Mark Seibert vs Jan Hammer: Who did the better Police Quest theme song?

[jharris01]

I happen to read somewhere (sorry don't have the link atm) where someone made an opinion about PQ3's theme song being better than PQ2 on grounds that Miami Vice fame's Jan Hammer did it.

Is this praise well deserved? Personally I think Mark did a better job so my vote goes to him. Since this is all subjective I would like to hear what you think. Which one do you prefer?

Here are the links to the OGG files (in case you want to refresh your memory):

PQ2 Main Theme - http://queststudios.com/2010/digital/pq2digital/Track01.ogg
PQ3 Main Theme - http://queststudios.com/2010/digital/pq3digital/Track01.ogg

[MusicallyInspired]

I like them both. I'm a huge fan of Seibert, but overall I find the groove and composition of PQ3's theme to be more to my liking.

What's cool is that Jan Hammer reprised Seibert's Jesse Bains theme near the end of the game. Was interesting to hear it reinterpreted.

[jharris01]

The police siren was a nice touch.

If you hadn't been told Jan Hammer did it. Would your opinion still be same?

[MusicallyInspired]

Absolutely. I had no idea who Jan Hammer was when I was a kid and first played these games. I still preferred PQ3's theme.

[Mau1wurf1977]

I prefer the PQ3 tune!

To me it has that "WOW" factor.

e.g. if you demo someone your MT-32 (someone that doesn't know much about it) and play PQ3 you usually get a very surprised reaction on the lines of "wow I had no idea Gaming music 20 years ago sounded so good...".

The PQ2 tune just doesn't have that same effect... It's also a more "constant" tune wheras the PQ3 has various parts that sound unique and have a nice build up (can't desribe what I mean any better...)

[BlueMax]

Mau1 said it best - I can't add to that.  I still love the PQ2 theme, but PQ3 really...  REALLY wowed!  Of course, that was partially due to standard vs. sysex custom instruments.

[endre1952]

PQ2 is an early MT-32 soundtrack, although it's much better than the AdLib version. PQ3 was released 3 year later, it makes use of the MT-32 to its best advantage.

[NewRisingSUn]

Police Quest III's theme certainly has a lot more energy, rhythm-wise. The difference between Adlib and MT-32 is greater on PQ3 than PQ2, though.

I wonder if Jan Hammer really composed it specifically for the MT-32, or if he used a better device and someone at Sierra just converted it to MT-32.

[Doctor Creep]

PQ3 Main Theme - http://queststudios.com/2010/digital/pq3digital/Track01.ogg

Is this an "enhanced" version btw?

MT-32 version by Jan Hammer :

http://www.alice-dsl.net/lgoerke/pq3_1.mp3

Love the above version (skip also to 2:29 - awesome!)

The PQ2 tune just doesn't have that same effect... It's also a more "constant" tune wheras the PQ3 has various parts that sound unique and have a nice build up (can't desribe what I mean any better...)

I can only second that

I wonder if Jan Hammer really composed it specifically for the MT-32, or if he used a better device and someone at Sierra just converted it to MT-32.

I'm pretty sure he did it for MT-32, because he got the best out of the sound module, in a "lets use only the best mt-32 stuff/instruments" (+ new sysex sounds) way... IMO he is the Fairlight CMI + MT-32 Meister *g* (paste any other sound device he gets his hands on)

Doc

[Alistair]

I wonder if Jan Hammer really composed it specifically for the MT-32, or if he used a better device and someone at Sierra just converted it to MT-32.

Long time, no post.. You and me both

I think you're right. I highly doubt Hammer composed and MIDI-fied the score (any composer at Sierra could use custom SysEx). Looking at Moby, credited to 'Sound' is:
Sound Robert Atesalp, Mark Seibert
I doubt those two just did SFX. Look at Atesalp on Sorcerian, he didn't compose anything, he took music and used some awesome custom SysEx patches to make a neat MT-32-ified score. Seibert could have done about anything on it.

