Oh how i remember sitting by my friends computer all those years ago, playing the demo to this wonderful game. It was the game that lit the spark of a lifetime of love for computer gaming! Was around 10 years old then, now i'm 31, and i can almost remember it like it was yesterday... Such a wonderful thing... Thanks for bringing that feeling back =) Well done!
Thank you so much for making this and posting it! I love this old sound and I was afraid I'd only find the cleaner MIDI versions here. Playing this game as a kid made me better at music...I'd always be whistling the melodies and arpeggios at recess (well before I understood those terms).
+Decompiler Shortly after I asked that question I went hunting for the music, and sure enough the CD had tracks on it that you could listen to just by popping it in any old CD music player. The weird thing is that Warcraft itself seems to be unable to _use_ those tracks during play, unlike the second game. That explains why I never knew about those tracks.
@slashingraven I believe the CD audio tracks were only used by the Macintosh version, in the cases of duel MS-DOS / Mac combo discs. Warcraft 2 allowed use of the audio tracks in both versions.
what I respect most on this game is it's originality and the fact that it's not a sell out title. to me the best of the trilogy, btw with one of the most brilliant OSTs ever made for a video game, couldn't be better. (def way better than CD ver)
+soylentgreenb Warcraft 1 is the original RTS. So with regards to that, it didn't copy anything. And if you want to go down that path of saying Warcraft copied Warhammer in terms of fantasy or story (which it certainly did in some aspects) then you can say Warhammer copied Lord of the Rings. Pretty much all modern fantasy stuff started with Lord of the Rings.
17:45 - Brings back the memories from when I was 9 (I'm now 33) desperately trying to repel Demons cutting through my ranks and the scream "Aaaaghh!" echos. Clenched teeth, trying to aim those bastard catapults.
Thanks! I wish games still use FM music. I think game music should be game music and nothing else. OPL technology could have kept on improving for game use but real recorded instruments spoiled gamers.
This sounds absolutely amazing, I've never heard Adlib/SB FM music sound so crystal clear! Way better than the generic SB clone I had in my 486 back in the '90s. Oh the nostalgia; thanks for the download link too :-)
Had this game in 1998, and probably haven't played it since 1999 or 2001 at the absolute latest. The one and only track to stick with me through the years since I've last played it is Human Theme 1 (07:53). I absolutely love it! We had an AWE32 sound card, so I was used to the sample based Rolandish version of the track. But I am huge fan of FM, and the YMF242 (OPL3) is just a monster of a chip (the majority of my experience with FM comes from the YM2612 (OPN2) in the Sega Genesis, which itself is a very capable, competent chip - this one is far more so). After having listened to the FM version here, I am confident that I like it better than the Roland version.
a good example for a brilliant using of fm patches / timbre by the AIL Driver ) Miles Sound System, this corresponding fm bank should be should more often in games with orchestred arrangements, Greets from a FM synthesis fan
I wish I could just extract that part in MP3. With my old computer I recorded it but didn't realise the music was stereo so I'm missing some sounds from one channel. :(
Which version/renderer do you people like the best? ◾ OPL3 version (Orc Theme 3) : ua-cam.com/video/RJEEzj-UT5Q/v-deo.html ◾ Roland SC-55 version (Orc Theme 3) : ua-cam.com/video/H5QVHzaGfQ8/v-deo.html ◾ Gravis Ultrasound version (Orc Theme 3) : ua-cam.com/video/X9oTzK4mKkw/v-deo.html ◾ Arachno SoundFont version (Orc Theme 3) : ua-cam.com/video/JTTCIn1s3Cc/v-deo.html ◾ Unknown version (Orc Theme 3) : ua-cam.com/video/OTZ8yh2dez0/v-deo.html
Lol I also had a Tull (well Anderson) Song come to mind: orc 3 sounds quite a bit like fly by night, despite being faster. I get a feeling that the OTS composer might be quite the prog rock fan in general, with all the odd time signature changes.
