Hi there!

Well... thinking the leaders needed some original diplomacy music, I made themes for Corazon, Deidre, Miriam, Nwabudike, Shen-Ji, Pravin & Prokor...

Unfortunately, yours truly is an idiot, and I can't for the life of me find where in the XML Audio Scripts I should make some changes... I just can't find the diplo music codes at all anywhere, despite reading all of the "how to" threads I could find.
:sad:

I figured that asking those in the know would probably be the best thing for me to do.
:D

Anyways, I'm hoping you can at least give me a tip of some kind.


Meanwhile, I suppose I'll be upgrading to patch 6c!


(And great work on the mod, btw!)

Hi Flouzemaker.

The files in the audio folder I could find which has anything to do with diplomatic sounds are the AudioDefines.xml and Audio2DScripts.xml files.
Couldn't locate references in the other audio files.

To find what you need, just do a search for DIPLO_BISMARCK_SFX in Audio2D and AudioDefines, and you'll see the format in which they are put. :)

Flouzemaker, is there any chance you can upload the themes?

And of course you should also include a reference in CIV4LeaderHeadInfos.xml.

Thanks, GeoModder!
Actually, I reread more "how to" threads (and am still clueless because I'm that type of idiot).


Oh, wait...
I just found a very, very comprehensive "how to" (it assumes the reader is an idiot, which is perfect for yours truly) here:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=168876
However... reading this made me realize something I never noticed before. There can be war and peace themes, and said themes can be divided in intro/loop.
I only made standalone themes made to loop... but there's so much more I can do...

Flouzemaker, is there any chance you can upload the themes?

Yes.
But as mentioned above... I'll end up changing them all and make at least two versions of each.
That, and since these are "first tries," most could be better and/or different styles could be more appropriate.

Anyways, here's what I have so far:
(I have liberally bolstered my compositions with some royalty-free samples, that are free so long as I give credit where credit is due, so I will.)

Corazon Santiago Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Corazon-Santiago.mp3)
(Corazon Santiago's theme contains samples by digifishmusic and cystem.)
Here, I mostly combined heavy drums with flamenco guitar. However, I would have liked to test it in game to see if the drums/percussion are too overpowering.

Deidre Skye Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Deidre-Skye.mp3)
(Deidre Skye's theme contains samples by realstrings and cystem.)
I'm quite pleased with this. Based on two beautiful orchestral samples by realstrings. I just changed the melody a little. Has a very soft, romantic feel that seems to fit with Deidre's image.

Miriam Godwinson Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Miriam-Godwinson.mp3)
(Miriam Godsinson's theme contains samples by miots.)
I opted against an obvious church organ/gregorian chants type theme and opted for something that was simple, folksy and "pure." Basically, trying to have something that's religious while trying to look like it's not (like Christian Rock).

Nwabudike Morgan Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Nwabudike-Morgan.mp3)
(Nwabudike Morgan's theme contains samples by rei4real, cystem, SLAPJOHNSON, and DJ_Fred_Val.)
Morgan is a tough one, because it could be so many things. And, quite frankly, Charlemagne's diplo music is absolutely awesome, so no matter what I do, it won't compare favorably.
Anyways, I opted for a theme that smells of being a corporate shill... trying to be hip, yet not. But I can likely do better, especially if I try going in another direction.

Shen-Ji Yang Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Shen-Ji-Yang.mp3)
(Shen-Ji Yang's theme contains samples by DJ4Real.)
This one, IMO, has the right amount of creepy dehumanization appropriate for the Hive, even when the chorus of erhu comes in. I'm pretty sure it works.

Pravin Lal Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Pravin-Lal.mp3)
(Pravin Lal's theme contains samples by Pete_Wain.)
I might have gone overboard with the sitars and tabla. It simply might be too Indian and not Alpha Centaurian enough.

Prokhor Zakharov Theme (http://www.alaides.org/planetfall/Prokhor-Zakharov.mp3)
(Prokor Zhakarov's theme contains a sample by DJ4Real.)
While it does have a Metroid / Mad Scientist's Lab feel to it, at least initially, I might have lost the way along the... err... way. Definitely needs some reworking.

personally I like these....

just 1 thing I'd want to add/remark:
Normally, most people won't keep the diplomacy screen open for a long time, thus I'd consider shortening the tracks or/and move some "grasping theme" right to the beginning.
E.g., you mentioned that you might have lost the way for Thakarovs theme some time later on - but that starts around 1:30, so I doubt anyone "just playing the game" would have ever noticed that, b/c you normally would have closed the diplomacy screen before you got to 1:30.

