CPCWiki forum

General Category => General Discussion - Introductions => Topic started by: teopl on 19:49, 16 July 20

Title: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: teopl on 19:49, 16 July 20
Hello :)

I would like 2 things regarding this topic so who ever can join please do: (I guess it can benefit us all in the future)

1. gather as many arkos 2 instruments (.aki format) as possible (to use the instruments I like in my songs and not creating them myself)

2. gather as many arkos 2 songs (.aks format) as possible (to listen to songs and also maybe use their instruments)

I know that this is already available in Arkos2 release but sure it would be great to expand this collection.

So, to start myself, I will attach several songs from our game for CPC retrodev competition 2019 (game is called "Ludic - break the loop").

Author of the songs is @brando464 (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2986) so if you use songs, please refer to our game and the author.
(I guess using of instruments can be done freely since we did also used instruments from who knows where...)

Long live Arkos2! :)
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Targhan on 22:14, 16 July 20
Thanks for using my software :).

It's funny that I always find people wanting instruments, because I always advise people NOT to save instruments, but create their own every time, because that's the only way to get new sounds in your songs. By making new sounds, you can make mistakes, make experimentation and find new unique sounds.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: teopl on 22:37, 16 July 20
Yes AT2 is great :) but I don't make music (maybe at some point I will) because currently I don't have time to learn and experiment.

I would like to try different instruments on already made songs and maybe to learn how some effects are made to make instrument.

I mean sure, creating instruments is the best way but sometimes you want to focus on a song or you just have a lazy composer :D

Anyway, is there some tutorial about making instruments? (that would also help)
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Targhan on 22:53, 16 July 20
There is the tutorial on the website, but it is not finished indeed. There *is* something I am working on, but I don't talk about it right now. This is the reason I don't update the tutorial for now, because what I would write would become obsolete. But I believe that what is explained on the website, and a few experimentation with the existing song is enough to, at least, get well started.

Plus, I'm available on this forum or on the website's forum, so don't hesitate to ask questions, I'd be glad to help.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: mr_lou on 05:58, 17 July 20
Quote from: teopl on 19:49, 16 July 20
2. gather as many arkos 2 songs (.aks format) as possible (to listen to songs and also maybe use their instruments)

Artists can offer their AKS files (and many many other filetype formats) to gamedevs at https://www.IndieGameMusic.com
Use the search form and select "Compatible with Amstrad CPC".
So far only 10 AKS files are there though (by me). I plan on adding more at some point, and hopefully other musicians will also add some at some point.

No one can prohibit you from experimenting replacing instruments in a tune. Just remember you're not allowed to distribute such edits without permission from the original author.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: teopl on 20:16, 17 July 20
mr_lou - really good songs! thanks for the info.

of course, either permission or paying exclusive / non-exclusive is good option, what I don't like is amount of available Arkos2 songs so I raised this topic so maybe someone else can upload their songs.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Arnaud on 20:45, 17 July 20
Cngsoft have converted a lot of cpc tunes in its own CHP format :
http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/chipnsfx.htm

And Arkos2 can import them (this is not perfect but it mostly works)
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: mr_lou on 04:56, 18 July 20
Quote from: teopl on 20:16, 17 July 20
what I don't like is amount of available Arkos2 songs so I raised this topic so maybe someone else can upload their songs.

The "chip" category at IGM is relative new. Hopefully other artists will put some or their AKS files (and/or other formats) there in the near future.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: teopl on 11:06, 18 July 20
Quote from: Arnaud on 20:45, 17 July 20The "chip" category at IGM is relative new. Hopefully other artists will put some or their AKS files (and/or other formats) there in the near future.

wow, I know about the site but I missed that tracker and crazy amount of songs there... the cngsoft keeps to amaze me - so many songs (and content in general on that site - thanks cngsoft)

not sure about the importing the instruments form .CHP - looks like they are generic when imported but I will check more later, maybe they are recognized correct.

for me since I am not into making music, I will just forward the content to the composer to play with it.

Quote from: mr_lou on 04:56, 18 July 20The "chip" category at IGM is relative new. Hopefully other artists will put some or their AKS files (and/or other formats) there in the near future.

yes, thanks again to remind me about the site, also I didn't know that arkos songs are there at all... and they are cheap :)
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 16:14, 14 August 20
Hi guys.
Logan - The Dark Castle
https://youtu.be/OXqb3j3d7Jg

This is a one of the 9 subsongs of the BGM i'm currently working on.
It requires the PlayCity (Sound expansion from Tot0). This song is designed for an ingame sequence so i'm using only on PSG instruments. No PCM here.
I might release the full BGM with the AKS module, but it will be licenced under the Creative Common. Free to share with No alteration. The thing is i'm not comfortable with the idea it could be used for any project without my agreement. I don't know if it's ok with your own policy.

Regards,
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: TotO on 21:05, 14 August 20
I like a lot, particularly the combined instruments to create more complex sound like done on Mega Drive.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 06:27, 15 August 20
Waiting for release of that songs to listen in my playcity  8)
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 23:37, 05 December 20
Hi guys. Here is another Logan BGM preview. With this track I'm trying a new way to alter how Arkos Tracker instruments sounds using rhythm changes in combination with the arpegio lists. I'm using PCM drums at the moment as I was not happy with my PSG ones yet. Channel 9 is dedicated to the in-game SFX.
Roudoudou started to work on a replay for the CPC Plus that will handle both PSG and Samples. I might need to remap some tracks as Targhan kindly advised it's not possible to trigger the noise generator and play samples at the same time on a single AY.
I must confess the 3 first patterns were significantly inspired by a song preview someone shared on the famitracker discord workshop channel a few weeks ago. Sadly i just saved the mp3 that has no tags and I couldn't find his name again to give him the credits.

I hope you'll like it.

https://youtu.be/uIVDzYjMdnA
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Targhan on 01:41, 06 December 20
Very cool song, well done (that speed trick you talk about in the video is however very well known in trackers. You can create nice shuffle by alternating speeds).

Quote from: e-dredon on 23:37, 05 December 20I might need to remap some tracks as Targhan kindly advised it's not possible to trigger the noise generator and play samples at the same time on a single AY.

Mmmh, no, there must have been a misunderstanding, it is perfectly possible. You can even technically use the noise and sample at the same time on the same channel, but it will probably sound like crap.
The only thing to be aware with the noise generator is that there is only one per PSG, so if you use noise on two or three channels, they will both use the same value (AT2 gives priority to the last channels). This might sound good, or unexpected (which can be good!).
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Gryzor on 14:44, 22 December 20
Quote from: e-dredon on 23:37, 05 December 20
Hi guys. Here is another Logan BGM preview. With this track I'm trying a new way to alter how Arkos Tracker instruments sounds using rhythm changes in combination with the arpegio lists. I'm using PCM drums at the moment as I was not happy with my PSG ones yet. Channel 9 is dedicated to the in-game SFX.
Roudoudou started to work on a replay for the CPC Plus that will handle both PSG and Samples. I might need to remap some tracks as Targhan kindly advised it's not possible to trigger the noise generator and play samples at the same time on a single AY.
I must confess the 3 first patterns were significantly inspired by a song preview someone shared on the famitracker discord workshop channel a few weeks ago. Sadly i just saved the mp3 that has no tags and I couldn't find his name again to give him the credits.

I hope you'll like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKxw_pVy5ow

Private vid?
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 01:37, 23 December 20
Sorry. I was about to post the final version on soundcloud / youtube for Christmas. But my SSD badly messed with my veracrypt partition. The source was lost. I have a 3 weeks old backup and need to rewrite about 10 patterns :( lacking of motivation for now. Hopefully I already recorded a video of the final version. I updated the link. I'm not happy yet with the end part.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Gryzor on 09:00, 23 December 20
That's a bummer but thanks for the update!!!


Listening to it now, that's so nice!!!
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 12:42, 07 May 21
Hi guys. I've been quiet those days. I've finally found time and motivation to rebuild the corrupted AKS partially thanks to the vidéos I've recorded before the SSD messed up all my DATAS. I've been quite busy with the project I'm working on with Roudoudou and Barjack. They asked me to join a bit late in the process and it took me some time to catch up and understand what they expected to be done. Here are 2 more previews of the songs that are part of the LOGAN'S BGM.
you can find Gates of Aeternia: a pure PSG version for any Amstrad CPC with the PlayCity or compatible sound expansion on my youtube LAB : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uG9K4BCwIo&ab_channel=St%C3%A9phaneFRAN%C3%87OIS

And an improved version with DigiDrums for the Replay Roudoudou has been working on which supports DMA for the CPC+ available on my soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/e-dredon/logan-gates-of-aeternia-100hz-playcity-psgdigidrums-wip

Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 12:53, 07 May 21
For my 5th wedding anniversary, I actually finished 'The Enchanted Forest' I badly needed a break with the quite dark mood ambiance sound design Barjack want for their project. Hope they won't mind too much ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhb-HKpiXFQ&ab_channel=St%C3%A9phaneFRAN%C3%87OIS

I might post this song later on my SoundCloud as I don't feel I have much more to say here. Maybe the stereo panning needs some adjustments and a transition sounds a bit ruff.
I'm currently beta testing a new Sound Tracker for AY few of us have been waiting for years (love ya Gilles) I'll post when I have something relevant to show and after the official release of the software.
Hwikaa actually told me this song remind him 'The Legend Of Kyrandia'. Probably the best compliment one could ever do to me as this BGM is one of my favorite. Thanks for your moral support dude.

