Let’s break down a Pirate game loop I produced for Peak Games (game company from Turkey).

To record and compose the music we work with Studio One. But you can basically use any DAW to replicate this kind of music as long as you have the right samples. Importantly, we look at arrangement, chords, melody, instrumentation, layering.

Furthermore, I explain why I select each specific instrument for the pirate music cue.

Pirate melody and chords

In the video we talk about the melodic phrasing and question / answer in melodies. Importantly this will give you some helpful tools to write great pirate game music.

Pirate theme for games

Pirate melodies and rhythm tend to be jumpy and bouncy so that’s what we are working with, without going too much into Pirates Of The Caribbean.

The pirate game music loop was going to work in the background of a pirate themed game, so I needed to keep things a bit on the calmer side.

• For an instant pirate sound, accordions work well. They’re also characterised by a stride bass pattern (bass note on beats 1 and 3, chord on 2 and 4)
• pirate music is often based on folk-style melodies which are heavily swung, lots of dotted notes.

If you want to listen to a great pirate game score I highly recommend listening to the score of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. The game Black Flag contains a very cinematic pirate game score composed by Brian Tyler.

Pirate music instrument, Hurdy-gurdy

One of the most common and iconic instrument I can think of when it comes to pirate music is the hurdy-gurdy. Sometimes called wheel fiddle. The hurdy-gurdy features three strings strung across a wheel that accesses a bow. You turn the wheel and it vibrates the strings. Two of the strings are droning and the middle string has wooden keys on it that you use to play a melody.

It’s like a very primitive violin. The hurdy gurdy is a tricky instrument to play but instantly gives a pirate sound. When you hear it in context it reminds of a bag pipe.

If you play games like Assassins Creed – Black Flag, Sea Of Thieves, watch films like; Black Sails, you can hear the Hurdy-gurdy all over the place.

Instruments in pirate music

Other typical instruments found in pirate music themes is the cello (preferably staccato), violins, accordion, military snares, cornet / trumpet and flutes etc.

In the pirate music video above I talk about why we often hear staccato cellos, trumpets and military snares in pirate themes.

When we want to convey war we use these instruments because it’s sub-consciously those instruments used throughout the ages in war-related scenarios. Burials (trumpets), marching troops (military snare), war horn before battle (trumpets). So the typical use-cases of these instruments go way back. We can use this to our advantage when selecting instruments for our pirate music cue.

Get in the right pirate music mood

In this pirate music cue I was depicting some kind of war scenario, not actual battle, but a foreboding war between the english and caribbean pirates.

It will help tremendously if you set up a topic and scenario in your mind before starting to work on any creative piece. I do this all the time in any type of music track or art piece I create.

Learn more about pirate music as a “genre”

Pirate music, also known as sea shanties, are a traditional form of maritime folk song that were sung by sailors and pirates during the golden age of piracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. These songs were used to pass the time and improve morale during long voyages, and often featured lyrics about life at sea, adventure, and maritime folklore.

If you’re interested in composing pirate music, there are a few key elements that you’ll want to consider in order to capture the feel and spirit of this genre.

Chord Suggestions for pirate music:

One of the most distinctive features of pirate music is its use of simple, repetitive chord progressions. These progressions often consist of just a few chords that are repeated over and over again, with the lyrics fitting into the chord changes. Here are a few chord progressions that you might consider using in your pirate music compositions:

• I-IV-V: This is a classic rock and roll chord progression that works well for pirate music. The I, IV, and V chords are the tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords of a particular key, and can give your music a sense of forward momentum and energy. For example, in the key of C, the I, IV, and V chords would be C, F, and G.
• I-vi-IV-V: This chord progression adds a bit of variety to the I-IV-V progression by including the vi chord (the minor sixth) as well. This can give your music a slightly more adventurous or exotic feel. In the key of C, the chords would be C, Am, F, and G.
• I-IV-vi-V: This chord progression is similar to the I-vi-IV-V progression, but replaces the minor vi chord with a major vi chord (the major sixth). This can give your music a more upbeat or celebratory feel. In the key of C, the chords would be C, F, A, and G.

Pirate Instrument Suggestions:

There are a wide range of instruments that you can use in your pirate music compositions, ranging from traditional maritime instruments like the accordion and fiddle to more modern instruments like electric guitar and synthesizers. Here are a few instrument suggestions to consider:

• Accordion: The accordion is a popular instrument in pirate music due to its ability to play melodies and chords at the same time, as well as its portability. It can add a lively, festive feel to your music.
• Fiddle: The fiddle, also known as a violin, is another popular instrument in pirate music. It can add a lively, energetic feel to your compositions, and can be used to play both melodies and chordal accompaniment.
• Mandolin: The mandolin is a plucked string instrument with a bright, ringing sound that can add a touch of whimsy to your pirate music. It is often used for melodies, but can also be used for chordal accompaniment.
• Electric guitar: The electric guitar can add a modern twist to your pirate music, and can be used to play both melodies and chords. You can use a variety of effects pedals, such as reverb and distortion, to give your guitar a more “piratey” sound.
• Synthesizers: Synthesizers can be used to create a wide range of sounds, including sea shanty-inspired instrumentation like accordions and fiddles. You can also use synthesizers to create more modern, electronic-sounding elements in your compositions.