Yea I agree with the other comments. This sounds way better than the CD version. Thanks for posting, really hard to find the actual game ripped soundtrack :D
This will save me from my intended recording of the SB16 version (might as well not record something already done). Recently, I recorded the entire SC-55 version with a real Roland SC-55 (which is the original intended version and of which 6 tracks were recorded for the cd-audio soundtrack) -- ua-cam.com/video/H5QVHzaGfQ8/v-deo.html
Oh god. I remember when I was a kid and we had a computer with a Sound Blaster 16 and 3D Blaster something (a big yellow card) with 4 mb memory. Dad bought it so he could play Doom 2 (it lagged like hell on the computer before). I played a lot of WC and WC2 (and WarWind) back then. Such simple times, no work, no obligations ...
Leaving this here in case I'm just imagining it/malfunctioning: At 17:02 should sound the other part of the "flute". It doesn't!! There's a trumpet leading on this section and it's silent until 19:55. This might be an audio problem on my part. If not, what just happened??
I just ran the MP3 of Human 2 that I had and plays normally. I ran the video and it's still there! It's very improbable that the video "missed" a note, so the only explanation would be that Mr. Lindberg uploaded a new video with midi issues (missing notes).
When Greg Alper and I compiled the official SC-55 version of the soundtrack (ua-cam.com/video/H5QVHzaGfQ8/v-deo.html), he told me that Blizzard originally wanted him to actually arrange Gustav Holst's Planets, but he thought it would be better to compose original music in the same style.
maybe with a soundfont that reproduce awe32 (and a software that play midi with a soundfont like XMPlay) but sadly I don't know where to find this kind of soundfont...
Hello friend! Very nice sound! Please tell me, how you record this music directly after the first Op-Amp? Sound is very clean, SNR is excellent!!! If you can, please give me small FAQ for this.
I know the Ultrasound versions are technically "better" but I think the OPL3 really defined this generation of DOS games and this version is the definitive one for WC.
This soundtrack confuses me- I remember listening to all of the old warcraft music, but I seem to remember being able to play the gameplay disc in a CD player... Is this that same music, but played through an old sound card or something?
I heard this before the Beethoven song. It blew my mind when I heard it. BTW, which Beethoven song again? (I’ve heard it but of course can’t remember any names) EDIT: it’s the Für Elise
Could you please update the description with some kind of download link, directly to the music, please? I would like to carry this soundtrack with myself, over my phone. Thanks!
Was there a particular benefit (other than it being easier) of recording analog audio from the op-amp as opposed to recording digital audio from one of the other ICs?
good work but the tracks are not really being recorded from the very beginning of each track. For example in human 2 and human 3. Good work again but the tracks are not completed, would appreciate it if you can record them again correctly.
Ok my wording was a bit crap there, what I meant to ask was if it meant that the music was made for OPL3, or if this or others could be an OPL2 soundtrack playing on an OPL3 chip. I'd like to know how to distinguish between OPL2 and OPL3 music besides checking the sound options for each game. Some OPL2 games had stereo support, making it more tricky. Here's a list I found which might be incomplete: 1990 Christmas Card - The Seasoned Professional B-17 Flying Fortress Castle of Dr. Brain Conquests of the Longbow David Leadbetter's Greens DragonsSphere EcoQuest: The Search for Cetus (patch) F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0 Formula One Grand Prix Gunship 2000 Harrier Jump Jet Hoyle's Official Book of Games Volume 3 Jones in the Fast Lane King's Quest V (patch) Leisure Suit Larry 5 Leisure Suit Larry 1 VGA Lord of the Rings Volume 1 Lord of the Rings Volume 2 Mixed-up Fairy Tales Mixed-Up Mother Goose (patch) Pirates! Gold Police Quest III Quest for Glory II (patch) Return of the Phantom Sid Meier's Civilization Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon Deluxe Space Quest I VGA Space Quest IV (patch) Special Forces Strike Commander
When a FM soundtrack is playing in stereo so is it almost always OPL3, but as you say so are some OPL2 games having stereo also and that means the game supports dual-OPL2, the OPL3 is basically 2 OPL2 built in one chip.
