[MelloSinfonian]

Nerd moment...

I'm listening to the FFVII soundtrack right now, trying to decide what to arrange. I just noticed that "Cinco de Chocobo" is in 5/4! It's a clever track name, and I'm surprised that I never noticed before. Did anybody else realize this?

[Tim]

Originally Posted by MelloSinfonian

I'm excited that we're having another competition already! I need to decide what to arrange.

Question, though. Will there be any clarification on how much the quality of MIDI sounds, etc. will affect the judging? If I need to spend time on learning how to produce better sounds in addition to arranging a piece, I need to know so that I can prepare for that. As things stand now, I've always used default Finale sounds. I'm sure others are wondering the same thing.

Thanks!

It looks like Ronin will be the only judge this time, so I don't think the production aspects will be as emphasized as the last contest.

Originally Posted by Jisho

I'm in. I have an idea that is too funny not to capitalize on.

Are we allowed to use MP3 quality music?

Uh...yes, MP3 quality music is good.

[Ronin]

Originally Posted by MelloSinfonian

I'm excited that we're having another competition already! I need to decide what to arrange.

Question, though. Will there be any clarification on how much the quality of MIDI sounds, etc. will affect the judging? If I need to spend time on learning how to produce better sounds in addition to arranging a piece, I need to know so that I can prepare for that. As things stand now, I've always used default Finale sounds. I'm sure others are wondering the same thing.

Thanks!

I didn't penalise people for submitting MIDI quality in the last competition. I tried to look at how well people had used what they'd decided to work with.

That said, I would strongly advise people to look into music production just so they can try and better themselves. Afterall, there is only so much General MIDI sounds can accomplish.

[MelloSinfonian]

I've always thought that General MIDI sounds served my purposes just fine for Finale playback. At the same time, I'm not so narrow-minded as to think that nothing could be gained from exploring better sounds. For example, the alto sax sound that I have is a few cents flat (I have no idea why).

What would be a good way to break into sound production? Are there different types of MIDI sounds that I can plug in to Finale, or that sort of thing? I really don't know anything about this stuff, but I'd be willing to learn if it gives me better playback options.

[Ronin]

The first step would be to move away from Finale and use a proper sequencing programme. Finale/Sibelius, etc. are more for creating sheet music, not for creating good sounding music.

[MelloSinfonian]

Hmm...I use Finale because my primary goal is to create sheet music. It becomes good sounding music once played (or once rehearsed properly, as the case may be). If I can make the Finale files sound better, that's useful, but only because it gives me a better idea of what things will sound like when played.

To me, that's what arrangements are. Band arrangements, etc. Creating good sounding music with sequencers is not what I'm generally aiming for, though I may do well to learn about them anyway. That's why I get confused when I see "arrangement competition" and encounter things other than what I consider arrangements (which I view more as "remixes").

A matter of semantics and background, I suppose. I'd love to have a straight-up arrangement competition sometime, where the intent is to produce something that would sound good performed.

[Ronin]

Originally Posted by MelloSinfonian

Hmm...I use Finale because my primary goal is to create sheet music. It becomes good sounding music once played (or once rehearsed properly, as the case may be). If I can make the Finale files sound better, that's useful, but only because it gives me a better idea of what things will sound like when played.

To me, that's what arrangements are. Band arrangements, etc. Creating good sounding music with sequencers is not what I'm generally aiming for, though I may do well to learn about them anyway. That's why I get confused when I see "arrangement competition" and encounter things other than what I consider arrangements (which I view more as "remixes").

A matter of semantics and background, I suppose. I'd love to have a straight-up arrangement competition sometime, where the intent is to produce something that would sound good performed.

I do thinks the lines have become a bit blurry with regards to what actually is arranging. As I said, I look more for arranging based on what people have chosen to use. However, your last paragraph also slightly contradictory as not all music is intended to be played with a live performance. That doesn't make the arranging any less valid though.

[MelloSinfonian]

I don't mean to sound contrary; I think you know what I meant, though. A competition where all arranging would be done with sheet music.

Though as I see where you're coming from, I'll agree that arranging not intended for performance is also quite valid. I need to revise my definitions, I believe. It's never been my intent to slam those who approach music differently than I do.

Hooray for opening my mind.

[Ronin]

Sometimes it's good to see things from other people's point of view.

Tim tells me that we've had quite a lot of entries again for this competition, and we haven't really even advertised this time, which is exceedingly encouraging. Hopefully we'll get a load more sign-ups in the next day or so.

[Tim]

Yeah, I think we're up to around 35 entrants, which is obviously a lot less than the last one, but much more than I expected. Should be fun!