I say you've got great potential.
My main criticism about this specific piece of music is that it doesn't sound very... boss-ish. Unless it's not meant to sound boss-ish. There's also a few things I think could be improved, too, but I myself am not a very experienced composer either.
Edit: Oh yeah, and make better fade-outs :3. You could use Audacity or something instead of just putting dynamics marks every measure at the end, which is what I'm assuming you're doing with your music-making program.
Well, for my Script, I won't use this, it's too un-boss like, but one of her cards have changed so much that I had to rename it, and I chose the name Descending Red "Cherry Flavored Justice".
The only setback about it it's that it's too short. It has less phrases that a ZUN-made song. Just compare the number of phrases in Necrofantasia and how they're related to each other and then compare it with Rin's theme. I mean, the song is nice as hell, but it lacks the epic-ness tone of ZUN-made music. I also think that the main phrase of the song ( the chorus, somehow ) isn't used up to it's full potencial... It has a good melody and gives an certain feeling of action, and a full feeling of "Cherry Flavored Justice", but it's too small lenghted, if compared to other epic main phrases of ZUN's music, like Border of Life's and Reach the Moon's main phrases.
Thus, the interlude between the first and last part is just too long. As for me, I don't think it's nice for an interlude to take almost half of the song's lenght.
If you could just grant me a wish, I would be very happy. The wish is: an opera-ish rearrange of Rin's theme. A very peculiar charactristic on almost all ZUN's music is that they become unspeakebly epic when rearranged so they look like classical music or an opera.
Hey amigo, im thinkin of coverin your Cherry Flavored Justice at some point. Do I have your permission?
Well, FL is quite easy to use. But I can't make a single music in it because I'm completely hopeless on music composing. I kinda can't think on a melody in my head...I don't use FL Studio for composing. I use it mainly for mixing and editing because it's easier to use for that purpose, and also because my notation software can't handle VSTi and Soundfonts.
So, Anunsew, I want to know how is the creative process of your music composing. How do you create a melody? Do you use any inspiration?It's kind of a hit and miss thing. I usually make a short (hardly 5 seconds long) melodic movement. I make a couple of them and then pick out the ones that sound good. Then I just add chords.
You're recording them, right? This might not be big of a deal, but?*is guilty*
The volume of recording is too loud that instruments that reach and exceed peak allowable volume becomes BOOMie, which "clips" the loud part exceeding the peak volume of that instrument, not to mention its sound quality at that volume.
Eh, I'm not saying you have to change the volumes of each instrument from the composition -- they're all good. Just the recording volume itself.
It was obstructing with the rest of my playlist because of its loud volume, so I thought I kinda had to bring this up.
Meanwhile?Thanks! XD
/me also spreads Love around
Also, Luna Child avvie! +Love! >w<
/me adds -huggles-
IMO Ending was a bit... inconclusive? OH WAIT IT LOOPS :V
Yeah, brilliant alternations between ta piano-thing and ta sorta-windish-things (forgive my lack of musical terminology :/), and ta unifying ending was good too, though it wasn't as... climatic as I thought it would've been. :Z
*is guilty*This page (http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Recording_levels) explains how to adjust recording level, and how to monitor if recorded sound is clipped.
Truth to tell, I'm still figuring out how to avoid that.
In another note, I haven't realized that I've been mixing in only one channel until today.That means stereo goodness for the next music upload. Yay!
A little late, but This page (http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Recording_levels) explains how to adjust recording level, and how to monitor if recorded sound is clipped.Thanks!
Or to put it simply, you can adjust the level of recording with this slider: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/Chococloud/RecordingVolumeSlider.png)
That means stereo goodness for the next music upload. Yay!To put it this way, I've been making compositions in stereo, but I've always edited them within one mixer channel. I wonder if editing them in multiple mixers would make a huge difference though.
What about the others though? :<
Thanks!Aaaah, I think you still could, only if it exceeds on slight instances. Well, that's what I do, anyway.
So I only have to watch make sure that the Peak Meter doesn't reach maximum level at any time.
To put it this way, I've been making compositions in stereo, but I've always edited them within one mixer channel. I wonder if editing them in multiple mixers would make a huge difference though.
By the way, I'm studying your UFO venture Midi~
Your midi upload is much appreciated. XD
BTW; great nevertheless, though I can't really tell ta main melody (or it sounds too weird to remember properly, no offense or anything :/))
I just sound like an ignorant n00b now, but what are the percussion instruments? :V
Another requested OC theme:
Reversed Looking Glass ~ Stopping the Tides (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j32VZxiNk6E)
you're fast :OI have to be, or else I'll never finish it. I have the attention span of a kid with ADHD on caffeine. :p
to be honest i like the original more.The original is less muffled than this, with peak sounds at -2db, which means less distortion.
the EPs drown out the harpsichord, and the general sound quality has dropped. those wind sfx might also be a little too repetitive, in the end. and loud.It's Honky tonk piano, actually. Quality drops because of over-peak recordings and bad Audio Compression in my part. It sucked the dynamics (the first one had a dynamic range of 4, this one only had 1). I didn't realize that the sfx was overpowering because of my mono headphones, I only had faders as my clues on how they really sound.
the ending of the original arrange felt very nostalgic to me, probably due to those extra EPs/synths (what are they?) you added there. and the sound effects kinda kill it here.
try random things and keep what you like, thats what i did with my arrangement of the song.I'll try maintaining everything at -10db (except the Master track) next time. Yes, I am remixing this remix as we speak. Anunsew works hard, Anunsew needs to learn fast. Good thing your remix provides an ample example of what I should do. :3
i got a question though, are you using ZUN's MIDIs for (at least a part of) this song?Yes. I don't intend to make money from this though, so I hope ZUN doesn't go after my soul.
Hey.Thanks! It's those thumbs up that keeps me going. XD
You know what? Your music is excellent.
...why do you always arrange stuff i have listened for hours just before you post it
you should put more of yourself in these arranges. currently they're just instrument swaps, or at least it sounds like that to me :O
Different Shades of Autumn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyEnixXPgsU)That sounds pretty good, specially considering some of the problems that THFont has. Good job on that.
That sounds pretty good, specially considering some of the problems that THFont has. Good job on that.
THFont's problems makes mixing a little more challenging and masochistic. :D
I do wonder why the Pan Flute's F7, F8, and F9 all sound off-pitch. I mean, it sounds normal at other pitches. : /
What program u use?
I have the attention span of a kid with ADHD on caffeine. :pHuh, that must explain "Coffee beans, coffee beans, COFFEE BEANS!!!!" xD
Uh...since I've been using THFont and THDrums for as long as I can remember, I should take this opportunity to thank Drake for providing the link for THFont and THDrums, it really helped a lot. :3Indeed! Thank you for thanking Drake~ =w=
FL Studio 9
Eye of Painful Death ~ Fourth Melody... Anunsew, did you happen to have an experience with ghosts? Because I'm feeling I'm being haunted when I listened to it o_o;; (probably Distortion Guitar or something else distortion-like instrument at fault, but fault not in a "mistake" way)Can't say I've had any hauntings recently. On a serious note, I didn't use any distortion guitars in the original one.
Also, this is another remix and not an original, I feel? Parts of the piece sounds like a track I've listened to once and never againShiku's theme is an original. Parts of it (mainly the chords and the double descension) came from this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhvngnJmoNs) but you've probably guessed by now. XDyet... Oh wait, nevermind, that was the preview samples of the Distortion guitar you provided (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6378.msg435553.html#msg435553), aheheh ^^;; (getting the new music I've been hearing everyday all mixed up :ohdear:)
I noticed, though, that your recent musical pieces are......... I dunno, they make me computer-dizzy or something @___@...unless it's made to be that.Er...is that a good thing, or bad?
Indeed! Thank you for thanking Drake~ =w=If that's the case he did a good job out of it, despite what he says about THFont. :P
Hnn... Since I've burned off a few space in my harddrive, might as well try that soundfont sometimes, see what awesomeness I could make from it =w=. Also, because I want to hear what these "problems" you speak of are -- I definitely don't hear them in the finished product.
I think Drake didn't just "link" these soundfonts; they're also made by Drake himself :3... Well, that's how I understood Drake's post.
Try Reason. And if you use a Mac, Logic.Is there a difference between them and FL? I'm the kind of person who sticks to the same "instrument" (being, my studio mixer program). And I really like FL being an all around program, though I've never sequenced in it. Piano roll just isn't for me, and I prefer notation sequencing then attack/release editing afterwards.
...lumpia.
hey. you just made 90% of a trance song. i like it.
also, should I make sumthin like this too, some time?
the HiHat of the second song seems way too loud, it overpowers the rest... besides that its pretty good. ambient.
