Fangames: MP3/OGGs, MIDIs or something else?

Since this was kind of getting off topic in the SLD2 topic, I decided to make a topic to discuss this in GC.
Which type of music do you prefer in fangames?
Mostly, there are 4 main types, which I've listed in the poll.
Here, I'll list the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Streamed
Advantages: Great quality, close to game
Disadvantages: Can have sound effects if not recorded from a NSF/USF/etc rip of the game, makes huge game

Modules
Advantages: Small and can still have good quality
Disadvantages: It's hard to find good module versions of game music that aren't badly remixed

Ripped music
Advantages: SPCs are 64kb each (currently the only format I know can be played in Click/GM tools) for a perfect reproduction of the song
Disadvantages: Only SNES music can be used

Sequenced music
Advantages: Small
Disadvantages: Needs to be sequenced into a MIDI; impossible to make perfect quality, and isn't guaranteed to sound the same on every computer

So, which of these do you prefer most?

Meh. I'm usually too busy playing the actual game instead of listening to the music to notice/care.

(And i'm pretty sure midis aren't always sequenced..)

I can't see how this is in the General Chat.
But as for fangames, XM/MOD/IT. Definitely the best choice IMO.

.. Wait, this goes in the PPP?


I normally use modules, but it's almost impossible to find decent module versions of game music. They always sound awful, or are bad remixes.

Why confine your self to remixes of game music, there are tons of great original modules on the internet.

Anything BUT MIDI.

If I had something to make my MP3s smaller, I'd immediately jump at the chance to use it since I'd rather have a giant game with faster load times than a small game with crappy load times and sync issues due to music.

No. Fangame Discussion perhaps.

Ahem! I support MP3s. They sound good and are compatible, but they must be used with sense.

Midis close second.

OGG. Awesome quality, near-perfect to official game quality, and a low file size.



NOT MP3.

aren't OGGs like... the same thing as MP3 sans licensing

but modules rule all

IT files are my favorite, with MP3 as a close second.

Technically, SPCs can be converted to modules... except the only program that I know can do it is a DOS program and I can't get it to work anymore.

I also wish I could find a good fully Modplug compatable GM insturment set, I have two or three with sets of game insturments, but it takes a lot of mixing and matching to convert a midi to a SNES quality .it.

I'll stay with OGGs until I get some way to convert the instruments in DLS files to IT files easily.

(Hey, if anyone knows how to do this, PM me.)

edit: Someguy, I used that for RTSMB. It's called OpenSPC.

This post has been edited by Treeki on Apr 27 2007, 04:35 PM

You can use Modplug, and maybe other programs, to import the insturments from a DLS file as either a set of insturments you can put in to new or existing modules, or load overtop the currently loaded default insturment set that's used to load midis.

Really? How?
I've tried before, but I can never get it Working properly.

MP3 doesn't deserve to be on the same poll option as OGG.

*M&L tutorial music plays*
Okay, I'm only gonna say this once so I don't derail this thread, but this could come in handy for anyone looking to spice up midis or modules with other insturments here anyhow, so listen up!

In the File menu of Modplug Tracker, there are two options that fit what I believe you will want. Import Midi Library and Add Sound Bank. Other module programs may also support these options. These will let you import SF2, DLS, Ultrasnd.ini, and txt files. I have no idea what sets use txt files.

Importing as a Midi Library will replace Modplug's default insturment set with what is in the sound bank file. If you want to open up a midi with what you have here with ease, use this. Be aware though, you'll have to find the old sound bank if it doesn't turn out well. I believe Windows comes with GM.dls at least.

Doing that should bring up a warning stating if you want to add or replace. Select NO to replace all the original insturments.

If you simply want another set of insturments you can use in your songs, or replace existing insturments with, simply select Add Sound Bank. You now have another folder on the left side of the screen to select insturments from.

The problem is that what I want to do is take a MIDI and add a DLS file to it (both exported from VGMTrans) and save it as an IT file. Neither of the options you quoted work properly, if I select no or yes.
How do I replace existing instruments? I'm a noob to this.

Yes, and they have a much smaller file size than mp3's. That's what makes them great.

not from what i've seen

Well then you must have used a sucky program, because when I convert my mp3's to ogg's, the file size goes from 4,300 KB to about 1,200 at the most.