Music Theory: Knuckles Chaotix

[@Mahdi_NG]

These videos are never not interesting. Youre one of the main reasons i understand a ton of music theory terms. Genuinely one of the gems of KZbin Sonic content.

[@pecurka1]

Same

[@tboneaph2789]

Agreed. It makes playing the games an even better experience, especially with games like Sonic CD. There’s already so much depth put into each zone, and watching these videos adds even more. I couldn’t have imagined falling more in love with CD than I already was.

[@jenniferm914]

Indeed

[@Gerbert67]

A special thing with the ring mechanic toss thingy is that if you hold the HOLD button in the air, it makes it so Espio drags you instead of you to him. this can be used to gain infinite speed in any direction if combined with tossing him

[@lastkeymusic]

Great video Alex! Knuckles Chaotix is like the underground sleeper hit of Sonic OSTs imho; the women that composed the music for this game (Junko Shiratsu and Mariko Nanba) did such a great job at infusing the game with some deft, lean, sexy funk and RnB. Thanks for giving their brilliant, funky compositions the in-depth analysis they rightfully deserve! (I was also today years old when I made the Sonic Crackers = Clackers toy connection, thank you for that)

[@BluWinter13]

Oh you know it’s a good day when you show up to an Alex Yard video uploaded “1 minute ago” 👌👌

[@OliverJooy]

I have two barriers to understanding your videos exactly as it should: 1- Language barrier, although I understand English, musical notes are read differently in my country 2- I don't understand ANYTHING about music AT ALL. But I find it so educational and fun that whenever possible I watch the videos. Despite the barriers, I can understand and give even more value to the musical composition of the games. ☺️

[@pedroluccas1850]

Finalmente mais uma nerd teórica de música e sonic 😂

[@marianomartin3365]

Same thing happens with me. Here in Argentina the naming is so different. But it is worth learning this videos are top quality

[@SilverXTikal]

I swear Evening Star hits me in some part of my soul that I lost

[@RizztarSpeedruns]

You actual madman; I CANNOT believe that you transcribed this part (9:15) using the alto clef Also, I love your metaphors, analogies, and vocabulary. Your videos are just beyond a treat.

[@AlinaAniretake]

A fellow Musescore user here - did you knew, that you could write music in one Clef, and then change it to different clef? It is pretty simple to do)

[@cubiick1101]

You changed the way i heard the Knuckles Chaotix soundtrack forever. It's so interesing and clever how the composers did the tracks using patterns for past Sonic themes, using unusual BPMs, and more. Please keep making this type of content! 🙏

[@KonaKonaKaabisteru]

What a fascinating breakdown to one of most stylistically diverse soundtracks in history of Sonic. This game still houses good deal of personal favorite tunes for me, especially the main leitmotif in Walkin' - but I didn't expect the parallels to the central gameplay loop to run that deep when it came to compositions' time signature changes and like. Kinda has me wanna study on this one further someday with the kind of musical depth this OST has.

[@luigibudd]

Seeing those 128th notes at 6:46 looks absurd. The notation, just like the video, is awesome!

[@marsoulini]

I may be extremely foreign to music theory in general, but these videos never fail to impress me! I’ve been following this series for a while!

[@quinn562]

Glad I was able to get around to this as a kid after the 32X was super cheap shortly after it came out lol, totally forgot the time of day change that really set the mood for the game (night was always my favorite) - I used to go to the sound test all the time and listen to the songs because they were top notch (and the visualizer was neat to look at too) Evening star, door into summer, and electoria were always my standout songs, thanks for the memories once again Mr. Yard!

[@masterofdoom5000]

Damn a WHOLE GAME breakdown, I got taken through the whole course in a measly 16 minutes

[@biko6158]

An amazing video for an amazing soundtrack belonging to an amazing game!! There is something so incredibly nostalgic about this game from the visuals, to the music. The colors are so vibrant and funky, and the songs just feel like a warm blanket, or like a seemingly endless summer night from childhood. Ugh! Thank you for this video, it's given me an even deeper appreciation for this underrated gem 💙

[@kyleveers]

Midnight Greenhouse, Door into Summer and Marina Madness are the GOATS for me. I could listen to those daily

[@Sparkys_World-0]

I don’t know how it’s just now hit me, but the second phase Chaotix’s Bonus Stage theme is a dead-ringer for Ogata’s Sonic CD Special Stage theme. Definitely an intentional homage 👌

[@chrilz1498]

This is one of my favorite video game soundtracks, thank you so much for covering it

[@Inignot12]

I'm so hyped to watch this, Chaotix soundtrack is my favorite

[@Zeoinx69]

Knuckles Chaotix's soundtrack, for me, is a highly underrated gem. I dont see a lot of people even bring it up due to the game not exactly getting good reviews or fandom. That said, I enjoyed it as a kid, and really loved the character / power variety at hand. I even liked playing with Heavy and Bomb as a challenge.