That Human Theme 2... Still giving me chills.
sounds just as good with the soundblaster than it does on the CD version. bonechilling atmosphere.
Floss to that sound track.
yeah I think that ones my favorite too, I whistle it all the time.
The Warcraft 2 ost may be my favourite overall, but that is definitely my favourite track!
For phone users:
00:00 Intro
03:20 Main Menu
05:37 Briefing
07:53 Human Theme 1
16:12 Human Theme 2
24:40 Human Theme 3
31:58 Human Win 1
34:05 Human Win 2
37:52 Human Lose
39:18 Orc Theme 1
46:39 Orc Theme 2
53:44 Orc Theme 3
01:03:25 Orc Win 1
01:05:07 Orc Win 2
01:09:14 Orc Lose
good man
I love how the Human victory theme is just the Human 2 music put in a major key.
I was listening to both this and CD version... I gotta say that both versions have their each own worth.
I listen to this at least once a day
Still listening xD
Still listening.... This is my jam mate
Just came for another listen :D
Jamming again
@@OniMurasame :^D
The "Orc Win 2" at 01:05:07 is simply a work of genius.
And it has aged incredibly well. FOR THE HORDE!
The bones crunching beneath your feet, is a symbol of your awesome victory!!!
your right
I just realized that the intro of Human 1 got reused for comedic effect in WC2's "Medieval Man" some years later.
yep, it was an inside joke to the old fans
Oh how i remember sitting by my friends computer all those years ago, playing the demo to this wonderful game. It was the game that lit the spark of a lifetime of love for computer gaming! Was around 10 years old then, now i'm 31, and i can almost remember it like it was yesterday... Such a wonderful thing... Thanks for bringing that feeling back =) Well done!
+Velcharoon used to comlink with a 386 66mhz and 486 dx4 100mhz playing wc1 multiplayer :D same age btw.
How does it feel to be closing in on 40 now? :p
@@Mitulaa It sucks
Thank you so much for making this and posting it! I love this old sound and I was afraid I'd only find the cleaner MIDI versions here. Playing this game as a kid made me better at music...I'd always be whistling the melodies and arpeggios at recess (well before I understood those terms).
Hey, guy who made this video. You're a boss.
Sounds way cooler than the CD version =D! Thanks for your work!
There was a CD version of the Warcraft 1 music?
@@slashingraven Yes. It used CD audio tracks instead of FM synthesis.
+Decompiler Shortly after I asked that question I went hunting for the music, and sure enough the CD had tracks on it that you could listen to just by popping it in any old CD music player. The weird thing is that Warcraft itself seems to be unable to _use_ those tracks during play, unlike the second game. That explains why I never knew about those tracks.
@@slashingraven OK, now I feel kinda stupid because I realized you mentioned Warcraft 1 in your previous comment. My reply was about Warcraft 2.
@slashingraven
I believe the CD audio tracks were only used by the Macintosh version, in the cases of duel MS-DOS / Mac combo discs. Warcraft 2 allowed use of the audio tracks in both versions.
what I respect most on this game is it's originality and the fact that it's not a sell out title. to me the best of the trilogy, btw with one of the most brilliant OSTs ever made for a video game, couldn't be better. (def way better than CD ver)
+Condor67 What originality? It's a blatant carbon copy of warhammer.
+soylentgreenb
Warcraft 1 is the original RTS. So with regards to that, it didn't copy anything. And if you want to go down that path of saying Warcraft copied Warhammer in terms of fantasy or story (which it certainly did in some aspects) then you can say Warhammer copied Lord of the Rings. Pretty much all modern fantasy stuff started with Lord of the Rings.
STM the original rts is dune II. Warcraft was the first in the medieval/fantasy setting though.
