David Whittaker (video game composer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

David Whittaker
Born (1957-04-24) April 24, 1957 (age 64)
Bury, England

David Whittaker (born 24 April 1957 in Bury, England[1]) is known for numerous video game music which he wrote in most of the 1980s and early 1990s, for many different formats.

Career[edit]

He is known for some of the work he produced in the late 1980s/early 1990s. While making music, he often programmed music directly, instead of using any music composition tools, using just a "machine code monitor"—and then an 'assembler' system/program—including SuperSoft's and then Commodore's tools. Commodore 64 was the format that he composed for most frequently. He was more impressed with the Amiga's more developed technical sound capabilities, but used a few of the same instrument sounds, in several of his works, for Amiga. These days, he works mostly in the field of computer game sound effects and voices rather than music.

Although he does not compose much at present, he is still involved in the implementation of music, ambiences, sound FX and his admitted forte, dialogue (hence, his current moniker: DialogueGuru).

His most successful compositions appeared probably in Amiga games such as Shadow of the Beast, Obliterator, Beyond the Ice Palace, and Speedball. On the Commodore 64, his most popular compositions include for example Glider Rider, Storm, Street Surfer and Armageddon Man. His subtune 21 of Lazy Jones was the basis for the dance hit "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation. Many of his other tunes can be heard on internet radio stations such as SLAY Radio. Other formats he has composed for include Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Atari XL, MSX and ZX Spectrum. Many of his old songs are these days remixed by video game music enthusiasts.

After 8 years working in the US for Electronic Arts at their Redwood Shores studio, he joined the British video game developer Traveller's Tales, at their studio in Knutsford, Cheshire as Head of Audio in September 2004.

Games with music by Whittaker[edit]

