [[RSD]]'s demo games. They are, therefore, the most commonly reused pieces.
−
[[File:GMSong1.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
Sort of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' overworld theme or Green Hill Zone theme of the [[Game-Maker]] world. Used in nearly every Game-Maker game in some form, often in the first level or primary area.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses:====
 
−
* ''[[Sample]]'' (Overworld)
 
−
* ''[[Nebula]]'' (Titles, Star map)
 
−
* ''[[Penguin Pete]]'' (Overworld, Maze 6)
 
−
* ''[[Tutor]]'' (Level 2)
 
−
* ''[[Glubada Pond]]'' (Levels 1 & 2)
 
−
* ''[[Peach the Lobster]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[The Patchwork Heart]]'' (Level 3)
 
−
<!--* ''[[A-J's Quest]]'' (Level 1)
 
−
* ''[[A-J 2]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Sign of the Hedgehog 2]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[The Bounerim]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Pac]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Linear Volume]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Sushi-X Breaks Loose]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Link Vs. Gannon]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Paper Airplane]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Yuphex]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Orb: The Derelict Planet]]'' (Second area)
 
−
* ''[[Space Cadet]]'' (Level 2)
 
−
* ''[[Time After Time]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Reptalia]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Caves]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Kirk Voodia]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Hi-Tech Demo]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Ricky Rat!!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMSONG2.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMSong2.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
A traipsing, bucolic theme often used for laid-back, period, or natural settings. After GMSONG1, probably the most common theme.
 
−
 
 
−
(There is no GMSONG3 and, at least for public use, there never was.)
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Nebula]]'' (Blue planet)
 
−
* ''[[Penguin Pete]]'' (Mazes 1 & 2, Last stage)
 
−
* ''[[Houses]]'' (Hero map)
 
−
* ''[[Clyde & Zeke]] (Main level)
 
−
* ''[[Glubada Pond]]'' (Level 4 & 5)
 
−
* ''[[The Patchwork Heart]]'' (Ending)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[A-J 2]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Gridline]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Linear Volume]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Caves]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Ricky Rat!!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMSONG4.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMSong4.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
Otherwise known as the ''Jaws'' track. It's not literally the theme from the movie, but it evokes a similar feeling. Used for dark and sinister moments. The bit where it switches to a childlike melody is especially unnerving.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Pipemare]]'' (Level 1)
 
−
* ''[[Penguin Pete]]'' (Maze 3, Underwater)
 
−
* ''[[Tutor]]'' (Level 3)
 
−
* ''[[Houses]]'' (Ending)
 
−
* ''[[Glubada Pond]]'' (Level 4)
 
−
* ''[[The Patchwork Heart]]'' (Level 1)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[The Bounerim]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Linear Volume]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Sushi-X Breaks Loose]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Link Vs. Gannon]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Paper Airplane]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs II]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Space Cadet]]'' (Boss level)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Caves]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Kirk Voodia]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Ricky Rat!!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMSONG5.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMSong5.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
A track suggesting wonder and adventure; a wide-eyed journey into the unknown. Sometimes there's danger. Sometimes there are concepts and technologies beyond your understanding. Sometimes it's thrilling. Sometimes a little overwhelming.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Pipemare]]'' (Level 2)
 
−
* ''[[Penguin Pete]]'' (Maze 4)
 
−
* ''[[Tutor]]'' (Level 1)
 
−
* ''[[Houses]]'' (Biker map)
 
−
* ''[[Glubada Pond]]'' (Level 6)
 
−
* ''[[The Patchwork Heart]]'' (Level 5)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Sign of the Hedgehog 2]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Linear Volume]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Sushi-X Breaks Loose]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Link Vs. Gannon]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs II]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Orb: The Derelict Planet]]'' (Opening scene, third area)
 
−
* ''[[Shanna]]'' (Level 1)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Caves]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Kirk Voodia]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Hi-Tech Demo]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Ricky Rat!!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMSONG6.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMSong6.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
An arrangement of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Barrel_Polka Beer Barrel Polka]", often used sort of interchangeably with GMSONG2. Also used for droll, sardonic, or otherwise strange moments.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Sample]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[Penguin Pete]]'' (Maze 5, Final area)
 
−
* ''[[Houses]]'' (Heroine map)
 
−
* ''[[Zark]]'' (Ending)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Sushi-X Breaks Loose]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Space Cadet]]'' (Ending)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Caves]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Kirk Voodia]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMOPENIN.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMOpenin.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
A brief fanfare heard at the start of many games. Its main problem is that it immediately repeats, creating a maddening DVD menu effect if you allow it to sit too long on one element.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Sample]]'' (Ending)
 