On another note, I figured out that the ClavinovaPanFlu (patch 76 / Pan Flute in standard midi banks) patch of ThFont sounds strange at low note velocities at pitch C7~D7 and at selective pitches at higher octaves. They work normally at around 75%+ note velocity (that's 127(0.75) = 95.25 or a value of 96 for most synthesizers and midi software). If it's too low, the sample sounds weird:
Sounds good amigo, but...
:/
That Positive and Negative arrange is pretty nice, and yes orbie needs more love. =B
And the Rika theme arrange is pretty nice too. I'm putting this thread on my notify list. :>
Civilization of Magic, here we~ come!oh god yes
http://www.mediafire.com/?6nc609bdq7xba5t
I'll just leave this here.
It's an alternate rip of the Romantic Tp, it's doesn't sound very different from what you're used to, but there can be a few differences.
http://www.mediafire.com/?6nc609bdq7xba5tFirst four bars of Sariel's first theme with the Alternate Romantic Tp:
I'll just leave this here.
It's an alternate rip of the Romantic Tp, it's doesn't sound very different from what you're used to, but there can be a few differences.
BTW, does FL studio not allow you to change the volume of each MIDI channel individually ? I've never used FL studio before, but it's supposed to be one of the basic functions of a MIDI sequencer.It does, but I usually just assign the controllers to another controller in the Mixer, since it's easier to regulate that way, instead of hunting each channel controller individually (all those windows make me dizzy).
That is a really good theme. Any chance I can have a link to your characters fanfiction, if he has any?
This is for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0u0h2GXOlkThe 700 combo marker just blew me away. :D
Calm Berserker
Hm, that last song is actually really awesome. Gotta say, you're amazing.
Though I kind of have to comment...
Quite a paradox you have there :V
Who was the requester? I still wanna know more about that OC, because i fucking love OCs. :V
Hmmm the quality of your sound fiiles keep gettin better Anney, keep it up =O
And dont feel bad, I cant mix at all XD Have no idea what the frequencies mean, I just turn knobs till it sounds decent. So I think this is fine.
lol this sounds better than my techno already xD
I very much approve. Flandre needs more love.
Evening Oriental Witchthe only problem i have come accross is that the bass is often too high.
Original Track: ZUN's Strange Works ~ 01 - 宵闇の魔術師
(http://tindeck.com/image/zlwt/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/zlwt)
Experimented with violins on this one, since the original called for Strings. :P
This track is pretty much like the Far East Hourai one, just a little soundfont tweaking, mixing and mastering. Nothing much has changed (I did add another track for the Church Organ, if that's worth noting).
I've been a uninspired a lot lately, and nothing seems to come out of my head even if I tried. I might have lost a few IQs after watching too much TV. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this track, even if it's just a flash of uninspired despair to post something. >.<
...ugh, my head hurts. I hate summer. >.<
the only problem i have come across is that the bass is often too high.
and the pan flute goes really low at some point. which sounds really ugly. but this song in general is very nice! especially the church organ. it needs more love.
was this made with ONLY that touhou soundfont? if yes, amazing. i didnt think you could get that many sounds out of it.
Hey, good to see you back, my friend.
The track reminds me little too much of music tracks from Japanese RPGs from '90s, which I grew up with. That was good 5 minutes 22 seconds of my life reminiscing about good old days.
Thank you for this nostalgic moment.
Also I am glad to see you are still drawing. Since I use cheap papers, only the ball-pointers are friends of mine. So, seeing that Gel-pen piece was quite refreshing. I would say you are improving and you may quote me on that. However, try to practice various poses as the piece gives some sense of stiffness. Aside from that, you are building solid foundation for drawing.
ps. Frills are painful to draw, and I understand.
ps2. At least you have a TV, I am stuck with either YouTube or radio.
Yo Anny~ I know that feelin when ya just dont wanna jam on anything xD Nothin wrong with takin a break when that happens I reckon, then ya come back and its fresh again. For what it's worth, I like your latest song alot. Soundin more and more ZUNish.
if i recall correctly, the tempo in the original game was way higher than this..This is at 95 bpm, Mystic Square has it at around 140~ish. I'm not sure. :P
it does actually sound nice, is this only the music box soundfont? or did you add pads or something?Flutes for padding, and there are some vibraphones mixed with them. Hard to tell apart, unless you look for the Music Box's 'click' attack, the vibraphones don't have them.
Track: Mirage CityNice job! It motivated me to finish more cutins for the project!
(http://tindeck.com/image/hyxi/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/hyxi)
Stage 1 Theme for 東方幻妖風 ~ City of Distortion (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,8830.msg592792.html#msg592792)
It's 126kbps (as requested by Karanum), so it might sound a little scratchy at times. I was messing around with piano and bass improvisations, while testing out some new chord progressions I've found. :3
Track: Mirage CityPretty good track! Has a bit of a Touhou feel to it, all right. Which synths, instruments, VSTis, do you use? (already know you're an FL user, so no need to say that)
(http://tindeck.com/image/hyxi/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/hyxi)
Stage 1 Theme for 東方幻妖風 ~ City of Distortion (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,8830.msg592792.html#msg592792)
It's 126kbps (as requested by Karanum), so it might sound a little scratchy at times. I was messing around with piano and bass improvisations, while testing out some new chord progressions I've found. :3
Nice job! It motivated me to finish more cutins for the project!I'm also looking forward on your work being in the finished project. :3
Pretty good track! Has a bit of a Touhou feel to it, all right. Which synths, instruments, VSTis, do you use? (already know you're an FL user, so no need to say that)
128kbps is actually quite low quality. Then again this seems to be a specific request, so it won't count against you here. I'd prefer an even higher quality rip (320kbps CBR MP3, 48+ khz M4A, and/or ultra-high quality FLAC) as proof of originals and for the actual and semi-audiophiles who find 128kbps far too easy to detect.
I'm also looking forward on your work being in the finished project. :3It's good to see my artist is still alive as well. :V
It might be a decoding issue, since decoding mp3s on the go can be memory taxing, especially in games..Yeah, that exactly. At normal mp3 quality the music was over 90% of the game's filesize. (Read: twice as large as CtC)
For soundtables, I used Thinst.sf2 and Thdrums.sf2:Ah, THFont. Has a few good samples but not quite my cup of tea...or coffee....
Acoustic and Bright Acoustic Pianos for string leads. Flutes and Whistles for wind leads. Vibraphones and Strings for accents.
Patch 49/0 (String Orchest) and Patch 53/0 (Choir Ahh) for padding and POWER drumkit for percussions.
As for VSTis, I just used Fruity Reverb and Parametric EQ to clean and refine the sounds. Added a Flanger to the pianos to get it sound a little more distorted. I used Fruity Limiter for monitoring the audio levels along with level compression. Finally, I slapped Maximus on the Master track for mastering purposes.Those are VSTs and not VSTis. The latter also has an instrument component, whether that be specialized instrument processors or MIDI synths or whatever.
I don't like using too much of those fancy synths and VSTi, since I generally don't know how they work. I just read them up on the Internet whenever I think I need to use them. :P
Yeah, that exactly. At normal mp3 quality the music was over 90% of the game's filesize. (Read: twice as large as CtC)Usually normal MP3 is 128kbps CBR and doesn't take up much space (which is why so many use this format). If the sound file was THAT large chances are it is WAV (raw waveforms, uncompressed, lossless) and would obviously have to be converted for efficiency reasons.
I'm looking for the best way to compress it to a more reasonable size while maintaining as much of the original quality as possible.
This is the best I could come up with at the moment.
Usually normal MP3 is 128kbps CBR and doesn't take up much space (which is why so many use this format). If the sound file was THAT large chances are it is WAV (raw waveforms, uncompressed, lossless) and would obviously have to be converted for efficiency reasons.Hmm, my experience is that mp3 tends to be 256 or 512 kbps standard. Or maybe I just have oversized music files.
I personally prefer OGG for game engines due to the need to license MP3 decoding with Thomson (...for commercial works and mass distribution, at least), however.
Hmm, my experience is that mp3 tends to be 256 or 512 kbps standard. Or maybe I just have oversized music files.I really don't know much about Danmakufu and its sound file support, so I'd play it safe and go with MP3 for now.
And hey, I never knew Danmakufu supports OGG files. Might as well convert them to OGG then.
Those are VSTs and not VSTis. The latter also has an instrument component, whether that be specialized instrument processors or MIDI synths or whatever.
I tend to use a crapton of these synths and VSTis, primarily to load SF2 files (via SFZ+ on Sonar and EXS24 synth on Logic).
@VST types: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology#VST_pluginsI also recommend the Roland TTS-1, which is an upgraded version of Hyper Canvas that comes with Sonar and Home Studio. It sounds rather ZUN-ish (see Spaztique's TTS-1 remake project thread for examples) with proper tweaking.
Since you're into ZUN-style instruments, maybe you should try Edirol Hyper Canvas and Super Quartet. Both are pretty easy to use and edit IMO, and more flexible than soundfonts.
