Embedded Files
Stack-a-Tune™ is a collaborative challenge for composer members on the VGM Lounge Discord. Everyone is invited to join in the fun! This is a true collaboration in that it takes many composers to create a finished track, and the person that starts the first layer has no real control over what the following composers in the chain will add. Its a total surprise where the composition will go, and it really opens up the creative flow. It doesn't take long to create a layer, so it is a quick fun challenge to participate in. Stacks will build over time and there is no real deadline - we will cap a track once it sounds done. :-)
Like layers of a cake, a Stack-a-Tune is built up layer by layer. The idea is that anyone that wants to participate can create a one line composition up to one minute long, using one instrument or percussion set - but it must be composed in midi. You can use any program as long as it exports to audio and midi! When you are done post your layer to the #stack-a-tune-submissions channel as an audio stem (.wav, .ogg or mp3 file) PLUS a midi file of that line. The midi file makes it easier for other people to lock into your tracks tempo and key.
You must post one starter layer first of your own creation (Layer 1 - L01) before you can pick up anyone else's stack and add a layer to it. (Don't add to the end, create a parallel new track. See the image below.) You can only add one layer to any stack, but you can start several stacks (maybe 2-3 open at a time is ok).
A stack can only be worked on by one person at a time, and it can be claimed using the bot commands in the #stack-a-tune-bot channel (see below). Create your one line before passing it on by submitting it back to the #stack-a-tune-submissions channel and hitting the thumbs-up to confirm your submission. The bot will then add that to the tracking records for that stack.
Another person can then pick up the stack and add their layer (audio + midi), rinse and repeat until we have a fully formed music track. Everyone that is participating gets to add one line to everyone else's tracks, should they wish. Hopefully at the end we have a bunch of tracks to put up as an album/s on our YouTube channel.
Example of 5 layers for a Stack
Example of 5 layers for a Stack
Here is a sample stack being combined by the 5th person in the chain. The first 4 layers have been loaded into a DAW as audio files. (The midi files can also be loaded for reference.) The 5th layer is being composed in midi, and will be exported out as a single audio stem (just by itself). All the stems will be later combined and mixed to create the final music track.
(If you are having trouble getting all the audio stems to load into your DAW, let us know and we can create a combined track of existing layers that you can use as the reference for your layer.)
Naming Convention - This is very Important
Naming Convention - This is very Important
Filenames are VERY important to allow the bot to work its magic. The file naming convention is...
SaT.[Discord name of the original creator].[Level].[Instrument]
So an example for the first layer would be:
SaT.dGecko.L01.Drums
The second layer (added by a different member) would be:
SaT.dGecko.L02.Strings
and so on. So the file always keeps the name of the starting composer, and just adds the level and the instrument added.
If you wish to start another track just append a number (_02, _03, etc) after your name.... such as SaT.dGecko_02.L01.Pads
You can see all the stats using the bot command !status all
And you can claim a stack to add to by using the bot command !claim [stack] [layer]
Finally the bot can provide links to the stack layers to help your find them.
All Commands: Run in #stack-a-tune-bot channel
All Commands: Run in #stack-a-tune-bot channel
!Claim [Stack Name] [Stack Level] Claims the stack and level given and messages the claimer the previous audio/midi files
!Unclaim [Stack Name] [Stack Level] Unclaims the stack and level given so others can claim it. Only admins and the person who claimed the stack can unclaim it. Use this if you change your mind.
!Status all Shows an overview of all stacks, claimed, unclaimed, and finished
!Status [Stack Name] Shows a detailed timeline of the stack given. Shows the instruments and the people who worked on each layer
!Links [Stack Name] Posts links to the audio and midi files from all the layers of the stack.
Getting and Posting Tracks: In #Stack-a-Tune-Submissions channel.
Getting and Posting Tracks: In #Stack-a-Tune-Submissions channel.
To start a new track:
To start a new track:
Create you track - just one layer and then export the new layer as both a midi file and an audio file of just your layer. Please upload both files.
Post the two files to the #stack-a-tune-submissions channel. Make sure you have the naming convention of the tracks right!! The bot will check in the new track and make it available for the next person to claim.
To add to an existing track:
To add to an existing track:
Go to the #stack-a-tune-submissions channel and find the download the midi and audio files for all the layers you want to work on so you can load them into your DAW.
Create your new track.
Export the new layer as both a midi file and an audio file of just your layer. Please upload both files.
Post the two files to the #stack-a-tune-submissions channel. Make sure you have the naming convention of the tracks right!! The bot will check in the new track and make it available for the next person to claim.
To make it easier a StackInProgress file will be published from time to time of the full stack for each project to date, so you can just download that one file and add your track to it.
If you would like to participate in Stack-a-Tune join our Discord server here! Everyone is welcome to have a go, no matter your experience level. The final stem set for the published track will be selected based on what makes the track sound good, so if someone submits a joke or plainly awful layer, that won't necessarily be accepted into the final complied track, in respect of everyone else that has had a proper go at it. :-)
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