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Best way to fully understand DAWs and other equipment

Hey guys,

just wondering what the best way is for a newbie to fully understand DAWs and all the other equipment needed to make electronic music (specifically Trance). Im currently screwing around on the FL 9 demo but without a mentor to teach me its pretty daunting. I have looked at some guides (videos and written ones) on the subject but it is still hard to fully understand everything you need to make good Trance songs.

Thanks!

wrong forum

youtube tutorials, lots of em. its the easiest way to get up and running quickly.

gearslutz.com for questions past that

good luck

RTFM

learn what the different things are for and what the things mean

what's a square, sawtooth etc
eq, compressor, effects, bus routing etc,

there's books there's tutorials there's manuals

have fun

try teh production studio subforum and read the stickies there. man i sound like a hiccup in the record.

Moved..

quote:

Originally posted by kadomony RTFM

QFT

I sell a number of multitrack song packs on a website I run, InsideMixes:

InsideMixes

You can browse through the songs in the library, and if there's a song you like the sound of you can buy the song pack. The packs contain the full multitrack audio files (each sound split onto it's own track) as well as a PDF with screen shots of all the plugins/settings used during the mixdown, as well as my comments on why I made those mix decisions. The song packs I've uploaded also have the MIDI files and synth settings used and most of them have a second version of the multitrack files, with all the mix processing turned off.

Here's an example song pack (28MB zip file):

Fabrik Europa - Metropolis

It's only a short demo song. Most of the songs are a few minutes long.

All the best!
Fabian

hire a ghostwriter and be done w/ it.

Nah, I'm just kidding...


Seriously, I'd get Reason. I've been using Reason for awhile now and I swear by it. Although my productions are still not "pro" they're getting there and that's all that really matters.

I've used Fruity Loops too. And it seems to be just as powerful but with the ability to use VST's and VSTi's. You can actually integrate far more additive and subtractive synthesizers as well use, a variety of other tools that will enhance your music production.

But, I've found out that its not what you use, but how you use it. A lot of producers download massive libraries of samples and integrate those into their productions.

You have to first decide on whether or not you want to make your own samples or use others. Or a combination of both. I made the decision that I was going to use samples for beats, fx, rises and drops.

For bass lines and melodies, I'd get good at drawing. Drawing is where you open up the "piano roll" in any given program and draw the notes that you want played. For most people, that's the asiest way to profect the the track your trying to make. Some just bang out riffs on the keyboard. But depending on your knowledge of musical progression or how well trained your ear is. That could be somewhat daunting. So again, I'd encourage you to "draw".

Other than that, a lot of are more than happy to provide feedback. Usually its mostly negative until you get the hang of it so don't feel bad when someone says your track sucks. Remember, most of us were dj's first and we're picky about our music.

Best of luck to you and hopefully one day you'll be on beatport's top sellers list =)

quote:

[b]Originally posted by DJRYAN� [/ b] Seriously, I'd get Reason. I've been using Reason for awhile now and I swear by it. Although my productions are still not "pro" they're getting there and that's all that really matters.

Reason is great, particularly if you don't plan on recording audio. Whatever DAW you decide on, I highly recommend spending a little extra and devoting a weekend or two going through the Groove3 video tutorial for that DAW. Getting comfortable with your DAW is half the battle when you're first starting out, so having a good methodological approach like Groove3 offers can get you over that hump very quickly.

http://www.groove3.com/str/

What's cool about Reason is that when you get to a point where you are recording audio, it can work with a DAW that does.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker What's cool about Reason is that when you get to a point where you are recording audio, it can work with a DAW that does.

e.g.: Ableton =)

but now there's Reason Record.. lol

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker What's cool about Reason is that when you get to a point where you are recording audio, it can work with a DAW that does.

Whats not cool about reason is that its the only DAW that doesn't actually record audio itself, and you'll have to pay as much as you paid for reason again to get one that does.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker What's cool about Reason is that when you get to a point where you are recording audio, it can work with a DAW that does.

