I was a member of the choir that performed on the Tron soundtrack. I was a music student at UCLA at the time and performing in the UCLA Chorus and Men’s Glee Club. They ended up taking all the different UCLA choral groups and combined them into one giant choir. We were recorded inside Royce Hall at UCLA. In the center of the auditorium they put a giant piece of plywood across the audience seats and then put all their recording and mixing equipment on top of it. We were all up on stage. I remember thinking, “What the hell is this weird dissonant stuff we’re singing? There aren’t even any words.” It was both a weird and awesome experience at the same time. Seeing it all come together on the big screen was really cool, because we had no idea how any of it was going to be used. However, it was sad to see that we were never listed on the end credits.
This was an amazing video. I have always enjoyed the music of Wendy Carlos, and the TRON movie series is an absolute favorite. Thank you for the time and effort put into this video.
Thank you for this fascinating insight! The first tune I can ever remember plucking out by ear on our piano was the Tron theme. (The second was Speed Racer) The score to Tron is exactly, precisely what it needed to be. Wendy knew all the rules of music and how to bend and break them, and she made something absolutely iconic. And while I absolutely adore the Tron:Legacy soundtrack by... those other guys... I do very much wish they would have paid homage to her tunes somewhere in their music. We got a Journey song, sure, but no Wendy Carlos, and that's a shame.
I really find it crazy how back in the day getting a weird scifi sound for a movie, or just synth sounds in general required an entire wall full of massive analog equipment that literally costs more than a brand new luxury car. But now you can literally go buy a 5 dollar android or raspberry pi type device and basically recreate any of those sounds.
The score in the original movie was parsecs better that the one in Tron Legacy. One (of many) disappointments I felt with Tron Legacy was not bringing back Wendy Carlos to do the music. Its what really made Tron....Tron.
I like the Daft Punk score for completely different reasons, but I understand the wish for Carlos to have returned, or at least for her themes to have been interpolated.
Alex, you’re really special amongst the “synth RUclipsr” crowd. These videos must take an immense amount of time and effort to put together. They’re always interesting and a true pleasure to watch. Thank you for making these for us.
Thank you! Yes, these take a lot of effort which is why I haven't made that many. I'm hoping to make them part of the broad rotation of what I do, so wish me luck!
@@AlexBallMusic They're also really inspiring. The Escape from New York and Predator videos you did led to listening, practice and experimentation that have left residue on all music I've done since. They're my favourite of your videos (as well as the Prodigy one, but only because it gave me hope that I might manage to sell my U-220 one day).
@@davidharrison5873 Hear, hear! What about Tangerine Dream's score for _Sorcerer?_ An extremely underrated film from William Friedkin. It did poorly at the boxoffice, but it's a terrific film with a brilliant score.
I have studied Carlos's Tron scoring too, previously. Her sophisticated compositional style is both original and inspirational and really highlights just how restricted much of contemporary electronic music is. Its is extremely rare for today's synthesists to be fluent in the harmonies, modulation techniques and free form phrasing she employs. There is infinite untapped potential for those prepared to study and eventually master these challenging aspects of music making when combining them with the novel sounds of modern synthesizers.
Yes, it flirts with dissonance, it has odd time signatures, it has very non-standard modulations.... it's so many things recent EDM is not. She makes it seem easy, but I don't think it is. There were a lot of big choices she made in this film, but she chose correctly each time. We accept this score. It becomes another character in the film. She was the perfect person at the perfect time with the perfect background and skills to bring what this film needed.
A perfect encapsulation of this is the the jarring contrast of the Tron 2 score by comparison. It uses such cliché chord progression as the main theme and in general Daft Punk did a musically much more simplistic job.
This is FANTASTIC. Thang you so much !!!. She is such a giant . I was lucky enough to talk to her on the phone for over an hour in 83 whilst I was in NYC. Lovely lady.
A shame the entertainment industry patronizes mental illness, though. But when Satan gains control, and the greedy take over, you get indulgence, self indulgence, excessive excess, and balance and moderation go out the window. Which is probably how you get good art. And Tron’s score was definitely that.
Alex, as always a fantastic video and BONUS points for starting your Tron section with my absolute favourite melody from the Sea of Simulation - so haunting, especially coupled with the movie footage of the solar sailor being crept up on by Sark's cruiser. Like many sci fi films at the time, I had a copy on betamax that I'd mispend my teenage years playing again and again and again. For every time I watched Tron, I'd play that single sequence ten more times and the tune has stayed in my head ever since. I still whistle it from time to time, like a distopian version of a jolly tune. Maybe that's why most people give me a bit of distance as I stroll through town.
Wow! Wasn't expecting this episode, but much appreciated! Back in the 80's I used to read Wendy's stuff in Keyboard magazine, and she was definitely talking about cutting edge stuff not only in sound design but composition as well. So cool that you recreated some of her work and described how she did it, thank you!
I’m such a big fan of Tron I’m surprised how much of this is info I’ve never heard before. People nerd out about the Clockwork Orange soundtrack, and they nerd out about the Tron visuals, but not so much about the Tron music.
