How to make VIDEO GAME MUSIC for free (beginners' guide)
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- 💥🎶🎮 FREE VGM AND COMPOSITION RESOURCES 💥🎶🎮
1. Start with my free 1.5-hour course on becoming a game composer. We'll go over composition, arrangement, business, and more! 🎓 composer-code.ck.page/e5e7c20b73
2. Next, download my cheat sheet of 83 💻FREE💻 plugins, software, and resources to help you create amazing VGM. 🎹 composer-code.ck.page/2ece474751
3. If you're ready for even more, consider joining my Fundamentals of Game Composition course! 🎵 With several free lessons available, you'll be on your way to composing like a pro! 🔥 matt-s-school-cb6a.thinkific....
4. Check out my favorite gear, software, tools, and equipment for making VGM. 🎧 composercode.com/equipment-fo... Download the list of 83 free VGM resources here: composer-code.ck.page/2ece474751
I hope this beginner's guide to composing VGM is helpful to you!
Feel free to skip around the video with these chapter markers:
0:00 Intro
0:25 Getting setup
3:21 Tip #1 - Study the music you want to write
3:56 Tip #2 - Create a creative brief
5:30 Tip #3 - Set up your sound palette
6:26 Tip #4 - Experiment with layering
7:02 Tip #5 - Start with a small idea
9:35 Tip #6 - Keep an idea file
11:07 Tip #7 - Build out the structure early
12:08 Tip #8 - Keep melodies singable
13:11 Tip #9 - Utilize repetition
14:13 Tip #10 - Keep the melody on top
14:52 Tip #11 - Quantize intelligently
16:02 Tip #12 - End loops on a dominant chord
16:47 Tip #13 - Use an arrangement checklist
18:36 The banger emerges
19:20 Bonus tips!
For more VGM-related content and helpful resources, check out www.composercode.com.
Thanks for watching! GEAR AND RESOURCES
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Composer Code podcast and blog: www.composercode.com
Making Game Music (My Game Composition Course): matt-s-school-cb6a.thinkific....
Canon M50: amzn.to/3uC5BRi
Sennheiser MKE 400 On-Camera Shotgun Microphone: amzn.to/3JZyNIr
DaVinci Resolve: www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...
Reaper: www.reaper.fm/
AKM320 MIDI keyboard: amzn.to/3LyeCSe
Focusrite SCARLETT SOLO: amzn.to/3LyeCSe
Rode NT1-A Condenser Microphone: amzn.to/3tRGzP8 - Jak na to + styl
Want more?? Start with my free 1.5-hour course on becoming a game composer. I go over composition, arrangement, business, and more! 🎓 composer-code.ck.page/e5e7c20b73
How do I import reference tracks into my daw?
Interesting, commenting years later.
What there is more?! This was already the best and most informative video on music composing I've seen. Been looking for a easier way to get into making music and this finally feels clear and concrete enough.
@@ayylmao.mp3 Thank you!
I actually have a real DX7 lmao
"The French who are notoriously good at cooking" , shows the German flag.
Huehuehuehuehue
Incorrect.
The German flag is the one with the white crescent and star on a red background.
@@carlosleonardo88 Turkey? 🇹🇷
@@aristology6912 No, that's the German flag.
@@carlosleonardo88 wait are you actually being serious or is this satire
I don't understand why this doesn't have more views. You deserve way more attention for this high quality content.
Wow that’s really kind! That makes my day. Thank you!
Because video game music composition is kind of a niche thing. It’ll never be super popular. But this guy’s content is fantastic.
@@DonovanGG__ I've noticed with the arrangements I've uploaded. People who care REALLY care, and the ones that don't care haven't noticed them yet.
A lot of people do stuff like this already
shit fire
I am someone who's been playing piano as a hobby for years, and composing for video games is my ultimate goal. I've tried my hand at composing and I seriously struggle with the analysis paralysis you mentioned. So much that I have never truly finished a single song, even though I have plenty of fun ideas and unfinished songs. It's very demotivating at times. Watching your video has been like a breath of fresh air that I much needed. Thank you for the comprehensible tips. I feel like this video is just what I needed to push me a bit further on my journey. I subscribed to your channel and am hoping to learn much more from you. :)
Thanks man! Good luck!
Matt, I've been making music for 4 years now, and you still taught me some useful things in this video. Thank you so much! I always look forward to your videos and insight! :)
Fantastic!! I'm glad it was helpful :)
There it is
This is actually really good. I’m an absolute beginner and these tips are really useful. I’d love to see a workflow example employing all these tips, especially tips on loopable things and transitions like use of dominant chords
Good to know for content in the future, and thanks!
I love your way of explaining things. I've been really trying hard to improve my music production abilities recently and this is one of the most digestible collections of base-level reminders I've ever come across. I'm gonna tie this one around my finger. Thank you.
