Civilization 7 Soundtrack/Music discussion

[Andrew Johnson [FXS]]

Not sure I can answer this at this time!

 

[Guandao]

That's alright. Hold on to that secret for now.

 

[Zaarin]

I'm bringing this thread back. The music they used in Trung Trac's introduction video on Youtube was bizarre. It didn't sound Vietnamese to me at all (based on Vietnam's theme in Civ6). Do the leaders have their own themes, or only Civs? Maybe they used some other Civ's theme for Trung Trac? Maybe @Andrew Johnson [FXS] can answer this?

What we were told before was every civ has a soundtrack so I imagine the music was Khmer.

 

[Guandao]

What we were told before was every civ has a soundtrack so I imagine the music was Khmer.

I thought the Khmer theme in Civ7 had vocals though? The one they used for Trung Trac didn't.

Since we discussed the Minoans so much today, what could their theme sound like? Do we have any inkling about ancient Minoan music or instruments?

 

[Zaarin]

I thought the Khmer theme in Civ7 had vocals though? The one they used for Trung Trac didn't.

Hmm, no idea then.

Since we discussed the Minoans so much today, what could their theme sound like? Do we have any inkling about ancient Minoan music or instruments?

We know that had sistrums and lyres. No melody fragments, though.

 

[Sagax]

The music used for Khmer short definitely had vocals.

My only wish for Civ 7 soundtrack: were they able to get an erhu player this time around? Hearing that they couldn’t find one for Civ 6 felt so bizarre, considering they were able to incorporate more obscure instruments.

 

[Zaarin]

My only wish for Civ 7 soundtrack: were they able to get an erhu player this time around? Hearing that they couldn’t find one for Civ 6 felt so bizarre, considering they were able to incorporate more obscure instruments.

Yes, definitely felt weird they could find someone to play a reproduction of a Babylonian golden lyre but not an erhu.

 

[Guandao]

The music used for Khmer short definitely had vocals.

My only wish for Civ 7 soundtrack: were they able to get an erhu player this time around? Hearing that they couldn’t find one for Civ 6 felt so bizarre, considering they were able to incorporate more obscure instruments.

perhaps they had trouble finding an Erhu player who could read Western musical notation? I learned Erhu at one point and the teacher gave me music sheets in Chinese notation. I've forgotten my erhu knowledge sadly but still kept the instrument and music sheets.

 

[Zaarin]

perhaps they had trouble finding an Erhu player who could read Western musical notation? I learned Erhu at one point and the teacher gave me music sheets in Chinese notation. I've forgotten my erhu knowledge sadly but still kept the instrument and music sheets.

I think that is what they said, but still feels strange. There have to be erhuists who work with Western orchestras--or even erhuists who could play by ear if you give them the melody.

 

[Sagax]

perhaps they had trouble finding an Erhu player who could read Western musical notation? I learned Erhu at one point and the teacher gave me music sheets in Chinese notation. I've forgotten my erhu knowledge sadly but still kept the instrument and music sheets.

This is completely out of my depth, but…. If that’s true, how do Chinese orchestras solve this problem? Concerts combining classical Western instruments and traditional Chinese ones (including erhu) are very common. Not to mention contemporary Chinese pop songs that sometimes incorporate traditional instruments into their melodies.

 

[Voidwalkin]

Also I found the Viking music (which was, as you, said very much a Norwegian folk song) not at all inspiring and a strange pick. I wan't to Invade Scotland blowing war horns!

I think Norway's theme is my favorite in the game. I frequently make sure Norway is in the game just for that reason. I love Civ6's music, but Civ7 needs more ambient music. Hearing the same N=civ number of songs every game got tiresome

My favorite from 6 was from Norway's collection. It's very eerie. Like a Viking sailing in the mist contemplating the savage nature of existence in the brief gap between raids. Seljefloyte or something.

I hope Hawaii 7 provides an aggressive song or two comparable to their 5 war theme, which was the most interesting song from that game. Less contemporary, less orchestral, though, with more of that odd instrument that sorta sounds like a siren. Get dystopian. I wonder if they'll retain geographic bias in starting positions? It's entirely imaginable that I'd like that kind of song for much the same reasons I liked Norway's, I suppose.

 

[Kimiimaro]

My favorite from 6 was from Norway's collection. It's very eerie. Like a Viking sailing in the mist contemplating the savage nature of existence in the brief gap between raids. Seljefloyte or something.

My personal Civ VI favourites are the Scythian themes. They sound so delightfully melancholic...

Speaking of which, I hope Armenia will find its way into Civ VII at some point. The Scythian themes addicted me to duduk and left me hungry for more.

 

[Guandao]

I got so many favorites in Civ6 and Civ5. Civ6: Persia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Khmer, Vietnam, Cree, Ottomans, Phoenicia, Nubia, Zulu, Byzantium, Georgia, Gaul, etc
Civ5: Huns, China Peace, England, Celts, Zulus, Mongolia, Assyria Peace, Egypt, Greece, Inca, Polynesia, Ottomans, Arabia, Indonesia, Shoshone, etc.

 

[Baudshaw]

This is interesting. It might be just an extra thing, but they could incorporate it into a new mechanic

 

[Siptah]

This is interesting. It might be just an extra thing, but they could incorporate it into a new mechanic

The 80s really are the future, hm?

 

[Baudshaw]

Wait I missed that, *future age*? I expected that, but still. Either it’s a well-kept secret, an optional game mode, or a DLC

 

[RedCourtJester]

This is interesting. It might be just an extra thing, but they could incorporate it into a new mechanic

OMG can we just skip Cold War and move straight into "now the map and leaders are 8-bit?"

 

[Zaarin]

Wait I missed that, *future age*? I expected that, but still. Either it’s a well-kept secret, an optional game mode, or a DLC

I wouldn't read too much into it. It's an unofficial name for a piece of music that was played before a stream and therefore may not be related to Civ7 at all. It sounds more 8-bit than futuristic to me.

 

[Guandao]

Persia's themes in Civ7 sounds great as ever. We had Morghe Sahar in Civ5, then Kereshmeh and Reng-e Shalakhu in Civ6.

 

[Guandao]

Greece (Antiquity) theme. I think Zaarin knows the inspiration for this theme. I'm glad we didn't get the Epitaph of Seikilos again.

Egypt (Antiquity) theme. Is this based on anything? I wonder if it's appropriate now to ask Geoff Knorr about the inspirations for these themes.

Khmer (Antiquity) theme. Perhaps a Cambodian can identify the song?

Shawnee (Exploration) theme. Love it!

Cholas (Exploration) theme. More singing is welcomed!