Schism Tracker Tutorial

I will do my best to answer any additional questions in the comments below.

[@yuta5926]

you are doing god's work, Its much easier to understand then reading the manual. Thank you

[@ChristopherVossArt]

You are welcome! I was unaware there was a manual. I learned all of this through brute force as a teenager.

[@Tftmt]

A long while ago I wanted to start on using this. An issue arose, though, as I was exceedingly unfamiliar with it. I used it for a while, figuring some things out with prior knowledge of some trackers I used to use. I stopped using it, went off to something else, but after a long while I realized that to save space on a PC CD Rom based game I'm working on, I could use tracker music. So, I come here now to learn it again, and see if there was anything I missed. I apparently missed half of the tracker's functions! So thank you for this tutorial, now I can get to work!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

You are welcome! I'm glad you found it. If you want to generate some, square, and triangle waves there is a function for that in Audacity. You can then import the samples.

[@Tftmt]

​@@ChristopherVossArtYep, already have some samples from my synthesizer! And thank you again. This tutorial has been a godsend.

[@ZionsWorld]

My older brother is really into mixing music, so I can't wait to show him what I could cook up with on this program. Thank you very much. I'll look forward to using this for future references~

[@illyasoniii]

Hello good sir from the past, i wish to tread down a similar path, and reach proper enlightenment such as one yourself

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@illyasoniii time, effort, determination. I hope you practice these.

[@subliminallabs]

Alt+B will set the "Beginning of Selection" and Alt+E will select the "End Of Selection" depending on where your cursor is. Beginning is always upper left and end always lower right.

[@oitsjay7273]

Thank you for the upload this helped me a lot with trying to use my first tracker. Can't wait for your next videos!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

No problem. I can get on that in a week or two.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

meaning never. Ha! I have poor follow through.

[@cybertiesje]

@@ChristopherVossArt It's not too late! I think this is the only IT tutorial on KZbin. We need to suck the knowledge from your head somehow :'(

[@Synthematix]

Did you just assume i don't use a floppy drive?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

I've had sensitivity training in this, but I suppose old habits die hard. I am deeply sorry I made this assumption and respect whatever digital portable storage methods you prefer.

[@subliminallabs]

Good tutorial, coming from a VERY seasoned (1995) pro in Schism/Impulse/Scream Tracker (and then some)

[@ChristopherVossArt]

thank you my freind!

[@subliminallabs]

F1 is your FRIEND! Mostly for the F2 menu when you want to know the effects column information because I can seriously never remember how J works or which direction is up or down on stuff I barely use. For instance J being JXY Arpeccio with Halftones X and Y... so you can make "chords" out of it, giving it a halftone up in two harmonious notes will make a "Chord" out of it. Fun!

[@CC-fi3pp]

This looks aestheticly better than fasttracker/milky, nice! & I do use floppy on my XP PC, I have an Akai S950.

[@Saturnit3]

Love those keyboard noises

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Tactility!

[@SingleCoil]

Great job, dude! Awesome Chiptune maker!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

thank you

[@WimHamhuis]

i did have ST3 tracker a while ago. This looks very similar.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Most trackers share a common vocabulary. Once you know one, you can easily pick up others.

[@LouigiVerona]

This is Schsim tracker which is a modern version of Impulse Tracker, which itself was based on ST3

[@mar_katje]

Godspeed brother, I was really confused and overwhelmed with the app and you made everything really simple! Looking forward to making jams Also are you going to make an effects video?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Yeah, I can do that.

[@jumbledfox2098]

Thanks so much for this brilliant tutorial!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

If you get stuck on anything, feel free to come back here with any questions.

[@jumbledfox2098]

@@ChristopherVossArt Thanks! I'm really proud of what I've made so far and I have you to thank!

[@tmpqtyutmpqty4733]

I used to create with it as a kid back in the 90s, too bad I lost all of my work!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

I lost 2 years of work about 9 years ago. Broke my heart, so I feel you.

