Let's create a basic electro loop using MilkyTracker!

Setting the song up

Let's set the BPM to 128 using the song and editing properties.

We'll keep the SPD at 6, since it's the standard setting.

We'll also name the song "my first song!", since it feels appropriate! :)

firstSong_1.mp4

Now, we'll select instrument 1, and load kick.wav into it using the disk operations window, by selecting the "Type" as "Sample".

All of these samples are available in the res/samples folder in the repo.

We'll select instrument 2 either from the instrument menu or by using the Sh+DownArrow keyboard shortcut.

We'll, similarly as for instrument 1, load snare.wav in the second instrument slot.

We'll load closed_hat.wav into the third instrument slot.

Right-clicking, or double-left-clicking, on the instrument slots in the instrument menu, will let us rename the instruments.

Let's name them "Kick", "Snare" and "Closed hat", respectivelly.

firstSong_2.mp4

Now, let's generate a synth using the square wave generator.

Let's select instrument 4, open the sample editor using Ctrl+S, and generate a new square wave. We'll do this by generating 32 samples, and a square wave of 1 period, at 25% volume. We'll set the looping mode to "Forward".

We'll name it "Synth" in the instrument menu. Let's also name the sample "Synth" from the sample menu, just so that we know which slot it is occupying.

firstSong_3.mp4

We'll edit instrument 4 in the instrument editor, by making the Fadeout set to 000, turning the volume envelope on, and creating a "plucky" sound using a volume falloff. We'll set the volume to 10.

firstSong_4.mp4

For the purposes of this example song, we have all the sounds we need!

Working on pattern 0

Using the pattern editor, let's generate a pattern that looks like this:

You can use Tilde and Sh+Tilde to ajdust Add.

You wanna set it to 4.

Make sure wrapping is on by checking the common MT options toggle window.

Hit Home to move to the top of the pattern.

Use the arrow keys, Tab and Sh+Tab to navigate to the first track's first cell's note section.

Then, hold Q. You'll place kicks on each 4th bar of the first track.

You can do the same with the other instruments!

Adding another pattern

Then, let's clone the pattern, using the CLN button in the song arranger.

Let's just add a snare to the end, like how I've done here.

The change is highlighted in red.

Arranging the song

Now, let's use the song arranger so that we have the following song structure:

ORDER | PATTERN
    0 | 00
    1 | 01
    2 | 00
    3 | 01

We'll start with this structure:

ORDER | PATTERN
    0 | 00
    1 | 01

Let's click on the pattern 0 | 00 and then click Ins. twice. We'll get the following:

ORDER | PATTERN
    0 | 00
    1 | 00
    2 | 00
    3 | 01

Then, click on 1 | 00 and the + under the Ins. button. We'll get the desired song structure named at the start of the section.

Saving the song

Now, let's save the song using the disk operator window. We're setting the type to "Module" and saving an XM module. Let's name the export "my-first-song.xm"!