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Was there ever a sound track released for The Animated Series?

Yes, but in our case we had access to the separate music stem for the episodes, which means we didn't have to worry about effects or dialogue getting in the way. There were still plenty of challenges though.

Oh, cool, no sound effects either. That's great. So it's basically just the challenges of reconstructing edited music cues into their original, complete versions, cleaning up the audio quality, reconciling the dynamic and tonal quality of different sound mixes in different episodes, etc.?

And does that mean you've included basically everything that was used in TAS? (Some of which, I think, was recycled from Lassie's Rescue Rangers.)

And do you have separate "music stems" (whatever those are) for other Ellis-Prescott Filmation scores? Is there any hope of more Filmation releases in the future?


These titles are official now. Mike Matessino came up with them. The cue sheets for this show were of absolutely no use. They didn't match the show and they only had numerical codes to ID the cues, but as I said, timings never matched. I wound up doing this all by ear. It took awhile.

Okay, I figured that library music might not have specific titles beyond something like "Danger Music" or "Building Suspense" or something like that. Still, it'll be useful to have titles to associate with these tracks, even if they are after-the-fact inventions.

I've been trying to guess what a couple of the cues are based on their running times. "Captain's Log" is the easiest to guess -- they only used it at the start of every single episode. I think I know what "Enterprise Attacked" has to be, since it's the longest action cue (the one that starts with 3-note horn phrases and harp glissandi and then continues into a driving string ostinato under rising horns). And I'm guessing "Scanning" is the one I think of as the other main action/suspense cue (built on a slower, rising string motif with horns coming in later), because it's the only one with an alternate mix (there's a second version with a livelier percussion/guitar element added). And I bet that 7-second "Surprise" cue is that string vibrato sting that turned up in a lot of Filmation shows. Beyond that, I can't guess.

Anyway, my thanks to you and Mike for making the effort to do this. I never thought I'd be able to own an album of TAS music.
 
Oh, cool, no sound effects either. That's great. So it's basically just the challenges of reconstructing edited music cues into their original, complete versions, cleaning up the audio quality, reconciling the dynamic and tonal quality of different sound mixes in different episodes, etc.?
Yep.

And does that mean you've included basically everything that was used in TAS? (Some of which, I think, was recycled from Lassie's Rescue Rangers.)
If that's the case, there was no way to ID what was written for what show.

And do you have separate "music stems" (whatever those are) for other Ellis-Prescott Filmation scores? Is there any hope of more Filmation releases in the future?
No, and I'm not sure I'm mentally prepared to re-edit music in this fashion again. It was a struggle, probably the most difficult project I've ever been on.

Anyway, my thanks to you and Mike for making the effort to do this. I never thought I'd be able to own an album of TAS music.
You're welcome!

Neil
 
No, and I'm not sure I'm mentally prepared to re-edit music in this fashion again. It was a struggle, probably the most difficult project I've ever been on.

Aww. A shame. Well, maybe your work will inspire someone to follow in your footsteps someday. Or maybe the masters will turn up at auction somewhere...
 
Yes, but in our case we had access to the separate music stem for the episodes, which means we didn't have to worry about effects or dialogue getting in the way. There were still plenty of challenges though.

Wow. This is fascinating and great news, thanks a lot, Neil! And my wife thanks you because now I have a Christmas gift request!
 
Looks like a fantastic set, though my money situation prevents me from ordering this right away. How long do sets like this usually stay available?
 
There was a time when a limited edition set like this would sell out in days, if not hours. However, times have changed and you'll probably be safe to wait a few months. Limited edition TNG and DS9 albums are still available.
 
There was a time when a limited edition set like this would sell out in days, if not hours. However, times have changed and you'll probably be safe to wait a few months. Limited edition TNG and DS9 albums are still available.

I hope so! This sounds great, and I would love to pick one up but money is a bit tight right now. Usually, I would just wait to see if it comes to a local library and check it out and listen to it then. But this being a limited run, I doubt someone is going to donate it. Hoping this stays around for at least a few months so I have a chance to hopefully pick up a copy when money is more plentiful.
 
Neil,

Can you shed any light on what order number range snagged the autograph? Just curious more than anything. SERIOUSLY looking forward to receiving my copy!
 
I have no idea. Sorry. I work with the label, but it's not my company.

Neil

Ah, that's cool! Thanks, anyway. It was curiosity more than anything. Guess I'll find out when my copy arrives (checking Inbox repeatedly for shipment notice... ;-) )!
 
That was a fascinating article! I have a new appreciation for how much work goes into one of these soundtrack releases!
 
Nice recap. Truly an amazing time to be a Star Trek music fan.

It still astonishes me that the first TOS music (other than the theme) released on LP (re-recordings or original) was 1986!
 
I remember vividly finding those LPs in the 80's. The Varese rerecordings in Record World and I had to beg my friend to let me borrow $8 to buy it. I ordered the pilot LP through Starlog, which took FOREVER to get here. I also very vividly remember loving the album until WNMHGB's score skipped from "Instant Paradise" to "End Credits." No fight music! I was totally crushed. The album had no finale. Years later, as I got to know the business behind soundtrack releases, I understood. But back then, I was sorely disappointed.

26 years later, I finally got it. And more...
 
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