Creating your own music: Difference between revisions

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{{todo|Add some details or links on the nuts & bolts of working programmatically with .wav files.}}
{{todo|Add some details or links on the nuts & bolts of working programmatically with .wav files.}}
== Creating Music for your mod ==
== Creating Music for your mod ==
A lot of people ask the question: "How do I create music?"
There are a variety of tools that are useful for creating or converting music files for use in the source engine. The engine itself has certain requirements for a file to work properly which should be noted.
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 ==
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://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Audacity] Audacity is a powerful freeware sound editor. It allows you to record, edit, and mix audio together.
[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 ==
{{note|Music should be flagged as music with the '#' character before the sound path (e.g. #music/song01.wav) and placed in "sound/music/..." directory in order for it to be affected by the "Music Volume" slider in the options menu.}}
Music requires more than just instruments and software. It requires hardware. Heres a list of hardware that I use:<br />


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


M-Audio Speakers,<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.


Windows XP Home Premium,<br />
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Popular Music Software
|-
! Software !! Information !! Systems
|-
| [https://www.avid.com/pro-tools Pro Tools] || Uses subscription model || Windows 10, MacOS
|-
| [https://www.image-line.com/ FL Studio] || One Time Purchase || Windows 10, MacOS
|-
| [https://www.magix.com/us/music-editing/music-maker/ MAGIX Music Maker] || One Time Purchase || Windows 10, MacOS
|-
| [https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/ Logic Pro] || One Time Purchase || MacOS
|}


SAMSON MDR10 Sound Board.
== Freeware ==
[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.


== Format ==
[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.
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.
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.


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


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

Revision as of 19:37, 16 April 2021

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Todo: Add some details or links on the nuts & bolts of working programmatically with .wav files.

Creating Music for your mod

There are a variety of tools that are useful for creating or converting music files for use in the source engine. The engine itself has certain requirements for a file to work properly which should be noted.

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.

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.

Note.pngNote:Music should be flagged as music with the '#' character before the sound path (e.g. #music/song01.wav) and placed in "sound/music/..." directory in order for it to be affected by the "Music Volume" slider in the options menu.

Software

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 10, MacOS
FL Studio One Time Purchase Windows 10, MacOS
MAGIX Music Maker One Time Purchase Windows 10, MacOS
Logic Pro One Time Purchase MacOS

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.

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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