Music

[Doug R.]

Maybe this was discussed before, but I was contemplating associating midi files with music that my characters would play, and posting the link to these files either in an OOC comment while the character is playing it, or including a link to it in a note where the music would be written down in some form. I think the current music mechanics are beyond limiting, and this might be a decent self-solution to the problem. What do you think?

[Indigo]

I like this idea, and I thought about it more than a few times. Sometimes, when my characters play music (and I have two of them who try to express more than simple notes through music) I try to describe it as best as I can, usually using "the notes reminds of..." "it sounds like..." when I want other characters to know how it is like. I think it would actually be helpful to this type of characters just stating oocly: "what xxxxx is playing sounds similar to -link here-" in case of non-musician players, or, for those players skillful enough to write their own music: "xxxxx is playing this". If this gets implemented only with the second option (original music), my characters will go on trying to describe what they play with words.

In any case, +1 to this. I'd love "listening to music" in Cantr.

[Snickie]

I think it helps add imagery to the game. You can describe a scale, you can describe the general feeling and makeup of a performance; I've done it, and I've seen other people do it. But I think it adds to a player's perception to also physically hear it as their character hears it, and enhances the player's ability to make an appropriate response.

Plus, me being a music junkie a.k.a band nerd probably has some weight on my response.

[madfish]

What so cantr can become one of them forum threads where people post music they like and nobody else cares?

Already one of them here... viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8839

[joo]

Better than people inserting (random) Unicode music symbols, I suppose.

[Miri]

Please, don't do that...
If a beautiful view is worth thousands of words, then a nice music description is worth the angelus choirs, or something like that.

[Armulus Satchula]

I was just thinking recently how neat of a feature that would be. The only problem with it, that I see, is that I wouldn't want someone to just upload a midi of a song they like. There should be some in game way of making the midis.

[FiziKx]

What if, let's say, only public domain songs and custom works were allowed? *He raises an eyebrow*

[curious]

I wouldn't like to see links to 'songs' per se... that is just a little crass.
Links to small 'impressions' of what a char may play would be great though, and if they were created even as a midi by the player for the char... even better.

There are few free midi composers out there (Anvil rings a bell... no pun intended) although I am not sure of their capability, and a 'raw' midi file is nothing more than a few dry piano hits, and just sounds hopeless until it is padded with some form of virtual instrument... and even then... it still sounds pretty poor.
But... original compositions like this, could really add texture to a char for me, and it's not so hard to write original pieces on a midi composer. Anyone who has ever used their keyboard as a piano has more than enough skill.

I can't be bothered to check out Anvil right now, because:
1. I am not currently using a windows machine
2. I have far better midi programmers and controllers already... and
3. am just too damned lazy.

[masterekat]

I've really wanted this feature for a while now, but I wasn't sure if it'd be possible. RPing music only goes so far when you know each character is hearing a different sound than you are, if they are even musically inclined enough to be able to hear a specific tune just from reading emotes. Like Curious said, making your own midis doesn't take much effort at all. I'd love to be able to have a character write a song, RP teaching it to other characters, and see if it catches on and spreads through the Cantr world. Sailing songs would also be really great.

[Auryn]

I like this idea, but I see so many opportunities for abuse. Perhaps the game designers could compile a bunch of generic midi songs people can use. Like "Lively Folk Dance" or "Sad Lullaby." If they wanted to, they could even customize for each instrument. Cuts back on misuse, and makes it so it can be used by even those who don't have the ability to make their own songs.

[muidoido]

I have one char that loves to play for his friends, but I CAN'T PUT TWO NOTES TOGETHER. So I love Auryn's suggestion. Maybe the number and complexity of types of music available would grow with the char musical ability.

[Snickie]

If a spot were made for making these MIDI things for public (Cantr) use, I'd apply.

[gejyspa]

My char has taught at least one song to other chars. Don't know how far it spread, though.

[Cdls]

The concept is good, but I feel it would be a bad idea to do this.

IMO, it would be distracting to go through reading and then see a 'click here to hear music' link.