Summer Plans?

[Rocco]

Sure, but I think if we do an album, there should at least be an established style to do it in... You know, just something vague yet continuous, like funk, orchestral, chiptune, or whatever.

Ditto.

[Kris Troutman]

Yeah that makes sense. But I mean, at least keep it as simple as possible.

And this is just myself speaking so again don't let anything I say decide what you want to do (just saying that so nobody thinks I'm trying to take control), but I personally would like either orchestral or mock soundtrack of a basic game type (RPG, action, racer, shooter, run and gun.... you get the drift). IT could still be vague, yet continuous like it's been said.

[Blitz Lunar]

i think anthony is going to start his contest soon.

i will probably just jump into whatever you guys decide to do if i find the time/motivation. depends when it falls and what other things i've got going on at that point.

[blue.nocturne]

i think anthony is going to start his contest soon.

Ahh yes, well we can save the album project for a later time.
After all we are just brainstorming for future projects.

[AnthonyMorgan]

Probably, yes. I'm not quite ready though and since I'm not the only person involved in this I can't tell when it'll take place. Early July to end of August would seem ideal.
I suppose an album project is relatively easy and quick to set up...? If that's the case we can use that idea as the other option if I haven't started anything by July.
We still have June and part of May though. Does anyone feel like hosting something during these months? I know I can't, but if someone else did then we'd have two projects.

[mudlord]

Willow, I want that album project again. I'll code :3

[MaliceX]

I'll take whatever comes really. Also +1 on album project.

[blue.nocturne]

I don't like the idea of reusing a melody for continuity.

I only mean that it should be allowed if you 'choose' to, not saying it should be forced.
Of course, majority should be based on unique melodies/ideas in my opinion.

Anyways, does anyone volunteer to organize the next VG album project?
It's a long ways from July, so it should last for a good while before Anthony is ready for his.

[Solaphar]

I don't like the idea of reusing a melody for continuity.

I only mean that it should be allowed if you 'choose' to, not saying it should be forced.

Yeah, optional is probably the best for everyone. Once an album director is chosen, maybe they can come up with a short melody (~20 notes or so?) and participants can choose whether they want to incorporate that motif into their tune or not.

Some folks mentioned limiting genre. I think I'd be against limiting to one single genre, because not everyone is capable of straying into genres they don't listen to a lot. For example, I only rarely listen to chiptunes (only when people on this forum post them), so I wouldn't have much hope of coming up with something decent in that avenue, BUT we might all decide on a set of 3 or 4 genres to limit the album. And not broad genres like "classical, rock, funk, etc" but 3 or 4 narrow and focused genres like: early 20th century classical, or 90's progressive metal, 00's indie rock, just as examples of what I mean by "narrow" and "focused". This is just an idea though. All I'm concerned with is NOT limiting to one single genre, but not necessarily making it too broad either. In other words, make the album cohesive, but also diverse.

[Rocco]

If we're doing an album, a few questions need answering:

1. Is it for a mock game?
2. Should there be a consistent style?
3. Should we strive for a uniform sound? (ie. all use the same samples/sounds)
4. Will there be a quality control process, and if so, will it be pass/fail or feedback-based.

Personally, I like the idea of getting a list of people who are a) interested, b) able to create well-mixed/mastered music, c) responds well to constructive criticism.

If I were to run my own album project, it'd look like this:

• Compile a list of participants
• Everyone composes what they feel is best representative of their capabilities
• Each track is presented for a community vote.
• One person would volunteer to be the vote compiler and would agree to keep the voters' identity private
• Only after the final version passes by a to-be-determined margin would it be included in the release
• After the deadline, album art is drawn up, the release is executed, and we all drink expensive champagne

That might be too harsh for the prevailing sensibilities in the community, though. Thoughts?

[AnthonyMorgan]

I overall agree with what's been said in the last few posts.

However, I'd prefer a simple abstract, imaginary theme to bring coherence to the album. In comparison, imposing styles or sounds would perhaps get in the way of the authors' musical identities. We each have our fortes and handicaps. I'd suggest taking a vast but clear subject, that allows authors to each pick their part from it and interpret it the way they want. For example Greek mythology -> each song is dedicated to a god or hero; two authors can't pick the same, of course, so we'll need some organization there. Or historical events -> each song depicts a major historical event, then the track list is arranged chronologically from ancient times to present days. Or a stupid one like kitchen utensils -> each song is dedicated to the fabulous adventures of a particular kitchen utensil. Anyway you get the idea. There are many possibilities.

[Rocco]

I overall agree with what's been said in the last few posts.

. . . For example Greek mythology -> each song is dedicated to a god or hero; two authors can't pick the same, of course, so we'll need some organization there. Or historical events -> each song depicts a major historical event, then the track list is arranged chronologically from ancient times to present days. Or a stupid one like kitchen utensils -> each song is dedicated to the fabulous adventures of a particular kitchen utensil. Anyway you get the idea. There are many possibilities.

Such a great concept! Let's do the solar system! That provides plenty of options, even beyond just the planets (Though they should probably all be represented on the album, of course). It could be a nod to Holst, who undertook the same project almost a century ago.

[Kris Troutman]

The only thing that has me concerned now is the quality control. I think it would be a best bet, that once things get going, to mention what would constitute in general for an entry to be acceptable, and what in general would constitute an entry for being denied. This way a person will mostly know in advance if they are going to be wasting their time or not.

Hopefully, this quality control is just to keep things sensible and isn't overly strict, seeing as this isn't a contest, but a project. Kinda on the iffy side there.

[Solaphar]

1. Is it for a mock game?

Personally, I'd be okay with doing this or not doing it. Either way is fine.

2. Should there be a consistent style?

I think maybe it should strive to have some sort of consistency, but not one that limits originality or uniqueness, as Kris touched on before.

3. Should we strive for a uniform sound? (ie. all use the same samples/sounds)

I think I'd be opposed to this. No need to limit to a specific sample set. If your aim in this is to make sure everyone has a bare-minimum quality level, then just hand out free good samples to those who need them.

4. Will there be a quality control process, and if so, will it be pass/fail or feedback-based.

I don't like the idea of excluding people. IF something isn't up to standard, help the person fix it until it is. This shouldn't be like just another contest where people are overly judged. That will just result in drama and grief so I'd like to suggest that this be an inclusive album.

There's a lot of subjective evaluation in what constitutes quality anyway.

mention what would constitute in general for an entry to be acceptable, and what in general would constitute an entry for being denied.

I agree with Troutman. But I'd say make the quality-control guidelines very specific and stated clearly up-front.

And no changing them around either. Anything that falls within the specific guidelines passes. No arbitrary exclusion allowed. It should not be like a contest.

[AnthonyMorgan]

That's really what I've been planning for this other contest: pass/fail system. It's like a project, with some contest mechanics used as quality control. (Still not sure if I should call it "contest" or "project". Maybe "conject" or "protest"??)

Now what would be the best way to apply this for the album? First, what is the quality control objective: excluding only the songs that have nothing to do with the theme (the "troll" songs)? and/or excluding the songs most people dislike musically? A score margin could be used, or yes/no votes. Panel or community. What do you think? I think communal yes/no votes would be good, provided people don't vote no too easily and understand the criteria well enough. In the end it shouldn't be strict and you should only vote no if you honestly want the song to be discarded. In that regard, I'd say if a song gets 50% yes and 50% no, it still counts as a yes.