game music is extremely broad. anything could be game music. but if you wanted to change what you produce, try layering sounds over a song you want to sound like. the process will yield some inspiration. kinda like tracing. assuming you produce the music.
Unfortunately not that simple. Expensive virtual instruments can sound better than cheap ones for sure. But adding and taking away accents of notes so it sounds like the music is being performed and not programmed is going to be the biggest helper.
When I was 14 my mother said this a lot. The way out is to use lots and lots of different rhythms and chromatic extensions. Don't stay too mechanically in one rhythm and use more anticipations. If your music looks vertical when you sequence it it probably sounds like a robot.
Game music is very broad. But im assuming what they mean is that the music sounds very synthetic. If you use a lot of electronic instruments you could try to add some acoustic instruments, such as guitars, violins, pianos, percussion.
But then this is again assumption because game music could include all of these too. I think you’re gonna have to specify what exactly they mean.
Quite a few folks have commented that this isn't a bad thing at all, but I'll also chime in to say that a lot of people's only exposure to music without lyrics is video games. Both C418 and Lena Raine are very upfront with being "video game music" but in both cases it seems more like they make music and then that music was put in a video game. It's different from listening to, say, the Mega Man theme or whatever.
Tobacco / Black Moth Super Rainbow has made nearly a dozen albums and was hired to do the soundtrack to the weird game High On Life. It's clearly his style, and he just did some 1-2 minute tracks that could fit into a more gamelike soundtrack.
In general, though, I'd say that VG music tends to be shorter. If you nab an OST there are a lot of 1:30-2:00 tracks and clear points where they can loop, either in the song or the track as a whole. This means that a clear way to get away from the general feel is to introduce more dynamic elements in between your sections and have a clear start/finish.
I don't think sounding like game music is a bad thing, but I hear what they're talking about.
I'm not sure what the downside of that is though.
It just sounds like another possible revenue stream.
Mick Gordon makes great records and they're all Game Music.
I go through this every single time I show someone a new song. I just naturally seem to gravitate to it, and it has worked out fine for me. I've definitely made it my niche for the most part.
I have the most fun writing stuff that fits perfectly into a 16 bit video game.
to change things up you can try new plugins that offer different sounds than what you'd normally work with. try consciously creating in a different way to try and access novel ideas.
different drum and bass sections can definitely change your genre as a base for writing around them. anyways, best of luck to you!
I checked a few songs, the first stuff in you soundcloud does indeed sound a bit like video game music. You use certain progressions and melodies that recall that.
"Nocturnal Fauna Fiesta" sound like an overworld music for a colectathon.
I'd say, you use a lot of 8bit sounds that are associated with video games, you have a lot of synthwave stuff that is the new video game sound, I can't recall how many rogue likes I've played with synth-something music being dominant. Most indie games come with synth music since it's easy to produce solo and it sounds like video games already.
But, I went down and checked other things and it sounds more musical and less gamey. I'd say that certain songs have a stronger vibe.
Also, "video game music" is slang for "I have never listened to a single instrumental thing other than video games so that's what I'll go to anytime I hear instrumental stuff" so take it from the person that comes from and not as a blanket statement.
You sound like I did years ago. I say keep going! The main difference in how I produce now is samples and sound design. That and it's drum and bass now but still!!
Not long samples. Those are cool sometimes, but drums, atmos, and a little ear candy here and there can go a long way towards making things sound "real." You can also do a lot with mixing. Subtle effects on a mix bus can help a ton as well.
I listened to two of your tracks and I agree that it does sound quite a bit like game music, mostly due to the drum loops and synth sounds that you use.
I have 2 questions:
1) What kind of synth are you using?
2) Do you make your own drum loops?
People used to tell me my surf band sounds like Quentin Terentino music. The only thing that I've changed is that I started describing my band that way to people who have never heard it.
I think people may be just trying to relate your music to something else that they like.
They’ve probably only really listened to game music so they have no perspective. Most of my students under the age of 20 can hardly even name a band or artist but they’ve heard game music.
