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10-08-24 10:03 PM |
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| 0 users reading Music Composition Guidelines | 1 bot |
| Main - SMG2.5 - General SMG2.5 talk - Music Composition Guidelines | Hide post layouts | New reply |
| Agent000 |
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Member mah kitty Level: 74 
Posts: 165/1426 EXP: 3602636 Next: 50908 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2485 days ago Last view: 1050 days ago |
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/hZ9vCCb.png)
Read the following list please: - A music sequencing program (FL Studio, Cakewalk, Cubase, etc.) I haven't tried this myself, but I've heard that OpenMPT is a very good free option. - Good, realistic orchestra sound samples ~ A free download of good samples can be found here: http://ul.to/ruqqlhx4/EWQLOrc.part1.rar These come with their own VST plugin. Find out what a VST plugin is before even downloading these, as the >500MB of sounds will be useless if you do not know how to use them. [Also note (ha  ) that this lacks a lot of instruments that many, including myself, find essential (e.g. clarinet and percussion) and as a result you may have to search around for some good samples.]
- Understanding of basic composition technique AND the style of the Mario Galaxy games' music If you are considering writing music for 2.5, you pretty much have to have all of those things. And all of it is free, unless you want to buy a top-notch sequencing program. It is incredibly important to consider the style of SMG's music when composing for 2.5. The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, etc. all have great music, but they don't fit Mario Galaxy. Similarly, something like rap or dubstep doesn't fit. Mario Galaxy's soundtrack can be for the most part described as big orchestral, but not HUGE orchestral. Try not to think of SMG music as 'epic' because that all too often brings up patterns of ominous, dark pieces with prominent basslines. Examples: BowieZ's 'Driftwood Galaxy' - BowieZ's 'Starship Mario' - Blaz's 'Radiant Moon Galaxy' - Blaz's 'Grasslands Galaxy' - My (Agent000's) 'Monstrous Being' - Zommy08's 'Lightning-Speed Sprint' - Mariogalaxythree's 'Edge of the Universe' Sticking to a true Galaxy style is key for this project, and music is no exception. Following one basic rule could help: BIG, but not LOUD. And by LOUD, I mean obnoxiously noisy. While this may work for movies, it does not work with a Mario game. If you for some reason need some movie-music inspiration, I suggest this: think something driving but light like Back to the Future, not booming and ominous like The Dark Knight or Inception. (Basically, don't try to replicate Hans Zimmer ). A possible exception may be boss battle music, though even in these cases I would strongly advise retaining the SMG style.
As NWPlayer123 said in a most likely inspiring voice with a slight English accent so as to make it come off as that much more epic, "Composing is like writing an essay. It's perfectly fine to incorporate your voice or style, but going off-topic from what you're discussing is just a ramble." Of course, this is all referring to the big galaxy themes. Minigame music, minor-galaxy music, etc follows a different set of rules. These are less likely to be big, full orchestras. Small ensembles may well work for some themes (think of Freezy Flake Galaxy in SMG2 for example.) Synthesized or electronic music is occasionally used in the SMG games, like in Toy Time Galaxy or Spin-Dig Galaxy. (My personal favorite type of music in the games is the mixtures of orchestral and electronic done largely by Ryo Nagamatsu, like in the Purple Coin theme or Fleet Glide Galaxy. MoreCowbell dubbed this "technorchestra." But I suppose those fit better under the previous category.) Examples: BowieZ's 'Atomic Clock Galaxy' - My (Agent000's) 'Lonely Grotto' - My (Agent000's) 'Latency' - My (Agent000's) 'Ancient Mechanisms' - Mariogalaxythree's 'Toxic Terror' - GeometricExpulsion's 'Fearsome Factory Galaxy' One more thing to consider: leitmotifs. This literally means 'a short, constantly recurring musical phrase.' For example, many film scores repeat roughly the same notes in roughly the same pattern throughout the movie, and these repeated patterns are often tied to a particular idea or even character. Examples: - When Ghirahim appears in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, this pattern or some variant of it is almost always heard. - A great example is the movie Up, in which Michael Giacchino uses a recurring leitmotif throughout the movie. Listen as he uses nearly the same pattern of notes and rhythms (though sometimes changing the key) in a light, happy way, a sad way, a big epic way, and a threatening way. - Or, of course, SMG's recurring leitmotif. Leitmotifs help create a sense of unity throughout the entire soundtrack. Does this mean every track should be riddled with famous melodies from Mario games, or even with SMG themes? No. Usually only the music for the most crucial situations in the game (i.e. some of the biggest galaxies, the beginning, final boss, etc.) have common leitmotifs, but the majority of the tracks do not. One thing I was thinking of using in multiple tracks (and thereby turning into a leitmotif) was this melody that I heard in MG3's "End of the Universe." Fun Fact: I underlined the word leitmotif everywhere in this post because it looks cool. Or tacky. It's like the overuse of transitions and animations in PowerPoint, except without transitions and animations. Finally, one more point: Remember to get permission to make music for a specific galaxy, making sure to follow the general consensus on how the music should sound. Don't learn this the hard way like I did ;-; Hopefully these guidelines helped! Happy composing!  ____________________ ![[image]](http://puu.sh/jR7Py/69ae5966ec.png)