Regards,

Stay tuned!
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Targhan on 13:45, 07 May 21
Very nice, well done!

Ah, the Soundtracker DMA is lurking! Good news :).
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Gryzor on 13:54, 07 May 21
Quote from: e-dredon on 12:42, 07 May 21https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uG9K4BCwIo&ab_channel=St%C3%A9phaneFRAN%C3%87OIS

And an improved version with DigiDrums for the Replay Roudoudou has been working on which supports DMA for the CPC+ available on my soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/e-dredon/logan-gates-of-aeternia-100hz-playcity-psgdigidrums-wip (https://soundcloud.com/e-dredon/logan-gates-of-aeternia-100hz-playcity-psgdigidrums-wip)



Wow that was nice...
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Animalgril987 on 19:40, 07 May 21
Those are great tunes, e-dredon :D :D
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 11:48, 24 September 21
Hi guys.
I just posted a sneak preview of 'Greed Overkill' on my soundcloud. (Sorry too lazy to setup OBS once again).
The song was originally composed for Bubble Quest (A retrodev in progress for Amstrad CPC+ 64Kb (GX4000, 464+ & 6128+), but I moved it to the Logan series. I honestly think it's one of my best PSG 3channels tunes so far, but it might not be suitable for the ambiance we'd like to propose for Bubble Quest.
You can listen to it here
[EDIT]
Final version below. Preview was removed from my SoundCloud.
Beware I'm not going to be held responsible in case of serious ear bleeding, sudden daphar or any other trauma ;)
[/EDIT]

Every journey that has a beginning has an end.
It's time for me to get some rest so it might be one of my last contribution (Still working on another tune with SountrackerDMA. I hope could finish it).
Thanks to Targhan for making such a great piece of software. Dealing with the AY PSG was significantly more challenging than I expected, but playing around with Arkos Tracker has been a lot of fun.
I'll try to release the AKS of some of the songs I've posted here after some serious cleaning.

Have fun and keep making cool stuff.
Regards,
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Targhan on 18:08, 24 September 21
Very good stuff, as always. Glad you enjoyed using my software!
I hope you will "rest" well... and hope you will come back after a while!
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 19:41, 03 October 21
Final version uploaded
https://soundcloud.com/e-dredon/logan-greed-overkill-psg-final-version
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: norecess464 on 13:08, 04 October 21
Excellent work @e-dredon (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=3804)  !!!
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Zik on 20:46, 04 October 21
Quote from: e-dredon on 11:48, 24 September 21I just posted a sneak preview of 'Greed Overkill' on my soundcloud.
Glad to hear from you @e-dredon (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=3804) . Very nice and polished tune (as usual)!

I cannot wait to hear what you got out of the SoundtrackerDMA!  :)
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 22:59, 15 December 21
Hi guys.

It's been a year now that I started to work on the LOGAN's project.
I just released the final version of "Gates Of Aeternia" as usual on Soundcloud :

https://soundcloud.com/e-dredon/logan-gates-of-aeternia-original-2xpsg-100hz-final-version?si=f7a40dd3a41b4beebcda17a32dc0f2f8&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

This song needs a 100Hz replay speed. I massively used the Sxx and Wxx commands to tune my instruments / arpegios lists. I know it generates twice DATA as the 50Hz standard replay speed, but this is the only way I could make the flute/ocarina sound a bit realistic (well as much as a squarewave instrument can sound)

The tune was originally composed for Amstrad CPC Plus with the PlayCity sound expansion, so I post it there. But LOGAN might finally come to life on the ZX Spectrum Next platform. The machine actually packs 3xAY-3-8910 so there would be no arguing about hardware expansions that for some reason I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, seems to be quite unpopular on the CPC.

I'm thinking I will follow what TITAN (Eric Cubizolle) has done for Shadow Of Death. I'll release the assets I've done so far, the description of the game mechanics, level design, weapons, script, few dialogs, etc... Then let it be or not.
The .aks will be released under the Common CC license, but I'm still thinking what would suit best the needs of a non profit project. You can distribute the songs freely but please don't use the songs for your own project without my agreement.
BY NC, ND might be an issue as it's not a finished game sourcecode but a Work In Progress

Anyway, here is the list of the fully finished tunes :
Gates Of Aeternia [2xPSG] [100Hz]
Greed Overkill [1xPSG]
Halls of Valhalla [2xPSG]
The Dark Castle [2xPSG]
The Enchanted Forest [2xPSG]
The Spooky Whale [1xPSG]
Thunderstorm [3xPSG]
Time Warp [2xPSG]
Victory Run [2xPSG]
Waterworld [2xPSG]

Still under WIP
Abyss [3xPSG]
AY-Funk [3xPSG] [DigiDrums]
Commodore Jar-Jarre Binks [2xPSG]
The Final Battle [3xPSG]

The .aks of the final versions will be available ASAP on e-dredon.info
If it happened that I won't answer anymore, JB-Daron whom have been a great early fan has the latest full copy of my work and he is authorized to release it at his convenience.

