Hello all,

My name is Craig and I've just recently signed up to the forums as I'm looking around for tips and guides on how to start creating electronic music (I was told to come here from another site).

Basically I'm in my early 20's and since a young teen I've wanted to create my own music (electronically) but never had the funds or knowledge of what I will need and a guide on how to start off.

My main question really is in regards of what I will actually need to start me off? My idols are those of; Avicii, David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia so would like to make music styles towards their genre.

I have asked around on what equipment I will need and I'm being told different things every time. Some say all I need is a DAW such as Fruity Loops, Ableton, Live etc whilst others say I need other equipment as well as the DAW.

So basically if someone could give us a hand on taking my first step into this hobby and could explain what I will need and why etc.

Any information or direction into the right path would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Craig.

quote:

Originally posted by Kelvan My main question really is in regards of what I will actually need to start me off? My idols are those of; Avicii, David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia so would like to make music styles towards their genre.

My advice would to be please don't. Please don't.

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lol, I would say if you do it for fun then why not lol but if you wont to be famous like those guys you mention then you have 0.01% chance at the best - so seat tight and have great run with all of us over here - welcome on board Craig !!!

Cheers,

Darek

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OP dont mind these haters. Everybody has to be a comedian nowdays.


Im new to this as well like you, so ill share my experience with you.

My advice to you is dont buy anything. No daw. no gear. Learn what a composition is, what are its parts, learn about notes, chords, melodies. once you have some knowledge, download some free daw (i suggest caustic, but there may be others)

http://singlecellsoftware.com/node/184

caustic installer

Apply what you know about composition. Once you get a feel for using a DAW and you want to explore other effects and sounds check out other comprehensive DAW like sonar, flstudio, reason, etc. at this point you may also consider some gear.


Dont miss the forest for the trees.

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My mixes:

Still up:1:2

Down:3:4:5

quote:

Originally posted by Spacey Orange OP dont mind these haters. Everybody has to be a comedian nowdays.

It ain't about comedy, it's about taste.

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quote:

Originally posted by Spacey Orange OP dont mind these haters. Everybody has to be a comedian nowdays.

Nope, not at all just a simple reality check - didn't said that OP doesn't have any chance but it is going to be a bumpy road for him lol - Avicii was lucky enough to be pickup by Laidback Luke after months of posting his work lol so if OP is talented and dedicated person I would say “anything can happen” - so good luck and remember “have fun”

Cheers

___________________
I like that freedom with no boundaries, no restrictions, no rules setup by somebody else – it's only me and my music.

SoundCloud

Traxsource

Beatport

Facebook

DariusX Page

quote:

Originally posted by Spacey Orange OP dont mind these haters. Everybody has to be a comedian nowdays. Im new to this as well like you, so ill share my experience with you. My advice to you is dont buy anything. No daw. no gear. Learn what a composition is, what are its parts, learn about notes, chords, melodies. once you have some knowledge, download some free daw (i suggest caustic, but there may be others) http://singlecellsoftware.com/node/184 caustic installer Apply what you know about composition. Once you get a feel for using a DAW and you want to explore other effects and sounds check out other comprehensive DAW like sonar, flstudio, reason, etc. at this point you may also consider some gear. Dont miss the forest for the trees.

Honestly, it's not going to hurt to ignore most if not all of this advice.

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my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Honestly, it's not going to hurt to ignore most if not all of this advice.

Hi is asking for advice. If you have nothing add, stfu.

___________________
UnauthorizedTranceAddict Youtube Channel where I post older mixes from the TA DJ Promotion Forum

My mixes:

Still up:1:2

Down:3:4:5

quote:

Originally posted by Spacey Orange Hi is asking for advice. If you have nothing add, stfu.

Firstly, you're a DJ not a producer. Also, we aren't haters. You aren't adding anything with that pointless comment either. We're giving this guy a reality check. The best kind of style, out of any other, is your own.

The motto here is "no pain no gain". If you don't invest anything into your starting setup, you won't feel any motivation and/or stimulation to produce, and everything will feel extremely cheap and worthless. I would say to start off with, for example, Ableton Live Intro, which is available at a good price of 99 USD. You can also pick up some cheap AKG headphones online and purchase a used decent audio interface, such as the Scarlett 2i2. I learned to use Ableton simply through watching a complete sequence of tutorials on YouTube, and I'm sure you can do as well. Just be patient, as it'll take a while before you start producing quality material.

Welcome to the EDM community

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quote:

Originally posted by Spacey Orange Hi is asking for advice. If you have nothing add, stfu.

Your advice is counter-productive and irrelevant. My experience says that you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. You're therefor unqualified to be dispensing advice. It's you who have nothing to add and, consequently, you have added absolutely nothing.

Your approach to "learning" is flawed. It's not that he shouldn't learn about music theory, chord structures, or composition. It's because the value of learning about them is decimated without the ability to combine knowledge with practical application. Advising him not to acquire anything that would allow him to practice is a bit like teaching someone to type without a keyboard, swim without the water, or ride a bike without the bicycle. Futile.

Furthermore, learning about song structure is useless without the skill-sets required for developing parts that a song is fundamentally comprised of. You're basically working backwards. The chances of anyone putting together a song without the use of a MIDI keyboard are negligible and using that keyboard requires skill acquired through practice; preferably along side some form of professional instruction.

Yet here you are, fully admitting you have very limited experience with a subject you presume to have enough authority to be dispensing advice on.

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...31#.UPHf7XeH-So

See # 31.

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Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

Last edited by EddieZilker on Jan-12-2013 at 22:19

I have bookmarked #31 for constant future use.

Thankyou Eddie Zilker. Thankyou.

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I'm actually a little surprised by the applicability of my comprehensive list of Music Production Cliche's. Suppose I should add Avicii to # 38, though.

___________________

Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012