Total beginner needs Help.

[Mattalik]

Ok,

I want to make drum & bass, good old classic style 90's jump up DnB.

Artists that i like are Aphrodite, Dj Hype, Dj Zinc Etc.

The problem i have is, i dont know how to make it.

I have been looking at a product called Maschine, would you guys say this is a good starting place? Is it suitable for what i want to achieve?

I understand i will need a midi keyboard, which is no problem, i also have logic express.

Can anybody start me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Matt.

[tilldrop]

First of all you should ask yourself why would you want something, which you have no idea of what it is. This is not meant as an offense, but rather as an advice to make sure you know what you want.

Other than that: I think what you are looking for is a DAW. It's a studio software. Basically a digital studio packed into a software package. There are quite a few: Garage Band (not fully featured, but cheap for what you get), Logic Pro (fully featured, good for it's price, mac only as well), Ableton Live (my personal preference, nice hardware integration with "Ableton Push', not the cheapest though), ProTools (don't know too much about it), FL Studio (popular since Avicci and Martin Garrix use it), Bitwig (was released just this week. looks very promising, but not testet yet)

You won't have to get a MIDI-keyboard, but it helps. Also pads, knobs etc. Basically all those things are just controllers so you CAN do it all with your mouse, but it of course gets easier with some equipment.

If you are a bit more serious about producing you will want studio monitors and a decent audio interface.

Well apart from a DAW, monitors and an audio interface (and maybe room treatment) what makes the professionals professional is knowledge so... try, learn, error, keep trying and most important have fun.

Some good things to start from: Download any DAW demo version (limited in time or function, but free), which almost every DAW offers. Just have a look at https://www.ableton.com/en/trial/ or https://www.bitwig.com/en/bitwig-studio/download.html or http://www.image-line.com/downloads/...odownload.html .

Once you downloaded one or two of them try them on your own, with the help of youtube tutorials or just the manual.

If you have any question: ask.

By the way: Don't expect to have result within the first month. It took me four weeks of daily practice until I thought I had my first song created, a few month till my girlfriend said: "That's your first actual song." and even longer if you want a result that comes close to what you wanted when you started.

But that doesn't mean It's not fun, so practice and enjoy

[Mattalik]

First of all you should ask yourself why would you want something, which you have no idea of what it is. This is not meant as an offense, but rather as an advice to make sure you know what you want.

Other than that: I think what you are looking for is a DAW. It's a studio software. Basically a digital studio packed into a software package. There are quite a few: Garage Band (not fully featured, but cheap for what you get), Logic Pro (fully featured, good for it's price, mac only as well), Ableton Live (my personal preference, nice hardware integration with "Ableton Push', not the cheapest though), ProTools (don't know too much about it), FL Studio (popular since Avicci and Martin Garrix use it), Bitwig (was released just this week. looks very promising, but not testet yet)

You won't have to get a MIDI-keyboard, but it helps. Also pads, knobs etc. Basically all those things are just controllers so you CAN do it all with your mouse, but it of course gets easier with some equipment.

If you are a bit more serious about producing you will want studio monitors and a decent audio interface.

Well apart from a DAW, monitors and an audio interface (and maybe room treatment) what makes the professionals professional is knowledge so... try, learn, error, keep trying and most important have fun.

Some good things to start from: Download any DAW demo version (limited in time or function, but free), which almost every DAW offers. Just have a look at https://www.ableton.com/en/trial/ or https://www.bitwig.com/en/bitwig-studio/download.html or http://www.image-line.com/downloads/...odownload.html .

Once you downloaded one or two of them try them on your own, with the help of youtube tutorials or just the manual.

If you have any question: ask.

By the way: Don't expect to have result within the first month. It took me four weeks of daily practice until I thought I had my first song created, a few month till my girlfriend said: "That's your first actual song." and even longer if you want a result that comes close to what you wanted when you started.

But that doesn't mean It's not fun, so practice and enjoy

Thanks for the words of wisdom, and i didnt take any offence..lol

I should have been a bit more informative, but you are right about the whole not knowing what you want thing.

i have watched videos on the NI website and it all looks very easy, but I am fully aware that nothing to do with music software is easy.

I do have 2 Krk Rokit 6's and imac, macbook pro and i have Logic Express.

The logic Express was given to me, The Krk's are with my dj setup and the macbook i purchased to use with traktor and rekordbox. the Imac is my home computer.

