Not Sure if I can Stick with Ableton

[DThree]

Alright, I'm new here and I've done my fair share of searching around at finding what is the best/easiest for becoming a new producer. I've pretty much been involved with music since grade school, but never really the production side of it. Now that I've downloaded myself a copy of Ableton I've gotten pretty good at creating the basic kick/snare combos, hi-hat lines, and even learned up on using the Simpler and Operator tool to create unique Wobble Bass sounds. Unfortunately, the only thing I'm having trouble with is creating a drop, and building up to it. Part of me thinks that I'm going to need a MIDI Controller if I really want to get serious about production, but on the other hand I feel like I can make some basic tracks with just my regular old keyboard and a mouse.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to build up to a drop and then create an actual drop? Will it involve having multiple "tracks" with differently tuned Saw/Square WAV files or is there a place where I can pick up some Skrillex/Flux Pavillion like samples?

[wub]

Ok, think there are three main things here.

1) You're talking about making Skrillex style sounds. Try reading through these threads;

Skrillex Sounds - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=198681
Making Dubstep Bass - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 6#p2204163

2) If the differently tuned saw/squares you've mentioned still aren't working, try some resampling;

Resampling thread - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 4#p2206342

3) Writing drops is a combination of building tension, and knowing when to drop it. Check this discussion re; threads;

Writing Drops - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... ilit=drops


If the above isn't helping you, try using the search function.

[wub]

There are also a number of threads about choosing MIDI controllers. Again, the search function should help.

[legskeattch]

True music skill comes from using the tools you have... creating a better drop does not mean u need a midi controller, its about having the knowledge of what your doing... Listen to the songs, actually listen, import some tunes into ableton and hear where it drops and hear the builds up. silence is the key to a good drop in a lot of cases!

[jaimelee]

Alright, I'm new here and I've done my fair share of searching around at finding what is the best/easiest for becoming a new producer. I've pretty much been involved with music since grade school, but never really the production side of it. Now that I've downloaded myself a copy of Ableton I've gotten pretty good at creating the basic kick/snare combos, hi-hat lines, and even learned up on using the Simpler and Operator tool to create unique Wobble Bass sounds. Unfortunately, the only thing I'm having trouble with is creating a drop, and building up to it. Part of me thinks that I'm going to need a MIDI Controller if I really want to get serious about production, but on the other hand I feel like I can make some basic tracks with just my regular old keyboard and a mouse.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to build up to a drop and then create an actual drop? Will it involve having multiple "tracks" with differently tuned Saw/Square WAV files or is there a place where I can pick up some Skrillex/Flux Pavillion like samples?

1. Downloaded a copy of Ableton demo i presume?

2. It's all about automating lines for building up. Like risers, developing sweepers or just abstract noises.

3. Midi controllers help with 2.^

4. You do the same with any other DAW, need to do the same thing basically. Should stick with Abe for now mate.

[Sparxy]

There's nothing wrong with Ableton for what you need it to do. You just don't know how to do it yet. I have been on Ableton for ages now I love it.
You need to work hard and practice and learn how to make Ableton do what you want - the only way to do this is research, practice, trial and error... over the years you will know it like the back of your hand

[Foreplay]

practice, practice, practice.

[traffek]

gotta say mate. you listed no reason why ableton isnt doing it for you. plenty of songs have been made with ableton hell with out midi controllers. draw in automation is better (IMO) to make really accurate adjustments.

skrillex uses ableton FYI.

dont go crazy mate. think of a band. punk for instance. 3 instruments and a voice. (so 4 instruments)

make something simple. build up and pull stuff away. i bet you are some young dude who has only used it for less than a year.

ive been making tunes for awhile, and still learn daily (6years on a daw and counting) and i use ableton. learn it. if you dont want to goto Logic if on a Mac. I would use FL if I could but none of that matters. they all are the same.

back to your drop. make interesting sounds before building a drop. make a loop on a bar. star with drums. a GOOD song can have just three elements in it and make you feel a groove. good tip i heard from el-b and it is so true. and fuck trying to make drops. they happen on their own. dont worry if you are just starting. just feel it out. and if you are using ableton, you can trigger stuff with keys. keep that in mind too. you can build everything thing in the session view in 8bar loops. and trigger and mute stuff merrily.

heres a hint. break everything out at your drops. keep an atmosphere. keep something in the background ticking to get anxiety in the track. pull down your master volume a decibel or two for the bar or so right before the drop. and then return it to 0DB. (rusko tip that has made my tunes gets some bang lately that i always forget.)

honestly just stop complaining. you are lucky you have first, so many people to talk to. the internet to use for google. and your mind to experiment with. and check out the maudio controllers for keyboards. they are my fav for the price. the akai mpd's are good for djing and such. or drums. all depends on what you are trying to do. keep your head up and dont let people get down on ya. just dont sound dumb. there is never a dumb question. but do NOT ask for samples of people or what they use. they mold their clay into the mid range they want. just keep trying. and let people hear your stuff, get their feedback.