Your new music thread **formerly 'Music Production Thread'

[raigon50]

Awesome, I didn't notice this thread before. Anyways, I know I've said this before elsewhere, but I do techno.

My website (needs updating)
http://raigoninc.webs.com/

Also, my Newgrounds (haven't uploaded anything in awhile)
http://raigon50.newgrounds.com/

My Myspace (mywhat?)
http://www.myspace.com/raigon50

My Deviantart (I'm not much of an artist though)
http://raigoninc.deviantart.com/

I'll try uploading my new album soo if anyone cares. I just need to make it some album art.

[null1024]

Here's a little pop-punk track I threw together with Beepola for ZX Spectrum hardware.

Check it out

http://soundcloud.com/jonny5-1

Feedback is appreciated.

Oooh, Beepola stuffs!
Not bad. I'm infinitely glad you used synth instead of digital drums, I hate how the digital drums cut out the sound...



Also, on a related note, I did this recently in Beepola:
http://battleofthebits.org/arena/Entry/ ... ZX48/4514/

Awesome stuff man!

It was obviously your songs that got me interested in messing with Beepola in the first place.

I meant to ask, would you mind sharing your .bbsong files with me? I'd really like to take a look at how you are doing some of the more complicated sounding arrangements with the phaser engine.

Personally I enjoy the simplicity of the sound engines and stuff in Beepola; I spend my time composing and not just tweaking and fucking with effects like I end up doing in other trackers. I think it's perfect for laying down uber-poppy melodies and stuff. Very simple catchy stuff that gets stuck in your head.

I write very much in the moment, and once an idea strikes me, usually I need to get it out before the moment passes. I find with most of my tracker work, it's too slow a process(for me) to get it out before I lose the idea, or the groove I had going in my head.

With Beepola I found it very easy to transfer the ideas in my head to the software quickly and effectively.

As for the digital drums, I agree, they aren't great. They punch a bit more but as you said, they interfere with the overall sound. Probably Ok for dancy stuff with just a 4/4 kick drum beat, but I need my snares and cymbals.

I'm thinking about trying to do a track with the music box engine, and depending on what comes out of it, I can lay down drums with the MPC or something. We shall see.

Well, the few Beepola tracks I've done have the .bbsong attached [just click 'donload'].

[jonny5]

sweet, Thanks!

I was grabbing your stuff from your chipmusic account, which just had the mp3's.

I've been studying some of the tracks that come with Beepola as well. Some very interesting stuff there.

[Udderdude]

Also, on a related note, I did this recently in Beepola:
http://battleofthebits.org/arena/Entry/ ... ZX48/4514/

This is definitely more technically interesting than musically. Sounds very C64-ish.

[jonny5]

Also, on a related note, I did this recently in Beepola:
http://battleofthebits.org/arena/Entry/ ... ZX48/4514/

This is definitely more technically interesting than musically. Sounds very C64-ish.

Do you like anything?

You don't listen to anything but pure VGM, do you?

[null1024]

Also, on a related note, I did this recently in Beepola:
http://battleofthebits.org/arena/Entry/ ... ZX48/4514/

This is definitely more technically interesting than musically. Sounds very C64-ish.

Haha, that's what everyone says. Got 5th place in the compo though
I just went off doing random patterns, I really can't seem to work with the two channel limit too well.
The C64 style sound was very intentional though [the PWM sweep is probably my favorite chip-instrument ever, and SID-style arps are niiice].

[Udderdude]

Yes, come to the tracker side! We have cookies. :p

Hooray trackers!

Speaking of trackers, I make music with them. It's only been 4 months between my last two songs. I'm getting better!
http://soundcloud.com/frux

I liked the first one the most, second one was a little bit generic. I don't know about the last two, a bit too wierd/experimental for me. What tracker are you using? I would like to fool around with the source files for the last two.

[flux]

I liked the first one the most, second one was a little bit generic. I don't know about the last two, a bit too wierd/experimental for me. What tracker are you using? I would like to fool around with the source files for the last two.

I use Renoise.
I was kind of on the fence about releasing the second one. I forced myself to keep working on it to get through some writer's block. I never really got much feedback on it.

[Udderdude]

I liked the first one the most, second one was a little bit generic. I don't know about the last two, a bit too wierd/experimental for me. What tracker are you using? I would like to fool around with the source files for the last two.

I use Renoise.
I was kind of on the fence about releasing the second one. I forced myself to keep working on it to get through some writer's block. I never really got much feedback on it.

It could use something more, imo. But if you're done with it, it's done. haha.

What format does Renoise use? Any chance it could be converted to MODPlug Tracker friendly format?

[null1024]

I liked the first one the most, second one was a little bit generic. I don't know about the last two, a bit too wierd/experimental for me. What tracker are you using? I would like to fool around with the source files for the last two.

I use Renoise.
I was kind of on the fence about releasing the second one. I forced myself to keep working on it to get through some writer's block. I never really got much feedback on it.

It could use something more, imo. But if you're done with it, it's done. haha.

What format does Renoise use? Any chance it could be converted to MODPlug Tracker friendly format?