Thus, the way Zhakharov's theme is right now, is quite good imho, as his theme catches me right from the beginning - and I don't hear the later parts when playing andmeeting him.


A contrary to this example would be Deidre: her theme really growths the longer it lasts, which is great .... but ingame, I think the first 10-15 secs are the most important ones and this it where it lacks as it's "just" building up.

Such a type of theme would fit more easily as background sound that you hear all the time (when playing Gaians, e.g.) - but not so well as diplomacy-theme.


Anyways, don't get discouraged by my suggestions, it's great stuff you did ! I'm just trying to talk you into making some music for other parts of the game, too ! :p

Nah, you're right on, Shakiko.

I made these the way I usually compose music or orchestrate arrangements, but, indeed, diplomacy themes don't quite fit standard songwriting.

They were all destined to change, just because the themes can be divided into the "intro" part, and the "loop" part.
As you pointed out, it's the intro that has to quickly grab you with the right atmosphere.

And, because they can be divided into intro/loop (peace) and intro/loop (war), they can all be drastically shortened.

They were all destined to change

And I had already added most of them to Planetfall. :mischief:

I especially love Yang's theme!

In case you're looking for a new direction for Morgan, perhaps the Longevity Vaccine or Network Backbone secret project movies could provide inspiration?

Thank you, Flouzemaker! This is definitely interesting!

And I had already added most of them to Planetfall. :mischief:

I especially love Yang's theme!

In case you're looking for a new direction for Morgan, perhaps the Longevity Vaccine or Network Backbone secret project movies could provide inspiration?
You did?
I was just doing that for my own pleasure!
Well... I'll try making the "improved" versions a little faster, then!

Very nicely done! They all work very well.

My two cents:

- the drums in Santiago's theme could be a lot deeper and fuller. Right now they seem more like dance drums rather than war drums.

- I like the hints of rainforest sounds in Deidre's theme, maybe those could be brought out more. Plus, the strings seem a bit synthetic. Something tells me that a naturalist society like the Gaians might go for something more choral. Maybe you could look into traditional Celtic music for ideas.

- Godwinson's piece could use the strings though. Even modern Christian rock can get symphonic (that song "Awesome God" comes to mind)

- I'm really digging the cool jazz aspects of Morgan's song. Maybe you could throw a sax solo in there?

Dude the hive music is creepy. I like 'em.

Question re: the music. Are any of the pieces from SM:AC?

The diplomacy pieces you mean? AFAIK, only the Peacekeeper diplomacy theme is based on a ingame recording from SMAC.

I love the music you've made for Santiago and Yang! I actually think that Zakarov's theme gets BETTER as it goes along! It sounds somewhat reminiscent of "Wizards in Winter" as performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra around the 1:20 mark and I like it; it fits in well with the Russian persona the University of Planet had. I agree though that Morgan can probably have some music inspired from his Secret Projects. I think that Godwinson's theme should be more... well, EVIL! C'mon, every game of SMAC I ever played she declared Vendetta on me at some point in time... I hate that !#$@!. Perhaps something more "crusade-y?"

Flouzemaker hasn't been seen in ages, so I fear any more diplomacy music is unlikely until someone else shows up.

These are great :D Especially Morgan's - it has that corporate lobby/elevator feel to it.

What software do you use?

I play about with FL Studio a bit, but I have no musical background whatsoever, short of learning the easy version of Fur Elise.

I think Miriam's theme could use a lot more in the way of choirs. I have some great choral 'Aah' Soundfonts if you can use those.



E: Made something which is closer to what I imagine the diplomacy music would sound like. Tell me if you like it and I'll develop it into a theme. The one Flouzemaker made sounds too 'not-evil' IMHO. But it'd make good city/secret project music.

Ah, good thing I checked this thread again*, or I wouldn't have noticed your edit.
Anyway, I listened to it (am listening to it) on constant repeat.

I'd say the high choir tones initially add a sense of expectation, however the theme repeats throughout the whole track. And because it is high in tone, it kinda dominates and becomes, well, repetitive and whiny really quickly. Making me want to put the volume down.
Regardless, I think I'l try putting it in the game as Believer city music, and see what I or other people feel about it after a while;

Of course I don't have any concrete suggestions myself. I just listen to music, don't write it. :-s


* I wanted to say that someone added Flouzemaker's diplo themes to Youtube.

There's something that bothers me about Deirdre's diplo/city theme - the intro. It's pretty long and doesn't sound as good as the main bit... and since the diplo music doesn't play long, you almost never get to the good bits - pretty much what Shakiko said upthread.