Phenomenal. Simply phenomenal. When you consider Carlos was writing code to help with music production as well as wrestling with composing, engineering and wrangling the other musicians and technologies of the time it’s a tribute to her astonishing talents. And Alex ye Gods man you’re a one person orchestra and sound track engineering studio too. Fascinating!
"Not skilled enough", he says, just before playing an astounding rendition of the main theme. I absolutely love this soundtrack, so thank you for making this.
Fam this is so good. What a topic to start, then executed well. Plus it reminds me of the first videos of yours I can remember, about orchestra arranging in a daw. Great work man
This music and movie were a massive part of my childhood, so much so that at 08:29 of the Tron theme I almost bust into tears with joy (sappy old me) 😂. When Wendy announced a CD of her original score was on the way (some years ago now) and that she had to COOK THE TAPES IN AN OVEN in order for them to be playable I was amazed. The CD was a revelation. I’d been stuck with the vinyl for years. Thank you for making this. END OF LINE.
Not sappy at all, it's a stunning theme! 😢 Tape baking - I read this too! The things people had to do in the analogue world seem alien compared to what we do now.
Brilliant video, cheers for this! I was fortunate enough to have grown up with relatives who were big into Wendy Carlos (along with Tomita), and listened to the Switched On and Well Tempered Synthesizer albums almost religiously. But I simply adore the Secrets of Synthesis album. Not only was it a fantastic look at synthesis in general, and a great demonstration of additive synthesis, it was also just a good class on how to make electronic music move and have life. Wendy Carlos is a national treasure.
OG Tron was the first film I ever saw in the cinema in Surround - We went to the Odeon Leicester Square and it was mesmerising. A real checkpoint childhood memory. Also, for anyone interested, the Hideaway GDS sample library is in Kontakt format. You've done a fab job here.
I know several commenters have shared similar experiences, but I also had to express my gratitude for this video (and encouragement for your upcoming Daft Punk take!) I was the perfect age as a kid when TRON hit theatres to have my mind absolutely blown by the visuals, story, music, SFX... and the toys, arcade video games etc. to follow. ☺ To this day I still have--and play--my original LP of the soundtrack. I cannot overstate how much of an influence it all had on me. Cheers for this fantastic tribute!
Useless fact about me: The Tron Scherzo plays in my head at random. It's been stuck in there since I saw the movie in the theaters. That and playing the video game.
Great video, Alex! One connection I wanted to add was to the Tron arcade game, which had 8-bit versions of these themes. I spent a lot of quarters in the arcade playing Tron in the 1980s, and the game's versions of the music are still what I hear in my head. The Journey connection transferred to the arcade too. They had their own Journey video game. The Tron and Journey arcade games were both made by Bally Midway and released in 1982 and 1983 respectively.
This is SPECTACULAR. I've never seen another music exploration channel re-create the music as much or as completely as you have. And it goes such a long way in helping to demonstrate and express just how clever and captivating Wendy's compositions were. Absolutely beautiful video.
For me, Carlos' compositions for Tron will always be superior to the simplistic sequel stuff. No offense to anyone who likes Daft Punk, but there are worlds between those two.
That was such a brilliant video! I absolutely love Wendy Carlos, she is an absolute legend, and such an inspiration to me, as a woman who grew up loving synths and is now training to become a music teacher at 37, inspired by her!!
I was a kid when this movie came out and it has such a profound impact on me. Seeing and hearing you re-create this as something I’ve been waiting for a long time. It didn’t just bring tears to my eyes. I am weeping. One thing I would like to see is how the sound effects were created for this film. I remember saying back then when I grow up, I want to have a synthesizer. Now I have several..😂 but I still don’t know how the sound of derezing, the sound of the light cycles, the tanks, recognizers were made and who made them
I’ve been (slowly) recreating some of the TNG sound effects on an FM synth. Tron predates those but it would be interesting to also try and recreate some Tron sounds on my analogue.
I was basically crying happy tears as you described the score and went through some of the cues... I believe I saw the film at the cinema together with my father and I was absolutely mesmerised by both the visuals, music and sounds, an unforgettable experience
Superb. Some of your finest playing I feel. Hats off. Really excellent stuff. Must have taken ages ! If it didn’t then hats off and I’ll eat that hat off the floor !
Alex, thank you for this. The music in TRON is underappreciated, to be sure, and I'm not the least surprised at everything that actually went into it. This video goes on my permanent bookmark list.
One of my favorite soundtracks from one of my favorite synthesizer players/composers. Just excellent. Thanks for making this video Alex, I've been waiting for this one
There is amazing synthesizer work also used throughout the film for effects and ambience. For instance, when Flynn's transportation into the game grid is finally complete and he is looking at his hands, you can hear drifting oscillators crashing into one another in lovely waves of pulse-width modulation. ...sounds like early minimal wave or industrial. They also used synth sounds to help cover errors in the footage, where there would be flashes of brightness which was not intended. I was born in 1977 and just a kid when Tron came out, but my family had it on Laserdisc afterwards and I loved watching it and fell in with the music. I named my music project after minor characters in the film - Data Pusher. Thanks for making this amazing video!
