Play soundtrack
Empty oxygen's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Overall Uniqueness/Creativity | #25 | 3.526 | 3.526 |
| Execution | #53 | 2.947 | 2.947 |
| Sense of Atmosphere | #58 | 2.737 | 2.737 |
| Composing Quality | #58 | 2.842 | 2.842 |
| Correlation to Theme | #59 | 2.632 | 2.632 |
| Overall | #60 | 2.851 | 2.851 |
| Listenability | #62 | 2.421 | 2.421 |
Ranked from 19 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Link to Streaming Service
https://youtu.be/sm8yJh3cx40
Description
My first proper delve into music theory.
I picked the aeolian mode, cause it seemed dark and edgy. Following that logic, I picked all the minor chords in the progression, and reversed the typical 1 X X 7 progression to lean further into it.
I wanted to make a soundtrack fitting of a dead space aesthetic. So, I used ‘tales from the loop’ as an inspiration for the more in depth lore (which I didn’t end up using).
Because of this, I used fifths, as someone once told me they created a space feel. My melodies were constrained on these notes, so, I once again, picked the saddest notes using an online guide (with an outdated scale but who cares).
My main inspirations going in were ‘here we are’ and ‘battle against a true hero’ from undertale. I liked how both built upon the melody (and also learnt a lot of music theory from undyne’s theme). This meant I wanted an odd time signature, but the chord progression was solidified by then, so I shelved it.
The rest was made through experimenting, making use of GarageBand synths, and a spaceship sound that’s really good for no reason. I tried to foreshadow the chorus, and make it somewhat ‘obvious’ through attempting to make it a countermelody to the main melody, but I think it needs some improvement. Also, the chorus shouldn’t have been as loud, but I do like my beat drops.
The drumming is an altered version of k.k.slider’s, cause it fits for some reason. I then used 8 bit music theory’s video on drums to make a barebones accented drumming for the main melody and slowly build, adding to the tension.
One thing I dislike about GarageBand is the mixing, cause the only way to do it properly is with separate instruments at different volumes. So my screen often fills with multiple duplicates, not to mention instruments that look the same. It’s arduous, but at least somewhat works.
As this track isn’t fully ambient, I may update it in the future. But for now, I will be busy, and likely won’t have time to make it more ambient, so hopefully you like beat drops. Someone mentioned my last entry didn’t have much change in volume. I can guarantee that isn’t true for this submission.
So yh. I enjoyed making it, hopefully you enjoy listening to it.
Description of Setup (Optional but recommended)
Garageband. I think the most recent version
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Comments
This is definitely compositionally interesting.
I think a lot of the stuff sounds forward in the mix. I use Reaper, which you can also use on Mac, though I am on PC. You can use it for free indefinitely. I eventually paid because I think the company is honorable and I wanted to honor the way they do business.
Then you can do a lot more fluid mixing. Clutch for me is being able to use a send, to that I have all tracks being sent to the reverb track, but then each track has its own delay and volume of the delay, which lets me control how close or far away things sound very quickly.
Great work, Strive! :)
That's an interesting approach to composing and you managed to get that unease empty something feeling.
Good job!
As someone who used Garageband before Logic, I can feel your pain about not having a lot of mixing/organization options. I think you nailed the vibe of uneasiness here and your arrangement is nicely spaced out.
It's creating a strong atmosphere, I feel like I'm walking through a dead, abandoned shopping mall with super smooth jazzy 80's music still somehow lingering on in the background. Very cool!!!! The arrangement is very evocative of a time period. The song moves from your jazzy chord progression into a less harmonious section, which creates a really nice contrast. I want to hear what it sounds like moving between these two sections for 2-3 minutes; there are many ways you can develop that simple music idea with a tiny bit of structural repetition.
Your mixes are feeling more full and you've created quite an atmosphere here, great submission!
Definitely interesting and fits the title perfectly! I’m getting a real sense of caution and fear. The brass at the end could use a little fade-out, as it cuts off a bit abruptly.
Overall, I really like the combination and variety of instruments!