Oh wow! So much equipment...!

Did you buy all of these, Kanade?

No, my dad used to be in the music business, so most of them originally belonged to him...

Your dad...?
I see.

Still, if I had this much equipment, I wouldn't know where to begin...

Actually, you'd be surprised...
More often than not, I end up using the same ones.

I'll try something different when I want to achieve a different sound... But I definitely have my favorites since I don't seem to mix well with some of them...

Interesting...

Anyway, Hoshino, what would you like to ask me? About how to create a melody? Or about using software...?

Oh, right. Um... I'm having several issues, but I'd like to start by asking you to listen to my song...

I just need one second to open it on my computer...!

♪————

That's about what I have right now.
No matter how hard I try, I can't produce the sound I have in my head...

When I played it through one of the speakers at the rehearsal studio we rented the other day, I noticed that it lacked so much depth... I really don't know where to begin fixing it...

I see...

Also, Hoshino, I hadn't realized that you were having Miku sing your song.

Huh...?

Y-Yes, that's right.
I like Miku a lot... And I want to write songs with her if I'm going to do this seriously...

Oh, um... I mean I want to make them using Miku!

Hehe. I see.

That reminds me of how we first met...
We were both hoping to listen to that one creator's new song which also featured Miku!

Yes, there are so many songs that make Miku's voice sound so beautiful on top of being well put together.

I know what you mean.
I really admire the people who can produce those kinds of Miku songs.

But I'm having so much trouble now that I'm trying to write my own song...

Up until now, I've been listening to all these Miku songs made by a variety of people with different feelings... And they've all been wonderful.

Which is why I want to try doing that myself now. Unfortunately, things haven't been going very well...

I just want to let her singing voice shine, so I feel terrible about how I've been making her sing such an incomplete song...

Hoshino...

Don't worry.
I think you deserve more credit.

What...?

Yes, it's a bit hard to clearly see what your song is about... However, I did sense a hint of kindness. Like this song was encouraging me...

*Gasp*

You mentioned how you weren't getting the sound you wanted.

That also means you know exactly what you want from your song, so I think all you have to do is keep working on it with that in mind.

So... Can I ask specifically what kind of song you're trying to write?

What kind of song...?

The thing is...
I'm writing this song because I want some people I care about very much to listen to it.

People you care about very much...?

Yes. So, I put a lot of thought into what kind of song they'd like to hear...

I hadn't thought of saving others like that...

What?

I understand what you want now.
Now, about the instruments you wish to include...

Do you plan on playing this song as Leo/need once it's complete?

Yes, that's the plan...!
I tried choosing sounds based on the instruments that we all play...

But it sounded so off when I listened to it. I began doubting myself as to how we usually sound...

Right...

The guitar sounded fine to me, but the other instruments don't quite seem to fit into your song.

*Gasp*
I knew it...!

I didn't have much trouble with the guitar since I play it, but for the rest I could only rely on how everyone else sounds while playing their instruments...

I see. That may partly explain why you're not getting what you're looking for, since just a few different sounds can greatly change the overall feel of a song.

I want to say that experience is also important... But that won't exactly help you right now.

So, for now, let's try coming up with a way to make it sound more balanced...

...!
I really appreciate it!

Okay, I'd like to start taking a closer look. It should be easier to see everything on my computer since it has bigger screens. So, I'll just send the file to myself...

Alright, it's open.
I'll mute everything except the drums.

That's amazing...!
You really know what you're doing.

This is nothing special.
I just moved a few things around on the screen.

We'll start working on your song now...
First, let's listen to how the drums sound...

Wow...

Thank you so much!
This is the closest it's sounded to what I initially imagined...!

That's good to hear...

I also enjoyed how your vision slowly started coming to the surface as we worked on your song, Hoshino.

Really?!

Do you think they'll understand my message...?

That may need a little more work, but I believe you're on the right track.

As it is, what you're looking for is there. I definitely felt encouraged by your song...

Kanade...

Now I feel like composing something.

Huh? You too...?

Yes.
How about...?

♪————

*Nod*
That should work...

*Gasp*
Th-That's incredible... You came up with a melody just like that...!

Honestly, this is all I really do...

Hmm... I'd like to work on this more.
The first verse might stand out too much...

So, I can make this part sound more subdued...

(W-Wow... It's like she's a professional songwriter...)

(And she helped establish the foundation for my song...)

(All that's left for me is to use my computer to get it over the finish line!)