Thank you so much for making this! I'm totally new to making my own music, but you made jumping into the water a heck of a lot more accessible for me. Amazing content!
Wow this video is so good!
You actually made me feel better and more interested on my music and workflow.
I cant thank you enough
This was great and super helpful, the resource shoutouts like the VGleadsheets alone was gold, thanks Matt!
This is, by far, the BEST guide on YT on how to compose AND record music/, no matter if it's game music or not. Thank you so much, man!
Really appreciate it :) What do you want to see next?
I've been vaguely interested in writing some video game music as a hobby, and I just stumbled upon this. What a great, engaging video with lots of helpful advice. I'm excited!
Not only is this a great beginners guide on Video Game Music, but on any creative process in general! Cheers
Excelent video, you covered so much topic in it that I'll have to watch this 3-5 times to digest it all.
This is such a good video! As an amateur musician looking to compose different types of music (but some music similar to video game music), I thought this was an excellent beginners guide. I've always enjoyed listening to video game music, and it's true that to create good video game music or just good music in general, it's not about the fancy techniques or fancy software. Though those can give polish to your piece, it's not important when first starting to compose. Even when I had protools on my side, an industry standard, I was still able to create garbage music. However, the next song I made in garageband, despite being much more limited, still allowed me to create much better music because my skills had improved.
I agree with your idea that musicians should transcribe music they enjoy, and I don't hear it talked about that much. When I took my music production class, (which was why I was able to use protools without paying for it) I transcribed, essentially remixed two songs, which helped me tremendously, though it took a lot of time. Like with art, it is important to break down advanced work to see the underlying foundation of it. Nowadays, when I listen to something interesting, I usually transcribe either the melodies or harmonies of it and nothing else.
I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of having an ideas document. I have a garageband file that I keep all the ideas I come up with, which usually happen when I'm playing the piano. It makes a big difference to be able to test my ideas in garageband to see if they have potential. I also completely agree with your take on learning music theory. While I did learn some really basic music theory in music production class, I really think my composing skills would have improved faster if I was able to understand what chords and harmonies were possible. For example, I had no idea what harmonic minor was, and I was clueless as to why someone would use a C major of G major chord in the key of F, and why it would sound good. When I tried my own attempt to replicate the sound I liked about it, I created something very strange. While I wouldn't say it's bad, I think more music theory knowledge would have gone a long way in the beginning. I also couldn't find out how people wrote happy songs (like mario music) interesting because I didn't understand how to keep them interesting and playful while only being able to access 3 major chords in the key. If I had a grasp of music theory, I might have known that while there are only 3 major chords in the major key, one may borrow other chords like the major 2 chord, giving it a lydian feel. The modes of the major scale are also, in my opinion, one of the most valuable tools a composer can learn, as it opens up so many possibilities.
A couple things I learned from this video are humanization and structure planning. I think humanization can bring some life into my songs and structure planning can take some of the guesswork out of how to progress.
I appreciate that this video is there to help aspiring musicians start on their composing journeys, keep it up man!
Thank you for creating this video, I really enjoy watching this, and a helpful guide to start as a beginner.
This video was beyond helpful to me! Thank you so much for taking the time to create and post this, not only was it super insightful but it was funny and easy to follow too!
You’ve touched my heart with this comment, my friend ❤️
As someone else has already commented, I don't understand how possibly this has gotten so few views!!! This has been the most thorough and sincere tutorial I have ever encountered on CZcams. Thank You Matt!
It's the best video/lesson/tutorial I've seen about writing music so far! So simple and yet so useful and inspiring! Thank you very much!
Thanks for the kind words!
Dig the tune you composed in the end and the video. Subscribed peace and love
This is simply amazing. Thank you!
I love the way you convey all these solid information in a concise and easy to understand way.
Glad you liked it!
I've just come here from your podcast. This is genuinely such good advice. I've been meaning to start creating music and other advice just flew over my head. Thank you so much! Great video :]
Thank you!
Geez, your channel is a gold mine of eye-opening and useful stuff! Thank you!
Awesome, thank you!
starting up with making game music and this is what I needed to watch!
This is one of the most helpful videos on composition (not just video game music) I've probably ever seen!
Really appreciate it!
So one of these tips was something along the lines of gathering needed instruments that the song your wanting to do similar to and this really clicked in my head and i managed to make something similar to a song i used to like listening to before. Thank you man!
I just subscribed , I am in love with your content already , high quality ,entertaining , and beneficial
man that plug-in thing at the end i needed. Amazing video all around thank you!
Glad it helped!
Bro, I’ve never had someone explain it so clearly before. Praises!
Very useful tips Matt, thanks . Currently watching your course Hope you release more courses and videos on the future.
Thanks a ton! Glad it was helpful!
