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1

Tracking / Sample Fixing and Tracking Tricks Tutorial

« on: May 30, 2006, 10:14:40 »

I've got some more info on flanger:

Utilizing the ultra fine tune in FT2 will make the flanger even more detailed.

for instance:

| C-4 X11 | C-4 000 | <- this will produce a very fine flange in FT2

But, as you may have noticed, the flanger only goes downward, not upward! how do we solve that? easy!

| C-4 X11 | C-4 010 | <- the little jump here will make the flanger go into a negative state, making it flange until it reaches the "normal" flanges position, then the flange will continue going "down" again. However, as it uses arpeggio (the 010 command) on the other instrument, it might sound strange with certain samples or speed combinations.

Also, flanger can be accomplished via using two samples with the finefune value set with +1 and putting each of these samples into the tracker simultaneously. (however, it's not recommended because it makes the module large in size)

But, flange can be accomplished in a wide variety of ways except for these ones.

* Making fake stereo out of mono samples *

Thought I'd make this lil trick more known aswell, it's fairly simple, and will *only* work with headphones because it fools your ears into believing that whatever you play is played in stereo!

| C-4 P0 X11 | C-4 PF 010 |

(anyone versed in IT? Could you please convert this into IT command format?)

What the above command does is that it utilizes a combination of flange and volume panning commands in order to create a very minimal stereo separation delay, this fools your ears into thinking that the sample is in stereo, when in fact .. it's in mono! Played through loudspeakers, this command will sound like an average flange though.

The same effect can be achieved via the usage of two samples, each with a +1 or -1 difference in fine tone values, and panned extremely to the left and right. (one to the left, other to the right) This has the advantage of freeing up both the volume column AND the effects column, but will reflect in an increased module size since all samples using this technique must be doubled!

Anyhow, that's what I've got for you so far, i've got other tricks.. but I'm writing a little tutorial myself , so consider this a sneak preview

2

Tracking / The 10 most common tracker mistakes

« on: May 30, 2006, 09:49:37 »

Hehe, since I'm too an old fox in this game, I thought I'd give you a bit of critique on your article =)

#2 - TOO LOUD, TOO QUICK!!

It happens that I turn on a fresh module which goes BAAAM-BA-BLAH! In those cases the author had built on the same patterns putting more and more samples without considering volume. The author probably had a low volume on his/her speakers too. Pay attention to the volume meter in your tracker. If it is up in the red zone, it is time to decrease the volume. A good way to avoid this mistake is by starting with a single instrument and then add the rest to it as the song goes along. Avoid mistake #1 while doing that.

^ This point assumes that one has a graphical equalizer or main volume graph in their tracker, something which isn't an universal truth.
What I'd like to say in this area is that keeping a module TOO low in volume can sometimes be quite annoying aswell. Keeping your volumes consistent throughout the track is better. (ie, don't suddenly raise/lower the volume violently)

#3 - No depth, no panning, no nothing.

This is a common mistake done by less experienced trackers. Remember that echo, stereo sound and other things are the key to a filly sound. Without them, the song turns into a melody

^ Using excessive reverb can make a song sound very bad since the echoes can conflict with eachother, so sometimes less IS more.
But, the main point is well made, effects mean details, and details are essential when making music!

#4 - Out of beat

Bonk-ba-baa-bonk-baaaa! When a song uses a bassdrum on 0 then a snare on 5 and hi-hat on 7, there is something wrong with the module. Remember to count the beats. If the bassdrum is at 0 and the snare at 4, it must continue the same way in 8, 12, 16, 20, et cetera.

^ This is completely wrong, and encourages a mechanized vision on how to make a module. (this is a common beginners mistake) Utilizing a speed adjustment command to mess up the rhytm could theoretically make any combination of beats on any combination of rows work.

I'd rephrase this into "keep your drums properly synced to your melodies"
instead.

#5 - Finishing the song abruptly

Pling-plong-...? If a sample is active when the song ends, the song is not finished correctly. Perhaps the author forgot to jump to a certain pattern by using a loop in the end or perhaps the person just forgot he/she was not finished? Avoid this mistake by listening through your song before publishing it.

^ Usually, finishing a song in a mid sample means that yes, indeed the author was a lazy git who didn't check his instruments before ending the module pattern. However, I've used this technique a number of times to make the song suddenly stop, for the shock effect. So, what others might view as you being a n00b, could mean that you intended the song to sound that way!

#9 - Using relative values

If you use volume slides, you are lazy. Use absolute values instead. It takes longer to do but increases the chance that it will work correctly on other players than the one YOU happen to use.

^ Sometimes, using volume slides is preferred over utilizing commands since a volume slide works independently of the number of rows processed in time, which makes a slide very useful in slow row speed songs. Also, commands were made to be used, so use them,but use them when it's appropriate!

Well, that's about the critique I've got for this guide, perhaps I should write one myself sometime... when I get the time...

3

Tracking / source code for MO3 support

« on: March 02, 2006, 13:44:14 »

Thanks Lau, hopefully they'll implement the mo3 mod filter once they upgrade the archive, since now they've got what they need in order to
finalize the module import algorithms.

I find it an interesting development that a hacker would answer
the petition me and Rikimbo started so long ago
Regardless, I'm happy that Ian didn't try to interfere with you,
and instead chose to work with you.

So once again, I scream from the top of my lungs:

MO3 FOR THE MASSES!

4

The Lobby / What other forums do you post in?

« on: February 28, 2006, 09:16:57 »

I'm one of those guys whose got +10 forum registered.. however atm I can only remember five of them

CTGmusic.com <- good site, strange people, mixed music
modarchive.com <- YOU ARE HERE *
utorrent.com <- best Bittorrent client IMO
slyck.com <- nice news site about p2p
specialistsmod.net <- even nicer site about the best half-life mod ever.


I've got tons more.. but I can't be arsed to remember.

5

The Lobby / Introduce yourself - John Marwin

« on: February 24, 2006, 07:45:11 »

Hi I'm John Marwin, the ûber 1337 nublet.... nah, seriously though... here goes...

I'm just another tracker musician, perhaps one of the few ones left in existance since most have moved on. (undoubtebly to bigger and *better* things right?... RIGHT?!) I use FT2, and will probably do so until I depart.
(for london.. in which time I will wait until I get to london, and then start to use renoise instead.. I mean ffs, you can't use FT2 in london!)

Alright, back on serious track again..

I study, I listen to music, I create music, I critize people for making crappy tunes, I praise them when they get it right, I write useless FAQ's about things, I write small stories that I don't publish, I don't wear leather since I'm not english, I'm generally considered a loon

oh yes, and I forgot the most important part:

I know BASS.

Edit: here's a pic of me, taken from the regulars page!

6

The Lobby / Suggestions for stickies

« on: February 24, 2006, 07:37:46 »

That's great hehe, glad I could help... now.... I'm over to the "n00b thread" to introduce myself >)

7

The Lobby / Suggestions for stickies

« on: February 22, 2006, 09:17:48 »

Hey hey, apparently I'm the first person to grace these boards with a thread

Anyhow, here's some suggestions of things to be stickied as time moves on:

* A FAQ <- yes, this will cut down on the number of active threads
 (and enable the m0d's to go lockety on those dupes aswell)

* A list of shot down suggestions <- things that have been talked about
and then shot down by the admins for any reason

* The introductory thread/praise thread <- this will also surprisingly enough, cut down on useless threads aswell.

Anyhow, hope you people liked my lil suggestions