Sonic 3's Carnival Night: Music Theory
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- Опубликовано: 17 апр 2022
- A look inside the music theory of Sonic 3's Carnival Night Zone.
Viewer rewards include getting your name in the credits, sheet music library, and vgm soundtrack of the week: / alexyard Игры
Amazing video as always man! One interesting tidbit, when you were discussing the harmonics that were used in the Michael Jackson version's bass, this was an interesting 'feature' of the genesis hardware's soundchip. Because it uses FM synthesis, every sound has a bunch of harmonics, and you can make them louder or quieter depending on what you're going for. Tim Follin's soundtrack for TimeTrax uses this a lot, especially in the title theme. The only downside to getting more notes out of one channel is that due to memory limitations, you're stuck with whatever interval you choose for that harmonic for the whole song. This can obviously be tricky to compose around and so not a lot of music on the genesis used this trick.
So THAT's how he pulled that off! I think the soundtrack for Plok also uses chords in one channel, so I wonder if the SNES is capable of something similar?
@@BladeShadowWing The snes could put any number of notes in one channel as it used sample based playback. Again however the main limitation was memory so single notes spread over multiple channels was by far the more sensible solution.
@@carpathia808 Ah, I see. So that also explains why he only used 5 channels.
That's actually super interesting! Thanks for the info!
More specifically, each FM channel is made of four oscillators ('operators' in FM parlance), each with their own envelope generators. Each operator can be played directly or used to modulate another operator to achieve a more complicated sound. Each operator can have it's frequency multiplied by an integer, so 1x and 2x makes an octave, 2x + 3x makes a fifth etc.
It's kinda limited, but you can absolutely use this to squeeze out more notes per channel, which is what's happening in that bass path.
It's a bit impractical to use for whole chords (especially since you'd only get one op per note), but I have seen songs using fifths to achieve a variety of seventh chords using only two channels (effectively 2op per note).
This sort of trickery costs next to no memory since an FM patch is only a handful of bytes, so separate patches per chord is totally doable.
There's also a lesser used function where on channel 3 (only) you can assign totally different notes to each operator.
As mentioned in the other comments you can do something similar on the SNES -- since it uses samples, you can just record a whole chord and use it as a single sample, using only one channel. This is very common on Amiga, which only has 4 channels. Less used on the SNES, as it has a very generous 8 channels to play with. It's also pretty expensive in terms of memory, so you usually end up with basic major and minor samples, with no inversions or anything, so it can end up sounding awkward in it's own way.
0:23
Specifically us Canadians, who notably have a batshit insane army.
Canadians 😅
I remember playing this game as a kid and my dad, hearing the music, told me it sounded like Michael Jackson ("Dangerous" was a big album in our house as kids). At the time I thought nothing of it but it's crazy to have learned that he actually was involved.
Your dad had good ears
Sadly, it's believed that Jackson's involvement with the soundtrack is what sometimes prevented Sonic 3 from being re-released in a number of subsequent compilations, as seeking licensing rights and permissions from major performing artists is often quite expensive and more than a game company is willing to pay to re-release an old game that they probably won't make much of a profit from. That being said, it does look like Sonic 3 will be included on the upcoming Sonic Sega Genesis collection.
@@glennwelsh9784 No... Not exactly.
What prevented sonic 3&K from getting more ports is fans inability to let go of their childhood music.
@@Leonard_Wolf_2056 Origins didn't do us any favours
@Leonard Wolf could you stop blaming fans it's getting old and yes licencing was the problem
I have never gotten past this Zone without getting a Time Over at least once. The music just rubs salt in the wound. It almost feels like it's mocking me.
Let me guess... Couldn't get past the barrels?
@@LaskyLabs At first, yeah. But after I figured that out, I spent most of my next runs looking for special stage rings. Usually my hand slips and I walk off a ledge requiring a whole other minute to get back to where I was. The worst part is that once I'm in the room before the act's boss, my timer is already at around 9:30.