[@TheAlphazoneYT]

These videos are always brilliantly put together. Oh what I would give for a Sonic Unleashed music theory.

[@LaunchpadVGM]

Shiratsu's work on this OST is genuinely mindblowing for its time. It's the biggest shame I can think of that she didn't really go on to do any other prolific games, as I think she's a genius. Great vid btw

[@MHzJr]

absolutely true. i’m just glad for the stuff she did make, as it’s introduced me to games i otherwise wouldn’t know about

[@BladedEdge]

Chaotix! A game where every aspect of the art, music and production in general was top-notch. Too bad it was basically unplayable.

[@AlexYardZone]

It's very playable! I have a blast playing it. The biggest shortcoming is it fails to explain a couple of the moves that really make a huge difference. Fling toss and instant Slingshot charge.

[@marco_mouse]

Alex, your music theory dive into Knuckles Chaotix is so cool! I love how you break down the tunes and show how they fit into the game. Your explanations help me work one my own music and make me see game soundtracks in a new way. Looking forward to more of your videos breaking down the tunes. can't wait for more!!! Woo!

[@UON]

This is my favorite soundtrack out of the Sonic games by a longshot, I don't know much about music theory but thanks for making this video and visually laying out the concepts in such creative ways! It really helps understand the magic going on here

[@NoorAdventure2007]

Another great vid from Alex; Can't wait for the Stardust Speedway and Metallic Madness episodes sooner or later

[@maruku4445]

All the levels that appeared in Knuckles Chaotix shoulda appeared in Sonic Mania and the music in each level shoulda been remixed for that game.

[@moxxyjumpscare]

finally a way to entertain myself for 15 minutes and 59 seconds 🔥🔥

[@SoshuTheGnome]

thank you for your efforts alex yard.

[@joakotorres402]

He said "Sonic Crackers" and I imagine Sonic on crack xD

[@NatSnack]

Makes me feel like whipping out the ole tower of power and playing some Chaotix. I'd just have to find the outlet space for it all lol lol....

[@srb2er]

this is litteraly amazing i love knux chaotix's ost, so this was really nice cant wait to see what music video comes out next!

[@inendlesspain4724]

In terms of aesthetics, Chaotix is my favorite of the classic era; to this day I don't think there's anything quite like it even outside Sonic games. And in terms of OST, probably the third next to Sonic 3&K and CD. In terms of gameplay it's hard for me to rank it, but I never had any issues adapting to the "clackers" mechanic. I wish there was more going on in the actual levels though.

[@DGCpicturesEntertainment]

I love Chaotix's OST. It's been something that I'll listen to in the background from time to time whenever I'm working. Side Note: I have actively avoided listening to Superstars' OST until I play the game, but to hear that Fang's Triple Trouble theme was embedded into his new boss theme made me scream with joy.

[@ChiliLeo]

I was just scrolling through on my for you and I just saw this and I am so glad that people are talking about the music in detail with knuckles chaotix

[@Brotherhood0286]

I just sat with my cat on the couch to watch this video on TV and the TIME BLEW. It felt this episode lasted 2 minutes. (Kinda unfortunate, but you can tell I love these music theories)

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Thank you for analyzing this Music, If you notice that Part of the Tune for Take Off (Character Select, not the Combi Machine) was originally in the US Metallic Madness Present Music, pretty awesome I learned that)

[@BarneyCarroll]

What a lovely analysis. The art of Chaotix compelled me something wicked - it felt like the climax of the golden era Sonic aesthetic. But I never had a 32X, and the times I did manage to play it, the navigation mechanics utterly flummoxed me. This review scratched an itch, thanks!

[@crubsalt]

The visuals you make for these videos are out of this world!

[@Nic_2751]

This game’s soundtrack is so underrated and genuinely amazing for the time and still now, thanks for the new perspective!

[@BraviaGames]

The segues from topic to topic in this video are too good, man. I sat down to watch and was surprised when it was over! I'm definitely gonna be coming back to this one.

[@CyranoLeRapier]

I have honestly been so, so excited at the idea of you doing a music theory on this game -- honestly one of my favorites of all the Sonic games, just for the music alone. Thank you for all this amazing work, it really is absolutely brilliant.

[@tsg_frank]

Chaotix has some truly impressive melodic and harmonic composition, so many of these tracks sound nostalgic and sweet even on a first listen, like at 8:10 it definitely feels to me like the minor i functions as the home rest here before moving around the scale degrees again

[@finji1685]

Another amazing music theory video!! id love to see you do Studiopolis next but regardless of the soundtrack your vids always hit X3

[@Alzter0]

You continue to impress me with your excellent knowledge. You always seem to scoop up something new I never thought of in games I thought I knew everything about.

