★ SGL User's Manual ★ SOUND STRUCT
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SOUND STRUCT / 2. Make a song

2-5. Make a song

The only thing I've created so far is the sound, and I have to make a song using that sound.
However, SEGA Sound Tool does not provide software for creating sheet music and song data. The software that creates the score is mainly called sequence software, and when you play a MIDI instrument (keyboard, etc.), it records it and saves the song data.
In addition, there is also a function called notation software, which has a function to display the score and insert notes like a word processor.
Sequence software can save song data in SMF (Standard MIDI Format) format.
To use it in Saturn, save the song data in this SMF type 1 format.
For details, refer to the manual of each software.

Also, before creating a song, there are some points to note regarding the song itself, so be sure to check the following points with the game programmer.

Notes on the song itself

  • When using fade-out
    When using a long note, if the long note is played before it fades out, the volume of the note will not change during the note, so only the long note will not fade out. It may remain in.

  • When using a loop
    If you change the tempo of a song while playing a song with loop information, the tempo will return to the default at the beginning of the loop.

    Now let's move on to writing the song.
    Song creation (including sound effects) treats each instrument part in units called tracks.
    When creating an SMF file, information called MIDI events must be inserted in the track containing note information by shifting at least one clock in the following order.

    1) Put 0 of control code 0 at the beginning of the track.
    In the case of Saturn, it doesn't matter whether you put it in or not, but the control numbers 32 to 63 used after that are originally prepared to improve the accuracy from 0 to 31, so those who put it in Is good.

    2) Next, insert the control code 32.
    The parameter is the tone bank number (0 to 15) used in this song (sound effect). The tone bank number is set when creating a map for the sound simulator ( see “4) Creating a map ” in Section 2-6).

    3) Next, enter the program number.
    Enter the number (0 to 127) from the beginning of the tone bank set in 2) for the tone used on the track.

    The example of VisionAV is shown below, but it is basically the same for other sequence software.

    Figure 2-31 Example of inserting control code using Vision AV

    In the case of control code, click the position of the inserted control code with the mouse and set 0 and 32 as shown below.

    Figure 2-32 Control code settings

    This software is "Number (0)", but some Japanese version software is "Control (0)".
    There is also software that does not have a pop-up menu and the number goes up or down when you move the mouse to the position of () and click it.

    In addition, to loop the song with BGM etc., it is possible by inserting the 0 number of the control code 31 at the beginning and end of the loop.

    Loop information only needs to be stored in one track, so if you create a track that contains only loop information, it will be easier to understand later.

    The following is an example.

    Figure 2-33 Example of a track for loop information

    The MIDI event insertion method is exactly the same as the control code insertion example.

  • keep
    Save is a multi-track SMF file. First, select Export from the File menu.

    Figure 2-34 Saving (exporting) a file

    Next, the following screen will be displayed. Specify SMF and Type1 format.

    Figure 2-35 Settings when saving (exporting) a file

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    ★ SGL User's Manual ★ SOUND STRUCT
    Copyright SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD., 1997