Topic: Learning How to Make Music

Is there any good, free music synthesizer application? I'm asking because well, I'm considering to learn how to make music (although that might be too late), or to be more exact, BGM and OST Any tips and tricks as well?

I guess you mean compose, or at least arrange music? Because Garageband is a pretty good one to start off with. It has a lot of loops that you can put together to make different feels, rhythms, etc. You can also hook up a keyboard to record your very own original piece as well as recording a live instrument if you play one. Now if you want a good music notation software(which would be best for OST) for free, I can't help you there. The one I use is Finale 2012 but it's pricey:https://store.makemusic.com/Store/default.aspx?tab=notation&a... . In this software you can choose from a plethora of different instruments, from a full orchestra to a jazz combo and then put in your idea by clicking a note on the staff. You can also play it in on a keyboard like Garageband. After you finish your composition, you can print it out. There are also different options for the font you want on your piece. And it makes it look professional. But yeah that's what I think. I'm a budding composer as well. And do you play an instrument?

There's SunVox, it's a free tracker, and there are some tutorials on YouTube on how to use it.

Oh I just realized that Garageband isn't free. Sorry! It is only $15 if you have a Mac though and imo it's worth it.

It's okay! I've put them on my bookmark at least, (and unfortunately, I only have Windows 8, although if there's an official composing music thing from Microsoft, I might be able to download them for free )

I'll try all of those in the near future! Thank you for all the suggestions, and I don't mind more suggestions as well

Oh and I forgot to answer that, no, I don't play any instrument unfortunately

I tried guitar once but it didn't really hold my interest (and I only tried for a very short while, less than 2 weeks)

Look at my above post! >u<

Linux MultiMedia Studio is an excellent one. It's free and works with a Midi driver for playback, and can export midi, wav, or ogg as well. It has a keyboard interface, and can import midi, though there are some flaws in the import. It's set up a bit like the high end ones, with controllers and a lot of midi-like interfaces.

Thank you!

Well it's not necessary but it certainly helps. Just reading about as many instruments as you can will help tremendously. Get to know their ranges, how they work, what's difficult for the player and what's not. Knowing these things will make the people who play your pieces absolutely adore you. And also get a book on music theory. If you already know a lot about it, you can still enforce that knowledge and learn things you didn't know before. If you have no prior experience with theory, it will probably be the most useful thing you can do to become an adept composer.

Ooooooh, true. I shall search on Music theory and books about that kind of thing

Or you could use Famitracker. it's free and you can make chiptunes on it. About music theory... I think it's not necessary, you can just compose what you think sounds great and keep on with that. It's what I did and each day I'm getting better without sounding like everyone else, it's hard but also very rewarding.

Hmm... I went to check the website, but strangely, I can't even open it... :/

I guess it really depends on what kind of music you want to write. I use Finale 2012 as well, but it's probably pretty difficult to get a handle on unless you know at least a little bit about music theory and notation. When I first started out, before I went to school for music, I used Finale Notepad, which is a much less complicated version, and it's free.

http://www.finalemusic.com/products/finale-notepad/resources

Definitely get into some theory classes, and take piano lessons, if you're trying to write some serious orchestral music. If you're trying to write chiptunes or electronic music, you should look into FL Studio or something like that, because Finale isn't nearly as adept at that kind of stuff. If that's the angle you're going for, music theory isn't nearly as necessary, but it will definitely help your song-writing ability immensely. Electronic music programs are generally made for people who don't know anything about a music staff, so it's not a requirement, but I strongly suggest you try and learn

Ooooh, thank you!

Don't forget there are a variety of apps across several Nintendo platforms. Assuuming they are available in your territory or you have the required console. They aren't free, but they aren't £100+ either:

• "Rytmik" and it's various versions (DSi/3DS)
• "Rhythm Core Alpha" 1&2 (DSiWare)
• "Mix Superstar" (WiiWare) - More like garageband than anything else available. You clip together samples and loops to make tracks, but I've found it quite limited. I wouldn't recommend it personally)
• "Jam with the Band/Daigasso Band Brothers" (DS-retail) A Pop n' Music style game with a music creation tool included. You create music by drawing up the sheet music as opposed to arranging notes on a piano roll. I bought some sheet music from a shop so I could try and understand the process, but it isn't easy. In playing it in the last year, I've discovered you can actually fidddle with how each instrument sounds - albeit not to a very high degree. I haven't really been able to compose anything using this game.

Something that is coming on the horizon is the Korg M01D app on the 3DS eShop. Unlike the other items listed, it has an actual synthesiser, meaning you are able to create more distinct sounds. It's the most expensive of the bunch at a tentative £20.

Personally, I use Rytmik (Rock & Retrobits) and FL Studio. Rytmik exclusively uses samples, but you are able to alter the echo and wideness of each channel. FL Studio offers the greatest scope for making music out off all that I have available, with a library of samples and .vst support (plugins - essentially downloadable synthesisers and channel effects).

I'm in the same boat as you - I have no formal training in music, and have been teaching myself (just making what sounds good to me at the time). I'm guessing you have a passion for videogame music. I love listening to it, and I try to incorporate some of the techniques into my own work. Not that I've had much practice.

Related to this (tenuously), I had a dream last night where I made this really cool remix to a song I had already made (it was actually an earlier version, but it had really cool synth and samples) and another dream where I made this really great sounding song.

I wake up really annoyed in those situations.

Ooooh, those are interesting! I might need to pick up a voucher to add up some dollars to my 3DS account (although, is it available in American 3DS? >.<)

As far as video games go, I recommend Korg DS-10 Synthesizer Plus, for DS. I have that program and it's a great way to get into learning electronic music. I know about "formal" music, but not much about how to compose electronic music, so that program was a great way for me to get into it. I have Rytmik and it's VERY limited in what it can do compared to the Korg programs. I haven't tried the app @edhe mentioned on the 3DS shop, though.

Aww, I don't have my DS anymore, it's back home

SACRILEGE!