[@Fantastic-Fish]

Thanks for the tutorial :), you just earned a sub.

[@bigmax9640]

Hey thanks, you reminded me of a few shortcuts that I'd forgotten about. Also, can you remember how to set your colour palette (Main Menu> Settings Menu> Palette Editor) so its permanent, like, every time you open the program so its something different to baby poo brown? Also, I'd love it if you could remind me of the shortcut for highlighting a whole pattern. I think it's > Hold Shift + ???< Thanks muchly.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

It's CTRL+F12. Once you have adjusted your colour pallete, hit F12, scroll to bottom Save All Preferences. And yes, you hold down shift and select what you want.

[@bigmax9640]

Ahh, that's tremendous, thank you. I adjusted the colour palette and quit then opened it again and the colours were back to how I had set them. Much more pleasant to work with, thank you. Thanks for the rapid response too. With regards to my second question, what I meant was that, if memory serves me, there was a keyboard shortcut to "instantly" highlight an entire pattern, ie: all 64 channels and 00 to 63 rows so you could duplicate a whole pattern easily, paste it to the next pattern and make adjustments rather then hold shift and dragging the cursor over the areas that are to be duplicated. It's was a massive time saver... Any ideas? Thanks again.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Yeah, I don't know on that one. You can trying F2 then F1 and scroll through the extended list of commands. Couldn't find what I was looking for but may have missed it.

[@bigmax9640]

Ahh, thanks anyway, really appreciate it. If anyone else knows the answer, or any other nifty time saving shortcuts then drop a reply. Shout-out to the trackers from way back, Jeffrey Lim and whoever coded IT so it works on modern computers... Frickin' genius. Cheers.

[@RenatoNunesBastos]

Very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

thank you

[@naxin9414]

Did you create the sample pack or is it available for download somewhere? I still don't get how to create instruments...

[@SquirrelMonkeyCom]

You steal them from .mod, .xm, .stm, .it and .s3m music files or you import wav-files as instruments.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@SquirrelMonkeyCom thats what I've done for the majority of my tracking. I've never seriously tried creating samples from scratch, other than importing random files (any type, including .zip) and then tuning their frequencies.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Look up Chiptone! Is a great chip sound synthesis program. You can export them as .wav and import in Schism Tracker.

[@martinhardy7659]

Is this the forerunner of FastTracker which has Key Z to M as White Piano Keys and A to L Black Keys?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Affirmative.

[@ilich650]

Nice! Please make some tutorials about instruments and effects =)

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Ok 👍

[@valentinblavette11]

Amazing video for beginners !! I have an essential question, how can i switch between volume and panning column in a channel ? (Can't see this shortcut in Help). Thanks!!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Tab

[@valentinblavette11]

@@ChristopherVossArt Just find out, just need to push the "²" in the volume column to switch betwen volume and panning

[@expploe]

wich format do the samples have to be

[@EaTStu]

How the heck did you get this to run so well? Dosbox just does not cope well with more complicates songs, and the vitrual machines ive tried keep getting jumbled text for video. (the vitrual handbook didn't help much). Also should mention, im using Impulse tracker, which is essentially the same.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Depends on your version of windows. Schism Tracker is essentially a clone for windows so I would recommend it vs emulation. You also have the added benefit of exporting .wav files.

[@michaeldimaria]

Thank you for the tutorial, how do I get to view that mini piano roll-like display (with the white dots) on F5 screen as opposed to the full info view?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

you can hit insert to add a panel on the playback screen.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

then pg up or pg down to cycle through the playback screens, and tab to navigate between them

[@Fantastic-Fish]

This guy's reading comments years after the video was released.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@Fantastic-Fish there is no manual for this and I spent a lot of time as a teenager figuring out how it worked. It's very niche, and I want to give everyone a chance to make their own music for free.