Learn more about pirate music in my article – Composing Pirate Music: Tips and Techniques

#piratemelodies #piratemusic #studioonetutorial

What gear I use in the studio? Check out the Resources Page.

Join my exclusive community: https://www.patreon.com/gelhein

Be sure to sign up to our newsletter for new exciting articles in design, music production and sound design.

The post How to compose Pirate music for games appeared first on Morningdew Media.

Using a NKS compatible controller with Studio One can be a great time saver. Do all the important production work directly from the keyboard!

No more mouse!? Well, at least you can do some work from the controller.

Komplete Kontrol features in Studio One:

• Transport control – play/stop/record/tempo/metronome
• Navigate the playhead – via the big rotary knob
• Undo / Redo
• Mix – adjust volumes / pan
• Switch tracks
• Regular CC (Controller Change) automation
• Browse NKS instruments / effects (requires the Komplete Kontrol plugin)

Let’s dive in and see how Komplete Kontrol S61 integrates with Studio One 4.5. First, connect the Komplete Kontrol to Studio One (read: USB cable between keyboard and computer).

How to set up Komplete Kontrol in Studio One 4

Run Komplete Kontrol standalone application. IMPORTANT!!!

Firstly, you want to run the Komplete Kontrol standalone application. I need to emphasise this step. Because the first time you run Kontrol, it will import and create the meta-data for all your NKS compatible instruments, effects and samples. This import can take a while, but it’s necessary to get an accurate NKS library for further use in Komplete Kontrol software.

Furthermore, you are now ready to setup the Komplete Kontrol scripts in Studio One to start using the midi controller and NKS features.

Set up the Komplete Kontrol Scripts in Studio One 4

Komplete Kontrol mk2 S61 needs two scripts activated to make full use of the midi controller in Studio One 4.

Start up Studio One 4.

You need to use at least Studio One 4.5.3. In this version Presonus added support (read: scripts) for Komplete Kontrol keyboards. Open the Preferences tab and press the “Add” button.

Add the “Komplete Kontrol DAW” script.

Now we are going to add the first Komplete Kontrol script. Browse to the Native Instruments tab and first select the Komplete Kontrol S DAW control script (see image below). Also make sure to select the Send To port to Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 Port 1!

Add the “Komplete Kontrol S” script.

Next up we need to add the second script, the Komplete Kontrol S script. This script handles the input / output from the actual midi keyboard. Without this script you will not get any midi input (notes etc.) to Studio One. In this script page you can also set this keyboard to the default input keyboard, which can be helpful.

Great, the Komplete Kontrol mk2 S61 is now ready for use with Studio One!

How can Komplete Kontrol ease your work in Studio One 4.5?

Let’s first talk about the general DAW control you have in Studio One with the Komplete Kontrol midi controller.

The big rotary knob will move the playhead in your Studio One project. Great for navigating your songs! Then the regular transport buttons to the left is for play, stop, record, metronome on/off, quantize etc.

Three important Kontrol pages

There are three important pages (or views) on the Kontrol. Each page is designed for specific controller options.

1. Mix Page – General mixing
2. Midi page – CC editing
3. Browser Page – NKS instruments & effects

Mix page

Firstly, the Mix page is for controlling Studio One general functionality like:

• Switching active track
• Mixing track volume / pan / mute / solo

Notice that you can even see the sub tracks of your Impact instrument (drum tracks like hi-hat, snare, cymbals etc.).

Midi page

Secondly, we have the midi page. This Midi page lets you adjust regular midi controller change (CC) data via the capacitive rotary knobs. If you want to change the default midi CC parameters you can always fire up the standalone version of Komplete Kontrol and access the MIDI Assignment Editor.

Browser page

Finally, the Browser page is for browsing NKS compatible instruments and effects. It also let’s you get deep access to parameters of your plugins. Browser page can only be accessed if you have the Komplete Kontrol insert plugin on the track. Komplete Kontrol vst plugin is necessary to make full use of the Komplete Kontrol midi controller.

If you want to learn more about browsing NKS instruments / effects with Komplete Kontrol mk2 S61 keyboard I did this extensive video & article explaining all the important features of this keyboard.

What gear I use in the studio? Check out the Resources Page.

Join my exclusive community: https://www.patreon.com/gelhein

Be sure to sign up to our newsletter for new exciting articles in design, music production and sound design.

Boost Your Productions – Pristine Sound Packs

The post Set Up Komplete Kontrol in Studio One 4 appeared first on Morningdew Media.

Studio One is a modern DAW that I’ve been using for film scoring and scoring several games the past years. Learn all about the great new features of Studio One 4.5 in this article and video!

