Cartoon soundtrack recreated

Cartoons ThunderCats (1985)
1

My name is Martin Barreby and I am a musician from Sweden.

I know that everyone who loves the Thundercats cartoons also loves the music of the series. The genius behind these themes and songs is Bernard Hoffer who made a perfect job creating themes for all of the characters and setting the mood for the whole series. Therefore it is a sin that a proper soundtrack with all the songs from the cartoon has never been released. Not even a ‘best of’ CD or anything like it.

My goal therefore is to recreate some of the songs as best as I possibly can. The number of instruments that is used in the original songs are many.

First of all the orchestral setup with brass, winds, mallets, percussions and strings, and of course I do not have the capability to record all these instruments for many different reasons. My method for this is obviously to use software synthesizers to emulate these instruments. I use Reason 4 that is a relatively cheap software but that works great and have high quality samples.

Second, Bernard also used a rock setup with drums, electric bass, electric guitar and synthesizers. I will create the bass and drums with Reason so the electric guitar is the only instrument I will play for real. And that being said I am actually a percussionist and not a guitarist, but with some practice I think it works really well.

My method to recreate the songs is to find the best moment in the series where the theme I want to create is heard, and then listen to it and find out the harmonies and melodies. It takes time and is sometime very difficult since there is often dialog that drown out the music. There are also many different versions of some of the themes and what I try to do then is to mix them in a good and natural way or simply choose the one of them I like the most.

I also have to mention that I’m not a professional and that there are many areas that I lack knowledge and skill in such as mixing for example. But I have created and practiced music for whole my life and it is my greatest hobby and I love to do it.

The songs I have chosen to make are songs that I really like as well as some request. I make the songs when I have the time so the pacing of this project is quiet slow. I don’t know how many song I will make in the end but I have no intention to stop in the near future.

Feel free to request songs but I cannot make any promises. I hope you will like this and that it is a good complement until the real soundtrack will be released (if that day will ever come).

Some of the songs are hard to name but I do my best and I hope there will be no confusion. Worth mentioning is that I will not make Cheetara’s theme since it actually has been released on a compilation CD with music from many different cartoons. And nothing beats the original.

Here are direct links from my homepage where the songs can be downloaded in mp3 format.

Panthro’s Theme
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Panthro%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Tygra’s Theme
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-Tygra%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Thundercats Opening Theme
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-Thundercats%20Theme%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Thundertank Theme
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Thundertank%20Theme%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Jaga’s Theme
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Jaga’s%20Theme%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Mutant’s Theme Medley
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Mutants%20Medley%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

A Vehicle Theme
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20A%20Vehicle%20Theme%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Champions of Third Earth
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Champions%20of%20Third%20Earth%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Action Medley Number One
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Action%20Medley%20Number%20One%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

Inside Mumm-Ra’s Crypt
http://www.martinbarreby.com/Martin%20Barreby%20-%20Inside%20Mumm-Ra’s%20Crypt%20(Bernard%20Hoffer).mp3

2

Well done mate. Ive most of them in my faves on youtube.

I so wish you could create all of the tunes…

Or one like omnious voice who has mixed all in one..!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdzwCEMSPHM&playnext=1&videos=YuHmfuWX3u0

Can you do something better for us thundercats lovers?

:smiley:
Merged Post:
Just listened to the new additions, last 2 and it was like watching the cartoon…

:smiley:

Props bud :smiley:

3

Sup, Martin?! I put some folks on to your recreated themes awhile back & just as I did, they went crazy over 'em! I love musically inclined individuals who take the initiative to do for fans what these big studios seem to adamantly take for granted.

As a fan of The Real Ghostbusters, I can tell you that someone had to do the exact same soundtrack recreation for that show a few years ago too.

Anyway, phenomenal job & keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

I know you said you can’t make any promises, but if you’re taking requests, I would love to hear you recreate two of my all-time favorite tracks. This one featured many times throughout the series, but at the 0:08 mark in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=348zqysXylA&playnext=1&videos=cJegGkIxa3A

And this one from Thudercats Ho! Part 1 as Lion-O does his Bruce Lee thing trying to free Bengali, Pumyra, & Lynx-O from the Berserkers. The 5:52 mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL2IBvhRW04&feature=related

The best version of it is probably in the episode, Mumm-Ra Lives Part 3. The 7:53 mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP53fW5IpgU&feature=related

In my opinion, next to the main title theme, they’re the best at encompassing the energy of the TCats in their moments of glory.

Let me know what’s up. Thanks!

