The #1 option seems like a backpedal, rather than an option.
The #3 option is a absolute NO for me, because PetiteMM is so handy that I wouldn't need to do all this in a .txt file.
#2 is the best option for me.
Originally posted by musicalmanI am especially curious about those of you who make transcriptions. What program do you use? How picky are you about the accuracy of the sound before you begin working with the SPC? And how do you write the txt?
My very first ports were done by transcribing the actual songs with a program called Music Maker. I'll say this right now, making MIDIs with this program is
NOT something I'd recommend because while it was a piano roll, which I prefer over reading sheet music, the instruments were super limited. In fact, I needed to use Anvil Studio just for hearing it with the right instruments. In other words... I transcribed only ever using pianos, and synthesized instruments. It almost made me give up on porting entirely. Eventually, I ditched that program and installed Sony ACID Pro 7.0, a program I used to fiddle around with as a kid. Thankfully, it had all the GS sound set tones, which Anvil Studio pretty much had. Only difference was that it uses the piano roll. It even has the ability for me to put in .mp3 files. This way, I can match up the MIDIs I'm transcribing with the .mp3 by having them play both at once. Now, to decipher the pitches and note lengths, I gather what I seem to hear from the .mp3, then I place it down in the MIDI. This definitely requires some serious ears and patience. Sometimes, it may require trial and error, especially for those subtle harmonic chords, and for "rapid fire" notes. I don't bother with every little instrument and note I hear though, only the relevant ones, because 8 channels maximum. Then, I export and convert to MML. There's still some things to add and adjust such as the instruments (obviously), volumes, correct octaves, and correct tempo. At this point, it has the minimum requirements to play in the SPC player. I'd say it's worth the effort though, and it's so satisfying hearing how it turns out. Then from there it's just a matter of putting in the samples (if any are being used at all) and the details, which include panning, echo, ADSR, pitch bends, looping, yada yada yada... just to make it sound much better than it already is.
Strange thing for me though is that my first ports were done without me even knowing that I could just look up MIDIs. IDK why I didn't think of that at first, but there probably weren't any 100% Orange Juice MIDIs out there anyway, so I guess I was fine.
While this next bit of info isn't a part of the response to musicalman, I do feel as if this information is neat:
Originally posted by UltimaActually, if I get on this situation, when there isn't a MIDI on VGMusic, I try to search up for the name of the game in Japanese language (mostly kanji IIRC) + the word MIDI (with no kanji), and sometimes, that actually works really well since there are a lot of Japanese websites where people upload their MIDIs that would normally be too obscure for most musicians who use a MIDI
That's actually really clever. Since most search engines don't give you worldwide results due to differences in languages, I'd imagine that there's many MIDIs out there that in existence in some other website that we may not know about.