Yeah. It's saying "You're not a clown. You're the whole Circus."
@@Jongivitis So you too used Super Sonic to clip through the barrel, uh?
Wow, that’s pretty bad
While I don't honestly understand most of what you're saying, I absolutely love these music analysis videos. Something in your presentation just clicks a lot better for me than anyone else I've ever watched try to explain this stuff.
yeah, i really struggle even with 8 bit music theory and others. while I don't "learn" a lot from these I still "get" them better and it makes me think about music a lot more
For me it feels as bad as not knowing how to read
The guy: the mixolydean syncopation contributes to a dichotomous harmony of funk and photosynthesis
Me, nodding along: fuck dude it sure does
I'd love to see some of these aimed at people who don't know anything about musical theory.
honestly. i am smiling and nodding the entire time.
Yoooo the final boss theme of the McDonald's game went so hard. Glad to see it get some acknowledgment!
Actually, Ice Cap Act 1 from the prototype isn't the only song that "syncs" with the game play. Angel Island Act 1's intro cutscene in the prototype matches the song's opening progression perfectly, timing it right up to when Sonic stops in front of Knuckles. So there's definitely some credence to the idea that some compositions were made with what's happening on the screen to a certain extent.
Wow, that's so cool, I hadn't known! Here's the link for anyone curious:
The lead-up has Sonic on the surfboard with Mario gloves
ruclips.net/video/WCL-GZucUxA/видео.html
WOW! ALL OF THE MOVEMENTS ACTUALLY PERFECTLY SYNC. nice
There’s a mod for sonic 3 air that makes the aiz intro line up well with the origins version, and the sfx for sonic jumping and for transforming into super line up PERFECTLY with beats of the music
This keeps me motivated to take music theory lessons
I kind of like the Act 1 prototype, it feels like you just arrived at a carnival and you're just simply taking in the atmosphere before things get real. Act 2 prototype feels like you're finally getting to the crazy part of the carnival and things finally get fun, but there is also a frantic feeling to it all.
I always felt that MJ Act 1 would do well with the dark portion of Act 2.
Yeah I like it too, was a bit disappointed at how much he was dissing it
I always mostly see the Carnival Night soundtrack as the stage basically not having music. Same with Launch Base: there's a bit of sound so it's not dead quiet, but it's as close to nothing as you can get. Not sure I liked the prototype music; compare that to Casino Night Zone in Sonic 2, which had a nice, slower feel. "Lost and confused" seems to be the overall feeling of Carnival Night, so bright and happy music doesn't seem to fit.
All of MJ's tracks are still terrible either way.
MJ's music sounds like a twisted carnival to me.
@@johnmoser3594 booo
Yea it's my favourite prototype tune
I never heard this Carnival Night song before... and now I kinda hope they have this included in Sonic Origins. This one is such a bop to listen to.
I remember playing this stage and getting a time over at you know where. Had to get my brother to do it, and even he didn't know how that worked. Bought the PC version, noticed the music changed and got throught it on my own.
You've given me a newfound appreciation for the PC/prototype tracks I never had before, thank you.
Oh man they sound so much better on their intended Genesis sound chip, compared to the MIDIs the PC version got
feels so good to get another music theory from you! keep up the great work brother
I need you to know. My father just passed away Monday morning. The same day you uploaded this video.
This was his favorite song from the entire Sonic franchise. Thank you for this happenstance. It's oddly comforting.
I was pleasantly surprised with a reference to a Spyro song. I'd love to hear some breakdowns for some songs from the original Spyro trilogy. This was a great video as well.
I definitely have interest in / concepts for a Spyro video, but it's not quite clear if there'd be enough...demand for it? If I was mega rich and could pick passion projects I would really want to do Spyro 1, Reignitied. So far I'm disliking Spyro 2's music overall due to the over-reliance on, audio samples (?) including human voices and such and for me those are awful to hear on a loop, which sometimes you hear it way too many times in a row because you're looking for the start point of an Orb quest in that level. for a while.
