Well, newcomer to this forum, and i must say, it's quite cool.
Just recently my friend has decided to create an rpg in rpgmaker, and we agreed that I would be the composer, so these are the first songs I've composed for it, and, coincidentally, the first songs I really felt i've *tried* to compose.
Waking up is, understandably, the song when the main character wakes up in the beginning of the game, at which point he goes out to the Castle (he's a prince). I ended up composing Castle in the style of Motoi Sakuraba (Tales series, Star Ocean, Baten Kaitos, etc.) for some reason. Then I composed Meeting, which I intended to be used as the tune for when the hero and heroine first meet. And, finally, Flightless Wings. I guess it's just a random event tune. I have no idea where i'll use it, and i didn't compose it with a certain place in mind, but i guess it'll be used at a sad event.

I do have some questions too.
First of all, I'm using a program called Cakewalk, and I definately find my composition choices limited. I was thinking of getting Sibelius, but I was wondering if there's anything a bit cheaper first:heh:

Also, and most importantly, how do I get better midi sounds, and, even more importantly, drums? Sorry if this is a stupid question:\ . I'm aware that all the instruments that I use sound really... artificial.

Just a few more thoughts:
I'm also aware that all the songs are really short, and they are intended to loop, that's why some may cut off abruptly. Also, being that I am just beginning, I am purposefully starting with basic compositions and harmonies, I just hope they hold through.
Oh, and these four songs are in the order I composed them.
Thanks.

Drums are complicating only when you have just started. Drums are easy once you know how to work them. If you could tell me what program your using I might be able to help. Try combining flightless wings and castle together, you never know.

Sorry try using noteworthy composer instead of cake walk, it might be only a 30 day trial but its get you involved in melodies, harmony's, and the sound of midi instruments. They made the saxophones a bad rep. Tenor sounds ugly

you want to compose for a game, first base all of your songs around one very instictive battle beats. Battle beats should be repitive containing wierd instruments during a 16-32 note back beat with a melody in the middle which can be looped and fit perfectly in to place. I encourage you to not use the ones I posted because I did them about 3 years ago. So wait on it.

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear enough with my question on drums.:\
I meant, how would I be able to use drums in Cakewalk Music Creator (<- program name). When I choose which instrument to use, I don't have a drum set to pick from. I think it's something to do with there not being a drum set in general midi, but how do i get to something that's not general midi?

Also, I don't quite understand what you mean by combining Flightless Wings and Castle. Do you mean to add the Flightless Wings melody after the Castle melody?

do you have an email adress so I can send you a quick beat I just made.

you dont have to

Like copy the one song like castle and then play both at the same time. Thats what I do when I create songs. It form new music. Just try it.

There's lots of room form improvemnt. The Castle song was acceptable, except the warm-pad was too loud, IMO. ;)

Heres this beat. Battle

The drums all you have to do is switch it to channel 10 and each line is a different beat.

Heres what I was talking about when I said combine flight with castle. Its kinda nifty. Parts have to be clarified. But it sounds almost what it should.

First off, the "combined" is ANNOYING. Next of all, stop double-posting! Also, this isn't your composition thread, so it's against the rules to carry on something you're doing personally with the other dude (solid278) in this thread! Geesh!

gosh i didn't know you cared so much, why not try actually answering his questions and help instead of critiqe us both. Now your right but I just want to help.

Tasmanian -

Please change that signature. I'm sorry, but it's freakin' huge!

Sorry if I disrupted this post, I just had to say that after scrolling down a page that is twice as long as it should be.

Ok, well, I'm happy to know that you consider "Castle" acceptable, at least:heh:
I think I'm going to put most of my efforts into composing a song for this Spring contest for now.
And I get drums when I put it to channel 10. I'm happy I *finally* know how to get them.
So is there any way for me to get, more specifically, better string sounds? All the ones I have now sound like... a mouse is dying.:\

Working with middi sucks, But there are some great qualities, and no there isn't, unless most people have a 100 dollar midi sound card. Dont worry about though.

Most standard soundcards support new soundfonts (the new sound for you strings, etc..). So the whole 100 dollar soundcard thing is a lie.

There are specific ones to better the sound which cause 100 dollar and that sound much better than standard ones. So just because the standard soundcards support new sound fonts is all true but it aing the best, and rather you critiques what I said try helping solid out.

All that I'm saying is that I have a crap card and I can produce compositions with higher quality than most people using Gigastudio. A combination of soundfonts and a good software is all you need really.