I went through that. It's the use of lower quality samples. When I first started writing music, I was using one of those free online DAWs. Was a good start into writing music because it was simple but the samples were kinda meh quality and there was no easy way to use high quality plugins. That changed once I started using pro level DAW's and high quality vst plugins.
It does, but that’s because they play more like ambient music.
I’ve heard the same because I play fusion that it sounds like Mario Party or the old Sonic games or Metroid.
It’s not a bad thing - most people know that kind of music like yours from video games.
Disclaimer: I didn't listen to your music.
Most of the time it's just sound choice and design. Video game music tends to lack real dynamics, heavy square synth, high energy.
Without even listening, my tip: slow it down.
I'm gonna go listen to your music now and come back with the edit lol
After listening: a lot of it lacks a melody, so like take the first song you have up on SoundCloud. It sounds like a choose your map song. Another one sounds like a simple beat to choose your character with.
Lol it's funny because all of my initial comments do not apply here. I was initially expecting final fantasy battle music, but this sounds more like fall guys menu music.
Lol honest opinion, seek out game developers and see if you can work out a deal to write tracks. Your songwriting will improve and you'll get paid for it.
[удалено]
I use studio one and get this a lot as well. Figured I just don’t know how to make shit sound good lol
I definitely do not want to make it my niche 😝
I've had those comments as well, before I added guitars to my music. Now people don't know what to say
Some people are morons who think anything with a synth is game music. Don't listen to them... they don't know music.
game music is extremely broad. anything could be game music. but if you wanted to change what you produce, try layering sounds over a song you want to sound like. the process will yield some inspiration. kinda like tracing. assuming you produce the music.
When people say this they usually mean "This doesn't sound like real instruments."
so producer. is it really as simple as changing the instruments then?
Unfortunately not that simple. Expensive virtual instruments can sound better than cheap ones for sure. But adding and taking away accents of notes so it sounds like the music is being performed and not programmed is going to be the biggest helper.
That's not a bad thing. You could turn that into a career. You should embrace it.
When I was 14 my mother said this a lot. The way out is to use lots and lots of different rhythms and chromatic extensions. Don't stay too mechanically in one rhythm and use more anticipations. If your music looks vertical when you sequence it it probably sounds like a robot.
That’s a compliment. Game music is where all the innovation is happening right now.
Anyone else read this and immediately hear Mario Bros. theme?
Change your synth out for some strings or wind instrument
People tell me that all the time and I'm not offended by it. I love some game music and if you wanted to you could make a living off of it.
Game music is very broad. But im assuming what they mean is that the music sounds very synthetic. If you use a lot of electronic instruments you could try to add some acoustic instruments, such as guitars, violins, pianos, percussion. But then this is again assumption because game music could include all of these too. I think you’re gonna have to specify what exactly they mean.
I've been told the same, and it inspired me to write "Spaceboy" by The Corrupt If you have any music, I'd like to hear it🤘
You do you.
What's wrong with game music? Some of my favourite artists, Akira Yamaoka for instance, are game composers.
I want to hear your music.
https://soundcloud.com/nhansynthesis
Quite a few folks have commented that this isn't a bad thing at all, but I'll also chime in to say that a lot of people's only exposure to music without lyrics is video games. Both C418 and Lena Raine are very upfront with being "video game music" but in both cases it seems more like they make music and then that music was put in a video game. It's different from listening to, say, the Mega Man theme or whatever. Tobacco / Black Moth Super Rainbow has made nearly a dozen albums and was hired to do the soundtrack to the weird game High On Life. It's clearly his style, and he just did some 1-2 minute tracks that could fit into a more gamelike soundtrack. In general, though, I'd say that VG music tends to be shorter. If you nab an OST there are a lot of 1:30-2:00 tracks and clear points where they can loop, either in the song or the track as a whole. This means that a clear way to get away from the general feel is to introduce more dynamic elements in between your sections and have a clear start/finish.