[@Toad32208]

I don't know if it's just me, or the samples I found but every time I press F5 or F6 I hear nothing, though when I place them in channels I do hear a sample sound, maybe I'm just dumb

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Sometimes this happens when you import samples and they are loaded as instruments. Scroll through the f4 screen checking each of the slots. When you find the one that plays back the sample, then go to the f2 screen. There are some things I don't understand myself, but mostly because I haven't looked into the reason why. I just found work arounds.

[@Kvmio]

@@ChristopherVossArt how can i make mp3 or wav of it files?

[@staz3014]

Cool, now play schism on the schism tracker

[@daredaron3843]

how can i find any midi samples or effects that i can use or where did you find yours?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Chiptone is a free program that can generate and export samples. You can also go to modarchive dot org, download songs, open them up in schism tracker and see how they handle FX.

[@getstickbuggedd]

How do I add samples to the library? I have some .wav files but whenever I hit enter in the samples list the app always crashes...

[@ChristopherVossArt]

F3, empty slot, enter, find the wav, enter again. If this isn't working, the wav file may be too big.

[@CarryWS]

what is the connection between the "Initial Tempo" and "Initial Speed" to the BPM?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@CarryWS I could be wrong and often am, but initial tempo indicates BPM. You could verify this with a simple metronome or click track at a known BPM versus a click track made through some simple inputs on the F2 screen.

[@CarryWS]

​@@ChristopherVossArt now i discovered that when Initial Speed is 6, the tempo is BPM. thanks for figure me out.

[@bansku1137]

sometimes when i do the ctrl + N and keep samples thing, the samples don't make any sound once in a pattern, and can be only heard when previewing them in F3. can't preview them in the F2 pattern editor either.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

You have to keep both samples and instruments. If they aren't playing in f2, go to the f4 screen and play each bank until you can find where they are actually located. I'm not sure why this happens specifically, but that is the workaround.

[@kernmasse1189]

lul i used it almost 30 years ago... time is running so hard.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

ralle yeah it was 1999 when I got into it. Good times.

[@ReinOwader]

Can you make tutorial how to make instrument yourself?

[@subliminallabs]

ANYTHING can be an instrument. The key is, what you want to get out of it. Looping a part of a sample is EASY in this program. Percussion is usually one hits, but if you want a constant lead sound or long pad, you can loop forward or ping pong and set the exact bit where the start and end of the loop is, making for a very powerful sampling system. On top of that you can set envelopes very easily, and create entire "instruments" selecting whichever sample you want at whatever note you want, giving you the ability to have C0-C3 be only a bass sample and everything above be a lead, or set each note to a different drum sample so you can play a keyboard drumkit. Envelopes on longer looped samples let you totally shape things like sinewaves into complete instruments. A short decay into a low volume fading out makes a nice bell sound. You can put a long decay so the sample fades slowly. There's note triggers where when the next note appears in the pattern in the same channel the previous note playing fades out or does a thing at a specified rate. It's the ultimate way to manually shape samples.

[@Tekunikaru]

@@subliminallabs Yeah well, nice to read but how?! I remember I always edited my samples but I can't remember how I got them there! I remember I had to do a specific action in order to get the samples I loaded into F3 also in F4.. If that makes any sense. And now I'm back after a decade and it's like I have to start all over again! Sooo my F4 section is empty, there's nothing to select so what am I doing wrong? Long story, short question :p Thanks in advance!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@Tekunikaru I am more familiar with samples than instruments. f4 screen was a mystery to me as I used this program heavily in the early 2000s as a means to an end. I had no helps in understanding how things worked, just lots of trial and error. The f4 screen seems to be more versatile in manipulation than the f3.

[@jlewis_yt]

I have a question about midis, I see in the settings that it can output to Microsoft GS wavetable synth but I don't see a place to put the midi notes, only the notes for the tracker part, I want to make music for Doom which you usually want in midi format (though more advanced ports like Gzdoom can support others) so I was wondering where you can put midi notes and not IT ones

[@ChristopherVossArt]

I am sorry for this frustratingly delayed response. I don't know how to answer that question. I am by no means an expert, just a casual user of the program. I hope you have been able to research it and discover how on your own.