Hyper Canvas doesn't quite sound ZUN-ish (it does sound more ZUN-ish than THFont though...), but you can fool untrained ears with it. Overall it's not super good or anything, but it's better than most soundfonts out there.
Super Quartet has ok-ish stereo sampled pianos and ZUN's guitars/basses.
I also recommend the Roland TTS-1, which is an upgraded version of Hyper Canvas that comes with Sonar and Home Studio. It sounds rather ZUN-ish (see Spaztique's TTS-1 remake project thread for examples) with proper tweaking.
It's actually Hyper Canvas with an uglier interface.
@Anunsew: I also take it you're using ASIO when composing with the DAW? (WDM and DirectSound tend to do terribly for me....)
Nope, I only use DirectSound. I don't use any external synthesizers or input devices, so it doesn't make much difference.I prefer ASIO for composition on Windows since it allows for more low-level interaction between OS and hardware, thus reducing latency and fuzziness and boosting DAW performance compared to background processes. ASIO, WDM, and DirectSound are all interaction methods for audio within a computer, and aren't as significant for external devices.
I haven't checked out other synthesizers yet, but I might get around to it when I decide to take music making seriously. It's more of a hobby at the moment. :P
I prefer ASIO for composition on Windows since it allows for more low-level interaction between OS and hardware, thus reducing latency and fuzziness and boosting DAW performance compared to background processes. ASIO, WDM, and DirectSound are all interaction methods for audio within a computer, and aren't as significant for external devices.
the built-in Windows-Roland MIDI synth (and we know how terrible that is). :D
So that's what it does. :OAssuming by audio buffering you're referring to live playback, then it will lower buffering and latency issues.
I was confused with the definition from wikipedia. :blush:
So can ASIO reduce the audio buffering problems whenever I run out of memory?
I still use the piano and drum patches from that synth though.OK. Drums are acceptable (Roland drum patches have been used very frequently in all sorts of music - even ZUN used to use them), piano not so much. But at least it's not the overdrive guitar or violin you're using (those are abysmal) :V
Assuming by audio buffering you're referring to live playback, then it will lower buffering and latency issues.
(http://tindeck.com/image/sryc/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/sryc)Definitely not aloof, IMO. More active if anything.
Stage 1 Boss Theme for 東方幻妖風 ~ City of Distortion
Jost's Theme
Same old 128kbps goodness within 2 loops + fadeout~
It was supposed to be aloof, but I...suppose it turned out a little more tsundere. (I think)
I was trying out an alternate drumkit (THdrum's TR-909 drumkit) along with some bass experimentation. It sounds a little rushed though. :ohdear:
As for the use of the analog kit and bass, I like those. Trumpet, though...seems a little bit too layered and could a little more reverb.
...That's one problem I've yet to fix when I try to submix more than three channels to one track. I'll try to add reverbs to see if it solves it. ~Maybe it's frequency conflict? Spaztique (TTS-1 remix project) suggests using compressor plugins to set specific frequencies for each instrument so that each one is clear and doesn't interfere with other similar-frequency instruments. Then again, I'm not sure if this is the issue at hand....
Also, I've tried using ASIO4All, and it cuts down CPU overloads by half. :O
Maybe it's frequency conflict? Spaztique (TTS-1 remix project) suggests using compressor plugins to set specific frequencies for each instrument so that each one is clear and doesn't interfere with other similar-frequency instruments. Then again, I'm not sure if this is the issue at hand....
Maybe it's frequency conflict? Spaztique (TTS-1 remix project) suggests using compressor plugins to set specific frequencies for each instrument so that each one is clear and doesn't interfere with other similar-frequency instruments. Then again, I'm not sure if this is the issue at hand....
ASIO4ALL is really that impressive. I don't know how one could work with music in a Windows-based DAW and not use ASIO drivers...latency and overload are the problems with WDM and DirectSound. As for us Mac-based users, we already have Core Audio for that, so less configuration, whoo ~
Have you ever tried to find a music composer job or something related?Nope. My focus in real life is programming, and I'm still doing my studies.
I was wondering... Can you make a, let's say, Rock N Roll version of Rin Satsuki's theme? You know, guitars, basses, solos... It would be very cool!
I might try it out sometime. I'm doing a bit of tinkering with guitars and basses lately, so it might be good practice.
Lemme know if ya want some help with the guitars Anney~ Im bored outa my skull over here.
- Tinny drumset. Maybe a bit more amplification would help.
- Guitars...eh, they sound like the cheap XG sets. If they were from an XG synth I wouldn't even be surprised! May need a better synth, soundfont, etc. to improve that....
Distortion and Overdriven guitar mixing (http://www.4shared.com/audio/cQH3J1Zp/dragone.html)Quite good for just THFont! Trumpets were great too - maybe this is progress towards DaiZUNke Senouwatari style! :D
by Filix
It's Through the Fire and Flames (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s). Mixing and soundfonting was done by my brother (I helped in mastering though).
The patches for the guitars used were Les_Sus_0_30 (patch 31 of thInst.sf2) and Garcia_0_29 (patch 30).
Er...disregard the trumpets, they're supposed to fill in as the vocals.
I found the Midi file from Google (Midi Plaza to be exact) then he asked if he can borrow it, and this is the result. This was done using thInst.sf2 and thdrums.sf2, no real instruments are used. The aim of this track is to emulate a realistic electric guitar amp sound using thInst.sf2.
Since the Midi and mixing wasn't done by me, I can't tell much about how this was done. However, I think it's related to how you fine tune the pitch bends of fast notes...
:3
I wish I could mix guitars like this though. I guess its time to copy again... :ohdear:
I can tell there was a bit of mastering, all right. Compression seems to be somewhat evident.
Er...is that a good thing, or bad? I'm not thoroughly confident with my music mastering knowledge.Quite good. Without it similar frequencies may conflict with each other and cause auditory distractions, keeping every part from being clear. It worked well in this case.
Decided to upload the Cirno remix on youtubeGreat remix!
Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zu5_EMJLS8)
:3
Guitars and drums seem a bit overpowering and the background pads/pizzicato strings are a tad quiet IMO. Also there's a bit of noise that can be patched with some more equalization and compression.
So...I discovered that our family PC had a weird sound card (really old, its a SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio card. It's around 7 years old...also the age of the PC itself). Since I've been feeling uninspired lately, I've messed around with the driver...(not normal behaviour, but I was bored) and discovered that it had a built-in DLS loader and an alternate GM soundkit. Curious, I used the built-in Soundmax Yamaha XG-Lite soundbank on Marisa's theme, and this is what came out.Hey! This soundcard! I know what it is, and that soundbank is familiar (it was turned into a soundfont, and sounds like shit).
My only problem with the soundkit is that it doesn't route the music to my VST host when I use it. It routes the signal directly to Audio Out, thereby rendering any VST plugin useless. Still can't find a workaround. >.<
Oh yeah, this was recorded straight from WAVE OUT using Audacity. Tracks have not been edited in anyway.
EDIT: As for softsynths, I usually add them as synthesizer units rather than stick them in VST hosts, especially when using 6 or 7 of them (and <=50 Soundfonts, VSTis, and DXis) at once.
As a result of this I better get rtpMIDI working ASAP on my x201's 2k3 install so that I can use it as a synth module for Logic! YEAAAA ~
Try using Maple Virtual Midi Cable to link the output of the SoundMax card to ASIO.
I'm not entirely sure how this works, though, since I haven't needed it extensively.
if you still taking requests...please do a song for Youki.
for some reason, I have this urge to study 65c816......isn't that the SNES CPU? Also you may want to study the SPC700 (SNES sound chip).
Nope. My focus in real life is programming, and I'm still doing my studies.
Programming? Software Engineering, I guess?
What kind of software do you intend to make? More precisely, what area do you intend to work in?
I can teach you a thing or two. If you intend to work with games, I can recommend a handful of books that will surely be of great help.
I like this version of Oriental Love Consultation. Better and the sounds are more crisp. I can hear the parts rather distinctly (maybe except for the celesta).I gave up the celesta since it occupies way too much of the HF range (bad equalization from my part). Since it was meant to be a backer, I decided to drop it back into the background of instruments.
Hey, it's DM again. I'd like to make a request for one of my (many) OCs. Sadly, I have no picture of her, but Ill profile her and send you it in a YT PM later.Sure, but I can't cater to it right now. Aside from Karanum, I'm also doing another OC track. I hope it's okay for you to wait. :ohdear:
Oh, I also know which plugin and patch ZUN used for the pianos post-PoFV: It's Super Quartet and the default Bright Piano patch.
Sometimes, I wonder how The_EP do 50 tracks without having any frequency distortions...I can't do 50 tracks very well. Maybe up to 15 or 20, even 25, but 50? Eh...
