Deprecated: mysql_connect(): The mysql extension is deprecated and will be removed in the future: use mysqli or PDO instead in /storage/content/49/145849/famitracker.com/public_html/forum/classes/dbHandler.php on line 29
FamiTracker
I know this is still unfinished, but I needed some advice to make the music sound a lot closer to the Gameboy hardware. (stuff like volume envelopes and such)
Feel free to feedback.
I think you have the right idea, using 2 pulses, noise, and one N163 channel to replicate the wave channel. However, I would advise using a blank instrument (disable instrument volume envelopes) and relying only on the volume column and Axy. Also, only use Axy and the volume column whenever you play a note. This only applies to the 2 pulses and noise channel.
For the wave channel, only use the F, 7, 4 volume levels. GB can only play volume levels at 100%, 50%, 25% (and off). However, perhaps lower the instrument volume to 11 or so before controlling in the volume column for wave, because I think N163 is a bit louder than a real wave channel.
I like the Sewers and Cave track. What I'd suggest is let your harmonies and counter-melodies play at lower volumes than your melodies. More importantly, try to pay attention to bass and melody flow. You have the right idea writing with a strong melody right off the bat, but that melody won't stick out well if you don't have a strong bass to back it up (preferably, writing them at the same time). I've included a sample track to explain what I mean. Take a look at it: even though the 2 pulses play the same notes in both patterns, I changed the bass and it sounds drastically different. If you happen to know what a major/minor scale sounds like, try assigning a number to each note in the scale (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and back to I), then try to start listening for bass tendencies as you arrange some of your favorite songs. For the most part, just pay attention to the first note the bass plays in each measure when arranging and composing.
Once you can write a strong melody and bass, I believe that everything else comes secondary, and I think that you have some great melodies in the soundtrack you posted. Hope this helps!
I chose C, 6 and 3 volume levels because 7 is not really the half of F (15). Anyway for the channel 3 that means you can play, for instance the same note 3 times at different volume levels instead of using a volume envelope, right?
I saw a Gameboy technical specs page and it said the 2 pulse channels had volume envelope functions, and the channel 1 has exclusive frequency sweep functions.
Yes! You can re-assign a new volume if you're triggering a note, even if you do it very fast. "Keitai Denjuu Telefang: Speed" provides a great example of this.
And yes, only the first pulse can use those frequency sweep functions.