It uses its own custom one, XRNS.
There's a few XRNS2XM converters [like the one here: http://xrns2xmod.codeplex.com/], but IIRC, they have a problem with loud samples [they distort heavily by wrapping around].

EDIT:
just finished this, did this for a compo: http://chipmusic.org/null1024/music/teramind

[Udderdude]

It uses its own custom one, XRNS.
There's a few XRNS2XM converters (like the one here: http://xrns2xmod.codeplex.com/], but IIRC, they have a problem with loud samples [they distort heavily by wrapping around).

Thanks, that'll work.

just finished this, did this for a compo: http://chipmusic.org/null1024/music/teramind

Holy effects Batman. Does this use one of the add-on sound chips? Sounds like it does.

[Zebra Airforce]

Hooray trackers!

Speaking of trackers, I make music with them. It's only been 4 months between my last two songs. I'm getting better!
http://soundcloud.com/frux

Frux? As in Piston Source frux?

[flux]

It uses its own custom one, XRNS.
There's a few XRNS2XM converters (like the one here: http://xrns2xmod.codeplex.com/], but IIRC, they have a problem with loud samples [they distort heavily by wrapping around).

Thanks, that'll work.

I know Thirteen Ghosts doesn't use any VSTs but I think Sad Sounds does. I'd have to check though. If you want the sources, let me know. I used a ton of native effects in both though, so I don't know how that'll translate to MODplug.

Frux? As in Piston Source frux?

Indeed. I think this is the first time I've been recognized from there.

[Zebra Airforce]

Hey, I'm Zebra from Piston Source. Nice to meet you! Small internet

[null1024]

It uses its own custom one, XRNS.
There's a few XRNS2XM converters (like the one here: http://xrns2xmod.codeplex.com/], but IIRC, they have a problem with loud samples [they distort heavily by wrapping around).

Thanks, that'll work.

just finished this, did this for a compo: http://chipmusic.org/null1024/music/teramind

Holy effects Batman. Does this use one of the add-on sound chips? Sounds like it does.

It doesn't! Although loads of my stuff does use expansion audio [/me <3 the N106].
Recently, a few people wrote a program called SuperNSF, which is essentially a converter that takes special IT modules, and does up to 4 channel PCM sample mixing on the NES [using a hack on the DPCM channel], along with the normal chip channels.
Works on real hardware too.

[Udderdude]

Recently, a few people wrote a program called SuperNSF, which is essentially a converter that takes special IT modules, and does up to 4 channel PCM sample mixing on the NES [using a hack on the DPCM channel], along with the normal chip channels.
Works on real hardware too.

That's pretty amazing. Wonder if it's possible to run it on hardware and run a game at the same time, or does it use all of the NES capability just to make it work?

[null1024]

Recently, a few people wrote a program called SuperNSF, which is essentially a converter that takes special IT modules, and does up to 4 channel PCM sample mixing on the NES [using a hack on the DPCM channel], along with the normal chip channels.
Works on real hardware too.

That's pretty amazing. Wonder if it's possible to run it on hardware and run a game at the same time, or does it use all of the NES capability just to make it work?

You'd be able to use it on a titlescreen or something, almost definitely not ingame though, from what the devs have told me.

[cools]

OOH

Massively pleased today. Copying a bunch of old data CDs (dated 2000-2002) onto my current computer. Was expecting them to just be the parts files for stuff I've completed.

Oh no. Better. ALL the WIP stuff I'd had from 1997 through to 2002 as well. And a bunch of stuff done by others that I've been trying to track down for at least five years but can find no trace of them on the net. And some WIP stuff from some guys I still keep up with that I know they'd be interested in laughing at.

I'm seriously impressed at the WIP stuff of mine - I'd forgotten most of it and its a goldmine for me to root through and rip to pieces for new stuff.

Back in the saddle soon!

[oli_lar]

Is anyone into their synthesis much? Love messing around on VSTs, even if I rarely get anything into a proper song. I do try and make deep house though, and have played with Hip Hop and Dubstep (none of that wom wom wom lfo crap though) as they're fairly easy to start with. I use FL Studio for the VSTs and getting ideas down, with Reason 4 for most other stuff. Love the hardware lay out to it. I also use the homebrew Rhythm 8 on PSP, which is great for messing about on the move and when I'm in bed. Mainly use it for drums, plenty of classic drum machine samples on it. Pity it takes an age to load with anything more than a few hundred mb of samples though. Not been able to do much for a while as I've been stuck with just crappy labtec pc speakers for a ages now. Bought some Roland DM-10s a couple of weeks back but they still haven't bloody come yet!. Payed slightly over the odds, and they're still not really that good, but been looking for decently priced monitors for an age now, keep loosing out at the last minute on ebay, so got fed up and went with a BIN for them.

Got a few bits of hardware - Yamaha SY-22 and a few semi-bent toy keyboards. Got a small Behringer Mixer,Zoom 1204 effects, EWS 88MT soundcard and a Behringer EX1000 on the way (a steal at £26, hopefully). Would love to get more, but moneys always scarce. I've been trying to save up to get a modular synth case and the essential modules for ages, but as I'd need about £600 to get the basics it'll be a while yet. Probably get Eurorack format with Doepfer and Analogue Solutions modules to start with, if that makes any sense to anyone. I've got plenty of VSTs and emulations, but its just not the same.

