Yeah, you need to an audio interface or dac. The computer's shitty converter is just pure trash.

Ah very good, thanks! Would you recommend any software that it would be best for a beginner new to the field use?
I downloaded the fl demo and have a play around with it every now and again. I tend to read up on something that I don't understand with it, then see if I can find any videos explaining it.

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Any words of wisdom on starting off on the path of making Trance music, no matter how small would be appreciated.

Ah okay, thanks. I'll be sticking to FL then along with watching some videos on it and playing around with it. I read earlier about ADSR after it being brought up and I've understood that, I just need to look into applying it to achieve and listen out for different sounds.

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Any words of wisdom on starting off on the path of making Trance music, no matter how small would be appreciated.

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Originally posted by clay For trance FL studio is pretty much the best out there as it's very simple yet fully flexible. Reason is another one but it's not supporting vst and it's workflow is different than All the other. It sort of try to emulate oldschool rack gear. It works for some but it may be annoying to others. Cubase is sort of like the pro option for PC but it's pretty complicated and you need additional vst instruments so I'd rather start with fl. You also have ableton. Weird program IMO but some can get great stuff from it. Very flexible. Then there's Mac and logic. I'm not going into that.

Fl Studio isn't the best for trance, it's merely a DAW with a different kind of workflow. Cubase also isn't the pro option for PC. It's an option for both PC and Mac that also has it's own built in VST plugins just like FL and most other DAW's do.

If the OP has already started with FL and is familiar with parts of it then I'd suggest persevering with it.

The only caveat might be that as a musician something like Cubase may suit his workflow a little better as it's more traditionally linear. Any of them would work though assuming you get on with the workflow, as the workflow is the only real difference between them all anyway.

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my advice, just get on with it.

the software you choose makes no difference, they all do exactly the same thing really.

start with simple things, bass drum and percussion, then attempt to make a bassline that works with it. you'll find a drum machine virtual instrument in your daw, and you can use any subtractive synth for the bassline.

don't expect to get it right first time, or even 1000th time - it takes a while to work out what works. there is no guarantee of success only of failure.

this will introduce you to the software. the terms you'll need to do this step (to help googling)

quantize
drum editor
grid editor

and more advanced:
swing/groove quantize
compression
sidechain (compression)

start with small bits like this, don't attempt to make full tracks, work with ideas.

the creative side of production is the hard bit - you can learn all of the technique you like, but the aesthetic process of creating music that actually sounds good to others is the tough bit. for this it helps to have some classical training, for example, getting to grade five piano (+ theory) is a real help in the process as it gets your mind working in the right way, but in no guarantee you'll be able to write a tune- most of the players in the orchestra couldn't write a symphony.

the key is you may as well just give it a go, because it's fun. and it gets you girls. and free entry to clubs...

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If I've been helpful and you have a spare minute, check out my soundcloud; clubshark soundcloud
http://www.clubsharkrecords.com

As already stated, all DAWs will get you the same end result, the path of getting there just varies. Focus on one and learn it inside out - don't make the same mistake as some people and start hoarding anything and everything. That'll just make you lose focus.

You also need to accept that your first attempts are going to sound like crap and it will get frustrating at some point. Just keep at it.

One way to approach producing would be copying. Try to replicate your favorite trance track instrument by instrument. That way you get the idea of what pieces build the whole. That way you also get comfortable with typical structure, melodies and instrumentation. Even if you don't get it to sound exactly the same, you get the idea behind.

Hey dude, don't listen to people who say you won't get anywhere. Yeah for the first couple of years your tracks probably won't be that great (or more, depends, i know producers who matured their mixing and signed within a year). And signing a track to a label shouldn't be your main goal, just focus on getting your own sound and style down. Listen to good tracks and ask how they made certain sounds and how the transitions were done to make a listenable track. Definitely sit down and learn one synth until you are pretty comfortable with it. If you want to seriously make trance, you're going to have to put in a lot of time and have a lot of patience. Get to know your DAW, which it looks like you chose FL so that's a good program to start with. I'd practice with a lot of the native vst's and only download a few 3rd party to start out with. A lot of the ones FL come with are pretty good. I wouldn't start spending money on equipment until you know that it's something you want to spend years on, then buy an audio interface/soundcard and good pc if you don't already have one. Good luck man

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Lots of really good feedback coming through guys, I really appreciate it. I've been using FL and trying to learn the Sytrus Synthesizer, whilst trying to read up and better my knowledge more on music theory. A lot of the time I've been listening to my favourite tracks (Solarstone - The Spell, Above and Beyond - Miracle club mix, Headstrong ft Stine Grove - Tears etc) and I've been trying to visualise the certain areas were section occur in the music. I'm not expecting any drastic miracles or any hidden talent here from myself, I understand it may take years to get to a moderate level, but I really do want to start getting the ball rolling, however so far everyone has been helpful here and I thank you for that

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Any words of wisdom on starting off on the path of making Trance music, no matter how small would be appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by Lynchie Lots of really good feedback coming through guys, I really appreciate it. I've been using FL and trying to learn the Sytrus Synthesizer, whilst trying to read up and better my knowledge more on music theory. A lot of the time I've been listening to my favourite tracks (Solarstone - The Spell, Above and Beyond - Miracle club mix, Headstrong ft Stine Grove - Tears etc) and I've been trying to visualise the certain areas were section occur in the music. I'm not expecting any drastic miracles or any hidden talent here from myself, I understand it may take years to get to a moderate level, but I really do want to start getting the ball rolling, however so far everyone has been helpful here and I thank you for that

good for you! feel free to post stuff in these forums for feedback.
and if you have specific production questions, you'll find a load of people here that will try and help.

for what it's worth - the majority of what you here in my tracks is DAW standard plugins (I use cubase btw) with only a couple of soft synths and an access virus. It's tempting to think that a certain VST or synth will give you "that sound" but in reality you can achieve amazing results with just standard DAW synths and plugins.

good luck

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If I've been helpful and you have a spare minute, check out my soundcloud; clubshark soundcloud
http://www.clubsharkrecords.com

I agree with the "just do it" mentality some have posted. Recreating tracks is a good way for doing that, but also trying to remix them as well. Using loops/samples is the easiest way to get started. Experimentation is the key for learning.

I think the more limited your tools, the more likely you will focus on getting better at using them. It's very easy to get caught-up in the vast possibilities available. But having one synth in FL or whatever DAW, and you know what sound you want to create, you will start learning how to create it rather than learning to rely on some VST to create a specific sound.

Another thing worth considering is learning how to DJ/mix songs together, as that starts teaching you how strong structure relates to other songs. It gives you another perspective on how mixing and mastering can vary widely, and what types of sounds you might be most comfortable with to start, and where you could go next.

There really is no "one right way", if it were; just set an easy goal to start with, accomplish it, and work from there.

master Jesus arms!