Libre Music Challenge #22: General Midi

nyxeles · Post by **nyxeles** » Sat Sep 02, 2023 2:28 pm

Welcome to the Libre Music Challenge #22, for the month of September 2023.

This is a friendly contest where we make music with free (libre) software exclusively. Everyone is welcome to join, at any skill level.
This is a place for learning and sharing knowledge, and an opportunity to explore creativity through limitation.
But most importantly, we just hope it inspires you to make some music!

The challenge for this month is to make a track using only General Midi soundfonts.
One of the easier ways of doing this is through plugins like x42's General MIDI Synth and falkTX's FluidPlug, which use respectively the GeneralUser and FluidGM soundfonts. You can of course also load the soundfonts in any other way you want.
You're not limited to the GeneralUser or FluidGM soundfonts. Feel free to pick any other - fairly standard - general midi soundfont. Other examples are Arachno, Fatboy, and the Musescore soundfonts.

You can use any DAW, but all sounds must come from the general midi soundfont. You can use any other plugin, but try not to go crazy with processing, and keep it sounding like general midi, within reason :)

Happy music making!

Rules

Rules are the same as the previous challenges.

You can find them here for convenience: https://lmc.nyxkn.org/rules.
Or here under version control: https://github.com/nyxkn/libre-music-ch ... a/rules.md

Links

I and many of us hang out on unfa's Rocket.Chat / Discord server. Come join us on #libre-music-challenge at https://chat.unfa.xyz.

For more info on past events: https://lmc.nyxkn.org/events

And if you'd like to stay up to date with future announcements, there's now an experimental RSS feed you can subscribe to: https://lmc.nyxkn.org/rss

Voting

Once the voting period starts, head on over to https://lmc.nyxkn.org/vote to enter your votes.

If you are a participant, you can simply log in with your linuxmusicians username. Upon your very first login, an account will be automatically created with the password you've chosen.

If you haven't participated, you can still vote! Make your interest known and I'll enable an account for you.

Submissions

Playlist on archive.org

Results

Scoresheet

1. [43] Spotlight Kyd
2. [39] sg75
3. [39] A-Lin
4. [38] autostatic
5. [38] MyLoFy
6. [36] cieciu
7. [33] Arkforest
8. [33] imMature
9. [29] Trumpetrespas
10. [26] Avelho

Arkforest · Post by **Arkforest** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 5:24 am

G'day, Arkforest here. This is my entry:

Álomhajó

SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/7NNpK

Project Files: https://mega.nz/folder/9DJWwDJB#OpaDtGZNfU700Yvj41iyEw

Ardour Version: 7.2.123

Plugins:

LSP Plugins
Dragonfly Hall Reverb
TAP Tubewarmth
Airwindows ToVinyl4
Zyn Chorus
Lkjb ReFine

There are audio clips of my vocals present in the project files as is the case with the Odin2 challenge project files. However, the submission is an instrumental with the vocals muted.

The specific file to open ends in "vinyl perc uwu" and if the vocal track isn't muted, it should be muted when being played back for the LMC stream.

EDIT: First one again? Really?

trumpetrespas · Post by **trumpetrespas** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 5:36 pm

Here is my submission: https://soundcloud.com/trumpetrespas/ti ... _tack_tack
Here are my project files: https://www.mediafire.com/file/j2dg80ee ... i.rad/file

The track was named after the riff of one of the drums.

Code: Select all

Plugins:
 - Fluidsynth (included in Radium)
 - Zita Reverb (included in Radium)
 - Simple Delay (included in Radium)
 - Calf Chorus (included in Radium)
 - Dyson Compressor (included in Radium)
Sound Fonts:
 - Freepats General Midi was used via Radiums built in Fluidsynth engine. Freepats general midi can be found here: https://freepats.zenvoid.org/SoundSets/general-midi.html

Anyway, I hope you enjoy

cieciu · Post by **cieciu** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 5:50 pm

Hi,
Here is my submission.

Inspired with "Thin red line" episode of battle of Balaclava.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-colle ... -red-line/

https://soundcloud.com/user-889632176/t ... e-of-steel

Ardour 7.3
General MIDI Synth
x42-eq
x42-dpl
ACE Compressor
Calf Vintage Delay
B.Shapr
Calf Stereo Tools
Arrpegiator (by MOD)
*Micro Delay Line (by Robin Gareus)
CHOWTapeModel
Simple Scope (by Robin)
True Peak Meter (by Robin)
Calf Analyzer

Here is session zip: https://chat.unfa.xyz/channel/libre-mus ... x8Y3SNKzHD

imMature · Post by **imMature** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:47 am

Hello there,

I wrote a bunch of music and played in various punk/ska/hardcore/metal bands back in late 90's/early 00's. Moved and stopped all together. Earlier this year I decided to start coding chiptunes on the amazing MOS 8580 chip (commodore 64), this lead to me recently joining unfa's rocket chat... Was told about this challenge a few days ago and just thought I could write a simple fun punkish midi tune like I used to.

So... Here's my first midi tune since early 2000's. A straight up no-trick midi that could have been written by any generic teenage punk quartet.

