Thanks for the feedback! I'll go around and give comments a bit later, but for now...
@Phil32: The first character theme belonged to a character with a sweet, innocent personality. She's something called a Knight of Cosmos, which means she's magically connected to a location in outer space, so I wanted to keep a "starry" feel to it. The second belongs to a character who has power over fear; what she has done with her power gives her a reputation for being ruthless, cruel, and dangerous. However, she has a sad backstory (she was exiled from her homeworld as a child because of her power), so I wanted the theme to give a feeling of empty sadness along with intimidation.
@Tirian: I'm getting there when it comes to learning the theory... I'll have to give my sources another looking-over, because it's the one thing that just doesn't stick. Also, how do you alter velocity? I found an option in Musescore but I'm not sure what I should set the velocity value to and if I have to do it for each note (that is, if each note should have a different velocity or if I can just alter it once and then leave it at that value for the duration of the song).
I did find some soundfonts yesterday (well, more like found several and revisited one); I'll try using those in my next song (or I'll kick it between Musescore and LMMS so that I can actually use Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra- I don't think MuseScore has the option of using .sfzs).
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Also, how do you alter velocity? I found an option in Musescore but I'm not sure what I should set the velocity value to and if I have to do it for each note (that is, if each note should have a different velocity or if I can just alter it once and then leave it at that value for the duration of the song).
I don't think Musescore lets you do that, you might want to look for another DAW for that. Musescore is ood when you have good understanding of music theory and when you have actual instruments (or even an orchestral) with you to play your song. -
6 hours ago, Sami-Fire64 said:
Also, how do you alter velocity? I found an option in Musescore but I'm not sure what I should set the velocity value to and if I have to do it for each note (that is, if each note should have a different velocity or if I can just alter it once and then leave it at that value for the duration of the song).
in terms of music production via a software which emulates the sounds, it can be also called attack velocity, which gets into Human Playback in Finale software for instance. Say you have a grace note, that would be the shortest velocity possible for most software of manuscript. The actual delay between the emission of the sound, any additional frames at which the sound is emitted, velocity does impact. But if you are just doing an edit of manuscript that can be read by a real life musician, I suggest altering the speed of notes, that is the length of them. So if you have a half note, you can double or half it. All notes may be doubled or halved, and then quartered longer or shorter and so on using the doted notations (not staccato). Although staccato does alter the length of a note, but the duration change is up to the software emulation or performer.
If you don't want to alter the actual lengths of notes, you can alter tempo and slow the entire thing down without re-arranging the score. Moderato is what most people without hibition speak at, it is also within the range of the human heart beat when the heart is healthy, between 85-120. Adagio is below that. Allegro is faster than that. There are more, I recommend investing in a mechanical metronome, because it will tell you, or even manuscript software, as the articulations have some notes about their uses.
The other way to alter the velocity, is duplets vs triplets and so on. You can pair as many notes of the same weight (length) together and have them played out in the space of X amount of them. So three eighth notes in two eights worth of time, or about 1 single beat for every three notes played in 4/4. This effect can also be achieved by changing the time signature from 4/4 (or C) to 9/8 (6/8 or 3/8).
Anyways, best of luck. -
Wow! There're so many talented people here.
I have not much experience in making game music, but this is a song I make for my game :)
Btw, I don't know if I can post kind of a cover here or not XD I made a cover of Mario theme song :p -
that first song should be made more loopable friendly to be used in a game :) but I like it. by loopable I mean possibly return to a less speedy rhythm/melody.
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@chungsie thanks! there's a loopable version of it, but I didn't upload XD
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Hello again, gang. I'm selecting songs from my current soundtrack to share one at a time so I don't take too much attention away from the much more impressive offerings by the rest of you!
Here is a character theme for a polite, yet bullied character (but not by his friends or the party, of course) in my game.
https://philstortzum.bandcamp.com/track/innocence-lost-noahs-theme -
I feel like it's a bit too cheerful for a bullying victim. Maybe make it have sad undertones to show the pain he hides under his politeness.
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I feel like it's a bit too cheerful for a bullying victim. Maybe make it have sad undertones to show the pain he hides under his politeness.
