'Tactical' - Video Game Jazz Map Theme (Original Song)

Choose your units, plan your strategy, and complete the level in the least number of turns possible for maximum reward!

I'm back! Feels good to be making videos again. I've got a whole separate video on my second channel reflecting about my time off, so I'll spare you an explanation of why I took time off and what I learned, and instead get into talking about my new project!

As previously mentioned, this original album I'm working on is going to be comprised of music based on video game music archetypes, and I happened to choose a map theme for this first tune! I imagined this being a tune that would underscore a strategy game like Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, and Final Fantasy Tactics. In retrospect, this ended up sounding a lot like a few different Fire Emblem tunes I love... but I guess that's just my influences shining through! The mood I was going for here was one of forward motion, but at a walking pace, not a running pace. Since tactical games progress on a unit-by-unit basis, and the actions are rather methodical, I thought it'd be best to give the music a constant medium tempo, to give the player a nice backdrop to think over. Plus, I think the chill vibes that this song and orchestration have are well suited for having the player think things through!

I'm using a couple of new instruments in this composition: the rainstick and djembe! I picked up this rainstick a while ago (it's in my name, I mean, how could I not?), but struggled to find a place to use it in a song. I decided to incorporate it into this song to add to the "earthiness" of the texture. While the rainstick does imitate water, I think the sound of the beads inside the instrument are a really organic and earthy sound... and paired with the djembe, I think they add a lot of cool texture. It makes me think of the feeling you get when you run your fingers over a really old, dusty, dirty map, which totally makes sense for this style of writing, at least for me!

I've also got to mention that little animation I put together at the beginning of the video! I've been wanting to learn After Effects for a while, and I thought this project would be a cool opportunity to try out some of its functions! I'm hoping to create short little animations like this for future videos to provide some context as to what scene / type of tune I'm trying to write. I had fun using Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator and adding some graphical elements of my own to create a grid system like something you'd see in a tactics game. I have played around with AE a bit before, but this was a really fun way to learn some new tools, or... tactics!

Hope you enjoy this! Writing these descriptions out is something I always look forward to, and I've found that especially for original compositions, writing out a little synopsis like this helps me reflect on my compositional choices and better understand my own process better, so it's a win win! See you in the next one :)

♫ "Tactical" composed by insaneintherainmusic (Carlos Eiene)

SOCIAL MEDIA:

[thecheesemeister]

I think we can all agree that him playing all the instruments will never get old

[yakkocmn]

boy i've never played this unreleased video game but i would totally buy the soundtrack on vinyl

[Ezonater]

Alright gang, here's the plan:

- Carlos! You come in on the right with the Sax. You'll be our diversion, make sure they can hear you playing.
- Carlos, while they're distracted, make sure to get in there and get some hits in with that keyboard. Don't forget about your mod wheel, it deals extra damage!
- Carlossss, my man! You're on drums you know the deal. Get those successive hits in!
- Carlos, you're on sneak attack duty. I'm sure your bass will go unnoticed for a little bit, and that will be the perfect opportunity to strike
- Carlos... uh we don't really need a triangle in thiiiis battle, but I'm sure we'll find a use for you.

Everyone got it? Perfect, let's start prepping for battle.

[moonrazk]

I love how playing the rain stick just makes you look like you're carefully analyzing a stick.

[exclam]

Easily my favorite track from Fire Emblem: ODST

[clockworkthinktank]

I'm not sure why, because the song itself is a bop, but "Jazz Map Theme" is somehow the funniest phrase I've ever read

[StickMaster]

The perfect jazz piece to plan and execute an enemy on my enemies

[armon]

These original compositions are so perfect in the spirit of each game music archetype they're titled after. Cant wait for the inevitable indie dev to contract you for an OST my friend

[Riptide-ikdb]

Can’t wait for the final boss them with a Latin choir at the end of all this

[macemaster]

I'm so glad you decided to step away from being known forever as a cover artist I really like this composition and I can tell this album will be breathtaking, gonna get signed up for Patreon now that you have come to a creative stride.

[MonkeyDAsherrr]

The piano in the background is really what makes it for me

[FungiWizard]

Starting off the new project with a banger! If this is how you’ll be kicking things off with just a map theme I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the rest of the songs!!

[korzen]

4 1/2 minutes of soprano is a pretty good way to wake up

[ShigaruFR]

me: "how ?? this is so good"
him: 1:14 *rotates branch*
me: "oh I see"

[thelion]

Legend has it, this is what music Dalinar would listen to to plan how to flush out the Voidbringers from Roshar.

[octaviusthend]

Talented man blows into special brass pipe
instant happy chemical

[Marco_the_Ginger]

This is throwing me back to your Fire Emblem Awakening covers man. Keep up the good work!

[Trolligarch]

What makes this composition so beautiful is the fact I feel nostalgic for this piece despite the fact it's an original piece I've never heard of.

[sirwolfy]

This jazzy tactical track reminisce me of a headcannon feel for the yugioh colosseum game

[ScruffyMusic]

Drifted away in the composition, found my way back on the map. Really wonderful stuff, looking forward to the whole album! And also, really nice animated intro, so cool to see you made it from scratch!