Also, the intro is the same as the ending, meaning in the city screen loop, it repeats itself, which is a bit annoying, as it's not the "good" bit (in my opinion, of course).

So I cut the start of the theme off so it starts with the main part - personally, I feel that's more pleasant to hear and captures the Gaian feel a bit better... have a try with it and see whether you like it... (I wish Flouzemaker would come back at some point...)

Cheers, LT.

The beginning seems abrupt, so I did an edit myself where I left half a second more sound in, and let it fade in.

The beginning seems abrupt, so I did an edit myself where I left half a second more sound in, and let it fade in.Cool, I'm looking forward to hearing it! :goodjob:

Cheers, LT.

Does any faction have a need for music any more?
I have some interesting sound files and want to know if there is a need for any.

Lal could use one, and Svensgaard and Domai are currently running with the same sounds at the moment.

(Though for Svensgaard, if nothing else works, the Fall from Heaven pirate jig thing might work.)

Confirmed - those three lack diplomacy music.

If you have music that would fit for the other factions, don't hesitate to mention that too by the way. If nothing else, it could be used as ambience when viewing the city screen. Currently that's the same as the diplo theme, but it's possible to define a different track for three different city sizes (small, medium, large) for each faction.

Svensgaard and Domai, what or who are they?
There are no pedia entries no nothing. What kind of flavor would they be?

Svensgaard and Domai, what or who are they?
There are no pedia entries no nothing.

Yes there are. :confused:

You could also download my SMAniaC mod and read the pirate.txt and drone.txt included in there. Having read those and the leader pedia, really, you know all everyone else knows about those guys.

Oh, I just now see you aded them into 13. 12 did not have any...

Wow, I LOVE these themes... it's so weird, I *actually* want to play the Believers. It's soo... rustic and American. Damn. Didn't the backstory say something about her being from the Christian States of America? That fits... sooo well...

It's fun having people around for whom the smac/x factions are all new and exciting :D

Then again, i feel old now...

Is there any way I can customize the music for Domai, Svensgaard, and Aki? The default barbarian theme, oddly, seems fitting for Domai, but I have some audio files I'd prefer using instead.

Look in Assets/XML/Audio.
The 4 files inthere determine what you hear ingame.

Also, if you have files you'd prefer, they might be good to upload here, to provide more options for potential music for the next patch.

The only piece I've found so far that I think would fit within the soundtrack is this, for the Caretakers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_wdlztA_pA (can provide mp3 on request)

And I'm using this for the pirates, mostly as a placeholder until I find something not quite as... complex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad23sVKyS08

I don't think it quite fits in, though it has several elements I would like dragging into their track.

What do you guys think the themes would sound like, anyway? I think the Consciousness would be straight-up electronic minimalism, which is easy enough to find, but the Pirates and Drones are another story. For the pirates I'm thinking electrosurf, but most stuff I can find in that genre doesn't fit (usually progesque, too long), and as for the Drones, I'm thinking Anglo folk music a la Miriam with an ominous (preferably industrial) tinge? Which doesn't exist AFAIK.

Hey guys, I'm a fan of your mod, but I've noticed that some of the new factions lack music. So, I did some searching, and found some suitable music for Svensgard. It's three tracks from Sid Meier's Pirates!, and I think that one of the songs could work.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/townmain-004
The opening song, has a real pirate feel to it.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/singsong-000
The pirate's voices are most prominent in this one, but it's pretty short.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/galleons
This one has the feel of being on a ship the most.

Any of them jump out?

Hey guys, I'm a fan of your mod, but I've noticed that some of the new factions lack music. So, I did some searching, and found some suitable music for Svensgard. It's three tracks from Sid Meier's Pirates!, and I think that one of the songs could work.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/townmain-004
The opening song, has a real pirate feel to it.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/singsong-000
The pirate's voices are most prominent in this one, but it's pretty short.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/galleons
This one has the feel of being on a ship the most.

Any of them jump out?

I don't think the first two would work - the pirate voices don't fit in the world of Alpha Centauri. All other used music is purely instrumental to create a rather dark and serious atmosphere. Svensgaard is more a character like Captain Nemo than leader of a group of carribean pirates of the 17th centaury.

The third track however is nice (though a bit short) and could fit as music when you contact him :goodjob:

I think that last track is still too jolly. Like you say, SMAC is darker.

How would you guys feel about this music? If not for the diplomacy theme, then for the base screen music.

I'd say it fits better for Lal's diplo music. The PK's current diplo music sounds more like their base screen music.

I think that last track is still too jolly. Like you say, SMAC is darker.

How would you guys feel about this music? If not for the diplomacy theme, then for the base screen music.