[@paiopappk3101]

Hey man cool tutorial, But I have a problem. Every time when I delete a note the all Channel go dow. How I fix It. There are some key to help me?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Insert key

[@SidMassiveXM]

I used FastTracker2 back in the day, it had a generator where you could create basic waveform samples, does Schism have this feature or you have to load all your samples like you did in the video? Does this sample pack come with the tracker? Funny how you save the module with entire pack in it, it must be heavy)) I remember trying to stick a 2 minute XM song into 15kb and 4 channels just to brag that it's possible!

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Yes, it has a waveform generator on the f4 screen. You can start with a blank slate and go to f3 screen, hit enter on any blank space and import samples that way. I usually just keep one file that has everything I need to pick and choose from when I create something new. I realize my tutorial is rather basic. It was made four years ago and recently reuploaded for a friend.

[@marx2889]

i dunno if im dumb or not but how do i actually access the instruments? i can't find them

[@Notso94]

How do you load samples and instruments into schism tracker? Every source of info I find it seems like it’s assumed knowledge so no help there

[@ChristopherVossArt]

go to an empty sample bank, hit enter, then search for the sample. When you find it, hit enter again and it will import it into the song. It's not good practice, but you can also "rip" samples from other modules. Schism tracker will also generate waveforms from non audio file types. I wrote a song using .dlls and .exe amoung other things. They can be tuned on the f3 screen.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@Goonhead .it stands for impluse tracker file. Other common chiptune files are .xm and .mod. You can export as a .wav file if you want. You can have a library to pull from, but each instrument or sample you want in a song file needs to be added individually.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@Goonhead From what I remember yes you can save it out to other formats as well. I dont know if other trackers open .it files (modplug does). You can open and play xm, mod ,s3m (scream tracker) but default file type is .it. You can change how is sounds on the f12 screen.

[@BananaPhoPhilly]

Is there a way to copy an entire pattern with a command? I've been trying to figure this out to avoid wasting time copying 5 channels at a time lol

[@cl9826]

How we save color change? Every time I open the program have to change colors again?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

f12, bottom button "save all preferences"

[@adamhajnal4758]

Is there any possible way to shift between patterns without the "+" & "-" keys??? My laptop doesn't have those :|

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Plugging in a usb or Bluetooth keyboard that does. What kind of laptop do you have?

[@linusbjork623]

Is there a reason why trackers are used a lot in chiptunes (like ones in your videos) but not in conventional music (Kygo’s, Alan Walker’s, etc.)? I think trackers could really help anyone (from non-famous to famous) make music in a very straightforward way. Besides, modern trackers can handle samples of (almost) any form; I’ve even tried putting my voice as an instrument and it worked crystal clear! In spite of that, it seems trackers aren’t heard of or ever used in conventional music. Why? Maybe it’s because of the user interface, but could there be some other reasons? Speaking of which, is it actually possible to use trackers like Schism to compose and play modules that are of the same timbre and quality as modern, main-stream music (just think of 2017 pop)? In other words, is it technically capable of doing such things?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

The answer is yes, they can make modern music. My thoughts also lead to user interface as a major roadblock in the way to trackers becoming more mainsteam. They are powerful, free, and can handle a lot. There is a learning curve just like any other software, but I feel that if it isn't point and click it tends to be pushed to the side.

[@inf0tr8r]

polyend tracker :) it is now in hardware format and taking off again !

[@untilde]

Just historical reasons!

[@d1ssolv3r]

I feel like their underground following will only grow. Here I am, a new tracker user who has used FL for over a decade and wanted something different, and actually really liking the workflows and things you can do

[@IntrinsicViolet]

"Speaking of which, is it actually possible to use trackers like Schism to compose and play modules that are of the same timbre and quality as modern, main-stream music?" Probably not with oldschool trackers like Schism. But there is a modern tracker called Renoise that has advanced, DAW-like features such as VST plugin support, and built-in effects such as reverb, filters, and compressors.

