IMPORTANT NOTE: My ‘enhancements’ are literally myself enhancing the original MIDI file quality, which is sent through modern MIDI equipment and the result recorded. It is not meant as enhancing the work of the original composer and if anything is a testimony to their often wonderful creations!

What is ScummVM?

ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files. The clever part about this: ScummVM just replaces the executables shipped with the game, allowing you to play them on systems for which they were never designed!

ScummVM lets you run these adventures: Adventure Soft’s Simon the Sorcerer 1 and 2; Revolution’s Beneath A Steel Sky, Broken Sword 1 and Broken Sword 2; Flight of the Amazon Queen; Wyrmkeep’s Inherit the Earth; Coktel Vision’s Gobliiins and games based on LucasArts’ SCUMM (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion) system. SCUMM is used for many games, including Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle, Sam and Max and more. Compatibility with supported games is continually improving, so check back often.

Among the systems on which you can play those games are Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Dreamcast, PocketPC, PalmOS, AmigaOS, BeOS, OS/2, PSP, PS2, SymbianOS/EPOC and many more…

http://www.scummvm.org

What is the Music Enhancement Project?

A lot of the point and click adventure games from the past of years gone by, used the MIDI format for presenting the music. Although this worked well at the time of release, by modern standards and varying users with different MIDI hardware, this results in an average performance for the music reproduction.

Using pure digital recording methods and Yamaha workstations, it is my personal aim to increase the quality of the music, however still remaining true to the originals. Using ScummVM, to which I will be aiming the tracks to be used for exclusively, we will all be able to enjoy the game music all over again with hopefully a far superior sound quality.

Working closely with the ScummVM team, they were kind enough to help with this project by ensuring my fan-made soundtracks could be used within the actual game. By adding additional code to their open source software, the music tracks play at the correct moments within the game and loop when needed.

I am working on these enhancements with no commercial gain and in my own free time, therefore if you can help this project financially, please use the donate option near the top of the page. Also remember that the ScummVM team have their own donation system to help cover costs and development of their program.

Working closely with the ScummVM team, they were kind enough to help with this project by ensuring my fan-made soundtracks could be used within the actual game.

It is important to note, that the original composers put a lot of effort in to the original MIDI files and we should remember their massive contribution. Please also note I am not a professional musician and I am working on these soundtracks for my own personal enjoyment of which hopefully others will also take an interest in my project.

Official Link: https://www.pixelrefresh.com/content/scummvm-music-enhancement-project/

Full game soundtrack downloads

Where are the games?

You can download a few games for free from the ScummVM website as they have obtained permission, however for most games you will need to either buy or own the original title.

Which audio format?

Due to the superior audio compression quality and compatibility with the ScummVM program, I will be using the OGG Vorbis Codec for all of the soundtracks. Lossless *.Flac will also be supported as a title’s soundtrack reaches a final version.

Enhancement process and hardware

I will and have used for the soundtracks Cakewalk Sonar 6 LE, XG Wizard and a Yamaha Tyros2, Tyros3 and Tyros4 Keyboard. Remaining faithful and where possible using the original MIDI information as a starting point, the files will be restored removing old MIDI commands, re-balanced, re-voiced from an assortment of a possible 1000 instruments, Edited using XG effects and finally recorded digitally for a pure final version for release (with permission).

Disclaimer

The ScummVM Music Enhancement project was created by James Woodcock to help enhance the MIDI music of some titles that are compatible with the ScummVM program. Enhanced work by James Woodcock must not be used for profit or hosted elsewhere without express permission from James Woodcock.

Inherit the Earth copyright The Wyrmkeep Entertainment Co.