FA+
Shop
2034
Views
Views
20
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Music / Rock
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 116 x 120
File Size 2.32 MB
Report this content
More from GeneCatlow
A few of my friends know I've dabbled in music ^_^ Composing themes and cues, and performing and programming my synths to play my music has been a personal hobby for me for years, but I'm known practically exclusively for my graphic art because that's what I've preferred to be known for. But to answer the questions I've received, and also to get some experience in converting my stuff to MP3's (this is the very first one I've ever converted) I'm going to try to give my FA pals a few samples of the audio art of Gene Catlow. Like everything I create, there's a story it's meant to tell. This one track was a first rendition of the main theme for what was to be the "soundtrack" for an imaginary movie entitled "Too Long Without Sleep", the story of a person who, for some inexplicable reason, is suddenly no longer able to sleep. No physical disorder can be found, no medical treatment can heal him. His sleeplessness becomes so terribly chronic he begins to have waking nightmares - and one day he simply disappears into his hallucinations. I've been working on the musical ideas for the story off and on for awhile. This take isn't really quite the best performance, but what I'm after is seeing how good my MP3 conversion skills can get. Enjoy (I hope ^_^)
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
Category Music / Rock
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 116 x 120px
File Size 2.32 MB
Multiple synths with a MIDI sequencer sending my composition to most of them (Roland JV-1010: chamber orch, Korg Symphony: voice, Kawai R-50e: percussion) iwhile I solo over them with my Korg 05R/W. And yes, I know... they're all old hardware synths. I'm crotchety set-in-my-ways old-school. ^_^
My keyboard is a Fatar Studio 90... a full-size 88-key hammer-action MIDI unit that I wouldn't part with for anything! I love the feel of real piano keys when I play. ^_^ I compose through it to my sequencer and then perform my solos over the compositions as they play back through the system.
Ok well, let me see if I can clear a few things up.
MP3 is to audio as JPG is to images.
You start with a high-quality wav file, and compress it down to an mp3 in much the same way that you take a multi-meg image in photoshop, and compress it down to 200k, for posting to the net.
Just like JPG, you can choose how much compression to apply, resulting in a final filesize of varying sizes, and also of varying final quality.
Most mp3 compression schemes should let you choose from varying levels of compression:
128kbps is generally considered average quality. I have a ton of mp3s at 128k, and I while I can hear some difference, it's not really that noticeable, to me. Some people I know think it's too lossy though. It does muddy the sound slightly, but to me it's no worse than FM radio.
320kbps seems to be the favorite compression level at the moment. Most of the mp3s I get tend to be compressed to this level. This is probably a safe upper limit though, as beyond this, file sizes become a bit too large for internet use.
What are the settings that your program gives you access to?
MP3 is to audio as JPG is to images.
You start with a high-quality wav file, and compress it down to an mp3 in much the same way that you take a multi-meg image in photoshop, and compress it down to 200k, for posting to the net.
Just like JPG, you can choose how much compression to apply, resulting in a final filesize of varying sizes, and also of varying final quality.
Most mp3 compression schemes should let you choose from varying levels of compression:
128kbps is generally considered average quality. I have a ton of mp3s at 128k, and I while I can hear some difference, it's not really that noticeable, to me. Some people I know think it's too lossy though. It does muddy the sound slightly, but to me it's no worse than FM radio.
320kbps seems to be the favorite compression level at the moment. Most of the mp3s I get tend to be compressed to this level. This is probably a safe upper limit though, as beyond this, file sizes become a bit too large for internet use.
What are the settings that your program gives you access to?
Now that I've pried a little more into the presets of the conversion program, you're right - 128Kb is the default for the "Beginner" settings because it is indeed a workaday average quality. I think I'd have used 320kbps, and will probably do that from now on, unless it makes for a file so huge that it isn't size-efficient.
I rarely listen to a soundtrack apart from the movie its meant to be counterpoint to. I find them unfocused and much given to filler. I have exceptions though. I have the Cats Don't Dance album for the songs, for instance, and a recording of the original production of Sweeny Todd. (The Burton/Depp version is good, but not a patch on the original. Nobody can be a better Benjamin Barker than Len Cariou.) But something like the soundtrack for Superman or The Longest Day is only underlining for the film and wouldn't hold my attention for long.
