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FamiTracker
Hey there! This is my first time posting on here. I downloaded FamiTracker about a year ago but I've only messed around with it enough to make two somewhat complete songs, the second of which I finished tonight. I quickly browsed some submissions and I'm blown away by the quality. I have a lot to learn, but I hope these tracks are still enjoyable (the instrument list is messy, sorry about that).
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Kuwabara, Kuwabara... welcome to my country... And to my hot-box.
For a first try, this really neat! There are many ideas and melodies I really like (more so in the VRC7 than the VRC6 one, but both got something going for them).
First off about the melodies:
The VRC7 really reminds me of "Sonic Advance", and this would fit for Eggman's Space HQ ... "Egg Heaven"? xD
Anyways, I really like the mix of 2a03 and VRC7 usage you made. Some parts use the 2a03 as lead, some other use it for chords/accompany. My favourite part is frame 09, the melody is really great Small tip: Maybe don't play the same tone on two channels (see last frame) or detune them just a little with the Pxx-Effect (for example: 2a03 P1 - E-4, P80 // 2a03 P2 - E4, P81). The harmonies, effects and chords on the VRC7 channel are done very well. Really digging those trumpet chords!! :D I'll speak about the volume issues later on.
The VRC6 one is a little too messy for my taste. Some bits of melody are okay, but overall it's just a bit chaotic. Maybe better samples and a more solid rythm would help. And I agree with Roflo, there is a lack in bass.
Now to the technical aspects:
You're doing a good lob in utilizing duty cycles, many people don't get that right off. Some parts might benefit from a little vibrato (4xy), but overall the effect usage is well done.
However, your biggest problem - especially on VRC7 - is the volume control. You're using the volume range all the way up to 15 [F], and that might be a problem. For once, on real hardware, there will be sound clipping. Also, having the VRC7 channels playing too loud will drown out the 2a03 channels. In general, I wouldn't go above A or B on the VRC7 channel (or have one channel playing at C volume, but with very good reason behind it like for example the bassline) and also limit the volume on the 2a03 channels. Some of the best chiptune artists like Tim Follin almost never exceed a volume range of 7 and their tracks sound gorgeous. Maybe take a look at the "Silver Surfer" NSF for a great example
All in all: You've got some great potential. Keep practicing, keep learning new tips, tricks and techniques (P-Noise, Triangle Kick, Duty Cycle Modulation, just to name a few ^^) and I think your tracks will end up being very, very good
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The purpose of a programming language is to protect the computer against the programmer.
Thanks for your feedback, I'll see if I can work it in. The VRC7 channels, especially the trumpets, get really buzzy when I put them on F. Quick question, what is the default value of the volume column, when you don't put anything in?
Also, what are some good tips for a better percussion? I'm not really good with it and don't really know the sound or role of things like a hi-hat or tom. I see some NSFs that have like 5 or 6 instruments dedicated to percussion alone.
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Kuwabara, Kuwabara... welcome to my country... And to my hot-box.
The "Default" volume of a channel is F, if nothing was entered before. Once you enter a volume, it stays at this volume (unless you use an Axy-effect or restart the playback). So yeah, maybe try and lower the volume on all channels. This has two benefits: It won't clip on VRC7 and channels without volume control (namely Triangle and DPCM) will have much more significance in the music overall.
About percussion: There are many ways to achieve percussion. In general, the Noise channel generates the main percussion. Noise pitches #0-5 are good for bassdrums, #6-9 are good for snares and #A-F are good for Hi-Hats. You can also try combining arpeggio-sequences or P-Noise (Duty Cycle 1 on Noise channel) to give your drums a little more power
The DPCM channel can also play back drums, although the DPCM Counter will affect the volume of your Noise and Triangle channel. Maybe read about that in the Famitracker Wiki. To avoid that, edit the sample and "Tilt" it at the end so the counter will be restored to 0 once the sample finished playing.
Another trick is using a melody channel - usually the triangle - and pitch it down to create a "Kick"-like sound. If you use fixed arpeggios, a pre-defined kick sound will play and then, the note will continue to play as intended. Use this if you want to mix bassline and percussion into the triangle channel - very helpful if you're going 2a03 only.
Attached down below are two files:
Basic Rythms - a few ways to create a simple rythm trough your percussion
Percussion Tricks - a random assortment of different percussion sounds, tricks and techniques I assembled just for you
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The purpose of a programming language is to protect the computer against the programmer.
I tried applying what you told me to the VRC7 track, so here is the updated version. You were absolutely right about the volume control, the triangle isn't completely drowned out anymore.
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Kuwabara, Kuwabara... welcome to my country... And to my hot-box.
I like what you have going on in the VRC6 track! It has a very dark tone to it, and the little details going on behind the melody are really cool! I think you have a great sense in harmonic structure.
Though, I have to agree with Rolfo: perhaps consider changing one of your voices to a strong-defined bass to help better define the chords.
I also think you should try using volume levels around 4-5. Remember that instrument and channel volumes are combined, so when I say 4-5, I'm actually referring to the green blocks under the name of the channel.
4-5 is good because you can't change the volume on DPCM/Triangle easily, and it mixes good around those levels when you have that many voices playing at once. It's fine if you have a louder volume to make your bass/melody/drums stick out more, though.
Avoid playing the same note with the same duty cycle on 2+ pulses at the same time, or you'll result in a bad phasing effect. You can alternatively use P81/P7F to slightly detune one of them so they're not as clashy together.
Try to use vibrato (4xy) on the longer notes (disabling them on the next note with 400), and try to use echo (like 1/4th the actual volume level) whenever a note stops playing instead of cutting the channel off entirely.
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