Game[2][3][4][5][6] Year System(s) Publisher Comment
1st Person Pinball 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Tynesoft
007: Licence to Kill 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Domark
11-a-Side Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC
180 1986 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Alfred Chicken 1993 Commodore Amiga, Commodore Amiga CD³² Mindscape Sound effects on CD32
Alien Syndrome 1988 Commodore Amiga Sega
Amaurote 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Mastertronic,
American Turbo-King 1989 Amstrad CPC
APB 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Tengen Also known as All Points Bulletin
Arcade Flight Simulator 1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Archipelagos 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Logotron
Army Moves 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Ocean
ATV Simulator 1987 Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum 48k Also known as All Terrain Vehicle Simulator
Aussie Games 1990 Amstrad CPC
Back to the Future Part II 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Image Works
Bad Company 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Logotron
Ball Crazy 1987 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax 1989 Amstrad GX4000, Amstrad CPC
Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior 1987 Amstrad CPC Also known as Death Sword
Battle For The Ashes 1995 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Beverly Hills Cop 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64 Tynesoft
Beyond the Ice Palace 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Elite
Blazer 1987 Commodore 64 Nexus
Blood Money 1989 Commodore Amiga Psygnosis Whittaker made sound effects, not music
BMX Freestyle 1989 Amstrad CPC
BMX Simulator 1986 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
BraveStarr 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC GO!
Brian Lara Cricket 1995 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Brian Lara Cricket '96 1996 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Bronx Street Cop 1989 Amstrad CPC
Bubble Bobble 1989 Commodore Amiga Firebird Arranged from the arcade game, original by Zuntata
Bubble Dizzy 1991 Amstrad CPC
Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games 1989 Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, ZX Spectrum 128K Tynesoft also known as Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
Captain Fizz Meets the Blaster-Trons 1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Psyclapse
Carrier Command 1988 Commodore Amiga Rainbird Menu music
Challenge Golf 1991 Atari ST On-Line Entertainment
Cheap Skate 1988 Commodore 64 Silverbird
The Chicken Farm 1986 Commodore 64
Chip's Challenge 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Chrono Quest 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Psygnosis
Circus Games 1989 Amstrad CPC
Cloud Kingdoms 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Millennium
Cosmic Pirate 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Palace
Cosmonut 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Custodian 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Hewson Working title: Kalashnikov
Dan Dare III: The Escape 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Virgin Mastertronic
Dark Castle 1988 Commodore 64 Three-Sixty Pacific
Days of Thunder 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Mindscape
Death Stalker 1989 Amstrad CPC
Defcom 1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Quicksilva
Defender of the Crown 1987 Atari ST Cinemaware Arrangement from Amiga version, original music by Jim Cuomo and Bill Williams
Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure 1988 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk 1991 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Dogs of War 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Elite
Double Dragon II: The Revenge 1989 Amstrad CPC
Dynamic Duo 1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Firebird
E.T.'s Rugby League 1992 Commodore Amiga Sega
Elektra Glide 1986 Commodore 64 English Software
Elevator Action 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Quicksilva
Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Enduro Racer 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64
Epic 1992 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga Ocean
Exterminator 1990 Commodore 64
Eye of Horus 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Logotron
Fantasy World Dizzy 1989 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Fast Food 1989 Amstrad CPC
Feud 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Bulldog
Fire and Brimstone 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Firebird
Fright Night 1988 Commodore Amiga Microdeal
Fruit Machine Simulator 2 1990 Amstrad CPC
Future Sport 1989 Atari ST Actual Screenshots
Garfield: Big Fat Hairy Deal 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Softek
Gazza II 1991 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga Empire Interactive
Ghostbusters II 1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Activision
Ghosts 'n Goblins 1986 Amstrad CPC
Gilbert: Escape From Drill 1989 Amstrad CPC
Glider Rider 1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Quicksilva
Global Commander 1987 Commodore 64 Martech Also known as The Armageddon Man
The Gold of the Aztecs 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga U.S. Gold
Golden Axe 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Virgin Mastertronic Arranged from the arcade game
Goldrunner II 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Microdeal
Graham Gooch World Class Cricket 1993 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Audiogenic Also known as Allan Border Cricket
Graham Gooch World Class Cricket - Test Match Special Edition 1994 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Graham Gooch's Second Innings 1993 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Grand Prix Simulator 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Grand Prix Simulator II 1989 Amstrad CPC
Grange Hill 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Argus Press Software
Grimblood 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Virgin
Gunship 2000 1993 Commodore Amiga MicroProse
Helter Skelter 1990 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic
Hocus Focus 1986 Commodore 64 Quicksilva
Humphrey 1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
The Hunt for Red October 1987 Commodore Amiga Grand Slam Software
Hunter Killer 1989 Atari ST Virgin Mastertronic
Hyperbowl 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Mastertronic
Indoor Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Infection 1989 Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Virgin Mastertronic
International Rugby Simulator 1988 Amstrad CPC, Atari ST Codemasters Also known as 'Advanced Rugby Simulator'
International Soccer Challenge 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga MicroProse
International Speedway 1988 Amstrad CPC
IO 1988 Commodore 64 Firebird
Iron Horse 1988 Commodore 64 Konami
Iron Lord 1989 Atari ST Ubi Soft
The Island of Dr. Destructo 1987 Commodore 64 Bulldog
Jail Break 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Konami
Jaws 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Martech
Jupiter's Masterdrive 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Ubi Soft
Kid Gloves 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Millennium
Kikstart 2 1987 Commodore Amiga Mastertronic
Killing Cloud 1991 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Image Works
Knight Games 1986 Commodore 64 English Software
Knight Tyme 1988 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Knightmare 1988 Atari ST Activision
Krusty's Fun House 1993 Commodore Amiga Acclaim Virgin Also known as Krusty's Super Fun House
Last Mission 1987 Commodore 64 U.S. Gold
Lazer Force 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Lazy Jones 1984 Commodore 64 Terminal Software
Leatherneck 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Microdeal
