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Difference between revisions of "Authoring"

From RBN/C3 Documentation

 
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<div class="row">
 
<div class="row">
 
   <div class="large-6 columns">
 
   <div class="large-6 columns">
<p>'''[[Audio Setup]]''' </p>
+
<p>'''[[Audio Setup]]''' <br/>
<p>The stems needed for Rock Band and how to make them. How to combine multiple instruments stems into a playable stem.</p>
+
The stems needed for Rock Band and how to make them. How to combine multiple instruments stems into a playable stem.
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-6 columns">
 
   <div class="large-6 columns">
<p>'''[[Mix and MIDI Setup]]''' </p>
+
<p>'''[[Mix and MIDI Setup]]''' <br/>
<p>How to setup your Reaper project. How to mix stems, prepare your MIDI file, create a tempo map and other basic considerations:</p>
+
How to setup your Reaper project. How to mix stems, prepare your MIDI file, create a tempo map and other basic considerations:</p>
 
*EVENTS Track
 
*EVENTS Track
 
*Crowd Animations
 
*Crowd Animations
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<div class="row">
 
<div class="row">
   <div class="large-3 columns">
+
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
+
<p>'''[[Drum Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about Drums (including Pro Drums markers).
<p>'''[[Drum Authoring]]:''' Information about Drums (including Pro Drums markers).</p>
+
  </div>
 +
  <div class="large-4 columns">
 +
<p>'''[[Guitar and Bass Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about standard 5-button Guitar and Bass tracks. ''(Pro Guitar is not currently supported in RBN).''
 +
  </div>
 +
  <div class="large-4 columns">
 +
<p>'''[[5 Lane Keyboard Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about Keys, the "basic" or "normal" keyboard mode.
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
  <div class="large-3 columns">
+
</div>
  
<p>'''[[Guitar and Bass Authoring]]:''' Information about standard 5-button Guitar and Bass tracks. ''(Pro Guitar is not currently supported in RBN).''</p>
+
<div class="row">
 +
  <div class="large-4 columns">
 +
<p>'''[[Vocal Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about vocals authoring in general.
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
   <div class="large-3 columns">
+
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
+
<p>'''[[Harmony Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about 2- and 3-part harmony vocals tracks.
<p>'''[[5 Lane Keyboard Authoring]]:''' Information about Keys, the "basic" or "normal" keyboard mode.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
   <div class="large-3 columns">
+
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
+
<p>'''[[Lyrics and Spelling]]:''' <br/>Details about lyrics and spelling for vocals authoring.
<p>'''[[Vocal Authoring]]:''' Information about vocals authoring in general.</p>
 
<p>'''[[Harmony Authoring]]:''' Information about 2- and 3-part harmony vocals tracks.</p>
 
<p>'''[[Lyrics and Spelling]]:''' Details about lyrics and spelling for vocals authoring.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="row">
 
<div class="row">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Pro Guitar</p>
+
<p>'''[[Pro Guitar Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about authoring Pro Guitar and Bass tracks.
<p>'''[[Pro Guitar Authoring]]:''' Information about authoring Pro Guitar and Bass tracks.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Pro Keys</p>
+
<p>'''[[Pro Keyboard Authoring]]:''' <br/>Information about Pro Keys, Rock Band 3's two-octave keyboard mode.
<p>'''[[Pro Keyboard Authoring]]:''' Information about Pro Keys, Rock Band 3's two-octave keyboard mode.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Pro Drums</p>
+
<p>'''[[Drum Authoring]]''' <br/>Includes authoring for Pro drum markers.
<p>'''[[Drum Authoring]]''' includes authoring for Pro drum markers.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="row">
 
<div class="row">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Unison Phrase Setup</p>
+
<p>'''[[Unison Phrase Setup]]:''' <br/>How to setup an action to copy phrase markers between MIDI tracks.
<p>'''[[Unison Phrase Setup]]:''' How to setup an action to copy phrase markers between MIDI tracks.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Overdrive Authoring Setup</p>
+
<p>'''[[Overdrive Authoring]]:''' <br/>Some practical tips for authoring Overdrive in Reaper.
<p>'''[[Overdrive Authoring]]:''' Some practical tips for authoring Overdrive in Reaper.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Overdrive and BRE</p>
+
<p>'''[[Overdrive and Big Rock Endings]]:''' <br/>Information about Overdrive (for all parts) and Big Rock Endings.
<p>'''[[Overdrive and Big Rock Endings]]:''' Information about Overdrive (for all parts) and Big Rock Endings.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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Practice mode allows players to practice individual sections of a song such as a solo, or bridge section. This section details how to author practice sections and provides a full list of text events for authoring.
 