I plan to focus on making games, but I'm still at the basic level. While I go to college, I'm pretty much self-taught on game libraries and stuff. I intended to learn XNA, but my PC doesn't have Pixel Shader (my PC uses and Intel Extreme Graphics card...it's as old as the soundcard). Right now I'm frolicking between C++'s Allegro, Python's pygame and ActionScript 2.0.I don't like XNA and DirectX. Makes it difficult to port to other systems.
Also, I'm reading up on OOP, since I'm still confused about some basic concepts. I haven't even started on DirectX yet. :(
I gave up the celesta since it occupies way too much of the HF range (bad equalization from my part). Since it was meant to be a backer, I decided to drop it back into the background of instruments.Ah. Yep, EQ is most important.
Well, that failure made me realize how important good EQ settings are. :3
From what synthesizers/soundfonts are these?Super Quartet, a discontinued VSTi made by Edirol. The Jazz and Rock bass samples there are the same as the ones ZUN uses in the SD-90.
Sure, but I can't cater to it right now. Aside from Karanum, I'm also doing another OC track. I hope it's okay for you to wait. :ohdear:
I plan to focus on making games, but I'm still at the basic level. While I go to college, I'm pretty much self-taught on game libraries and stuff. I intended to learn XNA, but my PC doesn't have Pixel Shader (my PC uses and Intel Extreme Graphics card...it's as old as the soundcard). Right now I'm frolicking between C++'s Allegro, Python's pygame and ActionScript 2.0.
Also, I'm reading up on OOP, since I'm still confused about some basic concepts. I haven't even started on DirectX yet. :(
Internet is a great place to learn. :D
Be thankful I'm mixing my own request. XD I'm terrible as a composer but I can mix stuff pretty well.
BTW, I noticed that the MIDI uses GM2 bank select MSB. Was that intentional ?
http://www.4shared.com/audio/k9ai50be/asdf.html
Neat! It's got that retro Yamaha FM feel in the square waves. Sounds like PC-98 or Megadrive stuff.
I'd recommend getting hardware synths as well if you plan to keep this up. Prefer Roland and Yamaha ones, personally.
What synths did you use for the above link? It sounds a lot cleaner. XD
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25978520/biri.mp3
There's my version, with proper double loop.
It's raw Hyper Canvas, you know, that GM2 VSTi that sounds exactly like that DXi that gets talked about so much around here. (TTS-1)Only because Spaztique and I use said DXi (though I have Hyper Canvas as well). :V
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25978520/biri.mp3
There's my version, with proper double loop.
I don't really like the cello and the string ensemble patches, though I'm pickier about these, owing to former violin experience.Thanks, I'm trying to improve on that. I haven't really EQ'd them well so I guess it's still shaky.
Violin is pretty good for a GM2-fitting SF2, however. Could be stronger.
Not too fond of the background piano. Too watery - is it a honky-tonk by chance?. Liked the harpsichord for some reason, but of course it was very MIDI-ish.Funnily, they're both Hyper Canvas VST (routed via FL's Midi Out plugin). The watery piano is the Bright Acoustic Piano Patch (Bank 00) set at around 40 Rvb and 70~ish Chr.
Drums don't seem to fit - it sounds between a brush kit and power kit...I think a room kit would better match.The drum is from THDrums Room patches (snare being the Electric Snare sample, not the Acoustic). Accents are from Hyper Canvas Room Patch. Mixing the Brush patch (in THDrum, haven't tried HC's brush yet) is kind of hard so I've never used it.
It seems you're getting a great grip on THFont...I think now's a great time to start contemplating moving up to hardware synths for primary work.SoundMAX drivers don't support Midi I/O. (*insert random sounds of disapproval here*)
I recently got an Edirol SD-20 (small mobile cousin of the notorious SD-90) for quite cheap (in N. America a few pop up here and there for US$20-40, a much cheaper bargain than the ~US$200 from Japanese sellers), and love the device
Software synths are good too, but those ask for a more powerful CPU (often a quad-core for the top-level stuff) and lots (8GB+) of RAM, plus a 64-bit DAW if you're using so many of them that the 4GB RAM limit of 32-bit apps isn't enough. Plus most of them seem to be geared for specific instrument sets (string pack, piano pack, etc.) rather than having a GM2/GS/XG map.My PC is a Pentium 4 2.28GHz equipped with a 512 RAM + 1.5GB Virtual Memory in a 32-bit WinXP SP2.
SoundMAX drivers don't support Midi I/O. (*insert random sounds of disapproval here*)
I'm stuck with soft synths.
Both SD-90 and 80 only require USB inputs for MIDI and audio. I'm pretty sure the SD-20 is like that too.
The Bet on Death MIDI is the original SoEW MIDI fixed to loop correctly when not played by the game.Thanks again for the link. :3
Here's the complete, unmodified OST: http://www.mediafire.com/?19pda1e0tlgpvph
Another thing:
Complete Darkness (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/complete.mp3)
This was a midi (converted to mp3) file I've found sometime ago, played through my soundcard's midi driver.
Crap, the beginning sounds so Alice.
It sounds like a from a fake SNES emulator. >.<
PC-98 chiptunes sound so much better IMHO. ~_~
In any case, isn't SoEW the only PC98 game that had midi tracks, or did the others have them too?
<sorry, that was out of topic>Funnily, they're both Hyper Canvas VST (routed via FL's Midi Out plugin). The watery piano is the Bright Acoustic Piano Patch (Bank 00) set at around 40 Rvb and 70~ish Chr.Ah. Must've been a little too much chorus.
The other one is the Harpsichord Patch from the same VST, using the same settings with no Chr.
SoundMAX drivers don't support Midi I/O. (*insert random sounds of disapproval here*)
I'm stuck with soft synths.
Hyper Canvas/SD-XX pianos are universally considered pretty bad. If you can find it, try Super Quartet. Its pianos are not "OMG THIS SHIT SOUNDS SO REAL"-tier either, but as a whole it pretty much obsoletes the acoustic pianos, guitars and basses from both HC and the SD-90.None of my soundcards have MIDI ports either.
Both SD-90 and 80 only require USB inputs for MIDI and audio. I'm pretty sure the SD-20 is like that too.
My PC is a Pentium 4 2.28GHz equipped with a 512 RAM + 1.5GB Virtual Memory in a 32-bit WinXP SP2.I'd say it's time to upgrade, unless you use softsynths that require XP/2k3 or older (S-YXG50, VSC, WinGroove, etc.).
It was built by HP specifically for DBMS and DBMS development. It has outlived it's life expectancy of 3 years and is currently retired in my home after 7 years of hard labor and service.
I maybe went overboard with some dissonant chords and sequences, but I guess it adds to the ominous feeling of the track. It's also bit short, just a little over the minute for 1 loop.Ominous...eh, lively again. They ended up distracting a little bit, alas.
It's really hard to compose originals...I wonder how the heck ZUN pulls out his riffs? I wish I had continued practicing my piano since I was eight. :PThe one answer - beer. Lots and lots and LOTS of beer. (unconfirmed)
On the other hand, I'm trying to learn how to use SynthMaker that comes with FL Studio.Using SynthMaker, I see...FM synthesis simulation, I guess?
Trying to incorporate programming and music is kind of weird though. XD
The one answer - beer. Lots and lots and LOTS of beer. (unconfirmed)I don't drink alcohol. (Non-drinkers are rare in my country, where minors as young as 12 years can obtain drinks from the local sari-sari store. Hooray.) :(
Thanks for the comments! They are my best source of information on how to improve at the moment. :PEhe, no problem with the comments!
Lively again, huh. I guess I could try cutting on my coffee. >.<
I just can't seem to get into proper character.
Also, I have to learn the basics of instrument variation. :(
/me looks at Anunsew's YT profile and location
I don't drink alcohol. (Non-drinkers are rare in my country, where minors as young as 12 years can obtain drinks from the local sari-sari store. Hooray.) :(
On a happier note though, my country is quite proud of its beer.
Eye of Painful Death (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/stuff/shiku.mp3) (Remaster)Hm, big improvement! Also sounds more lively, hooray reverb!
For fun, I tried to remaster an old composition of mine which I released in last year's Tanabata (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q__zJG1mauQ)~
Holy crap, my old version clips like there's no tomorrow. >.<
Anyway, in the technical level they have big differences:
The old version:
- All channels are routed to a single master mixer (because I didn't know what they were back then)
- All channels have been levelled using only panning and volume control (because I didn't know what compressors and limiters are for)
- All channels are unEQ'd THFont (because I didn't know...you're getting the drift, aren't you?)
- Finally, the rendered audio track has been envelop'd using Audacity (yay!...okay, not really the most efficient tool for audio enveloping. But hey, using Audacity is manly)
While the new one applies all more prior knowledge in mixing. Plus, I edited some instruments and dropped some counter melodies, and added some. Also, I tried doing a little saturation effect on the drums, to make the track sound less synth-y.
