Space Mountain Audio

[Horizonstta]

In fact, it seems that they are now blasting the Disneyland "Com-Chat" soundtrack in the queue to mask any dome audio bleeding through (Have they had Com-Chat playing since the November re-opening? Or is that brand new?)

The com-chat loop (which runs 7:19) has played in the load area and chicken exit even before the refurbishment. I have recordings of it playing in this area as far back as the early 1980's, but I don't know when it was originally installed (perhaps when the attraction first opened).

The unload area has been playing new music since the attraction opened after the refurbishment. I never made it a priority to record the music, so I don't know if what was originally used is still playing, or, rather, updated with these new musical additions. I also don't know if it was/is the same as the exit ramp music.

 

[Jaytrod]

I was just at the MK on Aug 19th during extra magic hours and SM was closed. This must be why.. I was def disappointed then cause I was with a first timer from NY and I really wanted him to see the ride, but his sacrifice was well worth it haha.. Can't wait to try it in Oct.

 

[nbodyhome]

We posted three videos - including the one from the speaker. It was taken from the chicken exit area after the ride. The music sounded the same to me in the post-show area, but we didn't record it.

Here's the music loop taken directly from a speaker!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i2mvaWbRJM

I assume this guy got this music from somewhere in the unload area. Not sure if it plays all the way through the exit.

Meanwhile, I found this post from a well-respected Imagineer-type over on Intercot (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=174503)

Onboard audio systems are much more complicated to integrate into an existing coaster design (re-design of the ride vehicles to include speakers, amplifiers and capacitors/charging system to power the system).

Your soundtrack also is split up into segments as the ride is sectioned off into individual zones- so as the vehicle passes say zone 1, play soundfile 1 and the computer knows to vamp (repeat) certain elements to keep the audio synchronized to the ride track. For example, in Disneyland's Space Mountain there's a distinct drum fill that indicates the dip in the ride track midway through the ride. If a vehicle is running slower, then stretch that part of the audio and likewise if it's running faster then just skip ahead to the next audio segment.

In WDW, the approach is more a constant looping background track with specific musical and audio effect overlays that are triggered by passing ride vehicles. The audio is still sectioned off into zones- so for example, there might be a lift hill theme, and a mid-course theme but instead of being a distinct musical score it's more like themes which overlap and blend together.

You still get audio that's synchronized to specific elements- the audio is literally playing at the moment that you're passing through the zone.

Really, it's not much different than how audio is handled on the TTA/Peoplemover.

 

[NORMNB8S]

Well, the general consensus among those that have actually been on the attraction is that the music adds to the attraction and makes it more enjoyable and that is good news. I'm excited to experience this on my next trip.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

Here's the music loop taken directly from a speaker!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i2mvaWbRJM

I assume this guy got this music from somewhere in the unload area. Not sure if it plays all the way through the exit.

Meanwhile, I found this post from a well-respected Imagineer-type over on Intercot (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=174503)

Onboard audio systems are much more complicated to integrate into an existing coaster design (re-design of the ride vehicles to include speakers, amplifiers and capacitors/charging system to power the system).

Your soundtrack also is split up into segments as the ride is sectioned off into individual zones- so as the vehicle passes say zone 1, play soundfile 1 and the computer knows to vamp (repeat) certain elements to keep the audio synchronized to the ride track. For example, in Disneyland's Space Mountain there's a distinct drum fill that indicates the dip in the ride track midway through the ride. If a vehicle is running slower, then stretch that part of the audio and likewise if it's running faster then just skip ahead to the next audio segment.

In WDW, the approach is more a constant looping background track with specific musical and audio effect overlays that are triggered by passing ride vehicles. The audio is still sectioned off into zones- so for example, there might be a lift hill theme, and a mid-course theme but instead of being a distinct musical score it's more like themes which overlap and blend together.

You still get audio that's synchronized to specific elements- the audio is literally playing at the moment that you're passing through the zone.

Really, it's not much different than how audio is handled on the TTA/Peoplemover.

Good find. That's pretty easy to follow and understand.

IMO, I don't care whether the audio is on-board or off-board so long as it sounds good and works well with the ride.

Not sure when I'll be down again to ride SM but I'm pretty excited to experience it when the time comes. Sounds like it is getting pretty good reveiws on here at least.

 

[Mansion Butler]

So, if everyone who wanted on-board audio is fine with this, does this mean the few of us that didn't want on-board audio are going to hate it? :lol:

 

[Pete C]

So I guess the addition of Starry-o-phonic sound is the final nail in the coffin for Smoothy-o-profiled track?

 

[rct247]

For those not sure of the new music based on hearing it from the YouTube videos, I must say that in person and on the ride, it works very well.

It is definitely a nice upgrade, perhaps not perfect, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. It had me grinning from ear to ear the entire ride. It gave the ride a higher energy feel.

I rode it twice today. Sound effects are heard the best at their certain points. Queue, I didn't hear this music. At the entrance of the queue just inside, it is the old music. The lift hill, it was hard to hear too much music, but once the ride gets going, you can hear it most of the time, but it is never too loud.

My favorite part was the sound effects for the high speed helix and also the main soundtrack (based on JeffLangeDVD vid) at 2:10 mark through 2:40.

 

[Skyway]

Here's a new article with an imagineer talking about SM's audio:

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/09/space-mountain-music-hear-all-about-it-from-an-imagineer/

Like many of you, I've always felt that the lack of on-board audio was a simple budgetary decision.

But this Imagineer makes a good point about the unique rockets on SM. I can only think of a few coasters with the same low-profile, single-file seating.