Much more likely is like with GK1, where Robert Holmes composed most of the music but didn't know how to do the PC-side of it, and the Sierra music team (Atesalp/etc) MIDI-fied it and altered it slightly and added some extra pieces in.

It's also interesting to note that some of the pieces in PQ3 are actually MT-32 translations of some Miami Vice instrumental music, the Crack House (or is it the burning building? I forget) being such an example (season 1 episode.. 7 I think? I can check).

It's been a loooong time since I played the 3rd PQ game. probably because DOSBox wasn't around for a while and the driving in XP kills you.




Guess I should say which I like better. It's really hard, but I think I prefer PQ2's theme.. just. If you look at the start of both pieces, they start off very strongly. THe middle of the PQ3 intro sequence (with the echo pan or whatever it is, I forget!) is a little repetitive and boring for me (although I like the progression), whereas with the PQ2 intro, it always has that drum and bass beat. I guess I felt for the intro, PQ3 needed more of the punchy intro that it had, and less synthy meanderings. And I feel that way about a few parts of PQ3's score, although don't get me wrong, JH is a synth god.


For the record, I like PQ1VGA's intro better than either of the other two

- Alistair

[Ari]

I have to say I like Seibert's version better. I first heard it on the Sierra 1988 Demo tape my brother got from somewhere. I was truly amazed by it at the time, as it was the first time I'd heard anything better than your average PC bleep music. To this day it has a special place in my heart, along with SQ3 Intro, KQ4 Finale and Silpheed Intro.

[BlueMax]

As far as I'm concerned, NOTHING will ever top that first bell intro note to SQ3.

Donnnnngggggggggg

It's about as forever classic as that first twinkly sound in the original Star Trek theme.  I had a packed room all pick out what song was playing by that first tone.    Just that one bell sound alone thrills my nervous system. 

[endre1952]

The SQ3 intro music is definitely one of my favorite MT-32 tunes. It's less impressive in the AdLib version, and I never got to hear it properly until 1999, when I was finally able to get an MT-32 off Ebay.

EGA graphics were already (somewhat) dated when my parents bought a VGA 286 in mid-1991. MT-32 music still sounds cool to me!

[jharris01]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I guess I felt for the intro, PQ3 needed more of the punchy intro that it had, and less synthy meanderings. And I feel that way about a few parts of PQ3's score, although don't get me wrong, JH is a synth god.

See is that last part what bugs me. In my opinion PQ3 gets a free pass cause it has a famous name attached to it.

I highly doubt Hammer composed and MIDI-fied the score (any composer at Sierra could use custom SysEx). Looking at Moby, credited to 'Sound' is: Sound Robert Atesalp, Mark Seibert. I doubt those two just did SFX.

They should have let Seibert continue his work as lead music creator for the game. Most Sierra games kept their music (more specifically the music themes) consistent across sequels. I am guessing Siebert had his time spread over many projects.

EDIT: ...or maybe he was not being paid on the promise of a big bonus percentage of the sales.

[MusicallyInspired]

Not really. The only three game series to have a central theme were Space Quest, Leisure Suit Larry, and Quest For Glory. King's Quest didn't have any central theme except for Greensleeves, which is a traditional theme, and the KQ5 fanfare opening on the last 3 games, which doesn't really constitute a theme.

[jharris01]

Well I guess the thread has gone cold. Thank you all for participating.

[Stefan_L]

I like the Police Quest 2 title most... but thats probably because i played the game

Here is a recording of the Atari ST (ym2149 version) PQ2 title:
http://www.ym2149.com/music/pq2_title_(atari_st).ogg

and here with the MT-32 module i bought this year
http://www.ym2149.com/music/pq2_title_mt32_(atari_st).ogg

[BlueMax]

Hee hee...  I'm grabbing a scratched-up classic MT-32 in a couple weeks.  Yay!

If I'm right, that Atari ST sample is 99% equal to the Tandy track.  Anyone want to compare?