Ehe, no problem with the comments!Tea...except I like black tea that makes me giddy. >.<
For relaxing stuff, tea helps. :V
Instrument variation...Hmm, never really tried that before--but since ZUN often uses that technique, I might study it.
/me looks at Anunsew's YT profile and locationBecause online Filipinos are either spammers/trolls/lurkers. I usually belong to the last group. :D
Why am I not surprised about that fact?
Hm, big improvement! Also sounds more lively, hooray reverb!I just realized something that has been my main weakness for all time.
Instruments are starting to sit in positions. It's easier to hear each part.
Tea...except I like black tea that makes me giddy. >.<Eastern tea (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) does the trick.
Hmm, never really tried that before--but since ZUN often uses that technique, I might study it.ZUN also uses a lot of instrument layering, which can be very useful when trying to complement various instruments' frequencies. Try looking into that as well.
I just realized something that has been my main weakness for all time.Ah!
I usually mix five or more instruments (lol) all playing different lines at the same time. It makes EQ'ing nearly impossible since I will use have to occupy all the freqs to avoid masking. But it will still mask, cause each track uses a lot of freqs (imagine: melody, counter-point, counter-counter point, fast bassline, bass tremolo, bass, chords, drums all playing at the same time. Also, there are usually more than one instrument doing the same lines when I compose them).
SO technically speaking, I have no mixing problem...I have a tracking problem. >.<
I did a quick check on some ZUN midis and confirmed my suspicion that my problem doesn't lie in the mixing phase. SOOOooo~ I have to do a revamp on my piano roll tracking on my future works. :3Good thinking. Try to split your tracks by part and instrument so we don't see tracks that go all over the spectrum that are hard to mix.
Last Remote (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/Track2.mp3)Not a bad remix.
Yay, a remix~
Gah, I'm so uninspired lately.
I WANNA LIE DOWN AND SLEEP FOR A WHOLE MONTH!~
Not a bad remix.
I'd suggest more global reverb, but not too much. Also a counter-melody would be nice, preferably with a different rhythm of notes. It seems a bit dead with just melody, harmony parts, bass, and drums...speaking of which, a little more rhythm variety would be nice too.
By global rvb, you mean like adding rvb on the Master bus or something?Not exactly. That wouldn't sound too good :V
Won't it sound bad if I do that? Different frequencies are gonna be echoing all around the place--I think it's better to add them individually in each track instead, before the EQ.
Last Remote (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8508770/Track2.mp3)
Yay, a remix~
Gah, I'm so uninspired lately.
I WANNA LIE DOWN AND SLEEP FOR A WHOLE MONTH!~
First, the center area of the mix feels empty. It's as if there was nothing panned anywhere near the center. This could be fixed quite easily by using a string section or a pad.
Second, the trumpet feels lonely. If you listen to ZUN's compositions closely, you might notice that there's always something backing its melody up. It's generally either another trumpet, a saw wave or a brass section. Experiment ! Much of ZUN's trumpet magic comes from him using 2 trumpets playing different notes at once.
You mean harmonics? I'm not quite experienced with harmonics so I'm still playing it safe right now. I'll try going a bit outside of my safe zone in my next track.
What I usually do though is put a string backer on the trumpets, but they usually play the same notes at different octaves.
I don't know the English word for what I mean. It's ehh... "having a instrument play a simplified version of the lead melody, but a octave or 2 lower". I think it's called a countermelody.Harmonics is a better fit than counter-melody, I think. Though I'm also not completely sure, usually a countermelody will have a different rhythm from the melody to generate auditory interest.
What I usually do though is put a string backer on the trumpets, but they usually play the same notes at different octaves.It seems you are just padding the trumpet bit. What I'd suggest is instead to have the trumpets play two parts at once, melody and harmonics (based on the above). The string backing is for the dead centre parts.
Agh, I can't understand them. I can't even get what chords he is using. I can't break it down, I can't see them step-by-step, hence, I cannot study them. >.<Analyzing ZUN songs directly isn't the easiest way to learn what he uses. One way to study them is to import the MIDIs in FL and solo one track, then analyze that in the piano roll. Significantly easier...but it doesn't always take into account later works (where there are lots of fan-made MIDIs).
I'm actually talking about those parts where ZUN just goes crazy with the piano roll.
I'm talking about parts of pieces like:
A Soul As Red as A Ground Cherry at 1:19) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYvvKyYIc5s&feature=related)
Shanghai Alice in Meiji 17...the whole thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4FVKSHjg-0&feature=related)
Necrofantasy's intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewGbGpEp-dM&feature=related)
Doll Judgement's intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gha7mck6a1A&feature=related)
Charming Domination (Phantasm) intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDvvqAE_xgE&feature=related)
Now die, for the debt you have accumulated at 0:22 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzt87vI6YT0)
Civilization of Magic at 1:25 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZaFmz8XvrM)
There's a lot more tracks which I have tried to study, and most of the time my mind just goes blank when I try to understand them. :derp:
Probably because I headdesk every time I try to emulate his style on the piano roll and it ends up in a major key or something. :o
Analyzing ZUN songs directly isn't the easiest way to learn what he uses. One way to study them is to import the MIDIs in FL and solo one track, then analyze that in the piano roll. Significantly easier...but it doesn't always take into account later works (where there are lots of fan-made MIDIs).
I guess I have to start thinking in chords instead of key signatures...just like a guitar. :PI usually think in scales and chords when looking at music. Key signature doesn't do too much...occasionally I write songs in one key signature while leaving the settings at the default C Major. :V
Hm, lacks compression and it was recorded too close to peak.Oversaturated I guess. I was experimenting with saturating the peaks at -4db. It never actually reaches 0db. I've heard and seen some good uses of saturation, but I guess it takes practice.
Sometimes the drums overpower the melody...which is itself at times unclear. Same for the strings on the left and right.I'm really having trouble with this. I just wing the drum's peak by ear using different headphones, so I don't have a steady rule for this. I often read that kicks are usually at -6db, and snares at -8db, but that's a bit too loud for me. Any tips would be appreciated.
At times the top of the melody is a bit lonely and may need some complementing with another instrument or a harmonic part.It's not supposed to be a complex theme, though I think I should've added some more accents.
Oversaturated I guess. I was experimenting with saturating the peaks at -4db. It never actually reaches 0db. I've heard and seen some good uses of saturation, but I guess it takes practice.Certainly, practice is key.
I'm really having trouble with this. I just wing the drum's peak by ear using different headphones, so I don't have a steady rule for this. I often read that kicks are usually at -6db, and snares at -8db, but that's a bit too loud for me. Any tips would be appreciated.I'd love to assist but like you I don't have any steady rules for drums. Mixing at low levels and even mono helps greatly. Also I usually work exclusively with studio or semi-studio headphones, which generally have greater sensitivity and great coverage of the audio frequency spectrum (consumer ones generally over-amplify certain frequency ranges, usually bass).
I usually do:
Leads at -19~-12db
Bass at -20db
Percussives at -12~-6db
then I just master them using additive gain and EQ. I've seen somewhere that it's better to mix at low levels, but my headphone's sensitivity is pretty low. It's only at about -30~ish.
As for panning...I don't hard-pan, but usually I just do them by ear. I don't follow a steady rule on this either. >.<Ditto....
It's not supposed to be a complex theme, though I think I should've added some more accents.A bit more variety is definitely something that'd fit here. Also more variety in tones.
But all in all, it's pretty much the same composition. Funny how something that I fixed for an hour could sound so much the same. :yukkuri:
Do you really think so ? I found it to be a very good improvement over the original mix.
(http://tindeck.com/image/syoo/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/syoo)Not bad, not bad.
械時計の歌 ~ Wounded Clockwork Doll
An OC request by Just50001 for his/her character Eva Lundahl.
First things first, I changed my rendering technique in order to make room for enhanced stereo separation + delay widening during the mastering stage. I don't know if it sounds better though. Well, it just sounds louder on a mono headphone.I can definitely notice that.
:P
Anyway, I was messing with some stuff with THfont, like the squares and pianos. Had also some fun with portamento in making the "spring sound" around 0:30 ~ 0:52. Also, as PARU once recommended, I tried to do some basic counterpointing in the composition. Also dropped some trumpet parts and exchanged it for the flutes, cause flutes are awesome. Why? Because a theme with a flute's sake NOT EVEN ONE DROP. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1hufXK4FDc)Pianos are meh, but it's to do with the soundfont. Then again it's not like the Hyper Canvas/TTS-1 and SD-xx series pianos (maybe bar the SD-50 but that is not related to the other SD modules) are much better.
Regardless, I still have to work on my oversaturating issues. I exchanged FL Limiter for FL Soft Clipper in order to lessen distortion approaching -5db, but I guess the main problem is still at the fundamental level. Awww...Problem's still likely at amplification and compression areas.
