Video Game Music

[Forte]

I didn't know where else to post this....

Not that I want to do this as a serious career (at least I don't think so), but I'm interested in making video game music. This game I'm playing is taking submissions and I think it would be fun if I sent something. So anyway, I was wondering if you can point me towards some resources. I searched the boards and didn't really come up with anything on how. I have recorded stuff using my guitar and what not, but I think maybe using MIDI's would be the best approach... something I know nothing about. . So, can anyone tell me what software I can use? Where I can get it? Free would be good. How about any tutorials?

Ack... I just realized that even though I searched the boards, I didn't search the web... I'll look now, but if you can offer me something please do.

 

[TexRoadkill]

This is a cool site www.gamasutra.com

 

[Forte]

Yeah thanks, I saw that when I was searching the boards, but it doesn't really tell you how to do it and what you need... does it? I didn't see anything, plus I didn't want to register. The last thing I need is more spam. Also, this site looks like it's more career oriented.

 

[TexRoadkill]

What are you looking for? What they want is music and what you need is a home studio. That site has job postings and an area for contractors to post their resumes. The only spam I received from them is their mailer with current job postings.

 

[Forte]

Well, for one thing, I'm not interested in a career. This is more like a hobby I want to try. I'd like to know how they make it though. What software and hardware different people use. Originally, I though about going with MIDIs (something I know nothing about), but then I thought maybe synths would be the way to go. The thing is, I have no clue on how those things work and how to record them via my computer. I record more organic types of music using "real" instruments, but I want the "beeps whistles" sound of the SNES. Is there any place with tutorials and articles - kind of like a video game music version of HomeRecording.com. GamaSutra had the "audio profiles", but that didn't seem like it would have helped much - I didn't get to really see because it asked to register. I'll see if I can make up a fake addy or something so I can take a closer look.

 

[TexRoadkill]

You should be able to find all the info you need to get started on recording and midi here. MIDI is not bleeps and bings. It is just a way of controlling any synth or sound module.

What is the game? If they are taking submissions as part of a contest than they probably say what format they want the music in.

Game music is no different than any other type of music. They are simply playing back a sound file at the appropriate time. In the old days there was a lot of crap involved with onboard synth chips and midi files and such but nowadays they just play audio files like everything else. Unless this music is for a portable game device like a GameBoy there shouldn't be anything technically specific that you have to worry about. Just send them a CD or whatever they want of your best tune.

Check out the midi forum for some midi starter help.

 

[Forte]

HAH HAH HAH HAH! I'm so dumb! See, I guess I ment electronic music. Like using, synths and all that. Ke ke ke ke. I guess I shouldn't have called that "video game music", but to me, that's what it sounds like . So, what I ment was that I wanted to learn how to make electronic music, or just regular music using synths. I figure that's what you have to do when you don't have an orchestra, eh? I guess I'll make a new thread with that as the subject.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Dude, you're killing me.

Check out the keyboard and midi forums. You might want to read up a bit before posting there

 

[Forte]

Hah hah hah! Sorry. I looked but they weren't much help - I'll keep looking. I just wanted to create fully orchestrated music... but I don't have an orchestra! I guess since video game people do it.... Anyway I'll have to find a forum on using synths and making electronic music (is that what it's called?).

 

[TexRoadkill]

Hah hah hah! Sorry. I looked but they weren't much help - I'll keep looking. I just wanted to create fully orchestrated music...

That's what the keyboard and MIDI forums are all about. You just need a keyboard and a sequencer and you're all set.

 

[Forte]

Woohoo! Wait... keyboards do that...?
LOL, Alright cool! Thanks! I found a forum that has a section on electronic music though. It's pretty small, but nice. I'll look into the keyboards and MIDI forums here though. Thanks again.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Hold on, there's still something missing here. You did mention in your first post about a game that's accepting submissions. Is this actually for a game? What game system?

The only reason I keep this going is because I do some audio work on video games and I can help you but also this is the strangest thread I have seen in a while

 

[Forte]

Ke ke ke. Yeah it's actually for a game, but it's an online game. It's an ongoing project though. You make music for games? What do you use? Keyboards, sequencers and MIDI's???

 

[TexRoadkill]

I'm actually doing sound effects but it's basically the same process. I'm assuming now it's for a PC game. Most PC games use .wav or .mp3 files and that is pretty much the same format as all computer recording. If you have a way of recording on a computer than you are all set.

Check out the front page of this site and scroll down. There are some good tutorials on the basics of computer recording.

 

[Forte]

Oh I already record on my computer - I make lots of MP3's. The thing is though... all I've got is a computer and the stuff it came with - that and a couple of instruments. Needless to say, I get pretty bad sounding results, but at least they're intelligible. Anyway, that's why I'm here. I've already learned quite a bit, but I'm still exploring the boards so I know more of what I need. That's for another thread though.
As for the purpose of this thread, I play several instruments and have recorded them on my computer, but I've never dealt with electronic music. So I don't know the first thing about making fully orchestrated music using synths or whatever.

 

[tf5_bassist]

Looking at making some electronic music? Here's some nice programs or ideas...

FruityLoops - Killer for making any sort of electronic music, whether remixing, creating your own loops, sampling, whatnot... Bomb-diggity for sure.

Digitonix Element - This is a drum loop program... I'm a medocre drummer, but I could come up with my own phat drum tracks no problem on this thing... It exports to MIDI, but so far I've found it exports a bit funny... I'm hoping that in the purchase version it offers an .MP3 export feature. But it's nice and comes with some great samples, too!

Propellerhead Rebirth - Buddy of mine just got this, said it was SIIIICK! Very cool program, check it out.

Cakewalk Reason - at least I *think* it's made by Cakewalk... Too lazy to Google it. heh. But it's a nice one from all i've heard, too...

Good stuff... If you're looking for a good keyboard for under $500... I suggest, heh, oddly enough, the Radio Shack 42-4046. $399 normally, ever few months goes down to $349. It's awesome, for sure. Tons of features, including a built-in sequencer. Give it a whirl.

Just some ideas.