Domination 08 Interview

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                        * Interview: Rob Hubbard *
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Welcome reader to the regular Interview section of
Domination. This time we have some interesting profiles
from the past and present.
In this chapter the Domination magazine is proud to
introduce a legendary C64 musician from the past.
Music from such commercial titles like Commando, Mega
Apocalypse and International Karate 1 + 2.
I proudly present to you..
 
               >> ROB HUBBARD of ELECTRONIC ARTS <<
 
This Interview was originally conducted for the legal
publication Commodore Fever by Everlasting Style, but
after it's release, i feel it deserves publication in this
magazine for 'scene recognition' and for those who
respect Rob Hubbard, as one of the most original and
possibly best musicians on this machine. Enjoy..
 
D - Domination
R - Rob Hubbard/EA
 
D)
Welcome to the media, and this magazine, i am quite
sure most people know who you are, or at least seen
you in the credits page of Commercial software.
But could you please state who you are and give the
audience some knowing of what you do..
 
R)
I started in the computer scene in 1982 and moved to
the USA in 1988 working for Electronic Arts.
My job title is Audio Tech. Director, better known as
Rob Hubbard.
 
D)
On C64 i remember your musical work for such
classics as 'Mega Apocalypse'. THere are many other
titles i've long forgotten, how many games have
featured tracks you have composed? is it possible to
name them all?
 
R)
Action Biker - Masteronics
Hunter Patrol - Masteronics
Monty on the run - Micro Projects/Gremlin graphics
Gremlins -  i don't think this was published
Master of Magic - Digital Computers/Masteronic
Chimera - Firebird
The Last V8 - Digital Computers/Masteronic
Battle of Britain - P.s.s.
Human Race - Masteronic (Originally called "Evolution")
Spirit of Adventure - Masteronic
Phantom of the Asteroids
Thing on a spring - Gremlin
Gerry the germ - Firebird
Commando - Elite
One man and his droid - Masteronic
Zoids - Martech
Rasputin - Firebird
Crazy Comets  - Martech
Geoff Capes Strongman - Martech
Show Jumping - Alligata
Formula 1 - Masteronic
Thrust - Firebird
International Karate - System 3
Kentilla - Masteronic
Vollyball - Masteronic
Samfox Poker - Martech
Spellbound - Masteronic
Video poker - Masteronic
Warhawk - Firebird
W.a.r. - Martech
Ninja - Masteronic
Chain Reaction/Zoolook - Kele line Games
Flash Gordon - Masteronic
Sanxion - Thalamus
Sigma 7 - Durell
Knukebusters - Melbourne House
Lightforce - Gargoyle Games
Thanatos - Durell
Tarzan - Martech
Food Fued - Firebird (2 versions that never shipped)
Dragon's Lair 2 - Software Projects
Deepstrike - Durell
Wiz - Melbourne House
Shockway Rider - Gargoyle games
Delta - Thalamus (special interactive loading tune)
Ace 2 - Cascade Games
Sabotuer 2 - Durell
Monty on the run 2 - Gremlin
Nemesis the Warlock - Martech
I Ball - Firebird
Virgin Atlantic Flyer - Maxwell Technology Ltd
International Karate plus - System 3
19 - Cascade games
Pulsator - Martech  (can't remember what this is)
Trojan - Durell (can't remember anything about this)
Pandora - Firebird
Starpaws - Software Projects
Wolf - Gargoyle games (no idea what this was)
Bmx Kids - Firebird (has samples in it)
Big 4 pack/Arcade Classics - Firebird (uses samples)
Rainbow Dragon - Firebird (uses samples)
Mega Apocalypse - Martech (follow up 'Crazy Comets')
????? - Firebird (some kind of train game)
Skate or Die - Electronic Arts
1 on 1 - Electronic Arts
Kings of the beach - Electronic Arts
Hockey - Electronic Arts
 
Other miscellaneous stuff from the 1980's..
Thunder Cats - Atari St
Jupitor Probe - Atari St
Hydrafoil Amstrad - Spectrum
Extirpator - Atari St
Goldrunner - Atari St, based on Human Race tune
5 a side soccer - Amstrad only
Music score for Knight Tyme
 
D)
The most popular musicians seemed to have always
adapted to the development of their own music editor.
JCH, JEROEN TEL, FALCO PAUL etc.. did you code your
own editor? and have you used other musician's
editors??
 
R)
I used my own source code and driver. Everything was
done in machine code. I have not used any other editor
on C64, but i have used many MIDI sequencer programs.
 
D)
You have been on several computer formats for quite
a few years now. Please give the readers a history on
when you first started and what has happened up to
the present day.
 
