[Music] A Tiny, Tiny, Clever Commander MIDI

[Barzoom]

This song is awesome, okay? But all of the fan-made MIDIs I have seen for it doesn't really do it justice.

So, I whipped this one up.
http://www.mediafire.com/?uz5n4eflysciddu

What do you guys think? Anything that should be fixed?

[Vyrien]

I'm not an expert on music myself, so I am in no position to point out exact flaws in musical composition. That being said, I actually did enjoy this remix very much, thanks for sharing :3

[DX7.EP]

Ah, a remix! Not bad, but I came in expecting a transcode of the original (which would've been great for the TTS-1/Logic remake projects that are handled by Spaztique and me, respectively)!

Quick questions since I'm a MIDI enthusiast :3 :
1> Any particular synths (hardware, software, whatever) you composed this on? Or was it just MSGS synth?
2> Which DAW or software did you use? (Anvil is very common for MIDI, quite a few here use FL Studio, and there are a handful of Sonar and Cubase users as well. As for me...I'm the lone Logic-based figure, with Sonar as an assist).

[Barzoom]

Ah, a remix! Not bad, but I came in expecting a transcode of the original (which would've been great for the TTS-1/Logic remake projects that are handled by Spaztique and me, respectively)!

Quick questions since I'm a MIDI enthusiast :3 :
1> Any particular synths (hardware, software, whatever) you composed this on? Or was it just MSGS synth?
2> Which DAW or software did you use? (Anvil is very common for MIDI, quite a few here use FL Studio, and there are a handful of Sonar and Cubase users as well. As for me...I'm the lone Logic-based figure, with Sonar as an assist).

I wouldn't think of it as a remix, do you really not find it if not exactly, like the original?

I just did it by ear in FL Studio, without the use of hardware, nothing fancy at all.
I'm guessing MSGS is the Microsoft general midi? Yeah, that's the sound it was based on.

I actually am planning to use this for an arrangement, real guitars and stuff, same with Emotional Skyscraper.

[DX7.EP]

I wouldn't think of it as a remix, do you really not find it if not exactly, like the original?

It's very close upon further listening (plus QuickTime on Windows has a botched MIDI playing method that made it seem slower than actual).

I just did it by ear in FL Studio, without the use of hardware, nothing fancy at all.
I'm guessing MSGS is the Microsoft general midi? Yeah, that's the sound it was based on.

Ah. MSGS is the Windows General MIDI synth, which is a shitty compressed version of the Roland SC-55 sound map.

I know quite a few here use THFont, so I recommend checking that out. I also recommend getting the Yamaha S-YXG50 softsynth for XP from Windows Update (free!) since you're on pre-Vista. Sizable improvement over the default synth.
There are others as well I recommend if it be needed.

I actually am planning to use this for an arrangement, real guitars and stuff, same with Emotional Skyscraper.

All right, expecting good things out of that.

[Romantique Tp]

http://www.mediafire.com/?6x2u9fldx01242u

That's a pretty good MIDI actually. I only replaced the Tenor Sax with an Alto Sax and Slap Bass 2 with a Fingered Bass.

Here's some thoughts:

*You use too many notes simultaneously in the Strings section, giving it too much of an "orchestral" tone. Try limiting yourself to using 3 notes or less. (most people only use 2 most of the time, including ZUN)
If you want to make the Strings section sound bigger, duplicate the Strings channel and pan the channels symmetrically to the left and right. The same can be done to guitars for a very nice effect.
*If possible, use Expression controllers (Control Change #11) instead of Volume controllers to manipulate the volume of individual instruments during a performance. This makes editing much easier.
*Use pan !

[Barzoom]

@PARU
I have THFont and I also have a Sound Blaster (which comes with the soundfont player as a MIDI playback replacement), so sounding good isn't the issue. Just a coincidence that I used GS/GM. ^^;
But thanks for the recommendations.

http://www.mediafire.com/?6x2u9fldx01242u

That's a pretty good MIDI actually. I only replaced the Tenor Sax with an Alto Sax and Slap Bass 2 with a Fingered Bass.

Here's some thoughts:

*You use too many notes simultaneously in the Strings section, giving it too much of an "orchestral" tone. Try limiting yourself to using 3 notes or less. (most people only use 2 most of the time, including ZUN)
If you want to make the Strings section sound bigger, duplicate the Strings channel and pan the channels symmetrically to the left and right. The same can be done to guitars for a very nice effect.
*If possible, use Expression controllers (Control Change #11) instead of Volume controllers to manipulate the volume of individual instruments during a performance. This makes editing much easier.
*Use pan !

Thanks for the pointers. I overdid the strings just because I love that orchestral tone, haha.

But um, since you uploaded your thing, I had to upload my rendition. :3.
http://www.mediafire.com/?au4hqz5kp939ek5

I have not added the real guitars to that yet, I just used the Distortion Guitar from THFont for now.

But now that I think of it.
What the hell does ZUN use for the "brass" in that song?
It blows my mind, and I don't think it's in THFont.

[DX7.EP]

@PARU
I have THFont and I also have a Sound Blaster (which comes with the soundfont player as a MIDI playback replacement), so sounding good isn't the issue. Just a coincidence that I used GS/GM. ^^;
But thanks for the recommendations.

Not a problem! Since your card can take SF2s without software interfaces, I suggest a good SF2 like SGM to go with it.

But now that I think of it.
What the hell does ZUN use for the "brass" in that song?
It blows my mind, and I don't think it's in THFont.

As if ZUN even uses THFont (he uses an Edirol SD-90, Steinberg Virtual Guitarist, LM-4 VSTi, and Groove Agent 3, among others, in Cubase).
Most of the non-drum and non-guitar instruments are on the SD-90, so it's probably one of the Alto Sax patches there.

[Romantique Tp]

But now that I think of it.
What the hell does ZUN use for the "brass" in that song?
It blows my mind, and I don't think it's in THFont.

It's actually not a Brass ensemble sound, but a Sax section. It's a special patch in ZUN's synth called "Reed Romance" that plays Tenor, Alto and Baritone saxes simultaneously.