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/ciCyTWP.png)
|AgentSplaturn| if someone uses an external hard disk to store porn on |AgentSplaturn| is it their sex drive? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) |skyluigi| agent that's one of the best quotes I've ever seen on this IRC |
| MK7tester |
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 Magikoopa I'm back Level: 104 
Posts: 923/3145 EXP: 11800066 Next: 62060 Since: 07-07-12 From: Dolphic Island Last post: 2764 days ago Last view: 2762 days ago |
Agent000, if you are referring that all your music is perfect, I can't say that's entirely true. >.>
But..hmm..seems like a good formula. |
| Agent000 |
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Member mah kitty Level: 74
Posts: 167/1426 EXP: 3602636 Next: 50908 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2485 days ago Last view: 1050 days ago |
._o I never remotely suggested that all my music is perfect... ____________________
|AgentSplaturn| if someone uses an external hard disk to store porn on |AgentSplaturn| is it their sex drive? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) |skyluigi| agent that's one of the best quotes I've ever seen on this IRC |
| shibboleet |
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 Fire Mario DROP TABLE users; Level: 124 Posts: 553/4661 EXP: 21290232 Next: 546369 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 1515 days ago Last view: 528 days ago |
You kinda say it is. But nice job there! ____________________ a |
| Tahcryon |
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Embodiment of Time Can someone lead me to a non-capitalist clothing store? Level: 128 Posts: 1043/5087 EXP: 24275118 Next: 106582 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2371 days ago Last view: 933 days ago |
I agree, this thread is really good  ____________________
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| shibboleet |
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Fire Mario DROP TABLE users; Level: 124 Posts: 559/4661 EXP: 21290232 Next: 546369 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 1515 days ago Last view: 528 days ago |
Professional too. ____________________ a |
| Tahcryon |
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| Agent000 |
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Member mah kitty Level: 74
Posts: 169/1426 EXP: 3602636 Next: 50908 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2485 days ago Last view: 1050 days ago |
Thanks guys. I'm adding embedded links to the music examples now  ____________________
|AgentSplaturn| if someone uses an external hard disk to store porn on |AgentSplaturn| is it their sex drive? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) |skyluigi| agent that's one of the best quotes I've ever seen on this IRC |
| mariogalaxythree |
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Member Blarg. Yoshi. Of. Composing. Affected by 'RainBlarg' Syndrome Level: 110 Posts: 100/3627 EXP: 14334193 Next: 74693 Since: 12-24-12 Last post: 2431 days ago Last view: 2371 days ago |
I'm glad this thread was created. I have decided to download the soundfont, and clear up my pc. It won't be easy, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. ____________________
-MG3- IS HERE |
| Agent000 |
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Member mah kitty Level: 74
Posts: 180/1426 EXP: 3602636 Next: 50908 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2485 days ago Last view: 1050 days ago |
Just realized that the second block of example videos was in entirely the wrong place. Fixed. ____________________
|AgentSplaturn| if someone uses an external hard disk to store porn on |AgentSplaturn| is it their sex drive? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) |skyluigi| agent that's one of the best quotes I've ever seen on this IRC |
| mariogalaxythree |
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Member Blarg. Yoshi. Of. Composing. Affected by 'RainBlarg' Syndrome Level: 110 Posts: 106/3627 EXP: 14334193 Next: 74693 Since: 12-24-12 Last post: 2431 days ago Last view: 2371 days ago |
agent000, youll be happy to know i downloaded a reason soundfont with GREAT sounding instruments. i will give the music of edge of the universe a run for its money:P ____________________
-MG3- IS HERE |
| Agent000 |
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Member mah kitty Level: 74
Posts: 181/1426 EXP: 3602636 Next: 50908 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2485 days ago Last view: 1050 days ago |
Go right ahead. (What is the name of the soundfont, and does it only work in Reason?)
