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Topic: KORG M01D/DSN-12 Thread

Posts 41 to 60 of 83

Zaphod_Beeblebrox

N00b here. Just want to make sure I'm approaching this right before I waste a lot of time doing it wrong.

I'm programming in Maple Leaf Rag from sheet music (public domain). The time signature is 2/4. In the M01D, I'm using single steps (boxes) for sixteenth notes, and two steps (click and drag) for eighth notes. So each measure is eight steps wide in the M01D. Is that a reasonable way to do it or would an experienced user do it differently?

Also, the Maple Leaf Rag starts off with a "runt" measure (my term) at the very beginning...an eighth note which is effectively at the end of a measure. I'm guessing this is done for implied emphasis reasons (different notes in measures being emphasized more than others...which is what I think the "swing" setting in the M01D is for). So to make this work out right, I'm guessing I should put that first eighth note in the last two steps of an otherwise empty set of eight steps. So that way the first note of the first full measure will start on an eight-step boundary. Is this right or am I wandering around in the high weeds?

I've only entered a few measures so far. It's slow going because I'm not fast at reading music yet. I'll be a lot faster by the time I finish punching this piece in. But it's absolutely magical listening to the M01D pound out the first few measures at full tempo. I couldn't possibly do that myself (obviously).

Edited on by Zaphod_Beeblebrox

Put your analyst on danger money, baby.

SCRAPPER392

@Zaphod_Beeblebrox
I think I get what you mean. You want to put the first note of another measure in the 8th spot of the previous measure so that it sounds the way it's supposed to?

You just need to make sure that you keep track of that yourself if I'm understanding you correctly. There isn't a 4/7 measure setting. That's what I'm guessing it would be called.

I just had some notes going at 3/4 and 4/4 going on the second note of the 3/4 measurement, and the rest was a mix of both in some parts.

Good luck figuring it out. Just put the notes where they sound right.

Qwest

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3737-8064 | Nintendo Network ID: Children

Zaphod_Beeblebrox

Thanks, SCAR392. Everything sounds great. I was just wondering about "best practices" since I've never used a sequencer before. When I hit "play", the 3DS is transformed into a master pianist. It's amazing. Software like KORG M01D is really empowering to unskilled (but patient and determined) people like me.

Put your analyst on danger money, baby.

Zaphod_Beeblebrox

My wife explained the music to me. The second measure begins a repeated section. The first measure (which contains only one chord) is not included in that repeated section. So I think I should put the first measure in its own little scene so I can easily block copy the repeated measures.

I'm learning! This sort of thing will be obvious to me in the future.

Put your analyst on danger money, baby.

Zaphod_Beeblebrox

There is entirely too much posting in this thread! Slow down, you guys! Uh, wait, the last three posts are from me. Um, yeah.

I haven't Streetpassed anyone with this app yet. Or they haven't had anything set to be shared via Streetpass. I'm sharing the Maple Leaf Rag. It's such a cheerful, bouncy tune.

For my next data-entry project (since I'm nowhere near skilled enough to actually compose anything), I want to find some sheet music for a small chamber orchestra piece. That way I can have more than one instrument playing.

As I enter the music, I observe the chord play. So I feel like I'm actually learning something about music rather than just blindly transcribing music. And I really enjoy the end result.

Put your analyst on danger money, baby.

Joeynator3000

....Uh, yeah...triple posting is not the best thing to do.....just saying...

My Monster Hunter Rise Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzirEG5duST1bEJi0-9kUORu5SRfvuTLr

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Keep it PG-13-ish.

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twadebarcelona

I have this software but I don't have any idea what to do with it. I have never created any music before but would like to and I am wondering if anyone knows how I could learn to use this application on my 3DS XL.

twadebarcelona

3DS Friend Code: 5413-0014-0138 | Nintendo Network ID: twadepsvita | Twitter:

edhe

@CircuitBird I like those - particularly Marble Zone. I listened (briefly) to a few of your other tracks earlier as well, and they're all great listens. I'll give them a proper listen to another time.

