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RootWare.dll's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Creativity | #6 | 4.424 | 4.424 |
| Impression | #11 | 4.242 | 4.242 |
| Overall | #15 | 4.242 | 4.242 |
| Quality | #23 | 4.333 | 4.333 |
| Composition | #37 | 4.182 | 4.182 |
| Correlation to theme | #67 | 4.030 | 4.030 |
Ranked from 33 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
It is an semi-ambient soundtrack with elements of 9-bit mixed in.
RootWare.dll is a benevolent virus that simulates a forest ecosystem on whatever machines it infects. It is an interactive ecosystem, though, so infected users can explore and manipulate the glades and depths it generates.
There is an old tree at the root of it all. A powerful tree that dreams of life...
Per track story descriptions on the Itch project page.
I was going for the melding of digital and organic. I went to various parks and locations in my local area to capture nature sounds (birds, bugs, wind, etc.) to use as the baseline of each of the tracks. From there, I chose several acoustic (virtual) instruments and synthesized some realistic-ish sounds (marimba, a few bell sounds). I dropped in the occasional chiptune blip to remind the listener that this is, in fact, all a simulation. For most of the percussion, I sampled an assortment of sticks and rocks that I picked up around the area. The vocals for DreamTree.sys were recorded.
Made in Reaper. Important instruments/effects: VCV Rack, Orchestra Tools SINE, Spitfire Audio LABS, Reaper effects collection. The vocals on DreamTree.sys were recorded by my friends tyrnica and lyrasnap.
Theme
How does it fit the theme?
The premise of the soundtrack is that there is a simulated world that is teeming with life. This world is maintained by a virus that really doesn't want to cause any trouble but merely wants to cultivate life and share it with users.
The virus is largely embodied by a tree that controls most of the simulation. This tree has some form of consciousness and a desire to observe and relate to human users.
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://voxelith.bandcamp.com/album/rootware-dll
https://soundcloud.com/voxelith/sets/rootwaredll
Number of tracks6
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
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Comments
I didn't catch this during the jam but I heard it today and just wanted to say congrats on the great OST. The blend of sound effects and music is effective and has a unique sound. Glad I got to hear it.
What a unique concept for an album, I love it! The idea that there is a virus that just wants to chill and make a forest filled with critters is very amusing and endearing to me. Also, you really did just sample sticks and rocks for the percussion... you absolute madman/woman/etc
This was a really cool OST, the sticks and rocks mixed with the nature sounds and orchestration is quite a unique overall sound and really makes your OST stand out. Beautiful composition, I always get nervous when I read the word "ambient" before listening to a soundtrack, but this was still filled with plenty of melody and engaging to listen to.
My biggest critique is that "Nightfall.bat" needed a lot more bat squeaking. Otherwise, excellent work overall that was truly a joy to experience.
NatureInit.exe - A great start... This "pop" at the very beginning seemed to move me into a completely different reality...
FloraAndFauna.zip - BASS. love. CHIPTUNE. cool.ZIP
RootWare.dll - Peace
of mind... H0mew0xk 90192.doc - AAAAA I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK AAAAA HELP AAAAA
Nightfall.bat - Bonfire... guitar... relax...
RE:greta is a wonderful ending!
I really liked your idea with .EXE and others... this gives the tracks personality even in the titles!
It was cool... thank you!
So many things I like in the same soundtrack, I don't know where to start!
Concept, cover art, track names AND music: 10/10. You're also a Reaper user, that's also a 10/10 in my opinion 😄
About the music: the mix of sounds and sound design that you have done works perfectly for the concept you describe. It sounds amazing, so well crafted and VERY creative. I also loved the bright harmonies you went for.
AMAZING WORK!!!!
Thank you! You're very kind.
This was one of my first big Reaper projects and wow I'm blown away by its versatility. Especially when I was processing the samples I'd recorded, it was just such a joy to work with. I guess I'm hooked now.
The combination of nature and electronics feels wonderfully fascinating, like finding a running computer in the jungle. I really enjoy your musical style! >_-
Thanks, glad you liked it! I had a ton of fun trying to meld digital sounds with organic ones.
Danggg, you nailed the blending of electronic and organic parts perfectly! "FloraAndFauna.zip" reminds me a bit of Donkey Kong music lol. Perhaps if Donkey Kong was a cyborg?
Wow I'd almost forgotten about the DK soundtracks! I think it's pretty likely that Crash Bandicoot had a significant impact on the style of some of the tracks, since I used to play it a lot as a child.
Thank you for listening and for your kind feedback!
One of the most creative i've heard so far, fits extremely well what you described. Great composition, its simple you have lots of different tracks thats very independant, meaning I can really tell which is which, mix is awesome too. Phenomenal job, well done !
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed listening to it because I really enjoyed making it.
I really like it, the way you used sound design and recording in such a masterful way that I could imagine the ecosystem happen inside computer
FloraAndFauna.zip, DreamTree.sys are the favorites !!
PS - Give you a zip bomb :]
Thank you! I wish I'd worked a few more digital sounds into the album, but I'm happy with it nonetheless.
Your OST makes me want to play the game.
I can just see it now: RootWare.DLL: Releasing in spring of 2036. Infecting computers near you!
This is probably going to be my favorite interpretation of the theme in the jam. It is so high quality and the nature sounds man it is SO GOOD!
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Wow! This is definitely one of the best I've heard yet! Sounds super well made and it's super unique. Great work!
Thank you!
Very creative soundtrack! My favorite track was "DreamTree.sys", what was yours?
Thanks! Definitely DreamTree.sys. I had so much fun recording and editing the vocals. Also it really felt central to the theme of the whole soundtrack.
The instrumentation and sound design?? Gosh I need more of this in my life, well done!
Thanks!
I really enjoyed listening to this. The composition and the quality is on point. Nice detail on naming the tracks like they're filenames.
Fav track: 4th (homework.doc)
Thank you! I was bouncing soundtrack-related story ideas off a friend, and we somehow stumbled on to this idea to name tracks like files. We are both huge fans of the game series Mega Man Battle Network, where characters have digital alter egos, named things like MegaMan.exe and Bass.exe.
Really unique style! Great production/composition, and interesting combinations of 'organic' elements, with piano. I could see this as an alternative scoring approach to a 'Castle in the Sky'-like setting. Would love to hear more works in a similar style. Wonderful job!
Thank you! This is the first time I've really attempted this style of music, and I've enjoyed the workflow a lot. So I think I'll continue with the style in my other music.
This is so tasty. Love the atmosphere that develops across the tracks :)
Thanks!
Absolutely lovely!
Holy crêpes, this is a mind blowing soundtrack! The sounds picked, the way each song seems to tell their own story but each connects to each other, it's just out of this world. I have nothing much to say about it all... it's a beautifully made album. Fav. track: DreamTree.sys
Unique premise, unique soundtrack. I'm blown away by how professional everything sounds (maybe you are professional, if not, well you are! xD)
I have nothing to say, I don't come anywhere near to your talent and quality to even say anything other than thanks for the submission, I'm following you immediately! 5 stars everywhere!
Wow thanks so much! I'm not a professional... This is my second "official" album released.
No way in hell xD You are in my top 5 of all submissions (75+ reviewed up to now). Insane quality and compositions & sound design!
Big fan of all the organic sound selection you did! DreamTree.sys is such a great listen, reminds me a lot of the Terraria OST. The idea of sentient viruses and nature is bridged delicately and very polished in your soundscape, great work!
Also +1 for Reaper!
Aaaa Reaper letsgooo!
Thanks for your comment!