Does anyone ever wonder just what in the world all those people are doing just wandering around outside all day? I mean, the do have JOBS, don't they? They've got to be able to afford those lavish houses with all those beds and dressers that we always see. And they never seem to be phased by a total stranger just barging in and opening up their private treasure chests. I'm probably overthinking this, aren't I?


Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Towne

Let's play a game, shall we?

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Main Title Theme

Stately (insert generic royal name) Manor...

It's always been a mystery to me why the castle guards in games are always so darn hostile. You walk up to them to just say 'Hi' and they either yell at you to scram or threaten your life in some way. Perhaps the pay isn't what they were expecting or promised when they interviewed for the job. Perhaps they are under extreme stress to keep the king safe since he lets just anybody waltz in unannounced for audiences. Or they could just be jerks.

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

King Shebastian's Castle

Get pumped to bash some baddies, because those monsters aren't going to kill themselves. They're not even going to kill each other. I mean, they are competing for the same resources, aren't they? But instead of going at the weaker little minions for some meat they all decide to band together against YOU. And how much of a meal are you really going to be once you've been divvied up amongst all the involved wild beasts? And why don't they just buy some decent food with all that money they're carrying around?

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Overworld Field

It can be somewhat disconcerting to realize that the person at your helm is saltier than the ocean around you.  But beggars can't be choosers (unless you feel like running your own boat aground). The really strange thing is that these captains usually end up just handing you their boat rather than doing the sensible thing and chartering your course for high rates (since you're so desperate to save the world, and all). And then you sail the boat, no problem, with little to no apparent nautical training prior to just sailing into the wide ocean. But I guess that's why YOU are the hero.

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

High Seas Adventure

Jekyll and Hyde

There's also freedom and peace...and pleasure

If it weren't bad enough that the King wants you to go around and kill random monsters, rarely with more than a terse word of thanks, now he wants you to go spelunking in the depths of some forsaken dungeon. There may or may not be some valuable thing held within (after all, who doesn't store all-powerful talismans or weapons in the bottom of a treacherous maze? You never know when you might need to grab it at a moment's notice, after all). In any case, plug your nose and get delving!

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Dungeon Crawling

So you died...Boo-hoo. To be perfectly honest, it's probably going to happen several times, so don't get too worked up about it. In fact, it's kind of nice that you get to restore; I mean, there are some games that REALLY punish you for screwing up, not managing your health, and getting bested by some weak little minion.  But this is not one of those games. So take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and get back to questing!

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth wave o square wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Death

It's an outpost on the fringe of civilization, where no one really chooses to go unless they have some compelling reason. It's so out of the way that one just might be able to escape one's in-laws if one were to take up residence there.  And yet, there's a professional lutist and recorder player who call this place home, for some reason. Don't ask why, just enjoy the music.

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Outpost

It might seem strange to some people that a medieval warrior finds a fighter jet to pilot around the land, but considering this is someone who can shoot fireballs and ice sheets from his hands, let alone that bugs and ghouls are carrying around cash and treasure chests, I think that adding a grasp of basic aerodynamics to our hero's skill set is not that much of a stretch. Plus, it's so much fun!

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth wave o square wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Piloting Skylark

You did it! After all the toil, hardship, and fear your quest is finally over and the land can rest in peace. Or at least until the sequel. 

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth wave o square wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Victory

Yeah, I know that someone has already wondered just what the heck the final bosses are doing until you arrive in RPGs.  I mean, for all we know they could be playing Parcheesi or something.  But what really gets me wondering is how you always just kind of stroll in unannounced to their lairs. As if they were so cavalier about having enemies wander in. Or perhaps they're expecting a delivery from the Avon lady. I suppose we'll never know.

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth wave o square wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Azamon's Fortress

How is it that every castle has a house band that knows to strike up the fanfare just when you arrive? And what if someone walks in just after you; are they obliged to start over? I certainly hope so, because someone went to great lengths to get those guys together and rehearse them. We wouldn't want all that hard work to go to waste, that's for sure.

Not a single sample or preset has been used for this project; I've started everything from a single sine wave (or noise wave. And a sawtooth or square wave wave may have snuck in once or twice). Every new track convinces me even more how much I love FM synthesis.

All composition, arrangement, and sound programming by J. Michael St. Clair.

Queen Fagen's Castle

Prelude II

Prelude III

Forest texture for an upcoming video game OST.

Overworld Forest

Sewer level cue for an upcoming video game OST.

Sewer

Main Titles for an upcoming video game OST. 

Main Titles

Tutorial Dungeon from an upcoming game OST.

Tutorial Dungeon

Crypt

Background music for the Labyrinth level of the game

Labyrinth

Candidate for the Character Select screen.

Character Select (Unused)

The Goblin King

Main Dungeon

Intro Movie (Extended Version)

California composer James Michael St. Clair cut his teeth on composition by writing music (as the result of a bet) that garnered him two consecutive Disneyland Creativity Challenge awards at an early age. Ever since, he has continued to be an active composer for plays, banquet events, and television spots, as well as the concert stage (including compositions for such ensembles as The Definiens Project, The Robin Cox Ensemble, and the Devil's Horn Quartet). 

In addition to his work as a composer for stage and media, Michael has also worked extensively as a performer throughout the southern California area as both a piano soloist and accompanist, as well as bassist and keyboardist with the bands ShortOrder, The Changes Daily,Twenty Pound Donkey, and The Deacons. For the last few years, he has also been one the performers in (as well as a founding member of) the live electronic improvisational trio, "W.H.A.L.E.D.",  W.H.A.L.E.D. has been lucky enough to be featured at several venues, including long standing duties as the resident musicians for the Warehouse of Contemporary Art (WOCA). Michael was also the co-founder of Acoro Studios, a Cerritos-based recording studio. 

Michael's recent work includes the orchestral score to the popular Android roguelike game "Dweller", as well as additional music and arrangements for the video game adaptation of the Hollywood film "The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone".

jmichaelstclair

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