I haven't really been using the Korg M01D lately, but I've given it another go, and am currently composing something. My problem is that I really have no technical knowledge on making music. Sometimes I'll actually be having a dream where I'm making a rocking song, and I'm thinking to myself, "YES! This is AWESOME!!", then I wake up and I think "Oh... It was just a dream. I can't actually make music like that". Even in my day-to-day life, a riff might come into my head, but I've not got the knowledge or the means to express it as I'd like to.

I'm certain that if I was to take piano lessons, I could one day become good at music, but at the moment, that seems far off.

Here's a sneak preview of what I'm working on (it's only 4 seconds):

Rob-Au-Pair - Level 1 - WIP

My problem with it is, I can't imagine how I'll continue the song. It might be a matter of changing the instruments. There's room for 4 more channels as well. I'll get cracking on it though.

My Backloggery.
Follow a cow?

Switch Friend Code: SW-6650-8335-1908 | 3DS Friend Code: 4682-8598-1260

Joeynator3000

Still not sure whether to get this or not, afraid that I might stop using after a day or so. :c
Wished there was a trial or something...

My Monster Hunter Rise Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzirEG5duST1bEJi0-9kUORu5SRfvuTLr

Discord server: https://discord.gg/fGUnxcK
Keep it PG-13-ish.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Joeynator3000

SCRAPPER392

Mizore wrote:

Still not sure whether to get this or not, afraid that I might stop using after a day or so. :c
Wished there was a trial or something...

It's a pretty good app. I know I started this thread, but my brother is the one who owns it
I made a file a page or so back, but I haven't really had a chance to use it very often.

You can make a whole soundtrack if you seriously dedicate some time to it.

Edited on by SCRAPPER392

Qwest

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3737-8064 | Nintendo Network ID: Children

Joeynator3000

Kinda does suck that you can only export your work into MIDI format, though...bleh. xD
I might wait for a discount or something...

My Monster Hunter Rise Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzirEG5duST1bEJi0-9kUORu5SRfvuTLr

Discord server: https://discord.gg/fGUnxcK
Keep it PG-13-ish.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Joeynator3000

SCRAPPER392

@Mizore
Ya, MIDI is pretty expensive... I looked up MIDI programs for PC, and good ones are like $100+. MIDI is basically is just the notes, instrument file name, pitch, etc, but it doesn't have much, if any of the actual sound data. MIDI requires the computer to play everything from scratch, instead of a recording everytime, and the sound quality is better, but expensive as I said.

If you're a professional, this tool would be worth more, but most of us are just doing whatever. Straight recording is the only option if you have, unless you buy more programs, but it still sounds decent. Also, I don't really think many of us plan on using it professionally, so it might seem pretty expensive if you're not into it in the first place.

Edited on by SCRAPPER392

Qwest

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3737-8064 | Nintendo Network ID: Children

Joeynator3000

Well I am able to record straight from the 3DS phone jack, so, yeah.

I might think about it, since I am working on my big computer upgrade. What causes the MIDI to sound different anyways, is it just based on the computer itself or something?

My Monster Hunter Rise Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzirEG5duST1bEJi0-9kUORu5SRfvuTLr

Discord server: https://discord.gg/fGUnxcK
Keep it PG-13-ish.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Joeynator3000

Captain-N

MIDI sounds different based on the soundcard inside a pc. Soundcards can be in the expansion slots of a motherboard, or on-board.

Edited on by Captain-N

Captain-N

FireHorsePrime

Mizore wrote:

Still not sure whether to get this or not, afraid that I might stop using after a day or so. :c
Wished there was a trial or something...What causes the MIDI to sound different anyways, is it just based on the computer itself or something?