I have been around music for a long time, recording guitars and live instruments, i dodnt mention this as I wanted to be instructed as a complete begginer incase anybody missed little details out. i have played guitar for 15 years, but the software side of recording was mostly done by freinds, i know a few bits, but wouldnt say im competent by any means.

Sorry if i was misleading at the beggining, i just wanted to make sure i get all the right infor straight away.

Thanks,

matt.

[tilldrop]

Alright than you already got everything you need I guess. I have no idea of what Logic Express is capable of though. Maybe an update on your DAW would be worth it. Since you use Macs only Logic is the best deal (apart from personal preference).

First start making some simple beats. Just whatever comes in your mind. Learn all the basics. User interface, recording, routing, MIDI/audio, the different effects your DAW offers, side-chaining, EQing, compression, etc.
From what I have experienced it doesn't make sense to just jump into the desired genre. I did some orchestra stuff, some Deep House, some piano ballads...

I tried a few DAWs on my own, but really learned only Ableton Live. For ableton there are AWESOME tutorials on youtube by a guy named Sadowick. I'm sure there is someone doing similar things for Logic.

[Combo Meal]

Ok,

I want to make drum & bass, good old classic style 90's jump up DnB.

Artists that i like are Aphrodite, Dj Hype, Dj Zinc Etc.

The problem i have is, i dont know how to make it.

I have been looking at a product called Maschine, would you guys say this is a good starting place? Is it suitable for what i want to achieve?

I understand i will need a midi keyboard, which is no problem, i also have logic express.

Can anybody start me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Matt.

That style is mainly basslines, amen loops (or a similar drum loop in a sorta 2 step kinda feel), and samples. the jump up sound is in the groove (usually of the bassline), and in the way you pattern/ sequence all your parts.

From my perspective, you dont have a gear problem, as you have all the tools to get going. In order to create it, you have to understand it (the music) by listening to what the bassline is playing, how the loops are chopped and tuned (the drum track). Listen to a lot of it and you will start noticing common characteristics that define the genre.

Hope that helps, i loved jump up during the golden days, especially that ragga-hiphop influenced kind.

[Mattalik]

Alright than you already got everything you need I guess. I have no idea of what Logic Express is capable of though. Maybe an update on your DAW would be worth it. Since you use Macs only Logic is the best deal (apart from personal preference).

First start making some simple beats. Just whatever comes in your mind. Learn all the basics. User interface, recording, routing, MIDI/audio, the different effects your DAW offers, side-chaining, EQing, compression, etc.
From what I have experienced it doesn't make sense to just jump into the desired genre. I did some orchestra stuff, some Deep House, some piano ballads...

I tried a few DAWs on my own, but really learned only Ableton Live. For ableton there are AWESOME tutorials on youtube by a guy named Sadowick. I'm sure there is someone doing similar things for Logic.

Thanks Tilldrop, i will take your advice on board, maybe try ableton too.

Thanks,

Matt.

[ImNotDedYet]

Don't discount FL Studio or other DAWs as well. Just find the DAW that offers the workflow that works for you. Don't limit yourself to trying only Logic and Ableton would be my advice. Yes, it will take you more time, but it may also save you a lot of time and money if you make the right decision for you in the first place.

[tilldrop]

True words, though I got to admit that I had no idea what to look for when I first tried a few DAWs.

[ponk]

To do any sort of DnB production, you're going to need a DAW (Logic Express was discontinued about 4 years ago). If you want to record your guitar you will also need an audio interface. What you don't need is Maschine. Great product, comes with lots of cool sounds and synths, but until you become familiar with DAWs (and MIDI) there's no point in spending the cash.

If you want to get started now, for free, I'd suggest this:
Download a copy of Reaper - an excellent, inexpensive DAW, cross platform and fully functional 60 day eval.
Download a copy of TAL Noisemaker - a free, fun to use synth with a retro sound
Download a copy of sforzando player, and the free Aria sounds (for some drums) from here

Take some time reading (lots) of docs on how to get this setup, and then start playing with the synth. At the same time, watch on how to make Dubstep in Ableton (I know, not DnB, but very similar process) (also, most DAWs are very similar in functionality - learning the basics in Reaper (vsts, vstis, midi, etc) will apply to any DAW you use.

You may very well end up with another DAW and Maschine, but you will be far more comfortable with your choices. Hope this helps

[ImNotDedYet]

True words, though I got to admit that I had no idea what to look for when I first tried a few DAWs.

Something that feels good and is intuitive for you to use throughout the whole process of creating a song or doing as much as possible to create a song.