My God man, this was great!!❤ and let me just say that YOU are among the great electronic composers of your/our generation. Never discount your skills. Coincidentally listened to Tableux fully last night. Your day will come my friend! 😉
I love this! Very cool to see this movie highlighted. I had it as an audio story on casette tape when I was a kid and I have such fond memories of it, especially the sound effects.
Great effort @alexball! Thank you for your contributions to synth history! Your videos are not only informative… they compel us to get back on the keys. Cheers mate
I remember reading comments from people who loved the Daft Punk soundtrack for the sequel dissing the original film soundtrack. This annoyed me. The Daft Punk soundtrack is great, but the original soundtrack is a masterpiece, and Wendy Carlos is a genius.
Curious (and useless) fact: in 1983 I cleared 19 rounds of the Tron arcade game (1 round = the 4 separate disciplines of Cone, Tower, Bike and Tanks). Not easy!
Oh man, right into my freaking veins. I LOVE the soundtrack to TRON, and Wendy is one of my musical hero's, such a talent. Thanks for covering this Alex!
Massive kudos, too, to Dani Wilson for her epic work in restoring not only the Crumar GDS, but also many Synergys and even a Mulogix Slave32. All of these instruments are related, but only about 25 of the Mulogix Slave32 were ever made.
Oh you absolutely *must* do Daft Punks Tron Legacy soundtrack! A perfect follow-up to this. Both film scores are iconic and you've just done the original the justice it deserves.
Wow! After seeing almost endless uniformed commentary on both Carlos and her music, both online and off, this is a revelation. Sophisticated, intelligent, respectful, marvellous. Thank you.
There is a rare recording of Wendy discussing her methods. I believe it's called "On Synthesis". I have a digital copy of it and cherish it. It's somewhat hard to find out there. If you can... get it. Her knowledge is DEEP.
Thank you, as a Carlos completist, I have had that since it was released :) If you're interested in her work in non-octaval scales, I have done a few experiments in the area (but there are more sophisticated examples to be found online, as you may already be aware): ruclips.net/video/XDvopkdo7NY/видео.htmlsi=H1kOQfbIS33Me949 @@Tyrell_Corp2019
@@Tyrell_Corp2019 pretty sure I ran across it on yoo toob at some point in the past - she's really a musician's musician and a nerd's nerd. She showed immeseley deep knowledge as you mentioned.. and of course she's an awesome cat mom - I seem to recall the wee beastie getting a bit of screen time in there.. :)
I'm that old that I went to cinema to see Tron when it came out. Loved the film and music in it but I never knew it was Wendy Carlos that composed it until now.
Your synth videos are always top-notch, Alex! Back in the late 2000's, I uploaded on RUclips my own incomplete cover of the Tron Scherzo (made with the KORG DS-10 app for my Nintendo DS). Unfortunately, Wendy's company Serendip took it down and gave my old channel a copyright strike. I'm sure this video won't suffer the same fate though, lol. Keep up the excellent work!
. . . I was expecting a five-piece rock band at the end of this video. My disappointment is immeasurable. But it's an awesome video nonetheless! Amazing job.
Such an odd film - it almost has the feel of an older black and white film - perhaps Metropolis - but, like synthesisers of the time, the CGI tech couldn’t accurately mimic life, so was used to create a virtual universe. And that’s why I love ‘true’ synth music (rather than just people using synths) - in the right hands, synthesisers are unique instruments in their own rights, rather than simply ways of emulating acoustic instruments.
Great video Alex. I know very little about Tron so it's really informative for me. Love the breakdowns! FYI Tangerine Dream also used the GDS on Thief I recall and Chris Franke mentioned it as having left his studio in one of his interviews. Wendy Carlos also was a fan of the jazz pianist Albert Dailey and synths appear on his 1972 LP "The Day After The Dawn" where Wendy wrote the liner notes and he covers the Clockwork Orange theme.
I've had a few Wendy Carlos videos pop up in my feed recently. Yours tipped me over the edge, I *had* to buy the Tron Blu Ray to watch it again, just for the music and sound. Absolutely brilliant
This is great! I've been a fan of Tron since I first heard of it in 1982, even though it took years for me to actually see it. My parents took me to see E.T. and nothing else that year despite my pleading. Now E.T. was great, but I was a computer nerd, and Tron is what I really wanted. I think I've been compensating ever since. I got the sound track on vinyl a few years ago, and listen at least once every month. Your breakdowns of the songs are great, thanks!
Super special, under-extolled score. Among many excellent things worth noting about it, I really appreciated the near-latin bass lines that wander underneath a lot of the score. So many influences and things going on, yet so cohesive and in service to the film. (I got it on vinyl in the 90s :D )
Odd time signature was indeed quite bold for a Disney film in the 1980s. We all know that's more suitable for a 1970s Sesame Street song that teaches kids how to count
Hello Alex: This video was so good that I will have to watch it a few times for it all to sink in. I went to see Tron when it was first released. A while ago, I tried buying a copy of Switched on Bach, however, it doesn't seen to be available. Have a wonderful day.
