Matching MIDI to map also know as Doing justice to the MIDI

[Pechudin]

Just wanted to know how you guys match the music to the map you are making. Is the music choice the first thing, or do you pick one that loosely fits after the map is done?

 

Also, do you personally have a collection of MIDIs that feel "too epic/emotional", and you do not want to use them until you make that perfect map that would not just feel like it is freeloading off the music. What is that music for you? For me, I have a folder full of them but I will mention "Organic Gods" by Mark Klem. One day ...

[Devalaous]

Early Revilution development followed this philosophy partially, notably pretty much all of Tristan's tracks were handcrafted for specific maps or map concepts. Many of Bucket and Viscra's tracks also were handpicked for maps they fit like a glove. One track in particular was so specific in its intended use, that after its intended map was axed, it was cut from the project and went homeless until it found a permanent home in Eviternity, on a map it now perfectly fits in.

[Kain D.]

6 hours ago, Pechudin said:

Is the music choice the first thing, or do you pick one that loosely fits after the map is done?

Would you be surprised, if I say neither of the two?

[Pechudin]

4 hours ago, Kain D. said:

Would you be surprised, if I say neither of the two?

 

Don't know what that would mean, what would that imply?

[Kain D.]

2 hours ago, Pechudin said:

Don't know what that would mean, what would that imply?

 

I think the most important part is, about what a map, or a wad actually is. What do you want to demonstrate in a map.

Midis and other resources, while still important are totally secondary.

[Pechudin]

9 minutes ago, Kain D. said:

 

I think the most important part is, about what a map, or a wad actually is. What do you want to demonstrate in a map.

Midis and other resources, while still important are totally secondary.

 

Well that depends on your mapping philosophy. When I create, it's mostly "what kind of setting and what kind of fights I want", and the map crystallizes around that. It's mostly map-by-map. Music helps to set the tone for me. I do admire people who have a set theme or a story for the entire WAD though. My maps are thus far pretty conventional. I do have some ideas though ...

[DiR]

On 7/3/2023 at 4:11 PM, Pechudin said:

Just wanted to know how you guys match the music to the map you are making. Is the music choice the first thing, or do you pick one that loosely fits after the map is done?

 

Also, do you personally have a collection of MIDIs that feel "too epic/emotional", and you do not want to use them until you make that perfect map that would not just feel like it is freeloading off the music. What is that music for you? For me, I have a folder full of them but I will mention "Organic Gods" by Mark Klem. One day ...

I usually start out the map first with the default MIDI of whatever mapslot it has, and then I pick a MIDI based on what I have so far. After that, I complete the map with this new MIDI in mind to make the tail end of it feel more like it belongs with the MIDI.

 

Oftentimes, I feel the big MIDI library search before I start a map ends up fruitlessly anyway so I pick the MIDI when it's halfway through for this reason. 

[TheHambourgeois]

Mapping for me is often an excuse to write music, so I definitely write a song for a level concept I have, then make the map.

[roadworx]

i pick out the midi at the start of mapping and kinda build the map off of it, though i do sometimes switch up what midi is being used depending on how i feel the map is going (and depending if i find a song that i like more)

[Pechudin]

13 hours ago, DiR said:

I usually start out the map first with the default MIDI of whatever mapslot it has, and then I pick a MIDI based on what I have so far. After that, I complete the map with this new MIDI in mind to make the tail end of it feel more like it belongs with the MIDI.

 

Oftentimes, I feel the big MIDI library search before I start a map ends up fruitlessly anyway so I pick the MIDI when it's halfway through for this reason. 

 

This is most similar to my process. I wouldn't say the music leads but it certainly influences the map a lot.