I'm hoping it comes more across as a hopeful theme, but how would you alter it? And thanks for the feedback! :) -
So, your song's in C, right? So, I'm picturing some nice, soft A minor chords in the background (not just the base chord, though). And I'm not sure if I'm liking the choir so much. I think a better thing would be some warm woodwind in its place. If you must do choir, maybe a bit in the background. I like it at about 1:20 where you have the other instrument coming in (I can't figure out what it is). Maybe changing the backing at that part to be a little bit melancholic, like he's trying to be optimistic, but that sadness is still hanging there.
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@callmedan I like the calm. I hear a fair bit of clipping though... I hope it's just my speakers. D:
@Phil32 My only gripe is your sample quality. :S You can totally tell these are soundfonts. (Still not as bad as Finale, though. Sorry; it's true!)
Also, don't be afraid to throw in some sharps/flats too, bruh!
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Right then. This is a piece from two years ago for a now-defunct RM game project. (For those of you who've been around long enough, you know who you are.)
I had re-arranged it and remastered it. -
@Ghost Galaxy Thanks! btw, you mean the noise in the background? My English is quite bad so I can't understand what people say sometimes XD It's not your speakers. There's something wrong with my vst then it caused the those noise :(
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What would be some better sounding sounfonts or whatnot for my music?
And for your piece, Ghost Galaxy, it's such a jaunty tune at the start, and if I'm hearing correctly, it smoothly transitions into a minor key? Regardless, I love it! -
The subtle background chords should be either strings, cello maybe, or piano.
In the place of the choir, put maybe a flute of a clarinet. If you want to know how that would sound, listen to my piece, Mettle. The melody is done with clarinet. I do like the synths in the background though. Something about it does give that feeling. -
The subtle background chords should be either strings, cello maybe, or piano.
In the place of the choir, put maybe a flute of a clarinet. If you want to know how that would sound, listen to my piece, Mettle. The melody is done with clarinet. I do like the synths in the background though. Something about it does give that feeling.
Actually, VSTs are the way to go, @Phil32... They're of MUCH higher quality than soundfonts.. some are free and some you have to pay for. (But is it worth it to you? )
And yes, it goes to minor. Everything feels happy until that point. -
SpoilerThe bass is too muddy, too much low end that makes the bass not clear enough.
The trumpets should be louder, and perhaps a bit more reverb?
Also it gets a bit repetitive after a while, I'd try a bridge with a slight chord variation.
Feels very MIDI, you should play with the velocity to make it feel more "human".
As for the reverb, I think there is just the right amount, overall a good song.
I think the problem with this one isn't the reverb, but the sounds you used. I'd suggest looking for more soundfonts until you find one that you like (that might involve having to invest a little bit in VST ;P )
I agree that free choir soundfonts are pretty hard to find, right now I'm thinking of saving to buy a high quality one, but they are very expensive...
You want your "backing sound" to be moving, not just a single note that drones in the background.
And the only valuable tip I can give you on harmony is to learn the theory. There is no way around it, and it will definitely help you in the long run.
Plus we live in 2016, with this wonderful tool known as the Internet, where you can find FREE TUTORIALS basically anywhere :D
I don't know if you've ever taken music class but whether you have or not I'd suggest having a look at http://openmusictheory.com/contents.html and read from the beginning.
You should add a bass, the low end is only occupied by the kick (which, by the way, I don't really like, you should look for another sample)
I've never dealt with vocals so I don't really know how to mix them, but the least I can say is that it needs some...
... you guessed it.
reverb
> My Sword Shall Break The Rules
Really good! I think the only criticism I can give would be to make the drums a tad louder, would make the track "move" more.
> Capital of Royal Family
Again, very shy on the percussion.
> Orange Sunlit Trees
The end was a bit... abrupt ^_^
Seriously, I really like your style! What software/plugins do you use?
I want to hear that clavecin more, you should raise the volume of that.
Same as Strato, the ending is just a straight 'cut'.
I don't know if you want your song to loop but I'd be careful and make sure it works well when looping from the start, cause right now you can hear a distinct cut when replaying the song.
The trick is to take the "tail" of the song, which is the decaying sound after your cut, and play it at the same time as the song starts. That way when you play the song on repeat it loops flawlessly.
