music production what software do people use to make tunes ? bought the last 3 computer music mags and it's given me the bug to try and make a tune. the first cm mag i bought was we love techno with 2640 techno samples wich made me buy it on this was sony acid express and an eq plug in i installed it but then it played up so tried to reinstall but it seems to be fucked so sent of for a new disc was looking in to buying reason 4 any one got/use this and can you make tunes with this on it's own? do you need endlesss plugins? and what is a VSTI? also just bought this months mag with 100 music making tools have'nt looked at it as yet but looks intresting the disc contains drums, synths, effects, amp sims? real instruments, sequencers? samplers? utilities? one with a ? to them could do with a bit more explanation for me the mag probs/will tell you somewhere along the lines but was wanting a few words on each from any one who knows the crack basicly i know you have to find out what you like take time to master it and see the results but what would peoples advice be for starting off cheers peeps
i would suggest you download all the demo's first, then decide which one you like best. when you're really happy and can see some progress, then shell out the money for it. try to keep away from vst's/vsti's (instruments) and don't bother buying/downloading any until you can find your way around your chosen program first. you can download all the best sounds in the world, but if you cant work the program they live in, its a total waste of time. i bet everyone who produces can confess to hours of wasted time looking for a preset to work. instead of just learning what the program does and going straight to the setting to make that sound. the less you have, the more creative you'll be. instead of being overwhelmed by loads of new things to learn, just learn one thing at a time. set small goals and don't think you're going to be putting out a fully mastered track on beatport next month. my weapon of choice is ableton, im pretty comfy in it now. im very new to producing music myself, but ive been using audio programs for a long time for editing/mixtapes/mashups etc - personally, i love the work flow of the program, i feel i can get a lot done in little time (now i know my way around a bit) a friend of mine has just started using ableton after using hardware for years. he started a project and sent me the file to have a look at it, do some work, then send him it back (so he could learn from what i did). i only used the instruments he used, then i added a couple of others (from the defaults) to add some definition. first draft (40 second sample) second draft (radio edit) granted the track isn't great (or finished), i uploaded the 2 files so you could get an idea of what you can get from exactly the same instruments, just a little bit of time difference in using them hope all that helps a bit
the radio edit is it's very intresting all the things there is to learn concerning the production of a track and like you say if you over compicate things like having to many things to get your head round ill probably skip from one thing to another and never master anything not gona rush out and buy reason 4 strait away gona look for a demo of it first, and also play along with the free software from the computer music mag as it claims all the tools can set me on my way with a full free software studio to make a compleate track how much did ableton set you back ? and how long you been using it for and was it easy to get to grips with ? will try and get a demo of this also see what i think cheers mate
thanks for the comments on the track lads, i appreciate it im not sure what comes in demo format at the minute, but pc-wise, you could look at cubase, sonar, acid, ableton, reason and yes, ive heard that the free software that comes free with CM is good too (and did i mention its free?) they all do more or less the same thing now. obviously some are better than others at certain things, you just have to find out what you want to do more of and go with it. its like everything else, its what you think is best, not what you think is popular - even though i could use ableton, i still prefer sound forge to chop up samples. up to now i've used dance ejay 01 in 1998 (im laughing now, but it was a start) cakewalk, cubase vst, rebirth, reason 1 (and later 2), cubase sx and acid 3 4 and 5. ive only really taken the production side of things seriously since i started using ableton around 2 years ago, ive recently got in to it again after having about a year off (made too many mixtapes!) you can get ableton from about 300 quid i think. its less if you're a student or know one - theres an educational price option for students (or was) i don't want to come off as an advert for any particular product because i think its better if you demo them and make your own decision, thats why i havnt done the usual forum "the one i use pwns!11!!" answer that is very popular
Lots of good advice there. It may sound daft but ive heard fruity loops is amazin now. I think cliff coenraad sometimes uses it. Ive met a few producers who do. Its cheap and simple and will get you on your way. If you buy reason you'l probs learn quite quickly but hit a brick wall once you advance a bit (not sure if reason 4 allows you to add plug-ins). Just sit and practice. Youl probably end up with a years worth of loops that sound decent. Its just hours of playing about, like when you found out what your penis was for lol
FL is class with Nexus Vst like. Gettin to know the software is the easy part, its composing a tune that really batters ur head my lappys nearly went thru the wina a few times.
im addicted to ableton and how creative you can be in getting ideas down in the clip view. get yaself a midi controller and you can have hours of fun with the fx, i just jack everything onto a nob on the controller press record and go bananas!
Whats great about software is that you can download it all for absolutely fuck all - my advice is dont waste your time on demos and download the lot. That way if you get bored of one you have another full program to get your head around.
Deffos agree there like dan, not long went from ableton 5 to 7, pretty good like. tried a few n cudnt be arsed with them, Reasons pretty good but looks to cheap, deffos got the best default Kicks like out most the softwares.
Yeh true, id say to any1 new on the production to start with fl or ableton, ableton looks difficult at first but if the lessons r followed its easy enuf. Av just not long finnished a track, not gonna hoy it about yet tho, breakdow is where a come to a halt
I first bought Reason a good few years ago and spent many hours trying to figure it out though made little head way. Then i saw Logic in action and saved up for a mac with logic 8 and its the best thing ive done production wise, still very much learning after having it for about 6 months though can see myself getting better all the time with it, which is encouraging. I still havent hardly scratched the surface of what its capable of either, its an unreal piece of software. Like everyones said though, its really whatever works for you. Spend time with mates who use different programs and see them in use, have a go yourself and if youre still interested in getting involved then get the software that you feel most comfortable with. I wasted £300ish on getting Reason at first and it barely gets used, so i would definitely advise trying any software before you buy.
i think jase gave the best comments for you there buddy. what i will say is i started on reason a few years ago and with reason you have to play with all the nobs and tweak so the track doesn't sound like reason.. sayin that when you get really good at makeing sounds that your happy with and your music is becoming better you will find your self wanting to explore another prog, ( i moved to cubase ) but when and if you do make that move another world off fun will open up to you , working with vsts will be easy as you know how to tweak to archive the sound your after, then you have the benefit of pulling up plugins (waves bundle ect..) just play about mate & get the prog that you enjoy working with, all takes time but its loads of fun and you will get a sense of achievement when you make that first sound you have worked so hard for good luck
I dunno about that. They are pretty shite But yea, I use FL5 as the primary sequencer in my own studio. I use Reason & Cubase when working with other people on tracks but it at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. Once you get your head round it, it's all pretty much the same anyways. I find, and have had lengthy discussions with other people that everybody has their own sound... and that will always come through regardless of what you are using, whether is be Reason & Subtractor, Cubase & Hardware or FL & VSTs
