Getting into the music production game! (Beginner)
Hey guys!
I’m new to the music production game and I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I’ve always wanted to create electronic music since I first heard “Flat Beat” by Mr.Oizo. I figured DJing was the way to go, so when I was 15 I bought my first turntables (Stanton STR8-80’s). Anyway, to make a long story short, I’m 22 this year and decided I want to continue that dream that I had when I was younger and make my own music.
I’m not DJing anymore (but with the new controller revolution happening I might pick it up again) but I would like to start producing music. I like Electro, House and a bit of Dubstep right now, so any suggestions in producing music of that genre would be welcome. Here is what I decided and I was wondering if someone could comment on my choices:
DAW of choice: Ableton Live 8. I’m currently running a demo of this. It seems like one of the more straightforward DAWs out there and I have a friend producing with it so I decided to use it too since it also seems geared for live performances. Also if anyone could suggest the VSTs and VSTi packs that I should get, please let me know.
Equipment: Since I just started using Ableton Live 8, I’m looking for some equipment to go with it. I hear that I won’t be needing much in terms of equipment apart from a MIDI-Keyboard, Soundcard and Monitor Speakers. Since I just started I would like to buy a Midi-Keyboard under $200. If any of you could suggest one that is good value for money and works great with Ableton, I would be grateful. Also if I’m missing an important piece of equipment for my beginner set up, feel free to suggest it.
Lessons and Tutorials: I am a complete newbie to music theory and music production, so if anyone could suggest sites and links that helped you when you were starting, you’d be awesome. I know how google works and I know it is possible to google just about everything, but not all of the search results are useful and there are some specific articles and hidden treasures out there that people have found.
That’s all for now, I think, so thank you in advance for the help.
P.S. I have searched the music production forums with the keyword “Beginner” so please don’t bash me for asking the questions. Everyone was a newbie at some point right?
Awesome! Yeah I was also referred to youtube so I’m checking it out and I’m surprised there’s a lot of info on there. As far as craigslist, it can be kind of hit or miss since my city isn’t as big as a place as san francisco. Any suggestions on something that’s great for starters? Nothing too fancy or complicated works for me.
Thanks for this link! I’m looking forward to using the softsynths. What would you suggest as far as a MIDI keyboard? I’m trying to keep my budget in the $100-150 range. Or is that too little for a keyboard?
The Oxygen M 49 is what I would go with personally.
Lessons and Tutorials: I am a complete newbie to music theory and music production, so if anyone could suggest sites and links that helped you when you were starting, you’d be awesome. I know how google works and I know it is possible to google just about everything, but not all of the search results are useful and there are some specific articles and hidden treasures out there that people have found.
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Youtube.com that shit, cause that’s what I did and I found a bunch of tutorials. Ohh and check out places like Sonic Academy.
It’s not about searching the word “beginner”, how about searching “MIDI keyboards” or “VSTs”, there are a TON of threads on here with all the information you asked for . So next time be more specific in your search!
Youtube.com that shit, cause that’s what I did and I found a bunch of tutorials. Ohh and check out places like Sonic Academy.
It’s not about searching the word “beginner”, how about searching “MIDI keyboards” or “VSTs”, there are a TON of threads on here with all the information you asked for . So next time be more specific in your search!
Good luck![/QUOTE]
Thank you Mr.Coldfuzion! I want to ask you something though…would you suggest I get a soundcard and monitor speakers? Or should I just get a soundcard and headphones? I’m running a macbook pro so my soundcard might just make it in the latency department.
For a keyboard, i have the axiom 25, and i love it! won’t be changing it for a while.
and for tutorials, check out youtube first, for the free ones, when you have them covered, head on over to dubspot, sonic academy and all the rest for the paid tutorials!
A sound card for DJ’ing is different than your sound card in your computer. To be honest, if you just want to produce music, monitors are great but I prefer (well usually end up listening through) headphones. However if you are going to be DJ’ing, then get monitors so you can DJ a small house party as well.
That’s jus my opinion, and at NAMM this year there was this little amplifier thing that actually from what I hear emulated different monitors - so you can hear what it sounds like from different monitors through your head phones. It’s called the VRM Box.
Ohh and if you choose to go the monitor and sound card route, Native Instruments is releasing their new line soon - and i’m sure it’ll be nothing short of spectacular, so i’d wait for that regardless.
Thanks a lot guys! I appreciate the help and the links. I was thinking of this set up but I was wondering if any of you could comment on whether it should work or not…
Feel free to make alternative suggestions. I’m not too sure about the audio interface. I’m actually looking for something cheaper but someone suggested it to me.
I have an UMX 25 midi keyboard, and I swear to god. I’ve used it on one song. I mainly just use my regular keyboard to find melodies and then program it in manually. Its definately not a necessity. HOWEVER, having knobs and small buttons is! Its more fun to map synth envelopes and effects to knobs and buttons when you are creating Glitchy electro/dubstep
As for monitors, KRK RP5s (or RP6 if you want some more low end/bass)
as for softsynths, i use Sylenth, Massive, FM8 and Izotope Ozone.
Thank you all for your suggestions. I had a couple of questions. I hear good things about the KRK monitors but I’m a total noob and was surprised to find out they sell them in Singles too. What are the pros and cons of having a pair of monitors compared to a single monitor? Is there any difference?
Yes, there’s a huge difference. You want a pair so you can set it up correctly and have the music coming at you from two different sides. Its like listening to music from only one ear bud thing on headphones instead of both ear buds. When the music is produced (regardless of who produced it) it is meant to be heard from two audio outputs.
If you listen closely to songs you’ll hear that different sounds are coming out of each of the sides, it’s not just the same thing on both sides.
You need two. Well that’s what I believe at least. And the KRKs are great, I love mine!
Ok so I’ve thought about it and was thinking of getting a pair of studio headphones and a VRM Box when it comes out. Would I still need a sound card even when using a pair of headphones? I’m trying to minimize costs so I can also buy some DJ gear.
Ok so this thread has been here for a while but now I’m going to do a final bump. Here are my two options I plan to buy this stuff this month as a birthday present to myself:
, so you’re set there!