Crafting the Ultimate Groove: Behind the Scenes of Boogie Beyond's Boss Music

Taking cues from the vibrant ‘70s and ‘80s, the audio team behind Boogie Beyond created two incredible tracks befitting the game's formidable antagonists: Heathers and the Boogieman. Crafting these compositions proved to be an enjoyable challenge, as this was the first time the audio team had synchronized their compositions with motion capture video.

For the character Heathers, a nod to the iconic 1989 film and its subsequent musical adaptation, there was a fully synchronized motion capture video set to a track different from the audio team’s final product. The team’s aim was to infuse Heathers' theme with an unmistakable 80s flair, drawing inspiration from the era's prominent figures like Madonna and Stacey Q, characterized by bold synths and an edgy ambiance. With guidance from the development team, the audio team composed a song encapsulates this era of music.

Asset List for the Audio Team

Conversely, the essence of the Boogieman character is the epitome of the funky disco vibes synonymous with the 70s – featuring elements such as the wah guitar, lush strings, and an active bassline. This composition was heavily influenced by the musical stylings of legendary artists such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Van McCoy, and the Commodores, encapsulating the essence of the disco era's groove.

The Boogieman Logic Pro Session

An intriguing aspect of the motion capture video for the Boogieman theme was that it was synchronized to a song lacking a consistent click track, resulting in fluctuations in the song's tempo (speed). This presented a unique challenge, particularly when composing the theme, as it had to have a consistent bpm (beats per minute) unlike the temporary track. The decision to make the song around 132 bpm made synchronizing with the motion capture footage difficult. To address this, the audio team relied on the general song structure of the temporary track to minimize any potential synchronization errors.

Navigating the intricate process of synching music and motion capture brought forth not only challenges but also innovative solutions. Despite the initial hurdles, the audio team’s dedication to capturing the essence of each character's era-defining sound prevailed. The Boogie Beyond team’s collaborative effort and creative ingenuity resulted in an unforgettable auditory experience. As players dance their way through Club Cosmic, they'll be transported back to the disco era, all thanks to the help of the Boogie Beyond audio team.