65 Reply by marcb0t

(16 replies, posted in General Discussion)

arfink wrote:

So it feels like it's been 10,000 years since I last did or said anything here. Well, ok, just over 1 year.

I have been doing crazy things since last I was here. I had a kid, changed jobs, have begun to learn PHP, and did a bunch of other crap. How bout you guys?

Oh, congratulations on the kid and the job! Yay!  \^,^/

And yeah, life is much more than chiptunes of course. But it's nice to see you... actually, I've never even met you and have been on this site for less than one year. But... yeah... smile

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66 Reply by marcb0t

(46 replies, posted in General Discussion)

ShintarouMusic wrote:
marcb0t wrote:

Hmmmm... Would this song qualify?

http://chipmusic.org/marcb0t/music/ocean-melody

Yeah, that was a really nice piece! I love aquatic vibes

Ah, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I grew up on an island, with lots of exposure to jazz, big band, contemporary styles, and even a bit of raggae (though not as much as you would think tongue)

Ironically, this song formed in my head when I was going through a very sad time in my life... Ironic because it sounds so happy and warm.

Would you like the VGM file?

Go to forum: General Discussion

67 Reply by marcb0t

(46 replies, posted in General Discussion)

ShintarouMusic wrote:

I like any chip music that does a good job evoking moods and feelings, really. Creative sound design is always a plus...

Hmmmm... Would this song qualify?

http://chipmusic.org/marcb0t/music/ocean-melody

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68 Reply by marcb0t

(46 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Jazz
Funk
Disco/Dance/80's flavored
Retro VGM styles (Mario, Megaman, Sonic, 80's arcade tunes)
Classical Orchestral styles
Ragtime (probably my favorite)
90's Shmup styles

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69 Reply by marcb0t

(20 replies, posted in Past Events)

Very interesting. I visit a friend in Walla Walla periodically throughout the year. Perhaps I might check this event out and share some of my tunes.
Although I'm really no good at live play.

No promises, though on my music. More likely will drop by to say hi. smile

Go to forum: Past Events

70 Reply by marcb0t

(12 replies, posted in Constructive Criticism)

Ninten Kwon Do wrote:

wow I was really surprised by how much I liked this track! I usually steer clear of "my first chip" stuff but this was really good.

Yeah, it was surprisingly good. The kid's got potential, for sure.

Go to forum: Constructive Criticism

71 Reply by marcb0t

(2 replies, posted in Collaborations)

Oh, right, you can link the private track through the Personal Message system on either this website, or through SoundCloud messaging. ^_^

Unless you want me to start in which I'll do the same.

Go to forum: Collaborations

72 Reply by marcb0t

(2 replies, posted in Collaborations)

All we need is the bpm and style to match. Then we can bounce the wav recordings back and forth and layer the tracks in a DAW.

Would you like to take the lead, or do you prefer I start. You can send me ideas through Sound cloud private song posting with bpm info. That way, we're the only ones who will see the track until completion!

Go to forum: Collaborations

73 Reply by marcb0t

(12 replies, posted in Constructive Criticism)

PIXELDRAGON wrote:
marcb0t wrote:

Also, collaborating with people is a good way to learn new techniques and gain more inspiration.

Thanks for the kind words! I would love to collaborate with people, that sounds like a great idea.

EDIT:  I have uploaded a new song! Check it out if you'd like smile Also, I made a thread in the collaboration section.

Cool! I'll check that out when I have some spare time.  smile

Go to forum: Constructive Criticism

74 Reply by marcb0t

(12 replies, posted in Constructive Criticism)

Hey, you know, everyone's gotta start somewhere, and you have some unique instrument usage. It's one of the better newbie tracks I've heard.

A lot of people would enjoy this contemporary style you have.

One technique I use is to come up with a really catchy and lovely melody, and build the drums, bass, and chords around that. If the melody goes some place strange, then the chords and other instruments will follow. It's not a requirement for making good music, though. Just one technique.

Also, collaborating with people is a good way to learn new techniques and gain more inspiration. Are you interested in developing music for a specific video game chip set, or are you more focused on the "chip sounds" in general? I like Sega Genesis and NES chips and their limitations, for instance. Just curious. smile

All in all, your tune is pretty nice, actually. Welcome aboard!

