97 Reply by marcb0t

(676 replies, posted in General Discussion)

mintyadl wrote:

hey everyone smile I'm mint from australia. I'm more of a huge fan than a producer myself, although i did try once or twice (and i'll probably keep trying).

In fact, I'm really into design and VJ and demoscene, I make stuff like this and this. I get the impression there's some overlap between all these cultures and 8bit.
I spend a lot of my free time messing around with design, making these visualizations; I also started a channel just for fun, as it combines some of these interests. I like to put chip songs on there that appeal to me, particularly if they're kind of unusual (eg Within). To that end, I'm trying to get myself more involved in the community at the moment, so hello smile I'd like to meet you!

Ahoy matey! Welcome aboard. Seems like you have some nice art to bring to the table. I saw you posted some of Malmen's songs. He is very skilled with audio mixing and mastering. His music sounds professionally mixed.

I thought your attempts at OpenMPT were actually pretty good. I could see you becoming a skilled chipist. You can actually custom make simple wave forms using OpenMPT. Squares, Triangle waves, Sawtooth, etc. It is pretty popular for making chiptunes, and there are conversion modules which can convert the tracker file to actual game system data. Example, you can convert an OpenMPT file to a file that will play on an actual NES, or Sega Genesis, etc. But you have to follow certain guidelines and limitations to do it right.

It's a lot of fun, and there's a lot more options than just OpenMPT, which I think is one of the more challenging trackers to learn. But that's my opinion. To some people, it's second nature.

Good to meet ya, though!

Go to forum: General Discussion

98 Reply by marcb0t

(11 replies, posted in General Discussion)

SketchMan3 wrote:
Feryl wrote:

Excuse my ignorance (it's been a while since I've written anything in FamiTracker), but does pure 2a03 mean four channels?

2a03 is the stock NES sound chip. 2 pulse channels, triangle channel, noise channel and DPCM.

Yup, the DPCM is a part of the package deal. NES is 5, not 4 channels, though many game music makers chose not to use samples in order to save space which saved on manufacturing costs.

Go to forum: General Discussion

99 Reply by marcb0t

(11 replies, posted in General Discussion)

nanode wrote:
nonfinite wrote:

Oh cool, I stumbled on this track somewhere else like a week ago.

I like the piano DPCM samples, it's a smart way to allow use of two notes in one channel. I do think the samples stand out a bit too much in the mix, however, and without any change to the actual structure of the samples they get a bit tiring on the ears, similar to how the same kick snare chain in a fruityloops track might get to a person after a while. We need subtle changes to keep our brains thinking "this is novel."

There was a famicompo track that had been submitted something like, oh, 2009 I think.  It made it into the top three if I recall, and it used the same piano concept. It was a lovely piece. I liked it so much I set it as my morning alarm tone for a number of months, back when people still used custom ringtones. Anyways, if I recall the reason this track didn't win the gold was similar - the samples were what made the track unique, but also what caused it to be limited in scope.

If you're not dead-set on staying strictly in the 2a03 chipset, I'd consider recording those notes on a different platform, (a real piano would be pretty sick) so you can add more dynamics to it. You may even find yourself making some changes to the chip part of the song as you introduce other elements. A slight slowing in tempo between sections of the song comes to mind as a plausible addition. Everything else sounds great.

I'll definitely switch some things up!

But I really do want to stay pure to the 2A03 for this song and others that I'm gonna be making in the future, but it isn't a bad suggestion by any means! big_smile

Well, I personally enjoyed it, and thought the piano chords on DCPM was well implemented. Even if some people consider it "limiting in scope", this track would have sounded revolutionary had it been made for a real NES game back in the day.

Also, since it's been 2 years since you used Famitracker, I think you did an outstanding job given the circumstances. I actually paid more attention to some of the dual channel chorus solos you did. I've been experimenting with that kind of thing lately as well. This track reminds me of something that "Fearofdark" would make.

I know that DCPM becomes difficult to use because of memory limitations... IF you want your track to be playable during gameplay. There are ways you can live multitrack with 6 or 7-bit PCM samples through the 2A03. But it will take up tons of CPU power, and you can't do it through Famitracker. The results are pretty spectacular though.

