5 Tips for Making Video Game Melodies || Shady Cicada
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- ► Song Samples at - 1:25 onward
Video Game Melodies. You know them. Even if you don't play videos games, you probably know one or two. If I went to a lonely deserted shopping mall and hummed out a video game melody like the Super Mario Bros theme, I almost gurantee some spooky ghost lad would hum it back. Not only are some video game melodies catchy, they also capture the feel of the game and it's story and characters. I always found it so amazing that music could capture so much, despite it being kind of an obvious observation. Still though, that fascination led me to write video game-style music of my own. As a result, I gained ome habits here and there and I thought I'd share a bit in the form of...tips. Not meant to be taken super seriously, but I thought it'd be a fun video nonetheless. This is "5 Tips for Making Video Game Melodies". I hope you enjoy!
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Order of Songs in the video (all made by me)
► Daydreamer
► Where the Heart Is
► Before the World Dies
► Not out yet x2
► Reel 'Em In
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CREDITS
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EQUIPMENT
Guitar: Schecter Banshee Elite 6 (with Seymour Duncan Alpha/Omega Pick ups)
Bass: Ibanez Soundgear SDGR
Strings: Elixir "Light-Heavy"
Orchestra: East West Symphonic Orchestra (Gold Version)
Synths/Synth Drums/Various Instruments: Xpand!2
Interface: Line 6 UX2
Audio Software (DAW): Cubase 5
Tone Software: POD Farm 2 & Bias FX
Drums: Superior Drummer 2.0
Mixing/Mastering Software: Izotope 5
Video Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Video Camera: Canon Rebel T5i - Hudba
"I'm not a musical genius" says the guy who created a perfect song without listening to it.
Mostly
That guy always says he doesn't but it seems impossible and disturbing in a good way
It's a sad day when people consider repetition a masterpiece. MAKE ORIGINAL MATERIAL
sometimes ya just gotta FEEL the music
(says the guy who can't drum for shit by 'feeling')
@@fizzicist7678 I feel ya man
“Reel em in with that Solo”
Top ten anime betrayals
wait until "don't use wood wood" appeared
@@nepunepu5894 WAIT WHERE WAS THAT?
@@trackernivrig in our most nightmare-ish dream
Nepu Nepu lol. Really though, was that in the video?
@@trackernivrig no
Shady Cicada: "You're not going to be making these masterpieces overnight"
Also Shady Cicada: *composes an entire soundtrack in 10 minutes*
Keyword: YOU'RE.
That includes us, bud :)
@@brylancaldwell1556 Naw, their called "examples".
Brylan Caldwell
Well what’s wrong with them, Mr. Intelligent Musician? How about giving some critique so he can improve?
Brylan Caldwell
First off, Ms. Ignorant Musician.
Second off, I never said I had a problem with it, but you did. I think it’s more reasonable for you to explain yourself, since you’re the one complaining about his music.
Going to add something: I find arrogance is more likely to lead to ignorance than amateurism. I suggest you take a good look at yourself before you go too far off the deep end, bud.
Brylan Caldwell
I never said I wasn’t ignorant, but I can definitely say I am a woman. But hey, gender has nothing to do with my argument.
Just because you wish to defend someone on the internet doesn’t mean you’re ignorant. We’re social beings, and most of us are willing to jump into an argument just to put our two scents in. We like to debate, hence why this is happening.
And who are you to bitch about me commenting? I bet this is the highlight of your day! If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be responding to me right now.
In conclusion, don’t complain about someone’s artistic abilities unless you want to critique and help them improve. I can tell you’re bitching about Cicada just to start an argument and have nothing constructive to say. Which is why I’m finished with this comment thread.
Cheers.
Music is like a cake. Harmony is like another layer. Sometimes it makes the cake better. Other times it can be too much. You don't want a thin cake, but too thick is also bad.
Hope this helps!
So... music is a lie then.
I lie to our ears, a deception that makes us feel things that aren't real.
This would be a much better meme/philosophical discussion if we were talking about movies or games.
(also, I legit just spelled philosophical correctly the first time with no need for auto correct, should I be impressed or is that normal?)
Crafter Daemon Also, there’s a time & place for for pancakes and a time & place for wedding cakes!
@@lukelcs8934 It's pretty normal
But what if you are allergic to cake?
What about onions? Onions have layers. H a r m o n y i s n ' t o n i o n s .