The Legend of William Tell 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Martech Also known as Crossbow: The Legend of William Tell
Lemmings 2: The Tribes 1993 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Psygnosis
Leviathan 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K English Software Also known as Straf
Little Icarus 1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
The Living Daylights 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Domark
Lone Wolf: The Mirror of Death 1991 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic
Loopz 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic Working title: Convolution
Magicland Dizzy 1990 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Max Headroom 1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Quicksilva
Mayhem 1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Menace 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga Psyclapse (Psygnosis) This song is also heard on the Menace themed level of Lemmings. Working titles: Coppercon1, Draconia
Miami Dice 1986 Commodore 64 Bug-Byte
Milk Race 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Mastertronic
Millennium 2.2 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Activision Arrangement of Mahler's adagio from 5th symphony. Also known as Millenium: Return To Earth
Mission Omega 1986 Amstrad CPC
The Model 1986 Commodore 64
Monte Carlo Casino 1989 Amstrad CPC
Moto Cross Simulator 1989 Amstrad CPC
Mr Wino 1988 Commodore 64 Silverbird
Mr. Heli 1987 Atari ST Firebird
Ninja 1987 Commodore Amiga Mastertronic Also known as Ninja Mission
Ninja Massacre 1989 Amstrad CPC
Nitro Boost Challenge 1989 Atari ST Codemasters
Obliterator 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Psygnosis
Operation Gunship 1989 Amstrad CPC
Outcast 1987 Atari ST Mastertronic
Paddle Mania 1988 Commodore 64
Pandora 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Firebird
Pandora's Box 1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Panther 1986 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Platoon 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Ocean
Poltergeist 1988 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Professional BMX Simulator 1988 Amstrad CPC
Professional Snooker Simulator 1988 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Pub Trivia Simulator 1989 Amstrad CPC
Punchy 1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Quadralien 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Logotron
Quartet 1987 Commodore 64 Activision
The Race Against Time 1988 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Rampage 1987 Atari ST Activision
The Real Ghostbusters 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64 Activision
Red Max 1986 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Renaissance 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Impressions Also known as Classic 4
Renegade 1987 Atari ST Mastertronic
Return to Genesis 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Firebird Working title: Clonworld 50
RoadBlasters 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Rugby League Coach 1994 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Rygar 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
The Sentinel 1988 Commodore Amiga Firebird Also known as The Sentry
Shadow of the Beast 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Psygnosis
Shadow Skimmer 1987 Amstrad CPC
SideWinder 1988 Commodore Amiga Mastertronic
SimCity 1990 Atari ST Maxis
Skateball 1989 Atari ST Ubi Soft
Sláine 1988 Commodore 64 Martech
Slap Fight 1988 Atari ST Ocean Also known as A.L.C.O.N.
Snoopy: The Cool Computer Game 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore CDTV Softek Also known as: Snoopy And Peanuts, Snoopy: The Case of the Missing Blanket
Snow Strike 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Soccer Skills 1989 Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 Codemasters
Solomon's Key 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Speedball 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga Image Works
Spellbound Dizzy 1991 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Spitting Image 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Domark
Split Personalities 1986 Commodore 64 Domark
Spore 1987 Commodore 64 Bulldog
Sporting Triangles 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC CDS
Star Trek: The Rebel Universe 1987 Atari ST Firebird
Star Wars 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Domark
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Domark
Starblaze 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Logotron
StarRay 1988 Atari ST Logotron
Storm 1986 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Stormbringer 1988 Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum 128K MAD/Mastertronic
Stormtrooper 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Creation
Street Gang Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC
Street Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC
Street Surfer 1986 Commodore 64 Entertainment USA
Super G-Man 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Super League Manager 1995 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Super Robin Hood 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Super Stuntman 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Supremacy: Your Will Be Done 1990 Atari ST Virgin Mastertronic Also known as Overlord
Terra Cognita 1986 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Tetris 1987 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Mirrorsoft
ThunderCats 1988 Commodore Amiga Elite Arranged from Commodore 64 game, original song by Rob Hubbard
Total Recall 1990 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Ocean
Transmuter 1987 Amstrad CPC
Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC GO!
Treasure Island 1984 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Treasure Island Dizzy 1989 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Triple Tournament 1984 Commodore 64 Terminal Software
The Tube 1987 Commodore 64 Quicksilva
Turbo Chopper Simulator 1989 Amstrad CPC
Vampire 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Verminator 1989 Atari ST Rainbird
Voodoo Nightmare 1990 Atari ST Palace Software
Wanderer 3D 1988 Commodore Amiga Elite
War Cars Construction Kit 1988 Commodore 64 Firebird
Warlock: The Avenger 1990 Atari ST U.S. Gold
Weird Dreams 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga MicroProse
Wembley Rugby League 1994 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Whirligig 1988 Commodore Amiga Firebird Also known as SpaceCutter
Willow Pattern 1985 Commodore 64 Firebird
Wizard's Pet 1987 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Wonder Boy in Monster Land 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Activision Arranged from the arcade game, original songs by Shinichi Sakamoto. Also known as Super Wonder Boy In Monsterland
World Class Rugby 1991 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic
World Class Rugby '95 1995 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
World Class Rugby: Five Nations Edition 1992 Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Wrath of the Demon 1991 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga ReadySoft
Wreckers 1991 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga Audiogenic
Xenon 1988 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Mastertronic
Xenon 2: Megablast 1989 Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore CDTV Mirrorsoft Title song is a rearrangement of the song "Megablast" from the album Into the Dragon by Bomb the Bass
Zombi 1987 Atari ST Ubi Soft
Zub 1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum 128K Mastertronic

References[edit]

  1. ^ C64.COM interview
  2. ^ Listing of Whittaker's work on Atarimania.
  3. ^ High Voltage SID Collection.
  4. ^ Listing of Whittaker's CPC work.
  5. ^ http://www.lemonamiga.com/
  6. ^ Listing of Whittaker's work on Hall Of Light.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Whittaker_(video_game_composer)&oldid=1070028107"