I'm getting Grizzly Hills vibes from this :)
The fact that you play the violin is a strong asset, you should take advantage of that and use it in you songs!
Distortion at 1:00 :headshake:
You should be really carefull with that, it can kill a song very easily (when accidental, or when there is too much. For instance, it has nothing to do here)
Other than that small accident, it sounds great!
Added a spoiler because wall of text :guffaw:
I'm sorry, what do you mean by a distortion? xD
Also thanks for the tutorial you posted!
@Callmedan Very nice atmosphere, I like Fairy Forest really much ;)
@Ghot Galaxy Very nice tune. I love how it changes from major to minor throughout the piece
EDIT: Lol I forgot to put my own track here for feeback XD
I composed it yesterday, I worked on it almost 6 hours straight o.o
I don't really like it, I think it's too generic and bland. Well, I still learned something new ( finally I understood how to add reverb XD ) :D -
@Shuji Thanks! :D Your track is nice, I like it, especial the strings.
Btw, how do you guy come up with those nice ideas. I always try to make something as simple as possible (but beautiful enough and fit the scenes, of course) XD That's why my music is never good :guffaw: -
SpoilerRight then. This is a piece from two years ago for a now-defunct RM game project. (For those of you who've been around long enough, you know who you are.)
I'd add a little more emotion to it, for MIDI it works very well, but I would play it on an actual piano (or play with the velocity to make it more "human")
If you chose to make it MIDI as artistic choice or to fit the mood of the other tracks, then nevermind :p
What would be some better sounding sounfonts or whatnot for my music?
Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra is a really good sample library for that, mixed properly it can sounds (almost) professional, and it's free!
http://sso.mattiaswestlund.net/
I'm sorry, what do you mean by a distortion? xD
From Wikipedia:
"Distortion is the alteration of the original shape (or other characteristic) of something, such as an object, image, sound or waveform.
Distortion is usually unwanted, and so engineers strive to eliminate distortion, or minimize it."
Here's an audio example of distortion:
Now listen to your track, when the trumpet comes in. Notice how, in the higher notes, there is this fizzing sound? That's distortion, and it sounds really bad.
The reason for this is probably due to the sound being too loud, I would suggest adding a limiter plugin on the output signal to put a hard stop at maximum volume, without it affecting the quality of the overall track.
Distortion isn't always a bad thing, you'll find effects to simulate (in a controlled fashion) distortion. Still from Wikipedia:
"Distortion is also used as a musical effect, particularly with electric guitars."
The following video (just watch the first 20 seconds) is someone playing the guitar without any effect, and then activating a distortion pedal. There's a lot of distortion, yet it still sounds good.
You just have to know the difference between good and bad distortion, and generally it all comes down to wanted and unwanted distortion.
Hope this helps :)
EDIT: Lol I forgot to put my own track here for feeback XD
I composed it yesterday, I worked on it almost 6 hours straight o.o
I don't really like it, I think it's too generic and bland. Well, I still learned something new ( finally I understood how to add reverb XD ) :D
That deep percussion has no high end, it definitely feels like it's missing.
The reason you feel your track is bland is probably due to the fact that the instruments are the same throughout the track. Maybe add them progressively, one at a time?
I personnaly like it, I don't feel it's too bland. Good work!
Btw, how do you guy come up with those nice ideas. I always try to make something as simple as possible (but beautiful enough and fit the scenes, of course) XD That's why my music is never good :guffaw:
I honestly don't know how to answer that ._.
Whenever I make a song that's actually (to me at least) good, the first thing I'll have done is usually the main element, the thing that makes it stand out (the melody, the weird glitch riff, the drums with that weird effect I put on them), and it usually flows naturally from there.
But don't worry, it'll come with time.
EDIT --> Spoiler because I like building walls -
Spoiler... for MIDI it works very well...
I don't play piano.
And actually that's not a MIDI, but a real professional-quality sample. :) Everyone's ears are different, I suppose.
SpoilerAnd, just for kicks, I will mention that a professional composer friend was "shocked that I could play piano" when she heard this... but I don't. :pI've been using a mouse all my career!
:) Keyboard work for some, mouse for others. You just have to do what works best for you. )