[RPG] RMXP MP3 Soundtrack

[Kodakami]

Hey all, I'm starting a workshop in which I will, one by one, attempt to make all of RMXP's database music into MP3 format with the Garritan Personal Orchestra Library. For those of you who don't know what that means, GPO is one of the more expensive and high-quality instrument libraries out there.

So sit back, grab some free music, and please cheer me on as I go for the whole enchilada.  :thumb:

Completed MP3s:
Battle01
Boss01
Boss04
Lastboss01
Theme01

Works in Progress:
Field01

Compliments/Criticism is appreciated, but only if you know anything about music; I don't want any "lol ur sux0r".

 

[Glitchfinder]

Although I haven't yet listened to the track you provided, I have a few comments. First off, you might want to go in order, instead of doing your favorites first. It will help you in the long run, especially when you can do something like provide a zip for each finished group. Second, try uploading the music to a streaming server. That way, the people who don't want to bother downloading the music to see if it's worth anything can just listen to it online first. Finally, I can't help but wonder what you need all those programs for. I mean, can't you just import the midi file into Garritan, and then use Fruity Loops to check the instruments they used?

Edit: I just listened to the track, and I have a few more comments:

First, why is it so quiet? I have a laptop that has default volume so loud that I have to keep the Master Volume at one point above muted, (and some things are still too loud) and your track is barely audible in comparison. Next, I know you're using a professional program, but I don't think you made the best choices in instruments. The entire track sounded somewhat off, especially the drums. In fact, I think I may have preferred the instruments in the midi. Try messing around with theh intruments, and see if you can get it to come off a little better. And, if the Churh Organ in Garritan is anything like one in real life, you're pretty much screwed when it comes to Boss04. (Let's just say the church organ in a midi file is completely different from one in real life, and is used differently in the RMXP midis than a real one would be used. Not to mention the fact that it is impossible to have three in one room, with how they have to be built with a special room matched to their acoustics)

Here's an example of 001-Battle01 that I just uploaded, to show what I mean. It isn't perfect, but it has a more reasonable volume, it has a better instrument choice, and, as far as I can tell, it sounds much better than the original midi file. (Note: Link removed by Glitchfinder)

 

[moog]

glitchfinder said alot of what I pretty much wanted to say so ill just add

TAG YOUR FREAKING THREAD (not just you but everyone who isnt doing it)

 

[Kodakami]

As much as I appreciate reading through huge posts of criticism, I think you're missing the point. My goal is to make MP3 versions of the MIDIs, not to change the instruments.

The reason the volume is so low, is so the ever-important counter-melodies can come out in the quieter instruments (i.e. Oboe and Horn).

I listened to your song. You completely ran over the woodwinds and the horns, plus I don't remember there being an electric guitar in the original.

I've changed the main post to be more specific about the programs if it will make you happier.

The volume can just be raised in RMXP manually. Regardless, I'll see what I can do...

EDIT:
I upped the volume as high as it will go without distorting. Not a huge change.

 

[creamdonut]

Sounds good, although Glitch does have a point. Some instruments sound really good in the Mid the way they are, like in the case of the organ in Boss 4. If you happen to change the organ for that song with a good quality organ, you will have a tough time getting an appropriate sounding organ. Although I must agree that Glitch did ran over the winds in his case.
As for the volume change, it did afect, and quite a bit. Has a good volume now. Another thing, is that you can use FL Studio built-in Edison to cut the song. It's a really good tool worth it's time to master.

I've been listening to your song version, and though I can notice some good sounds around here, it might get a little confusing all together. There are some parts where it has a little bit of "sound overload", if I can use that term. Otherwise, I love the strings.

 

[Glitchfinder]

I never said to change the instruements to something different. I use a program called Reason, which is basically a giant, professional synthesizer, and it gives me so many choices for most of the RTP instruments that it's hard to choose a good one. (Notable exceptions being the Church Organ, English Horn, Recorder, and Taiko) I will admit that I ran over the winds (I hadn't noticed at the time that Reason's strings and such were much louder than the winds at the default volume, and I went on to approximate the volume in the midi, not by sound, but by the level set in the file, on the scrollbar) Anyway, I like your new one, but, once again, it seems too quiet compared to everything else I hear on my computer. Also, I have no idea why you thought you heard an electric guitar in that battle01 I posted. I certainly don't have one in the song, it's all the same instruments that the midi uses. (Although some may be a little off, I'm not exactly the best ear when it comes to individual instruments) Anyway, here's a copy of boss01 that I did a while back:

005-Boss01 (Link removed by Glitchfinder)

Before anyone says it, I know that the harp and several other instruments are off in their volume. Also, here's the closest approximation of Boss04 I could get last time I tried. That required quite a bit of heavy modifications. Just to give an example of how hard it is to mimic some things from a midi.

