Authoring my first song and I am more than lost even with the PDF that was posted.
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I didn’t know how hard it would be and was wondering if someone can help me with the charting portion of things. I can’t figure out how to set the notes for the instruments.
open up some songs that are done and review those. before you can do anything you must have a tempo map done. watch the drum authoring video or the vocals video for tempo mapping tips
When I first started charting in Feb 2013 I was fortunate enough to have found Nyxyxylyth in an old Scorehero forum and he was kind enough to help me out. This is what he sent me and it was enough to get me on the right track. Some of the stuff is dated due to software updates and such, so take it as reference only. With practice you can do this.
” src=”/wp-content/uploads/invision_emoticons/default_SA_smile.gif” /> ==== REAPER ====
Stick with REAPER 32-bit (4.22). The RBN Preview plugin doesn’t work with 64-bit. There’s also a handy Perl script that checks more things than Magma does, but it only runs in REAPER 3.x. That’s what I usually use.
==== TEMPLATE ====
Start with a good template. The one supplied with the RBN tools is kind of outdated. So, copy the attached “Custom RB3 Template.rpp” into your REAPER app data, which for me on Windows 7 is c:usersmeAppDataRoamingREAPERProjectTemplates.
Next, create your project in REAPER with File / Project Templates / Custom RB3 Template. Then do file / save to save it as your new song project (“Blackened.rpp” or whatever).
Most songs need a “1,2,1-2-3-4” count-in (unless the song already has its own, or has an atmospheric intro, etc). The attached stick.wav is what I almost always use. The template already refers to it. You’ll have to save it somewhere and then locate the file in REAPER.
==== TEMPO MAPPING ====
Drag your MP3 into the TRKS template. Now for one of the hardest parts: tempo mapping. It’s the foundation for your custom – if you screw up the timing, everything else will be hosed. Tweaking the tempo map after you’ve started charting is a horrible mess, so get everything right at the start!
What I do is find a part of the song after the steady beat has started, and then go back and change the initial BPM to match that. Drag the bottom edge of the TRKS track so you can see the waveform better. Drag the bottom edge of the MASTER track so you have more resolution to tweak the tempo.
Locate the start of a measure (the downbeat) and drag the MP3 to the right until the downbeat lines up with the start of a measure (3.1, 4.1, etc).
Right click on that spot in the MASTER track and “Create new point”.
(If your song isn’t 4/4, enter a time signature here too)
Next, locate the start of the next measure (the next downbeat). Click and drag the tempo bar in the MASTER TRACK until the next measure (4.1, 5.1, etc)lines up with that downbeat. Up = increasing the BPM, down = decreasing.
Mouseover the tempo bar (blue segment in between measures) and note the value (e.g., 120 bpm).
Right-click the point you created and “Delete Point”.
Now go to the start of the song and right-click the master track tempo point at 1.1.00. Select “Set point value”, and enter the BPM you found in the previous step.
Now, drag your MP3 left or right so that the first downbeat lines up with 3.1. Right-click 3.1 and “Create point”.
After that, you can follow the process for tempo mapping described on the creators site. Locate the next downbeat and hit Q. Repeat until you’ve reached the end of the song.
==== PATCHING SONG LENGTH ====
My template assumes your song is 3 minutes long. Few songs are exactly that, so:
Highlight all of the MIDI tracks in REAPER. Scroll to the end of the MIDI tracks and adjust their length to match the length of your MP3.
Open the MIDI editor on the EVENTS track; click the EVENTS MIDI track and press ctrl-shift-E to open the MIDI editor. Docking it is probably a good idea.
Find the [music_end] and [end] event and move those to the end of the song:
[music_end] should be placed where the audio ends
[end] should be placed about 3-5 seconds after that, to give RB3 time to have your band look out at the crowd after the song is done.
Open the MIDI editor on the BEAT track
If your song isn’t 4/4, move to 1.1 and place the correct number of Up Beats after the downbeat. Copy and paste to fill your entire song.
There can’t be any BEAT notes after the time you placed [music_end].
==== AUTHORING INSTRUMENTS ====
Now you’re ready to start. I usually do drums first, but lately I find I chart better if I keep switching between instruments. I think your brain glazes over after searching for the same kind of sound for extended periods.
Let me know if you’re stuck on anything in particular – I’ll save details for the video.
Vocals should be authored with a 1/64 grid. For other instruments, 1/32 is usually good enough. If your song has a swing beat or triplets here and there, REAPER can quantize to those intervals too.
==== MAGMA ====
Magma is set up for processing master tracks, and you probably don’t have any. What I do is create a mute track (same length as the song), and have each instrument use that. In REAPER, right click on a track, “Mute all others”, and then mute the track you clicked. File / Render the audio into “_mute.wav”, in the same folder as your rpp and mp3.
Then solo the TRKS and COUNTIN tracks and File / Render that to “.wav”.
For the BACKING track in Magma, have it use .wav. All other tracks use _mute.wav.
Magma will probably spew lots of errors. Sometimes it’s a bit off. If you’re struggling, just post somewhere on Scorehero’s Software forum and we’ll all jump in.
==== RB3MAKER ====
Once you have an RBA, RB3Maker will convert it into an RB3CON in just a couple steps.
==== HORIZON ====
Horizon puts the RB3CON onto a USB stick, and off you go.
I can’t figure out how to set the notes for the instruments.Double-clicking a spot in the MIDI editor will place a note there.
It make a bit more sense now, but I am still trying to figure out how to listen for and put the notes for the instruments on the five key system.
It make a bit more sense now, but I am still trying to figure out how to listen for and put the notes for the instruments on the five key system.I realize that it might help to post some of what I am looking at doing. Only the first song from this.
I sort of would love to do this whole album, but decided to start with one song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR8Fz0Iqe1Q This one I also want to do.
This one as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWUZSKTG5A finally I would love to do this, but it is 28 minutes.
I can’t seem to find that video, can you post it?There’s a giant sticky thread on this very board: LIST OF ALL AUTHORING STUFF. Learn it, love it, know it.
pksage’s video is one of the tutorials.
Nevermind, I just can’t seem to understand what needs to be done and I am gpoing to leave this to te people who know it well.
Maybe take a little break then come back at it with fresh eyes? Three days isn’t giving yourself much of a chance. It is certainly not easy, but once you get the mechanics of it, it kind of falls into place.
Trial and error is very necessary. It’s kind of like learning to play an instrument. If you expect to be a pro after a few days you’re gonna be frustrated and want to quit. Keep practicing and start with easier songs at first.
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