Your "messier versions" 110% honestly sound like a climactic lead going into endgame where it's revisiting and remixing the original theme to reflect a chaotic final battle.
I agree
And right when i’m having trouble making music
Thank you
Where is your music? 🤔
Somewhere in the depths of soundcloud
@@moisturecookies3789 For me, the same week that i've scrapped like 20 songs just because the melodies were boring :)
I can’t even find a good start for what i’m going for. I partially blame the lack of instruments i have
I know crap about instruments, programs and libraries, I almost exclusively do chiptune lol
Shady: let’s do it with Zelda. Here’s the normal theme.
*electric guitar starts*
I think it sounds like what plays in the first Hyrule Warriors
The problem I have is my melodies just have this certain cringe to them. I can't explain why. Sometimes I'll write something and think it sounds great, then a day later, it gains this cheesy-ness.
I'm like that with a lot of things. I think it has something to do with you being in a different mood or in a different state that updates how you see the song. Any pride in making it has dissipated and you're left with what's actually good and bad about it.
My advice is to think in detail, what's making this cringeworthy and if you don't know then you don't know. Probably a good time to brush up on theory. It's just a case of laying out a foundation, trial and error, smoothing over the bumps until you have yourself something you genuinely like.
Maybe you listened to it just a bit too much
I learned in writing communities that one way to write is to maintain a mood, like don't go to bed, don't change the lights or your clothes, just bust out something shitty all in one go... Because once that mood is gone, you can no longer vibe instinctually with the original creative spark. You're now in editor mode. Editor mode is excellent for polishing up the piece, using a critical eye to remove what doesn't work.
It's probably the same in music. The melody isn't bad, you're just out of the original mood and you're critiquing it. That's a good thing. Don't scrap it, but make it better.
Always happens to me every tim
I've been stuck with the same Melody for 8 years now, i have the opposite issue
"Don't toss your lesser ideas in the trash"
I actually agree with this statement pretty well. I had made a custom song that unfortunately people didn't really like, there were a lot of issues with it, so I was going to basically leave it for dead because I had already been working on it for a week straight and just didn't want to bother with it anymore, and in the end I ended up stealing away bits and pieces of the custom song for other works, like using the drum pattern for a completely different song, and then taking the melody I had made and using it for another separate project.
tl;dr if you're making a song and think it sounds like petrified ass, who knows, maybe someday in the future you can recycle parts of it to make something better.
This should be fun
Edit: Just finished the video and I would like to say I absolutely loved it. I think it would definitely be helpful for someone starting music
So youtube is broken, I think. "This is awesome, especially for 3 square channels."
That's the comment I see before clicking it.
That's a comment I saw on a different video earlier today.
Edit: okay so i went back to that video and now its a different comment asking something about famitracker. CZcams, wtf?
@@retrorebootmusic um, I am so confused. Did you mean to reply to me or just comment on the video?
Shit, dude, it's helpful for people who aren't new and just seemingly painted themselves into a corner.
@@retrorebootmusic oh lol that happens to me too sometimes... usually when i have the youtube auto translated ^^
youtube has always been a pretty buggy mess, even typing this comment i just got a bug lmao
All jokes aside, your channel has really helped me make music. I've only been taking music seriously for maybe three of four months, but I'm proud of how much I've improved in that time, and I feel like part of that credit goes to you and similar content creators. I wouldn't of ever taken up music if nobody really inspired me to.
which audio interface do u use?
Squigga
@@Tjejify squigga indeed
@@killysnowsw am I a retard for using musescore
@@paloma111 late reply, but i use ableton
bold of you to assume i know how to read
at least you can write
@@nepunepu5894
Talk-to-Text.
Hsiabehzh siwj nsj t jwisn
@@BonaparteBardithion at least he can talk
@@YoungsterSkaymore at least you can access the internet
"You could just change the entire atmosphere and the style of it-"
*Elevator music intensifies*
I enjoy reading the little blips of text on the screen
Megalovania - Super Smash Bros (Rock/Metal Cover) || Shady Cicada
Coming soon...
Yes
@@xeno6416 Lol ^-^
oh my gosh i cant like i cant ruin the 69 likes nice
IM SCREAMING NZZNZMXMXMZMXMZ
Yep
"You're free to do anything in art as long as you enjoy it."
This is such an important message that can be applied to so many aspects of life. When you stop caring so much about being good at something, and just try to enjoy yourself, everything just feels better.