−
* ''[[Pipemare]]'' (Ending)
 
−
* ''[[Nebula]]'' (Ending)
 
−
* ''[[Penguin Pete]]'' (Menu, Ending)
 
−
* ''[[Houses]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[Terrain]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[Glubada Pond]]'' (Ending)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[The Patchwork Heart]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Orb: The Derelict Planet]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[Shanna]]'' (Menu)
 
−
* ''[[Die Blarney!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Reptalia]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Caves]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Viki: Escape from Videoland]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Ricky Rat!!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Robo Wars]]'' (?)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMZARDOZ.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMZardoz.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
A theme that begins with the famous GMOPENIN fanfare, and then transitions into a dark, contemplative, medium-tempo yet driving traveling music. Calls to mind dungeon exploration with a mission.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?) -->
 
−
* ''[[Barracuda]]'' (Main map, Wrecks 1 & 4)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMDARKMO.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMDarkmo.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
Another dark, contemplative piece. A bit mechanical-sounding. Often used for moments involving concentration, focus, or determination. When this music appears, that's when things get serious.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?) -->
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs II]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Barracuda]]'' (Wreck 2)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMRAILRO.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMRailro.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
A moody minor-key piece with percussive, driving piano. Tense, a bit mournful, and old-fashioned sounding.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?) -->
 
−
* ''[[Barracuda]]'' (Submarine levels)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMMOONLT.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMMoonlt.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
An arrangement of Bethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, aka The ''Moonlight Sonata''. Often used for water levels, for some reason. Also distinguished as one of the few stock tracks not to contain an awkward loop within the first two minutes. A player might finish a whole level before the track finishes.
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?) -->
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs!]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Invasion of the Blobs II]]'' (?)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?) -->
 
−
* ''[[Barracuda]]'' (Wreck 3)
 
−
 
 
  
 +
: ''See: [[Stock tracks]]''
  
 
==Common tracks==
 
==Common tracks==
  
−
===EGYPTION.CMF===
+
In later versions, Game-Maker came with many more demo games by a variety of authors. The following tracks were included in those games, and so may also be considered in regular distribution.
−
[[File:Egyption.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
''[sic]'' TBA
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Crullo: Adventures of a Donut]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Peach the Lobster]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Octolris]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[The McKenna Chronicles]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Rodip: Rover of the Deep]]'' (?)-->
 
−
* ''[[Yuphex]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
===GENTLE.CMF===
 
−
[[File:Gentle.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
TBA
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Crullo: Adventures of a Donut]]'' (?)
 
−
<!--* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Explorer Jacko]]'' (?)-->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===GMTENSHN.CMF===
 
−
[[File:GMTenshn.mp3]]<br />
 
−
 
 
−
TBA
 
−
 
 
−
====Known uses====
 
−
* ''[[Crullo: Adventures of a Donut]]'' (?)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?) -->
 
−
* ''[[Yuphex]]'' (?)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===LOST.CMF===
 
−
[[File:Lost.mp3]]<br />
 
  
−
TBA
+
: ''See: [[Common tracks]]''
  
−
====Known uses====
+
== Original composers ==
−
* ''[[Crullo: Adventures of a Donut]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Peach the Lobster]]'' (?)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[A-J 2]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Octolris]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Nejillian Flux]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Rodip: Rover of the Deep]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?) -->
 
−
<!-- * ''[[Luigi's Heroic Debut!]]'' (?) -->
 
  
−
===SPOOKY.CMF===
+
A few users managed to bypass the technical problems and compose at least a little music for their games. Some users made it a regular process.
−
[[File:Spooky.mp3]]<br />
 
  
−
TBA (The one that keeps corrupting; the theme I was trying to remember)
+
: ''See: [[:Category:Original musicians|Original musicians]]''
 +
: ''See: [[:Category:Original music|Original music]]''
  
−
====Known uses====
+
== Tools ==
−
* ''[[Crullo: Adventures of a Donut]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Peach the Lobster]]'' (?)
 
−
<!-- * ''[[The Bounerim]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Nejillian Flux]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Gridline]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Cireneg's Rings]]'' (?)
 
