| MIDI Composing (Continued) | ||||||||||
| Here are the basic steps: 1. Create your song/arrangement in the style-based sequencer. If possible, also re-compose it using other style(s) which are close to the original style as long as it does not sound strange to your ear. Save all versions in different files. I won�t tell you how to do this since you should get yourself familiar with the tool first. I�m not giving a tutorial on BIAB or QY100. 2. Export your song to standard MIDI files (SMF) for all versions There are different types of MIDI files: type 0 (only have one track for all instrument) or type 1 that separate the tracks. Most standard sequencer can read both. 3. Import SMF of the version that you like best into other professional sequencer such as Cakewalk HomeStudio/Sonar or Cubase/Nuendo. 4. Assign a good/decent synthesizer/sound module for MIDI channels (many people call it MIDI Tone Generator) Sometimes using a better synth modules with realistic sampling can improve MIDI track so much. On the contrary, using a crappy synth module can cause a good MIDI track, played by professional musician, sound like cheap recording. 5. Open the tempo map of the song (almost all sequencers have this feature). Change the tempo not to be so flat. Slow it down or speed it up at the parts that need some emphasize/embellishment. This should make the drum part sound more human instead of robot-like. 6. Use MIDI editing tools to give a shuffle or swing feel to Bass part. This will also humanize the rhythm part. Remember not to overdue as the rhythm parts (Drum and Bass) should be tight to avoid a complete mess. 7. Add one or two more MIDI tracks for analog synthesizer or piano that is played live after all of the above adjustment. This sometimes can trick the listener to take overall arrangement as live recording. 8. After all of those tweakings, listen to the arrangement from beginning to end, if two or more parts like the verses sound too identical (of course they�re identical, the style-based sequencer is based on looping!!!) then it�s time for you to employ your other versions of the arrangement. Open/Import the MIDI file for the other versions for the arrangement (step 1 and 2 above). On this other version, only take the track that you would like to use (e.g., bass, string, drum fill) and delete the others. Cut the part that you don�t like from the primary/original arrangement and replace it with the part from the other version. This should give some variety to the entire arrangement. 9. Group the output of some instruments to various Busses in the software mixer and add different amount of reverb to give some dimensions to the overall arrangement. 10. I think you get the idea, think about more tweaks that you can do to the MIDI arrangement until you�re satisfied with the result. 11. If you�re confuse with all the steps above (As I don�t provide any picture), call me or send me an email :-) |
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