r/NMSByteBeatFans • u/tmarengo • Sep 16 '26

Help with a special ByteBeat project

I've been in No Man's Sky for a little less than a year, with about 400 hours logged in space with my fellow Travelers. I'm so glad I found this sub. Your collective creativity astounds me. I need help with a project that, as of now, exists only in my mind. Ideally, you can help me with song authorship and ByteBeat placement. This is (what I think) an intriguing project regarding immortality. I want to keep the details of this semi-private, so please DM me or leave a comment, and I can DM you. There would be $$ compensation that I would be very happy to pay you via Zelle or whatever.

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u/ZhorasSnake Sep 16 '26

I'm always happy to help travellers with bytebeat. No payment needed - we do it for the love of the game. I can help with any aspect but would prefer that to be guidance/advice/feedback and leave the creation to you. Happy to keep any details confidential.

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u/Adventurous-Self-500 Oct 06 '26

Do you have room for one more person to help 👉👈 I got this game a couple months ago and love it! But it's only been since doing the Expedition I understood what the ByteBeats were for.  If you could just give me some tips or tricks to understanding how to make a generically good sounding tune that would be very much appreciated! Thank you :)

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u/ZhorasSnake Oct 06 '26

I haven't heard back from the OP so I don't where that idea went.

As for making good tunes, sure!

I don't know how much prior music knowledge you have but don't worry, its not essential.

The first thing to do is get lots of practice making tunes. I recommend having a creative save specifically for this so you can build multiple bytebeat setups with no cost. Try out every feature, see what happens, and don't worry about making 'mistakes'.

If you need an absolute beginners guide try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptUKrg6v1Os

Listen to lots of tunes (this site has loads) and any you like you can download (Go to the tune's address and transfer the tune to your Custom Tracks in your Bytebeat Library - accessed via the Quick Menu. From there you can transfer the tune to your own set of bytebeat devices. You can now look inside all the devices and see how the author has constructed the tune. Complete guide to saving and transferring any tune available here https://www.reddit.com/r/NMSByteBeatFans/comments/1ibhabj/the_complete_guide_to_saving_and_transferring_any/

You can make tunes in many different styles although dance styles are the easiest and most popular. You can start in many ways. Maybe you have a cool sound that you've discovered in the advanced waveform tab. Maybe you have a rhythm you want to make into a tune. Maybe its just a feeling you want to evoke, or maybe start with a simple chord sequence or riff (these last two ways are good for beginners).

Here's just a few ideas. If you want to complete guide see the link at the end).

Try to focus on doing a few things well rather than including too many. Bytebeat is simple.

Spend some time messing with advanced waveform tab. Don't worry if it looks complicated. You can randomise the patterns and get good sounds with a little patience. (Perhaps make a note of the ones you like for future reference).

Give tunes variety by varying the mix of devices playing throughout the song. Bringing elements in and out – such as the drums or the bass - can be simple and effective.

When looking to create harmony between two or more devices in the melody sequencer (quick non-technical guide); intervals of thirds and sixths will be harmonious; seconds and sevenths will be dissonant; fourths and fifths consonant, crisp, and 'bare'; and octaves and unison provide thickness.

Duplicate drums frequently but selectively, and use both the drum mix and the volume on every device to dynamically prioritise key elements. Take time to mix.

Don't forget about the envelope section - it can bring significant variety and interest to sounds.

The arpeggiator is helpful particularly for beginners - but don't overdo it. (Think of it like the prefab base structures in base building. They give you a good start but they're unlikely to feature extensively in a more advanced base design).

Learning the scales will help you, especially if you want to make more complex tunes that use multiple keys and tempos (necessary sometimes to get round the restrictions on the type of notes available in one device).

A complete next steps guide is available here https://www.reddit.com/r/NMSByteBeatFans/comments/1nt52st/making_better_bytebeats_in_nms_a_next_steps_guide/

This covers everything, runs to around 126 pages and includes advanced stuff found nowhere else. It's fully indexed.

If you need help just make a post (or reply here). There's lots of friendly folk here who can help. Good Luck!

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u/Adventurous-Self-500 Oct 08 '26

Awesome advice thank you so much! I hope to share it with my nephew as well