It depends upon what you have a predilection for. Dabbling in music can take so many forms that choosing any one of them (or more than one) is an involved task. If you do favor any musical instrument then I would suggest you work on finding one at a music store - one that lets you at least try an instrument before you buy it. The reason liking the instrument is so important is: if you don't like it you won't want to practice.
If you have a computer capable of sound, then probably the least expensive way to get back into music is to get ahold of one of the free shareware synths out there and discover how it works.
If you have a computer capable of sound, then probably the least expensive way to get back into music is to get ahold of one of the free shareware synths out there and discover how it works.
patcat
This is very well done, I think. Hmm..I do wonder if the somewhat crackly bit at the beginning was intentional, or part of the conversion to MP3? It almost makes it seem more unreal...like a faint overlay of static over that quite intro.
That could be me over analyzing, due to lack of sleep lately myself =) I like it.
That could be me over analyzing, due to lack of sleep lately myself =) I like it.
Gosh, Gene, you totally remind me of the days I spent in my music theory classes back in school--we had these old Korg/Mac midi workstations where I was first exposed to this kind of composition.
Like you, I have been dabbling in music composition ever since then, though I can't say I've become very accomplished at it. I do enjoy putting things together when inspiration strikes me, though.
This piece sounds appropriately creepy and gritty, kinda like some big-city street-style setting. Sounds like you used a power-style drumkit; gave it a driving kind of feel while still keeping the tempo cranked back. It's VERY difficult to get a good vocal chorus sound out of a synth; usually you have to pay big money to even come close. Otherwise, it's pretty obvious that it's just a progression of chords using the stock 'Choir Ahh' general midi sound set. Even so, it still added some nice overtones to the piece.
Keep it up, Gene! It's nice to see that there are other midi hobbyists out there!
Like you, I have been dabbling in music composition ever since then, though I can't say I've become very accomplished at it. I do enjoy putting things together when inspiration strikes me, though.
This piece sounds appropriately creepy and gritty, kinda like some big-city street-style setting. Sounds like you used a power-style drumkit; gave it a driving kind of feel while still keeping the tempo cranked back. It's VERY difficult to get a good vocal chorus sound out of a synth; usually you have to pay big money to even come close. Otherwise, it's pretty obvious that it's just a progression of chords using the stock 'Choir Ahh' general midi sound set. Even so, it still added some nice overtones to the piece.
Keep it up, Gene! It's nice to see that there are other midi hobbyists out there!
There's a very basic program that was bundled with my last purchase (a used MIDI keyboard) that I've been experimenting with to create MP3 files. It's called Sonic Studio Silver... Apparently the silver version is bundled with the intent that, if the user finds it worth the money, they may upgrade to Sonic Studio Gold. But the software is so out-of-date that the upgrade website seems to have vanished. O_O
Well, it isn't quite the stock Choir MIDI sound - it is in fact from my oldest hardware MIDI module, the Korg Symphony. (A mid 80's unit, back when MIDI was practically brand new!) Most all of the sounds from it are horribly dated, now.. but the choir still sounds unique and marvelous, even compared to some newer software synths. If you Google around a little with "Korg Symphony" you'll find some users who agree. :)
So I listened and I listened and I final figured out what this reminded me of. It reminds me of YES!!!
As in this yes:
http://www.yesworld.com/
Particularly of this song fomr their "Union" album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffl1kMKFMu4
As in this yes:
http://www.yesworld.com/
Particularly of this song fomr their "Union" album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffl1kMKFMu4
Knew I'd find a music track in here nothing wrong with hardware synths.. I use an old Kawai K3 as my controller .. would you believe the software I use doesn't support MIDI out? But I can always plug in some headphones to hear the sounds on it.. One day i'll hook it up to record thru the audio inputs but i'll have to learn a new program to do that. Nice track btw
Shucks, that's not even the tune I'm proudest of! This is the best thing I've uploaded so far: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2334537/
Comments