Tron was a major, major film during my teenage years. It so affected my mind that I later programmed a light cycle game on the C64 (assembler, of course). I loved everything about the film. Wendy Carlos was a genius.
Would you be up for a challenge? That being figuring out what in the world Shuki Levy was using for his 1982-1983 synth scores (Mysterious Cities of Gold, Masters of the universe, Inspector Gadget, Lucky Luke, The Littles). Lots of speculations were made over the years, but nothing concrete has yet showed up...
Outstanding work, Alex. Wendy deserves all the recognition we can muster. Like Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven, her work has so many layers and invites the listener to revisit again and again. Thank you for investing so much time to highlight why her work deserves appreciation. Peace.
![Cody Johnson - I'm Gonna Love You (with Carrie Underwood) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yy9PuYMU29g/mqdefault.jpg)
I was a member of the choir that performed on the Tron soundtrack. I was a music student at UCLA at the time and performing in the UCLA Chorus and Men’s Glee Club. They ended up taking all the different UCLA choral groups and combined them into one giant choir. We were recorded inside Royce Hall at UCLA. In the center of the auditorium they put a giant piece of plywood across the audience seats and then put all their recording and mixing equipment on top of it. We were all up on stage. I remember thinking, “What the hell is this weird dissonant stuff we’re singing? There aren’t even any words.” It was both a weird and awesome experience at the same time. Seeing it all come together on the big screen was really cool, because we had no idea how any of it was going to be used. However, it was sad to see that we were never listed on the end credits.
This was an amazing video. I have always enjoyed the music of Wendy Carlos, and the TRON movie series is an absolute favorite. Thank you for the time and effort put into this video.
Just plain brilliant! The fact alone that you‘ve dared to tackle Wendy‘s works deserves highest respect!
Cheers! Yes, hallowed ground.
This video was a joy to watch and listen. So many childhood memories with the movie and the arcade game.
Thank you for this fascinating insight! The first tune I can ever remember plucking out by ear on our piano was the Tron theme. (The second was Speed Racer) The score to Tron is exactly, precisely what it needed to be. Wendy knew all the rules of music and how to bend and break them, and she made something absolutely iconic. And while I absolutely adore the Tron:Legacy soundtrack by... those other guys... I do very much wish they would have paid homage to her tunes somewhere in their music. We got a Journey song, sure, but no Wendy Carlos, and that's a shame.
I really find it crazy how back in the day getting a weird scifi sound for a movie, or just synth sounds in general required an entire wall full of massive analog equipment that literally costs more than a brand new luxury car. But now you can literally go buy a 5 dollar android or raspberry pi type device and basically recreate any of those sounds.
☺ Brilliant video!! 🔥✨
The score in the original movie was parsecs better that the one in Tron Legacy. One (of many) disappointments I felt with Tron Legacy was not bringing back Wendy Carlos to do the music. Its what really made Tron....Tron.
Tron Legacy was essentially just a long format Daft Punk music video... ;)
I like the Daft Punk score for completely different reasons, but I understand the wish for Carlos to have returned, or at least for her themes to have been interpolated.
Alex, you’re really special amongst the “synth RUclipsr” crowd. These videos must take an immense amount of time and effort to put together. They’re always interesting and a true pleasure to watch. Thank you for making these for us.
Thank you! Yes, these take a lot of effort which is why I haven't made that many.
I'm hoping to make them part of the broad rotation of what I do, so wish me luck!
Good luck then 😊
@@AlexBallMusic They're also really inspiring. The Escape from New York and Predator videos you did led to listening, practice and experimentation that have left residue on all music I've done since. They're my favourite of your videos (as well as the Prodigy one, but only because it gave me hope that I might manage to sell my U-220 one day).
@@davidharrison5873 Hear, hear! What about Tangerine Dream's score for _Sorcerer?_ An extremely underrated film from William Friedkin. It did poorly at the boxoffice, but it's a terrific film with a brilliant score.
@@wingflanaganGreat minds. That is actually on the list. 😀
Already waiting for the "How the TRON: Legacy Music was made" video! Great job!
I have studied Carlos's Tron scoring too, previously. Her sophisticated compositional style is both original and inspirational and really highlights just how restricted much of contemporary electronic music is.
Its is extremely rare for today's synthesists to be fluent in the harmonies, modulation techniques and free form phrasing she employs.
There is infinite untapped potential for those prepared to study and eventually master these challenging aspects of music making when combining them with the novel sounds of modern synthesizers.
Yes, it flirts with dissonance, it has odd time signatures, it has very non-standard modulations.... it's so many things recent EDM is not. She makes it seem easy, but I don't think it is. There were a lot of big choices she made in this film, but she chose correctly each time. We accept this score. It becomes another character in the film. She was the perfect person at the perfect time with the perfect background and skills to bring what this film needed.
