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a very n00bish question...
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| Omega_Blue |
i've been on/off producing for the last year or so.. with, for the most part, lackluster results, and i think i've pinpointed the problem..
i use fruity loops a whole lot, mainly because it's just ridiculously easy to use. it's great to be able to create a nice sounding drumbeat in minutes... my problem is,
i feel that my creativity is being stifled because of the samples that FL provides. for example,
if i used the stock samples on a keyboard, i could hold the note forever just by holding down the key.. but the samples in FL are pre-timed to stop at a certain point, and i'm sick of it. i can't use a single bass sample because i can't figure out how to make the sample hold for anything longer than the pre-determined quarter note. it's really frustrating. and seriously, i've been so frustrated with how ty my basslines sound compared to what i want them to sound like i've been thinking about just picking up a real bass and recording that instead. things like sliding, hammer-ons, and pull-offs just can't be done well or at all from what i've experienced, even though i've heard them in numerous songs. i dunno.
not only that, but it's even more frustrating to add even the simplest of pads in a song, because they all cut out at a certain period of time, when maybe i want them to go on indefinitely, or fade out slowly... do i have to just manually program that in the volume settings? or what?
would using VST's solve my problem? i was under the assumption that VST's are mainly just effects processors and synths like 303 emulators etc etc.. :conf: |
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| Invertika |
I'm not sure what it looks like in Fruity Loops, but i'm assuming the functions are the same as a standard synth, so try this:
Find the set of four faders, or possibly knobs, that are called something similar to 'Amp Envelope', with the four faders labeled A,D,S and R.
From the sound of it the A, S and R will be all at 0 and the D (decay) about a quarter way up. Increase the S (sustain) fader for an indefinite length, the A (attack) for a longer fade in, and the R (release) for a longer fade out after you let the key off |
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| Analog Artisan |
| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_Blue
i've been on/off producing for the last year or so.. with, for the most part, lackluster results, and i think i've pinpointed the problem..
i use fruity loops a whole lot, mainly because it's just ridiculously easy to use. it's great to be able to create a nice sounding drumbeat in minutes... my problem is,
i feel that my creativity is being stifled because of the samples that FL provides. for example,
if i used the stock samples on a keyboard, i could hold the note forever just by holding down the key.. but the samples in FL are pre-timed to stop at a certain point, and i'm sick of it. i can't use a single bass sample because i can't figure out how to make the sample hold for anything longer than the pre-determined quarter note. it's really frustrating. and seriously, i've been so frustrated with how ty my basslines sound compared to what i want them to sound like i've been thinking about just picking up a real bass and recording that instead. things like sliding, hammer-ons, and pull-offs just can't be done well or at all from what i've experienced, even though i've heard them in numerous songs. i dunno.
not only that, but it's even more frustrating to add even the simplest of pads in a song, because they all cut out at a certain period of time, when maybe i want them to go on indefinitely, or fade out slowly... do i have to just manually program that in the volume settings? or what?
would using VST's solve my problem? i was under the assumption that VST's are mainly just effects processors and synths like 303 emulators etc etc.. :conf: |
Sampling is a real art that takes alot of practice to really get right. The bundled samples in Fruity loops are all quite basic, not saying with alot of effects, envelopes and automation you cant get great things.. but its tough for a beginer.
most VST are software instruments or VSTi to be specific for instrument where you have compleate control of how long you want the notes to play for and how they sound, attack, release ect and can be played as such with the use of midi
there are some starter synths in FL you should play around with first.. 3x osc, ts404 and simsynth are all good places to cut your teeth on synthesis, without having to spend any more money..
you can also take the time to have a look at all the demo songs that fruity includes and see whats going on.. theres a bundle of stuff you can pick up there.
for your percussion.. perhaps think about a smaple cd for better samples than your basic 909 samples in Fruity...
Vengeance Clubsounds Vol1 and Uberschall Trance Essentails are my personal favs..
Good luck with your producing |
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| Project 7 |
| Vengeance Club Sounds & a free synth say Synth 1 |
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| Omega_Blue |
thanks for the info fellas
...vengeance club sounds would be just a percussion sample pack or what? |
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| Aquarian |
I learned by playing around with random knobs in the intrument properties window. :p
Samples are really tricky. I wouldn't use them for anything other than drums. Even for bass hits, I'd reccoment you get some VSTs (or even the 3osc can do some pretty good basses). |
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by Aquarian
Samples are really tricky. I wouldn't use them for anything other than drums. Even for bass hits, I'd reccoment you get some VSTs (or even the 3osc can do some pretty good basses). |
Lol that's the conclusion i came to, hence my frustration! thanks a lot for the advice.. i figured i'd just mess around with the free VST's in the sticky thread up above...
any other suggestions for a n00b would be greatly appreciated.. |
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| Axolotyl |
Random n00b tips...
Spend the time to try and realise your vision. Make the synths produce your sound, not the other way around. Learning synthesis theory will help you along these lines but a lot of it is persistence and trial and error. Pick one or two versatile synths and learn those. ZETA or Vanguard would be a good place to start imo, but theres plenty to choose from.
If theres a certain style of music your trying to produce, then analyse those sorts of tracks and see what makes them work. Listen to the structures especially and what parts are introduced when and where.
Production is an unlimited box of possibilties and without a direction or goal, your going to find ir frustrating. But if you approach it like any other complex task, you can break it down into different parts. Assign a week for brainstorming/mucking around, a week for polishing/mixing and a week for mastering for example. Having a goal oriented approach to production will help keep you on track at 4am when your about to listen to your track for the hundredth time.
That is all =) |
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by Axolotyl
Random n00b tips...
Spend the time to try and realise your vision. Make the synths produce your sound, not the other way around. Learning synthesis theory will help you along these lines but a lot of it is persistence and trial and error. Pick one or two versatile synths and learn those. ZETA or Vanguard would be a good place to start imo, but theres plenty to choose from.
If theres a certain style of music your trying to produce, then analyse those sorts of tracks and see what makes them work. Listen to the structures especially and what parts are introduced when and where.
Production is an unlimited box of possibilties and without a direction or goal, your going to find ir frustrating. But if you approach it like any other complex task, you can break it down into different parts. Assign a week for brainstorming/mucking around, a week for polishing/mixing and a week for mastering for example. Having a goal oriented approach to production will help keep you on track at 4am when your about to listen to your track for the hundredth time.
That is all =) |
much appreciated. i'll post the results when i get more competent :p |
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