chris abbott

The Czech Studio Orchestra conducted by Robin Tait play some of the most iconic and epic 8-bit microcomputer tunes ever.

Everyone who loves 8-bit microcomputers, video game music or film soundtracks needs this in their life.

https://c64audio.com/products/8-bit-symphony-pro-pre-order

Track listing:

Disk 1:
01. Firelord
02. Forbidden Forest and Beyond
03. Kentilla
04. Spellbound
05. Knight Tyme (ZX Spectrum exclusive)
06. Ghosts 'n' Goblins (C64 tune, not arcade tune)
07. Imagine Ocean (Comic Bakery, Ocean Loader, Rambo)
08. Green Beret (loader and title)
09. William Wobbler
10. Stifflip and Co.

Disk 2:
01. Aztec Challenge
02. International Karate Suite
03. Last Ninja® Wastelands
04. WAR
05. Flash Gordon
06. Trap
07. Zoids
08. Barbarillax
09. Monty on the Run
10. Monty's Journey (Monty on the Run High Score/Commando High Score)

8-Bit Symphony Pro conducted by Robin Tait

Performed by the Czech Studio Orchestra led by Radek Krizanovsky
Recordings produced at Smecky Studios by Vitek Kral and Mikel Toms
Orchestra Managed and led by Radek Krizanovsky
Violin Solos by Radek Krizanovsky
Recorder solo in “Wastelands” by Mira Thiruchelvam

Produced by Rob Hubbard, Chris Abbott and Alisdair J. Pickering
Assisted by Damian Manning, Russell F. Howard
Executive Producing by Kenneth “Slaygon” Mutka
Score and parts preparation by Robin Tait
Editing by Allister Brimble and Chris Abbott
Mixed by Allister Brimble, Rob Hubbard, and Chris Abbott
Mastering by Allister Brimble
Mixed at Master Chord Studio

Front cover by Steve Green
Photography by Lorraine Ayrton
Booklet by Chris Abbott and Damian Manning
Booklet illustrations by Steph Abbott
Scores and logistics by NorthWolds Print Works
PR by Anna Black

8-Bit Symphony Pro Album Sampler

Welcome to Back in Time 4: Sidventure, part of the 8-Bit Symphony series of projects. It’s a series of symphonic tales, told with passion.

I planned Back in Time 4, 5 and 6 two decades ago to take over from where Back in Time 3 left off. It was always planned that they’d be largely symphonic, but it took a while (and many twists and turns) for reality to catch up.

This series of CDs contains computer-based performances of arrangements from the 8-Bit Symphony project. I used mostly VSTs from Orchestral Tools with additional libraries from Spitfire Audio, 8Dio, Impact Soundworks and Embertone. These were all integrated into Sibelius, and the scores were then marked up for realism (this is where the art comes in!). After that, they wereoutput into Cubase where they were timing-corrected, enhanced with light reverb, mixed, and then rendered. The CD was co-produced by Kenneth “Slaygon” Mutka who worked closely on this project since its inception, and without whom it wouldn’t exist. Many of the production ideas are his.

Arrangements were created by myself, Rob Hubbard, Gari Biasillo, Alisdair J. Pickering, Ben Daglish, Paul Norman, Peter Connelly, Julian Breeze, Alistair “Boz” Bowness, Marcel Donné. They were orchestrated by Rob, Alisdair and 8-Bit Symphony conductor Robin Tate.

Big thanks to “Back in Time Symphonic Collection” Kickstarter backers for their patience!

This project is of course dedicated to the memories of Ben Daglish and Richard Joseph. They would have got a kick out of all this.

Back in Time 4: Sidventure

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Back in Time 4: Sidventure (Sample)

I describe my music as experimental avant-garde. I just do what I feel lime at the time and throw it together. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I only started sharing in tbe last couple of years since finding apps to put music together as I haven't money or space for anything else. My goal was to have at least one person enjoy my music which I have achieved.

chris abbott

Jacqui Pinhead (formerly andrew-pinnock)