[Music] Umbral musician

[Yonowaaru]

Eeh...


Hi there! In this thread, I'll be posting my own compositions. Some are already up on YouTube, while some are on my PC, and some are still in my head.
I compose on a fairly regular basis, so be sure to check back every so often .


(Note: I compose all my songs with Anvil Studio. It's a free midi composer, a lot easier to use than, say, FL studio. When I'm finished, I use a midi to mp3 converter which can very easily be found on Google to up the quality a bit.)


>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqVIwvFWpiU


-This song is called 'The Legend'. It has a very oriental feel, and is also the my first composition I shared with the world. It has its flaws, but I still like it.


>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgx678bqrbg


-This is 'Wayfarer's Song'. There's actually quite a bit of time and compositions between the first one and this one. I have a lot of songs from this time period, but I didn't really like them. I might post them later


>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi4i2LyAQ_E


-This is 'Haunted Bath Ballroom'. This song was composed in 1 evening, and therefor isn't very long or creative, but I still like it.


>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js5TqEWpGIY


-This is 'Pharaoh's Tomb'. This is a more recent composition, and I quite like it. It's obviously quite egyptian.


>http://bin.smwcentral.net/44745/Homebound.mp3


-This is my newest composition, that I just made this morning. It's more of an ending/game over theme.


So!

[flamezero16]

Hey amigo, your off to a great start  I like that most of these don't sound particularly video gamey, like if ya replaced the midi's with VSTs, it could pass as real music.

I think Anunsew is the resident midi master, so im sure he'l swing by shortly for his two cents~

[DX7.EP]

Quite good for using just Anvil for all these! Also, I take it you're using the MSGS default synth, and maybe no accessories included.

I would also suggest replacing the instruments with VSTis, or contacting those of us with extra resources (including myself) to remix them with better instruments to appease the "MIDI music is cheesy" population.

The other MIDI enthusiasts/masters should be coming around soon.

(Note: I compose all my songs with Anvil Studio. It's a free midi composer, a lot easier to use than, say, FL studio.

It's a good tweaking program but for more serious business I'd gradually transfer elsewhere. I started with Anvil as well, but as my workload and requirements went up I've since moved to Logic Studio and Sonar X1 Essential for my main stuff.

When I'm finished, I use a midi to mp3 converter which can very easily be found on Google to up the quality a bit.)

Oh the irony. MP3 is a very lossy format and not good for mixes.
If I were you, I'd rip the MIDI tracks to 192kHz 32-bit WAV files for use as a conversion base to MP3, OGG, M4A, FLAC, etc. Despite the massive file size, creating a lossless file mix is more than worth it and allows for better audio precision and accuracy in playback. Plus it prevents the terrible lossy to lossy-lossless format issues.
Of course, for distribution lossy formats are okay, but even in those cases try to maximize their quality (no 128kbps rips, I DO notice and I'm no audiophile).

[Anunsew]

Great midi is great. :3
Your style reminds me of old SNES RPG games. It's nostalgic. :3
Also, I like your approach of emphasizing basslines and drums instead of focusing just on the melodies. It gives depth to your composition, even if you're just using a standard Midi Kit.

On transferring Midi -> Mp3, it doesn't really help with the quality, since it just transfers the waveform into a lossy format. However, some people have different Midi soundcards, so it helps if you want your music to sound generally the same in any soundcard.

I think Anunsew is the resident midi master, so im sure he'l swing by shortly for his two cents~

I barely know the finer points of Midi, so I'm not sure I'll be able to give good advice since I use FL Studio.
FL uses it's own approach in midi (via Fruity LSD VST) which is not native in Standard midi formats, so I'm not very familiar of tools outside FL Studio.

[Yonowaaru]

Thanks for the nice comments!


-First off, I only convert them for the seeming difference in quality. It just sounds better overall.. Although, sometimes I think the midi just sounds better, because of the difference in instruments.
-I'm not using anything except Anvil Studio. I don't know anything about VSTis, but I'm willing to learn what it is.
-I might end up finding a better composer, but for now, Anvil Studio is just fine.
-I haven't noticed any change in accuracy between the midi and mp3, but if the difference is as big as you say, I might start using wav instead


Lastly, my new song. I think this is also quite nostalgic


http://bin.smwcentral.net/45166/Tensity.mp3

[Romantique Tp]

-I'm not using anything except Anvil Studio. I don't know anything about VSTis, but I'm willing to learn what it is.

MIDI played on Windows' boring built-in synth:
http://www.mediafire.com/?bmrup8bh3cw34wa

MIDI played on some old VSTi:
http://www.mediafire.com/?wkmm99nuiohldlg

Basically, anything you try will probably sound better than Windows' default synth, even free VSTs.

[Yonowaaru]

Wow, that does make one heck of a difference!
Could you show me where to find such a thing? Include a link to a tutorial, please?


(Also, the music... Touhou 5, stage 5 theme, right?)

[DX7.EP]

Anvil can't accept VSTis without the Pro-Mix accessory IIRC, and that'll cost you a little bit.

As for VSTis, KVRAudio has a large assortment of info on VSTis.

[Yonowaaru]

I'll have to think some more about that, then..


Another short song.. I really don't have a clue why they're all so short. Maybe I should aim for a longer one?


http://bin.smwcentral.net/45366/Ghostly%20Etude.mp3

[Anunsew]

Another short song.. I really don't have a clue why they're all so short. Maybe I should aim for a longer one?
http://bin.smwcentral.net/45366/Ghostly%20Etude.mp3

Hoh, I'm kind of envious on how you compose Oriental-sounding compositions (even in short ones). It sounds so natural.

[Yonowaaru]

I figured I'd post something new here now, so here it is:


http://www.hamienet.com/m2m-57060d48106ab2446340a80efe3d407c5757.wav

[DX7.EP]

I figured I'd post something new here now, so here it is:


http://www.hamienet.com/m2m-57060d48106ab2446340a80efe3d407c5757.wav

Eh...WAV tends to be very large and not good for downloads. Try using Audacity to convert to another format (M4A and MP3 are common).

I am aware this sounds very contradictory to my previous advice, but really the WAV is for the creator's use, so that (s)he has a lossless copy on hand while lossy formats can be distributed elsewhere. Even in that case, though, converting the WAV to FLAC helps (equal quality, smaller file size) and can also be offered for distribution (good for the audiophiles who insist on nothing less than 32-bit 192kHz audio).

[Chronojet ⚙ Dragon]

Some of these are alright, actually, but something just bothers me that it's not up to my standards. Which they are.



Arc would like a word with you.

[Yonowaaru]

I composed a new song which I actually kinda liked, so I decided to post it here.


Minstrel's Song


(Also, I have no idea what you are talking about, mister/miss myuu-ki something. Who is this Arc you speak of?)