Stephen Rippy

• Game Music

  Want to Remix Some Halo Wars? Stephen Rippy Has Your Stems!

  August 7, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Want to Remix Some Halo Wars? Stephen Rippy Has Your Stems! Share this Want to Remix Some Halo Wars? Stephen Rippy Has Your Stems!

  

  If you recall, I was very impressed with Stephen Rippy’s score for Halo Wars earlier this year. It featured some great electronic ambiance and was a bit of a departure from Marty O’Donnell’s Halo sound. Well, on that note, Rippy wants you to take the music in an even different direction, and has just posted up some instrument stems for fans to go wild with on his website.

  I’ve never been one to be able to create remix with stems, but I know there are people out there who can do it.  I think it’s really cool that he’s been given permission to post these files, as big companies like Microsoft are usually pretty protective of their game content.  In any event, I’m looking forward to hearing what anyone is able to turn out, so get crackin’!

  Have any thoughts looking back at the music of Halo Wars?  Is there a particular style that you’d like to see remixers tackle this time around?

• Game Music

  Halo Wars Interview With Composer Stephen Rippy

  February 24, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Halo Wars Interview With Composer Stephen Rippy Share this Halo Wars Interview With Composer Stephen Rippy

  

  A lot of us were left wondering what would become to the Halo series after the trilogy concluded, and I think most were surprised when it was announced that the series would transition into the real-time strategy realm with Halo Wars. I guess most surprising for us music fans is the fact that series composers Marty O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori are nowhere to be found on this project! Don’t worry, though, I’ll gladly vouch for Stephen Rippy, the music and sound director over at Ensemble Studos who handled the game’s score.

  So, what has he decided to do with the reins to the Halo series? Well, if you read our review of the Halo Wars Original Soundtrack earlier this month, you already know it’s a whole lot different from the original Halo soundtracks.  Rippy discusses his approach to the title, his thoughts on the original Halo scores, stories about working on the title, and touches on his past work and the announced closure of Ensemble Studios.

  Read what Stephen Rippy has to say after the jump. (more…)

• Game Music, Reviews

  Under a Dark Halo: The Brooding Sounds Of The Halo Wars Original Soundtrack (Review)

  February 16, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this Under a Dark Halo: The Brooding Sounds Of The Halo Wars Original Soundtrack (Review)

  

  Get ready for something different. The Halo series thus far has seen somewhat of an evolution in its aural landscape from the rock-oriented Halo 2 soundtrack to the beautiful orchestral/ambient masterpiece that was the Halo 3 soundtrack. However, just as Halo Wars intends to take the franchise in a new direction with its real-time strategy gameplay, Halo Wars composer Stephen Rippy intends to do the same with the title’s music.

  While the previously mentioned orchestral music is not entirely absent (the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague are featured), you’re going to find the majority of the score is centered on an electronic ambient style, and I’ll tell you right now that it sounds absolutely amazing. This doesn’t mean you won’t hear some familiar themes weaved throughout the score though. Along with the single-disc soundtrack, there’s also a bonus DVD packed with extras, so make sure you don’t miss out.

  Read our detailed impressions of the Halo Wars Original Soundtrack after the jump. (more…)

Covering and promoting discussion of composers and music with a focus on video games and other contemporary media entertainment

Join Us Online Or Log in

 Got tips? Get in touch Or Browse our Categories Game Music Music Production Gear Anime Demoscene Software Television Doujin Chip Music Indie Music Film Events Japanese Miscellaneous Experimental Featured Editorial Reviews Interviews