× Comments for 2-04 - Trail Dust and Turtle Wax

Viking Guitar

I love this game. I remember being young when it came out, and my little sister and I would play through it "co-op" (or, at least as "co-op" as two siblings can play a game). We actually beat the Nintendo Power speed-run record when I was like 10 and she was 7. I've never been a beat-em-up guy, but this game is an exception.

When I first heard about this project, it was already pretty booked, and nothing I was interested in was open. However, Stemage was kind enough to let me handle some lead guitar work on his awesome track, and that sated my turtle-hunger. For a while.

A few months later, Kyle hit me up and let me know that "Bury My Shell at Wounded Knee" had opened up. As much as this is probably the most offensive name for a level in any video game ever, it's also the level with my favorite music from the whole game. So, I got to work. The main melody in this song is so cool, and I really wanted to showcase it. I toyed around with trying to mix it with the "Fei Long" Street Fighter music (which is VERY similar), but eventually ditched that idea. Instead, I decided to take the melody through a few different genre iterations to showcase how universally awesome and applicable it really is. The trick was doing this in a way that didn't cause any whiplash for the listener, and I think I did an alright job. If nothing else, it's definitely a different sort of take on the source material.

Everything was recorded and mixed in Reaper. For the intro, the acoustic guitar was some cheap Yamaha steel string. Percussion was made by drumming on the guitar and on my jeans, clapping, and rattling change in my hand. I wanted to make the whole thing sound like percussion that cowboys could improvise while on the trail. All of this was recorded with a Behringer B-1 condenser mic through a Line 6 UX2.

For the heavy segment, I used a B.C. Rich Warlock with an EMG 81/85 pickup combo for the rhythms. Recorded direct and dry, with amp simulation (Poulin LeCto) and cab simulation (Poulin LeCab with some Marshall 1960 impulses). Leads were on an Ibanez JS100 with a Breed/Fred pickup combo. Recorded dry and then amp sim with POD Farm. Bass was an Ibanez soundgear 4-string with a Duncan Blackout, also through POD Farm.

The surf segment was recorded with the same bass and a Squier Vintage Modified Strat for both rhythm and lead work. All direct and amped with POD Farm. Sounds pretty good for a $300 guitar!

Drums for the whole thing were layered DFH and EZdrummer Pop/Rock kit, because I'm an unimaginative dickbag. Mastering was through Stillwell Audio Major Tom compressor and iZotope Ozone 4.

And of course, the gang vocal "hey" shouts were provided by the undauntable Omigadrive.