Composer Herman Martin Answers Your Questions!

[TB3]

ORIGINAL POST

Right - through the internet I've got in touch with the agent of Herman Martin, co-composer of Code: Lyoko's soundtrack with Serge Tavitain - the agent is more than willing to forward Herman any questions about the show's music we have so post them here and then in a day or two I'll forward them to him.

Please keep the questions sensible as well - these professionals are being very gracious in talking to us and please respect that.

THE ANSWERS

The 440 members and staff of the Lyokofreak forums would like to thank Mr. Herman Martin and his agent Mr. Michael Leahy for their kindness and consideration in accepting our questions – we also respect if you do not wish to answer some or the majority for professional or personal reasons.

With thanks

LYOKOFREAK.NET

QUESTIONS

1
What’s your background and how did you get your start in the musical world?

H. Well! I’m self-taught for a start and was in several bands up to the point when I moved to London (coming from Gloucestershire) when I became a session keyboard player. It was just about the sort of people I got to know (Killing Joke, James Brown’s backing band, Marc Gilmore etc..). At the time, I was mostly playing piano and REAL synthesizers, needless to say. It’s all about who you know!!!

2
How did you become involved with Code: Lyoko?

H. By a complete accident, a friend of mine, Serge, was working for a production company here in Belgium, and there was a sort of competition for this Code lyoko thing. So I put together a main theme that was preferred by the French co-producers (TV channel France 3). The rest you know.

3
Were the differences in language an obstacle?

H. Well yes and no, because I actually speak French myself. But Serge had to do most of the communications with the Parisians, as negotiations can get very complicated. And interpreting what Jerome (the director) actually wanted, even in French, could be misleading!

4
How much of a collaboration was it between yourself and co-composer Serge Tavatain?

H. Apart from being a composer in his own right, Serge is also a professional sound engineer (television, radio and mixer of albums etc..). He is also a very good editor, one of the most demanding tasks in a project like this. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him!!!

5
Does Jerome Mouscadet or another member of the production staff tell you what they want from the soundtrack and you then factor that into your work?

H. Oh yes! Jerome is the boss when it comes to what goes in and what doesn’t. Nicolas likes to put his boot in as well. So it’s a matter of putting an interpretation forward and then waiting for the comments like, “Oh no, that’s too James Bondâ€

[Rachiru offline]

I only have one I can think of now but, what kind of instruments do they use for the music?

[Stonecreek]

Why wasn't Jamiroquai asked to contribute more music?

[Rachiru offline]

Thought of another one! Will they ever release a CD in the U.S.?

[Chad Rains offline]

agreed. Id love to get a soundtrack cd if they released one. Other than that I dont really have any questions to ask.

[Lani offline]

YAY! I'm so interested in soundtracks and stuff, especiall when it's good, so here I goooo~....

Where do you come up with the ideas for the background music? Are you told by the director or whoever about what they would like to hear? Or do you watch/read the scenes without music and make up something then? Or...? Also, how long does it usually take to compose something? One more thing (XDD;; omgsorry), IF you use a synthesizer and a computer for the music, what kind of keyboard and mixing program do you use? I'm very interested in electronic music ^_^

OKAY. Done. xD; It's what eight years of intense music study does to you... o_o;

[YDV offline]

Right - through the internet I've got in touch with the agent of Herman Martin, co-composer of Code: Lyoko's soundtrack with Serge Tavitain - the agent is more than willing to forward Herman any questions about the show's music we have so post them here and then in a day or two I'll forward them to him.

Please keep the questions sensible as well - these professionals are being very gracious in talking to us and please respect that.

Seriously?! o.O

I thought Frank Keller and Ygal Amar did UMSD.. ehh well.

I do have a question, though. Where did they get the inspiration for the creepy Hermitage theme? (It seriously freaks me out. lol)

[Mewberries151]

Oh this is fantastic! Should I move this to the VA Room? I know it's not VA-related, but it is a thread on which you can "talk" to people connected with the show. What do you think?

[TB3]

Oh this is fantastic! Should I move this to the VA Room? I know it's not VA-related, but it is a thread on which you can "talk" to people connected with the show. What do you think?

Starway thought it should stay here when I PM'med her (and I agree), but maybe the actual answers should go in the VA room - it's up to you mods and admins thought!

As for my questions - well I'll be asking the standard ones (how'd you get involved etc, but I do have one really big question);

If you were asked to score CL the movie - how would you do it - a big loud orchestral soundtrack or something more minimalist?

[Chiquita offline]

This has been asked before but What intruments?

[Star Way]

This has been asked before but What intruments?

I'm pretty sure it's all done with synthesizer.

[2 the infirmary! offline]

I have one!

What are the composers favorite songs???

I think Code: Lyoko has the best soundtrack of any show I have ever watched.

My favorite is either the theme that starts with the bongo drums, or the ones involving Ulrich playing soccer... (Claustrophobia, Zero Gravity Zone)

[X_A_N_A offline]

where can i get myself a Code Lyoko soundtrack?

[Lani offline]

where can i get myself a Code Lyoko soundtrack?

I'm pretty sure an OST for the show hasn't been released yet... The only "soundtrack" that I know of that's out is the single for Un Monde Sans Danger and its karaoke version... that's it, I think... :O

[Darkness Incarnate offline]

I just wanted to know who sings the main song it kinda sounds like Matthew Geczy the voice of Odd?

[Taelia offline]

Will more of the "love" music be played for more than just the main couples of the show, like JimxSuzanne and OddxSissi?

[Mewberries151]

I just wanted to know who sings the main song it kinda sounds like Matthew Geczy the voice of Odd?

A singer named, "Noam" sings the English version of "A World Without Danger". You can see it during the opening credits.

[Darkness Incarnate offline]

I just wanted to know who sings the main song it kinda sounds like Matthew Geczy the voice of Odd?

A singer named, "Noam" sings the English version of "A World Without Danger". You can see it during the opening credits.

Thanks I knew that but the person singing the song does kinda sound like odd, or at least I think so.

[Taelia offline]

I think so too. At least when he sings "Code Lyoko" in the refrain.

[Darkness Incarnate offline]

At least it's not just me.

[mooshie offline]

Since a soundtrack isn't going to come out for the US what are the names of the songs so I can download them

[codeTONY offline]

World Without Danger - Full English

World Without Danger - Intrumental

Code Lyoko TV Theme

Season 2 Theme

Ending Theme (Subsonics)

World Without Danger - Full French

World Without Danger - Extended Full French Remix

World Without Danger - Kikou Vocal Extended Mix

Memory feat Yumi Ishiyama Code Lyoko Mix (Don't know what this is...)

Code Lyoko Ringtone (This one made me laugh)

Break Break Dance Video

Enjoy

[Lyoko SA80 offline]

With a world without danger .How long did you take to get the bas and gutairs right and were can I get the song sheet from for the guitar as I whating the know how to get the digtal like affect.To help everyone who want to know what intresments play in the tune
1.drum kit
2.bass gutair
3.volins
4.electic gutair(digtal backin)

This is not offically know

[TB3]

Since a soundtrack isn't going to come out for the US what are the names of the songs so I can download them

codeTONY put up a nice set of links to all the CL rips and remixes availible on the net, but the general soundtrack is probably not availible- I'll still ask Herman though.

Right guys - I'm gonna send the email sometime this week - when should I do it?

[codeTONY offline]

ASAP?

I had those links a while ago, thought I should post them for, um, personal reasons? But w/e. Can't wait to hear from the (co-)composers!