Such a wholesome vid, I feel like I leveled up a few times here. Getting back into my music gear after many moons. Also great Reaper tips, didn't know about those epic features.
Thank you!
Amazing tips! Looking forward to listening to your course. Also, your sense of humor is reassuring.
Thank you!
Thanks!. I never played any instrument and I know nothing about music, and I felt that maybe it was too ambitious to compose my own music for my games because it would always suck for theoretical reasons beyond my comprehension, but now maybe I have the courage to compose music that sucks.
wow... Amazing video like really! I'm happy I found your channel matt, you got a new subscriber!
Thank you! Exactly what I needed!
Absolute solid gold. So sad I'm only seeing this now, but I'm glad I saw it anyway! Amazing tutorial!
GOD THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO, this is by far the best music video tutorial I've ever seen, good job man, good job.
AND THAT'S FUCKING MUSIC IS A BOP
Amazing! Thank you for making that video!
that part with the voice recording is genius. i don't know why i never thought of that
Thank you really much, I was trying to start learning to compose VGM ♥
Brilliant video! These are good tips and they made me inspired to do something new
3 Years later and I appreciate this so much. First tip video I have ever been able to sit through all the way, not only that but I truly feel like I learned something, this is unbelievably underrated.
Super glad it was helpful!
Homie, this is SUCH great video. Nicely done, my guy.
Thank you!
I've been composing for 20 years. This is one of the best tutorials I've seen.
Wow!! Very kind words, that made my day. Thank you!
This was great, Matt! Thanks for the tips!!!
Hope they’re helpful :)
That half step up at the end of your Aldi theme is super videogame-esque. It has such a combative lead into the resolution.
Glad you like it! Also, love that it's the "Aldi theme" :D
this video is literally life saving thank you brother
Really enjoyed your style and feel like I learnt a lot. Now to apply it
Glad to hear!
What a great overview of the creative process.
bro, these tips are so relateable :D Really great advices
Thank you!
i think I learned more from you than summarized 40 other music tutorials I have done!
Awesome! What other topics do you want to learn about?
@@composercode Well I have to see more of your videos to answer fully. But I would love to see a real "how to" about the structure of a song. Give 20 minuts on Tip 7 - Structure with an example. For that I would be very happy.
@@sofiejensen3804 That's helpful!!
with adhd i can say this is one of the best videos and I could focus that mean a lot
Awesome video! Very informative and funny at times. I love the inclusion of video chapters, as I can skip over the things I'm comfortable with to the things I need work on.
That bonus tip about synths is perfect! I've always found purchasable synthesizers strange. Using Surge XT or any other free synthesizer can get you any synth sound you have to pay for (and _literally_ every sound comprehensible, but that's a _little_ much to ask).
A few things I disagree with:
1. I don't agree with copying chord progressions. If you're on a time crunch, do what you can, but any other time it's better to listen and transcribe than to outright copy written harmonies (train your ear, not your eye). Essentially, Tip #1 is the top priority above all of the rest.
2. Live instruments are the best. I doubt that will change for several years. But physical modeling libraries (i.e. SWAM) have come a long way, and stuff like the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 allow you to use such libraries to their fullest potential. For now, they obviously aren't the best, but I doubt it will take very long for physical modeled instruments to be completely indistinguishable from real ones, even played live (of course excluding the visual aspect, and of course requiring spatial plugins such as VSL's MIR 3D Pro).
3. Related to that... Shoot. I forgot what I was gonna say. Should've followed tip #2 and put bullet notes before typing these out.
Again, awesome video, very underrated.
High quality content, thank you! :D
Inspiring vid! As an aspiring game dev, one of the tasks I’m most daunted by is a banger soundtrack lol. But after this it seems doable
Спасибо большое за полезные советы, очень помогаете нам!
this video is awesome and sooo helpful, just like you are! thank you so much man
Really appreciate it!
Our friend group started making a game and this heloed so much In our games development big thanks
Informative, well edited and funny. Great job man!
Thank you!
while I play alot of instruments and have a pretty good understanding of music theory, this was very helpful in quite a lot of ways
That advice about adding all the instruments before you start is GENIUS.
Amazing video bro. Super informative and helpful. Also, very funny. Cracked me up over and over again.
I’ve always been into rock, and have been in a couple bands, but also have gotten into synthwave and I’ve been listening to Super Nintendo soundtracks while studying for years. I’m intrigued with the idea of making full tracks alone now too instead of with a band since my old man life is so busy now. Thanks for the great video. I subscribed after watching only a few minutes.
Thanks man! That's how I got back into VGM - listening to old OSTs from my childhood while I worked.
@@composercode Nice!
just found this vidéo because i was stuck with a lead and nowhere to go, juste love your tone and all the tips seems very good, thx for that !
Thanks, Alexis!