Go to forum: Constructive Criticism

75 Reply by marcb0t

(49 replies, posted in General Discussion)

sandneil wrote:

well "thousands of other artists" is a bit rich

guy probably thought he was the first because he probably listens to house music and he probably is the first notable one in house music. fact published a quote saying he was probably the first because that's what he said and interviews are mostly about writing down what people say. i might be biased since i actually discovered chiptunes via shirobon's myspace in 2008 but i'm not really sure what we are supposed to be mad at here?

at least you're not all trying to get him expelled from university like last time

I kind of agree here. I think hundreds would be more likely. It is still a really niche thing. You know, we all put our foot in our mouths sometimes. Could be the guy is so busy, that he doesn't have a lot of time to look for some good Sega Genesis house music. When I first started making Genesis chiptunes years ago, it took me quite a bit of time to eventually find the tools and artists I needed to find. Jredd was really helpful, and I found out a lot through his efforts of music making and linking to others. Without that guy, I wouldn't have been this far in my skillset.

I'm not saying that makes what DJ Sonikku said OK, but just trying to show that perhaps his statement is not really worth getting too upset at. He was probably excited and made that statement in the heat of the moment. I think it would be beneficial for him and all of us if he properly reconciled with the chiptune community. And I hope to see this happen.

Go to forum: General Discussion

76 Reply by marcb0t

(49 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Well he responded. Seems like a nice guy and appreciated the tracks I sent him.

Perhaps he simply did not know that there was already a scene out there, or there is a misunderstanding. Maybe if we all respond to him with kindness, he will have more understanding of our work.

I don't know, I'm more inclined to give people the benefit of the doubt and to build bridges rather than toss stones. Maybe something good can come of that.

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77 Reply by marcb0t

(49 replies, posted in General Discussion)

I sent DJ Sonikku an e-mail sharing a couple of my best Sega Genesis tracks, and inviting him to discover more chiptune artists and resources.

If he responds, I will help make him into a real Mega Drive chiptune musician.

But I'm afraid he has probably assumed that my e-mail is some "hate mail" and has deleted without even reading it. But who knows?

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78 Reply by marcb0t

(34 replies, posted in Sega)

Noplanet wrote:

Virtua Fighter 2 is definitely FM synth tunes.

Not entirely. I hear a LOT of presampled sounds. Including wavy organs, orchestra hits, pan flute stuff, sampled distorted guitars, and so forth.

Now some of the basslines, guitars, and keys could possibly be produced by the FM portion. Ultimately, It is either entirely pre sampled sounds, or a mix of on-chip Saturn FM and samples. I don't know how easy or difficult that would be for the developers, though.

Go to forum: Sega

79 Reply by marcb0t

(336 replies, posted in Sega)

Wow, it would be really neat to be able to compose music on my phone or on a real Sega Nomad.

Go to forum: Sega

80 Reply by marcb0t

(56 replies, posted in General Discussion)

pselodux wrote:
spacetownsavior wrote:

if little compositional/timbre-related gimmicks like having a "drop" or throwing some square waves in an edm track are the things that make you not want to listen to a track, I honestly don't see how you can even listen to chiptune at all

don't get me wrong (I'm not sure if that was directed at me), that kind of stuff has its place, and is certainly good for dancing at a gig.. but I just get a bit burned out when it gets into happy hardcore territory that sometimes happens at bigger chip gigs. I would *love* to hear someone bust out some Surgeon/Black Dog/Richie Hawtin style dark brooding techno, but made with chip instruments, at a headliner slot at a big chip festival.. but currently audiences generally just want to hear fast bright arps and BPMs over 160 at that time slot—again, nothing wrong with that whatsoever, and I certainly enjoy it, but it would be nice to have the contrast!

Wow, really? I'm so used to hearing all those darker grungy styles made in LSDJ, when I listen to new stuff online. Also, I don't think people make nearly enough dance-able music for the Sega Master system chipset.

The kind of genres I like on chiptune styles are generally the same I like with regular music. Orchestral, Ragtime piano, jazz, early electronica, 80's dance/pop... yeah, I'm old skool tongue

My guess is that because the energy is high at those chip tune events, that is why people play high energy/tempo tracks. It takes a lot of skill to make a song with fast arps sound good. It takes even more skill to make a chiptune track sound good without fast arps. =0  There's a fine balance to strike with composition.

Go to forum: General Discussion