Go to forum: General Discussion

100 Reply by marcb0t

(24 replies, posted in General Discussion)

I find that using a chiptune specific musical software tracker is a good way to start. People post their tracker files online all the time. You can download and open these up in the tracker and examine how they designed the different parts of their song. I have learned a lot from doing that.

I also experiment with different sounds and concepts a lot.

But the biggest help is that I have a near brainless job where I have the freedom to make musical melodies inside my head. My musical memory is also really good, so I can remember songs I made in my head from 1991, and integrate those into a chiptune track.

There are a number of good chiptune trackers out there. The main three that I use are Deflemask, VGM Music Maker, and Famitracker (for the NES). After composing music in these trackers, you are able to convert your module file into data that can be played off of the actual video game system.

You can also get really familiar with a tracker by trying to cover real life songs by other artists.

But yeah, find a tracker for a chipset that you like, learn the basics, and try to integrate your melody or idea within the limitations.

Go to forum: General Discussion

101 Reply by marcb0t

(3 replies, posted in Releases)

I don't mean to downplay it either. It really sounds like a lot of intricate skill and care went into these tracks. =0

Go to forum: Releases

102 Reply by marcb0t

(3 replies, posted in Releases)

You know, I'm actually quite diggin' this. Thanks for sharing. I like this technological thing going on, like this really thick retro electronica vibe. Very nice! It's pretty creative and sounds like it makes good use of the OPL chipsets!

Go to forum: Releases

103 Reply by marcb0t

(14 replies, posted in Releases)

Hi Tomy,
I am probably one of your biggest secret fans! ^o^

I've listened to your music so much, it's rediculous. I like how you put so much effort into whichever chipset you pursue, and it has inspired much of my chip music to this day! The dissonant half step chords you use every once in awhile is one of my favorite things. Really adds good flavor, and is very creative.

Yes, I've listened to all 3 of your PSG albums more than once, and I like how each album, I hear your technique improve album by album. It's really neat.

Currently, I've been expriementing and trying to push as much out of the Sega PSG chip as I can in Deflemask. It is such a fun little thing with hidden surprises. Arpeggios are my favorite thing to mess with.

I think I'll listen to your new album now. tongue

(P.S. "Heroine Dive Bomber" and "Cyber Marionette" are my favorites!)

Go to forum: Releases

104 Reply by marcb0t

(15 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Arc-Demon wrote:

Oh, good--now it won't play at all. sad VGMPlay works fine though. That Rising Blue Lightning track is a killer!

I'll reinstall in_vgm when I get back from work.

Ah, glad to hear. Yeah, VGMPlay is what I use to test out .vgm files. And you used the same track I used as a test. smile

Now there should be nothing holding you back from kickin' out some fly YM2151 tunes! tongue

Take care!

Go to forum: General Discussion

105 Reply by marcb0t

(15 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Arc-Demon wrote:

I checked out some of the modules. They sound great!

The problem with VGM, if I'm not mistaken, is that it doesn't log any of the PCM channels. Am I right?

Actually, VGM logs the PCM channels perfectly fine. I'm having no problem playing back a YM2151 .vgm file made from Deflemask with ALL of the PCM channels loud and clear!

Go to forum: General Discussion

106 Reply by marcb0t

(4 replies, posted in Sega)

You should try the downloads section on the FM Drive website. More specifically, here is the download for a massive pack of carefully ripped DAC samples: http://www.alyjameslab.com/ajlab_files/ … MD_PCM.zip

Yeah, definitely check out that VSTi. Best emulation of the YM2612 you can get on PC.
http://www.alyjameslab.com/alyjameslabfmdrive.html

Go to forum: Sega

107 Reply by marcb0t

(2 replies, posted in General Discussion)

BitKnight wrote:

Hi, I'm a long time listener of chip music and gamer and just got into producing. I've previously made other types of Electronic but haven't had the resources to make chip. Glad to be here big_smile

Nice to meet your acquaintance. And, yes, much agreed with Sudstep.

What's your current "chip of choice"? (The one you most want to produce for?)

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108 Reply by marcb0t

(1 replies, posted in Constructive Criticism)

Hmmmm... actually, not bad. I don't really have any criticism to grace you with tongue

I like how mellow the track sounds. It's more of an ambient soundscape, but it's definitely nice. I can hear your post production reverb and so forth, but I just figure that it's your own unique style, and I do like the way it echos off and reverberates (especially with the bass drum sound).