[@Cafe_Vermelha]

Marine madness Slaps me hard 😢

[@AliC202]

Analyzing the music of one of my favourite Sonic game soundtracks, and even drop a reference to one of favourite Kirby soundtracks, excellent.

[@PKGangsta18]

Bro, all I do is talk about how amazing this soundtrack was. That Training Mode music lives in my head rent free

[@YophiGames]

One of my favorite music channels…one of my favorite soundtracks of all time…what a day!!!

[@JeffMakesGames]

Gotta love some of the music in this game.

[@AnimatedLoopHD]

Possibly the most underrated Sonic game? One thing everyone can agree on is the music slaps!

[@strohhutxP]

It was never my game of choice, but you certainly gave me more than a few good reasons here to play it anyway. the whole chaotic theme of it all was the best moment to drown us in what seems to be the most comparisons and examples out of left field yet btw. great video as always, but certainly one i have to watch again to get a full grasp at everything. thanks for the hard work & Knuckles. one can tell.

[@lonecom685]

Knuckles' Chaotix sounds and looks like an amalgamation of Sonic and Out Run. It has that classic vapor wave style that a few Sega arcade titles are known for. I particularly like the sunset levels. It's my favorite time of the day of course. I really like how it goes for a different feel compared to other classic Sonic titles, both in the more ambient soundtrack and the use of neon colors, and in the gameplay, of course. It reminds me of Yoshi's Island, but less realized. I hope you cover that game as well one day.

[@imienazwisko6150]

4 months, and KZbin hasn’t show it once… great video btw

[@Yoru_no_kotei]

Thank you for the subtitles. The video was more understandable for me. I'm looking forward to new videos.

[@cubedtothex]

Excellent video!! Bb is the 1 chord (Tonic Home Base) to me for Marina Madness. I even felt it from the first example.

[@juneru2]

Some of the music in Knuckles Chaotix is so nostalgic to me, even though I've never played it. Some tracks like Seascape and Midnight Greenhouse make me feel really sad, too.

[@Sanjixoxo]

Alex is the fuckin goat you taught me so much man i dont think u know how much your music explanations mean to me dude.

[@sogland]

i dont even like music theory but your videos are so entertaining and engrossing to listen to its crazy much love dude never stop

[@acrouzet]

At 0:55, wouldn't the melody be in Dorian, since it contains the natural 6th? Or at least some sort of modal mixture.

[@MHzJr]

the melody and bass usually stick with the minor 6 in the song, but yea it does borrow in that case.

[@BladeShadowWing]

I’ve never really listened to Knuckles’ Chaotix OST before, so I definitely learned a lot from this video. I never knew that Amazing Arena was in 5/4!

[@Weirdcko]

Awesome vid!!

[@jdgrass6134]

The fact that I actually just found the song Seascape for Marina Madness instantly made me want to watch this. I wish we had gotten a full breakdown of that one, but it's not exactly a long enough song or game for a full breakdown of each song. But yeah it's my favorite song from this game.

[@seanthomson6676]

Alex, I want to tell you how much I love your videos! Not only are they incredibly interesting and gives a whole new perspective to the songs I know and love but also, your videos actually help with my studies in music! Il be sitting in class and the teacher will point out something we want learn and just ask if anyone knows what it is and il just have a flash back to one of your videos and remember!!! 😂

[@bassistheplace246]

Such an underrated soundtrack! Thanks for covering this.

[@SonicTails4664]

Hey it’s Me!

[@Rgt23-rv6pm]

The funny thing I realized about Marina Madness is that the "Ice Scream" track from Mr Nutz has almost the exact same chord structure as the latter (keep in mind Mr Nutz was released a year before Chaotix) were but it was slightly more minor.

[@futabamajima]

I always heard Seascape as a song in Lydian, which would also make sense with the 2-5-1 movement

[@actually_wtf9000]

These videos are always so clever.

[@CyclonX]

8:03 this is like the music theory equivalent of that "yanny / laurel" soundbyte

[@Pirateyware]

Great video! Slightly disappointed that you touched on Sonic Crackers, but not that prototype's version of Electoria. I played around with Sonic Crackers long before I ever heard any actual Chaotix music, so the "real" version of Electoria just sounds wrong to me. Something about those short, quick melodies in Crackers' version work for me so much better than the drawn out notes in Chaotix.

[@cubedtothex]

SAME! The beta version of Electoria and its different melody/instrumentation always sounded better to me.

[@Scerttle]

This game has one of my favourite Sonic OSTs, super underrated IMO.

[@SonicntZane]

thanks

[@ZillaYT.]