Ah, I thought Warcraft pre-dated Dune II but that sounds about right.
The sound quality is great, many thanks for the upload of such a great soundtrack.
Anybody in 2021? Those soundtracks are amazing and powerful ever heard!
2022
Own favourite is human theme 3, gives me always chills :)
This is how I remember the game sounding in 1994, at age six.
@M. O. My older brothers exposed me to this, and I love them for it.
This is how the game still sounds
@@EliteHaunter not in the gog version
@@altermann221 my brother too! ahaha and I was six too xD
A great soundtrack! I too like the FM version the most, Orc Theme 3 is my favourite :-)
17:45 - Brings back the memories from when I was 9 (I'm now 33) desperately trying to repel Demons cutting through my ranks and the scream "Aaaaghh!" echos. Clenched teeth, trying to aim those bastard catapults.
Thanks!
I wish games still use FM music. I think game music should be game music and nothing else. OPL technology could have kept on improving for game use but real recorded instruments spoiled gamers.
This sounds absolutely amazing, I've never heard Adlib/SB FM music sound so crystal clear! Way better than the generic SB clone I had in my 486 back in the '90s. Oh the nostalgia; thanks for the download link too :-)
This is perfect. I've still have the old Warcraft disk that plays all the music tracks, but they never sound the way they did back in the day.
Had this game in 1998, and probably haven't played it since 1999 or 2001 at the absolute latest. The one and only track to stick with me through the years since I've last played it is Human Theme 1 (07:53). I absolutely love it! We had an AWE32 sound card, so I was used to the sample based Rolandish version of the track. But I am huge fan of FM, and the YMF242 (OPL3) is just a monster of a chip (the majority of my experience with FM comes from the YM2612 (OPN2) in the Sega Genesis, which itself is a very capable, competent chip - this one is far more so). After having listened to the FM version here, I am confident that I like it better than the Roland version.
It's funny that the briefing song plays out for 2 whole minutes, when I always skipped 4 seconds in.
a good example for a brilliant using of fm patches / timbre by the AIL Driver )
Miles Sound System, this corresponding fm bank should be should more often in games with orchestred arrangements, Greets from a FM synthesis fan
16:12
I wish I could just extract that part in MP3. With my old computer I recorded it but didn't realise the music was stereo so I'm missing some sounds from one channel. :(
This is deep song... Warsong Clan victorious.
Which version/renderer do you people like the best?
◾ OPL3 version (Orc Theme 3)
:
ua-cam.com/video/RJEEzj-UT5Q/v-deo.html
◾ Roland SC-55 version (Orc Theme 3)
:
ua-cam.com/video/H5QVHzaGfQ8/v-deo.html
◾ Gravis Ultrasound version (Orc Theme 3)
:
ua-cam.com/video/X9oTzK4mKkw/v-deo.html
◾ Arachno SoundFont version (Orc Theme 3)
:
ua-cam.com/video/JTTCIn1s3Cc/v-deo.html
◾ Unknown version (Orc Theme 3)
:
ua-cam.com/video/OTZ8yh2dez0/v-deo.html
Sound Blaster 16 CT2290! My favorite
Your will sire?
YES
Your command?
Why do you keep touching me?
?? crazy people..
They're quotes from the game dude.
Getting some serious 1970s-80s Jethro Tull vibes from Human Theme 1!
"Bring me my broadsword, and clear understanding!"
I just keep coming back to Human 1!
That time signature-
4/4, then suddenly 7/8 - 7/8 - 11/8 (?!?)
Now 6/8
and wait- we're back into 4/4 now?
Lol I also had a Tull (well Anderson) Song come to mind: orc 3 sounds quite a bit like fly by night, despite being faster. I get a feeling that the OTS composer might be quite the prog rock fan in general, with all the odd time signature changes.
Yea I agree with the other comments. This sounds way better than the CD version. Thanks for posting, really hard to find the actual game ripped soundtrack :D
Orc theme 2 best of all times. Just those drums, all you need.