Spyro 1 however....really fantastic throughout. So many highlights. My personal favorite is Dry Canyon....but, without going down a rabbit hole, I will say that the Reignitied versions of the music are absolutely amazing and should be regarded as the gold standard on how to update music for remasters of this kind.
@@AlexYardZone That's fair to say that there might not be enough demand for it, it's not nearly on the same level of popularity as something like Sonic or Zelda. I agree mostly with you on Spyro 2. I'm not a fan of using full song samples for a game although I don't mind the vocal samples. Spyro 1 has a great soundtrack and I'm glad to see that you really enjoy it since I grew up with it. I'd recommend checking out Year of the Dragon's soundtrack, it doesn't use full song samples like 2 and it's all original but it does sound quite a bit different from Spyro 1. I'm looking forward to when you feel like you can do a Spyro video and I'm always down for any of your uploads since it's so interesting learning how some of my favorite songs from games work compositionally.
@@AlexYardZone Its kinda ironic since for me Spyro 1 is the most forgettable while Spyro 2 is the best one, to me the Reignited lacks that oomph that the ps1 had If you know what I mean.
Man! I could never hear that JAM sample as a sample at all! Always thought it was just a noisy orchestra hit!
Also, after this awesome video I appreciate the prototype/PC version of the songs much more, and yes mixing it up the original act1 and the PC’s act2 should sound so good when playing the game!
I started watching with the fingers crossed hoping you'd cover the proto track. I'm glad I was right!
The bit where you "fixed" the 1-4-1-4 was amazing; it's so simple but I love seeing it. Goes to show that some simple changes can elevate a track a lot, and that composing music is a lot like designing a game - it's best when done iteratively rather than rigidly and all at once.
i dont know why, but this level gives me a unnerving feeling, and this "calm" circus music boosts everything up, well, maybe my opinion about this level is because i passed it after 11 lost lives. BTW great video!
Found this channel just a couple days ago, and it's so refreshing to watch the analyses of Sonic 3&K's songs. The theory behind is solid and nicely punctuated by remarks on the levels (and watching the videos you start to spot certain patterns the composers used throughout the game as well). Can't wait to see the special stage and bonus stages music analyses
I use the prototype/pc versions for Carnival Night and Launch Base, and the Genesis versions for Ice Cap. I prefer having similar songs for both acts instead of drastic changes between acts.
I do the exact same thing in Sonic 3 AIR. Much prefer Carnival Night and Launch Base’s prototype music but I can’t imagine Ice Cap with anything else.
I also do the exact same thing as you.
I couldn’t get rid of the OG launch base. It’s too good. But yeah, the proto carnival night is just better lol
Definitely agree about using the PC tracks for Act 2. Though I sometimes keep Launch Base on Genesis for both.
I never had a good grasp on music theory other than intuition, these videos always make it so much more fun and interesting
Carnival night’s music is so weird but it’s pretty great. the carnival walk down with the beatboxing and the heavy bass is something I’ve never heard before.
Just discovered this series today and powered through all the videos. Very nice work! I love how you explain how the notation, melody, rhythm, and motifs all relate to the theme of the Zone/Acts they're in. And it brings it all down so everyone can understand it. And the visual aides! These videos must take a while to produce! Extremely good work. Looking forward to more!
Glad to see you took your time on this one.
I don't understand almost anything about theory but I love how you edit these videos with so much love it shows that you love this game as much as I do, since I was a kid !! Thank you
12:00 - Reminds me how in "Disco Train" (the roller coaster stages in DKC2), David Wise incorporated screams and up-and-down slides into the beat.
You blew my mind with that double tritone chord. Such a gnarly sound!
Absolutely awesome video, as always. No need to apologize for the wait when it's worth it like your videos always are.
I think Beta act 1's intro is amazing.
Woah trippy. First time I've seen my name in a patron outro anywhere.
Keep up the great work Alex! I always look forward to more. Your attitude towards what you do is inspiring.
