Thread: Anyone making music?

You are in the right frame of mind but there is a line between you being cocky and you believing in yourself. So I hope you understand that because if you are cocky, you won't get too far.

As per production software, I would highly encourage you to learn something about music, do you know how to read any? Do you know how keys work? If you want to be a good producer you have to have at least some basic knowledge about music itself and then comes the understanding of the sounds it can make for you. Also VDJ is a djing platform not a production platform as mentioned so keep VDJ to help you mix as a dj but if you are serious about getting into production you need to invest time and money, both very important. Once you understand the basics of music, then go into Ableton, Cubase, or the wildly popular and industry standard, Logic Pro.

Most of all, practice, practice, and more practice.

I appreciate the advise! I played Piano and Sax when I was younger so so I have some music history. I have never been able to read music for some reason, I always played by sound and note memorization. I just got FL Studio Producer Edition (I heard its user friendly) and ordered a DJ for Dummies book from Amazon Hahaha. Hopefully I can get some basic concepts down. Its frustrating because I know exactly what sounds and combos I want but I dont know how to make those sounds happen. Hopefully I will figure out how to manipulate it properly.

How do you practice? Like just messing around a lot with the program or is there a training thing?
What would be the best and most cost efficient equipment to start out with? I was thinking about getting a MIDI controller but there are alot of choices and features. Can you please give me a link to a few you think would be good?

I dabble around with fl, serato, virtual dj, and used to spin. Which version of vdj are you using?

Sent from my monkey servants via taptalk

@FreshlySnipes: I understand some people can play sounds just by hearing them which is a great gift as well. However, you should try to learn how to read notes and especially understand how keys work because imo at the end of the day any subject you are educated in will propel you in the subject even further. However, because you are at the inception of your mixing and producing be careful not to loose that sense of sound and imagination either. You might be thinking, well what does that mean exactly? What I mean by that is, if you can feel and hear sounds in your head and sit there thinking to yourself sometimes, "well if someone only created a machine that would attach to my head, I could be the biggest/baddest dj/producer," then you should try to learn the basics and start your education in sound and music composition by focusing on one program that you feel suits you best and learn by trial and error. Go the youtube route and learn step by step and enjoy it. Some people would rather learn in a more systamic way but you need to figure out how your brain learns because this is your creative mind at work and everyone is different. I can only give you opinions and suggestions but I don't know how your brain creates music, how you envision things, etc.

As per your other questions, once you are ready to get your hands dirty with the knowledge in your head, take a trip down to your local music shop and test a few items. Enroll in any demo classes if they provide. Over the course of your learning phase you will experiment with different hardware and see what suits you best just like the virtual programs (put money aside for this). To start things off on the cheaper side, invest your money in a good computer, program, and maybe a midi keyboard to help out with those Basto/Avicii like melodies since you understand piano. Then once you feel you are ready to move on, there are tons of products to help you grow, but keep things simple for now and enjoy the process rather than over thinking things and finding yourself with a slew of different hardware and programs that will overwhelm you.

Take a look at these to start
M-AUDIO - Axiom 25 - New - Advanced 25-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS : HOME | HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR MUSICIANS, PRODUCERS, DJS, GUITAR AND BASS PLAYERS

I have not really heard about him because he is not a very well known DJ/Producer and when i mean get in contact with big names i mean world renown like Laidback Luke or Alesso, Afrojack just to name you 3 out of about 80 to 100. No doubt its awesome he is willing to help you but its not what I'm getting at and he won't make you huge. I don't doubt you as far as you making it big either and i think having the right mind set is key in this industry. Doesn't hurt to actually know what you are doing but pushing yourself is number 1. Part of becoming a great producer is going through the long process of learning how to get whats in your head onto a computer and to make it digital. It takes a very long time as you will eventually find out. As far as your daw for producing goes, it doesn't matter which you use. Its about how you use it. Whether you use FL or Ableton or Logic, just to give you the top 3, it won't matter. Just get yourself familiar with one of them and have it be the one you are most comfortable using. Btw i know virtual dj is free and its not bad but if you wanna do the dj'ing part right then i suggest getting familiar with Serato. I like that you are willing to spend what it takes. I say first figure out what exactly you are trying to do. focus on one or the other, being producing or dj'ing and go at it 100%. All you need for a start is a software, plug-ins, time, and motivation. Get yourself some good headphones so you can hear things properly while producing. That is Key to building you ear as a producer and keep at it mate (( :

What @skycap is saying is also very true.. Great advice

Originally Posted by FreshlySnipes

Is there any way to isolate and remove different parts of a song, like just the beat or the vocals?
Any software recommendations for Mac OSX?

First, get the acapella (just vocals) for the G6 song, so your lows won't mix into the mau5 song. Assuming that the bpms match/closely match, you can use either your VDJ program and set cue points to your G6 song or get an easy to use producing program like Fruity loops or Logic (Mac) and place parts of the acapella into deadmau5' track. VDJ is a good program to start off with, the sync button is your friend but also your enemy.

Originally Posted by FreshlySnipes

What equipment do I need to get started?
What are some good resources I can use to help me?

You don't always need to have gear/equipment to make music, sometimes you're able to learn more without any. Start off without any equipment and then when you get comfortable with the program, get yourself some equipment! Also, start by using FL or Logic (the simpler programs), watch some youtube tutorials on how to get started. Then try out ableton or acid and see which program makes you feel the most comfortable (fl, logic, ablton, acid?)

Check this out!

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/steve-st...ng.737333.html

I use Logic and ProTools in my home studio. Here's a few pics...

@lux4swaggers... I agree with you 100% but there's no reason to start with a "Easy or simple program"... Just pick one and get super familiar with it. Many huge artists from Avicci to deadmau5 to porter robinson use Fl. Just work hard and learn how to use whatever program you choose : )

@Bhr4ce1 ... Super dig the studio mate, looks great and I'm sure it performs as well. Got any music out there yet ?

BHR4CE1, nice setup!
I use NI traktor Kontrol S4 with Traktor Pro 2, and NI Maschine with Massive. It's just for fun. Here's my setup...
EDIT: Right now I'm just playing it all through a 5.1 surround sound. It's HQ connected through HDMI and digital fiber optic cable, but I want to get a set of krk rokit 10's. What do you guys think about those?