BloodofKings a.k.a “PhireMadeFlesh”(YouTube)

4

Very impressive, Martin! Congratulations!

And thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:

5

I like this one very much, probably this will be my next project. What should this song be namned you think?

6

Chris here…

This is my all-time favourite piece of ThunderCats music!! :thumbsup: I’ve watched just that one scene literally thousands of times because I love the music in it so much, and have done ever since I was a kid! :slight_smile:

Take care… :slight_smile:

7

I would ALMOST consider naming it Lion-O’s theme. But that’s my humble opinion.

8

Wow, this is very impressive. Great job!

9

Yes!! Over the years, a few titles came to mind whenever I heard that song. What do you think of (?):

1) Champions of Third Earth
2) All Hail Lion-O
3) Gods of Thundera

You know, something Epic-sounding. (as is the song w/ the powerful blare of those trumpets)

Merged Post:

So have I, Chris! Thumbs up for good taste. :thumbsup:

10

Thanks for getting a jump on that track BloodofKings…

I forgot it was first used in the movie. I’ve always associated it with the Thunderstrike for some reason…In any event, it’s always been my favourite track as well.

Back in the day, I always used to day dream about that track being the new theme song for new intro animation that included the new characters like the Lunatacs, Bengali, Pumyra and Lynx-O.

If you add that track to your current list Motakay, that’d be much appreciated!

Thanks again for all the hard work!
Merged Post:

You know what, I have to second that. Despite my bad memory, Lion-O’s theme seems fitting.

11

Martin, for future reference (if you so choose), here’s a better version of that first track I mentioned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzXEC7IIbiA&feature=related

It’s basically a variation on the main theme; probably the best variation. That intro is killer!
I can visualize whenever the ThunderCats movie gets made, the teaser trailer will open in the depths of space with some introductory dialogue, that track will blast out the theater speakers, the cat logo will appear, & it’ll end with Mumm-Ra’s laughter in the background.

Descriptive? I know. I can’t help it. Bernard did the damn thing with this score! I’m also a former band geek who loves the images music can conjure. So, that’s that.

12

Yes, it’s a really good and heavy version of the theme! Maybe my next project! :slight_smile:

Thanks for all name suggestions for that other song everybody, I have started my work with it and man it’s a tough one!! But I won’t give up and maybe if I get some flow it will be done later this week.

13

What, if anything, else has been released? What format was it/they released in (CD I presume)? Can it/they still be bought?

Pretty good job on the music. Better than just about anything I’ve heard other than the originals, of course.

14

There, now I’m done with the next theme, I called it “Champions of Third Earth” as suggested by BloodofKings, I think that is a great name for the song. Thanks a bunch! :slight_smile:
Its posted in my first comment in this thread. I hope you’ll like it! (I’m getting nervous uploading songs now since I don’t want to dissapoint you guys!!)
As usual it is also uploaded on youtube.

15

SIMPLY AWESOME…!!! Thumbs up!!

Whats next :smiley:

16

Hi Motakay,

I’ve been away for a while and have seen everyone really getting into your stuff - so I thought I’d have a listen. I’m absolutely blown away as to how much time and energy you must have put into all these themes. They’re done with absolute precision and timing (which is bang on) - fantastic stuff.

17

Chris here…

As far as I know, the only ThunderCats music that has ever been commercially released is the theme song, and Cheetara’s Theme. However, these have never been released on CD to my knowledge - rather, they were released on a vinyl single, with (IIIRC) the ThunderCats theme as the A-side and Cheetara’s Theme as the B-side! :slight_smile:

That sounds AMAZING, well done! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Take care… :slight_smile:

18

You did a great job on the previously released tracks Motakay, but what you’ve done with this track is absolutely fantastic!

You do realize what you’ve done is truly groundbreaking in the Thundercats community don’t you?

We’ve been waiting too long for a soundtrack of any kind, especially for what we now affectionately call “Champions of Third Earth”! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve personally listened to this track since you released it yesterday. Maybe now, WB will take releasing an offical soundtrack more seriously.

In any event, your soundtrack will always make a fantastic alternative to the original. Hats off to you and BloodofKings (for the title), and congratulations on a job well done!

19

Amazing job, motakay! Like apparently so many fans, this has always been my favorite theme. Now I can put it on my iPod! :slight_smile:

I have to say, when I was 12 or 13, I also tried to transcribe some of the themes, this one included. I still have a MIDI file of it, but it pales in comparison to your version. Thanks so much!

20

Fantastic!!!