Or you could save yourself the time and start in a more serious DAW.

quote:

Originally posted by DJRYAN� hire a ghostwriter and be done w/ it. Nah, I'm just kidding... Seriously, I'd get Reason. I've been using Reason for awhile now and I swear by it. Although my productions are still not "pro" they're getting there and that's all that really matters. I've used Fruity Loops too. And it seems to be just as powerful but with the ability to use VST's and VSTi's. You can actually integrate far more additive and subtractive synthesizers as well use, a variety of other tools that will enhance your music production. But, I've found out that its not what you use, but how you use it. A lot of producers download massive libraries of samples and integrate those into their productions. You have to first decide on whether or not you want to make your own samples or use others. Or a combination of both. I made the decision that I was going to use samples for beats, fx, rises and drops. For bass lines and melodies, I'd get good at drawing. Drawing is where you open up the "piano roll" in any given program and draw the notes that you want played. For most people, that's the asiest way to profect the the track your trying to make. Some just bang out riffs on the keyboard. But depending on your knowledge of musical progression or how well trained your ear is. That could be somewhat daunting. So again, I'd encourage you to "draw". Other than that, a lot of are more than happy to provide feedback. Usually its mostly negative until you get the hang of it so don't feel bad when someone says your track sucks. Remember, most of us were dj's first and we're picky about our music. Best of luck to you and hopefully one day you'll be on beatport's top sellers list =)

man you are such a phony! you are just saying some of the same things as everyone said to you three weeks ago. the rest of your shit is just meaningless mumble. basically you arent saying anything, please dont try to contribute when you dont have a clue. stick with asking questions. you are a noob and you shouldnt poison other noobs with your bullshit.

man just read through what you just wrote. you should be ashamed. boooo. no one needs mumbling. if you dont have anything to say just shut the hell up. drawing baselines and FL is good for subtractive synthesis. trained ears. fuck off you dont have a clue.

i mean seriously is this the level we want to be at on this forum? stick to the facts and post good info if you are going to post... please stay in the cor u idiot.

who says that "audiophiles" (whoever they are)don't like electronic music? i find assuming that ipod schredded ears of clubbing teens is your sole audience quite narrow minded?

quote:

Originally posted by Senator Clay Davis man you are such a phony! you are just saying some of the same things as everyone said to you three weeks ago. the rest of your shit is just meaningless mumble. basically you arent saying anything, please dont try to contribute when you dont have a clue. stick with asking questions. you are a noob and you shouldnt poison other noobs with your bullshit. man just read through what you just wrote. you should be ashamed. boooo. no one needs mumbling. if you dont have anything to say just shut the hell up. drawing baselines and FL is good for subtractive synthesis. trained ears. fuck off you dont have a clue. i mean seriously is this the level we want to be at on this forum? stick to the facts and post good info if you are going to post... please stay in the cor u idiot.

quote:

hire a ghostwriter and be done w/ it.

One could do this and noone would be none the wiser. I just got on Craigslist the other day, and there were several advertisements for "ghostwriters". It is an option for those that just want to concentrate on djing. {FACT}

quote:

Nah, I'm just kidding...

I don't think we need to analyze this do we?

quote:

Seriously, I'd get Reason. I've been using Reason for awhile now and I swear by it. Although my productions are still not "pro" they're getting there and that's all that really matters.

I think this describes my level of production quite well. It also explains what I use to create my music. It also says that I'm progressing. Which, if you look at my first few production versus my prior productions. There is progress. Where's the issue in this?

quote:

I've used Fruity Loops too. And it seems to be just as powerful but with the ability to use VST's and VSTi's. You can actually integrate far more additive and subtractive synthesizers as well use, a variety of other tools that will enhance your music production.

I have used Fruity Loops. In Fact I have 8 pro and its still installed on my computer. Along with numerous VST from Native Instruments, Camel Audio, and Steinberg, and others. These VST's do enhance the music that comes out of both, Fruity Loops and Ableton as most VST's will work on both. I still don't see any relevance to your rant.

quote:

But, I've found out that its not what you use, but how you use it. A lot of producers download massive libraries of samples and integrate those into their productions.

Any producer will tell you this. In fact, as long as you have a piano roll, a beat machine, and a nice synth you can make music using any DAW, from Sony Studio, to Magix Music Maker, to Techno EJay.. for you Ol Schoolers =) Oh! And I know for a fact producers of massive amounts of samples on their computer. Again, your post is warrantless.

quote:

You have to first decide on whether or not you want to make your own samples or use others. Or a combination of both. I made the decision that I was going to use samples for beats, fx, rises and drops.