EDIT: Added a beautiful header to the main post ____________________
|AgentSplaturn| if someone uses an external hard disk to store porn on |AgentSplaturn| is it their sex drive? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) |skyluigi| agent that's one of the best quotes I've ever seen on this IRC |
| mariogalaxythree |
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Member Blarg. Yoshi. Of. Composing. Affected by 'RainBlarg' Syndrome Level: 110 Posts: 107/3627 EXP: 14334193 Next: 74693 Since: 12-24-12 Last post: 2431 days ago Last view: 2371 days ago |
Sonata symphonic orchestra reason refill.
ps nice seal ;D ____________________
-MG3- IS HERE |
| MoreCowbell |
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Member Mawile or riot Level: 74 
Posts: 183/1421 EXP: 3528841 Next: 124703 Since: 11-20-12 Last post: 80 days ago Last view: 80 days ago |
Wait we CAN use sonatina? |
| Tahcryon |
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Embodiment of Time Can someone lead me to a non-capitalist clothing store? Level: 128 Posts: 1116/5087 EXP: 24275118 Next: 106582 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2371 days ago Last view: 933 days ago |
I suggest changing the title from black to another color. It's kind off hard to read -.- ____________________
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| Arisotura |
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 Star Mario in this room you have a pile of apple pies Level: 164 
Posts: 830/9039 EXP: 57525981 Next: 176409 Since: 07-03-12 From: in a box
Last post: 7 days ago Last view: 4 hours ago |
| Agent000 |
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Member mah kitty Level: 74
Posts: 182/1426 EXP: 3602636 Next: 50908 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2485 days ago Last view: 1050 days ago |
@mg3 Sonatina is what I used before switching to my newer one. It's not bad but it can be tedious to use (the sound samples aren't all in the same key  ).
@mm: To look purty
But I'll add white borders around the letters when I get home so they're easier to read against a dark background. I use NSMB Grassland and I forgot the default color is that weird purple. ____________________
|AgentSplaturn| if someone uses an external hard disk to store porn on |AgentSplaturn| is it their sex drive? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) |skyluigi| agent that's one of the best quotes I've ever seen on this IRC |
| Tahcryon |
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Embodiment of Time Can someone lead me to a non-capitalist clothing store? Level: 128 Posts: 1123/5087 EXP: 24275118 Next: 106582 Since: 07-07-12 Last post: 2371 days ago Last view: 933 days ago |
A lot of backgrounds are dark TBH, Kuribo64 looks a lot better with a dark theme. I can't wait to see the updated version of the title
Now BTT ____________________
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| mariogalaxythree |
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Member Blarg. Yoshi. Of. Composing. Affected by 'RainBlarg' Syndrome Level: 110 Posts: 144/3627 EXP: 14334193 Next: 74693 Since: 12-24-12 Last post: 2431 days ago Last view: 2371 days ago |
@Agent000 i just want to say i fixed everything wrong with edge of the universe. but oh no, im not done there. after composing an epic 2 measure brass intro, i am going to replace the first horn/tpt melody with that brass quartet. it adds that galaxy element [just enough while still feeling different] prepare for a better sounding version tomorrow! much better! ____________________
-MG3- IS HERE |
| MoreCowbell |
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Member Mawile or riot Level: 74
Posts: 224/1421 EXP: 3528841 Next: 124703 Since: 11-20-12 Last post: 80 days ago Last view: 80 days ago |
I've successfully installed FL studio 10 and downloaded Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra....
I AM NOW A COMPOSER MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH >:D Now to learn how to transpose..... e.e |
| Main - SMG2.5 - General SMG2.5 talk - Music Composition Guidelines | Hide post layouts | New reply |
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