Log-in screen music, what creates those sounds

kunkudunk·Nov 14, 2014·1 votes·1,126 views

So I've been impressed by many of the past log-in screen's music. The thing I can't figure out is how the create the sounds they do that are so epic sounding. And I'm not talking about the technology they use, but the notes themselves. It doesn't sound atonal, but certainly doesn't follow typical tonal conventions. Many games have these types of sounds and it almost has made video game music its own genre. I was curious as to what it is that causes those incredibly heroic sounding progressions and such, besides heavy brass. Not sure if anyone knows but I would love to find out.

3 Comments

swordofdestinyNov 14, 20141 votes

OP, I'm assuming you either are or are a former music major. While the piece (I'm assuming you're referring to the current login music) doesn't follow strict tonal harmony like we learned in "Theory & Harmony", you're right, it is not atonal. Modern composition doesn't like to be bound by rules that are hundreds of years old. In my opinion a lot of the "epicness" comes from the juxtoposition of movement that occurs in the orchestra of the percussion ostinato (well, maybe it's not a true ostinato, but the rhythm stays pretty similar until the last bit of the song) and the string ostinato verses the more stoic and proud sounding brass. If you listen you'll notice the brass parts, for the most part aren't too techincal. They play similar rhythms to each other and have big chords, while the strings and solo instruments have more technical and lyrical parts. Though, my hat is off to those brass players for the amount of detail on the dynamics. I do have a quick question on it though for the Riot audio team, do you guys do the mastering in house or do you send it out elsewhere? I liked the mastering on this track (at least I'm assuming it was mastered).

kunkudunkNov 21, 20141 votes

I am and while I know that the rules from forever ago don't really apply today, if you can even really call them rules, the chord progressions themselves do see to be adding a lot to the excitement beyond it simply being loud brass and high strings. Or maybe they just fooled me who knows.