Go to forum: Constructive Criticism

109 Reply by marcb0t

(5 replies, posted in Software & Plug-ins)

Glenn wrote:

I am wanting to get into making chiptune music that can be game ready, any recommendations on software I should use for mac or pc? As of now I just write everything in guitar pro and export to midi to use with abeltons library of synths.

Greetings Glenn,

Welcome to the site! You know, if you're looking for a good general purpose tracker for authentic chip music designing, try Deflemask. It can make music for NES, Sega Genesis and Master System, Commodore 64, Gameboy,  Turbo Grafx 16, and more.

Famitracker is good for NES music and all the expansion chips made for that. It has more NES exclusive features than Deflemask on certain things, namely the 1 bit sample channel.

Yeah, so Deflemask and Famitracker are good places to start. Deflemask will work Windows, Mac, and Linux.

http://www.delek.com.ar/deflemask

Go to forum: Software & Plug-ins

110 Reply by marcb0t

(42 replies, posted in Sega)

garvalf wrote:
marcb0t wrote:

Sur answers are contained within the first few pages of this thread:

http://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/8243/ … sic-maker/

Such a shame it had to turn out this way, too. sad

ah, thank you for pointing it to me. It's a sad situation.  The comment "Shiru's interface never improved much" was plain stupid...

Shiru and his projects really rock, this man is a genius (coding for zx, coding for windows, coding for NES and SNES, composing great music)

Yes I certainly agree! it is my favorite tracker to use for making Sega Genesis music. the instrument editor is the best one I have ever used and the whole thing is very user friendly and I also like the color combo.

Go to forum: Sega

111 Reply by marcb0t

(42 replies, posted in Sega)

garvalf wrote:

it's the pity this tfmmaker was removed from Shiru's website. Do you know why? It's a very good program. You can find a copy there:

http://sega4ever.power-heberg.com/Downl … ker152.rar


Sigh... your answers are contained within the first few pages of this thread:

http://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/8243/ … sic-maker/

Such a shame it had to turn out this way, too. sad

Go to forum: Sega

112 Reply by marcb0t

(7 replies, posted in Constructive Criticism)

hireshi wrote:
marcb0t wrote:

Well, I can say that your composition skills are accurate and good. The sounds you picked are pleasant.

However, it sounds like you are using triangle waveforms instead of square waves. Square waves would sound more like a real chiptune. The triangle waves you use are also way too high of quality, so my ears know right away that it's not authentic chip.

You could easily replace the instrument you used with a square wave generator. Or just change the osc to square in whatever VSTi you used.

It is true that the NES had a triangle wave on one channel, but it was highly distorted and had a very unique sound that is very hard to imitate. It is not the same triangle wave as on a standard synthesizer.

Again, I think you did a good job with the composition, and the tunes sound cute. But if you are wanting to get an authentic sound, I recommend one of the many wonderful trackers out there like Famitracker: http://www.famitracker.com/

Free to download and use. Plus it is set up to give you authentic NES music, and you can even convert your song to play off a Nintendo cartridge. Of course there are many other chips and sounds to imitate out there and they all sound different and unique.

I like Sega Genesis personally. I have a tracker (VGM Music Maker) where I make authentic tunes for it. Someone even played one of my songs on an actual European Sega Genesis (MegaDrive).

If you enjoy your music the way it is, that's cool too. But my initial thought is that you are wanting to make authentic sounding chiptunes. Is that your goal?

I tried using Famitracker but I didn't get it.
Some songs I like, some I don't. I'm always trying to find new tunes for the songs I make and thought I'd come here for some criticism before I ventured into a style change.

I have a thing for the triangle though.  But I wanted to make my next few songs a bit different, listen through and see what type I enjoy the more.

Thanks for the detailed and positive feedback. That someone who's been at it for way longer than myself finds some liking to my remixes is a good feel.

SketchMan3 wrote:

"real songs"

If you want me to elaborate that means songs that are distributed for commercial, media or other form of entertaining use.
Not my own.

If you want, I'd be glad to help show you how to use Famitracker. It's real easy once you get some basics learned. I know you might be able to replicate your triangle sound with a MegaDrive or a NEC PC Engine, but not really with an NES.

Go to forum: Constructive Criticism