You clicked on the units multiple times, and they got annoyed.
This is a trademark of Blizzard which they've kept to this day.
Human Theme 3... just awesome. Good old conceptual soundtracks
wow, talk about time travel an taking me back
*Car salesman slaps top of soundblaster"This baby will--Me: BOUGHT! TAKE MY MONEY!
19:13 is the best music of the entire Warcraft franchise.
I know, it always makes me think of my units dying during a big skirmish, so when we get to 31:58 it heightens a theme of vengeance and triumph
It's in the top 5 for sure!
This will save me from my intended recording of the SB16 version (might as well not record something already done). Recently, I recorded the entire SC-55 version with a real Roland SC-55 (which is the original intended version and of which 6 tracks were recorded for the cd-audio soundtrack) -- ua-cam.com/video/H5QVHzaGfQ8/v-deo.html
this game is older than me, and i am considered as an adult regarding my age in my country
+EliteHaunter
Those capacitors are probably older than you too, then, and they've still got the juice.
tohopes haha most likely
Thank you!
Oh god. I remember when I was a kid and we had a computer with a Sound Blaster 16 and 3D Blaster something (a big yellow card) with 4 mb memory. Dad bought it so he could play Doom 2 (it lagged like hell on the computer before).
I played a lot of WC and WC2 (and WarWind) back then. Such simple times, no work, no obligations ...
You mean Wing Commander 1 & 2?
thaank yoou.....th8s is the 100% oriiginal midii ingame Sound!
Human 2 with this sound has a special energy :)
Leaving this here in case I'm just imagining it/malfunctioning:
At 17:02 should sound the other part of the "flute". It doesn't!!
There's a trumpet leading on this section and it's silent until 19:55.
This might be an audio problem on my part. If not, what just happened??
I just ran the MP3 of Human 2 that I had and plays normally. I ran the video and it's still there!
It's very improbable that the video "missed" a note, so the only explanation would be that Mr. Lindberg uploaded a new video with midi issues (missing notes).
Just listening :)
16:14 love that track :)
What, no showing off of your soldering work in the photograph? Great quality, especially from this notoriously noisy product.
Depends on the model. There were loads of different SB16's around.
IN THE AGE OF CHAOS TWO FACTIONS BATTLED FOR DOMINANCE
How do I change the soundfont of the game?
So many Gustav Holst vibes.
When Greg Alper and I compiled the official SC-55 version of the soundtrack (ua-cam.com/video/H5QVHzaGfQ8/v-deo.html), he told me that Blizzard originally wanted him to actually arrange Gustav Holst's Planets, but he thought it would be better to compose original music in the same style.
I love 53:44 it really makes you feel like a plotting and scheming villain
Top work, sounds great! Was there a header on your board after the first OA, or did you have to solder something on there?
I soldered the wires (with phono connectors at other end) directly on the output pins of the op-amp.
Doesn't get much more hardcore than this... 🤘😝🤘
Yes?
Thy will, sire?
My lord?
Yes?
Yes?
Thy will, sire?
My lord?
My lord?
Thy will, sire?
Yes?
What?
What do you want?
Why do you keep touching me?
yes....yes.....yes mylord.....yes
The pale dogs approach!
Okay okay hear me out. "YOUR SOUNDCARD WORKS PERFECTLY" oh wait that's wc2
is it possible to make awe32 wavetable libraries to play on todays audio systems?
maybe with a soundfont that reproduce awe32 (and a software that play midi with a soundfont like XMPlay)
but sadly I don't know where to find this kind of soundfont...
Perfect
I never got to hear this because my parents work computer didn’t have a sound blaster 😂
Orc theme 2 is wonderfull battle sound
What are other game soundtracks that use this sound processing?
Ahhhhj the same way i remembered
Hello friend!
Very nice sound!
Please tell me, how you record this music directly after the first Op-Amp?
Sound is very clean, SNR is excellent!!!
