Creating your own music: Difference between revisions

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== Creating Music for your mod ==
A lot of people ask the question: "How do I create music?"
Well, there are many ways to create music. You need software, hardware, and musical talent.


== Software ==
== Format ==
Music isn't something that just appears. It requires talent, time, and dedication. There are programs out there that make music creation easier.
PCM 16bit at 44KHz is the highest quality available. Both WAV files and MP3 files should use this standard to work in the source engine. Monaural or monophonic audio is NOT supported.
[http://www.avid.com/US/products/family/Pro-Tools Pro Tools]Pro tools is a professional program that makes recording instruments easy.
[http://flstudio.image-line.com/ FL Studio] I use FL Studio. It is a program that allows the user to create quality music without the need for musical instruments.
[http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/acidpro Sony ACID Studio] Acid studio is like a combination of FL Studio and Pro Tools, although it doesn't have as many features.
Another useful program is [https://www.apple.com/au/logic-pro/ Logic Pro]. This is only compatible for Macintosh computers but it is a very popular software for professionals.


== Freeware ==
For music files it is usually best to use the [[MP3]] format, as long audio files will use up large amounts of disk space in the [[WAV]] format.
[http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Audacity] Audacity is a powerful freeware sound editor. It allows you to record, edit, and mix audio together.
{{note|Source can only loop files with cue points, which are exclusive to the WAV format. Consider using ADPCM for looping music.<br>See also: [[Looping a Sound]]}}
[http://www.wavosaur.com/ Wavosaur] Wavosaur is another freeware sound editor. Like audacity, it allows you to record, edit, and mix audio. But the advantage of Wavosaur over audacity is the support of VST's and the ASIO Sound driver, an advanced sound driver. FL studio also supports the ASIO Driver.


== Hardware ==
Music differs little from basic sounds in the engine. Adding new music can be done simply by placing it in the mod's sound folder and directly referencing it, or by utilising [[soundscripts]].
Music requires more than just instruments and software. It requires hardware. Heres a list of hardware that I use:<br />
{{note|Music generally should be placed in the "sound/music/..." directory and be flagged with the '#' character in order for it to be affected by the "Music Volume" slider in the options menu. It also should be set to play unspatialized ("everywhere") with the <code>soundlevel</code> keyvalue set to 0 or <code>SNDLEVEL_NONE</code>.}}


[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbox Mbox] is a USB recording hub designed to work with pro tools.<br />
== Software ==


M-Audio Speakers,<br />
(Also see: [[Music Composition]])


Windows XP Home Premium,<br />
Programs for creating music are available in both free and paid versions from many sources. Below is a short list of popular paid programs for making music, which often have various versions and price-points for users.


SAMSON MDR10 Sound Board.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Popular Music Software
|-
! Software !! Information !! Systems
|-
| [https://www.avid.com/pro-tools Pro Tools] || Uses subscription model || {{win|4}}, {{mac|4}}
|-
| [https://www.image-line.com/ FL Studio] || One Time Purchase || {{win|4}}, {{mac|4}}
|-
| [https://www.magix.com/us/music-editing/music-maker/ MAGIX Music Maker] || One Time Purchase || {{win|4}}, {{mac|4}}
|-
| [https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/ Logic Pro] || One Time Purchase || {{mac|4}}
|-
| [https://www.reaper.fm/ REAPER] || Free for evaluation || {{win|4}}, {{mac|4}}, {{linux|4}}
|}


== Format ==
== Freeware ==
The Source Engine supports both raw and compressed audio in WAV and MP3 respectively. However, for looping sounds only WAV is supported. PCM 16bit WAV at 44KHz is the highest quality available. Monaural or monophonic audio is NOT supported.
[http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Audacity] Audacity is a powerful freeware sound editor. It allows you to record, edit, and mix audio together. It has many of the basic tools necessary to edit music as well as a variety of effects and filters. Audacity does not have instruments for making music, but has a small selection of sound generators. This program will require you to import or record instruments tracks.
To add music to the hammer sound browser, simply place the WAV or MP3 file into the game's sound folder, or make one if there is none.
 
[http://www.wavosaur.com/ Wavosaur] Wavosaur is another freeware sound editor. Like audacity, it allows you to record, edit, and mix audio. The advantage of Wavosaur over audacity is the support of VST and ASIO Sound driver, a means of reducing latency in audio recording. Additionally, it is capable of adding [[Looping a sound|loop points]].


== Recommended VST's ==
== Recommended VST ==


[http://refx.com/ REfx Nexus]
[http://refx.com/ REfx Nexus]

Latest revision as of 21:20, 10 March 2024

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Format

PCM 16bit at 44KHz is the highest quality available. Both WAV files and MP3 files should use this standard to work in the source engine. Monaural or monophonic audio is NOT supported.

For music files it is usually best to use the MP3 format, as long audio files will use up large amounts of disk space in the WAV format.

Note.pngNote:Source can only loop files with cue points, which are exclusive to the WAV format. Consider using ADPCM for looping music.
See also: Looping a Sound

Music differs little from basic sounds in the engine. Adding new music can be done simply by placing it in the mod's sound folder and directly referencing it, or by utilising soundscripts.

Note.pngNote:Music generally should be placed in the "sound/music/..." directory and be flagged with the '#' character in order for it to be affected by the "Music Volume" slider in the options menu. It also should be set to play unspatialized ("everywhere") with the soundlevel keyvalue set to 0 or SNDLEVEL_NONE.

Software

(Also see: Music Composition)

Programs for creating music are available in both free and paid versions from many sources. Below is a short list of popular paid programs for making music, which often have various versions and price-points for users.

Popular Music Software
Software Information Systems
Pro Tools Uses subscription model Windows Windows, macOS macOS
FL Studio One Time Purchase Windows Windows, macOS macOS
MAGIX Music Maker One Time Purchase Windows Windows, macOS macOS
Logic Pro One Time Purchase macOS macOS
REAPER Free for evaluation Windows Windows, macOS macOS, Linux Linux

Freeware

Audacity Audacity is a powerful freeware sound editor. It allows you to record, edit, and mix audio together. It has many of the basic tools necessary to edit music as well as a variety of effects and filters. Audacity does not have instruments for making music, but has a small selection of sound generators. This program will require you to import or record instruments tracks.

Wavosaur Wavosaur is another freeware sound editor. Like audacity, it allows you to record, edit, and mix audio. The advantage of Wavosaur over audacity is the support of VST and ASIO Sound driver, a means of reducing latency in audio recording. Additionally, it is capable of adding loop points.

Recommended VST

REfx Nexus East West/ Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Gold

Demo Song

This song was made using only fl studio and pro tools Click to listen

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