Wow, fun you're doing this. Coincidentally I started trying to up my theory knowledge this month by delving into Sonic music (there aren't many tunes I know better). These videos make a great supplement.
That damn barrel of doom. Amazing video as always! Since I discovered the original themes, I've since felt that moment at 14:44 with the final measures like a "Ready! Set! Go!" for some reason.
This is incredibly in depth. Especially the references and comparisons with other songs on the Genisis and the Jam reference. It is very very very good!
Awesome stuff!! Appreciate the deep dives and how they relate to music theory, can't wait for your next videos
Very cute and VERY informative!! Especially loved the part where you pointed out the syncopation (something I'd never noticed as a kid as I hummed to Carnival Night for hours on end - I guess because the track has so many voices filling in the empty space a bit) and illustrated how it would sound mechanical and even boring without the syncopation. Loving your vids!
Final Carnival Night music will aways be my favorite Sonic 3 & Knuckles music. Great video!
Yesterday I was watching your videos to recap and the next day you posted another one incredible
THIS WAS AMAZING
Never knew I needed this until I watched it
Great video!
Great vid as always! You never cease to amaze me with new facts
Another banger from you buddy. One of these days I've gotta show you some tunes I've put together. A culmination of what you taught me. It'd be an honor
I recently discovered your channel, and I am in LOVE. I adore your visuals, and your explanations are relatively easy to grasp. And this coming from a seldom music player with little to no music education.
I am DYING to hear your review of Hydrocity Zone, which happens to be my favourite zone music-wise in Sonic 3.
Great to see you back, Alex!
Finally got a chance to watch this! Wow! This was so much info, and as an aspiring music composer, I've got a lot to study and learn from this bit. Thank you so much!
It's always a good day when a new Sonic 3 video comes out!
To this day I still don't know why Mystic Cave Zone uses the circus motif but it's a bop
Oh thanks Youtune to randomly suggesting me your channel. As a musician, I really enjoyed this :)
you deserve more views, love this kind of deconstruction videos, also fan of carpathia here hahaha, the osciloscope videos are awesome.
Also the first bit of the Mc Donals boss fight it seems familiar, its like a song from another game, a TMNT maybe? I dont recall it correctly
wow, the bass feedback aspect really is genius now that i see it broken down. excellent analysis as always!
I got so excited when this showed up in my feed. Can't get enough of these videos
This is a great video, the way you explained it was entertaining and really investing, I’d like to see more from this series. Also seeing that you’re talking about Sonic 3 soundtracks, it’s not impossible but It’d be cool to see a Doomsday breakdown sometime in the future. Again it’s an amazing video, I really enjoyed this video and a lot did too!
Wow, your videos are so well executed and really engaging even to someone like me who doesn't know much at all about music theory. Crazy that you don't have more subscribers! Definitely subbing because I went back and watched a few videos and was so taken with all of them. Looking forward to more!
Thanks so much for making videos on music theory in games (and choosing Sonic)!
I use Carnival Night's theme in my DnD's funhouse dungeon. It's goofy and obnoxious like the puzzles and omnipresent voice poking fun at you the whole time. Aaaaand if the group ever complains about it, I have a version that mixes in Jackson all throughout just to show them that the song they had wasn't the worst I could give.
i love the "waiting in line melody", also great video!
Man Alex blasting apart proto Carnival Night Zone Act 1 makes me feel super conscious of my own skills as a composer.
FYI when referencing the PC music, The Brickster has a rare upload of it on what's theorized to be the original synthesizer.
Link?
@@Hamster_Pants Sure. ruclips.net/video/xuAwuq9nh2I/видео.html
There's a whole community of rendering game music with original synthesizers there. Ton of variety especially in the "related channels" section and the VGM Sources spreadsheet.
@@FLYNN_TAGGART thanks!
This is Amazing, Glad you got this out! Also what a coincidence that I'm working on a remix of the 1993 beta version of this song.
