Alternative MP3 Tracks for M1A1 by Chibi-Usa


Abstract

Author: REB
Email: m1a1@bungie.org
Website: http://bighouse.bungie.org/m1/
Created: March 12, 2002
Last Modified: October 1, 2002


Table Of Contents

  1. About the MP3s
  2. Installation

1. About the MP3s

These alternative tracks were recorded by Chibi-Usa for better sound quality. Here's the explanation in her own words:
"(The original mp3 tracks) are exported from the MIDIs via the QuickTime software synthesizer, resulting in distortion and noise because of the low quality of the samples and the simplicity of this software synthesizer. Also, some GM/GS instruments and drumsets are missing or sound totally wrong with it because they are too memory-intensive or it is not possible to emulate them via softsynth. As an fan of video game music, I have collected music from many games and also sequenced some myself or optimized MIDI files so that they play perfectly on my sound module and often fit the mood of the game much more than their respective originals. The possibility to put MP3 files into M1A1 inspired me to do a re-worked Marathon I soundtrack, which drastically improved my gaming experience while keeping the original musical score of Marathon. (This is the most important thing for me when I re-work soundtracks from games, I try to fit the game's mood as much as possible while keeping the sound quality as high as possible). The instruments in my tracks sound much more realistic and therefore more dramatic and emotional because of my 128 MB wavetable sound module."
In my own experience testing these tracks, some sound a like awkward at the beginning. Other tracks, like Aliens Again and Splash (Marathon) really gets under your skin since the very first musical note. Now I like to play the scenario listening to her recordings instead of the original mp3s.


2. Installation

Move the Tracks directory to a safe location and place the Tracks directory included with this file instead. To uninstall, proceed the other way around.