I''m very interested in learning how to make game music, I''m just wondering if in order to do it, is it necessary to know music theory? I want to be able to make game music, but I don''t know the difference between an A minor or a C#(except for the programming language). So do I need to know music theory in order to do this stuff? Any response is appreciated. Thanks, --BioX

G''day mate!

It depends on how involved you want to get into it. Of course, some music that people write might involve having a little knowledge about musicianship and theory, but its not necessary.

There is a pretty decent program out from Sonic Foundry called Acid Pro. This program allows you to select pre-written, royalty free loops of music, which you then just paint on to create a musical texture (composition ). Its a pretty good program, and you can make some great music from it, and any type of genre from orchestral to rock to techno. Great fun, and you can create professional results in minutes....check it out at www.sonicfoundry.com.

Another cool program which I personally use is Fruityloops (www.fruityloops.com), which is also loop-based, but gives you a bit more creative control about what actually goes into your loops.

Both Acid and Fruityloops dont need much musical knowledge to get you going....just a little drive to learn how to use them....

If you want to create some music from first principles, not using pre-designed loops and such, there are plenty of sequencing packages out there, which let you create music using MIDI input from a keyboard for example.....Sonar is a good one (www.cakewalk.com)....is a pretty decent one which I use all the time. Of course, you might need some knowledge on how to use a keyboard, and basic musical chords and stuff.....

I totally recommend Acid and Fruityloops for your first time composing!!!! Go try-em out!

Have fun....!

Scott

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Music for Mixed Media
bucklles@powerup.com.au
www.mp3.com.au/scottbuckley

Alright, that sounds great, I greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks,

--BioX

Just as you don''t need to learn how to paint to become a painter, I''d say ''not at all''. Personally, I don''t have a clue about the theoretical side of it either, and that hasn''t stopped me from making music that''s gotten a lot of positive feedback.

Naturally, I''ve stumbled upon some disadvantages:
- Collaborations with other people is very difficult because have to show rather than tell what I''m thinking.
- I''m very dependant on the software I''m working with - it''s hard for me to switch to another program because most software is based about the common knowledge of music theory, whereas my understanding of this one program is based on practice and practice for several years.

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Looking for a music composer for your game? Go to my page to listen to samples of my orchestral pieces and find info on how to contact me.

That''s cool, what software did you use Vaevictis_A?

Mainly Fasttracker II.

***
Looking for a music composer for your game? Go to my page to listen to samples of my orchestral pieces and find info on how to contact me.