Also, as Cicada said, please never throw away "messy" or "bad" ideas. They can always be developed or recycled for later projects. (Another idea that can be applied to basically anything you do.)
7:50 sounds like a super sonic final boss... could be called "the upper hand"
it is the "hero/good guy leitmotif" shady used in his final boss theme "before the world dies"
As someone who loves a well-used messy melody, you're only giving me more power by teaching us how to "avoid" them 😈
I would definitely like more of these tutorial-ish music videos
Chrom is sans from wood wood saga confirmed
nonono please don't let this be the last video of this series!! I just started making music via daw and your videos have inspired me like crazy. Thank you so much for this vid man!!
0:38 i'd argue with that
i wouldnt argue with that comment
Finally, a person that doesn’t tell me to stack the layers! Rules so simple that I actually understand it! Time to have that bass boosted drum solo in the start of my song like almost every anime I’ve ever watched xD
"Take your time"
"I'm not a music genius"
Says the person who makes bangers in 10 minutes flat. Don't belittle yourself, your are an amazing musician, and are an inspiration to thousands of people! For proof, just look at the amount of comments on this video that say the same thing! Just keep being you, and never underestimate yourself!
- Nebula, a common fan.
This shall get more likes! like your own comment if ya have to! THIS•COMMENT•SHALL•RISE•TO•THE•TOP
I've been waiting years for Shady to play "You Will Know Our Names". Shady please do a cover.... you once said you would. Your absolutely amazing and have improved so much!
now i can make SANS song
"I'm not a musical genius"
Doubt (X)
X
X
X
I nearly spit out my cereal when he changed it from rock to like soft elevator jazz
The "change the entire atmosphere" part didn't prepare for what was coming 😂😂😂
7:07 the entire xenoblade soundtrack is the best thing ever made, fight me.
Best soundtrack for a videogame
*Bruh MGRR exists*
I will supply the weapons for this battle.
Soooo basically throw everything in the bg, got it.
7:07 I agree. Fight me!
"You won't make a masterpiece overnight"
-The same man who makes amazing songs in 10 minutes
Awfully sounds like "Money can't buy you happiness"
This man is a psychic. Right when I'm struggling, BAM new vid!
I was wondering if you would ever do a review of some of your subscribers' music. I mean, you've been teaching us, so I think it's be cool if you heard what we made of it.
I agree. Its always nice to see what the instructor has to say about the student's work.
@@nerderonofficial I'm not sure if he feels comfortable thinking of himself as an instructor, though. More like another student a few years ahead who helps you with homework occasionally.
blud said we won't be makin masterpieces overnight but he makes fire tracks in 10 minutes 💀
You should do a pirates theme of some sort! That sounds fun
Make the Pokémon theme with wood wood I challenge you
thank you so much cicada san
PLEASE NAKE MORE OF THESE, you are a musician who was capable of inspiring me to the point I tried digital music making and fell in love with it. You doing these and the way you did this one helped quite alot!!
How's it going? Make anything good, haha?
My childhood is thoroughly attacked
5:33 Composer legitimacy is over 9000!
Thanks for the help!!!
10/10 would watch again
This video genuinely makes me want to start writing music and I've never had any interest in doing so. All my work is visual, but this made me want to try new things, thanks Shady!
Whether or not you’re a professional, you seem to know more about this stuff than I do, so thanks for these tips!
Tfw almost all the samples sound really good 👀
I love this stile of video.
8:37 I would like to request an elevator for my home with this music
Honestly 🤧🤧
Hope you keep this series going, it's really helpful
7:06
Clearly he hasn't heard Here I Come or Lost in Time
uhh... he made them?
@@Tr0lliPop i don't think you understood the joke
@@Delecy nah im just continuing it, no need to whooosh me
@@Tr0lliPop how was that continuing the joke when you didnt agree alomg with it
I’ve been in a rut with my own compositions but your videos always get my brain running a few ideas. Thank you and keep up the good work, my dude. I would love to see more of your tips and tricks.
that bossa nova part was fire
This was great! I would love more videos like this. Because your style is fun, informative, and down to earth, it makes the music theory much more accessible and helpful.
This actually might be one of my favorite videos of yours, oddly enough. Some pretty great tips and examples! Keep up the great work, man!