I guess this is subjective. He can use samples and create his own. He doesn't have to choose. I use my own created loops, and some others as well. To each their own.

quote:

For bass lines and melodies, I'd get good at drawing. Drawing is where you open up the "piano roll" in any given program and draw the notes that you want played. For most people, that's the asiest way to profect the the track your trying to make. Some just bang out riffs on the keyboard. But depending on your knowledge of musical progression or how well trained your ear is. That could be somewhat daunting. So again, I'd encourage you to "draw".

First line in this paragraph is exactly right. I don't see how anyone wanting to create any music can do so without learning some drawing techniques. And in order to do so, you have to be efficient in the piano roll. Or, banging a riff out on the keyboard. Where's the phony in that? Plus, from my perspective I am encuraging him to draw for a variety of reasons.

quote:

Other than that, a lot of are more than happy to provide feedback. Usually its mostly negative until you get the hang of it so don't feel bad when someone says your track sucks. Remember, most of us were dj's first and we're picky about our music.

I think this exactly true. Enough said.

quote:

Best of luck to you and hopefully one day you'll be on beatport's top sellers list =)

And again. Nothing wrong w/ this either...

you are not in the position to comment on your own post. obviously you will agree on everything you said yourself as you wrote it yourself. or maybe are you schizophrenic? just stop it man. your piracy wont go home easily around here.

lol.. you are toooooo funny.. I'm in a position to do whatever I want.. And Piracy? I don't pirate anything. Just stfu and gfys.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Whats not cool about reason is that its the only DAW that doesn't actually record audio itself, and you'll have to pay as much as you paid for reason again to get one that does.

Right but you'll wind up with a DAW that can't do what Reason does, well.

Reason's a tool, and like all tools, it's best as part of an integrated set. When you're just starting out, it puts every concept that I've ever used in every other DAW in a way that's straight forward and it's infinitely flexible. If a producer knows themselves well enough that they're ready for a "more dedicated" DAW, then so be it, but I stand by it as a beginner's tool with tons of flexibility left-over for advanced users.

quote:

Originally posted by Senator Clay Davis man you are such a phony! you are just saying some of the same things as everyone said to you three weeks ago. the rest of your shit is just meaningless mumble. basically you arent saying anything, please dont try to contribute when you dont have a clue. stick with asking questions. you are a noob and you shouldnt poison other noobs with your bullshit. man just read through what you just wrote. you should be ashamed. boooo. no one needs mumbling. if you dont have anything to say just shut the hell up. drawing baselines and FL is good for subtractive synthesis. trained ears. fuck off you dont have a clue. i mean seriously is this the level we want to be at on this forum? stick to the facts and post good info if you are going to post... please stay in the cor u idiot.

Noooow, that's some serious shit here bro.

Get it nigga, kick that nigga's ass.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Right but you'll wind up with a DAW that can't do what Reason does, well. Reason's a tool, and like all tools, it's best as part of an integrated set. When you're just starting out, it puts every concept that I've ever used in every other DAW in a way that's straight forward and it's infinitely flexible. If a producer knows themselves well enough that they're ready for a "more dedicated" DAW, then so be it, but I stand by it as a beginner's tool with tons of flexibility left-over for advanced users.

Well, its been said time and time again that basically all DAWs are equal, and they all do the same thing as each other. Except for reason, which doesn't handle audio. So you should have said, "you'll wind up with a DAW that doesn't do what all the others do at all".

Reasons a tool, but its worthless for beginners because its completely different to other DAWs in layout. For that reason, its hard to transfer the skills you gain in reason to another DAW. Its a relic of the past and not a good recommendation for newbies IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Well, its been said time and time again that basically all DAWs are equal, and they all do the same thing as each other. Except for reason, which doesn't handle audio. So you should have said, "you'll wind up with a DAW that doesn't do what all the others do at all". Reasons a tool, but its worthless for beginners because its completely different to other DAWs in layout. For that reason, its hard to transfer the skills you gain in reason to another DAW. Its a relic of the past and not a good recommendation for newbies IMO.

I'm sorry but you're wrong and I'm going to have to insist that you accept my opinion as cold, hard fact.






Meh, while I still stand by my assertions as to why I think Reason is a good start-up tool, I can also appreciate the logic of your arguments.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker I'm sorry but you're wrong and I'm going to have to insist that you accept my opinion as cold, hard fact.

Well in that case

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