Studio One 4.5 overview

This update features some really great improvements if you are using tons of plug-in instrument and effects. Studio One 4.5 reduces CPU usage with up to 70%! We also have new midi functionality in the piano roll. Generate random melodies from your midi content, and much more. Let’s look at this list of the most important new features:

New Features in Studio One 4.5 update

• Redesigned input channel strip with input gain, phase flip and input meters.
• Plug-in manager list.
• Track grouping, redesigned with more options for your track groups.
• I/O setup improvements.
• New midi editing functionality and macros.
• CPU usage optimization for native and third-party plugins.

Quick Studio One interface recap

We find two distinct applications, or “views”, in Studio One. The Song- and Project-view. The modern design and colors of Studio One is appealing and it makes great use of the screen real estate.

Song view

The “Song” view is where you compose and produce your music. It features a modern DAW layout with a big arrangement / timeline centered on the screen with all your tracks and midi / audio clips.

You can open a more minimal track-list to the left. This gives you the ability to quickly observe more tracks and hide tracks from the arrangement view. Furthermore, to the right we have the browser for quick access to all your instruments, effects, loops and files.

It’s a familiar layout seen in many other DAWs so Studio One shouldn’t be hard to grasp if you have used Cubase, Logic, Reaper, Bitwig etc.

Project view

“Project” view is the dedicated mastering application in Studio one. In this view you make all your final mastering to the tracks. It’s east to import (update) tracks from your Song-view. With Project view you can compile red-book cd’s, DDP and also upload to soundcloud.

Redesigned Track Group Options

Grouping has been completely redesigned. Groups now have attributes for defining edit groups or mix groups using attributes for Volume, Pan, Mute/Solo, Inserts, and Sends. Groups can be nested and can be easily edited and activated/suspended with one click. A dedicated command can globally enable/disable all Groups at once.

If you have volume activated for the group, it’s still possible to adjust one track against the group, by just holding down ALT. This is a welcome addition to tailor exactly what functionaly you want the groups to respond to.

New Plug-in manager

Studio One 4.5 features a brand new Plug-In Manager. The Plug-in manager lists all installed third-party plug-ins, including a list of plug-ins that were blacklisted during the initial scan, allowing them to be reset individually or globally. Showing or hiding individual or groups of plug-ins only takes a few clicks.

I/O setup improvements

Setting up an external audio interface is a lot easier thanks to several I/O setup improvements. Add any number of new inputs and outputs in just one step, including custom naming and coloring.

Inputs and outputs can be reordered with simple drag-and-drop. Users who switch interfaces, move between studios, or collaborate will appreciate the new Import and Export options for I/O setups.

Splitting audio in the Studio One mixer

If you explore the mixer in Studio One 4 you find that there is a splitting button on the top left in the plugin window. This is where you setup the audio routing for your insert plug-ins. Firstly, it gives you a quick overview of the plugin flow. Secondly, you can add split-points and adjust “how” the split should be done.

How do you want to split the audio signal?

Branching out your audio is powerful if you want to do anything from parallell processing to more elaborate audio signal setups. In Studio One 4 mixer you can do the following audio splits:

• Normal audio Split (split the stereo/mono signal equally).
• Channel Split – split the left / right channel.
• Frequency Split – Split at certain frequency range.

In conclusion, splitting is very powerful.

CPU optimization

If you are working on laptops you are gonna love this CPU optimization update in Studio One 4.5.

CPU load for using combined virtual instruments inside a Multi-Instrument has been reduced by 70% for Native Plug-ins. For third-party instruments you can expect around 50% CPU usage reduction. CPU optimization has also been implemented for SampleOne XT, Mai Tai, Presence XT, and Impact XT.

Cons

My studio is setup in a very light space and since the interface of Studio One is very dark, it can sometimes be a tad overwhelming in contrast. In the past (Studio One 2) the interface had a lighter grey tone which I preferred.

It would be great if Presonus gave us the ability to adjust the brightness / contrast of the interface. Bitwig Studio, has this user interface functionality integrated. If you want to read up on another modern DAW, you can check out this article and video I made on Bitwig Studio 3.

No clip launcher

Studio One does not feature a clip launcher. So if you want to work with this type of composition and production style you should look elsewhere. Bitwig Studio, Ableton Live and FL Studio is great DAWs with clip launchers.

Ways to improve the insert chain?

The only downside I’ve found with the plugin insert functionality in Studio One is that we can “only” save the whole insert chain of a channel. It’s not possible to save part of the channel strip for later use.

In DAWs like Bitwig Studio it’s possible to save parts of your plugin chains, which makes it much more versatile and re-usable.

It’s nitpicking, but worth pointing out.

Studio One 4.5 – Conclusion

I think Studio One is great for media, game and film composing. The video support is great and being able to export audio directly to the video reduces the need for third party video apps.

Bands with regular rock instrument setups (read: drums and guitars) will also benefit from working in Studio One since we have such a great multi-tracking and multi-editing support. The track grouping is extremely useful and powerful when you want to make quick edits to several tracks.

The midi editing is excellent. I especially like the ghost tracks feature (mini track list) and quick access to change which track to edit.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Studio One 4.5 for anyone working with audio production and recording acoustic instruments.

Boost Your Productions – Pristine Sound Packs

The post Studio One 4.5 review & tutorial appeared first on Morningdew Media.