Default tuxguitar, didn't change a single setting (muted guitar, dist. guitar, slap bass, 36/38/40/44/49 drums I believe)...Just as generic as possible
Moved the midi file to an old windows machine and played/recorded in audacity, like I used to... (The count in even lagged, lovely!)

Don't have any soundcloud so I posted it in unfa's rocket chat

https://chat.unfa.xyz/channel/libre-mus ... 6Q6DvHTeo4

Thought it could be fun to just participate, tuxguitar was kinda boring compared to fighting old fm chips in a tracker, but it was genuinely fun writing something that sounds exactly like every other tune I wrote back in the day at least

Take care guys!

MyLoFy · Post by **MyLoFy** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:05 pm

Hey friends,

here's my submission:

Track: https://soundcloud.com/mylofymusic/probably-today
Project files: https://mark.nl.tab.digital/s/QQFrGDzZGdyao2B

DAW: Zrythm beta 4.13.6
General MIDI synth x42-plugins.com/x42/x42-gmsynth

Additional plugins:
LSP parametric EQ
LSP Beat Breather
LSP Multiband Compressor
ZaMultiCompX2
ZamCompX2
ToTape6
WolfShaper
Dragonfly Hall Reverb
Galactic

Master Chain:
LSP parametric EQ
LSP Compressor
ToTape5
ZaMaximX2
x42-dpl

asublin · Post by **asublin** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:05 pm

My entry:

Title: General Relamidity
Render: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/asubl ... 09-30.flac
Session: https://github.com/asublin/asublin-comp ... Relamidity
Made with: Ardour, GM Synth, Dragonfly Reverb, CALF Vintage Delay, CALF Chorus.

Enjoy!

avelhomusic · Post by **avelhomusic** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:48 pm

my submission

https://on.soundcloud.com/BPk5L

my project
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fbo6me ... p=drivesdk

SpotlightKid · Post by **SpotlightKid** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:26 pm

Here's my entry for this month:

Title: Tales of Solunia: Battle Theme - Finale
Artist: Spotlight Kyd
Download (FLAC, 44.1 kHz, 16bit): https://0x20.eu/nc/s/LxdeTfpKFdEJ6J8
On SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/spotlight-kyd/ta ... eme-finale
Ardour session archive: https://0x20.eu/nc/s/jsPLDaya7FQinBE

Made with Ardour 7 on Manjaro Linux using 21 instances of the Ardour General MIDI Synth. I used only the laptop, a cheap M-Audio 32-key MIDI keyboard and headphones / monitors.

The idea was to create music for a fictitious computer role-playing game set in a fantasy world, where the player character faces off in a last stand against the overwhelming forces of evil and victory is only won at great cost. And have it not sound like General MIDI

I originally planned a set of four pieces, but since this one already ended up long enough, I only finished composing one other piece, the "village theme", which I will release another day.

Plugins used:

Count Type Plugin

5 LV2 ACE Compressor (stereo) (by Ardour Community)
1 LV2 B.Choppr (by Sven Jaehnichen)
1 VST3 CHOWTapeModel (by chowdsp)
1 LV2 DFZitaRev1 (by chrisarndt.de)
6 LV2 EQ4Q Stereo (by Pere Ràfols Soler)
1 LV2 EQ6Q Stereo (by Pere Ràfols Soler)
21 LV2 General MIDI Synth (by Robin Gareus)
4 LV2 GxTubeScreamer (by Guitarix team)
3 LV2 kpp_deadgate (by Oleg Kapitonov)
3 LV2 kpp_tubeAmp (by Oleg Kapitonov)
3 LV2 LSP Impulse Responses Mono (by LSP LV2)
2 LV2 LSP Impulse Reverb Stereo (by LSP LV2)
4 LV2 MIDI CC Map (by Robin Gareus)
2 LV2 Midi Event Map (by Robin Gareus)
3 LV2 MIDI Key-Range Filter (by Robin Gareus)
4 LV2 StereoCrossDelay (by chrisarndt.de)
1 LV2 x42-dpl - Digital Peak Limiter Stereo (by Robin Gareus)
1 LV2 ZaMultiCompX2 (by Damien Zammit)

autostatic · Post by **autostatic** » Sun Oct 01, 2023 7:25 pm

Hope I'm not too late for the party!

Title: C18H21NO4
Artist: autostatic
Download (FLAC, 48 kHz, 16bit): https://downloads.autostatic.com/music/C18H21NO4.flac

Fully done in Ardour 7.5.0 with the general MIDI synth. Didn't have my monitor speakers so had to mix on headphones so the mix is sub-optimal for anything other than a set of DT-770's. But had a great time though creating this tune, I think this was the first time I completely sequenced a song in Ardour so that's already a win.

