zircon

DONE! But I'm not posting it

Doru Malaia Superdrums 8000 and 230 Ethnic Drums and Percussions are serviceable, <$50 libraries that can sound quite large.

They are not under any license. They exist in a grey area of copyright, as they are derivative works based on copyrighted works without the consent of the original copyright holders. A fair use case can be made of course but it hasn't even come to court yet. Putting aside legal terms, it is *ethical* to ask ReMixers if you want to use their ReMix for something, but since we don't really own our ReMixes we can't license them for anything...

Alright, I got my copy. Let's schedule some nights. I've heard votes for Friday and Sunday evenings, any other suggestions? Earlier this week? etc?

Well, Ra does have ~80-90 instruments total, so that's nothing to sneeze at. I think EW3 might be designed to be more immediately playable and mixable, whereas Ra goes for maximum realism and sticks closely to the playing abilities of the instrument. I could be wrong. I do know Ra rules though as I own it.

Yeah, honestly, I would be happy even if they did something simple like make a "Hard" mode where the ONLY difference is -25% gil drops, +25% monster stats, -25% xp gained. Something like that.

I'll update the first post with some official rules soon.. but here's what I'm thinking 1) You can play alone and level your char, but you are encouraged to generally stay with the group. Don't get more than one or MAYBE two acts ahead of us. If we're all level 30 in act 3 on normal mode, it wouldn't be as fun if you get to level 60 and you're already on act 4 in nightmare. 2) We are all starting new chars from scratch, therefore no handouts from other characters. This might be subject to change when we get higher level. 3) Yes it will be open to everyone, but again, new characters only. If we are ahead of newcomers we will try to get them up to speed as best as possible. If they are significantly behind they can use whatever means necessary to catch up. 4) This will be PvM. If and when we get to a high level and we feel like doing some dueling, then OK. But the game is pretty challenging especially from scratch. PvM should be more than enough. 5) Diablo 2, Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction, mIRC (or similar IRC client), and either Ventrilo or Teamspeak.. haven't decided yet.

Hey, I said uncommon, not rare or impossible...

www.avadirect.com is legitimate (computers/computer parts) www.costco.com if you're a member, very good www.jrshop.com - music and computers www.bhphotovideo.com (has audio stuff too)

We should try to set up certain nights and times to play together - we can do it in this thread. Aside from that, we'll have an IRC channel (probably on enterthegame) so people can talk to eachother, and we'll also have a game name + pass that we consistently use. That way you can just hop online and join the game to play.

Well, when I checked the competitions forum and thought historically, all the threads there are literally competitions. You know, tournaments of some kind. The chess league, moves league, KoF, Tetris Attack, it's all like that. I am merely proposing that OCR people get together and play this game with one another. I'm calling it a "league" but it really isn't, per se.

Remember... post your account name if you are interested (NOT char name - bnet account name) so I can add you to the list.

You'd have to be more specific about what sites you're looking for on... I could give you a good five sites that are all good for buying music gear, but I doubt that's what you're interested in.

A requirement of a song "accepted on VGmix" is meaningless. Why have requirements at all? ANYONE could post a song to VGmix. There was no evaluation system. I suggest re-thinking those admission standards.

Yes, "TRacks" is the name of the product. It comes with a compressor, limiter, and EQ. There is a standalone version and a native (VST) version; the latter is more expensive. IK Multimedia produces it.

Hahaha, this is awesome man.