I agree with him that a headrest would alter the WDW SM experience (And no, I don't buy the theory that speakers could be mounted on the trains without a large headrest. I am 6' tall. On DL's SM, which has a stubby headrest, by head is still so far above the speakers that my ears mostly pick up the track noises, not the music)

I think Martin said they tested an on-board system on the existing WDW track. But an Imagineer-type recently posted on another message board that it is difficult to implement on-board audio on a pre-existing coaster.

I assume it would have been difficult to add on-board audio without replacing the entire WDW track. Some might call it cheap that they didn't replace the track. I call it wise. If the track was safe and in good condition, there is no reason for Disney to spend big $$$ tearing it out and replacing it just to add music. (As I've pointed out in previous debates on this subject, you would not tear your house down and rebuild it from the ground up simply because one interior wall was not sturdy enough to hold some speakers for a new home entertainment system.) And remember, WDW would have to replace not just one, but TWO tracks.

I also agree with this Imagineer that the dome audio in WDW's SM adds to that attraction's uniqueness. You really cannot ride a coaster that way anywhere else. If they had gone with on-board audio (especially with a re-built track and new trains) I think SM would have been way too similar to Rock-n-Roller Coaster.

The new WDW SM audio system may not be as dramatic or as high-tech as DL's onboard system, but it makes a fun ride even more enjoyable, while also giving visitors a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

 

[thelookingglass]

I rode it tonight, both sides. Here are my thoughts:

- It marginally improves the ride experience, but don't go in expecting to be blown away. One of my biggest complaints with SM was how quiet it is inside the dome, especially now that the queue was closed off. This fixed all of that and now it feels like a full experience.
- That said, the audio could be a little bit louder (especially on the lift hill) and more constant, but I can understand why it is the way it is, since if it was too loud, it would echo everywhere, and there are only so many places they can probably place speakers.
- The sound effects are a nice touch.
- Some of the music loops people have uploaded have only been the exiting music, which is not the main ride music. The lift hill is sort of a "warming up" techno sound, and the main portion of the ride is a techno mix of Disneyland's Space Mountain music. Honestly, the techno is a little bit cheesy sounding, but any music is better than no music.
- The queue music audio (comm. chatter) was louder and more prominent than recent trips before. You can kind of hear the lift hill music in the station, but thats it.

So, kudos to Disney - a relatively simple upgrade has made the ride marginally more exciting and modern.

Also, forget the haters - Space Mountain is a great, classic, thrilling roller coaster that is unique among today's modern coasters. I'm glad they didn't change the actual ride.

 

[Captain Neo]

Can you still see Space Mountain from the Peoplemover? Can you hear the new audio?

 

[wdwmagic]

Can you still see Space Mountain from the Peoplemover? Can you hear the new audio?

Yes. The last 2 minutes of this video are recorded from the PeopleMover if you'd like to hear what it sounds like
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions...ountain-audio-system-recording-and-report.htm

 

[Mrs Potts]

For those not sure of the new music based on hearing it from the YouTube videos, I must say that in person and on the ride, it works very well.

It is definitely a nice upgrade, perhaps not perfect, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. It had me grinning from ear to ear the entire ride. It gave the ride a higher energy feel.

I rode it twice today. Sound effects are heard the best at their certain points. Queue, I didn't hear this music. At the entrance of the queue just inside, it is the old music. The lift hill, it was hard to hear too much music, but once the ride gets going, you can hear it most of the time, but it is never too loud.

My favorite part was the sound effects for the high speed helix and also the main soundtrack (based on JeffLangeDVD vid) at 2:10 mark through 2:40.

This may address the one thing I was wondering. When you first enter the building from the outside, at that part of the queue did the music change, or is it still the old music? We all really love the music from there - in fact, DH had it made into a ringtone for his mobile phone. Please tell me that didn't change.

 

[WDWSwashbuckler]

This may address the one thing I was wondering. When you first enter the building from the outside, at that part of the queue did the music change, or is it still the old music? We all really love the music from there - in fact, DH had it made into a ringtone for his mobile phone. Please tell me that didn't change.

The music in the queue is still the old star tunnel music. You don't really hear any of the new audio until you're actually on the ride.

 

[Mrs Potts]

The music in the queue is still the old star tunnel music. You don't really hear any of the new audio until you're actually on the ride.

Yay! :sohappy: I wanted to call it the star tunnel music but wasn't 100% sure that was correct. In any event, glad to know it's still there along with even more.

 

[Travelguy31]

wow! I haven't been on here in forever, well since my last trip in December '09 and I was having a pretty crappy week and this just turned it all around!! I have to get back down there soon to check this out! :sohappy:

 

[Captain Neo]

Yes. The last 2 minutes of this video are recorded from the PeopleMover if you'd like to hear what it sounds like
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions...ountain-audio-system-recording-and-report.htm

Thanks. So it now says The "paging mr.morrow" line inside of Space Mountain?

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks. So it now says The "paging mr.morrow" line inside of Space Mountain?

Yes

 

[WDWGoof07]

:sohappy::sohappy: This is really exciting! Too bad they couldn't do this when I was there a few months ago, but, for now, I'll just add this to the list of things to look forward to next trip. All of the news and this new surprise are really testing my patience, though!

 

[Oddysey]

I just rode it for the first time last night and it really is a great addition to the mountain. It add excitement and the sense of speed is really increased. In fact, my wife is convinced that Space Mountain is now traveling faster than before.

Sounds like something you would hear at a gay bar in the 90's. Yikes...

Little experimenting in the 90's eh?