Looking for some advice getting started with production please.
Hello,
Just to get started ill write a little about my history if your interested in reading if not skip first part
I got into DJing about 11 year ago now using only CD decks and basic mixer, I always wanted to try to get into producing so after a while i started to use sonys acid dj. It was ok but felt imposible to achieve something worth playing live. I quit djing after about 5 or 6 years due to moving to Finland and having little room to bring items over. Last year i decided to get back into DJing again and decided to go for the computer dj route not the best choice as computers are not really user friendly with me. It was quite a struggle to get going as only had a mixtrack pro, I then invested in the traktor kontrol x1 which helped alot then i learnt some basic mapping for the mixtrack. Though i am stuck now as i need some advance mappings its getting there. But now back to wanting to get into producing again.
Now to the point of this thread.
I want to avoid the acid software as i tried a demo and not alot has changed with it.
I also have a issue with price so needs to be within a 150 euro budget for now.
Could anyone pass on some advice what software would be useful for me? if its something that can use the Kontrol x1 would be amazing. But would rather if its something that dont require much setting up as im not to good with mappings.
Also some advice what controllers / keboards would be helpful if the x1 isnt possible. But this would be a future purchase, So would need to be PC keboard and mouse friendly. or X1 friendly.
Im sure i made this rather confusing but i do hope someone can manage to figure this out would be amazing help if you can please.
Ableton - Really liking this but seems rather keboard / mouse unfriendly. Anything you can suggest to ease this problem ?
Will the X1 be possible to use? Or what kind of hardware should i look at if i take ableton?
by far my favourite of these for ease of use though seems quite alot to take in and months to learn compared to others.
I like the price of the live intro 8 to learn with and if its really what i want can upgrade to the better one.
FL seeming to be my least favourite at the moment.
I wouldn’t say that ableton is unfriendly to keyboard/mouse use… I use it this way most of the time… What makes you think that it’s unfriendly to mouse/keyboard use?
Maybe its just not taking the time to see if mouse and keyboard will work. Im not the most patient person when comes to using a pc mouse and keyboard.
Could you tell me if there is some place to get a mapping for using keyboard for this or do you just have to make your own up ?
I think it has quite a good shortcut system, what would you like to do with the keyboard? You can use it as a keyboard (to play notes and such… ). You can create your own mapping for functions as well, it’s as simple as clicking “KEY” (top right) then the function in GUI you’d like to map it to and then what key… But as I said, many functions already have shortcuts built in. Here you have a list: http://www.vertecsrecordings.com/?p=407
Thats help quite alot thank you.
Just need to get more control on the creating own beats now if you have any helpful tips on this would be nice.
Been watching plenty on youtube but most use controllers to make theres.
I dont know how you can manage to understand what i was trying to get accross but thank you. Just what i needed.
I will be sticking with ableton from now on seems to be perfect for me just need about 300 hours of learning then maybe something will start to stand out with a nice sound. Will put all this good advice to some good practice.
Thanks again for the help you have both been brilliant.
I used FL for my first DAW, then i moved to REASON 5, its a solid software with easy enough mappings and a ton of tutorials on youtube. I’d Highly recommend that you save up and get Ableton Suite though.
A lot of people prefer FL though because it is an excellent beginner program. REASON is definitely an excellent starting point though. you cant go wrong
Thanks for the advice but ill stick with ableton live intro for now. Was the only one i really liked the feel of when playing around although i had issues they were solved a little and now just have to perfect it a little more.
Also i beleave there is upgrades to the suite. But if not intro will still get me used to the program before purchasing the better ones. And the price is ok if i find producing isnt the way to go for me.
). You can create your own mapping for functions as well, it’s as simple as clicking “KEY” (top right) then the function in GUI you’d like to map it to and then what key… But as I said, many functions already have shortcuts built in. Here you have a list: