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I need to compose music for my visual novel but i don't know how ... I know some music theory basic things like keys and time signatures and i play guitar for two years now ...
What are the tools that i need to create soundtracks (on computer and without any recording ) ?
Can fl studio help me ?
My VN is sad so i need to compose sad piano music , is it hard to do that ?

And thank you in advance =)

hey there!

I would recommend using LMMS (Linux Multimedia Studio) and finding free soundfonts which are plentiful on the web! This is the setup I use. sad piano music should not be too difficult I think; picking a minor key is one way to start?

here are some helpful links:

http://soundfonts.darkesword.com/

http://lmms.sourceforge.net/

have fun!

syncopika wrote:hey there!

I would recommend using LMMS (Linux Multimedia Studio) and finding free soundfonts which are plentiful on the web! This is the setup I use. sad piano music should not be too difficult I think; picking a minor key is one way to start?

here are some helpful links:

http://soundfonts.darkesword.com/

http://lmms.sourceforge.net/

have fun!

Thank you for your reply! But unfortunately , i use windows :/ do you know any good music maker software that runs on windows ?
And thank you

FL Studio can help as it come with basic sample libraries and other vst plugins.

Other digital audio workstations such as Logic Pro 9 or Logic X, Cubase, Ableton and others will allow you to compose from the get go. The only catch is you gotta pay for it, there are other discouraged ways.

Cubase and Pro Tools runs on windows, I think you can get Cubase LE for free legitimately. That'll have a piano for you at least.

With those tools if you're serious in music composition you can expand your content through third parties. Though that's like another story all together.

warrior_of_peace wrote:

syncopika wrote:hey there!

I would recommend using LMMS (Linux Multimedia Studio) and finding free soundfonts which are plentiful on the web! This is the setup I use. sad piano music should not be too difficult I think; picking a minor key is one way to start?

here are some helpful links:

http://soundfonts.darkesword.com/

http://lmms.sourceforge.net/

have fun!

Thank you for your reply! But unfortunately , i use windows :/ do you know any good music maker software that runs on windows ?
And thank you

lol don't be fooled by the name! LMMS runs perfectly well on Windows! I run it on Windows lol. check it out; it's perfect for your needs I think. And it's free!!

syncopika wrote:

warrior_of_peace wrote:

syncopika wrote:hey there!

I would recommend using LMMS (Linux Multimedia Studio) and finding free soundfonts which are plentiful on the web! This is the setup I use. sad piano music should not be too difficult I think; picking a minor key is one way to start?

here are some helpful links:

http://soundfonts.darkesword.com/

http://lmms.sourceforge.net/

have fun!

Thank you for your reply! But unfortunately , i use windows :/ do you know any good music maker software that runs on windows ?
And thank you

lol don't be fooled by the name! LMMS runs perfectly well on Windows! I run it on Windows lol. check it out; it's perfect for your needs I think. And it's free!!

Hahaha yeah ! I didn't noticed that :p i'll give it try ! But the problem is how to start composing music ? Should i post random notes on the piano roll ? I don't have any idea about composing ... Can you please tell me ?

sure! I can't play piano, so I often just lay down some notes on the piano roll and work from there. Making chords is pretty helpful because sometimes I get inspired just by listening to different types of chords. make blocks of notes, i.e. C,E, and G, or C,F and A and listen for the differences. then try making sequences of blocks and see if you like the flow. I find that I often have to go back and change notes so that the progression makes sense, at least to me.

Most importantly, though, I think, is that you think a bit about what you would like to hear in your head. If you know how you want something to sound, composing can be pretty easy I think.

Also, listen to your favorite artists and try imitating their styles! In my experience, attempting to copy someone's style leads me to new ideas.

composing involves experimentation, so have fun! hope this helps.

Hello!

You can also try downloading MuseScore at: http://musescore.org/

Like LMMS, it's free, and it's definitely available for Windows.

Plus it's relatively easy to use; just click 'N' on the interface to start putting in notes as you would an actual music sheet, select the instruments you want, and start exporting your masterpiece!

- ((Finally registered just to post, after months of lurking/stalking/unobtrusive research. ))

I wish there was a real guide to composing, but sadly it's not as simple as that.

This is my analogy of composing.

You can be taught how to ride a bike, but doing tricks on it is something you have to practice for yourself. Someone can show you that but ultimately you must do it.

You have played guitar for two years, transfer that knowledge into composition. If you really need help, try looking for midi examples of songs on youtube and other places to feed off of. It's ok look at someone else's work and mimic it, there is a whole industry based around that for trailers, film and game. Just make sure it's not exactly the same!

Thank you all for your replies ! They really helped me