Analyzing the AoE2 Civ Jingles (ft. Vitalis Eirich)
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- Опубликовано: 26 окт 2020
- In this video we'll see how the 1 minute expanded civilization theme songs were written/recorded for Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition. I was lucky enough to have an in-depth conservation with the composer, Vitalis Eirich about the process.
1:55 How the songs were recorded / how virtual instruments work
9:00 Songwriting process
15:40 Historical Authenticity / research
23:00 Advice for songwriters
Vitalis' RUclips channel: / hrisdolgr
Patreon: / spiritofthelaw
Game: Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition, with Forgotten Empires, African Kingdoms, Rise the Rajas, and Last Khans expansions 
Игры
Hello SoTL-Community,
many thanks for all your comments. I am really happy about the positive feedback and also about the critical and constructive one.
I hope I can produce more music for you and AoE in the future ! See ya !
Thanks Legend!
Your Viking theme makes me want to jump on that longboat and go exploring to Vinland and the new world!
Thanks for everything you do!
Thanks dude, My favourite theme is the Magyar one. :)
@@KamleshMallick just saw your comment :) thanks ! Btw the extended Vikings Theme is uploaded
@@aguy6771 youre welcome :) , thanks for the support!
Wanted to say great work on the ones you've done so far- however in the future I would recommend getting in contact with actual descendants of the civilizations you are making the jingle for. I have heard a number of complaints from various SE Asian players that the jingle for their civilization sounds deeply inauthentic to traditional music from their culture. I think it's best approach for all aspects of the game to be respectful through accurate representation where it doesn't affect gameplay. Just a note that will hopefully make your future work even more fantastic- I have deeply enjoyed what you contributed to the game and look forward to whats to come.
The jingles were the one of my favorite things when I played this as a kid. Got me excited for the battle lol
They still excite us for battle hahaha
"But you need to boom first"
vikings doot ftw
Yes man remember the celts vs brits in the playable demo? I had it for free and played it 100x
@@TheLive100 Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp!
1999 Composer: *Plays a horn for Vikings*
2019 Vitalis: "I'm bout to end this mans whole career..."
What is the timestamp for that part?
@@kelposo 11:00
It's a horn? Thought it's a fart.
I really enjoy when you sometimes take a break from the "hard data" of the game for gameplay purposes and get into the 'fluff'. Another quality video, SOTL
Yeah it was a refreshing video.
Agreed
Vitalis is amazing. He managed to successfully add to one of the greatest musical scores in all of video games. I remember when I first heard the rise of the rajas, and the extended jingles.
I still remember how people complained for the Spanish theme lacking that "heayeaheah" sing
Welp, if the excuse is not being representative of Spanish music, here is one that is actually offensive: Aztecs do not speak proper nahuatl and devs haven't done sh** about it
@@gilb_4 In all fairness I don't think anyone knew except for an actual heir of the Aztec people. let alone that a regular player would care.
@@OytheGreat Eh I mean I'm not Native American but I appreciate all the added authenticity/voice acting to the Haudenosaunee and Lakota civs. It's a matter of treating history and the peoples of those cultures with respect and dignity.
@@OytheGreat Welp, guess what, why the f*** whe shouldn't care, when Nahuatl is not a dead language, with almost 2 million native speakers as of now, so why we should settle for a ficticious language when there are ways to get the real thing
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahuatl
@@gilb_4 A few of the languages aren't proper language so I don't think it's a major problem. I mean, half of the British words aren't just inaccurate, but literal jokes. AoE3 treated them much more accurately so I appreciated the changes there
I like the Bulgarians' jingle. It has one instrument going, which is then added to, something that can be symbolic of their history.
Oh, and a joke:
Music companies: "Who's ever going to need stock clips of Mongolian throat singing?"
Vitalis: *raises hand*
Psytrance producers often use mongolian throat singing samples! :D
They probably figured everyone would be like Square Enix and just find a random employee who knows how to throat sing.
Yeah I agree, it starts a bit Arabian, as the Turks but with the guitar also really European. Nice mix of both cultures, as is the case in Bulgaria :)
I also propose a compromise: upon researching Supremacy, a Spanish player will hear the original “HEYEYEAH” theme in-game
Yes
This should be a mod. I'd definitely download it
Omfg YES
Mad props from one professional musician to another. He carried a heavy weight on his shoulders having had to re-do the music and write some of it from scratch. Vitalis had to both capture the nostalgia of the past game and also bring some authentic essence of the many cultures the civs represent. I found the story about people missing the cut "flamenco" snippet funny, because as SOTL pointed out, it was an 18th century style. A lot of the western European music vignettes are technically more based on early renaissance than medieval. These things all exist on a continuum, though. I found his encounter with the easterly civs and how the "styles" vary from region to region interesting. I think if I were in his position I would do my best to emulate the music of the courts instead of the populous--if possible. Though, a big thing we take for granted as westerners is our written music history. If a culture undergoes revolution, oftentimes the people whose rolls were to play this music disappear, along with their rote tradition. Lots of western universities have been going around the world with recorders trying to pick up the sounds of far off places and preserve them. And some places, like China, are trying to rediscover their old music because it was outlawed.