A perfect encapsulation of this is the the jarring contrast of the Tron 2 score by comparison. It uses such cliché chord progression as the main theme and in general Daft Punk did a musically much more simplistic job.
This is FANTASTIC. Thang you so much !!!. She is such a giant . I was lucky enough to talk to her on the phone for over an hour in 83 whilst I was in NYC. Lovely lady.
Hi Ed! That's fantastic, I'd love to hear that story.
I got your message, I'll send you an email.
Wendy Carlos was a trailblazer in so many aspects of her life. Absolute legend and an inspiration to us all.
The Shining, might be the eeriest score ever….hahah. Just hearing it..brings chills.
A shame the entertainment industry patronizes mental illness, though. But when Satan gains control, and the greedy take over, you get indulgence, self indulgence, excessive excess, and balance and moderation go out the window. Which is probably how you get good art. And Tron’s score was definitely that.
Do you know if Wendy Carlos was transgender? I recall name Walter Carlos until about middle 1970s.
Was? She's still around and doing great
@@milozimben Not "was" like she passed. "Was" like I'd say Roger Federer was one of the greats.
Great job, Alex. Carlos' score for TRON is flat out one of the greatest synth soundtracks ever.
After hearing about the convoluted recording setup, I have a newfound appreciation for my DAW lol.
My goodness, yes! I thought the same. The things these cats did back in the day were like using clubs and spears compared to what we have.
Alex, as always a fantastic video and BONUS points for starting your Tron section with my absolute favourite melody from the Sea of Simulation - so haunting, especially coupled with the movie footage of the solar sailor being crept up on by Sark's cruiser. Like many sci fi films at the time, I had a copy on betamax that I'd mispend my teenage years playing again and again and again. For every time I watched Tron, I'd play that single sequence ten more times and the tune has stayed in my head ever since. I still whistle it from time to time, like a distopian version of a jolly tune. Maybe that's why most people give me a bit of distance as I stroll through town.
Ah, great to know. Yeah, that little piece caught my ear too.
Wow! Wasn't expecting this episode, but much appreciated! Back in the 80's I used to read Wendy's stuff in Keyboard magazine, and she was definitely talking about cutting edge stuff not only in sound design but composition as well. So cool that you recreated some of her work and described how she did it, thank you!
Yes, she's never stopped moving forwards. Very special musician and person.
I’m such a big fan of Tron I’m surprised how much of this is info I’ve never heard before. People nerd out about the Clockwork Orange soundtrack, and they nerd out about the Tron visuals, but not so much about the Tron music.
I nerded out on the music. I bought the soundtrack after the movie was released in 82. I still have the vinyl.
Great movie, great video breaking it down
I enjoy the music and visuals equally. Both have inspired countless artists since!
Phenomenal. Simply phenomenal. When you consider Carlos was writing code to help with music production as well as wrestling with composing, engineering and wrangling the other musicians and technologies of the time it’s a tribute to her astonishing talents. And Alex ye Gods man you’re a one person orchestra and sound track engineering studio too. Fascinating!
Yes, there can't have been many people who could have pulled it off! Quite the multitalented individual.
Popcorn out, looking forward to watch!
"Not skilled enough", he says, just before playing an astounding rendition of the main theme. I absolutely love this soundtrack, so thank you for making this.
Thanks! It's not quite right, but I enjoyed doing a version of it.
You wanna hear "not skilled enough"? That would be me attempting _Chopsticks!_
Fam this is so good. What a topic to start, then executed well. Plus it reminds me of the first videos of yours I can remember, about orchestra arranging in a daw. Great work man
Hey Jorb! Yeah, putting some of the older style videos back in rotation as there's been a lot of requests. Hard work, but worth it!
This music and movie were a massive part of my childhood, so much so that at 08:29 of the Tron theme I almost bust into tears with joy (sappy old me) 😂. When Wendy announced a CD of her original score was on the way (some years ago now) and that she had to COOK THE TAPES IN AN OVEN in order for them to be playable I was amazed. The CD was a revelation. I’d been stuck with the vinyl for years. Thank you for making this. END OF LINE.
Not sappy at all, it's a stunning theme! 😢
Tape baking - I read this too! The things people had to do in the analogue world seem alien compared to what we do now.
The adhesive that held the iron oxide layer to the underlying plastic tape had degraded and glued the whole tape reel together.
My goodness... what a beautiful rendition of the classic theme!
Tysm for telling trans stories
Brilliant video, cheers for this! I was fortunate enough to have grown up with relatives who were big into Wendy Carlos (along with Tomita), and listened to the Switched On and Well Tempered Synthesizer albums almost religiously. But I simply adore the Secrets of Synthesis album. Not only was it a fantastic look at synthesis in general, and a great demonstration of additive synthesis, it was also just a good class on how to make electronic music move and have life. Wendy Carlos is a national treasure.