Let's face it. Diablo 2 and its expansion were fun as hell. I move that we all get together, start new characters on ladder US West (NOT OPEN), and play. Maybe use Vent if anyone has one. I already talked to a bunch of people in #vgdj and there's some good interest. Don't have the game? http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=3660681&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.BLZ+DIABLO2BC $27 for Diablo, Diablo 2, the expansion, and the strategy guides. Best $27 you will ever spend. If you want to play, post here - list your battle.net account name too. I just purchased the game from J&R so I have yet to make an account. But I will soon!!! Status As of March 17th... * Highest level ~90 * Hell complete * Preparing for "Uber" battles There's the list... if you're not up to speed, catch up! League Info We will be playing on US West LADDER. This is closed, not open. We will be playing D2X, so you need both Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction to play. Use mIRC or another IRC client to connect to irc.enterthegame.com and join channel #d2ocr - this is our IRC channel and you can bet we will be coordinating stuff there! All games will be named OCR# with the password vgm. # represents a number, eg. OCR1, OCR2, OCR3 and so forth. Always make games starting with OCR1. This is primarily a PvM (player vs monster) league, not PvP. Feel free to duel but if you are looking to ONLY duel this is the wrong place. Playing D2 from scratch is lots of fun, and fairly challenging without handouts. Rules Try to play w/ the group as much as possible - idle on IRC to get in on official games, and of course attend scheduled nights. Help other people in the league - don't be jerks!! If you fall far behind, or you joined late, we will try to get you to where we are. However if you are too far behind, you can use any means necessary (eg. rushing from a non-OCR league char) to catch up. Don't play solo with your league character unless you need to catch up or are completing side-quests (or trading). If more than 8 league members want to play at any time, the second group can start up a simultaneous second game. Just try to remember who DIDN'T get in the "main" game so they can be rotated in next time. Account List - add these to your friends! tavernerorud - Amazon (Javelin) Hemophiliac - Sorceress (Lightning) DragonFireKai - Paladin (Zeal) Stuka87 - Barbarian (Axes) Salty_Bob - Druid (Werebear) Eulogic LordDyne - Necromancer (Bone/Poison) E_Samurai - Paladin (?) Cecilff2 zircon - Assassin (Phoenix Strike) BOOBerries KiroKiri - Amazon (Bows) Chapel-White - Paladin (Hammerdin) L4r3 - Sorc (Meteor) NekkoChavez ShadowsEdge ZutnunZor GoldenButterfly Jabe - Barbarian (Frenzy) ilovepsi - Sorceress (Blizzard) SCHEDULED NIGHTS (times are EST) Wednesday, March 7th 10pm Friday, March 9th 8pm Note: If a group of 5-6 people or more can be gathered on IRC on any non-scheduled night, they can play "officially" with primary characters... so go idle on IRC!

Maybe I just need to listen to more, but most people I go to school with love indie rock, and they play it all the time on MTVU (which plays 24/7 in our cafeteria) - and it all sounds the same to me. Really nothing impressive. Maybe I am just not listening with a critical ear, but there seem to be very few stylistic distinctions from one group to the next, and the compositions are not all that different either.

It is very possible, yes. As I said, film composers often do not earn royalties. You might earn something off the soundtrack, and MAYBE distribution on DVDs, for example, but otherwise no. Video game industry is where the money is at. $1000 a minute of music for triple A games? Yes please.

No. The video game industry is bigger than the movie industry. Not relevant. Bingo. A "work for hire" contract for a composer means that once the songs are written and delivered, the composer no longer has ANY claim to them. The copyright isn't just being licensed to another party. It is gone. Legally, they didn't even make the song. You might wonder why anyone would enter into such agreement; typically, it's because such a deal is FAR more profitable. I have seen WFH/Buyout deals priced 10x what their non-exclusive contracts would be. However, it's possible - as with the case of Midway - for there to be an arrangement where the composer does earn money based on units sold, even if it is WFH. Contracts can be flexible. By the way, film composers usually do NOT earn royalties...

No idea about anime music. The vast majority of video game music uses samples + synths though, even big budget games. It is uncommon for a game to use live orchestra.

* Aftertouch - This is a feature that detects how much pressure you are applying to a key once it's already down. It is somewhat less common than other features on this list, but is yet another way of humanizing a performance and controlling sounds. If you are really into soloing on your keyboard, this is a great feature. Some sample libraries now assign aspects of sounds to aftertouch by default, such as the Garritan Stradivarius violin library. * LCD Display - It might sound like a no brainer, but consider the size and scope of the keyboard's visual display. Some keyboards have massive, full color displays with high resolution. Others may only show 3 alphanumeric characters at once. If you're going to be doing a lot of editing on your keyboard, think about a larger display. But keep in mind that some keyboards with small displays connect to your computer through USB and let you use software to change settings. The Bottom Line Ok, so now we get to the fun stuff - the exact models themselves. I'm going to list 7 keyboards total that I think are well-worth the money. * Alesis QS6.2 - $500 - At this price, it is hard to find a combo workstation/synthesizer with more features (AND 61 keys). The QS8.2 model is full range. Alesis makes great products so if you're looking for a workhorse this is an excellent choice. * Edirol PCRM-30 - $170 - This is a nice & compact 32-key MIDI controller with USB connectivity. The keys are sturdy, it's lightweight, and comes with an assortment of knobs + sliders. Great if you're doing electronic music. * M-Audio Axiom 61 - $300 - A mighty MIDI controller indeed. djpretzel himself uses this; with a load of features and 61 keys, it is a great buy and looks sleek as well. * Korg TR76 Synth Workstation - $1300 - Though not exactly a budget choice, the TR76 draws from the power of the famed Korg Triton workstation line, which is one of the most used in the world for all kinds of music production. The keyboard features are extensive (76 keys + aftertouch, among other things) and it has some great synthesis and effects capabilities. * Yamaha P70 Digital Piano - $700 - A roughly midrange digital piano. Yamaha has always been a strong brand and their expertise shows. If you are a more discriminating pianist, this is a good choice. * M-Audio Keystation 88 Pro - $400 - For a weighted, full-range keyboard with 30+ knobs, sliders, and buttons, this is a pretty unbelievable value. The keys pale in comparison to a real piano or a good digital piano, but they are much better than synth action... and considering how little more you pay to get it, this is one of the best choices for computer musicians that want a budget full-range controller. Note: it is large and HEAVY - almost 3x the weight of the Axiom 61!!! * Clavia Nord Lead NL2X - $1000 - If you're a fan of electronic music, then you should be interested in this synthesizer. With 49 keys, it may seem like it's not a great value, but it sounds fantastic and is fairly intuitive to use. Very nice as an all-around VA (virtual analog) synth. Excellent for performance as well. And hey, The Crystal Method uses one... Conclusion Unless you have a bank account that is too large and you're dying to minimize it as quickly as possible, chances are, a keyboard will be a fairly big investment - so choose wisely! Use this thread to discuss the topic, ask questions, make comments, or suggest additions. Also feel free to leave reviews or thoughts on keyboards you own or have used.