−
* ''[[Erghuck]]'' (?) -->
 
  
 +
* [[AdLib Visual Composer]]
 +
* [[Sound Designer]]
  
 +
== Links ==
  
−
==Other tracks==
+
* [http://www.shikadi.net/moddingwiki/CMF_Format Creative Music File format @ moddingwiki]
−
* '''GMDEMO1.CMF''' (a series of sound effects)
+
* [http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=CMF CMF @ Videogame Music Preservation Wiki]
−
* '''GMSTARFM.CMF''' (a pastiche of the ''Star Wars'' theme)
+
* [openmpt.org/ Open MPT] - Modplug tracker (for converting tracker files to MIDI)
−
* '''GMDOINGY.CMF''' (a cacaphony of noise -- sounds like a damaged file)
+
* [http://www.shikadi.net/utils/mid2cmf MID2CMF] -- MIDI format 0 to CMF format
−
* '''GMISLAND.CMF''' (?)
+
* '''[http://cd.textfiles.com/soundsensations/CONVERT/ROL-CMF/ ROL2CMF]''' - For converting .ROL files and sound banks into .CMF files.
−
* '''GMEND.CMF''' (?)
+
* [http://www.dcee.net/Files/Music/Convert/ Various other converters] - MIDI to .ROL, and so on. Expect to do lots of cleanup.
−
* '''GMMUSIC.CMF''' (?)
+
* [http://www.programmersheaven.com/download/4470/download.aspx CMFStuff - Utilities For Working With CMF Music Files]
−
* '''GMTITLE.CMF''' (?)
+
* [http://www.winamp.com/plugin/adplug/10240 AdPlug] -- WinAmp plugin for [[.CMF]] files
−
* '''GMWEEKEN.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''GMSPACE.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''GMWIN.CMF''' ("Winning test")
 
−
* '''GMVOYAGE.CMF''' ("Voyage")
 
−
* '''GMURBANI.CMF''' ("Urbanism")
 
−
* '''CLOUD.CMF''' ("Cloud test")
 
−
* '''TEST.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''BETRAY.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''LAZER.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''BIRDS.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''RUNNING.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''GHOSTHOP.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''GHOSTRUN.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''MECH.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''METLSCAL.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''STRIDER.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''SAGAIA.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''BCUDAC.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''GLUBCRD.CMF''' (?)
 
−
* '''GMDESCTH.CMF''' ("Eyeball Jam" ([[The Descent]]'' intro theme), by [[David Barras]])
 
−
* '''GMDEATH2.CMF''' (Camille Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre", arranged by [[David Barras]])
 
−
* '''AJTHEME.CMF''' (By [[A-J Games]]; a poorly converted fanfare, originating as a .MOD file)
 
−
* '''LARS.CMF''' (By [[A-J Games]]; a noisy conversion of a .MOD file to a .MID to a .CMF)
 
−
* '''OPENING.CMF''' (Theme to ''Space Quest III'')
 
  
−
==Links==
 
−
* [http://www.shikadi.net/moddingwiki/CMF_Format The .CMF file format]
 
  
 
[[Category:Information]]
 
[[Category:Information]]
 +
[[Category:Music]]

Latest revision as of 12:03, 12 October 2011

AdLib Visual Composer

Whereas Game-Maker provided powerful tools for drawing, defining, and organizing visual elements — tiles, sprites, maps — the sound side of things was always kind of an afterthought. Sound Designer is solid for editing simple PC speaker effects, then with Game-Maker 2.0 came native Sound Blaster support. Although the upgrade was welcome, the formats that RSD chose to support were... curious. Any digital samples had to be in 8000 kHz 8-bit mono .VOC format, and any music in the very peculiar and proprietary .CMF. Whereas even now audio applications like Adobe Audition support .VOC, there never really were any obvious sequencers for .CMF. The lack of tools was a regular frustration for most Game-Maker users.

Ad Lib's very popular Visual Composer did output a related format, which could be easily converted into .CMF files. This fact, however, was never well documented -- and as popular as Visual Composer was amongst sound professionals, it was something of an open secret -- released years before most PC owners even had a sound card, alongside hardware that was quickly supplanted by Creative's more versatile cards.

So what you’ll often find is Game-Maker games with original, brilliant visuals and subversive design that borrow most of their sounds and all of their music from the demo libraries, or even from other Game-Maker games.

Game-Maker came with a limited set of stock pieces, which tend to populate most games. Designers also got clever, tracking down .CMF files on bulletin boards and hacking existing commercial or shareware games -- especially early Epic Megagames releases -- for their music. Most users built up a small personal library to plug in the way a film editor uses temp tracks, while waiting for RSD to implement a more obvious music format.

Stock tracks

These are the tracks included in the Game-Maker sample library, and used to track all of RSD's demo games. They are, therefore, the most commonly reused pieces.

See: Stock tracks

Common tracks

In later versions, Game-Maker came with many more demo games by a variety of authors. The following tracks were included in those games, and so may also be considered in regular distribution.

See: Common tracks

Original composers

A few users managed to bypass the technical problems and compose at least a little music for their games. Some users made it a regular process.

See: Original musicians
See: Original music

Tools

Links

Retrieved from "https://aderack.com/game-maker/index.php?title=Music_library&oldid=12016"