The TRON soundtrack is truly one of the coolest and most nostalgic film themes. I love seeing anyone talk about it!
Yeah, gorgeous writing. Love the unexpected chord changes that somehow work.
I love the sequel soundtrack as well.
A sequel to this video maybe? 😉
Wendy is a genius 🎶 🎵 ❤️
OG Tron was the first film I ever saw in the cinema in Surround - We went to the Odeon Leicester Square and it was mesmerising. A real checkpoint childhood memory. Also, for anyone interested, the Hideaway GDS sample library is in Kontakt format. You've done a fab job here.
The Odeon in Leicester Square! Doesn't get much more 80s than that. Marvelous.
_Hideaway_ GDS sample library? May I ask what are you referring to when you say “Hideaway”?
I know several commenters have shared similar experiences, but I also had to express my gratitude for this video (and encouragement for your upcoming Daft Punk take!) I was the perfect age as a kid when TRON hit theatres to have my mind absolutely blown by the visuals, story, music, SFX... and the toys, arcade video games etc. to follow. ☺ To this day I still have--and play--my original LP of the soundtrack. I cannot overstate how much of an influence it all had on me. Cheers for this fantastic tribute!
Useless fact about me: The Tron Scherzo plays in my head at random. It's been stuck in there since I saw the movie in the theaters. That and playing the video game.
7/8 inner musiclogue. Sounds fun.
I love the perfect timing of this video coming within days of Graham Linehan saying that there are no "great trans creators of music".
idk who that loser is. but a lotta people know who wendy is…
So, one? I believe he said "creators", you know, plural?
@@pops1221so 1 MORE than people who use the name "posd1221" on youtube then
@@pops1221 Lena Raine, Angela Morley, Dee Palmer, SOPHIE???
@@bygon432 he said "great".
Great video, Alex! One connection I wanted to add was to the Tron arcade game, which had 8-bit versions of these themes. I spent a lot of quarters in the arcade playing Tron in the 1980s, and the game's versions of the music are still what I hear in my head. The Journey connection transferred to the arcade too. They had their own Journey video game. The Tron and Journey arcade games were both made by Bally Midway and released in 1982 and 1983 respectively.
This is SPECTACULAR. I've never seen another music exploration channel re-create the music as much or as completely as you have. And it goes such a long way in helping to demonstrate and express just how clever and captivating Wendy's compositions were. Absolutely beautiful video.
Big thanks for content on Wendy Carlos
For me, Carlos' compositions for Tron will always be superior to the simplistic sequel stuff. No offense to anyone who likes Daft Punk, but there are worlds between those two.
That was such a brilliant video! I absolutely love Wendy Carlos, she is an absolute legend, and such an inspiration to me, as a woman who grew up loving synths and is now training to become a music teacher at 37, inspired by her!!
Your score breakdowns are something I eagerly anticipate, and Tron would have to be one of my top picks, thankyou!
Cheers! I thought Tron needed some thorough coverage.
Wow the Crumar GDS looked awesome. The black box with it too is a bit like the black slab in 2001. Sounded gorgeous too.
I was a kid when this movie came out and it has such a profound impact on me. Seeing and hearing you re-create this as something I’ve been waiting for a long time. It didn’t just bring tears to my eyes. I am weeping.
One thing I would like to see is how the sound effects were created for this film. I remember saying back then when I grow up, I want to have a synthesizer. Now I have several..😂 but
I still don’t know how the sound of derezing, the sound of the light cycles, the tanks, recognizers were made and who made them
Glad you enjoyed it!
There's some articles about the sound design, but I've not been into them deeply, it would be interesting to know!
I’ve been (slowly) recreating some of the TNG sound effects on an FM synth. Tron predates those but it would be interesting to also try and recreate some Tron sounds on my analogue.
@@AlexBallMusicI also had an unexpected emotional response to this video. Great stuff.
your vids are still the best !!! alex ball = Legend or as the guys in the pub would say '' Alex Ball , Lege absoulte Lege ''
See a new video notification, see the words Alex Ball and Tron… clicked so fast!
I was basically crying happy tears as you described the score and went through some of the cues... I believe I saw the film at the cinema together with my father and I was absolutely mesmerised by both the visuals, music and sounds, an unforgettable experience
This was exactly my experience as a boy watching the movie with my own father. It's left an indelible mark on me.
@@adam872 indelible is the right word, truly
The Tron soundtrack is an absolute master-work. Pure and simple.
Superb. Some of your finest playing I feel. Hats off. Really excellent stuff. Must have taken ages ! If it didn’t then hats off and I’ll eat that hat off the floor !
Haha! Cheers Jamie!
Thanks Alex. I am now searching for my old dvd of the movie Tron.
Alex, thank you for this. The music in TRON is underappreciated, to be sure, and I'm not the least surprised at everything that actually went into it. This video goes on my permanent bookmark list.
excellent "episode"! I am transported back to 1982 or 1983 when I first watched the movie. Very accomplished rendition Alex.