All in all, great interview. It was the music and the "reconstructed" languages that the units say that were a catalyst to my wanting to learn about these things into my adulthood. Thank you for seeking out this interview with the venerable Vitalis!
Native Bulgarian here, can confirm the Bulgarian extended theme makes natives happy.
I can see that. Out of all the themes, this is one that sounds a lot like the real deal.
I also found this later on: ruclips.net/video/GLV1i-fVsk4/видео.html
I never realized how much of a banger Bulgarians theme was. Holy shit. My favorite is still Vikings. But Bulgarians go hard asf
@@EzioIlMentore THANKS IT WAS AWSOME TO HEAR
We need a Vitalis Eirich version of SOTL's intro
Hey Spirit Of The Law, Guys here.
This isn't funny why is it so funny. Lmao
I unsub if SOTL don't like this
Hey Law, Spirit of the Guys here
@@VL-xg5pf Hey Spirit, Guys of the Law here.
@@chrisespinosa6875 Hey Here, Law of the Spirit Guys
The music in this game is amazing.
Once I heard one of the lengthened themes like the Britons' and found the Immersive option, I slapped that thing on so hard and never looked back.
I play a lot of Random Map Random Civ, so every new game is a new musical treat.
It's amazing how Vitalis worked with so little and how much he was able to work into the final themes.
I do miss the Spanish Cante Jondo though, haha!
IIIBN LAAHEEEEEEEEY *JIGIJINNN*
What is this "immersive option" you write of?
@@light_david7 Iirc it makes the first song of each round your civs song.
Yeah, the flamenco part might have been anachronistic, but it was still iconic to AoE2 players.
@@HandsomeGamerGuy Oh, that happens for me automatically. Did you have to toggle it on?
I'd love the uncut 2 hours of this.
As a Portuguese, I'm completely pleased with the theme we got. It greatly captured the essence of the nostalgia theme of our traditional literature and music.
And the vocals are on spot with the Medieval Portuguese music, which was often composed from a female prespective.
Brazilian here, can confirm. The portuguese ost nailed it.
Portugal crl
*Viking Theme played*
My RUclips Auto caption: “Do Do Do Do Do Do Do”
Baby Viking!
Baby 'serk do do do dododo Baby 'serk do do do dododo Baby 'serk do do do dododo
I got goosebumps from that!
@@mariobrume1046 Is this a Daytona reference?
Do do
Da da
Going to raid you to night.
i love that the old Goth sound clip is literally the sound of a new Oil Well in Rise of Nations
It'd be interesting to do a collab video with Adam Neely analysing the tracks from a music theory perspective. He's a pretty big AOE II fan so I think there's a good chance he'd be up for it.
Oh my, I completely forgot this fact! We need our boy Adam on the AoE fame train now!
THE ONE AND ONLY VITALIS EIRICH! Great dude who also allowed me to use his work in many of my videos. Thank you for the video SOTL!
I’m getting back into age of empires 2 again after about 10 years. The first time I tried it I was in 4th grade and didn’t even know how to copy paste or how to type on the keyboard but I loved making a bunch villagers and setting them to battle. I’m slowly getting my skills up and now I can confirm that now after whooping easy bots I can move to medium :)
The single player campaigns are quite fun, aren't they?
Wow, you were the opposite of me as a kid, I'd delete as many vils as possible to be able to have as many Paladins or unique units as possible
@@afz902k yes i am playing the yodit one currently
@@annaairahala9462 ahahaha ya complete opposite
@@northwestgarage8546 oh nice, once you get better I recommend playing them in hard difficulty, it's really challenging
Oh man, I remember the first time I played "The Conquerors" expansion back when it was released, and listening to "Pork Parts". Hands down my fave AoE2 track, chilling.
What's "Pork Parts"?
Edit: Nevermind, the video's end showed it to me.
@@michaelandreipalon359 The song playing at the end of this video
@@afz902k Yeah, I already edited my comment so to acknowledge that. Thanks for the reminder though.
@@michaelandreipalon359 you're welcome guy
Thoughts on some of the original jingles:
Turks: sounds like it fits Saracens more.
Goths, Huns and Teutons: Just silent menacing wind noises. Also insert oil rig sound for Goths
I really love the extended version of the Britons jingle. When AoE2: DE came out that impressed me right off the bat as I wasn't expecting it to keep going like that. Very nice.
