8 Bit [WIP] [FIRST ATTEMPT]

[SoggyWaffulz]

Hey guys, saw a couple of Patashu songs in here and was inspired to try my hand at an 8-Bit sound myself.

I downloaded Famitracker and took one look at it, shit myself, and closed it.

I don't have any 8 bit drum samples, so I picked the shittiest kick sample I have and it'll have to do for now.

http://soundcloud.com/gerald-wiseman/8-bit-attempt-number-one

Can anyone tell me if my synth sounds 8 bit enough? (They're literally all square waves.)

Also, what can I do to make this track more interesting? Any suggestions? I've got the main segments down and repeating. I've added a BIT of variance. (Three or four different patterns that come and go, but the basic sound still stays.)

I'm kind of stuck as far as 8 bit goes; I have no idea what else I can add because trying to stick to an 8 bit feel limits me instrument-wise.

Thanks fellas.

[Bynary Fission]

Originally Posted by SoggyWaffulz

Hey guys, saw a couple of Patashu songs in here and was inspired to try my hand at an 8-Bit sound myself.

I downloaded Famitracker and took one look at it, shit myself, and closed it.

I don't have any 8 bit drum samples, so I picked the shittiest kick sample I have and it'll have to do for now.

http://soundcloud.com/gerald-wiseman/8-bit-attempt-number-one

Can anyone tell me if my synth sounds 8 bit enough? (They're literally all square waves.)

Also, what can I do to make this track more interesting? Any suggestions? I've got the main segments down and repeating. I've added a BIT of variance. (Three or four different patterns that come and go, but the basic sound still stays.)

I'm kind of stuck as far as 8 bit goes; I have no idea what else I can add because trying to stick to an 8 bit feel limits me instrument-wise.

Thanks fellas.

Here are a few beginner's tips you can use:

-Switch duty cycles. It only works for square waves (and noise, but that's a different matter), but using the effects V01 and V02 will change how the synth sounds, and with it the song.

-Remember that the triangle cannot change in volume - it is either on or off.

-Experiment with different sets of pitches. It really helps to have a bit of understanding of music theory on this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_scale). Certain combinations that work relative to your main pitch are 7 semitones down (one semitone is a step down or up, e.g C -> C# is one semitone), 5 semitones and 4 semitones up or down. Alternatively, you can switch the pitch just one or two semitones up or down, that can create some interesting variance. For example, using a note that switches five semitones (a perfect fifth). One example of this combination would be an A-E-A-E sequence.

-Utilize the noise channel more. This channel can be effectively used to simulate a convincing drum set when used properly. In the upper right-hand corner, create a new instrument titled "Konami Snare". Open up the instrument, and in the field you see copy this in and press enter: 15 12 8 9 7 2 1 0. You don't need to worry what it means right now, but when you use it it will create an excellent snare that you can use. Just be sure to switch the Noise channel's instrument to "01" when using the Konami snare, and back to "00" when you don't want to use it anymore, otherwise it will affect everything you compose while it's your active instrument.

-Utilize a few new effects. Pressing F1 and going to Interface -> Effects List will give you a full list of all the different effects you can use. A few ones that you will want to remember for future use are (Gxx) - delay. (Sxx) - Note cutoff. Higher values leave the note playing for longer spans of time. This is a great way to control how long a note plays for. (Vxx) - this changes your main synth, but it only works for the square and noise channels. V00, V01 and V02 are accepted values. (1xx) and (2xx) - these will slide a pitch up or down respectively. These can create interesting sound effects when used properly.

-Use a larger drum kit. This one is easy. Download the one I use and you will have access to dozens of different DPCM sounds: http://www.mediafire.com/?67dxl2i94nwvlkp


I'm not attempting to hijack your thread at all, but here is an example of a song that I composed with Famitracker. It really shows off what an 8-bit song can do (and even my composition was somewhat limited!): http://soundcloud.com/bynary-fission...he-black-raven

Good luck with your Famitracker compositions, and if you have any further questions feel free to ask!

[Patashu]

Listening material for inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSH...e=results_main
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNPxwnppU0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ZDJ4Lzm80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG1Hq...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhATx...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhRvq...feature=relmfu

[SoggyWaffulz]

Thanks for the comments and tips guy.

I should've clarified above: I didn't use Famitracker for this track. I used FL Studio (Which obviously isn't intended to make 8 Bit music)

I just looked at the Famitracker interface and got scared, didn't even bother learning it. I'll google some Famitracker tutorials and then combine those with what you guys posted, that should set me out on the right track. Thanks again guys!

[StoneMcKnuckle]

Try this: http://www.plogue.com/products/chipsounds/

It's a little expensive, but it's quite believable if you try to adhere to chip limitations and don't just mix whatever you think sounds good.
It can't be pirated as the cracked version is terrible and extremely unstable.

I'll post a couple of tests I made right after I bought it if you're still not convinced:

the beginning here is obviously way too loud but I think this sounds pretty authentic
http://soundcloud.com/stone-mcknuckle/test

another test.
http://soundcloud.com/stone-mcknuckle/test2

I've tried a whole bunch of chip-emulation VST's 'cause I find trackers cumbersome but this one is easily the best.

[Wayward Vagabond]

I wish I had the money to buy stuff like that

[V-Ormix]

this works nicely tho I suck at making chip stuff ;_;
http://tonebytes.com/bleep/

[Patashu]

StoneMcKnuckle's stuff sounds quite good, very C64 reminiscent with the pulse width modulation and C64 sounding drums.

Originally Posted by Wayward Vagabond

I wish I had the money to buy stuff like that

Famitracker is free

(If you want to make 8-bit instruments that feel like they're changing smoothly over time like in the second halves of StoneMcKnuckle's songs, swap to the VRC6 extension chips and make VRC6 instruments with crazy bouncing and moving around pulse width envelopes. Like 7 6 5 4 | 3 2 3 4 5 4 5 4 and 0 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 0 1 | 2 3 2 3 2 1 and | 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 )

[Wayward Vagabond]

Famitracker is free.because its impossible to use!!!

[midnghtraver]

Get vengeance minimal samples,

there's some cool 8bit sounds in there.


Oh yeah, and I know nothing about 8bit production, so don't ask me lol.

[Patashu]

Originally Posted by Wayward Vagabond

Famitracker is free.because its impossible to use!!!

starting out in famitracker is a bit of a pain but once you learn the interface quirks it's fine. here

do you like watching videos? I have videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwNElW5IEo0&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNduThBHcG8&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_eHQiB4v-c&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAfDgVnU2OU&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuKceSByIhU&feature=plcp

maybe you prefer reading. ok. how to start out in famitracker:
1) make an instrument (you can give it a volume envelope now or on the field itself, with volume column entries and/or Axx effects)
2) select the instrument
3) select a channel
4) hit keys on your keyboard or MIDI keyboard if you have famitracker set up to look for it. notice sounds are now playing
5) hit spacebar, hit keys, notes appear!!
6) lower 'step' from 1 to 0, because **** famitracker moving around automatically when you're trying to do shit
7) oh yeah, and go to file, configuration, general. put clear field on something memorable, then go to MIDI and tick 'auto arpeggiate chords'.
8) hit enter to play your song. it's shit, go study other people's compositions, learn how to make NES instruments and then try composing something

[Wayward Vagabond]

I'll just go bleep bloopl blip bloop shshshshsh and call that 8bit