Hope you'll like my beeeeps.
If it makes you feeling drowsy, visit your local doctor urgently. Don't take 20g of HCQ/AZT for 5 days without a medical survey or you might meet UltraSyd & perhaps me, a bit earlier than you expected...
Sorry for the haters, there is no thumb down on this forum. you're doomed dude ;)

I'll be away for a while so I Wish you a merry Christmas and Happy new year in advance.

Best regards,
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: ralferoo on 14:10, 16 December 21
That's a really nice tune, love it!

Quote from: Targhan on 22:14, 16 July 20It's funny that I always find people wanting instruments, because I always advise people NOT to save instruments, but create their own every time, because that's the only way to get new sounds in your songs. By making new sounds, you can make mistakes, make experimentation and find new unique sounds.

I'm quoting Targan, but it's really in response to e-dredon.

If releasing your songs would hurt, especially if you're still in progress with stuff, then actually I'd echo toepl's original message about trying to collect instruments, and maybe you could think about releasing just the instruments. Although that sounds weird, because a lot depends on what that note interacts with, but equally I'd probably say don't release a cut-down version of the song, because then it'll get muddled up with the real one later.

But anyway, back to Targhan's point. I kind of agree with you, that experimenting is the best way to learn how to make sounds, but as an almost beginner on AY, it's next to impossible for me to imagine *how* to achieve a certain sound. Honestly, the best way for me is being able to hear a lot of different instruments, working out what I like and then trying to understand how it was achieved. And that process leads to a better understanding in the future of how to organically create a desired sound from scratch.

Sure, I could spend days fiddling with different sounds and experimenting, but if I came across a nice sound that way, it'd be from luck rather than intentionally, because I just don't have that deep intuition of the chip yet, so picking apart worked examples of nice sounding instruments is really useful.
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: ralferoo on 14:11, 16 December 21
Quote from: e-dredon on 22:59, 15 December 21If it makes you feel drowsy, visit your doctor urgently. Don't take 20g of HCQ/AZT for 5 days without a medical survey or you might meet UltraSyd & perhaps me, a bit earlier that you expected...
Ouch! Hope you feel well soon!
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 12:30, 19 December 21
Quote from: ralferoo on 14:10, 16 December 21
That's a really nice tune, love it!

I'm quoting Targan, but it's really in response to e-dredon.

If releasing your songs would hurt, especially if you're still in progress with stuff, then actually I'd echo toepl's original message about trying to collect instruments, and maybe you could think about releasing just the instruments. Although that sounds weird, because a lot depends on what that note interacts with, but equally I'd probably say don't release a cut-down version of the song, because then it'll get muddled up with the real one later.

There might be a small misunderstanding. Releasing my tunes does not hurt. Open Tower Defense is fully open source. This was the project with Roudou and I'm happy and comfortable with that :) I'm actually glad if I could contribute (even it's so little) to Arkos Tracker 2's popularity. I'll release only fully finished songs. I'm just thinking of the Common CC best license as LOGAN (the videogame) will be a WIP. I just said I would be hurt if someone uses the songs for his personal project without my agreement. Like a slideshow or something not relevant to me.

Actually, I have made very few of my instruments (mostly the one I created lately to merge drums/square waves for 3channels tracks). I started ripping off mine from all the AKS I could find and importing from .pt3 converted into .vc2. So my library is probably not a great value. Thus, I'm heavily using effects. The tunes general structure, arpeggios, effects might be some interest for you. I have personally learned A LOT from N1k0, Cube, McAlby, Tom & Jerry, Targhan, Gryzor (The abduction of Oscar Z) and a few others I could talk to or work with. Some are far much better musicians than I will ever be ;)

Regards,
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: genesis8 on 17:15, 19 December 21
Nice music as usual.

I dont see anymore your Amstrad CPC music on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5SYHEyvf-SccXnkczEdQxg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5SYHEyvf-SccXnkczEdQxg)), or was it on another channel ?
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: e-dredon on 12:07, 23 November 22
Hi guys
Time flies and this topic has been so quiet lately.

Here is my last finished song from the LOGAN project (I did very little progress this year but things are getting slowly organized in my mind).

https://soundcloud.com/e-dredon/logan-popcycles-3xay-3-8910-50hz-107bpm-final-version

I thought few musiciens would have joined and shared their work.
Come on buddies, why are you so shy ?

Maybe it's time to put some spice on the game.
What about an AY Chiptune contest to end this year wild with joy ?

Cheers,
Title: Re: Arkos Tracker 2 songs and instruments
Post by: Zoe Robinson on 12:36, 23 November 22
My goodness, that's a catchy tune. Fantastic job!
Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod