I've been an avid listener for years and I decided that I want to make my own stuff, as the visual arts don't portray the energy I like. So I come to you wondering where I start. I know I need the equipment, but whats the best route to go. Also I don't know how to go about learning how to make my own music. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

When you say "make my own stuff" do you mean make your own mixes, or do you mean produce your own tracks? If you want to make your own mixes, read the sticky at the top of the page:

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...58&forumid=8&s=

If you want to produce, hit the production forums and poke around. Let us know which route you're going so more specific info can be imparted.

I know you said you wanted to "make your own music," but I just wanted to be 100% clear that you truly meant producing vs. mixing.

If you're into mixing music, then the major decision is how you want to DJ. There are several methods: vinyl based, CD based, or computer based.

EDIT: my best advice is to buy a book about how to dj if thats what you want to do. it'll be the quickest and best way to get the basics.

Well I really want to be able to do both. I want to produce my own tracks but also want to learn how to mix so i can perform live.
So I'll look at the thread you posted, thank you mcuh!

quote:

Originally posted by djwannabe21 Well I really want to be able to do both. I want to produce my own tracks but also want to learn how to mix so i can perform live. So I'll look at the thread you posted, thank you mcuh!

I'd really focus on one at first. A good synth can cost $3,000, and a good DJ set-up can cost $3,000 (without the music).

quote:

Originally posted by jayxthekoolest I'd really focus on one at first. A good synth can cost $3,000, and a good DJ set-up can cost $3,000 (without the music).

Neither of which are at all necessary to begin, or even be successful at, their related arts.

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael Neither of which are at all necessary to begin, or even be successful at, their related arts.

i quite agree. plus if you're still starting out, you can hardly ever afford those! except if you're some rich kid or something.

___________________
want a dance music download?? get one here!

Nope I'm not rich lol. So which would you all recommend to start with? I guess I thought producing would be better to start but I'd like your take. Am I wrong? Is it personal preference? Thanks again for the help guys.

traktor dj studio $199
midi controller about $200

Theres your dj equipment + at least a 2.0ghz (p4)/1.4 ghz (phenom/core2) laptop.

___________________


Check out my Goa and psy Trance mixes!

I can't personally advise you about production, as I have never produced a single track, and I know fuck all about music theory, which, though not necessary, can't hurt you when producing (as far as I can see).

I started out mixing by purchasing a DJ In A Box kit from Numark. That was just over 3.5 years ago, and at the time it fit my budget well. Also, I just really, really wanted to learn to mix on vinyl. Just so I could say that, yes, I can mix on vinyl and two, as an homage to those who went before me, so to speak. The decks, though Numark, are direct drive, and they have performed flawlessly for the entire time. I love the tactile senasation of vinyl, and I love picking the next record to mix in. However...

Fast forward 3.5 years, and knowing what I know now, I would recommend a digital setup to begin with. I have recently begun replacing my vinyl with digital downloads from Beatport. Records cost me about $12 shipped for 2 to 3 songs (i.e., $4 to $6 per song). That same song (most of the time) cost me $1.49 digitally, and I am only bound by hard disk size when it comes to storage space - not by how many vinyls I can fit into my shelves. Also, digital is often much easier to acquire for something rare on vinyl.

Regardless of what digital setup you go with, learn to beatmatch manually. It's just more fun, really. It can be frustrating as hell at first, but you'll pick it up faster than you imagined. Really, if this idiot can do it, so can you. And if you ever play out on a less familiar setup, you'll have the basics/fundamentals down. Because you pick up other things when learning to beatmatch - you learn your tracks well, AND you learn to phrase better, too, if you are paying attention. So avoid skipping this step. Sure, software and some hardware can do it for you, but learn it anyway.

Which digital gear you pick will be influenced by budget and how mobile you wish to be. If you have the funds, you may want something traditional like a pair of CDJs from the Pioneer lineup and a quality mixer. If you want pure mobility, you may go with a laptop to host your mp3s and your mixing software combined with a midi controller which will provide the tactile control over your mixing. If you're not sure what a midi controller is, Google "M-Audio Xponent" for an example.

That's about all I've got. The others here can please correct me if I am wrong. Cheers. If you decide to purchase some kit, you won't regret it if you stick with some daily practice for a few months. And, really, what's a few months compared to years and years of enjoyable mixing on your own?

Why would you suggest anyone buy a synth to start out?

Many of those big name tracks you hear on beatport were made on a laptop with logic ($499) or ableton. Soft synths are pretty amazing. Logic is pretty daunting, but there's also Reason (about $400) which is much more user friendly to start out.

But really, production is a HUGE leap from DJ'ing. It requires serious talent to come up with something that other people want to hear.

Starting with DJ'ing will at least get you more familiar with the music and to me is just plain fun. You just need to choose which way to go:

1. Full on digital with a laptop, software and MIDI controller(s). Here you have the option for two paradigms: The software that works similar to decks and a mixer, or more production focused software such as ableton live.
2. Traditional DJ setup, either CD's or vinyl.
3. A hybrid, namely a DVS (digital vinyl system) such as Serato, Traktor Scratch, or Torq combined with either turntables, cd decks, a mixer, and a laptop.

Personally I use number 3. It gives you the best of both worlds, you have the feel and fun of spinning on real decks, and the flexibility and features that the software offers. It's also the most expensive.

I don't really recommend going the vinyl route unless you also get a DVS package, because you'll be limiting yourself with regards to music availability, plus vinyl is very pricey. You could always get CDJ's, a mixer, and burn CD's until you can add some software later.

The full on digital solution is another option, but personally I don't think you can compare using a controller to using traditional gear. The ableton route is very involved, and probably not for a beginner.

quote:

Originally posted by jayxthekoolest I'd really focus on one at first. A good synth can cost $3,000, and a good DJ set-up can cost $3,000 (without the music).