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#043 8-Bit Kung Fu
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called 8-Bit Kung Fu. It’s a fast-tempo, energetic action soundtrack with roots in 8-bit gaming. It was originally written out of nostalgia for a game I grew up playing called Kung Fu. The track contains a stereotypical ‘Eastern’ sound, using the major and minor pentatonic scales. The instrumentation includes some super raw-sounding oscillators, clinically timed arpeggios and slamming 8-bit drum beats. The track is suitable for nostalgia, quirky game moments, 80s arcade moments and nerdy, offbeat comedic moments.
IN THIS EPISODE
* Originally called Leisure Time and distributed on CDs for my band Pravda. At its heart, it’s Chinese folk music meets 8-bit music.
* The Super Mario Bros theme song is probably the most famous 8-bit music in the world. But why does it work so well? 8-bit music is defined by the limitation. Game cartridges simply didn’t have space to store a lot of audio data
* The authentic 8-bit sound means using raw waveforms, not 8-bit patches. Other tricks include bit reduction, arpeggiators, chorus and detune
* The pentatonic scale is an easy way to summon an Eastern sound. Bell sounds can also be used to conjure temple imagery. Only 5 notes form most of the the melodic and harmonic content in A minor: A, C, D, E and G. The 3rd scale degree is deliberately left out so it sounds more like simple folk music than Western Classical music.
* This track is heavily influenced by the 8bit and chiptune genres. But it isn’t a pure 8-bit track. A pure 8-bit track would contain only audio samples that were 8bits of data or less. Most music today is recorded at 16-or 24-bit.
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
* Download it https://gum.co/oidoH
* Use it https://johnbartmann.com/faq
* Search for more https://johnbartmann.com/music
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* ADM 80s VHS Synths by Brian Funk https://brianfunk.com/blog/2016/7/6/80s-vhs-synths-ableton-live-pack
* Reason 5 Malstrom (Finger Cymbal patch), Dr OctaRex
SHOW NOTES
* Top Score Podcast 8- and 16-bit music with Brent Weinbach https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2012/01/09/old-school-video-game-music-on-top-score
* 8 Bit cover of Queen - ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by 8 Bit Universe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrq7FzytAV4
* 8 Bit cover of Toto - ‘Africa’ by Ramano Retro Music Sounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q74pM96yyDs
ABOUT THIS SHOW
You’re listening to How I Make Music, a weekly podcast for the musically curious to go behind the scenes of composition for audio storytelling. Hey, I'm John Bartmann. I’m a composer from South Africa. My soundtracks, moods and themes have been used in podcasts, audio dramas, and also in commercial film, TV and radio. Every Wednesday, we break apart one of my own compositions and investigate the stories and insights into how it was made and its effect on listening ears. How I Make Music helps you better understand how to make, select and use music to create gripping storytelling.
SUBSCRIBE
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
RSS
Stitcher
TuneIn
Home
MY BANDS! Pravda https://pravdaofficial.com + Pebble Shakers https://pebbleshakers.co.za
CONTACT
https://twitter.com/johnisthemusic
https://johnbartmann.com/contact
View all episodes
By John Bartmann
5
99 ratings
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called 8-Bit Kung Fu. It’s a fast-tempo, energetic action soundtrack with roots in 8-bit gaming. It was originally written out of nostalgia for a game I grew up playing called Kung Fu. The track contains a stereotypical ‘Eastern’ sound, using the major and minor pentatonic scales. The instrumentation includes some super raw-sounding oscillators, clinically timed arpeggios and slamming 8-bit drum beats. The track is suitable for nostalgia, quirky game moments, 80s arcade moments and nerdy, offbeat comedic moments.
IN THIS EPISODE
* Originally called Leisure Time and distributed on CDs for my band Pravda. At its heart, it’s Chinese folk music meets 8-bit music.
* The Super Mario Bros theme song is probably the most famous 8-bit music in the world. But why does it work so well? 8-bit music is defined by the limitation. Game cartridges simply didn’t have space to store a lot of audio data
* The authentic 8-bit sound means using raw waveforms, not 8-bit patches. Other tricks include bit reduction, arpeggiators, chorus and detune
* The pentatonic scale is an easy way to summon an Eastern sound. Bell sounds can also be used to conjure temple imagery. Only 5 notes form most of the the melodic and harmonic content in A minor: A, C, D, E and G. The 3rd scale degree is deliberately left out so it sounds more like simple folk music than Western Classical music.
* This track is heavily influenced by the 8bit and chiptune genres. But it isn’t a pure 8-bit track. A pure 8-bit track would contain only audio samples that were 8bits of data or less. Most music today is recorded at 16-or 24-bit.
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
* Download it https://gum.co/oidoH
* Use it https://johnbartmann.com/faq
* Search for more https://johnbartmann.com/music
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* ADM 80s VHS Synths by Brian Funk https://brianfunk.com/blog/2016/7/6/80s-vhs-synths-ableton-live-pack
* Reason 5 Malstrom (Finger Cymbal patch), Dr OctaRex
SHOW NOTES
* Top Score Podcast 8- and 16-bit music with Brent Weinbach https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2012/01/09/old-school-video-game-music-on-top-score
* 8 Bit cover of Queen - ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by 8 Bit Universe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrq7FzytAV4
* 8 Bit cover of Toto - ‘Africa’ by Ramano Retro Music Sounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q74pM96yyDs
ABOUT THIS SHOW
You’re listening to How I Make Music, a weekly podcast for the musically curious to go behind the scenes of composition for audio storytelling. Hey, I'm John Bartmann. I’m a composer from South Africa. My soundtracks, moods and themes have been used in podcasts, audio dramas, and also in commercial film, TV and radio. Every Wednesday, we break apart one of my own compositions and investigate the stories and insights into how it was made and its effect on listening ears. How I Make Music helps you better understand how to make, select and use music to create gripping storytelling.
SUBSCRIBE
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
RSS
Stitcher
TuneIn
Home
MY BANDS! Pravda https://pravdaofficial.com + Pebble Shakers https://pebbleshakers.co.za
CONTACT
https://twitter.com/johnisthemusic
https://johnbartmann.com/contact