This channel having 18k subscribers is a crime, you deserve to get to at least 100k ASAP.
love this video. and i'm not going to lie, the sudden "The genesis game 'McDonald's Treasureland Adventure...'" @3:41 hit me like a sucker punch.
Just to point out regarding proto act 1, the music was originally 3 semitones lower, much like the PC version, but at the same tempo. The sound team, for whatever reason, raised the song’s pitch by 3 values.
Proto Launch Base Act 1 was also supposed to use the PC version’s pitch, as the internal data for the song shows that the key arrangement in the song’s internal data is laid out for D-Major, same as the PC.
They probably changed the pitch because the proto version of act 1 plays at a much slower tempo compared to the PC version and the lower pitch made everything sound too off at that tempo, IMO neither the proto nor the PC version of CNZ1 got the tempo right (PC is way too fast and proto is way too slow, the tempo should be directly inbetween the 2 at the PC pitch).
I knew there was something special about the soundtracks. Thanks for the deep dive.
Great video! The thing about using the speed tunnel sounds to fill in the gaps of silence gave me a chuckle
I always took the prototype act 1 music as being akin to the building up of anticipation while traveling to the carnival, while act 2 is the thrill of bursting through the gates and experiencing every ride and game it has to offer.
Great job as always
I know essentially nothing about how music is made, but regardless I thoroughly enjoyed the video and remained interested throughout it.
Best video yet Alex. Awesome work I always look forward to anything you release related to Sonic 1-3(& Knuckles). Will probably watch again tomorrow. I never really cared for any songs related to this level (maybe because it traumatized 8 year old me?) but you have shown them in a passionate way and I now have some respect for them. I appreciate and often laugh over the ways you describe the feel of the progressions; the occasional intense ride producing screams from the riders or the merry go round vibes in the music, because I totally hear it too and am obsessed with how the composers and game developers set the songs to levels that reflect those vibes.. pretty genius.
I may not skip these ones next time I listen to the soundtrack. :P
Thanks very much. In particular I do think Proto Carnival Night is very evocative with its metaphorical imagery...and there's so much to draw from.
Gameplay-wise, I always liked Carnival Night as a kid. Nowadays I actually like Act 1 a lot but act 2 sort of drags.
Act 1 though is a fantastic obstacle course which you can get through with minimal stoppage if you..
@@AlexYardZone ..I hardly remember the details anymore as I haven't played in years. My folks sold my Genesis and a couple dozen+ games for like $30 when I was a teen and it pains me to think about it to this day at age 33! I find Proto Carnival Night to be easier on the ears myself and love the upbeat feeling, you're entering the carnival and taking in all the sights, sounds and smells for the first time. A sense of adventure and possibility awaits. ;)
The realization that Japanese composers are responsible for most of the iconic Sonic tunes has lead me into a years long dive into the world of 70s and 80s Japanese Jazz-Funk-Prog fusion type stuff like Casiopea, Masayoshi Takanaka, Prism, Space Circus.. to name a few. Thanks for your response
Wow, the amount of detail that can be picked up in songs like these is insane!
I will argue that music "interacting" in Sonic soundtracks is more frequent than we realize, though especially when it came to some boss fights in the Adventure series (like hitting Chaos 0 in the head for the first, Chaos 6's initial inhaling of you, or Biolizard shifting to a different position)
You exceeded expectations once again. Thanks for this!
Certainly the best job you've done.
Hearing that they used it in another song and that song didn't sound carnival themed at all was cool. Great vid btw, keep up the good work
Seeing the references to other game music, notably the McDonald's Treasureland Adventure final boss fight, made me realize what it is about these tracks that I specifically enjoy. Aside from just saying "I think they sound cool" I feel like I have a better understanding of why they sound the way they do. Great video!
Keep up the great work! Sonic 3D: Flickies Adventure (GEN/MD) has some amazing songs you should cover after you finish Sonic 3.
having worked at a theme park, this track along with Balloon Park theme always played in my head while at work.
but i also appreciate the descriptors used to explain the compositions, like we not only hear it but vicariously experience being at a carnival
Simply amazing. Thank you for the upload.
