MI2SE Soundtrack

[daltysmilth]

Is work still going on with this? I've extracted all the music files, so I could theoretically finish my own soundtrack, but I'm lazy, and I have to work most days.

[BloodnoseThePirate]

I hope you guys finish this. im on a mac so i would be lost without you!

[KestrelPi]

I haven't done anything in the last couple of days... and I'm going to be busy from now until next week, at least. Anyone who knows the soundtrack can get in on this so I'm not stopping anyone from chipping in and adding to this. My only request is that if you're going to do it, know a little about audio editing and don't just create a version that cuts off abruptly, or one that loops over and over.

 

My aim with making these is to try and make something that will please most people, so I'm trying for a compromise between how it sounds in-game, how it is put together in the original game, and what sounds most listenable as a standalone soundtrack. If you think you can add to that, feel free to fill in the gaps. Most of what's left is pretty straightforward in terms of what files you need to play around with.

[CaptainJorge]

Thank you so much for doing this! Love this music, both the original and the SE.

[Admonisher]

OK, I was debating whether or not to post this, but in light of the fact that (a) the potential soundtrack for MI:SE never materialized, (b) LucasArts hasn't issued a "cease and desist" for any of this stuff, and © assemblies of a score such as this are bound to be intensely personal, on account of the choices that must be made ... I've decided to go ahead. I'll take it down immediately if anyone asks me to.

 

This is a "complete" soundtrack assembly for the game. I place the word complete in quotes because it doesn't contain every tiny musical sound-effect, stinger, or every alternate segment or distorted version of a cue. It's designed with maximum "listenability" in mind. So, for example, it doesn't include Stan's theme with the muffled elements, or the piped-in version of the Mardi Gras theme.

 

I've put a great deal of effort into editing this so that the cues start and stop at the ideal places (that is, I occasionally shifted a looping cue's start point, when I deemed it appropriate -- or when it was clear that the cue had been recorded with an introductory note that's not heard until just before the loop point) ... and that the splices are as invisible as possible (and I have some experience doing this).

 

The sequencing is roughly inspired by the chronology of Ken Christensen's walkthrough.

 

Here's my track-list, with times. Titles are, for the most part, a close match for the original file-names (with some liberties taken, of course):

 

01 - Opening Credits (2:19)

02 - The Shore (1:38)

03 - Interlude (0:12)

04 - Largo LaGrande (1:23)

05 - Woodtick (5:48)

06 - Scabb Island (1:59)

07 - Voodoo Swamp (3:26)

08 - The Cemetery (1:42)

09 - Poking Largo (3:30)

10 - Captain Dread (1:37)

11 - LeChuck's Lament (1:37)

12 - Phatt Arrival (2:18)

13 - The Jail (1:15)

14 - The Casino (1:57)

15 - The Alley (2:04)

16 - Booty Island (2:12)

17 - The Kiosk (1:55)

18 - Cook Chase (0:59)

19 - Mardi Gras (3:36)

20 - Sneaking Out (0:52)

21 - Guybrush And Elaine's Tiff (2:35)

22 - Phatt Island (2:48)

23 - Phatt Gate (2:18)

24 - Phatt's Bedroom (1:30)

25 - Dream Sequence (3:30)

26 - Monkey Playing Piano (1:24)

27 - Stan (1:05)

28 - Kate's Boat (1:59)

29 - Bird Snatch (0:22)

30 - The Waterfall (3:02)

31 - Rum Roger (2:09)

32 - Yay, Find The Map (0:41)

33 - The Cemetery Revisited (1:45)

34 - Wally Kidnapped (1:09)

35 - LeChuck's Fortress (6:20)

36 - Capture (1:08)

37 - Torture Chamber (3:07)

38 - Dinky Island & Big Whoop (7:20)

39 - Lights On (2:39)

40 - Underground 1 (2:03)

41 - Rude Interruption 1 (0:21)

42 - Underground 2 (1:01)

43 - Rude Interruption 2 (0:25)

44 - Underground 3 (1:01)

45 - Rude Interruption 3 (0:23)

46 - Underground 4 (1:01)

47 - Rude Interruption 4 (0:27)

48 - Guybrush Destroys LeChuck (2:23)

49 - Carnival & End Credits (4:09)

50 - End Credits Whistle (0:24)

 

Total Time: 1:42:46

 

A few notes (these are by no means comprehensive):

 

• I have "The Shore" separate from the "Opening Credits." Just my personal preference -- I'm aware it crossfades in the original game. I also start with the full version instead of transitioning from the "End Credits Whistle." Again, I'm striving for my personal ideal listening experience, rather than exactly duplicating the game assembly at every stroke.
   
  
• I was pretty free with editing "Woodtick," in the sense that I don't transition back to the "default" material between EVERY individual location. I just like how some of them flow together. I do use the majority of the default material in various places, though, and I try to space things out enough so that the ear doesn't tire.
   
  
• "Voodoo Swamp" DOES include the flute lick at an appropriate point. :-)
   
  
• "Mardi Gras" utilizes both versions of the bridge passage.
   
