Thread: Theorbo range

Is it just me, or did Turbine get the Theorbo all wrong? It sounds like a muddy old double-bass, when in reality, a typical A-tuned Therobo had a GG-a range. Yes there are bass strings, but it's frettable strings are closer to the range of a lute. Maybe they can't give it the full range an actual Theorbo has, but it is not a double-bass like it sounds in-game. It's more of a bass lute. See this -
http://youtu.be/wmhmKUXxRlE

Several of the in-game instruments have a particularly unrealistic range, and use samples from unrelated or inappropriate instruments. I believe it is unlikely Turbine will ever replace the samples.

About 3.5 years ago, I looked through the game's credits and found one of the sound engineers. I sent him a complete set of 3 octaves of studio recorded chromatic samples from authentic instruments. When 3 octaves were not available, I used related instruments,such as a serpent, lyzard, and cornetto for the "horn" and blended them to match timbres. For some diatonic instruments, the performers were able to use a different lead pipe to record half-step samples. I retuned all the samples to 12-tone equal temperment, which although not authentic, would be most familiar and expected.

I even offered to explicitly place the samples in the public domain or license them freely and exclusively to Turbine with signed agreements from the performers. I never heard back from anyone.

That's probably the saddest LOTRO story I have heard in a long while Fredelas.

Well at least you tried, and big kudos for that.

Originally Posted by Phede

That's probably the saddest LOTRO story I have heard in a long while Fredelas.

Well at least you tried, and big kudos for that.

The ending isn't all sad. About a year later, I was able to sell the samples to a prominent virtual instrument distributor. It earned enough money for the performers that their consort could afford to go on tour. They have now achieved quite a bit of regional success.

So even though it may not have been a happy ending in-game, there's a half-dozen musicians out there who are now able to share their passion for period instruments and music with a much wider audience.

Fred, were I in charge of such things at Turbine, I would've fired that sound guy and hired you, you are obviously a go getter, self starter and motivated individual with a passion for music. Alas I am but a simple customer, and can't make such changes. Anyways I forgot what I was getting at, but you get rep for that post, I only wish I could give more.

Edit:You beat my post by a minute, lol. Glad to hear your work and that of the musicians wasn't wasted. Rock on Fred.

What awesome initiative, thank you for doing that. It makes my heart hurt a little to think what might have been with lotro if they'd taken up your offer, but I am very glad that your work was put to a good use at least.