Hell yeahhhh. Been wanting to get better with chiptune and stuff.
thanks for putting your equipment in the description. it’s really helpful for people like me who are trying to make music but don’t know where to start
God, I love how you explain this! I've been struggling with making music even though i have so many ideas in my head and pieces i want to compose. Thanks!!! You're my favourite composer on youtube!
Please make more of these. I love your videos and since they're both comically amazing and actually useful. Thank you.
:)
Love your work. I get a goofy grin every time I hear the final results of every time challenge you do. Started trying this out myself because of you. Thank you for your passion
I was always wondering when the magician will reveal his secrets
I love the video game composition style. Please, do more tutorials and tip videos like that
You say it doesn't happen in one night yet you make these in ten minutes
Love the sample at 6:19. Is this from a song or is it some WIP not released?
It'll definitely be used for something in the future! Just not sure what yet :)
sounds a bit like the final boss theme of kirby: star allies
@@Shadycicada what software do you use, and any recommendations? Im trying to get a database on all the softwares i could use and find the best 2 or 3.
@@chopperbrosadvance9760 he uses cubase, other good options are fl studio and ableton. There are also some other free ones such as lmms and cakewalk. Hope this helps!
This video was super helpful! It’s so easy for me to get in my own head about how I should be writing music, just hearing someone offer some new suggestions on the process is super refreshing!
Excellent job, thanks :)
THIS IS JUST EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDES
please continue this serie, it could be so much helpfull to me and other people who wanna make music
This was actually really helpful! Would love more!
Dude your channel really inspires my music I thank you for uploading!
"These aren't tips from some musical genius."
Bruh stop being so humble
Your videos have really been the bridge I needed to start realising how music works.
I'm so happy u made this video Shady! I've been wanting to make my own v g melodies for a while now and i can always count on your awesome vids!
the messy melody is the breakdown before the emotional climax/bridge of the song before the ending reprise of the main motif
Whether someone is new to music or has been making it for months, this video is very helpful! Thank you!
This video is a relief! These Tips lead to a better understanding, even if I can´t immediately apply it. With a lot of videos I find myself watching steps that don´t add to my own comprehension
I've been trying to make chiptune video game-y music for nearly a year now, and while I don't spend a lot of time doing it, and none of my tracks are really all that good, I think they are much less garbage because of you, so thanks!
This was and is really damn helpful. I’d really appreciate if you could make more of these... they really are amazingly good sources for me! I love everything you make, man. Please keep it up! :P
More videos like this! I love seeing everyones different music making processes
You are the Bob Ross of music and ily
Your voice is sooo relaxing
Oh man, this is just what I need. I am in track with music making itself, but I have no idea on music theory, or how to make good melodies. Thank you, and I hope you have a good day.
I dont understand why i liked the messy melody better?
(The example, not Zelda)
Been subbed for a long time, and this is legitimately one of my favourite videos of yours. I think it's earnest and helpful, and entertaining to boot.
My 2022 new year resolutions is to make a game soundtrack for no reason.
You've been a great help, thanks
Pllllsss more of this godlike stuff!
I love this! Thank you!
Please make this a continuous thing, It’s so useful
Yes! Please make this part 1 of a series!!
I loved this video, it was also really entertaining how you make it so funny with your wierd comparisons
Well this was pretty cool! Seems this would be great for beginners but even for people that have been working on music for a while, a couple tips can send us in the right direction when we're stuck in a rut, especially with such a variety of examples, so awesome!
This was awesome! Thanks for the tips! :3 If you have any more to share, I'm all ears. 👂
Honestly, I feel like Shady's use of examples has helped me understand these concepts better than most of the advice I've received about composition.
Great vid, neat tips ! Thanks !
Really appreciate this video, really applicable advice imo
I require more of this series. I'm making my own game and I need as many music tips as possible XD
So true! After starting making game music everything in the video is what exactly I've been experiencing!!!!
This was so vague but amazing at the same time! Love this video 😎
2:00 I feel that messier/more chaotic melodies like this one are more suited to visuals, it's a great way to highlight the importance of what you're showing in video and show that that specific part of the video has more than meets the eye.
When you made a chill bossa version of the song in step 5, that temporarily transported me to a beach vacation where i can chill without getting sand everywhere. Thank you XD
When you said to make the melody dance over the rythm... , something clicked. Chords are the rythm of course. Thank you man! Continue to make great music 🎶
Best music tutorial I’ve ever found! Thank you shady!!