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how to create a 'professional sound' with software (pg. 2)
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| Michael Russo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eugene
I feel like I have to reply to this post.
John, I agree with you completely -- if you use FruityLoops or some other software for writing music, you won't get very professional results. Simply put, these programs are toys. And even if you have the skills, using the software exclusively is a bad idea. I have yet to hear of any artist who got famous by writing tracks in FruityLoops, for example.
The way I look at it, music has to come from an instrument. This is a pretty traditional point of view, but it has withheld the test of time, and it's the one that works. If you want to have synths that are rich and "full," as opposed to some "thin-wire" crap; if you want to have professional and "warm" drums, as opposed to a crappy snare that sounds more like a kick; and if you actually want to achieve good results, you must go for hardware: keyboards and synths.
It will even be easier to use keyboards, I think. For example, if you want to get a nifty "rolling" bass effect, or a cascade build-up, or a complex arpeggio, there are buttons for that on the instrument that will get you there FASTER than a computer program. Often a computer program is severely limited, badly structured, and has bugs. What would you want to deal with this ? So even experimenting is easier, and more fun, on a real-life keyboard!
In summary, I don't think FruityLoops or any other program has many redeeming values. And if you do decide to use one of those, make sure you're not relying exclusively on it! The primary source of music should come from the instrument; stuff like fx can be added on later. That's my opinion. |
Umm..... you're completely wrong. If you don't want to get flamed, try and learn about something before you post such brilliant insights.
Have you ever tried producing? Just because you got some cracked copy of fruity and all your stuff sucks doesn't mean you have to criticize it and blame your bad music on the fact that "you don't have hardware."
Software is profesional gear. Any studio that does not have a computer in it is severely severely lacking. Pro tools is software... what about sound forge? wave lab? Some software plugins (for example, pro tools TDM plugins) will kill any hardware equivalent... For example, take reverb. Its a big mathematical model of sound waves bouncing all over the place. You think that because a reverb unit is sitting in a rack, it's better than the same thing running off a dsp? No, the sound isn't actually bouncing around inside the hardware box, it's doing the exact same processing that the computer is doing with the waveform.
I hope I don't have to remind you that synths make waveforms, whether they're hardware or software. Virtual hardware synths make waves just like software synths... they're 1's and 0's. And analogue synths do the same thing, only the sound is originally a bunch or rarefactions and compressions before they (inevitably) end up as a bunch of 1's and 0's... unless you're recording straight to tape and aren't using a real sequencer like cubase or la or dp or pt? because no studios have those sequencers. Yeah, they're software... they must suck. |
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| Eugene |
Michael Russo,
First of all I was expressing my own opinion. I've downloaded many samples and songs written by the trancEaddicts here who used FruityLoops, and I must say that not one of those productions impressed me as being professional. For instance the first thing I note, always, is the amateurish drum and bass. Either the snare is too harsh, or the bass is slightly off, or something else is wrong.
If you use FruityLoops you may very well have the skills and knowledge required, and I'm not insulting you in any way, but the truth is that even with those skills it's hard to get a professional sound, and there's a steep learning curve. In FruityLoops, in order to make the first step and get a nice-sounding synth, you have to dig through hundreds of panels and settings.
Yes, you're correct about waveforms... but almost no one uses any samples or synths that FruityLoops provides, because they're extremely ty. Most people who use FruityLoops input the sounds from an external source, and use the software for sequencing. Am I wrong? |
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| mantisnl |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eugene
I've downloaded many samples and songs written by the trancEaddicts here who used FruityLoops, and I must say that not one of those productions impressed me as being professional. |
thats cuz were all learning:rolleyes: |
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| Taz |
Okay, before this turns into yet another flame war, let me put some perspective on both sides of the issue.
I've got keyboards, drum machines, guitar pedals and other gear from three different decades. Recently, I've been working primarily in Fruityloops, 'cause it's so central and convenient. I've also done tracks with Cakewalk, Acid, Making Waves, HammerHead, Rebirth and a bunch of little homegrown apps from SMM and such.