[@nosebeareatsfudge3275]

can you please help me remember, what keys should you press, so that you can insert notes in realtime as the pattern plays?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

F3 to scroll to desired instrument, F2 to pattern edit screen, move to desired location with arrow keys, input. F6 to loop current pattern.

[@y.5107]

@@ChristopherVossArt I am wondering, and I think OP thought the same, if it is possible to play notes while the pattern loops and schism tracker automatically inserts the tones to the right location depending on the time you pressed the tone. By the way, thanks for the video.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@y.5107 You can stay on the f3 or f4 screen and live improv over a track, but it will not be recorded.

[@atetraxx]

You never showed how to load samples probably the most important part of a beginner tutorial. Also didn't go over how to add patterns much.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

If you want to load a sample, hit enter on a blank sample space on the f3 screen. If you want to add patterns, go to the f11 screen. If you want to create your own samples, try Chiptone! It's free (donations welcome of course). There are deficiencies in the tutorial. Hopefully those struggling with what you mentioned with find this comment section helpful.

[@atetraxx]

@@ChristopherVossArt hey thanks man! this is a huge help. I was frustrated. Good tutorial

[@Jerricoking]

How do you make custom sounds

[@ChristopherVossArt]

you'll have to experiment with f3 and f4 screens. Load in any kind of soundwave, then start to manipulate the variables. I promise you wont break anything by doing so. It's fun and informative to make mistake in the process of learning.

[@andrewstackhouse7320]

how to load samples

[@subliminallabs]

There's a comment on that below.

[@cl9826]

Can we have that IT file with all the samples already in there?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

go to modarchive.org, download any song, ctrl+N, keep samples and instruments. Voila, blank canvas! It's generally frowned upon to rip samples, but I see it as necessary when you are first starting and just need to learn how the program works.

[@GearHzMusic]

any idea what file type it takes for a sample?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

.wav, .mp3, etc.

[@fuzzycat5080]

Can you share a link or the files of your samples? I cant seem to find any free ones online

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Fuzzy Cat modarchive dot org is a great resource

[@distar7471]

I literally have no samples for some reason.

[@ChristopherVossArt]

The first link when googling "schism tracker sample library" should bring answer to your question.

[@Anklejbiter]

@@ChristopherVossArt So I got the samples, but for some reason they still aren't showing up. any solutions?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

@@Anklejbiter you need to import the samples. F3 screen, hit enter on any of the blank slots, navigate to the directory where you've stored the samples, find which one you want, and then hit enter again.

[@TheMrSalamandre]

Hi, where can I find sample for this tracker?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

modarchive.org download any module, should be full of samples. That or you can create or import your own.

[@TheMrSalamandre]

@@ChristopherVossArt thanks

[@Bot-nu8jw]

How do you get notes longer than one beat?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Depends on the instrument or sample. A lot of chiptune is sustained samples with custom edits on decay and panning.

[@modernsoftware9129]

Приду, когда выучу английский (

[@Jerricoking]

I just can't Use F6 to go inside of menu used F3 to go to the music operator then hold control car and F2 Lol

[@ChristopherVossArt]

?

[@Jerricoking]

It's just that it's kind of confusing when you have to always use the F keys and remember which one does witch but I kind of found out that by right-clicking you it pops up this screen that Kind of has everything there

[@ban6809]

Everybody's saying they get this, but i have no idea what's going on. Does everyone here have an IQ of 1000 or something?

[@ChristopherVossArt]

Sounds like a follow up video is in order

[@andrewstackhouse7320]

where are the smp's

[@ChristopherVossArt]

?

[@user-ts5mn9lh4t]

почему субтитров нет блть

[@Kvmio]

чтобы инглиш учил