I have mad respect for Vitalis. I remember he said he'd extend all jingles to 3 minute songs as a personal project (already done with Italians)... Did he mention it at all? Is he still doing it? I am really looking forward to it!
@@ahmedhaniabdulwahab4870 sorry if my initial post didn't make sense, but what I meant to ask was if the project of the 3 minute jingles was still ongoing :) I've heard the rest of his arrangements and man this guy is a legend!
Repost: Would you consider to do a "How to counter" series? For example "how to counter aztecs" with each of the other civilizations and maybe map's specifics strategies?
Sounds like a 20 hour video per civ haha
@@whodoobucrew2960 I think that's the plan. :T
a great idea my friend!
But he wouldn't do the japanese video
How to counter aztecs? SO
How to counter bizantines? SO
I love you Spirit! Thank you so much for the AOE2 content! You're the bomb
The bomb?
ISIS wants to know your location
haven't heard that expression since Aoe 2 came out. XD
SotL: Makes a video about jingles
Also SotL: DOESN'T PUT HIS OWN JINGLE ON THE VIDEO
It's probably in respect for Vitalis, to prioritize the composer's work rather then putting propaganda of his own channel.
"Propaganda "
Me: AOE 3 de analysis videos
Spirit: Civ jingles
A surprise for sure, but a welcome one
We demand the entire 2 hour interview or thy boar shall be wasted to shiterines! :D
Indeed I am intrested in the full interview
noo not the boar!!! D:
Why a boar? How about you send in one of those Battle Elephants, if not War Elephants?
Everyone send sotl videos of one villager collecting from an unloared boar until he complies! LOL
@@inglesd90 This is satanic, you monster! :D
Vitalis is awesome
1:55 that sweet moment when the screen goes dark and you hold your breath, waiting for the epic SOTL intro to play... then to realize that there's gonna be no intro :c
Still great vid, though! After all these years SOTL keeps delivering
Vitalis, you are a true wizard. Age of Empires 2 has been rooted inside me since I was a teenager. The music and sound effect have played a large role in my ever growing love for this game. Your music feels like the cherry on top of the pie that is this well preserved 20 year old nostalgia bomb. With your music, I feel you have immortalised the gaming experience that comes from playing the Definitive Edition. And I am happy to know this feeling will last for decades to come. I can not express how much value your music adds to the experience. At least, to me. Thank you, a lot.
I'm very pleased with how much effort went into making the definitive edition of Age of Empires I, II, and III. They change not only the graphics but also go the extra mile to improve other overlooked qualities
This little touch was one of my favorite new features in DE. I'm a big music/soundtrack guy, so thank you for giving Vitalis some much-deserved time in the spotlight for his hard work on this game!
The extended jingles were no joke one of my favorite parts of DE
Thanks for this!
So cool to hear the composer's own voice on the job he made. I'm really fond of the new minute-long intros overall, he did a fantastic job.
As a Spaniard, I think he did a great job with the Spanish theme. It really sounds like an excerpt from a late medieval/ Reinassance piece, and it's also chill enough to not disturb your build order during the Dark Age. I would probably mess it up if there was a loud flamenco HEYAHEEEEY for a minute in the background.
So back 5 years ago I was in the mood for some classic AOE2 music, looked it up on youtube and in the process discovered that HD had been released, and ever since I've been playing aoe2 again constantly haha. The music is so iconic and such an important part of the game, glad they put effort into extended themes for DE!
Thanks for the awesome interview! As a kid, starting new games to hear the civs music intros was one of the highlights for me and now hearing the extended versions on DE gives me great nostalgia trips.
Very cool! Really appreciate the amount of time and effort you put into looking at all the various aspects of the Age of Empires series that we all enjoy on a regular basis.
What an absolutely amazing Video and Interview, more Like a Podcast i would say. I Wish more of These.
Thank you Vitalis for your great interpretation of the AoE classics!
And thank you Spirit for the best intro music of any RUclips channel! You should rightfully feel proud of it, it's very catchy, never gets boring and nicely executed.
Honestly i love your work. This was a bit different from what you normally do but so worth it, very well done i loved it. Keep it up man everyone loves your videos
Always bringing us great content. Thank you!
A lot of my favorite Civ Jingles were in this video, and many essential points were covered like the Spanish civ jingle change and so on. Thanks for the coverage SOTL!👍🏻
I really appreciate the uniqueness of your channel. The ideas you come up with, interesting facts, and style of humor have kept me a fan for years.
I'm no musician, but I love this.
Edit: I grew up with "Pork Parts" in my head as a child. That Rearrangement at the end gives me chills phew.
Imagine my excitement when I found out that you can put the AoE2 game CD in any CD player and it will play the whole 30 minutes soundtrack
@@LordWaldema you can WHAT!
