Hey you guys, so I’ve been interested in producing for roughly a year now. I never really got into it THAT much because of lack of time, and it’s so much to get your head around, but I feel like I’m slowly getting the idea. (3 of my tracks http://soundcloud.com/djbartje93).
Anyway I learned all this while messing around and having no clue so sorry if I ask something stupid hehe
Vst Plugins: So I got massive, Nexus 2 along with a couple of others and it got some NICE sounds in it, however, they are presets. Is it “cheating” to use these presets? How do you guys use those VST’s? Do you create new sounds from scratch or pick something you like and then tweak it to your liking? I tried creating new ones from scratch but it becomes VERY difficult and complicated fast, and I don’t really know what I’m doing…
Compressor/limiter: Any tips on how to make my tracks sound better using these is very much appreciated.
And last but not least, what can I do to tweak the overall sound or mix it properly when it is finished? What do you use, EQU? I’m just making sure I’m not missing some obvious tool in the program (it’s so big!)
Once again I’m sorry for the perhaps nooby questions but these are going on in my mind for some time and some awnsers would be great!
Thanks!
Ok, I’m going to point out the biggest mistake here. Nexus. Its a rompler, basicly this means that you cant create your own sounds.
This doesnt mean that you cant create great music from Nexus, and No it isnt cheating. I dont know who your favourite artists are but ive seen people from Avicii to Headhunterz using it. I personally thing its great for layering with something you have made.
Dont get too caught up on making your own sounds from scratch, it isnt cheating. Just find a preset you like a tweak it. When you have more time down the track try to recreate sounds and go from there. A book on synthesis would be good to read.
Dont use a limiter on a channel, maybe on the master at the end of the mixdown/master but there are very few time you would use a limiter on a channel. Think of it as squashing the sound TOO much. Compression on the other hand, read up on it, find out why people use it. You dont HAVE to use it, but it can help.
EQ - the quick answer, any frequency you boost is going to sound sharper or brighter, anything you cut is going to sound duller. Dont get the idea in your head that its used for advanced sound design, its mostly used to make sounds fit within your song.
I suggest you read kim lajoei’s blog or buy the dance music manual for further reading.
Thank you! This is very helpfull! One other thing, I’m kind of short on cash at the moment, but can you recommend a good place to get free samples? And no I’m not intending to pirate or anything hehe
Check drumsamples.org for some to get you started. There are mostly average samples, but a few gems in there. As for learning synthesis, IMO Massive is a great synth to learn on but just check around for blogs, articles, and maybe books on synthesis. If I recall correctly the thread “dubstep production bible” on dubstepforum.com (not trying to plug another forum..) has some useful links for getting started with synthesis as well as producing as a whole. I don’t even produce dubstep and I found that thread very useful. Just remember, Google is your best friend