This question gets asked repeatedly, so here it is, a (mostly) definitive guide on the subject. For the purposes of this thread, a "keyboard" can refer to any one of four things: a MIDI controller, a digital piano, a synthesizer, or a workstation. We will go into all of these. For a computer-based music production setup, a keyboard can be a very useful tool, though it is not required. So let's define these things first. Definitions MIDI Controller: A MIDI controller is a device that *only* transmits MIDI data, such as notes and note velocities. Not all MIDI controllers are keyboards - some only have knobs, sliders, or buttons - but for our purposes we will talk about the keyboard controllers. They can be anywhere from 1 or 2 octaves to 88 keys. They can also have additional knobs, buttons, sliders, or drum pads. MIDI Controllers do not generate or alter sound! Though previously connected using standard MIDI cables, which can connect to a computer using the joystick port, almost all modern controllers use USB which is far more efficient. Digital Piano: A digital piano is designed to feel AND sound as close to a real piano as possible. The keyboard is designed in such a way as to mimic the action and feel of real piano keys. Other keyboards mentioned here can have realistic action as well, but typically, digital pianos are the absolute closest you can get. They do not usually come with other special features or gizmos like knobs, pitchbend/modwheel, or faders. They may or may not have MIDI In/Out or built-in speakers (if it does not have speakers, it will have a headphone and/or audio port). Digital pianos come with audio generating capabitilies (a piano sound, obviously) but may have a limited variety of other sounds like strings, choirs, organs, and electric pianos as well. Effects like reverb, chorus, or phasing may be included. They also usually have a metronome and some sort of song recording capability. Synthesizer: A synthesizer generates and processes sound using analog or digital methods, or both. There are MANY types of synthesizers, from basic analog subtractive synthesizers, to advanced multi-synthesis devices. There are "desktop" and "rackmount" synths that do not have keyboards, but of course we are talking about the ones with a keyboard built in; they can be from 2 octaves to full range, with different feels and actions. Modern synthesizers receive MIDI data and may send it as well; they always produce some kind of audio. The exact capabilities of any given synth vary greatly. Workstation: A workstation combines elements from the above three categories. They have a keyboard that usually feels fairly realistic, send/receive MIDI data, allow you to sequence and record music, and have a variety of sounds on them (and may have a built-in synthesizer as well). For the sake of discussion, I DO consider low-end models like the Yamaha PSR series and Casio keyboards to be workstations, since in design and basic function, they are the same. Budget Considerations MIDI Controllers are typically the cheapest keyboards you can buy. For a small controller with minimal bells & whistles, you may not even pay $200. The high end is about $600 or $700 for full-range, hammer-action (realistic) controllers with tons of extra features. Digital pianos can get very expensive, and start in the $500-600 range. High end models can cost $2000 or more. However, most trained piano players believe this is a good investment. Synthesizers with keyboards start around $500-600 and can exceed $3000, though this is mainly because of the synth's features, not the action of the keyboard (unlike the price scaling of digital pianos and MIDI controllers). Workstations start in the $200-300 range, though these are more designed for educational tools rather than serious production. They extend all the way up to $7000-8000. How many keys? The amount of keys you want on your keyboard depends on what you are going to be using it for, and your level of ability. * If you ONLY plan on using the keyboard to speed up note entry in a program like Finale or Sibelius, step sequencing, or simply for testing out brief passages, it is doubtful you will use more than 32 keys. 25 keys may even be sufficient. * If you do plan on recording parts, but they are not complex (eg. synth basslines, simple leads, string pads) then 32 or 49 keys will likely be sufficient. * If you are going to do more extensive recording of non-classical material, or want to use "performance" synth patches or keyboard splits, 61 keys is a safe number. * If you know your way around a piano and are recording classical material then of course you will want the full 88 keys. Note that just because you are WRITING music that has a full range, does not necessarily mean you will need a KEYBOARD with a full range. For example, you might think that doing realistic orchestral tracks