Practice mode allows players to practice individual sections of a song such as a solo, or bridge section. This section details how to author practice sections and provides a full list of text events for authoring.
  
<div class="row">
+
'''[[Practice Sections]]:''' <br/>Information about creating practice sections in the EVENTS track.
  <div class="large-6 columns">
+
 
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Practice Sections</p>
+
'''[[All Practice Sections]]:''' <br/>Seriously, it's a huge list!
<p>'''[[Practice Sections]]:''' Information about creating practice sections in the EVENTS track.</p>
 
  </div>
 
  <div class="large-6 columns">
 
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Practice Sections List</p>
 
<p>'''[[All Practice Sections]]:''' Seriously, it's a huge list.</p>
 
  </div>
 
</div>
 
  
 
== Venue ==
 
== Venue ==
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On top of authoring the playable parts, Rock Band 3 also lets you control how everything looks on-stage.
 
On top of authoring the playable parts, Rock Band 3 also lets you control how everything looks on-stage.
  
<div class="row">
+
'''[[RBN2 Camera And Lights|Camera and Lights]]:''' <br/>Describes how to author the VENUE track that controls in-game camera cuts, stage lighting, and post-processing effects.
  <div class="large-6 columns">
+
 
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Camera and Lights</p>
+
'''[[Venue Autogeneration]]:''' <br/>Information about Magma's venue autogeneration function (to be used in lieu of or in conjunction with manual venue authoring).
<p>'''[[RBN2 Camera And Lights|Camera and Lights]]:''' Describes how to author the VENUE track that controls in-game camera cuts, stage lighting, and post-processing effects.</p>
 
  </div>
 
  <div class="large-6 columns">
 
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Venue Autogeneration</p>
 
<p>'''[[Venue Autogeneration]]:''' Information about Magma's venue autogeneration function (to be used in lieu of or in conjunction with manual venue authoring).</p>
 
  </div>
 
</div>
 
  
 
== Misc. ==
 
== Misc. ==
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<div class="row">
 
<div class="row">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Common Authoring Mistakes</p>
+
<p>'''[[Common Authoring Mistakes]]:''' <br/>A list of many common mistakes that authors make during the process. Becoming familiar with this list may improve the quality of your submissions.
<p>'''[[Common Authoring Mistakes]]:''' A list of many common mistakes that authors make during the process. Becoming familiar with this list may improve the quality of your submissions.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Playtest Process</p>
+
<p>'''[[Playtest Process]]:''' <br/>Links to the different parts of the playtesting process for [[Guitar/Bass Review Process|guitar]], [[Drum Review Process|drums]], [[Vocal Review Process|vocals]], and [[Non-instrument Review Process|non-instruments]]. A good resource for those seeking to create a very solid submission.
<p>'''[[Playtest Process]]:''' Links to the different parts of the playtesting process; another good resource for those seeking to create a very solid submission.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
 
   <div class="large-4 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>Audition Mode</p>
+
<p>'''[[RBN2 Audition Mode|Audition Mode]]:''' <br/>Information on testing your song in Rock Band 3. We recommend testing your songs thoroughly before submitting them for public playtesting.
<p>'''[[RBN2 Audition Mode|Audition Mode]]:''' Information on testing your song in Rock Band 3. We recommend testing your songs thoroughly before submitting them for public playtesting.</p>
 
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="row">
 
<div class="row">
 
   <div class="large-12 columns">
 
   <div class="large-12 columns">
<p class="sub-head-color"></span>French Version / Version française</p>
+
<p>'''[[Authoring/fr|French Version/Version française]]'''.
<p>'''[[Authoring/fr|French Version/Version française]]'''.</p>
+
  </div>
 +
</div>
 +
==Rock Band 3 Deluxe==
 +
'''[[Additional Supported DTA Values]]'''
 +
 
 +
==Troubleshooting==
 +
 
 +
<div class="row">
 +
  <div class="large-4 columns">
 +
<p>[[Magma Compilation Errors|'''Magma''':]]<br/>
 +
A list of C3 and legacy Magma compilation errors and fixes.
 +
  </div>
 +
  <div class="large-4 columns">
 +
<p>[[CAT Troubleshooting|'''CAT''']]:<br/>
 +
The C3 CAT troubleshooting page.
 +
  </div>
 +
  <div class="large-4 columns">
 +
<p>[[Xbox 360 Troubleshooting|'''Xbox 360''':]]<br/>
 +
C3 page for troubleshooting for Rock Band error messages on the Xbox 360.
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
</div>
 
</div>

Latest revision as of 03:46, 8 November 2023

This area of the wiki discusses "authoring" songs for RBN -- the process by which Rock Band song packages are created. The links below discuss each step of the process in detail.