Sadly I can't hear it, my player does not support the format.

If you want darker, I have darker.

http://soundcloud.com/user3783429/sbattleintro-003
This plays when you go into battle with another ship. Quite darker than the rest, if I do say so myself. If this doesn't work, then I'm stumped.

Sadly I can't hear it, my player does not support the format.If you're not on a work PC, may I recommend VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/)? Small, lean no-nonsense interface, can be used as portable app on a pendrive and plays... about every format?

For the track itself - I have to say it sounds a bit to... annoying, there are a lot of high-pitched sounds. Apart from that, though, it has a bit of an omnious feel that fits the pirates not too badly.

Some alternate suggestions - I have the Mass Effect (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=729FDAED7B6782A7&search_query=mass+effect+ost) and can extract the game music (and I have the soundtrack on CD anyway) - since one of the inspirations for the game was the stylings of Blade Runner (at least that's what they say, I don't really think you can see *that* much of it), I think the music does evoke a bit of the sci-fi noir-feeling that Blade Runner and SMAC have. Tracks that stand out to me are Saren's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCWfDqbCajU), which might work for the pirates - it certainly has quite a dark feel to it and Fatal Confrontation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSoE1uFNY-M) has something that reminds me of the Spartans (though it's a bit short). Finally, this track (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7V6P8MUwKw) might have a bit of a Peacekeeper feel... of course, I associate the tracks with stuff from the game, so that distorts my impression of them.

Cheers, LT.

Nice tracks, LT. The last one reminds me of one out of the Haegemonia game.

Quite darker than the rest, if I do say so myself. If this doesn't work, then I'm stumped.

That isn't dark at all IMO. Alas, I don't think Pirates! has anything of use for Planetfall.

If you're not on a work PC, may I recommend VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/)? Small, lean no-nonsense interface, can be used as portable app on a pendrive and plays... about every format?

Winamp also plays ogg, for the record.

Some alternate suggestions

I like your suggestions for the Pirates and Peacekeepers! Not really for the Spartans though - if it is to be used for anything, I think that one would fit better for the Usurpers.

Maniac, do you still have those Nexus songs I once gave you? The contact_raptor.ogg does have a pirate feel to me...

Possible Pirate:

http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/master-of-orion-iii-original-soundtrack-lustmord/00-species-ichthytosian-diplomatic-trilarian.mp3

(Sounds vaguely sailor-like, although it may be somewhat sad and not aggressive enough.)

Possible Drone:

http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/master-of-orion-iii-original-soundtrack-lustmord/00-species-cybernatic-diplomatic-meklar.mp3

(The mechanic sounds seem ot fit as construction or mechanical sounds, which seems ot fit with the drone's worker orientation)

I'm not entirely sure about these, but they do sound workable if nothing else shows up. Both are from MoO3.

(I'm not sure exactly how to download these, since I don't have quicktime, though hopefully someone else would if they are good enough.)

Pickly, those links bring people to an add site, not a page where you can listen to these songs or download/stream them.

Scroll down a bit, there should be a "download to computer" icon a bit below.

Looking at the soundtracks, i wonder if the site is legal.

Loving the mod. Does Lal currently have diplo music in the latest build? If he does it's far too quiet.

Loving the mod. Does Lal currently have diplo music in the latest build? If he does it's far too quiet.

There's a music file for the Peacekeepers in the diplo sound folder, so I assume yes.

(Sounds vaguely sailor-like, although it may be somewhat sad and not aggressive enough.)I have to think of the Caretakers when hearing it - the sad theme fits them a bit, but it's not a perfect fit, I think.

Cheers, LT.

I'll check out the othe MoO3 sounds, but I don't think the Meklar music fits for a Planetfall diplomacy theme. Trilarian sounds good, but I wouldn't know where to use it given that the Pirates now use the Saren track.

I know I'm digging up a hideously old thread here, but I only recently came across this mod, so bear with me.

It's a shame that Flouzemaker went AWOL, as I feel that all of the 7 themes for the original SMAC leaders fit them to a tee - I would've loved to hear the themes for the SMAX leaders.

I especially feel that Miriam's theme is really fitting, and it is because of that ironic part of her praising the love of God and such, yet actually being incredibly militaristic. I don't think anything but a peaceful theme would suit the image she is trying to keep, though, so well done.

I'm a musician myself, but unfortunately, currently limited to an instrument and not to a program that would allow me to compose something like Flouzemaker's great soundtrack. I'm learning, and I do have some ideas for most of the remaining leaders, so if you (Maniac) want, I could try my hand and finish up that diplomacy music for your mod. :)