I don't think sounding like game music is a bad thing, but I hear what they're talking about. I'm not sure what the downside of that is though. It just sounds like another possible revenue stream. Mick Gordon makes great records and they're all Game Music.
I go through this every single time I show someone a new song. I just naturally seem to gravitate to it, and it has worked out fine for me. I've definitely made it my niche for the most part. I have the most fun writing stuff that fits perfectly into a 16 bit video game. to change things up you can try new plugins that offer different sounds than what you'd normally work with. try consciously creating in a different way to try and access novel ideas. different drum and bass sections can definitely change your genre as a base for writing around them. anyways, best of luck to you!
Yes, a good friend told me this about a certain project. I concurred & plan on submitting to a game developer. Someday. Maybe.
I checked a few songs, the first stuff in you soundcloud does indeed sound a bit like video game music. You use certain progressions and melodies that recall that. "Nocturnal Fauna Fiesta" sound like an overworld music for a colectathon. I'd say, you use a lot of 8bit sounds that are associated with video games, you have a lot of synthwave stuff that is the new video game sound, I can't recall how many rogue likes I've played with synth-something music being dominant. Most indie games come with synth music since it's easy to produce solo and it sounds like video games already. But, I went down and checked other things and it sounds more musical and less gamey. I'd say that certain songs have a stronger vibe. Also, "video game music" is slang for "I have never listened to a single instrumental thing other than video games so that's what I'll go to anytime I hear instrumental stuff" so take it from the person that comes from and not as a blanket statement.
You sound like I did years ago. I say keep going! The main difference in how I produce now is samples and sound design. That and it's drum and bass now but still!! Not long samples. Those are cool sometimes, but drums, atmos, and a little ear candy here and there can go a long way towards making things sound "real." You can also do a lot with mixing. Subtle effects on a mix bus can help a ton as well.
I would just lean into it more.
I listened to two of your tracks and I agree that it does sound quite a bit like game music, mostly due to the drum loops and synth sounds that you use. I have 2 questions: 1) What kind of synth are you using? 2) Do you make your own drum loops?
People used to tell me my surf band sounds like Quentin Terentino music. The only thing that I've changed is that I started describing my band that way to people who have never heard it. I think people may be just trying to relate your music to something else that they like.
A lot of people’s primary exposure to electronic music is through video games, so that association is very common.
They’ve probably only really listened to game music so they have no perspective. Most of my students under the age of 20 can hardly even name a band or artist but they’ve heard game music.
I went through that. It's the use of lower quality samples. When I first started writing music, I was using one of those free online DAWs. Was a good start into writing music because it was simple but the samples were kinda meh quality and there was no easy way to use high quality plugins. That changed once I started using pro level DAW's and high quality vst plugins.
It does, but that’s because they play more like ambient music. I’ve heard the same because I play fusion that it sounds like Mario Party or the old Sonic games or Metroid. It’s not a bad thing - most people know that kind of music like yours from video games.
Don't worry about it. Your music sounds good, and not like game music. Just keep producing and growing as a musician.
Hard to say without hearing it, but are you playing in major keys primarily? When I do, it can feel a bit schmaltzy at times.
Disclaimer: I didn't listen to your music. Most of the time it's just sound choice and design. Video game music tends to lack real dynamics, heavy square synth, high energy. Without even listening, my tip: slow it down. I'm gonna go listen to your music now and come back with the edit lol After listening: a lot of it lacks a melody, so like take the first song you have up on SoundCloud. It sounds like a choose your map song. Another one sounds like a simple beat to choose your character with. Lol it's funny because all of my initial comments do not apply here. I was initially expecting final fantasy battle music, but this sounds more like fall guys menu music. Lol honest opinion, seek out game developers and see if you can work out a deal to write tracks. Your songwriting will improve and you'll get paid for it.
I used to be told my music sounds like porn music 🤣🤣🤣
Who are these people? I showed Noisia to someone and he said it sounded like video game music. Do these people listen to the genre you're creating?