R)
I started in 1982 learning BASIC programming and then
got a C64. I learned 6502 and later moved to Z80 for
Amstrad and Spectrum machines. I did projects on the
Atari 8 bit machines and then on the Atari St and Amiga.
In 1988 i moved to the USA and started working for EA.
I did projects on the PC,NES,SNES and Sega Genesis.
I have supervised other projects on the Playstation
and Sega Saturn.
Nowadays i am not writing music anymore, but doing
more management of the projects.
 
D)
What are your favourites:
Food: Italian
Drink: Red wine
Movie: Star Wars Trilogy
C64 game: Thing on a spring
Ibm game: Most adventure games
Amiga game: Populous
Demo group: -
C64 musician: Martin Galway or David Whittaker
C64 graphician: -
C64 programmer: Tony Crowther or YAK
Real life music group: Lots of bands
 
 
 
D)
What Computer/Musical related equipment do you own?
 
R)
I own a PC Pentium and i still have an old C64.
I have a Piano, but no other music equipment.
 
D)
Which musicians do you respect? and why??
 
R)
I like many classical composers ranging from Mozart
to Stravinscky. I also like Ralph Vaughn Williams and
Prokovief.
There are some film composers that i like such as John
Williams and Jerry Goldsmith.
I respect these people because i have studied their
music in depth. They all have natural ability and
mastery of melody, harmony and rhythm.
 
 
D)
How much time do you spend on a music? and which one
is your longest amount of time spent on?
 
R)
Most of the C64 projects were done in a day or two.
The longest project was spread over 2 weeks (Delta).
 
D)
Do you like conversions of music? If so, how should it
be done to be accepted by the public?
 
R)
You have to do the best you can when you are doing
a conversion from one platform to another.
You have to make reasonably intelligent decisions
about how the music is going to be ported.
In extreme cases, it is often better to rewrite the
music for the new platform.
 
 
D)
Which skills have you improved most over the years?
Improvisation? musical theory? techniques?
 
R)
I have always been good at music theory and
composition techniques. I have improved greatly in
film music styles and orchestration.
 
D)
What do you think is your best work on C64?
 
R)
There was a middle period which produced the best
stuff. The early games were very safe and
generally middle of the road.
I think Sanxion would have to be my favorite.
 
 
 
 
D)
What style of music do you think it best to improve a
musicians skills. Classical? Jazz? Spanish Guitar even?
Or does it matter per individual?
 
R)
Classical music is good to study as you can generally
buy the scores. You can study the score and learn
about arranging melody development and harmony - it
just takes a lot of work.
Jazz is more about playing - it is more fun to play than
to listen to, unless you are listening to the great
legends of Jazz.
In all music you should always try to find the elements
which make  it good music apposed to trite music.
 
D)
What has ELECTRONIC ARTS got planned for the future?
Can you reveal any secrets?
 
 
R)
We are always pushing the new technologies here at
EA. That means, graphics, audio and gameplay.
Check out our new Playstation titles MADDEN 97 and
SOVIET STRIKE.
We meet with people like Dolby Labs and Intel and try to
influence the direction that new technologies are
going.
The new things are Dolby surround sound and then
DVD - Rom with AC-3 audio.
In Europe the audio is MPEG 2 7.1. These are very cool
audio technologies and should be standard by 1999!
The big  problem for software companies is the huge
cost of development - that means that your product
HAS to be successful and that the companies don't take
any risks.
 
D)
Did you get paid much per game? Which title reaped the
most reward in:
A) SATISFACTION   and   B) MONEY
R)
Back in the mid 80's i was making (for me at the time)
fairly good money. I think the biggest i got paid for was
DELTA. The most satisfying were SANXION, KENTILLA,
THING ON A SPRING and MASTER OF MAGIC.
 
D)
Have you had any serious disagreements with the
production team or distributing lable?
 
R)
I've had my disagreements - i still find it insane that
many producers make decisions about audio without
any real knowledge of what they are talking about.
Nowadays i just try to help them as much as i can and
inform them of the various implications of their
decisions.
I try not to get involved with their choices and feelings
about music content, unless it is really bad.
 
 
D)
I am quite sure over the years you have accumilated
quite a lot of friends and aquaintances. Here is your
chance to say hellos..
 
R)
Just to say hello and thanks to everyon i've met over
the years.
 
D)
Thanks for your time, any last words to leave a final
impression on the audience?
 
R)
The C64 era was great fun, and we developed a special
culture that will never be recreated again.
We all had a blast doing those games.
 
D)
Thanks once again pal, enjoy life and prosper!
 
So there you have it, the one and only ROB HUBBARD.
This interview was conducted over the Internet, next
edition we will feature another classic "blast from the
past" so stay tuned.
 
 
Regards;
Jazzcat/Onslaught