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beginner at production
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| montie |
hey,
I've been djing for awhile and want to start to get into the production side of things.
I want to first start producing on my computer than later maybe pick up a keyboard and synthesizer and such, once i get to learn things.
I had three major questions.
First I was wondering what program everyone suggested I use on my computer to get started.
I have already been messing around with fruity loops. It seems like an OK program. I really dont like any of the sounds that came with it. Which leads to my next questions,
Where can I download some loops and sounds which i can use to put into my songs.
Also, does anyone have any links to some sites where I can get some info on producing and the such.
Thanks |
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| dEEkAy |
Well...as you are starting with your computer you probably need some basic hardware equipment though:
1. A Midi Keyboard (a cheap keyboard without sounds on it which you can connect via a MIDI Interface)
2. A low-latency soundcard (since you use your computer and its softsynths it requires a low latency soundcard with a latency of at least 10ms or less)
After that I suggest you to try out:
FruityLoops & Reason
if you go into very serious production with hardware synths (which imho always have a better sound) you gotta get used to either CuBase or Logic Audio Platinum (which are the standards of music industry I guess...CakeWalk's Sonar XL maybe counts too) |
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| Eugene |
| Very good question. I'm also interested in reading other people's thoughts on this. |
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| modular |
1st make sure u have a decent low latency soundcard (any kind of soundblaster with NOT do the job).
logic audio is the way to go if u r serious about it. steeper learning curve than other programs but once you know your way round it, it cannot be beaten . had a go on the new cubase and the layout to do simple things is just too long winded. although i use a lot of hardware synths, you could finish a pro quality tune in logic alone. it would take you ages to get the same results in fruity or reason. cubase just has too many windows to open to do simple tasks .its annoying. imho. i been doing it for 7 years so i like to think i know my stuff;)
im always interested in helping out newbies in return for opinions on my tracks. |
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| Project T |
i think fruity is excellent apart from the fact it slows right down when u have a lot going on in the later stages of a track...
experimentation is the key :D |
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| montie |
aight, thanks for all the info.
About the sound card. I have a SB Live Audigy.
what low latency sound card does everyone suggest i get, and how much will the run me?
thanks |
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| modular |
i had an audigy myself once and had nothing but problems with it.
for my production work i use an m-audio audiophile2496 and it has NEVER messed me about. in england they cost around £150. dunno about where u are but its an american company so u should get them cheaper than me. this card will do u no wrong as a beginner or pro if your working just in software. ive bought other stuff for my midi duties but thats cos i got quite a big set up. a decent set of monitor speakers will get your mixes sounding better from the start. mixing on hifi speakers will always make your tune sound a bit amateur, cos u cant hear how it will sound on other systems. |
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| Mr.Mystery |
| quote: | Originally posted by modular
(any kind of soundblaster with NOT do the job).
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Bull. |
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| modular |
| quote: | Originally posted by Mr.Mystery
Bull. |
there are no low latency soundblasters. unless u class the audigy as one, but they are buggy as hell. type audigy into any music production forum and i ing guarantee u wont hear anyone singing the things praises.
soundblasters will play your arrangement, but when u need to buzz around your arrangement making quick changes and stuff they overload all the time. im not talking bull. use one if u want a second rate amateur card. if u want your pc to run like a music hardware device - AVOID THEM!! |
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| Fatboy |
| quote: | | Originally posted by modular soundblasters will play your arrangement, but when u need to buzz around your arrangement making quick changes and stuff they overload all the time. im not talking bull. use one if u want a second rate amateur card. if u want your pc to run like a music hardware device - AVOID THEM!! |
Doesn't screwing around with an arrangement depend on the cpu and not the soundcard. In a software only solution, I thought that cpu and ram were the main factors performance wise, and that the soundcard only affected the output quality which is more than acceptable on the soundblasters anyways.
Input quality is of course a whole different thing, and that's where the more studio-oriented cards often are much better. I've heard good things about the audiophile 2496 and one of the newer terratec cards which supposedly has an incredible performance/cost ratio. If one plan to buy hardware later one of these cards would definitely be a better choice, but if one plans to go only software I would rather upgrade my computer and get some decent monitors instead of buying an expensive soundcard. |
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| Eugene |
I have Audiophile 2496. It's okay. Lets you do 24-bit recording (as opposed to 16-bit).
I would like to object to the statement that "FruityLoops is a great program." In my experience with FruityLoops this program could be used in the professional hands as a sequencer, but certainly not as a sampler or sound producer. I consider it amateurish. Hardware is the only way to go for rich, professional sound. IMHO. |
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