One of my favorite soundtracks from one of my favorite synthesizer players/composers. Just excellent. Thanks for making this video Alex, I've been waiting for this one
There is amazing synthesizer work also used throughout the film for effects and ambience. For instance, when Flynn's transportation into the game grid is finally complete and he is looking at his hands, you can hear drifting oscillators crashing into one another in lovely waves of pulse-width modulation. ...sounds like early minimal wave or industrial. They also used synth sounds to help cover errors in the footage, where there would be flashes of brightness which was not intended. I was born in 1977 and just a kid when Tron came out, but my family had it on Laserdisc afterwards and I loved watching it and fell in with the music. I named my music project after minor characters in the film - Data Pusher. Thanks for making this amazing video!
My God man, this was great!!❤ and let me just say that YOU are among the great electronic composers of your/our generation. Never discount your skills. Coincidentally listened to Tableux fully last night. Your day will come my friend! 😉
Thank you very much!
I love this! Very cool to see this movie highlighted. I had it as an audio story on casette tape when I was a kid and I have such fond memories of it, especially the sound effects.
I personally wouldn't be using Spitfire products at all, but certainly not for this subject. Are we not still in boycott?
Oh Alex! I LOVE how you opened playing the stand-out part of her score ‘Sea of Simulation’….it’s such an awe inspiring piece. Bravo ⭐️
Yeah, love that little section. So perfectly done.
I'm a simple musician, I see Wendy Carlos - I immediately click on the video 🤓
Great job Alex!!
Like like like like like like like like!
You’re so immensely talented! Your videos are a true experience. 🎹 👌
Thank you!
Excellent summary. I was building microcomputers, playing jazz and working on my Bachelors in Computer Science at the time. I loved this movie.
I’ve got a DK Synergy in my studio in Dallas with 9 cartridges. If you’re ever around, I’d be happy to let you play it. Very unique piece!
Great effort @alexball! Thank you for your contributions to synth history! Your videos are not only informative… they compel us to get back on the keys. Cheers mate
I remember reading comments from people who loved the Daft Punk soundtrack for the sequel dissing the original film soundtrack. This annoyed me. The Daft Punk soundtrack is great, but the original soundtrack is a masterpiece, and Wendy Carlos is a genius.
Curious (and useless) fact: in 1983 I cleared 19 rounds of the Tron arcade game (1 round = the 4 separate disciplines of Cone, Tower, Bike and Tanks). Not easy!
Thanks for years of fly videos and dope content. This one is stellar as well! 🔥🔥💜
Oh man, right into my freaking veins. I LOVE the soundtrack to TRON, and Wendy is one of my musical hero's, such a talent. Thanks for covering this Alex!
Ha! I remember that issue of Keyboard!
Be well!
Holy crap! 😮 That was outstanding! The English language doesn't quite manage to express how I feel, so...
Dios mio! caray!
Massive kudos, too, to Dani Wilson for her epic work in restoring not only the Crumar GDS, but also many Synergys and even a Mulogix Slave32. All of these instruments are related, but only about 25 of the Mulogix Slave32 were ever made.
Hey Alison! Yeah, Dani is a treasure. Hugely grateful for her help here.
I didn't know about the Mulogix. Down another rabbit hole I go...
@@AlexBallMusic I have one here, SN# WC002. I could be persuaded to ship it over to you if you wanted to explore it.
Alex Ball talking about one of my favorite 80's Disney science fiction films!? And going into detail about the score!?!? Spoiling us!
Oh you absolutely *must* do Daft Punks Tron Legacy soundtrack! A perfect follow-up to this. Both film scores are iconic and you've just done the original the justice it deserves.
Oh wow....what a great idea to do a Video on, loved Tron...Awesome :)
Hey Jamie! Thought it was a good one to cover.
Wow! After seeing almost endless uniformed commentary on both Carlos and her music, both online and off, this is a revelation. Sophisticated, intelligent, respectful, marvellous. Thank you.
There is a rare recording of Wendy discussing her methods. I believe it's called "On Synthesis". I have a digital copy of it and cherish it. It's somewhat hard to find out there. If you can... get it. Her knowledge is DEEP.
Thank you, as a Carlos completist, I have had that since it was released :)
If you're interested in her work in non-octaval scales, I have done a few experiments in the area (but there are more sophisticated examples to be found online, as you may already be aware):
ruclips.net/video/XDvopkdo7NY/видео.htmlsi=H1kOQfbIS33Me949
@@Tyrell_Corp2019
@@Tyrell_Corp2019as I recall, the title was Secrets Of Synthesis. I had a copy years ago that was sadly lost in many moves.
@@Tyrell_Corp2019 pretty sure I ran across it on yoo toob at some point in the past - she's really a musician's musician and a nerd's nerd. She showed immeseley deep knowledge as you mentioned.. and of course she's an awesome cat mom - I seem to recall the wee beastie getting a bit of screen time in there.. :)
@@digital_sorceress Yeah. She's a great cat mom no doubt. 🐈⬛
another gr8 vid!!!!