I still need to work on making my compositions clearer without making it sound too "bright" and Midi-y. :/Yeah, I'll say 'more clear' to that.
Or maybe just clearer.
Pianos are meh, but it's to do with the soundfont. Then again it's not like the Hyper Canvas/TTS-1 and SD-xx series pianos (maybe bar the SD-50 but that is not related to the other SD modules) are much better.If this keeps up, I'll stick with Hyper Canvas instead. Less of a hassle to EQ at varying freqs, but it eats more CPU.
While I like the portamento usage, I am not so sure of the patch that is used for the base.Portamento part was done with THfont's Dulcimer set at 1:05 (bar slide) accompanied by a custom made harmonics sound done using a FL's FMDX10 synthesizer. It's barely audible, but coupled with the square pitched at +10 cents, it sounds interesting.
Yep, I hear some countermelodies.I'll keep that combination in mind. I'm still unfamiliar with composing original pieces, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
ZUN tends to use more Flute Vib., Hybrid Saw, and Reed Romance (Alto + Tenor Sax) over Romantic Tp., especially on UFO and later.
Problem's still likely at amplification and compression areas.It might be just be me, but THfont sounds over-amplified when it was sampled...well, I guess it comes with being free...
Yeah, I'll say 'more clear' to that.Aye, I'll do better next time.
I suggest you start playing with the ADSR (Attack/Delay/Sustain/Release) envelopes for the instruments. This may involve loading the SF2 in a VST host such as SFZ+ (free, and allows for GUI-based parameter adjustment per channel), direct adjustment with integrated GUI, or the use of SysEx commands to adjust it.I'm not sure if it's the same ADSR in the FL soundfont player but...
Thanks for the feedback PARU. You always seem to give useful info in your every post. I might consider stalking you now. XDEhe...also funny how the PARU name is still retained after two name changes on my part :V
If this keeps up, I'll stick with Hyper Canvas instead. Less of a hassle to EQ at varying freqs, but it eats more CPU.IIRC you can set Hyper Canvas/TTS-1 on Light Load mode to reduce its need for CPU.
Portamento part was done with THfont's Dulcimer set at 1:05 (bar slide) accompanied by a custom made harmonics sound done using a FL's FMDX10 synthesizer. It's barely audible, but coupled with the square pitched at +10 cents, it sounds interesting.Ah.
I'll keep that combination in mind. I'm still unfamiliar with composing original pieces, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.I was just listing various SD-80/90 patches ZUN uses. You can approximate them, though, with a little parameter tweaking and instrument layering. *looks at Bigode's, Spaztique's, and my psuedo-ZUNpet patches made with Hyper Canvas/TTS-1*
It might be just be me, but THfont sounds over-amplified when it was sampled...well, I guess it comes with being free...Yeah, usually free soundfonts aren't that good. The one I tend to use most is SGM, which is a good bit larger than THFont, and even then I prefer using Hyper Canvas, VSC, and S-YXG50 VSTis, even though the latter two have very basic interfaces (S-YXG50 doesn't even have a GUI for adjusting instruments ???).
I should do more aggressive subtractive gains next time.Chord -> Melody -> Percussion is a common and easy way to quickly write music. Admittedly I tend to do Melody -> Bass -> Harmony -> Counterparts -> Percussion more often, however. :ohdear:
Or maybe I should follow some MIDI composition habits that I saw on youtube.
Chords first. Then melody. Then percussion.
Not Melody+chords+percussion, then pads. I think I used 30+ channels on this track.
I'm not sure if it's the same ADSR in the FL soundfont player but...Yeah, that is about right.
(http://i54.tinypic.com/1zw0n89.jpg)
Is it something like that? I've never tinkered with it before since I don't really know what they do (besides Attack, I was messing with it for sometime now).
wow that's some lossy jpeg...MS Paint's jpeg conversion really blows.Convert to PNG instead. Also get Paint.NET.
too energeticReally? *sips coffee*
lower the cutoffWhat does cutoff do? I can't seem to hear anything besides lowering the maximum frequency of the patch. I've never touched that control since then.
- Use Piano 1 St. instead of Piano 1 on Hyper Canvas. It's more manipulable and doesn't have as much of that cheesy bright MIDI feel.Aww. I kinda liked that patch. >.<
Really? *sips coffee*Yeah, it is a bit energetic and that coffee isn't helping (though I could use some...morning over here and I've been up for a while now).
Seriously though, I still need to work on synchronizing my emotions with what I do. My tracks still feel unattached to me.
Meh, I'll probably understand it with experience.
What does cutoff do? I can't seem to hear anything besides lowering the maximum frequency of the patch. I've never touched that control since then.It is, in a sense, a frequency limiter for patches. Increasing cutoff will take off the higher frequencies, resulting in a darker, less articulated sound.
What I've read doesn't seem to help, because it just confirmed my assumptions. I don't know any clear use for it yet.
Aww. I kinda liked that patch. >.<Well, in the General MIDI standard Patch 2 (or 1, depending on implementation :V) is a Bright Piano. I like to use Piano 2 St. a lot when relying on Hyper Canvas/TTS-1 or the Classic Bank of the SD-20/80/90 (which the Hyper Canvas and TTS-1 are based off of).
I like the bright feeling on my piano sounds (though I hate it on everything else, especially on strings and basses). That's why I still use the Microsoft GS Wavetable's Patch 1 to 3 from time to time. :P
I am beginning to wonder why "cheesy" is the favorite adjective in describing Midi-ish sounds.The term 'Cheesy' is used for MIDI descriptions because they tend to sound very fake and inexpressibly clich?. It also doesn't help that 99% of people rely exclusively on the MSGS synth or QuickTime Music Synthesizer, both of which are licensed and heavily bastardized versions of the SC-55 sound map.
Even FL Studio uses that adjective.
There's even a website that uses the word to describe their Midis.
I'm getting hungry.Muffins and scones go great with coffee. ;)
(http://tindeck.com/image/fojg/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/fojg)FM synthesis :*
ニモ行先 ∼ Nemo dat quod non habet
First try with FM synthesis. This was tracked using VGM Music Maker (developed by Shiru) and recorded to 22~khz with Wave out sampling. This link is Mp3 though, so I had to upsample it again to 44~khz. Audacity punches me in the face when it tries to convert a 22~khz sample to mp3. Must be my outdated lame_enc.dll.
:P
Anyway, my musical urge is like a blank wall for two weeks now (I'm painting it red though, so I'm not too bored). I decided to try out FM synthesis and frankly, I don't have a clue what I am doing. All those knobs in the instrument settings are making me dizzy. :smokedcheese:FM synthesis is considered difficult but with the right controls and experimentation you can get some very good results!
In the end, I just used Hoot's drum samples and the instrument presets available with the download. I have no clue how to make melodic sounds with FM (aside from the "beep" sound...) so I'm stuck with them atm.
On a good note though, FM synthesis lets me practice my keyboarding skills...on my keyboard. Literally on my typing keyboard. Yay :toot:Isn't VGM Music Maker a tracker program? You're practising with tracker notation, really, not FM. FM synthesis can be done just as well or even better with other programs, VSTis/AUs, and even hardware controllers or synths.
I don't really like Hoot's drum samples and presets.I don't know how to make my own FM drums. I've read somewhere that the PSG channel can be used for Crash cymbals, but I can't make anything other than static noise. >.<
IIRC VGM Music Maker emulates a YM2612 (Sega Megadrive) and not a YM2608/YM288 (NEC PC-98). Therefore there are slight differences that need to be noted. I'm more partial to the sounds of the YM2612, YM2151 (Capcom CPS1), and especially the DX-7, personally, but I digress.I...have no way of distinguishing the chipsets. I've never heard anything other than emulated chiptunes. :P
Anyways, to song....I'm using all the provided FM (6) channels, the sixth channel being used for the wave sample bank. I'm still experimenting with it though, so I expect myself to improve. As for variety...I need to find more settings, or learn the basics of wave modulation...
Pads seem to have too little attack and tend to overpower. Lead instrument seems to have too much sustain, and a bit more variety would be nice (use all the channels!)
For examples of FM synthesis, I'd take a listen at the OSTs of Bare Knuckle / Streets of Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVYx0OgWdbE&feature=related) series, Megadrive Sonic games (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyoMQg3d5cs), Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDqNWio9RgU&feature=related), and Alien Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCvW2pulO6E) (oh, and this Tim Follin song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg)). I don't think ZUN is a very good example.
Isn't VGM Music Maker a tracker program? You're practising with tracker notation, really, not FM. FM synthesis can be done just as well or even better with other programs, VSTis/AUs, and even hardware controllers or synths.