The sounds are professional quality and the interface is very user friendly, although it's a no frills color scheme. If you love making electronic music you can't beat it, but other styles that are a bit more "freestyle" are harder to accomplish since you're using the stylus. Programming nuances and performance elements like grace notes are rather tricky, but can be done. The kaos pad is worth the price of the app in my opinion, and offers a unique and fun way to create music, albeit rather mechanical in many respects. I love the tracker format but even after a month of creating a few covers and a couple of original pieces, I've not touched the program since. As for Midi sounds, the data created in a Midi file contains all of the information to play back the music except the sounds (although application specific midi files can contain system exclusive data which can hold digital samples or patches for specific instruments which need to be sent to instruments at the beginning of the song, of which the M01D does not implement). However the M01D will save in a basic MIDI format which would only include Note On, Note Off, volume and/or velocity changes, and tempo variables. You then would import this file to your sequencer like Cubase, Cakewalk Sonar, etc. and then assign any sounds you want of the eight tracks provided. With some creative audio management you could even record the M01D's output (as you intended) and align that with the Midi file data and additional instruments layered along with the Midi. Or just work solely with the Midi data and your particular rig. This is what makes the M01D a great "sketchpad" for working smaller phrases to be incorporated into a larger piece in the composers arsenal of instruments. I highly recommend this program even just to fall back on when the need to be creative musically strikes, and you're nowhere near your primary instrument.

FireHorsePrime

Joeynator3000

Kinda wished they did have a retail at least. :c

My Monster Hunter Rise Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzirEG5duST1bEJi0-9kUORu5SRfvuTLr

Discord server: https://discord.gg/fGUnxcK
Keep it PG-13-ish.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Joeynator3000

FireHorsePrime

SCAR392 wrote:

@Mizore
Ya, MIDI is pretty expensive... I looked up MIDI programs for PC, and good ones are like $100+. MIDI is basically is just the notes, instrument file name, pitch, etc, but it doesn't have much, if any of the actual sound data. MIDI requires the computer to play everything from scratch, instead of a recording everytime, and the sound quality is better, but expensive as I said.

If you're a professional, this tool would be worth more, but most of us are just doing whatever. Straight recording is the only option if you have, unless you buy more programs, but it still sounds decent. Also, I don't really think many of us plan on using it professionally, so it might seem pretty expensive if you're not into it in the first place.

Actually everything you need can be had for free. Albeit the learning curve may be rather steep.

Assuming you're on PC, there are several options, but the one I recommend for Midi playback is OpenMPT. It's also a tracker (like the one in the M01D) which will load Midi sequences It will default to your systems GM midi playback library (which is why the quality depends on the soundcard inside) but with OpenMTP's plethora of sound playback options you are not limited to these sounds. It is compatible with the most popular music trackers from the last 20+ years, allowing you load MODs found on websites all over the world that were composed by some of the better artists from the demo scene. 8-bit and 16-bit samples can be ripped and implemented in your own sequences, and better yet, native soundfonts can be loaded and played back, granted you have installed a VST plug in to play them back otherwise this is dependent on your soundcard. Any soundblaser Audigy card has the hardware chip necessary for soundfont playback but if you're just using an integrated audio chip you can download and integrate a playback plugin and all the soundfonts you want (provided you have enough ram). I've included two links here in case you want to take on the challenge. I can verify OpenMPT is a great program for manipulating music and with a soundfont plug in the combo would empower any composer with professional level results.

OpenMPT - Free Tracker Software:
http://www.openmpt.org

Free Soundfont VST plug Ins:
http://freemusicsoftware.org/category/free-vst/soundfont

If you're confused at all, just send me a message and I can probably help you out. Good luck.

FireHorsePrime

FireHorsePrime

Addendum to previous post:

So say you get the M01D, and create a song with it. You could save the Midi file, then plug the SD card into your computer, load the Midi sequence into OpenMPT. change the instruments to your liking, then save as an MP3 (with limitations). Viola! Yes it can be that easy, as long as you know what you're doing. Just let me know if you need help.

FireHorsePrime

SCRAPPER392

@FireHorsePrime
No. You explained things well. My PC is a 2010 built AMD Athlon II 645 quad-core Radeon 4200 w/ 6GB of RAM. I don't mess with my PC very often.

I just googled free MIDI software and paid ones came up. I also don't know what my sound card is. It's not really worth my time to mess with PC, TBH, but your info seems sound.

EDIT: I'll reference this thread if I ever want to use the app again, but it's on my bro's 3DS.

Edited on by SCRAPPER392

Qwest

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3737-8064 | Nintendo Network ID: Children

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