Chamelenoel learns how to create MIDI music

[NieMaMordy]

So recently I realised that it won't be that difficult to try and make my own music. I launched FLStudio, and was overwhelemed by the ammount of stuff packed in it. I decided to make something a bit simpler. So I downloaded a program called Sekaiju which is used to make MIDI tracks. As a person fammiliar with how this music format works, I had no problems with learning all the basics of this program. Now, when I have some time, I create music that would fit in one of doom wads background. Let me share some of them with you:
 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1whO6M4-uq_I7PIhn5nWQqCUwBB3HAYwd/view?usp=sharing this one is called "Exploration of the Unknown", and is propably my first midi track that I am generally happy with how it turned out.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OlbW6Pc88Xy3Cu0X2jrAAgCO7IUj1Ofm/view?usp=sharing "Crystal Cave". At first, it was going to be a metal track, but after realisation how much experience does that genre require, I've decided to mke it a bit more basic.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RKxpbfNWmHxeot8U5F3RFY7wpeOsSppP/view?usp=sharing This one is called "Tirtis Hospital", and is very special to me. I created it today, and this one might mark the moment when I learned how to make my music less repetetive. It still isn't anything special and I still have very much stuff to learn. 

If any of you guys want to use this music in your wads, feel free to do so, though I would be suprised if any of you would want to do it, because these are still a bit too basic. I am also open for all the criticism. If people like what I did here, I will post next tracks, as soon as I consider them done. 

[therektafire]

Hm, these are pretty good imo. Would you be willing to participate in my monthly speedmusic sessions? Its been pretty down on participants lately (not that it had very many to begin with but there are even fewer now LOL), you don't have to of course but if you want I can give you the link to the discord

[elend]

I still have to listen to them, but I will do so hopefully today!

[Immorpher]

You're already much better than when I started. I used a similar pattern to what you did in Tirtis Hospital with my track: Raising The Dead . I'd like to think great minds think alike ;). Once you find a track you're obsessed with try pushing it to 3 minutes or more.

Another good program for midi I used to use (haven't tried the newer versions) Anvil Studio: https://www.anvilstudio.com/

I have some experience with FL studio so I can help with that as well.
 

3 hours ago, therektafire said:

Hm, these are pretty good imo. Would you be willing to participate in my monthly speedmusic sessions? Its been pretty down on participants lately (not that it had very many to begin with but there are even fewer now LOL), you don't have to of course but if you want I can give you the link to the discord

What are the rules for the speed music sessions? I'll be interested in trying one out if I can get it in my schedule!

Edited December 8, 2018 by Immorpher

[TheUltimateDoomer666]

Well, they're a start, but as you say, very basic.  They're definitely not bad though; I only found a few minor mistakes.

There's a mistake in Exploration - The kick drum notes in measures 9 to 12 are "doubled"/layered, which sounds bad and makes the notes too loud and distorted (in some MIDI synths, at least).  If this was intentional, then avoid layering notes on top of each other and instead adjust the velocity to make volume changes to individual notes.

 

In Crystal Cave, MIDI Channel 14 gets set to Rhodes Piano but doesn't play any notes.  Similarly, in Tirtis Hospital, Channel 6 is set to the Nylon Acoustic Guitar, but again it doesn't actually play anything.  I'm assuming these are simply unused MIDI tracks that weren't deleted.  Removing them isn't really necessary, but it can make the MIDIs look cleaner in sequencers and some players that show MIDI file data.

I think some parts of the songs are a little too chromatic.  Adding more instruments and harmonies can make the songs more interesting, even short ones.  Varying the velocities to add emphasis to certain notes can also make the music more dynamic.

[therektafire]

4 hours ago, Immorpher said:

You're already much better than when I started. I used a similar pattern to what you did in Tirtis Hospital with my track: Raising The Dead . I'd like to think great minds think alike ;). Once you find a track you're obsessed with try pushing it to 3 minutes or more.

Another good program for midi I used to use (haven't tried the newer versions) Anvil Studio: https://www.anvilstudio.com/

I have some experience with FL studio so I can help with that as well.
 

What are the rules for the speed music sessions? I'll be interested in trying one out if I can get it in my schedule!



Well the speedmusic sessions are held once a month, you have 2 hours to make a song with 3 themes, it was designed after the eagle and pigeon speedmapping sessions which is where it gets its name from, Phoenix Speedmusic Sessions :) The only restriction other than the themes is that your song needs to be in a format that prboom+ can use which is also another aspect taken from those other sessions. Here is a link to the discord if you ae interested https://discord.gg/xNnHHGZ

[Immorpher]

Joined! Those themes pose an interesting challenge. I'll have to re-install my midi software and get my chops back. As mentioned I used to use anvil studio, but what do people use these days?

Back in the day I had to buy a "pro-mix" plugin for anvil studio to get pitch bends and such. But this would be a good time for me to move to a new program.

Oh and is there any specifications for prboom+ midi that I should be aware of? I never produced anything that microsoft couldn't reproduce with its wavetable synth.

[Misty]

^
You can use Aria Maestosa, it's free midi editing program, easy to understand and use even for newbies like me. And I think you can use default microsoft wawetable synth, prboom+ or any other port won't feel difference. 

[Immorpher]

1 hour ago, Misty said:

^
You can use Aria Maestosa, it's free midi editing program, easy to understand and use even for newbies like me. And I think you can use default microsoft wawetable synth, prboom+ or any other port won't feel difference. 

It seems like Aria Maestosa has what I have been looking for! Thanks!

[NieMaMordy]

So for the past half a year I was slowly making progress in learning stuff about midi. My favourite discovery was learning about diffirent soundfonts. Anyways, I have two tracks I'd like to share with you guys. I know I haven't got much better since the first post, but I still hope someone would have fun listening to these. I hope you do! :D

This one is called "Space Investigation": https://drive.google.com/file/d/11URt_YAWvVyPWEIH95cuVnnKtPxl7J8-/view?usp=sharing
And this one is is called "let's not talk about this": https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ZNVEEpxgUb1nmBVcyOqMsnxACmSfoHM/view?usp=sharing

Yes I know I am bad with names ><

Edited June 22, 2019 by Chamelenoel

[Immorpher]

I like your style! Your bass rhythms on the two new tracks exude someone having fun. I recently found a good video on programming velocities for drums, which may help add a little polish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VESXyq18IHQ

I found out that Sekaiju is really good for adjusting velocities like that (while in Aria Maestosa it is hard).

[NieMaMordy]

the tips from this tutorial might come in handy. Thanks a lot! I never even thought stuff mentioned there would be so important.

[TheUltimateDoomer666]

Some other things to learn are diatonic scales.  The two most recent tracks are still pretty chromatic.  While there is nothing wrong with writing music like that, you will find that the music can feel quite jarring/unsettling (some genres such as Black Metal often use heavy dissonance intentionally for this reason).  Music written using diatonic scales generally sounds much more pleasant.