008-Boss04 (Link removed by Glitchfinder)

 

[moog]

Glitchfinder, I would prefer it if you didnt plug your music in someone else's thread. I understand you are making an example, and thats fine, but do it without posting an active link from one of your threads.

Suggesting that the OP could look in your thread for help is fine, but im not a fan of plugging someone else's music in someone's thread. I know you are trying to help, but cut back on it.

Also you guys do realize the easiest way to do this (without ANY EFFORT) is to load the files into Finale and change the instrumentation. It takes about 5 minutes of mixing and then your track is done.

 

[moog]

Garritan Personal Orchestra (for the instruments)

ESPECIALLY if you are using GPO (its pre-packaged in finale), this would work easily. If you have EWQLSO vst to plugin it would sound even better. Its much simpler imo.

 

[Kodakami]

Probably.

EDIT:
Can't use Edison. It's Producer Editior only.

EDIT2:
Also, regarding the three organs in Boss04, there's only supposed to be one. The other two lines are for the echo effect. I substituted an actual echo in a cavernous, triangular room instead.

 

[Glitchfinder]

Glitchfinder, I would prefer it if you didnt plug your music in someone else's thread. I understand you are making an example, and thats fine, but do it without posting an active link from one of your threads.

Suggesting that the OP could look in your thread for help is fine, but im not a fan of plugging someone else's music in someone's thread. I know you are trying to help, but cut back on it. This is the second time Ive had to tell you about this, so next time will be a warn.

Also you guys do realize the easiest way to do this (without ANY EFFORT) is to load the files into Finale and change the instrumentation. It takes about 5 minutes of mixing and then your track is done.

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm not mentioning my thread, I'm not tellimg him to look there, or anything of the sort. All I'm doing is posting some of my music as an example of what I'm saying. Although I guess I have a link to the thread in my signature, I'm not trying to bring any attention to it. Also, I do know that many of the tracks have multiple instruments to make some reverb, I'm just making the point that, as the midi stands, it's an impossible piece of music to perform.

Edit: Oh, now I get what you meant. I misread your post. Although I don't get what you're saying about the warn. The first time you mentiond this, I was telling someone to look in my thread because the thread they posted in had no music by the OP that was still hosted. (In other words the only accessible music remaining in the thread had been posted by someone else) This time, you're telling me to mention my thread, instead of posting some of my music directly. Anyway, I'll remove the links.

 

[moog]

You dont have to remove them, just in the future keep it in mind (Im not trying to harp on you in particular, its just stuff like that is frowned upon)

And yeah im sorry I got you confused with another member. Ignore the warn part that I wrote :x

 

[Glitchfinder]

You dont have to remove them, just in the future keep it in mind (Im not trying to harp on you in particular, its just stuff like that is frowned upon)

And yeah im sorry I got you confused with another member. Ignore the warn part that I wrote :x

Ok, got it. Thanks for clearing that up. Also @ the OP:

I must admit, you did a much better job on Boss04 than I did. Yours is much truer to the original. Still, mine uses an instrument I had to create from scratch, and I'm not exactly the best at that.

 

[Kodakami]

Thank you Glitch. Lucky enough for me, GPO has a phenominal "Full Organ" instrument. The problem with most organs is that they only play part of the pipes (either reeds or flutes), in which case you need to have both to get the effect.

 

[creamdonut]

Hey, sounds really nice. Man, I have to get my hands on some synths!  :tongue2:
That organ sounds like the real thing... Wish I had some good knowledge on music theory....

 

[Kodakami]

Sakari-infinity.net has a great course on music theory. While a quick Google search for "darkesword soundfonts" will take you to some ecxellent free instruments. My advice is to take Squidfont Orchestral.

 

[Kodakami]

New Song - Lastboss01

EDIT:
New Song - Theme01

 

[Jstreet]

EWQLSO > GOP :D

On the note of you music, it sounds like you just took the MIDI straight out of the folder and replace them with the GPO samples. This is a bad thing. Instruments normally come dry and aren't toned so well. You still have to mix and master the track as you would were it an original. Tweaking the reverb levels, panning correctly, volume control(which was VERY evident in most of the songs), etc.

I want to applaud you for trying to do this, but you've done nothing more than followed a phad from 30 something would-be composers. If you're going to do a remake, do it from scratch and not just replace the instruments in the MIDI version.

 

[Kodakami]

You're probably right, JStreet. I noticed the same blandness in the music that you pointed out. I'll try a full remake on the next song and we'll see from there.

 

[moog]

Gpo is pretty much terrible but it is a good alternative to paying $600 for an ewqlso.

 

[Kodakami]

I wouldn't say it's terrible. It's a very good quality of sound.