Gah! I need some loops to make Japanese-sounding music!

[DaFool]

I'm really enjoying the tracks posted here (especially Kindred87's epic tracks that remind me of Armored Core... I wish I were making a GAR mecha VN on the level of Gurren Lagann then I could find some use for those!)

Unfortunately I find myself in the position of either finding music that usually comes from a Japanese composer. Specifically, something that sounds like the OP of anime such as Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai! (Listen to Me, Girl. I Am Your Father!) and Maken Ki. Really cute pop beats and surprisingly... I couldn't figure out how to do it (what loops to use, how to arrange, etc.) Everything I do ends up sounding more jazzy, R & B-ish... yup, more Western-sounding. I know the Japanese tunes go way faster and use high, light notes, but how about the bass? If it were discrete enough I would be able to identify and imitate the sequencing, but it's so fast I have a hard time recreating in MIDI... or perhaps they're all using a single electronic effect?

Help and tips would be appreciated! Can anybody here compose in a really Japanese style like the OP songs I mentioned?

[Kindred87]

Epic? Oh, why you flatter Ironically enough, I have a Mecha VN that I plan to create in the distant future


But to the topic!

The Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai OP seems to have quite a bit of Electro/Dance influence in it, if you take note of the clapping, "swish" effects, and transition style.

The Maken- Ki! OP uses more Pop-like elements, especially with the strings and acoustic drum kit.


Assuming You're A Noob~

If you'd like to create music like this, you'll need to spend a large amount of time acquiring and developing the skills needed to work in this style of music. Depending on your experience with music, your level of motivation, and/or your overall aptitude, it could take anywhere from five to forty-eight months before you're ready to compose music for projects.


If you're willing to take on such a commitment, then the first place you should start is with something I always refer to as "Exposure to the genre." If you build a collection of songs (in the style of music you wish to create) and listen to it casually, then you grow more familiar with the style; you get exposure. I recommend that you start there.


Assuming You're Experienced~

The bass is unimportant for these types of songs. But if you really insist, I suggest using a nice dry-sounding bass effect, like the ones used in the House genre (I think). Be aware that using strong bass would probably take away from the "lightness" of the song.

And you're thinking of this wrong. Anime OP songs are just that, songs. They follow the same conventions as other songs do, and they can be created using the same methods. So some songs will use a single effect throughout the entire song, while others will not. So don't try to focus on small things like that unless you're trying to copy a specific song. Try to really close in on the global things: the intros and outros, the variations in the songs, the usage of transitions, how the various lines (Percussion, harmony, etc.) support the melody/vocals, why the songs seem faster than they really are, what types of effects are used for certain emotions/feelings, and whatever else I didn't list.

[DaFool]

I consider myself semi-n00b, but marginally competent enough.

To gauge my skill, you can download The Thirteenth Year... it has my custom soundtrack, all in Garageband. The music folder is open sourced.

I wasn't musically trained, so for simple loops that evoke mood, my skills have sufficed.

However, you are right: anime OPs are songs, and I don't know how to write songs. What's more, this particular project is a commercial one and I know my skills are not up to par. It's different from a hobby game where the art and music are on the same level.

What's overwhelming me are the sheer amount of of changes in notes and beats, where I can't simply just do a copy-paste and nudge the chords one level up or down.

I listen to a lot of jazz... which are pretty darn slow and allow for some space to breath while the beat goes on. Anime songs are started and over and done with in 90 seconds.

I suppose I'll start with the melody first rather than chords. And not worry about the bass until later.

[Kindred87]

Those songs are all about excitement. Which is why they change so much and have such rapid slavos of melodies and effects. If you ever listen to trailer music, you'll notice that they tend to switch things up fairly fast in an effort to increase listener-interest. Anime OP's take it to the next level, as they're there to catch the viewer's attention and hook them into the anime.

Oh, and I'm downloading the game now.


If you want, you can go ahead and check out this post for sample/loop libraries.


- Edit -

After listening to your songs, it's come to my attention that you don't have a DAW. I highly recomment FL Studio if you're to grab one, as it's what I use for all my works (Even after trying professional ones like Cubase and SONAR). Plus, it's entry-level, so it's not overwhelmingly-complex.

[DaFool]

Thanks for the suggestions and tips.

I thought Garageband was a DAW? (Oh yeah right, you can't use VSTs, they have to be Apple-approved Audio Units, right... ). I'm really ignorant of all these effects which a DJ would probably know better.

In your list, which ones are Japanese providers aside from Katana Bits? I thought I heard a very familiar synth effect, and lo and behold I'm reminded of this, one of my favorite anime OPs of all time:

I'm thinking... hey, this more global trance/techno so technically speaking even a non-Japanese musician would easily hit the feel.

Do you happen to have comrades in your music circle whom I could perhaps outsource some tracks to (so long as I'm not charged the professional rate of $100/minute). If so, they're going to be working on this game:



(I'll probably make an official recruitment later, but have to touch base with the boss first)

[Kindred87]

Wait, you used Garageband for that soundtrack? It just sounds so MIDI-like x(

And yeah, Katana Bits is the only Japanese sound company that I found. I guess I can try to look for some more, as I could do with more variation on the electronic side of things. But as the list currently stands, it's mostly Western.


I don't know any good composers willing to work on a project, let alone in the style you're looking for. That and the Eastern branch of my sound group is private. >_>

[ZackParrish]

Garageband is a DAW, but like all DAWs you can use it to sequence MIDIs as well.

Edit - Correction(on myself), like MOST DAWs. I'm pretty sure ACID doesnt' have any direct support for MIDI but it could've changed over the years. I'm not really familiar with it anymore... having used it only a couple of times 10 years ago. :p

[Kindred87]

Remember folks, I never said that Garageband wasn't a DAW!

Moving on...

A DAW without MIDI support is like painting software without tablet support, it's like the unspoken necessity Thus, ACID should have MIDI support (Which it does).

[JDarryl]

I think the thing that makes music like the youtube vid you posted sound japanese, is because of it's context (the thought of it being an anime opening, changes your intepration of the sound) and quite obviously the vocals. If you wouldn't have heard it in an anime opening and instrumental (out of it's context), the thought of it being 'japanese' probably wouldn't have crossed your mind. While it's true that a lot of these them are upbeat, on a high tempo and use light catchy melodies, that's just because they need to fit a certain theme. Like Kindred said, it's also music, just like the western stuff you hear.

Just think about what you need to make, what atmosphere / mood / feeling your music needs to have, not what they've used, and I'm pretty sure that if your project requires a song like that, you'll be able to write one. Forget about what they did, and make your own thing. It's what I did and hell... things have a been a walk in the park from that point onwards, music-wise.

[ZackParrish]

Remember folks, I never said that Garageband wasn't a DAW!

I'll be honest, I skipped around while reading and was responding to DaFool's question about Garageband being a DAW. :p