I love you.
Just absolutely wonderful. Great work.
Yeah baby, new Alex Yard video! Let's go!!!!!
Just the description of merry-go-round riders having "serene smiles" is funny enough to make me pause and laugh for a bit. This video was a ride all it's own. Great stuff!
Great analysis!
Just discovered your videos and absolutely loving them. Like others have said, I don't really understand a lot of the words and terms, but it's great to listen to nonetheless. I'd love to see you discuss the Streets of Rage and Shinobi III music ❤️
Couldn’t agree more with the CDC’s music recommendation.
On the point at the end of using the prototype versions for act 2 and as released for act 1, I agree 100%. Especially for Ice Cap.
You get your dreary, cold, harsh winter in act 1's dark caves, contrasted by a big bright burst of snowy joy in the second act in the bright outdoors (which also happens to be a short, sweet, and easy act compared to the preceding few).
Not only does it provide that nice contrast in mood, but it also gives you one last big, fun hurrah before moving onto the more serious Launch Base, where the climax of the story's first act takes place.
That "give the player a break before the climax" mentality is one I also feel applies to Sky Chase and Star Light in the first two games, and Sky Sanctuary later in this one.
I think I've learned more about music theory through these videos than I've ever learned from anything else
YOOOOOO I CANT BELIEVE HE DID HYDROCITY ZONE
Just Subbed!! LOVE THESE VIDS!!!!
Working my way through your Sonic 3 playlist, excellent work! Hoping to see some Sonic 2 in the future, which may be my favorite video game soundtrack ever. Specifically, the rhythms in Aquatic Ruins and the chord progression and melody/counter melody in Sonic 2 Ending (aka Sweet Sweet Sweet by Dreams Come True)
I hope one day Metropolis Zone gets done, another great video once again, niceeee
2:20 thank you for doing stuff like this. Because if you had just said 'if it were played normally it wouldn't be as interesting' I would have been like 'well what does that sound like?'
This video made me appreciate the Carnival Night music change. It's still about The carnival, just a different context! Lovely video. I am very willing to have BOTH version (Old in act 1, new in Act 2) like you suggested.
I love that you explained the "4 dimensional melodic algorithm", I've been trying to put that into words. I do this in my head all the time, especially with the middle part of Mario's Underground theme. Chromatic stuff is so cool to learn about
Seeing people talk about that Ronald McDonald game does my heart sometimes warmth. It's an underrated gem.
Fantastic video!
I DID NOT know that noise was someone saying JAM! Amazing video!
This is absolutely perfect. I loved Carnival Night's music since I was a kid. There's so much going on with it, it's awesome to see it laid all out like this. And the prototype versions!? When they were released, I was surprised how much I didn't like it because I only listened to act 1. I would coincidentally hear act 2 some time later and realized that it's so, so good. I'm glad we got the version we did on the final Genesis release but that prototype would have been a good alternative. Still would have been one of the strongest tracks.
this is teaching me music theory more than I'm willing to admit
Can't wait you talking about the similarities between Mystic Cave and Inspector Gadget. 😆
Great videos, you explain in such a manner so even an uninitiated like me can get the message!
Great videos, I always click as soon as I see them!
I really like the differences between act 1 proto and act 2 proto. Act 1 gives me a memories of a slow walk through the carnival with a smile on my face. It's slower and more nostalgic. Act 2 reminds me of the excitement of riding the rides after looking at all the animals, which is what I always did as a kid. Rides always came at the end :)
I'm so excited to watch this!!!
When I was a kid I used to "disassemble" MIDI songs like those in the PC version by disabling certain instruments and listening, then re-enabling em and disabling others, etc. Even though I don't know much about music making, these videos remind me of those times.
You beat me to the punch by a long time 😅
Didn’t expect him to slam Proto Act 1 so hard but I guess it does make sense. Whenever I go to listen to the song I quit almost immediately after the beginning and go to act 2 because it’s so much better. Never thought much of it though