I feel like discussing this morning’s announcement of a Beatles music game a la “Rock Band” or “Guitar Hero”. If you read my blog or don’t live in a submarine, then you probably know that Apple Corps. and Harmonix have banged out a deal for (what I expect) a Beatles game that will be a lot like “Rock Band”. There are few details, but Paul, Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia (Harrison) are reported to be involved.
What interests me is that Giles Martin is also involved — the same Giles that worked so lovingly with his Dad George to remix Beatles songs for a Las Vegas show based on the Fab Four’s music.
There has been a lot of stuff flying around lately about the quality of the music in a “Rock Band” or “Guitar Hero” version of a song versus the quality of the original recording. What helps a band like Metallica have a better sounding record in a video game is that video games don’t have the processing power (yet) to apply advanced signal processing to the final “mix” in a game.
This means that without the aggressive dynamic range limiting done in the studio, the songs will have a different (you can decide if it’s better or worse) sound. So…
This and some other factors mean that Giles and co. are gonna have a tough job in the following areas:
- Believably pulling separate instrument and vocal tracks out of four-track mix/master reels (God help them if they re-record)
- Applying (pseudo?) real-time compression and limiting to give listeners/players the same flowing, pumping sound that makes many of the Beatles’s records so distinct-sounding
- Pulling in an older audience that enjoyed the Beatles in the first place
- Pulling in a newer audience that would rather listen to Limp Bi
Oh well, I’ll buy the game. I’m excited to see what they come up with.
