Eminence Online, Game Music Feature

I think it's reasonable to assume that you've heard of Halo Wars. The series' first foray into the real-time strategy realm is here at last, and you'll be surprised to learn that Bungie composers Marty O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori are nowhere to be seen. Instead, former Ensemble Studios audio director Stephen Rippy took the helm of the series, and I must admit that he did some great work. I recommend checking out the official soundtrack album that was released on Sumthing Else last month. We've been fortunate to have the opportunity to get in a few words with Rippy about his work on the title, including information about the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague. We touch on his past experience working with orchestras, and the unique challenges posed by Halo Wars. Read our interview with Stephen Rippy after the jump.

Eminence Online: Stephen, thanks for taking the time to speak with us about the orchestral music featured in Halo Wars. I know you've worked with an orchestra in the past, but I was hoping you could start by telling us how you envisioned an orchestra would be used in scoring Halo Wars. Did the final product end up sounding similar to how you initially imagined?

Stephen Rippy: For Halo Wars, I was interested in trying to get a balance between orchestral and synthesized parts and have those two things work together successfully. I'd say the final product got pretty close, but there's always room to tweak and improve!

EO: Given the electronic and ambient nature of the game's score, what was your approach to the use of the orchestra? Do the recordings supplement the electronic tracks, or act on their own to emphasize key moments in the game?

SR: I think both. For most of the in-game tracks, the electronic elements and orchestral performances play off each other in a more or less equal way. On the other hand, I definitely wanted the cinematics to lean more on the live playing to give the visuals a little more resonance.

EO: As I mentioned, you worked with another orchestra in the past on your Age of Empires III score. What went into the decision to go with the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague this time around, and do you feel working with this orchestra gave you different results?

SR: Everything from wanting a change of scenery to cost considerations went into the decision. I attended the Prague sessions for Age of Empires III's Asian Dynasties expansion pack in the middle of writing for Halo Wars, and I enjoyed the experience so much that I wanted to do it again on a bigger scale. There's definitely a different sound - I don't know if it's down to the players, the studio, or some combination of the two, but the orchestral material feels a little darker and heavier than I've had before.

EO: How many members of the orchestra were recorded for the Halo Wars soundtrack? Did you make use of small ensembles or did you go with the full orchestra more often than not?

SR: There were 45 players, with the strings usually doubled in an overdub pass. I mostly used the full orchestra - I think anytime there was a smaller ensemble, it was used to supplement something more electronic.

EO: You were also able to work with the FILMharmonic Choir Prague as well. Was this the first time you were able to work with a live choir? I imagine you recorded the infamous Halo chant with the group?

SR: No, there was live choir on Age of Mythology and the Age III-associated titles as well. Having actual voices to work with is something I really enjoy; if I could do an all-choral soundtrack, I would jump at the chance :-) I recorded a couple of versions of the Halo chant. It was kind of startling to hear something so familiar in such a different context!

EO: Approximately how many minutes of music were recorded with the orchestra and choir? Do the recordings appear alone, or are they augmented with some of your synth work?

SR: I believe we recorded something like an hour of orchestra and choir out of about seventy total minutes of score. Apart from some of the percussion, everything that sounds live is live; there's no padding with sampled strings or anything like that.

EO: On the topic of your synthesized material in Halo Wars, I'm curious as to your approach to composition. Is most of the music programmed, or are we hearing some live performances from you in the game?

SR: Most of the synths are programmed, but I did play some of the parts live - as well as all of the guitar, some of the non-synth keyboards, and a lot of percussion.

EO: As a composer who has had to make due with sample libraries in the past, without the budget to record an orchestra, what are you thoughts regarding the difference it makes? What would you say to other audio directors out there to persuade them for or against splurging on a live orchestra for their projects?

SR: I'd never try to persuade against using live players if it's possible to hire them. I've been fortunate enough to be able to use an orchestra on my last four projects, and it's always a great experience. There are definitely good sample libraries available, but there's something about the dynamic of all those people in a room that makes a real difference to the end result.

EO: I'm sure you're aware of the many video game concerts that have been taking place around the world. Do you think these venues for game music have had any impact on the way that game composers approach their work? Do you feel that these kinds of shows validate what you do in terms of entering the realm of -real- music, as it were?

SR: I don't know that it changes a composer's approach, but hopefully it introduces a different audience to some music that may otherwise have been overlooked.

EO: Do you think there will be an opportunity to hear a live performance of Halo Wars music in the future? We thoroughly enjoyed the soundtrack, and would love to hear it performed live.

SR: Thanks! That's something I'd like to hear myself - it'd be interesting to see how all the electronic stuff would be handled in a live setting. Hopefully there will be a chance for that to happen down the road!

EO: Stephen, thank you for your time. We hope your future projects afford you the budget to work with an orchestra again! The Halo Wars Soundtrack is now available via Sumthing Else Music Works and www.sumthingdigital.com

Comments

Add a Comment

You need to register and be logged in to post comments.