Thnks good man..now i'll get to learn and someday I'll make a song like your example (a simple record that becomes a good music)👽👍
Thanks for beginner's knowledge!
Such a concise video :D Very big brain. I made sure to hit subscribe
Well, now I'll have your melody stuck in my head. Lol
Great video! I loved it! ...and it gave me hope lol
Amazing tips. Thanks!
Super insightful, thanks! As an odd aside… the color palette of your polo makes me think of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. So bonus points for that!
Hahaha, amazing! I get all my clothes as hand-me-downs from my dad, he's got that preppy WASP drip going.
on your first tip: I would love to hear your thoughts more elaborated on how to study gaming music. any shot we could get a video on that?
thanks for the tips. this feels like a great place for me to start. I appreciate you putting this out there.
this is awesome! ive been planning for a game i might try to make.. i dont know if it will neccessarily succeed, but im trying. this is probably gonna help me out later on!!
Good to hear!
This is so excellently helpful
bro this helped me so much on structuring my sogns, thank you
Good luck with your sogns
You're hilarious. I've always considered myself to be very non-musical, but I think I need to change that on my indie gamedev journey. I will take a crack at it because Matt said I could. Subbed
Thank you! I believe in you, king 💪🏻
good video i been looking into getting back into game composing had so much fun and learned so much in the process of my first 3 yrs of doing it
he is great!!
Thank you!
Literally how do you not have many subscribers already, this is really good content
Thank you!!
Surge XT is my absolute favorite free instrument VST.
Vital is another great one.
So many good gems in this one Matt, TANK!you. I struggle so fucking much with using reference tracks and building the structure 11:08. I feel like I'm battling myself to not do that at all times. But really, I promise I will try this next time haha
Thanks, Henrique! Also, thanks for your kind comment on my survey! Good to see you on here :)
Awesome channel! Thnx a lot 🙏
I've returned to this vid tons of times and always leave with some inspiration. Keep it up my man.
I love to hear it, my guy! What content would you like to see next?
thank you! you saved my motivation! :)
Awesome tutorial will consider doing this
Have fun!
the whispering at the beginning earned you a sub.
Great tips for beginners! ❤😊
Thanks man this helped me big time, mentally
This is awesome. A lot of stuff went over my head (I know nothing about music) but I was able to follow along with most of it! Thanks!
PS: Is there a chance that, somehow, someday, you might do a little video on each of your tips? Just a video for each, going into more detail? 😅
That's a great idea! Maybe I will. :)
I was not ready to hear the completed banger. That beautiful creation is going to be stuck in my head for quite a while.
Hahaha, thank you ❤️
Thanks a lot! This helps alot.
Great work like always
Thanks!
This is utterly amazing! Will definitely watch this as I attempt again. You made it all sound simple to understand and implement. I'm gonna try this on LMMS, and if that fails I'll use reaper. (Hope to get FL Studio one day) Got a song done with pentatonic scale on guitar I wanna flesh out.
Now excuse me. As a new subscriber, I got a vgm megaman video to watch. Which is perfect because one game I want to make is a loveletter to Custom Robo & Megaman Battle Network!
Thank you, and good luck! I've heard great things about LMMS
@@composercode Thanks! Apparently I've made a song in it before? Have the song, and the LMMS files, but have no idea how. Hoping I can remember.
My new idol has emerged!!! I can picture out how I'm gonna make my Shikari Rising game VGM now mwahahahahahah! Also boss, does any of your course make a step by step explanation of the that rhythm you just made into a legit VGM? I really want to understand each step you did on this video, I'm broke but I might be able to save up on it and buy it in due time :')
Never heard of this guy, but I like'm. Subscribed.
Thanks for your advices, with a quirky delivery to boot! I'm most certainly that artist that writes 2 bars and then goes "now what?" So I'll definitely pay more attention to the structure
I love Bloody tears from Catstelvania 2 it’s my biggest inspiration I plan on using a song inspired by it for the final boss in the open world RPG
Also octopath traveler is my favorite video game sound track of all time
I have garage band for IOS
Awesome content! How come your don't have more views and subs? Just subbed! Thanks for the valuable content!
This is by far the best video on this topic ever.
Dang! I'm flattered, thank you! What other topics would you like to see on this channel?
So that's why you didn't show up, I was searching for Matt Kenyon! Great video.
Thank you, this video is very helpful.
I really like this video, it's really well made and has gotten me to watch (listen) to a lot of your youtube videos. You haven't posted in many months, are you going to keep posting?
Thank you for the kind words! I'm not sure about future videos, but hey, you could subscribe just to be sure! :D
But yes, I would like to make more videos in the future. It's just challenging to stick with a consistent posting schedule since this is more of a hobby and passion project than anything else :)
Best guide I ever saw in my life
Thank you!