These videos are so fun to watch!

[@wunnup3229]

I loved this game when I was a kid. So nostalgic. I wish it got more love these days.

[@compactdisc5365]

id kill for a till the world ends genesis cover tbh great video!

[@Rafix]

aawesome!

[@OrganicGreens]

Man your videos are great. If you did a full online class on music theory I would totally buy it.

[@AlexYardZone]

Thanks! Good news, I do have a 14-week online video series for music theory 101, which is included in a $1 pledge on patreon @ Alex Yard. And I'm available for questions on our Discord server. Plus weekly music theory office hours where people can ask any music theory questions.

[@OrganicGreens]

@@AlexYardZone That's awesome. Ima check out your patron for sure

[@frantz8824]

I saw a video about how a lot of anime features the "tonic polarity" you see in Marina Madness. I think anyone who watches anime is going to catch that vibe from the stage.

[@OmarRodriguez-pj3qy]

I just now saw your video on endless mine and I wouldn’t mind if you sang more in your videos. It’s very cute how you edit your voice to have an echo effect.

[@AlexYardZone]

Thanks so much! Yep, good old reverb lol. Off the top of my head, I also sing a bit in the videos for Hydrocity (twice), Undyne, and Ice Cap (twice lol)

[@mojojojox5043]

Chaotix is one of my favorite osts from the classic era of Sonic, I wish that the style would have been revisited at some point in the series. From my memory the same vibe and tone of Chaotix hasn't returned, maybe in Mania but that felt more like an updated version of the main classic series music. The only song I can think of that kind of sounds like something from Chaotix is Metropolitan Highway from Sonic Forces and that only has a similar musical tone without the chill vibe.

[@kennethmcswain2820]

Yes! Yes!

[@Blucrunch]

Back in high school concert band, we played a song that I think was called "Plato's Cave". It was the first time I'd ever encountered a song with a really creative time signature combination. It used the repeating pattern of 4/4, 3/8, 2/4 with really strong horn hits on the first beat of each measure. Ever since I've played that song, I always listen for songs with interesting time signature structure, like the opening tune in Amazing Arena. Instead of 5/4, I've always thought of it as the repeating pattern 5/4, 4/4, 3/8 over and over. Am I the weird one for that?

[@dangan2s976]

It's finally here 🎉🎉🎉

[@bostonjunk]

Sonic 1 on the Master system is worth looking at - Bridge, Jungle and Scrapbrain being the ones I remember best from childhood

[@kavehgaming546]

Knuckles chaotix is one of my favourite sonic game just like sonic CD. The soundtrack is really nostalgic and beautiful to me i wanna listen sonic albums again i I don't want leave those game for the life ...❤🎉

[@MetallicFun777]

It is finally out guys this is awsome guys

[@WindowsGod2]

I love these music theory videos! They're simple to understand and I can use these techniques in my own compositions! Do you think you'll try out stuff from Sonic 2? If so, do you think you could do Wing Fortress Zone? It's one of the most unique tracks in the game in my opinion with its large usage of triplets in 2/4 signature!

[@Chrono86]

door into summer might be the best track the genesis/32x ever put out

[@corruptedteka]

delight of my day

[@shamaYahu8635]

Yes I believe it was the same team that worked on Sonic CD also worked on Knuckle's Chaotix

[@radioactiveseaotter]

knuckix chaotles

[@pikaarceus]

2:35 This music is used in Billy Hatcher

[@Dudewas]

Dude you are amazing how do you make this so easy to digest

[@AlexYardZone]

One of the aspects I enjoy most! An undergraduate degree in English Language Arts & High School Education is certainly a solid foundation.

[@kingcatzak]

Hey Alex are you planning to cover some sonic superstars ost?? Would love to see a few zones covered and the main theme

[@thebwoods15]

You should take a gander at the SEGA Saturn version of Sonic 3D's music. I think that would be right up your alley. I'd like to see your analysis of those songs.

[@MHzJr]

.

[@SigmaLongshot]

As usual, instra-pressed, insta-impressed.

[@firebrimstoneforge7310]

I really wish he would do an music theory episode on the unused sonic 2 hidden palace zone. The zone was cut in the original release of the game yet it's music for that zone remains in the sound test. Growing up that always puzzled me because it was a bit of music I never heard playing through the game which added to it's mystery

[@AlexYardZone]

Could happen.. During livestreams, some people have said that music was maybe intended for 2 player mystic cave? I don't buy that. It is so perfectly perfect for the hidden palace place you would teleport to upon getting the last emerald.

[@thegeneral713]

Knuckle chaotix songs deserve full episodes! 😢

[@JamesChessman]

Sonic “Crackers” means “crazy,” I think. I never thought of it referring to that toy…