GHTunes Showcase: GHDevThomasO talks about his GHTune

Developer Blog

Posted on 10/29/2009 by Neversoft

GHTunes Showcase: GHDevThomasO talks about his GHTune

* Name & job here at Neversoft:

GHDevThomasO – Midi Designer

* What is your song's title and does it mean anything?

“Simmer” was titled from my focus on the Guitar game play in the song. The song’s difficulty shifts between melodic passages and faster solo licks throughout the track. Even when the guitar is playing the more complex sections, the groove of song stays in half time feel.

* How long did it take you to create your GHTunes track?

Three Days. I found it easiest to start by testing out different combinations of sounds to see what works well together. Once I found a sound palate to work with I started trying some new ideas. I usually keep a keyboard in front of me while I’m recording to experiment with different rhythmic and melodic content. Adding effects changes in the middle of sustained chords turned out to be great way to shift the guitar timbre.

* Why is GHTunes such a unique feature in the game to you?

There is a ton of recording software available. What makes GHTunes unique is the ability to customize game play while you are composing and immediately share it with your friends when you are finished. I love how many different songs can be created using a predefined group of sounds.

* What is your favorite songs to play in GH?

Some of my favorite songs include the Tool songs from GHWT, Derek Trucks and Jeff Beck songs from GH5 and the DLC Country Track Pack.

* Has there been a GHTunes song you've heard and downloaded that you enjoy playing?

I can’t wait to see what songs are made with the updated studio. There have already been some really cool chip tunes style demos made with the new expressive strums.

* How many tracks have you created for GHTunes?

So far I’ve created six songs in GHTunes including four GHMix On-Disc demo songs. Each one was composed by trying a different workflow. “Y and Z” (GHWT Demo) was created by restricting each track to one preset and exploring each instrument to see how many different sounds they could create. “Notch” (GHWT Showcase Song) was my only attempt so far to convert a song that I had previously written with some help from the hidden guitar effect button combinations. “DownTurn” (GHM Demo) was made by copying and pasting pitch shifted notes using the drum machine into new patterns. “Overdub” (GHM Demo) was written by quickly switching the rhythm track between palm muted and bar chords throughout the main riff. “Feedforward” (Band Hero Demo) was created with the new Line 6 delay effects and velocity switching.

* Are you in a band? What's your bands name? What kind of music do they play? (your Guitar Hero band doesn't count!)

I’m currently playing in an electronic duo. We just finished recording our first entirely live ambient album titled “Noble”. Recently, I’ve finished coproducing an album by a group out of South Florida called Sterling Road and a second album from Exit Ramp.