Man I am so happy about this video. Two of my favorites youtubers on the same video nice one :)
This mans work is superb. Thank you for such brilliant quality.
Great video man and very interesting interview! Cheers!
HOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW do you make an entire song using "dying goose noise" as a starting point for the vikings?!
9:51 I was reading this comment right when the video passed through the goose noise.
Wow! The quality content of this channel is just amazing!
Super interesting video
Really cool of you showing parts of the music that you were speaking about
Magyars theme seems so inspirational to me.
Love your interviews with devs/artists spirit. I particularly liked this one because I think the music updates on DE are underappreciated. It's impressive how much variety and personality Vitalis was able to give to all the civ themes.
This is such an awesome topic! Great stuff.
This is one of the SOTL videos I definitively have been waiting for!!
Really enjoyed this video. Thanks SOTL and vitaly
My thoughts about this channel has never changed from the time I found it till today: how that could be a topic to investigate into, how did this guy come up with this idea. But that becomes really intriguing when you start looking into it. Great job Spirit and Vitalis.
Why didnt I see this video earlier!? Amazing! Thank you so much!
Fantastic to hear from the man who wrote such great jingles, loving the video idea as well, very unique to talk about :)
Superbly done. Thanks for the video
Spirit, you always doing a great job man... Great video!! GJ!
Love this, playing this game as a child and now hearing these pieces of sound, which are embedded in my memory, extended into song and being able to listen to the man behind it all. Aoe2 is the gift that keeps giving. Thanks, Spirit, for the top work!
Nice job Vitalis! And thank you SOTL for the great content!
Next episode: analyzing Spirit of the Law's intro theme.
I bet all the devs and team from AoE really jump at the opportunity to work with Spirit of the Law as fans him and his passion for their creation, or answer his questions. I know i would! Loved the jingles especially Teutons as a teenager playing The Conquerers 2003 or so
Those behind the scenes videos of AoE II are an interesting new format. It is nice to get the chance to hear the thoughts of the creators. This results in more appreciation of their work and the game (at least for me). Looking forward for more behind the scenes videos.
Great stuff Spirit, as always!
I really love your videos. I'd love you to cover AoE3 the way you cover AoE2 as well, if you ever run out of ideas that's be a great way to expand the channel.
That's a really amazing work
Hey, excellent editing on this video!
Hey spirit, first of all you are the best! Second off would you be willing to share the full interview/discussion? I would so love to hear it all, as an amateur musician myself I look for every detail I can
Dang! I really appreciate hearing the process behind the Civilization themes, because I enjoyed listening to them all! I was wondering what went on for the Huns and Spanish themes, but now I know the answer. It also shows what wonderful pieces you can make digitally! ^^
Thanks alot for this! The creators for these games are so forgotten in the wholeness of the project. It's also very inspiring hearing how other creators think.
I don't know where I could do it directly so I will do it here since I haven't seen it, thanks for this video spirit and holy jesus Vitalis Eirich you sir are a genius, I can't even imagine how much you studied to make all this but thank you from the bottom of my heart for your job, I sincerely hope you are proud of your creations.
Great, as usual!
Love the video! Taught me a lot about the music industry too :D
this was soo awesome! really cool, i would have watched the extended version :)
well heres a video i never expected. very cool
Learning so much here. Thank you SoTL
I only have the music on when I play to heard these introes. I used some of them to make my kids sleep at night
Really? They actually liked them?!
I get chills everytime i listen to Pork Parts. The nostalgia is just so overwhelming
Another video i didnt know i want but im proud of to like!
Vitalis (awesome name by the way) sounds like an amazingly passionate and friendly man. Was such a joy to listen to this interview!
love this soundtrack, it's really a great work S2
This guy is fantastic, congrats man! The vikings melody is beautiful
We want full album!!! Thanks for Vitalis !!!! You're genius!!!!
Amazing video! As someone who works with music software in university this was very interesting and useful.
amazing how there are such talented people behind those fine and polished game details which we dont always pay enough attention to, i feel
As an amateur musician myself as well, I love the music in aoe2, and also I've always wondered how did they came up with it, so this video to me is extremely interesting. Thank you very much, Spirit of the la Hire.
You made a lot of people happy :)
Magyars is so uplifting.
Vitalis Eirich, thank you for making the jingles even better. I didn't even think they needed extension until you made the from just being good to a masterpiece. I like the Burgundian tune the most so far.
I was hoping you'd cover the music of AoE2 in some form. Excellent video!
This is amazing.
Very interesting. There are so many talented people.
This is a genius topic to do a video on!
great, lovin it
Both old civ themes and new ones are breath taking !
he should try making a folk metal song, lithuanians' theme could be a perfect intro and could make a whole song keeping the motiff