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software/tutorials for beginners
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trancecravings
hey, i've been listening to trance for a over 5 years now, but im not a music pro :( im just wondering what kind of software i should get, to learn how to mix since i am a trance addict after all. also if there are any tutorials on how to use the different functions and what all the functions do. i dont know alot of terms that u guys use and i want to learn them. alot of people told me deejays just learn through experimenting so here i am! thanks!
TwistedDUO
It's quite true that experimenting is the best way to learn your groove. If you ask any one producer, they'll give you different answers on which is the best. Choosing a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is a personal thing, much like choosing your music media for dj'ing. My best suggestion is to go to some websites and download the demo versions of different platforms. You surely won't be able to produce quality tracks from demo versions, but you get to toy with the interfaces and see what you like.

Sony is the company that pushes Sound Forge, Acid, and Vegas products. All quality in my book. Abelton Live is becoming a hugely popular platform as well, especially with dj's and live performances. ProTools is the recording industry standard, but it's best on Mac's and requires alot of extras to be effective. Many newbie producers use Frooty Loops, which has a great interface for beginners. For more complex production projects, Reason is a great platform that really does it's best to emulate the hardware machines.

All of these programs come with effective tutorials and there are plenty of site online for each platform. But be forewarned, there are alot of "elitist" haters on these sites, so just busting out with random questions that could have been answered with a little experimentation or research will get your ass reamed.

Enjoy and have fun!!!
SPAWNmaster
its tough when your just starting out and really have no idea. you seem generally interested so let me tell you that the best way to do it is get into production. go to the production forums read the faqs, read up on synthesis online and arrangement, composition, music theory, music production documents/faqs (there are wayyyy too many online so this shouldnt be a problem). by the time you've read enough to decide whether dj'ing or production is for you, you'll know enough to start in either one. the learning curve for all this is pretty steep so be prepared to learn a lot in a short period of time (you could even take classes if this is something your really interested in). and like people have told you experience is the best teacher. pick up a pair of cheap decks and mixer, some cheap cans and couple of RCA's and you'll be all set to figure things out little by little.

edit: i dont really recommend using software as you might get the wrong idea...generally better to learn on cdj's or vinyl and go from there, starting using ableton or another software for example will bias the learning experience which, in my vision will lead to lessened creativity when you dont have the "bigger picture".
trancecravings
Yea i just got frooty loops and gave it a try. seems very confusing , anyone got any good tutorials that they would want to recommend?
trancecravings
thx spawn, i think thats what illl just do :)
trancecravings
thx spawn, i think thats what illl just do :)
TwistedDUO
Sorry for my assuming that you had already dabbled with dj'ing. I would most definitely start here. A cheap pair of cd decks and a simple dj mixer will do just fine for learning. Here's some examples of starter dj packages that would suit your needs to start:
http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl...~%5BcatGroup%5D
http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl...~%5BcatGroup%5D
http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl...68~newproduct~T
I would definitely recommend dj'ing before (or while) you're working with production. Simply because the dynamics of the dancefloor are much different from these perspectives.
Djshortcircuit
Hey man, I say, go down to your used audio equipment store, pick up a cheap mixer, some turntables with a pitch control (technics, stantons, gemini), go down to your local record store, get two heavy beat disco, house records (of the same kind) and try to beat match as in get the two records to play together with out anything sounding bad. practice that for a while. go out buy some trance records and practice beat matching. its the key.

remember, count 16 or 32 beats to get on a measure or phrase. (every 16 or 32 beats, something in the song useally happens).

Practice practice practice!

If you can, find a local dj and just ask him questions!

SC
trancecravings
so dj short circuit, would these be good enough http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl...~%5BcatGroup%5D
http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl...~%5BcatGroup%5D
http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl...68~newproduct~T. it was recommended by twistedduo. will i be able to start just by getting oen of these?
Djshortcircuit
Hey trancecravings, yeah those are good if you want to do cds. I would reconmend vinyl first, but thats just me. Cds are on the rise so that would be a great start. I have stanton cd players and I live by them. I love my stantons. I would get those.

Check out some vinyl packages on there too! :)

TwistedDUO
quote:
Originally posted by Djshortcircuit
Hey trancecravings, yeah those are good if you want to do cds. I would reconmend vinyl first, but thats just me. Cds are on the rise so that would be a great start. I have stanton cd players and I live by them. I love my stantons. I would get those.

Check out some vinyl packages on there too! :)


Not to start a completely different debate...

Nothing against vinyl, but if trancecravings goal is to eventually play (or even perform) his own tunes, it makes most sense to go digital from the start. The principles of mixing are the same whether it's digital or vinyl.
Djshortcircuit
quote:
Originally posted by TwistedDUO
Not to start a completely different debate...

Nothing against vinyl, but if trancecravings goal is to eventually play (or even perform) his own tunes, it makes most sense to go digital from the start. The principles of mixing are the same whether it's digital or vinyl.


Digital as in CD?

It doesnt bother me if cd or vinyl. I just think the concept of mixing is better understood if you start with vinyl, where you can really feel that first beat under your fingers.
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