Platforms: SNES
Year: 2021
Catalog Number: N/A
Published by: Loeder
Number of Files: 22
Total Filesize: 99 MB (MP3), 348 MB (FLAC)
Date Added: May 23rd, 2023
| Change Log
Album type: Arrangement
Uploaded by: Xeratone
What am I listening to?
The sounds you hear are from the 2A03 and VRC6 chips. 2A03 is the chip that the NES and Famicom use to create sound. VRC6 is an expansion chip made by Konami which allows for some extra sound channels. Unfortunately this expansion chip wasn't able to be used by the NES, only by the Famicom. So in short, you are listening to the Super Metroid Soundtrack as if it was played by a Famicom.
Is this what it could have sounded like on Famicom?
I'm not exactly clear on the specifics, but yes. The software I make this in (Famitracker) allows you to export the music in such a way that you can actually load it in Famicom emulators! I don't think this music could have played along with an actual game, seeing as I use some pretty big samples at times. These would have taken up too much space. I also added some fade-ins and stereo sound for a better listening experience. Neither of these two things are possible on the system, so they will sound a little bit different.
Is this what it would have sounded like on Famicom?
Probably not. Some of the techniques used here are pretty unconventional, such as making the volume of the triangle channel lower. I also tried to emulate the moody, atmospheric tone of the Super Metroid soundtrack, which is quite uncommon for NES/Famicom music. Chiptune is usually more punchy with it's sound design.
Why didn't you include some pieces?
Some of the pieces that are often considered 'part' of the soundtrack felt more like sound effects to me. For example, the Ceres Space Station one. I also think the Escape theme is more or less just the Boss Battle 1 theme with an alarm added. Same goes for the added rain sounds for Crateria (Arrival) and for the industrial sounds for the Wrecked Ship (Active)! I also didn't include the jingles.
Original Composers: Kenji Yamamoto & Minako Hamano
Cover made by Loeder
Chips used: 2A03 & VRC6
PuffFilms
02:01 Aug 10th, 2023Offline