OK... thought i could start a thread now and then PM some mod to ask them sticky it...

PLEASE ONLY post usefull links and such at the moment so we get most thing at the top... and then questions and such could be asked.
so NO crap post.. right now atleast
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MUSIC PROGRAMS (SEQUENCERS)
FRUITYLOOPS/FLSTUDIO
used by many on here and pro producers like flutlicht, S.H.O.K.K., cosmicman etc.....
a great prog that handles VST/DX pluggins in a great way and is pretty easy to get going with.

helpfull links
http://djzoheb.tripod.com/fruityloopers/id36.html
http://djbb.dk/floops/index.php?cat=tutorials



REASON
also used by many users here and pro producers.
Reason is a full virtual studio. It is also a closed system which means you cannot use VST/DX instruments in it (except if you use ReWire to connect it to Cubase for example). However, it offers a wide range of instruments, samplers and effects for you to work with.

BUZZ
Buzz is a full-on virtual studio with it's own sequencer, it's own sound generators/samplers, and it's own effects. It also has pretty nice integration of VST instruments and effects, as well as ReWire support, which makes it very flexible and very powerful. Buzz is very different from most of the other production programs out there, as it adopts a Tracker-like interface as were used to create old .mod files for PC Demo Groups and the like. This interface allows for extremely easy on-the-fly editing and loop creation.

You can download Buzz and any buzz machine, and find out more information on it here: www.buzzmachines.com. Buzz is something you'll either love or hate; if you hate it, move on to something else. If you love it, definitely play around with it because it's great for certain things.


Pros:

- It's FREE!
- Solid support for VST instruments, allowing for a lot of flexibility.
- ReWire support allows you to slave Reason and other rewire slaves to it, so worth playing around with if you're a reason user.
- Many of the downloadable machines and effects are quite useful, and there are a shitload of them.
- Interface allows for incredibly easy real-time editing, which is great for drum programming and other pattern editing.
- The Help File and tutorial is quite good for getting started.
- Multitrack exporting allows for easy porting to an external sound editor, like CoolEdit/Audition, SoundForge or Pro-Tools.


Cons:

- Machines are created by random people for free. As a result, you probably won't get any technical support.
- Bugs. There are some annoying bugs in Buzz, which can be easily worked around once you know them, but can cause a serious headaches when they creep up on you out of nowhere. Always make sure you save regularly.
- Since it's so unlike all of the other software out there you may feel on your own a little.

I'd highly recommend checking out Buzz if you haven't gotten beyond beginner level in any other programs. Additionally, though I don't use Reason, I can also see Buzz as being a really nice way of getting VST instruments into your Reason tracks by slaving Reason into Buzz. This will be a nice alternative to CuBase for those of you that don't have the cash or the warez hookups to get Cubase =P I'm not sure how many pro producers use Buzz, other than James Holden who still uses it to this day (for example, the crazy semi-reversed vocals in Holden & Thompson - Nothing (93 returning mix) were done in Buzz (with a lot of external processing too of course, but still)). Buzz is not at the same level as programs like Logic or Cubase as far as sound-quality and power, but despite that it is still an extremely powerful tool that I will personally always use for certain things, like loop creation. Once you're familiar and comfortable with the Buzz interface you'll really be able to do some cool things in a hurry.



CUBASE
This is another virtual studio just like Reason and FL but it comes with more options and settings than the others. It has become a studio-standard alongside with Logic today and it's often found in many pro-producers setups.
Cubase supports both the VST and DX-format so when it comes to virtual synths and effects you have a pretty wide range to choose from.
Cubase also supports a system that allows you to hook up Reason with cubase and run it as an external synth in Cubase, this system is called Rewire (wich you've probably heard of before a few times)
But it's not only the software-support that has made Cubase so popular over the years. The best part about Cubase is that it also supports hardware-synths, samplers and other kind of modules and outside soundsources.
The possibilities within Cubase are almost limitless thanks to it's wide support of many different formats, both hardware and software.
Alongside with Pro-tools and Logic it's the absolutley best allroundpackage you can get your hands on.

Sonar 3
A full featured midi sequencer (the best for midi imo) which also is a multitrack audio/looping studio. Compatible with VST and DX plugins and supports plug in automation. One of the oldest squencers and was originally called Cakewalk when it was first introduced in the mid 80's. Alternatives include Emagic Logic and Steinberg's Cubase.

ACID Pro 4.0
An audio looping and multitrack studio. Perfect for doing timestreching and handling loops with. If you need to work with samples, loop based editing is fast and clean. Also needed for making digital mix CD's. Great for doing mixdowns before mastering.

ReCycle
Loop based audio editing and looping software. Not quite geared to loop based multitrack audio production like ACID. This software is geared to slicing up your loops. Perfect for Drum and Bass heads. Also great for remixing.

PROJECT5 Softsynth Workstation :
As the name implies, this prog is a complete trance-makin studio in a box!
- Studio-quality instruments and effects
- Pattern-based sequencers and processors
- ACID-compatible audio looping tools
- Real-time, live-performance features
- Open environment (ASIO, DX, DXi, MFX, ReWire client, WDM, VST, VSTi)

Requires a beefy rig (at least 1GHz CPU) running Windows 2000 or XP only. Perhaps the best thing about this utility besides the FUN FACTOR, is the online support... a fabulous forum works great for quick answers to problems...Cakewalk staff always close by!
Literally TONS of downloadable demos, songs, patterns, samples, etc. This may help---> P5 Frequently Asked Questions!

A little overview about the modules.

PSYN - Virtual Analog Synthesizer : The softwares main SoftSynth. This alone is worth the $200 USD I paid for the program.


DS864 — Digital Sampler : An 8 layer, 64 voice sampler with ample sound sculpting abilities and matchless audio fidelity.


VELOCITY - Drum Sampler : Build tracks and perform using custom drum kits that draw from a range of widely available samples.
Accepts WAV, AIF and LM4 formats.

nPULSE - Analog Modular Drum Synthesizer : a convenient way to trigger and synthesize vintage-style electronic drum voices.

Cyclone DXi - Groove Sampler : convenient way of working with samples and loops. Works slick for LIVE enviros. It's a powerful 16-part, ACID-compatible, groove sampler, composition tool, and loop editor wrapped up in a single DXi synth.

SYNCHRON32 - Step Sequencer : Simply the greatest tool for throwing together loops for drum tracks or making arpeggios! This is a midi effect that can be triggered through automation or inserted as tracks! COOL.

MORE INFO HERE!!!




SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS
a thread about most of the programs


too choose wich program you want too use, the only way is really too download some demo of the program
and try it out yourself, since no one can tell you what too use...
it's your own choise, and you deside yourself what you feel confortable with.

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SOUNDS EDITORS

Sound Forge 7.0
A full featured Sound editor. This program is best for mastering or doing complex edits on a single waveform. Every electronic studio should have a sound editor program. Alternatives include Cool Edit Pro and Steinberg Wavelab.

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SOFTSYNTHS
KVR-VST
great site with lot's of free softsynth's and patches for them

SUPERWAVE P8
a really nice free softsynth

Piano VST's
a thread about piano vst's

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TUTORIALS ON HERE
As The Rush Comes AVB Supersaw JP-8000 / 8080 Tutorial

The Supersaw Pad Tutorial

Mastering Tutorial

How to steal your favourit kick

Airbase style claps

Supersaw in Reason

Tutorial Request List

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MASTERING
THE EQ TABLE
Contains information about frequencys

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FX
15 REVERB TIPS
15 good tips for using reverb

PS. even thou the tips are good and can be really helpfull,
try and go with your own style and use the tips in your own way.

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USEFULL SOURCES
MUSIC THEORY
a site about music theory

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Please add more and i will edit my post soo we get it all nicely togheter
and if you got some good comment to add to what i have, please feel free to say soo.. i'm pretty tired now, but thought i would atleast get it going

___________________
Daniel

Last edited by Luke Terry on Apr-05-2004 at 16:11

It's a start, at least. I think the title of this post should be more informative, i.e. something like "newbie's guide to making your own music". Also I think they should allow the author of a sticky thread to edit all posts in the thread, that way it wouldn't be allowed to get so big that people would just avoid it.

here are two good threads on software sequencers:

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...&threadid=85537
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...hlight=software

Unfortunately the text format is a bad way of teaching newbies anything, perhaps a flash movie would be better. I don't know how to make one yet, but I might try to learn.

Excellent idea The mod should make it a sticky

EQ TABLE
You really need it!

___________________
http://www.supuer-music.com

quote:

Originally posted by dbl REASON also used by many users here and pro producers. ahh... some reason user fill me in.. hehe

Reason is a full virtual studio. It is also a closed system which means you cannot use VST/DX instruments in it (except if you use ReWire to connect it to Cubase for example). However, it offers a wide range of instruments, samplers and effects for you to work with.

___________________
Latest releases:
Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
The Charlatan [Morphosis]

Okay...this is fantastic (although I hate having to scroll half way down the page to get by all the STICKIES just to see the starting thread).
This will be a good one if you include comments about each (as you have) and include Plugins and maybe some n00b techniques such as layering drum loops or making a pad/default synth etc.
I realize this may get huge, but imagine how much it will cut down on the annoying "How do I get started making EDM music" questions that youre all sick of.

___________________
please review my latest AMBIENT track HERE.

YKTS, Stuck!

___________________

w: www.luketerry.com

another sequencer-description:

----------------------------------------------------------------
Cubase
This is another virtual studio just like Reason and FL but it comes with more options and settings than the others. It has become a studio-standard alongside with Logic today and it's often found in many pro-producers setups.
Cubase supports both the VST and DX-format so when it comes to virtual synths and effects you have a pretty wide range to choose from.
Cubase also supports a system that allows you to hook up Reason with cubase and run it as an external synth in Cubase, this system is called Rewire (wich you've probably heard of before a few times)
But it's not only the software-support that has made Cubase so popular over the years. The best part about Cubase is that it also supports hardware-synths, samplers and other kind of modules and outside soundsources.
The possibilities within Cubase are almost limitless thanks to it's wide support of many different formats, both hardware and software.
Alongside with Pro-tools and Logic it's the absolutley best allroundpackage you can get your hands on.
----------------------------------------------------------------

would be nice if someone could write a little about logic too so we at least have the four most used sequencers represented

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by davedresden i suggest getting the gabriel & dresden prog-a-minute. in 3 easy steps you too could change the face of dance music. batteries not included. - dave

Last edited by Vizay on Jan-06-2004 at 18:48

You guys missed a lot of programs, especially the ones I use:

Sonar 3 - A full featured midi sequencer (the best for midi imo) which also is a multitrack audio/looping studio. Compatible with VST and DX plugins and supports plug in automation. One of the oldest squencers and was originally called Cakewalk when it was first introduced in the mid 80's. Alternatives include Emagic Logic and Steinberg's Cubase.

Sony (formerly Sonic Foundry) Sound Forge 7.0 - A full featured Sound editor. This program is best for mastering or doing complex edits on a single waveform. Every electronic studio should have a sound editor program. Alternatives include Cool Edit Pro and Steinberg Wavelab.

Sony (formerly Sonic Foundry) ACID Pro 4.0 - An audio looping and multitrack studio. Perfect for doing timestreching and handling loops with. If you need to work with samples, loop based editing is fast and clean. Also needed for making digital mix CD's. Great for doing mixdowns before mastering.

propellerhead ReCycle - Loop based audio editing and looping software. Not quite geared to loop based multitrack audio production like ACID. This software is geared to slicing up your loops. Perfect for Drum and Bass heads. Also great for remixing.

Also, every Studio should be equiped with a least one synth. Inspiration is a lot easier when you can play with your sounds on a keyboard with knobs rather then on screen with a mouse.

Disclosure - I work for the parent company of Stienberg and no I can't get you free software.

Last edited by FuzzyGreen on Jan-08-2004 at 18:01

great info fuzzy, I'm onna bitch a little at dbl so he posts your info too

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by davedresden i suggest getting the gabriel & dresden prog-a-minute. in 3 easy steps you too could change the face of dance music. batteries not included. - dave

quote:

Originally posted by Vizay great info fuzzy, I'm onna bitch a little at dbl so he posts your info too

hehe.. was just waiting for the links to the progs



PLEASE KEEP WRITING THING'S TO ADD.... AND IF YOU KNOW OF ANY TUTORIAL OR SOMETHING ELSE GOOD THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED HERE ON TA PLEASE FIND THE THREAD AND POST THE LINK HERE.

___________________
Daniel

I was hesitant about adding this, as Im not an expert on it yet...maybe I'll edit as I learn more.

PROJECT5 Softsynth Workstation :
As the name implies, this prog is a complete trance-makin studio in a box!
- Studio-quality instruments and effects
- Pattern-based sequencers and processors
- ACID-compatible audio looping tools
- Real-time, live-performance features
- Open environment (ASIO, DX, DXi, MFX, ReWire client, WDM, VST, VSTi)

Requires a beefy rig (at least 1GHz CPU) running Windows 2000 or XP only. Perhaps the best thing about this utility besides the FUN FACTOR, is the online support... a fabulous forum works great for quick answers to problems...Cakewalk staff always close by!
Literally TONS of downloadable demos, songs, patterns, samples, etc. This may help---> P5 Frequently Asked Questions!

A little overview about the modules.

PSYN - Virtual Analog Synthesizer : The softwares main SoftSynth. This alone is worth the $200 USD I paid for the program.


DS864 — Digital Sampler : An 8 layer, 64 voice sampler with ample sound sculpting abilities and matchless audio fidelity.


VELOCITY - Drum Sampler : Build tracks and perform using custom drum kits that draw from a range of widely available samples.
Accepts WAV, AIF and LM4 formats.

nPULSE - Analog Modular Drum Synthesizer : a convenient way to trigger and synthesize vintage-style electronic drum voices.

Cyclone DXi - Groove Sampler : convenient way of working with samples and loops. Works slick for LIVE enviros. It's a powerful 16-part, ACID-compatible, groove sampler, composition tool, and loop editor wrapped up in a single DXi synth.


SYNCHRON32 - Step Sequencer : Simply the greatest tool for throwing together loops for drum tracks or making arpeggios! This is a midi effect that can be triggered through automation or inserted as tracks! COOL.

MORE INFO HERE!!!

___________________
please review my latest AMBIENT track HERE.