MIDI / *.mp3 dilemma

[Cyber Rat]

This isn't exactly as related to an issue in programing than it is related to a legal/moral/practical issue. The thing is this, I want to pay attention to the music in my future project (similar to this one, but with better gameplay), seeing as a lot of things I have in store for it are inspired by rock/metal, BUT I wouldn't want to resort to using mp3s directly from some bands (like Gamma Ray or Helloween) do to:

1) legal issues;

2) the vocals might distract the player from the actual game (then again, it worked pretty well in Devil May Cry).

Now, putting number 2 aside, should I even worry about number 1? I mean, if I'm using characters that belong to someone else (ie SEGA) then why worry about the music, I'm basically doing the same thing, right? Plus I doubt a large enough amount would actually play it (at least large enough for me to get some problems).

In case I were to say 'To hell with number 1', that leaves number 2. Would the inclusion of lyrics during the game distract the player from the game?

Of course there is always the following alternative: MIDIs. I could always include MIDIs and forget about both number 1 and number 2. The problem is obvious, and that's the lack of quality. BUT the original game (Metal X, see above hyperlink) seemed to have caused a nostalgic effect with people, so the inclusion of MIDI could only enhance it.

And last but not least, I could find someone from SFGHQ to do the music for me, which would kill all the previous dilemmas, but I'm pretty aware that the chances of that are pretty low, since making music requires a lot of time and effort.

[ssbfalcon]

Well, if you go with midis' you can always try to find someone to patch them and use high quality patches and convert them to mp3. Kinda like what I did with a sky chase midi. I had it use a nice sounding sax and it really improved the sound...

Problem is, it's tricky to find good sounding guitar patches, unless you buy/get one of East West Quantum Leap's stuff... http://www.eastwestsamples.com/details.php?cd_index=1032

or http://www.eastwestsamples.com/details.php?cd_index=1059

Yes, those tracks pretty much were converted from midi... Problem is, it's hard to find good free stuff...

Midis could work... at least starting with XP midis are played using MS synthesizer and sound the same on all PCs...

Your other alternative is looking for some creative commons music like from here http://jamendo.com'>

http://jamendo.com where you can pretty much use it for whatever you want, based on the license... Most of them is just use it but give credit...

[Cyber Rat]

This jamendo thing might work. Thanks, dude.

If anybody has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

[Rael0505]

I wouldn't worry about legal issues. Your project is non-profit, so artists shouldn't have any reason to complain as long as they are credited.

If you want a decent midi to mp3 converter, check this out:

http://www.hamienet.com/midi2mp3

Just choose one of five instrument sets, and this site will do all the work. Quality isn't amazing, but I've gotten some nice results.

Also, don't think of using mp3 in your game. Convert it to ogg; it has the same sound quality but is significantly smaller. Google for a program called winLAME. It's free and ridiculously straightforward.

[Cyber Rat]

Thanks. Rep up for both of you. That just leaves the lyrics thing. Should I use instrumental or full-blown songs? (In case I go for the ogg/mp3 thing?)

[Sockman]

I really don't think lyrics are that distracting, it really depends on how loud the vocals are compared to the instruments.

In my opinion, it worked fine in Sonic Adventure 2.

As for your MIDI issue, I usually just run the MIDI through FruityLoops and put in some nice Soundfonts and effects to give it a less synthetic sound.

[LarkSS]

Also, don't think of using mp3 in your game. Convert it to ogg; it has the same sound quality but is significantly smaller.

If only we could find a way to use aac2+ in our games. =<

OT: I'm thinking that since I want to use mp3s with my game ( wark no like oggs ), that I may give the option to download them seperately since they make the game's filesize huge and some people may not care for muzik. Of course if midis were used, that problem wouldn't be existent. =P

[Techokami]

Here's a new one: why not use tracked music? Like .MODs, .ITs, and .XMs?

[sonicfanultimate]

i wouldn't mind contributing a few of my midis. I play in a band and we recorded a few songs but i have been trying to make a few midis so if you want you can use them in your game. Ill send them to you if you want

[Cyber Rat]

At this moment the game is still in 'concept phase', so I wouldn't know exactly what I need until I have actually designed the engine, and see how the whole game plays.

On a side note, I lurked a little on Jamendo and looked for 'intrumental rock' and found some bands with stuff that might work. If you add some of the Guilty Gear tracks to the repertoire (since they too have no vocals), I think I'll have this covered.

[Endri]

There's also http://www.freeplaymusic.com/

It has a good variety of musics, they are all for free, they have no vocals, and are available for download in .mp3 and .aac formats. The metal/hard rock sections are pretty huge. You might find good sounding musics there. Hope I helped