It's 15 tracks and I've used the following plugins:
4 * LV2 GxTubeScreamer (by Guitarix team)
1 * LV2 GxAutoWah (by Guitarix team)
1 * LV2 GxAmplifier-X (by Guitarix team)
16 * LV2 General MIDI Synth (by Robin Gareus)
1 * LV2 ZamTube (by Damien Zammit)
1 * VST2 Multiband Compressor LeftRight (by LSP VST)
2 * LV2 x42-dpl - Digital Peak Limiter Stereo (by Robin Gareus)
2 * LV2 Dragonfly Hall Reverb (by Michael Willis and Rob vd Berg)
1 * LV2 GxChorus-Stereo (by Guitarix team)
1 * LV2 Dragonfly Room Reverb (by Michael Willis)
5 * LV2 ACE Compressor (by Ardour Community)
1 * LV2 GxSVT (by Guitarix team)
1 * LV2 Shiroverb (by DISTRHO)

The song itself refers to having those repetitive endless thought loops during the night, like when you're on the edge of a fever. And sometimes you're allowed to do something about it, but only if you can't get out of the loop. Hope you enjoy!

Jeremy

bsg75 · Post by **bsg75** » Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:23 pm

I am also late for the party. Thanks @nyxeles for keeping the party running
When working with GM, I always end up with the dulcimer and a cello!

Here is my submission:
https://soundcloud.com/sg75_2/feuilles-danes-du-midi

Ardour session archive:
https://sonnengesicht.de/sg75_-_Feuille ... on-archive

Made with Ardour 7.5.0 and the following plugins:

Code: Select all

CNT | TYPE | NAME
  1 * LADSPA GLAME Butterworth Highpass (by Alexander Ehlert)
  1 * LV2    Calf Analyzer (by Calf Studio Gear)
  1 * LV2    Luftikus (by Lkjb)
  1 * LV2    Simple Scope (Stereo) (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * LV2    B.Angr (by Sven Jaehnichen)
  1 * LV2    B.Shapr (by Sven Jaehnichen)
  1 * LV2    LUFS Meter (by Klangfreund)
  1 * LV2    Dragonfly Plate Reverb (by Michael Willis)
 12 * LV2    LSP Parametric Equalizer x16 Stereo (by LSP LV2)
  1 * LV2    Calf Vintage Delay (by Calf Studio Gear)
  1 * VST2   Galactic (by airwindows)
  1 * LV2    LSP Multiband Compressor Stereo x8 (by LSP LV2)
  1 * LV2    ReFine (by Lkjb)
  1 * VST2   ADT (by airwindows)
  9 * LV2    LSP Compressor Stereo (by LSP LV2)
  1 * LV2    LSP GOTT Compressor Stereo (by LSP LV2)
 17 * LV2    General MIDI Synth (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * LV2    DR-14 - Crest Factor Loudness Range Meter (Stereo) (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * VST2   Crystal (by airwindows)
  1 * VST2   ToTape5 (by airwindows)
  1 * LV2    LSP Multiband Limiter Stereo (by LSP LV2)
  1 * LV2    x42-dpl - Digital Peak Limiter Stereo (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * VST2   Wider (by airwindows)

avelhomusic · Post by **avelhomusic** » Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:35 pm

avelhomusic wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:48 pm
my submission

https://on.soundcloud.com/BPk5L

my project
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fbo6me ... p=drivesdk

Hello gentlemens,

This is my first participation in the Challenge.

Sorry for not introducing myself properly in the submission.

I'm Brazilian. Amateur musician, just starting in music production.

The theme was entirely composite for event 22. Two small themes parts.

DAW: Ardor 7.5

more than one instance with gm soundfonts were used.

Plugins:

EQ6Q - EQ10Q
ACE FLUID SYNTH
X42-GM-MIDI
ACE COMPRESSOR
GUITAR CONDITIONER
HARD VACUUM
GX CHORUS ST
CABS
CHANNEL 9
X42-EQ ST
x42-COMP
[ TREMOLO VIBRATO SMOOTH DRECKWECKA UNBOX DISTANCE2 (airwindows)
ACE HIGHLOW
DRAGON REVERB (2 FX AUX)

To finalize i printed back passing through an external JAmin.

Greetings everyone,

avelho

PS. I need to qualify my user to vote.

nyxeles · Post by **nyxeles** » Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:15 am

@avelhomusic
Glad to have you! Regarding your soundcloud submission, please enable the downloadable option. Then once I upload all the tracks I'll open the voting.
And if you like, come hang out with us on unfa's discord/rocketchat servers! (links on https://unfa.xyz/)

avelhomusic · Post by **avelhomusic** » Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:50 pm

nyxeles wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:15 am
@avelhomusic
Glad to have you! Regarding your soundcloud submission, please enable the downloadable option. Then once I upload all the tracks I'll open the voting.
And if you like, come hang out with us on unfa's discord/rocketchat servers! (links on https://unfa.xyz/)

Hi,

download enabled.

If it fail talk to me.

and it is a pride to be welcomed by the lmc family.

avelho

nyxeles · Post by **nyxeles** » Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:29 pm

All submissions are in! And voting is now open.

Here's the playlist: https://archive.org/details/libre-music-challenge-22

For the voting, head on over to https://lmc.nyxkn.org/vote. Use your linuxmusicians username. You'll find more instructions on the page.
If you've lost your password drop me a message and I'll reset it.

We've had a record 10 submissions this time around! You are all beautiful people <3

LinuxMusicians