  
• I spent some time creatively integrating the "extras" into the "Tiff" scene. First the positive, then the negative... I'm pretty tickled by the end result. :-)
   
  
• "Lights On" sneaks in the "twisty neck" bit. :-)
   
  
• I'd have loved it if there was a clean way to transition from the "Underground" passages into the "Rude Interruption" bits for one continuous piece. Sadly, I was always painfully conscious of the splice points. So I decided to let the individual pieces fade out gracefully and keep the interruptions as separate tracks.
  

 

Naturally, much of what I've done is a matter of taste. But I figure people are free to take what they like and leave the rest.

 

My files were edited from the original game WAVs, and encoded as 320 kbps MP3s. Here's the download link:

 

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9HIZ2FXK

 

Enjoy!

[Snugglecakes]

Enjoy!

 

Wow... downloading

[Admonisher]

I should add: on the honor system, please own a legitimate copy of the "Monkey Island 2: Special Edition" if you're going to download this. Not that I suspect that's much of an issue on this forum ... but please don't post the download link anywhere else.

[Thrik]

You should stick it in a zip with a MI2:SE-specific question. ;

[Farlander1991]

You should stick it in a zip with a MI2:SE-specific question. ;

 

Like what? What joke is put instead of the "Zonker Harris" joke?

[BloodnoseThePirate]

eep! the download isnt working for me!

 

edit: *facepalm* i was already downloading something from the same site.

[draedan]

thank you very much ! will upload to my iphone to listen while working

[simonsoup]

Admonisher, thank-you ever so much for this tremendous effort! I am downloading now...

[ThunderPeel2001]

Awesome! Thank you!

[Laserschwert]

Very well done, thanks a lot!!

[KestrelPi]

I appreciate the effort you've gone to, and how you noted that everyone has their preferences etc. But I can't help but feel this invalidates all the hours I've put into this so far, too, and a couple of other people. I sort of wish that you'd have compromised by helping out with our project instead of going solo, this thread has been up almost since the game came out. Good job anyway, but ... yeah.

[Admonisher]

My sincere apologies, SG ... it wasn't my intention to insult anyone else's work. This is just something I was always going to do for myself anyway, and I thought I'd share it here. I guess I didn't realize the degree to which you (the originating poster) considered this thread a distinct, cooperative project, rather than just a central location for people to post their own edits. I interpreted the request to focus on stuff that hadn't been done yet as an effort to get as much music out as possible in the shortest time, and since I had the whole thing handy... At any rate, I hope you don't continue to feel "invalidated" ... there's a huge amount of variety in how this music can be assembled, as your versions of "Bart & Fink," "Mardi Gras Fish Fry" amply demonstrate.

 

Anyway, I am sorry for stepping on your toes. I truly didn't mean to offend, and I hope no one feels discouraged from posting their own uniquely crafted stuff.

[elTee]

I think it's totally understandable, if you were worried about legal complications. It wouldn't be the first project to hide underground for fear of reprisal.

[KestrelPi]

My sincere apologies, SG ... it wasn't my intention to insult anyone else's work. This is just something I was always going to do for myself anyway, and I thought I'd share it here. I guess I didn't realize the degree to which you (the originating poster) considered this thread a distinct, cooperative project, rather than just a central location for people to post their own edits. I interpreted the request to focus on stuff that hadn't been done yet as an effort to get as much music out as possible in the shortest time, and since I had the whole thing handy... At any rate, I hope you don't continue to feel "invalidated" ... there's a huge amount of variety in how this music can be assembled, as your versions of "Bart & Fink," "Mardi Gras Fish Fry" amply demonstrate.

 

Anyway, I am sorry for stepping on your toes. I truly didn't mean to offend, and I hope no one feels discouraged from posting their own uniquely crafted stuff.

 

Don't worry about it, its not really a big deal. I probably shouldn't have said anything. It was just that the only reason I started thus was because nobody else seemed to be. If I had known you had something in the works I may not have bothered

[BloodnoseThePirate]

i actually only used admonishers version to fill in the cracks. if it counts for anything.

[Admonisher]

SG: Like I said, I hadn't intended to post my edit anywhere. It was actually this thread that changed my mind ... so I'm glad you bothered.

[ThunderPeel2001]

Thanks for sharing! It's great to be able to listen to this music fully and really enjoy it! I think they did a great job. I'm sure there's a few "synth" sounds in there on a few songs, but I can't totally forgive them for the huge amount of music they had to record. Wonderful soundtrack!

[elTee]

Yes, they really did an excellent job altogether

 

Thanks Surplus, Aubuhbuh, Admonisher!

[KestrelPi]

Once again, no worries. I think I was in a funny mood when I wrote that anyway, and it is good that we have usable versions of the rest of the soundtrack now, I will certainly be listening to it when I have the chance and making replacements where I want them.

[sad_muso]

Guys, I appreciate everybody's efforts on compiling these songs - brilliant work all round I say. Have been listening the the songs closely though - has anyone else noticed that they are not the most skillfully mastered songs in the World? EG: Too much low end in some parts; odd instrument volumes on some tracks (the woodwind instrument on Captain Kate theme for instance)

 

I'm also not a fan of the way that the melody at the start of the Graveyard tune now goes to the higher octave, call me fussy!

 

Other than this it's all good!

[Admonisher]

Yeah, they ain't perfect. I'd have made some different choices all around. But you know ... compared to even the best Roland MT-32 recordings I have, the SE version is still my preferred listen at this point!