I'm that old that I went to cinema to see Tron when it came out. Loved the film and music in it but I never knew it was Wendy Carlos that composed it until now.
No, nor me!
It was Walter Carlos then.
Your synth videos are always top-notch, Alex! Back in the late 2000's, I uploaded on RUclips my own incomplete cover of the Tron Scherzo (made with the KORG DS-10 app for my Nintendo DS). Unfortunately, Wendy's company Serendip took it down and gave my old channel a copyright strike. I'm sure this video won't suffer the same fate though, lol. Keep up the excellent work!
The Tron Scherzo theme was "ported" to the arcade game. One of my all time favorites.
love these film score breakdown videos
Nice content. I've Subscribed. Keep on Synthing! ❤️
Love the film but shamefully never noticed the sound track so thanks for the education
Quite low in the mix, but it's really great. It's been released digitally now, so you can hear it all in isolation.
Beautiful work again Alex! Wendy Carlos is another significant inspiration for me on many levels.
. . . I was expecting a five-piece rock band at the end of this video.
My disappointment is immeasurable.
But it's an awesome video nonetheless! Amazing job.
Thank you. I enjoyed that, Alex. Not bad for a User! Subbed. End of line.
TRON! what a treat! and i thought you were going to flog us a Roland Gaia2 ...... Thank you Alex for another excellent episode
I'm sure they found a couple of daft punks to score the sequel.
Such an odd film - it almost has the feel of an older black and white film - perhaps Metropolis - but, like synthesisers of the time, the CGI tech couldn’t accurately mimic life, so was used to create a virtual universe. And that’s why I love ‘true’ synth music (rather than just people using synths) - in the right hands, synthesisers are unique instruments in their own rights, rather than simply ways of emulating acoustic instruments.
I SOOOOO loved the films score, even the Tron2 sound track was great. A worthy successor.
Daft Punk's soundtrack clearly showed great respect for Wendy Carlos and her outstanding work at that time.
Yes, always great when a sequel is actually good! Really enjoyed Tron legacy.
"Wendy carlos is a woman" LETS GOOOOOOO 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣
Great video Alex. I know very little about Tron so it's really informative for me. Love the breakdowns!
FYI Tangerine Dream also used the GDS on Thief I recall and Chris Franke mentioned it as having left his studio in one of his interviews.
Wendy Carlos also was a fan of the jazz pianist Albert Dailey and synths appear on his 1972 LP "The Day After The Dawn" where Wendy wrote the liner notes and he covers the Clockwork Orange theme.
I've had a few Wendy Carlos videos pop up in my feed recently. Yours tipped me over the edge, I *had* to buy the Tron Blu Ray to watch it again, just for the music and sound. Absolutely brilliant
Good info and great recreation 👍
Wendy was way ahead of their time
This is great! I've been a fan of Tron since I first heard of it in 1982, even though it took years for me to actually see it. My parents took me to see E.T. and nothing else that year despite my pleading. Now E.T. was great, but I was a computer nerd, and Tron is what I really wanted. I think I've been compensating ever since. I got the sound track on vinyl a few years ago, and listen at least once every month. Your breakdowns of the songs are great, thanks!
Same here! E.T. was the first film I ever saw. I saw Tron on TV a few years later, and it simply blew my mind.
Alex, very well done sir.
Super special, under-extolled score. Among many excellent things worth noting about it, I really appreciated the near-latin bass lines that wander underneath a lot of the score. So many influences and things going on, yet so cohesive and in service to the film. (I got it on vinyl in the 90s :D )
Yes, they are quite Latin now you say it! I hadn't put 2+2 together.
Or should that be 4+3 together. 😉
Thank you so much for making this - her music means a lot to so many people. ❤
Odd time signature was indeed quite bold for a Disney film in the 1980s. We all know that's more suitable for a 1970s Sesame Street song that teaches kids how to count
Haha, very true
Hello Alex: This video was so good that I will have to watch it a few times for it all to sink in. I went to see Tron when it was first released. A while ago, I tried buying a copy of Switched on Bach, however, it doesn't seen to be available. Have a wonderful day.
Tron was a major, major film during my teenage years. It so affected my mind that I later programmed a light cycle game on the C64 (assembler, of course). I loved everything about the film. Wendy Carlos was a genius.
Incredible work as ever. Wendy Carlos doesn’t get the recognition she deserves does she
Don't even have to watch it, instant like. Can't wait.
Would you be up for a challenge? That being figuring out what in the world Shuki Levy was using for his 1982-1983 synth scores (Mysterious Cities of Gold, Masters of the universe, Inspector Gadget, Lucky Luke, The Littles). Lots of speculations were made over the years, but nothing concrete has yet showed up...
Great work! MCP would be pleased… only joking, he’s never satisfied
⌛End of line
Outstanding work, Alex. Wendy deserves all the recognition we can muster. Like Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven, her work has so many layers and invites the listener to revisit again and again. Thank you for investing so much time to highlight why her work deserves appreciation.
Peace.