Learning FM synthesis is something I've been putting off for ages, really need to get to it. Just alien to me though.

[Udderdude]

OOH

Massively pleased today. Copying a bunch of old data CDs (dated 2000-2002) onto my current computer. Was expecting them to just be the parts files for stuff I've completed.

Oh no. Better. ALL the WIP stuff I'd had from 1997 through to 2002 as well. And a bunch of stuff done by others that I've been trying to track down for at least five years but can find no trace of them on the net. And some WIP stuff from some guys I still keep up with that I know they'd be interested in laughing at.

I'm seriously impressed at the WIP stuff of mine - I'd forgotten most of it and its a goldmine for me to root through and rip to pieces for new stuff.

Back in the saddle soon!

Nothing like pillaging old scraps to try and frankenstien together a new piece. It works better than you'd expect sometimes. >_>

What program are you using, Renoise?

[Udderdude]

Here's the results of me remixing/arranging frux's stuff. I set out to make them sound completely different from the originals, I think I succeeded there. It was a lot of fun doing this, I had never really done it before but it turned out pretty good. Enjoy!

http://rydia.net/udder/mods/udd_frux_eg.zip
http://rydia.net/udder/mods/udd_frux_rr.zip

[null1024]

Here's the results of me remixing/arranging frux's stuff. I set out to make them sound completely different from the originals, I think I succeeded there. It was a lot of fun doing this, I had never really done it before but it turned out pretty good. Enjoy!

http://rydia.net/udder/mods/udd_frux_eg.zip
http://rydia.net/udder/mods/udd_frux_rr.zip

Ooh, I like.
Only thing that struck me as off was the samples. They sound a little bleh.

EDIT:
also, just noticed I didn't comment on SockPuppetHyren's awesome awesome awesome pic

EDIT 2:
now that this has been moved, that last message will go unnoticed ;_;

[Udderdude]

Here's the results of me remixing/arranging frux's stuff. I set out to make them sound completely different from the originals, I think I succeeded there. It was a lot of fun doing this, I had never really done it before but it turned out pretty good. Enjoy!

http://rydia.net/udder/mods/udd_frux_eg.zip
http://rydia.net/udder/mods/udd_frux_rr.zip

Ooh, I like.
Only thing that struck me as off was the samples. They sound a little bleh.

That's oldschool MOD samples for you, I guess. I should start using some more modern samples, but I still like the cheezy MOD sample style. Oh well.

[Udderdude]

Learning FM synthesis is something I've been putting off for ages, really need to get to it. Just alien to me though.

TFM Maker is a good way to get started with FM. It's on this page : http://shiru.untergrund.net/software.shtml

[flux]

Is anyone into their synthesis much? Love messing around on VSTs, even if I rarely get anything into a proper song.

Yeah. Most of the time I just make patches without any plan in mind. Most of the stuff never ends up in a song, but it's fun to play with my toys. I used VSTs for ages but it wasn't until I got a hardware synth that I really learned about sound synthesis and design.

[louisg]

Is anyone into their synthesis much? Love messing around on VSTs, even if I rarely get anything into a proper song

Yeah, I'm a synthesis *nut*.. I love both playing with synths and the theory behind it

Learning FM synthesis is something I've been putting off for ages, really need to get to it. Just alien to me though.

It's not too bad, but it takes a little practice. Start with a pair of operators first, and then slowly add more to get a feel for it. Just a quickie run-down: when one operator is at 1x frequency ("modulation") and the operator feeding into it is at 1x, you get sawish sounds. If the operator feeding into it is at 2x frequency, you get squareish sounds. Adding feedback makes the sound "sharper"-- you can get almost a pure saw, or almost a pure square, or noise, out of that. I think a common beginner mistake though is to make the operator that feeds into the other (the 'modulator') too high of a volume.. this makes it very tinny and hard to hear what you're doing.

BTW if you need a few FM VST, try VOPM

[null1024]

VOPM? Blech, I never actually managed to figure it out.

TFM is great [after LOADS of fiddling, I got something to play, haha], and if you have DOSBox, Reality Adlib Tracker [RAD] is really, really great, and easy to use.

[Udderdude]

VOPM? Blech, I never actually managed to figure it out.

TFM is great [after LOADS of fiddling, I got something to play, haha], and if you have DOSBox, Reality Adlib Tracker [RAD] is really, really great, and easy to use.

I found it much easier to import a MOD and then replace the instruments/effects manually.

[louisg]

I second the RADTracker recommendation.. that's probably one of the easiest ways to come to grips with FM

[Schrodinger's cat]

Any Max/MSP/Jitter or Max for Live users here? You can do some mindblowing stuff with it- check out some patches people have made on youtube.

Patches look a bit complicated at first, but the program is pretty easy to get the hang of thanks to its simple tutorials. You'll be addicted to making really cool stuff for days on end once you start. You can make synths, guitar processors, beat slicers, reverse delays, sequencers, theremins, video processors, etc. The list goes on and on.