I don't know how to make my own FM drums. I've read somewhere that the PSG channel can be used for Crash cymbals, but I can't make anything other than static noise. >.<FM drums are not too hard, at least not FM bass drums and maybe some hi-hats. I'd suggest better samples instead, especially for Megadrive-style FM synthesis. (though the sound quality of the samples better not be too good or it'll ruin the feel :V)
I...have no way of distinguishing the chipsets. I've never heard anything other than emulated chiptunes. :PI've heard a fair share of both actual and emulated hardware, and from what I've heard they do have their differences in implementation, channels, operators, and miscellaneous features.
I'm using all the provided FM (6) channels, the sixth channel being used for the wave sample bank. I'm still experimenting with it though, so I expect myself to improve. As for variety...I need to find more settings, or learn the basics of wave modulation...All at once? Hm, there can still be more flexibility.
On the other hand, I can't seem to understand the use of PSG channels...PSG channels (square waves + noise in the case of the 2612) were used for all sorts of purposes. One of the most common ones was to act as an echo layer for the main instruments which were based on the FM chip. They are also frequently used in harmony portions.
I guess so. I can make weird sound effects with it though.Same with all the rest.
I don't want to use the heavier VSTis since it eats up CPU and makes composition very hard.Ah, gotcha. There are some light ones around IIRC (VOPM comes to mind).
All at once? Hm, there can still be more flexibility.
How do you compose music with "real" FM synthesis anyway? Most of what I've seen or read in the Internet are about making sound effects and samples with it, like with Sytrus VST (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4OWsez10Zg) in FL.In a similar manner as other forms of synthesis - get instruments (or make them! :D), write track, mix and edit, publish.
External samples are fine I guess, but I really want to figure out how to mess with the wave modulation operators. The documentation of the software only comes with the basic explanation of the operator's ASDR envelope and the desired algorithms for linking the operators.YM2612 did not really do this - just raw ADPCM samples that did not really have effects applied. The operator algorithms appear to be more for the FM synthesis portions, since the chips are operator-based (DX-7 had 6 sine wave operators, for instance).
I like to make my own sounds ever since I heard FM tracker's using their own instrument settings for their tracks; they turned out pretty good.This part is especially fun with the right controller / software. I tend to use FM1 in Logic, which creates sounds very quickly but lacks some of the more intricate technical parts that characterize FM synthesis for many.
I actually used only three instruments. An bass, the Vibraphone lead, and the Acoustic backer (not my operator presets. I Just ripped them from existing demo tracks that came with the software, the name came from the original tracks). I just used different octaves for different parts. VGM Music Maker can only play one sample in a frame, and uses one FM channel (FM6) for sample output, disabling any effects and volume instructions in that channel....I say more instruments are needed. It seems to show a repeat of one of your trends - using a few instruments across many roles and a wide spectrum - which doesn't really add up much to auditory interest.
All in all, FM tracking is quite fun. I might try doing another track sometime. Shame that I have to follow TV frames for the bpm...it bugs me that I have to use weird float-point values as my bpm.That's tracker-based sequencing for ya. I never had to follow TV frames myself, however, but I used OpenMPT instead.
The operator algorithms appear to be more for the FM synthesis portions, since the chips are operator-based (DX-7 had 6 sine wave operators, for instance).
It seems to show a repeat of one of your trends - using a few instruments across many roles and a wide spectrum - which doesn't really add up much to auditory interest.
Ah, I see. So technically speaking, tracking and FM synthesis are two different steps. I don't like the prospect of hunting down soundchips in my country (I'll probably find used sound chips in Raon (http://i52.tinypic.com/rrjwn6.jpg) - a place in my country that's full of people and stuff that you don't expect to turn up there, but I hate crowds *shudders* ). I'll probably stick with soft synths for now :smokedcheese:For FM, softsynths are getting better for general use, particularly with newer work environments which use very few, if any, pieces of hardware and are all run from the DAW. I'd leave the actual hardware for enthusiasts and purists.
Ah, so that's how it is. VGM uses four sine operators for FM synthesis, with the designated generators and modulators assigned for each algorithm. Going to mess with it for a while.Oh, it's a 4-operator FM chip? Well...I know some of Yamaha's 4-op (and later 8-op) synths were able to work with different types of waves and not just sine. Does VGM have that option?
I gotta find some way to break this wall. I've been experimenting with the PSG channels, and I find the noise channel more suitable for snares instead of the Hoot Samples. I can't seem to make tones in PSG that doesn't sound "square"-ish, but I guess I can use it for the sixteenth note mayhem FM trackers usually do.Some games made use of FM snares instead, maybe with noise channel to complement that.
I'm getting progress with FL, but I'm becoming more meticulous in mixing.....Ah, basic style of mixing, I see.
I still can't do the technique with pianos. When I mix them in a track, they become either too soft, or too overpowering. I can't seem to mix them in the "middle" of the track.For that I'd try lowering the cutoff a little bit to muddy the crisp sound (takes out the latter), at least.
However, the main weakness I'm facing with thFont are pads....This is one issue with many soundfonts and lower-end synthesizers - lack of proper sound balancing between the patches. This is one reason why Roland synthesizers in particular were so commonly used in the 1990s - the sounds were very well-balanced between synth-like and realistic, solo and ensemble, and between each other.
Sakuya is going to kill me for this post.Not sure about that. :V
Reimu, to me, seems to give off this expression of happily-satisfied smile, while having a part in her feelings or wherever that she doesn't want to let others (viewer) know... At least, that's what I can read from your fanartMaybe somebody donated a reasonable amount of money? d_(^o^)_b
I say, instead of a negative result, the bad lighting effect complements on its pencil-monochrome-ness and sketchyness, giving your drawing this nice, traditional-art-by-the-light atmosphere :3... Not to mention your drawing style is cute~<3, like I said before >w<
(Anunsew, I miss you, you seem to have gone a long way since my last reply here, especially with EP around discussing you with related things and eeeehh~<3 >////<...)Aww~I miss you too. You need to post more compositions in your thread. I really like your style. :D
(http://i53.tinypic.com/15qvj9c.png)Current box - 'Please select your default sound set'
...Gah. My Japanese is limited. Any translations would be appreciated.
It's really a hassle, but I kind of like many of my midi device's sounds. The sawtooth is quite delicious, da ze.Yeah, they have a way of growing on ya! XD
Current box - 'Please select your default sound set'Thanks! That's a great help!
Buttons & checkmarks - 'Setup SPDIF', 'Default settings (D)', and 'Reside SoundMax in taskbar' (last one is a bit of a stretch, but it'll do)
Tabs - current one is MIDI Music Synthesizer, other one is Mic.
Yeah, they have a way of growing on ya! XDYup~ They sound a lot better than some thFont patches and Edirol even. XD
Make some filthy touhou dubstepEr...what?
Make some filthy touhou dubstepAnunsew seems to do more ZUN-style works. For that, well, contact others like Bio who is into more electronic styles.
Er...what?Dubstep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubstep) + Touhou melody = dubstep remix! ...can't assist with this one.
Please elaborate your request, I'm not sure I understand...
...and yeah, I use 'electronic' as a blanket term here, so....Ah. So dubstep is yet another genre in the genre-filled genre of music. >.<
Dubstep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubstep) + Touhou melody = dubstep remix! ...can't assist with this one.
Anunsew seems to do more ZUN-style works.And still failing at that, IMHO. XD
For that, well, contact others like Bio who is into more electronic styles.This board needs moar music threads. There's already an art thread, why doesn't it have a music thread? :smokedcheese:
Myself, I do more rock-style with electronic and classical influence. Actually, put it as game music. :V
There's already an art thread, why doesn't it have a music thread? :smokedcheese:Made one. ;) (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,10993.0.html)
And still failing at that, IMHO. XDStill quite good considering it's just THFont and a small bit of Hyper Canvas!
You really should remake some of your older stuff. You might have sent me the MIDI, but i wont be able to do much with it....er...you are Cablecarento from YT, right? The midi is pretty much the body of Mei's theme. I only added a soundfont to it, since I didn't know much about VSTs back then. I might consider rearranging my old stuff, but my main priority right now is to clean up my request backlog. I'm picking up some new techniques with every request that I do, so I'm viewing them as a training ground before I go around tackling my own arranges.
I'd contemplate changing to orchestral drumset and adjusting the pattern. Or using a bit more synth over orchestra for the backing areas.I have a limited knowledge of using the orchestral drumset properly, but I guess I have some time to study it...
AND GODDAMNIT MSGS PIANO KILL THAT ABOMINATION ~: (
: (Well, that's what electric grands (no they're not the same as electric pianos) are for. And MSGS, SC-55, and MT-32/CM-series don't have a very convincing acoustic grand.
I'm still trying to find a good piano synth though. While I have HC, I still like MSGS piano better. The artificial sounding piano is moe~
:P
Well, that's what electric grands (no they're not the same as electric pianos) are for. And MSGS, SC-55, and MT-32/CM-series don't have a very convincing acoustic grand.