Before you create gameplay elements you will need to mix your song and set up your MIDI tracks to conform to Rock Band standards. Some careful attention at the beginning of the process will save you much time and heartache later on.

FAQ

Our FAQ contains answers to many frequently asked authoring questions.

Overview

To author songs for Rock Band: prepare your audio, create gameplay data, create a song package, and playtest the song.

1. Prepare Audio
Mix your song's multi-track recordings ("stems") for Rock Band. If you do not have stems use a high quality mp3 file.

2. Gameplay Data
Create all gameplay data as a MIDI file with Reaper or another Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

3. Package Song
Combine your audio (stems or mp3) and MIDI to create a song package with Magma.

4. Playtest Song
Playtest your song in Rock Band 3. Use Audition Mode if available.

Audio, Mix and MIDI Setup

This section contains information on audio and MIDI file setup for authoring.

Audio Setup
The stems needed for Rock Band and how to make them. How to combine multiple instruments stems into a playable stem.

Mix and MIDI Setup
How to setup your Reaper project. How to mix stems, prepare your MIDI file, create a tempo map and other basic considerations:

  • EVENTS Track
  • Crowd Animations
  • VENUE Track
  • BEAT Track

Authoring

This section discusses best practices for authoring, our standards for difficulty, the philosophy of how to create great gameplay tracks, and technical information about lyrics, animations, drums fills, and more.

Before authoring any gameplay elements, make sure that your audio and MIDI file are prepared as per the "Mix and MIDI Setup" section above.

5 Lane Instruments and Vocals

Drum Authoring:
Information about Drums (including Pro Drums markers).

Guitar and Bass Authoring:
Information about standard 5-button Guitar and Bass tracks. (Pro Guitar is not currently supported in RBN).

5 Lane Keyboard Authoring:
Information about Keys, the "basic" or "normal" keyboard mode.

Vocal Authoring:
Information about vocals authoring in general.

Harmony Authoring:
Information about 2- and 3-part harmony vocals tracks.

Lyrics and Spelling:
Details about lyrics and spelling for vocals authoring.

Pro Mode

Pro mode gives guitarists, keyboardists, and drummers a realistic playing experience.

Pro Guitar Authoring:
Information about authoring Pro Guitar and Bass tracks.

Pro Keyboard Authoring:
Information about Pro Keys, Rock Band 3's two-octave keyboard mode.

Drum Authoring
Includes authoring for Pro drum markers.

Overdrive and Big Rock Endings (BRE)

Documentation for authoring Overdrive phrases, Big Rock Endings, and Unison Phrase setup. Additional tips for authoring Overdrive are also provided.

Unison Phrase Setup:
How to setup an action to copy phrase markers between MIDI tracks.

Overdrive Authoring:
Some practical tips for authoring Overdrive in Reaper.

Overdrive and Big Rock Endings:
Information about Overdrive (for all parts) and Big Rock Endings.

Practice Sections

Practice mode allows players to practice individual sections of a song such as a solo, or bridge section. This section details how to author practice sections and provides a full list of text events for authoring.

Practice Sections:
Information about creating practice sections in the EVENTS track.

All Practice Sections:
Seriously, it's a huge list!

Venue

On top of authoring the playable parts, Rock Band 3 also lets you control how everything looks on-stage.

Camera and Lights:
Describes how to author the VENUE track that controls in-game camera cuts, stage lighting, and post-processing effects.

Venue Autogeneration:
Information about Magma's venue autogeneration function (to be used in lieu of or in conjunction with manual venue authoring).

Misc.

Other documentation you should review before submitting your song for playtesting.

Common Authoring Mistakes:
A list of many common mistakes that authors make during the process. Becoming familiar with this list may improve the quality of your submissions.

Playtest Process:
Links to the different parts of the playtesting process for guitar, drums, vocals, and non-instruments. A good resource for those seeking to create a very solid submission.

Audition Mode:
Information on testing your song in Rock Band 3. We recommend testing your songs thoroughly before submitting them for public playtesting.

Rock Band 3 Deluxe

Additional Supported DTA Values

Troubleshooting

Magma:
A list of C3 and legacy Magma compilation errors and fixes.

CAT:
The C3 CAT troubleshooting page.

Xbox 360:
C3 page for troubleshooting for Rock Band error messages on the Xbox 360.