This little *ahem* discussion prompted me to compare tracks that were done with different methods. There is certainly a difference even in just the sound quality alone. Looking at Fruityloops for a second, I can say from working with it that it does have a thinner, drier sound even when putting it through its full paces. Don't forget, Fruityloops is all about generators (and effects which I'll get to), including the sampler tracks. In other words, it's closer to synth than to digital multitrack. Once we're talking synths, we're talking quality of sound sources.
Let's take your plain old sawtooth. My 1979 analog synth makes a funky, fat saw. My 1987 synth makes a warm, contained saw. My 1990 Yamaha does a thin, somewhat muddy saw like every other early-90's sound. And so on.
Then you look at different companies' filters which all sound different, you look at different reverbs, compressors, and so on and you can see how the pros get their wide, sweet, 3-dimentional sound. It's not mastering EQ. It's the relationships between all the different manufacturers' amp circuits and dark little delays and bright digital flangers and so on.
That being said, I totally disagree with anything being "just a toy". Everything and anything is a resource to an inspired imagination. From there, having a greater variety of gear just "increases the resolution" of your completed ideas. But if all you've got is Fruityloops, then squeeze the crap out of Fruityloops to get the best sound you can. The effort will show through. |
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| Joi Lamusic |
I have to say that at least I like Fruity!!! I like those sounds that comes out of it (I have heard many almost professional sounds made only wiht fruity). And even basses made with Fruity can be quite bumbing.:)
Many of us don't really have money to buy hardware synths or other "great" stuff... So softwares are the thing we use (easy to use and quite often FREE).
Yes, U get phat sounds out of hardwares, but U can get almost same sounds out of softwares also ;)
My boyfriend has Virus synth and RM1 sequencer and I am free to use those hardwares when ever I feel to... But I just don't like them... I got all I need in Fruity (at least for now) :D
Fruity is easy for beginner. Easy to learn the basics. And what then when U have learnd to create sounds with Fruity (or with some other software)? If U can get nice sounds even when U are just beginner, think what U get when U are something else than just beginner :eyes:
So, software can be real gift from gods. It just always depends who is using it!:) :) |
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| Taz |
| Exactly. That's what's nice about Fruityloops, it lets you do basic things at the beginner level, and then once you really get into the gory guts of things, you can do stuff like THIS!! :D |
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| John |
taz, that fruity stuff sounds pretty good!!
i think im just have to spend lots of time with one (or 2) of those programs (f#ck my exams:D).. ohw 1 more question.. is it possible that someone sends me an .rns or .flp file so i can see how its done
? i can understand if noone can ofcours:)
thanks all for replying
peace |
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| Michael Russo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eugene
I've downloaded many samples and songs written by the trancEaddicts here who used FruityLoops, and I must say that not one of those productions impressed me as being professional. For instance the first thing I note, always, is the amateurish drum and bass. Either the snare is too harsh, or the bass is slightly off, or something else is wrong.
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Yes, it takes a very long time to learn how to produce... you think these same problems don't happen with people who use hardware? When you're starting out, you won't get pro quality no matter what you use.
| quote: | Originally posted by Eugene
If you use FruityLoops you may very well have the skills and knowledge required, and I'm not insulting you in any way, but the truth is that even with those skills it's hard to get a professional sound, and there's a steep learning curve. In FruityLoops, in order to make the first step and get a nice-sounding synth, you have to dig through hundreds of panels and settings.
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You can very well get a professional sound... and there aren't hundreds of panels in fruity. The bottom line is that if you put in you get out... that's why people criticize fruity... not because it isn't good, but because many of the people who use it aren't the greatest producers (myself included). |
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| D_G |
| The fact is that ppl who cant use Fruity say its crap, and those that can - LOVE IT! |
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| robstar |
| quote: | | how to create a 'professional sound' with software? |
Itīs simple...
Just do it!
:D |
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| Joi Lamusic |
| Taz, again GREAT sound!!! WoW!! Ummhh... I hope there will be flp-file from that awesome loop :D |
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| Taz |
| quote: | | I've downloaded many samples and songs written by the trancEaddicts here who used FruityLoops, and I must say that not one of those productions impressed me as being professional. |
Before anything else, I'm awaiting my critique. |
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