necessitates an 88-key controller. Not true. You won't be playing in the full orchestra all at once. You'll write/record the violins, then the french horns, then the percussion, etc. Each of these instruments do not require more than a 32 to 49 key range - at most - and usually a lot less. Additionally, any decent keyboard has the ability to move octaves up and down. This way, even if you only have 25 keys, you can record a full range if necessary. Audio - Yes or No? An important question to ask is whether you only want a MIDI controller, or whether features beyond that involving audio are necessary. This is somewhat dependant on what your current setup is, and what you are looking to do. * If you only have basic or free software for recording & MIDI editing, even an inexpensive workstation can add a LOT. Many remixes on this site were created with cheaper keyboard workstations, and to this day they are used regularly. The sounds included on these keyboards are usually very "musical" and usable, and require less tweaking to sound good. * If you prefer to do as little post-editing as possible, or loathe the idea of using the mouse to edit what you've done, again, a workstation is a great idea. With a more expensive workstation in the $1000-$2000 range, you will get everything you need to create a great track - powerful synthesis, sampling, audio editing, recording, etc. You may not even need a computer at all. * If you have several thousand dollars worth of software tools (or more), adding a synthesizer or workstation may be somewhat redundant. A MIDI controller is perhaps all you will need to control all your virtual toys. * If you are interested in doing any live performance (eg. you will be up on stage), I recommend AGAINST using your computer with a MIDI controller. A synthesizer, digital piano, or workstation will all be far more stable. Of those, a workstation or synthesizer will give you more variety than a digital piano. * If you are an experienced piano player, the combination of an expensive software piano library with a weighted MIDI controller can deliver great results. But it is easier, and comparable in price, to simply get a digital piano. Feature Considerations Modern keyboards can come with lots of cool extra features, but you may not need or even want some of them. Others could prove essential. Here's a rundown of what's out there. * Synth action vs. semi-weighted vs. hammer action - These represent the 'feel' of the keyboard. Synth action means the keys will offer very little physical resistance. If you are used to playing a real piano, it will feel unnatural, though you can get used to it. If you need to input fast sequences of notes this may be what you want. Semi-weighted vs. fully weighted or hammer action are simply degrees of realism. More realistic feels mean the resistance of each key responds appropriate to pressure, and acts like a real piano would when the key is released. The different parts of the keyboard may even be scaled (eg. high notes = less resistance, low notes = more). Rule of thumb; you get what you pay for. An $800 digital piano will feel less realistic than a $2000 one. * Modwheel, pitch bend - Most keyboards have this, but some don't. The modwheel is most often used to add vibrato to a sound, though it can do a lot of other stuff as well. When performing something, it is VERY useful in making a synth or sample sound more realistic. The pitch bend wheel is also important for 'humanizing' a performance. A guitar solo without pitch bending would not be very interesting. Many sample libraries today actually rely on the modwheel to alter the quality of the sound, so it is really something nice to have. * X/Y Controller - This is a method of entering in MIDI data. You apply pressure on a pad and move your finger in any direction. You could assign the X axis to a filter cutoff, and the Y axis to resonance, for example. A useful method of control if you like doing a lot of automation, or if you are performing live. * Assignable knobs, faders, sliders, buttons - Fairly self explanatory. A lot of keyboards come with an array of extra physical features that you can assign, using your computer, to various parameters. If you have 4 assignable buttons, you could use them to mute and unmute different instruments. Faders/sliders can be assigned to volume levels in your mixer. Sequencing software like FLStudio, Reason, Cubase, and Sonar all make it very easy to set up these assignable controllers, save a setup, and recall it later. Very useful if you like physical, tactile control. (continued)

That's somewhere on my list. BTW this one is pretty much done but I'm not sharing the update lololol u2buyCD

Thanks guys. Doing some fun stuff w/ this one as the track goes on. I use the same exact mastering preset on basically all of my songs, ever. TRacks Compressor and TRacks Limiter.