Discover my creative journey in crafting an 8-bit cover of the enchanting track 'Tropical Eden' from the popular game Subnautica. As a passionate enthusiast of retro gaming and music, I've drawn inspiration from the unique atmosphere and sounds of this underwater adventure. In this blog post, I share my love for Subnautica, delve into the original track, and unveil my approach to creating an authentic 8-bit interpretation. Learn how I preserved the tone, tempo, and essential elements of the track, and explore how I merged my passion for gaming and music in this creative endeavor. Immerse yourself in the world of Subnautica and 8-bit music, and be inspired by my musical journey.
Art by Eric Ruth
One of my current favorite games is undoubtedly Subnautica. Its sequel, Subnautica Below Zero, is just as captivating. Besides its gameplay, the music is exceptionally well done. Despite both games having different composers, the music blends seamlessly with each other and with the games. Creating an 8-bit cover of one of my favorite Subnautica tracks, 'Tropical Eden,' seemed like a fun idea.
What is Subnautica?
Subnautica is a horror diving game. Played in a first-person perspective, you assume the role of an astronaut who crash-lands on a new planet. With the aid of Altera's technology, the organization you work for, you delve deeper into the game, uncovering more about the creatures that once inhabited it and the terrifying monsters that lurk within. Additionally, you must keep an eye on your oxygen levels, ensuring you surface in time or find alternative sources of air.
Tropical Eden
The track I covered was composed by Simon Chylinski. It is predominantly used as background music near your 'drop pod,' where gameplay begins. Subnautica's music leans towards EDM, with hints of 8-bit scattered throughout. The track features extensive fade-in and fade-out effects, with heavy use of reverb. It's logical that the composer primarily used synthesizers, given the game's setting on an alien planet and its advanced technology. While this specific track doesn't evoke horror, there are plenty of tracks in the game that do.
What did I do with it?
I retained the key and tempo from the original, as well as its structure. I aimed to stay as true to the 8-bit aesthetic as possible, limiting the number of tracks to avoid overcrowding. Therefore, I opted to omit several elements from the track, focusing on those I deemed essential:
- Melody
- Bassline
- Counter-melody
- Rhythm
In the first two bars, you'll hear a continuous bassline with some polyphony. This polyphony disappears once the counter-melody kicks in, as having too many tracks simultaneously isn't possible in official 8-bit music. This polyphony doesn't return because, in my opinion, it would've made the track too cluttered. The main melody is divided into high and low sections, each with a distinct timbre. I attempted to replicate the sound of the original as closely as possible using a square wave frequency. Both the counter-melody and bassline were created using a triangle wave frequency, again aiming to mimic the original sound. I refrained from using fade-in and fade-out effects and reverb, as these aren't typically utilized in 8-bit music. The drums were generated using noise, and I endeavored to replicate the rhythm of the original track as closely as possible.
In this blog post, I've shared my passion for Subnautica and its music, as well as my creative process in crafting an 8-bit cover of the track 'Tropical Eden'. It's remarkable how the music of Subnautica, composed by talented individuals like Simon Chylinski, enhances the game's atmosphere and immerses players in its mysterious underwater world. Through my interpretation of this track, I've sought to preserve the unique elements of the 8-bit aesthetic while remaining faithful to the original essence of the song.
What are your thoughts on the cover? Would you have done anything differently? I'd love to hear your feedback in the comments! I hope this blog post has inspired you to get creative and explore new ways to experience your favorite games. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more musical adventures by subscribing to the newsletter and following me on Youtube and LinkedIn.
About me
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kyra van Meijl, a singer and composer specializing in retro 2D platform puzzle games.I was born in 1998 in the province of Brabant in the Netherlands. From a young age... Read more
Add comment
Comments