...if it makes you feel better, I'm not treating them as acoustic instruments. :derp:I'd still prefer the SC-55 piano for that purpose, and add a few effects :V
EDIT:Super Quartet is a piano/bass/guitar/drum VSTi. There are a handful of SD-90 samples in it, namely the Jazz and Rock basses, and overall I think it sounds good and has quite a bit of customization.
I've read somewhere *probably from Master Bigode, but I couldn't be sure* that Super Quartet from Roland has good piano sounds. Any details about the synth would be nice, since I'm getting confused from the different versions that I've seen from Googling...
Super Quartet is a piano/bass/guitar/drum VSTi. There are a handful of SD-90 samples in it, namely the Jazz and Rock basses, and overall I think it sounds good and has quite a bit of customization.*puts this one the checking list*
I'd still prefer the SC-55 piano for that purpose, and add a few effects :VAck, my hardware synth problem is becoming apparent again. :(
You were trying to imitate the Reed Romance patch used in UFO and TD, it seems.
Reed Romance, an SD-90 patch, is a layered Alto and Tenor Sax, with extra reverb and the Enhancer MFX.
Crispy muted guitar.I misread it as "creepy", :getdown:
Sounds like a good bit more compression was used.
Yup. And as you can see, it was not even remotely successful. ;3Enhancer is built into the SD-90 as the 6th MFX effect.
Enhancer MFX? It looks a little bit complicated from what I've read here. (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov99/articles/ntonyx.htm) :ohdear:
What is it exactly? I can't seem to understand it. Is it like a humanizer tool? :derp:
The Exciter plugin generates high frequency components that are not part of the original signal by employing a nonlinear distortion process that resembles overdrive and distortion effects.
I misread it as "creepy", :getdown:Hehe, gotcha.
I forced a compression on it using FL's Blood Overdrive. It's kind of crude compared to other effects, but it gets the job done...for now. It will have to do until I get my hands on better samples, synths, and effect generators. I passed the resulting signal to an equalizer to filter noise and HF sounds.
Is crispy a compliment for a guitar sound? :PI am no guitarist, so I can't really say whether that is a good description. ^^;
I see you have been playing with synth basses. You probably already know this, but synth basses are more flexible than acoustic basses in that you can go crazy with effects. The most common and genre neutral effects are probably distortion, stereo delay and heavy chorus. I recommend you to try them out if you haven't done so already, specially stereo delay.
(˚∇˚)I'm not really skilled (look at my earlier works, they're not exactly what you'd call 'good'). I just practice and read a lot about music.
I need to download all of your arranges.
You're just really amazing;;
LEND ME SOME OF THOSE MUSIC SKILLS.
Oh, and happy birthday ! BV
(˚∇˚)
Happy Birthday !!
Ah, so I found you,*paranoia alarms sounding
the one whom Miki stated created a theme for her.*turns of paranoia alarm*
Season's greetings.
Usually, people use chorus as a send with low pre-delay, LFO rate and feedback to increase the stereo width of a sound without changing its character much, but with synth sounds you can use it as an insert effect to change how the sound flows.I don't know much about LFO, but I can kind of understand the pre-delay + feedback (FL's Fruity Delay VST has that option) effect on the stereo. I'll try messing with the Chorus send effect...
Season's greetings to you too. You seemed to have gone to some lengths tracing me. :p
@The_EPNot a problem. ;)
Thanks for the comment. :3
Anyway, I've been experimenting with the synth samples, but thFont is not making it easy for me (panning and volume differences between the sample's octaves), but I figured how to do a workaround without invoking too many soundfont players (via FL's automation; multiple instances is just waiting for a CPU underrun...).I usually invoke a few synthesizer AUs instead and then add effects and layering on top, as sampled synths just sound like crap IMO. In your case using VOPM, Synth1, and SUPERWAVE P8 (maybe FM8 and ChipSounds if money and hardware permit) would be a good idea for doing just that rather than relying on SF2s.
Drum pans are actually unintended. I guess I didn't pay attention to the drum samples too much during the mixing phase. It turns out that the thDrum TR-909 (SC-55) samples are not recorded mono like the Room and Power kit, so I need to manually feed them to a mono channel before connecting them to the master channel. I'll try to avoid the weird drum pans in the future. (On the other hand, I kind of like Amiga sounds...)Hehe, that is odd. Usually drums are panned in the centre of the mix with other things either at centre or to a side (such as the hi-hats). And yeah, I too like the Amiga sounds, but that involves figuring out how to write music in tracker notation instead :V
I always seem to learn the hard way. It sucks not being a genius,Well, on the other hand it's a lot more fun to learn that way! :getdown:
..currently listening to prog rock and goth rock music to get some fresh perspective in music...And then you pick up a bunch of Follin influence in the process :V
If I might ask, what is your policy on theme requests?Request...and, er wait. I still have a backlog of requests for OCs, but I prioritize direct requests from active game projects.
Sadly, mine would have also been for OCs. Granted, considering I've read the profiles of all of the ones you did themes for (and converse with the creators,) mine would be a tad... different.
@Irate Researchers
Can you provide their name and biological profiles? I may try doing an artwork for practice.
Thoughts/.:
>>Warlock
For some reason, he reminds me of Lezard Valeth. The story is a lot different though, so I guess that was a bit unwarranted. >.<
I have a question though, who sealed him? Also, is he in an Alternate Dim.?
>>Dragonfly
Military now reminds me of Seihou series. I guess she's a more moe version of Gates?
I have a weird collection of memories.
I would like to inform you that the characters in question now have completed images that can be utilized.
Clark's might have a familiar face on it. http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t455/chiaroscurio/Art/DEM-1.jpg (http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t455/chiaroscurio/Art/DEM-1.jpg)
Lorno is just... Lorno http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/052/0/4/spr___12_free_request__irateresearchers_by_thearashi-d4qj8l9.jpg (http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/052/0/4/spr___12_free_request__irateresearchers_by_thearashi-d4qj8l9.jpg)
( 東方 OC Request) Battle's Palette ~ Multitudes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJu_XspQkOM)
Mp3 (http://www.mediafire.com/?ob33cq4b81ww9be)
As requested by: ultimadragon88
So it's me going back to basics in this track. I stopped using most VSTi's in this track and minimized my CPU usage by only using thFont for this track. And it turned out pretty well. XD
I also realized that I'm taking a wrong approach in music composition. Instead of studying it, maybe I should take a page from ZUN's book and try to feel it. Still, it's pretty hard since I'm not really good at expressing feelings in any way whatsoever.
Regardless, I've been pretty swamped with work lately. Balancing my part-time job, studies, and hobbies is like doing a nitroglycerin juggle. I think I'm going to explode right now...XD.
Well, I have no intention in repeating this semester... :(
I also realized that I'm taking a wrong approach in music composition. Instead of studying it, maybe I should take a page from ZUN's book and try to feel it. Still, it's pretty hard since I'm not really good at expressing feelings in any way whatsoever.I think it comes naturally - I haven't gotten a grip at expression yet, either. Keep working on compositions for now, and also start deriving more from your source material as a way to develop your own style.
For just a single SF2 it works quite effectively. I guess you have taken into account the nuances of THFont.But it's generally better than any soundfont I've come across so far. I've also been working with it for the longest time, so I think I should stop hiding behind the excuse of thFont's limitations.
Build-up is nicely done at the start. Fairly decent transitions. I think the drum backings could use different intonations at parts. Melody string/trumpet combination almost overpowers around 1:35 or so.Not to mention that the hats and other high frequency sounds have been improperly filtered. Applying a low-pass at 12.5khz and a peak at 15khz to enhance the sampled synths taught me that it's not always a good idea.
I think it comes naturally - I haven't gotten a grip at expression yet, either. Keep working on compositions for now, and also start deriving more from your source material as a way to develop your own style.I guess that's the only thing I can do right now. XD
But it's generally better than any soundfont I've come across so far. I've also been working with it for the longest time, so I think I should stop hiding behind the excuse of thFont's limitations.That's not too much of a problem. I was saying that I think you had enough experience working with this SF2 that you know its strengths and weaknesses quite well, and have found ways to get the most out of it. Same is true for any synth, VSTi, SF2, etc.; to fully utilise them one has to devote tens (most soundfonts, sound modules) if not hundreds or even thousands of hours (in the case of 6+-op FM synths or very advanced professional sets).
Orchestra Pad + Romantic Tp is still a work in progress. The Pad compensates for the lack of bass freqs in my local Roma, but it also has an annoying fuzz at around 8khz and 11 khz. I can't notch them properly without sacrificing the main tones... I'm thinking of using a side-chained eq, but that would consume too much CPU and makes the VST wiring too complex. >.<Might be a good idea to do so anyway.