Good website for getting into Production
Hey,
So i’ve been a DJ on and off for quite a few years now and was thinking about getting into production. I don’t really know where to begin but would like to do some research before jumping in and buying something. What are some good websites that give a good intro to this kind of thing? I got a free copy Ableton with my soundcard and the APC40 looks like a good place to start but i’d really like to educate myself more before buying anything.
live performance = ableton
multi-track production = logic/pro tools/acid/fl studio… there’s a lot
i love: gearslutz.com
This site is amazing:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
+1 on kvraudio.com. also check out futureproducers.com they have a good forum section and tutorials
holy hell why have i not seen this before.
+1 my friend
A big +1 for tweakheadz and gearslutz.
If you have specific questions about production, djtt is a great place to get help. A lot of people that creep around here do production work, too (myself included).
I wouldn’t go out and buy the APC40 just yet though. Not that it isn’t a quality piece of gear, I’m just saying it’s not necessarily something you’ll need, especially at first. Personally, I would suggest buying a keyboard controller, it will help tremendously with production. Something like the M-Audio Oxygen 8. Or, if you really want something with a couple pads (though nothing close to the APC40), you can pick up something like the M-Audio Axiom 25, which has 8 pads and a couple knobs.
I’m only suggesting these two things because, well, they’re fairly inexpensive, and I guess I kind of assumed that you don’t have loads of cash to be spending on something you’re just getting into.
(On the other hand, if you have a lot of money, go buy the APC40, I will be infinitely jealous 
)
I would start by downloading demos of some production software, figure out what works for you, and try to figure out how to do some basic things.
Edit: I forgot to mention, the production software will be expensive if you decide not to use Ableton, I guess that’s why I was tweaking out about the whole money issue 
If you are using Fl.Studio
http://www.warbeats.com is a pretty good site to get you into the internal workings of the program. Its kinda amazing what a program previously refered to as Fruity Loops can do now these days. I have learned allot from that site.
on youtube search “Producer Masterclass” or “Future Music” there is a slew of vids there that give some helpful tips. You will notice Benga and Laidback Luke use FLStudio
Acephincter is another good youtube search as well.
Money wouldn’t be a huge issue. Mind you I don’t have $4000 to spend on a keyboard but i’d rather buy something quality the first time around then buy something cheap and upgrade 12 months from now.
as far as software goes, I guess i’ll take a look at some of those sites for people doing pro’s and con’s of each. I’d even be interested in taking some courses part-time if they weren’t too expensive. Anyone done that?
kvr + audionews
i’d never heard of the other ones mentioned (gearslutz +tweakheadz) but I bookmarked them for future reference, thanks for sharing fellas!
The Tweakheadz forum is amazing and answered a LOT of questions for me. Be sure to carefully read the guide first, and search the forums, though, cause there is such a wealth of information there, and the regulars are kind of picky about the organization of the forums.