If you can, please give me small FAQ for this.
I know the Ultrasound versions are technically "better" but I think the OPL3 really defined this generation of DOS games and this version is the definitive one for WC.
This soundtrack confuses me- I remember listening to all of the old warcraft music, but I seem to remember being able to play the gameplay disc in a CD player... Is this that same music, but played through an old sound card or something?
Anyone else notice the hint of Beethoven on Orc Win 2?
I heard this before the Beethoven song. It blew my mind when I heard it.
BTW, which Beethoven song again?
(I’ve heard it but of course can’t remember any names)
EDIT: it’s the Für Elise
Could you upload the adlib version of the System Shock 1 ost? Thanks
Sorry i can't make Adlib recordings of the System Shock music.
Warcraft 1 is still the best in the series!
It was a huge step from Dune2 to be able to control 4 units at a time.
39:20 is my favorite
Man, finding this made me happy! Do you still do this type of stuff?
You mean recording music from old games? Well i will try and do some more in the future :)
Yeah, that's exactly what I was looking for! Specifically, a game called Dark Legions is my go-to nostalgia piece, if you could.
Sure i could have a look at Dark Legions and see if i can record its music :)
35:50 me like this moment
Could you please update the description with some kind of download link, directly to the music, please? I would like to carry this soundtrack with myself, over my phone.
Thanks!
Sure i can update the description with a link from where you can downlaod the recordings :)
Was there a particular benefit (other than it being easier) of recording analog audio from the op-amp as opposed to recording digital audio from one of the other ICs?
+tohopes I don't know any benefits, i recorded analog just as you say simply because it was easier :)
Do you think you will be able to do the same thing for Magic Carpet 1 / 2?
I don't know as i never checked out the Magic Carpet music, i will have a look though :-)
I urge you to do magic carpet :)
ican send you iso if you want
Why does this sound different on different headphones?
quality simply put
No wonder the official OST from Warcraft 1 on many other movies felt weird.... Because it's not the real one!
19:14
Human lose is Mahler 5th
good work but the tracks are not really being recorded from the very beginning of each track. For example in human 2 and human 3. Good work again but the tracks are not completed, would appreciate it if you can record them again correctly.
They are recorded from the beginning... maybe there are different versions of the music?
still better than anything in HD
Check out this play through of warcraft 1! www.twitch.tv/alarashade
Does OPL3 always mean the YMF262 chip is used?
Yes... OPL3 = YMF262 :)
Ok my wording was a bit crap there, what I meant to ask was if it meant that the music was made for OPL3, or if this or others could be an OPL2 soundtrack playing on an OPL3 chip. I'd like to know how to distinguish between OPL2 and OPL3 music besides checking the sound options for each game.
Some OPL2 games had stereo support, making it more tricky. Here's a list I found which might be incomplete:
1990 Christmas Card - The Seasoned Professional
B-17 Flying Fortress
Castle of Dr. Brain
Conquests of the Longbow
David Leadbetter's Greens
DragonsSphere
EcoQuest: The Search for Cetus (patch)
F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0
Formula One Grand Prix
Gunship 2000
Harrier Jump Jet
Hoyle's Official Book of Games Volume 3
Jones in the Fast Lane
King's Quest V (patch)
Leisure Suit Larry 5
Leisure Suit Larry 1 VGA
Lord of the Rings Volume 1
Lord of the Rings Volume 2
Mixed-up Fairy Tales
Mixed-Up Mother Goose (patch)
Pirates! Gold
Police Quest III
Quest for Glory II (patch)
Return of the Phantom
Sid Meier's Civilization
Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon Deluxe
Space Quest I VGA
Space Quest IV (patch)
Special Forces
Strike Commander
When a FM soundtrack is playing in stereo so is it almost always OPL3, but as you say so are some OPL2 games having stereo also and that means the game supports dual-OPL2, the OPL3 is basically 2 OPL2 built in one chip.
STOP POKING ME!!!