Beginning Producer Tips

[MAJOR235421]

Hey guys, I'm 17 and have been DJing since 14 and recently decided that I want to take the step into producing my own stuff. I'm sorry if my following questions may have been in other threads, but I am new to the forums. I basically was wondering what hardware/ software would be good to get me started in producing dubstep and some house. I have lots of experience with Native Instruments as I use Traktor when I DJ, so I'm leaning toward Massive/ Reaktor. Would this work in the long run? And if not, what software would you suggest I pick up? In terms of hardware, Ive heard that it is not necessary, but what are your opinions on this? Is there a need to pick up a synth like an M Audio Oxygen or something along those lines? I have somewhere between 700-900 to spend in total and want to get a better understanding of what I should use that on. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks Guys!

[Huts]

this thread has everything you'll need http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=159713

[DJ Crackle]

Massive's a great synth. Lots of people will tell you that its sound has been rinsed but there's an incredible amount of things you can do with it, and its interface is simple and to the point. Don't know much about reaktor. I have an M-Audio 02 that's stood the test of time and has always done the very simple, basic job I need it to. I don't recall the price, but I know it was very affordable.
Mostly, check the above thread.

[MAJOR235421]

Thanks! So I went to guitar center and asked one of the guys there, and remember I know very little so I don't know if this guy is actually right or what. He said that "Everyone" is using an Akai APC40 and ableton live. Would this be good/ necessary setup for what I want to do?

[The Riot Act]

Thanks! So I went to guitar center and asked one of the guys there, and remember I know very little so I don't know if this guy is actually right or what. He said that "Everyone" is using an Akai APC40 and ableton live. Would this be good/ necessary setup for what I want to do?

I wouldn't bother with the APC40 if I were you. I see it as more of a live performance thing. I bought one then replaced it not long after with a MIDI keyboard.

[DJ Crackle]

I wouldn't bother with the APC40 if I were you. I see it as more of a live performance thing.

This, especially paired with Ableton.
I certainly do not agree with his statement of "everyone", at all.

[JTMMusicuk]

The people at the guitar centre will just try and sell you anything without considering your real needs, id try tutorials of various daws before making a decision such as logic if you have a mac, ableton, Fruity loops, Reason
each essentially does the same thing but it depends on how you like to work and what you feel comfortable with.
The akai midi controller isnt really needed, it would probably be better to get a midi keyboard but even this is isnt nessercery
i would however advised investing in some studio monitors(speakers) to get a good clear sound which makes it easier to mix your tracks but i have no idea when it comes to monitors
Peace

[MAJOR235421]

Thanks a ton guys! So if I picked up some monitors, I don't need any other hardware? And in terms of software, whats the best I could do, for say, 500 with the DAW and any other software you think I would need?

[JTMMusicuk]

normally to use monitors you need an audio interface, which you can pickup quite cheaply if thats the only reason you need it for.
My set up for 3 years was literally just daw - audio interface - monitors
anything extra is just luxury, you can find lots of synths(Vsts) and samples for free online

[MAJOR235421]

OK so instead of Logic Studio, could I pick up Logic Pro 9 or is there something additional in logic studio that you need?

[ChadDub]

The people at the guitar centre will just try and sell you anything without considering your real needs

Seriously fucking this. Do not even TRY to get good information out of a Guitar Center employee. Going to Guitar Center is like going to a car dealership... Make sure you know your stuff and you pretty much know what you want to buy, because if you let them do the deciding for you you will get SHIT for a high price. Seriously, it's ridiculous.


My best advice for you is to find a synth you like and READ THE MANUAL. Take TWO HOURS OUT OF YOUR TIME and READ THE MANUAL. It will teach you AMAZING things that you probably wouldn't have even noticed if you wouldn't have read the manual. It will skyrocket your progress by seriously weeks if you do this.

[nitzdaking]

start playing around with fl studio download massive and watch lots of tutorials

[DJ Crackle]

Most daws have demos available! Look for them, play with them all before making a purchase

[MAJOR235421]

Thanks for all the amazing feedback! Greatly appreciated!

[B-Frank]

First and foremost don't get too wrapped up in hardware for you to buy. As a beginner producer you seriously don't need a Midi Keyboard yet.

Best bits of advice I can give you are:

Even though a lot of people on here will disagree, youtube tutorials are a great way to learn if you don''t have friends who are very good at producing. Don't start copying them alltogether but they will give you a much better understanding of how things work and that can cut out up to a year of tinkering with knobs being totally clueless.

Only ever make music you like yourself, when you start chasing a sound because you know it is successful it will never be able to give the tune your 100 percent. Might sound cheesey and cliche'd but it is true.

As a beginner producer, something that is quite a good way to improve your learning curve is trying to recreate existing tracks. Not so you can release them as your own but it will help you progress to a point where it comes a lot easier to put out good quality work of your own.

[mikeyp]

you obviously need a daw, and something to listen with. this could either be a nice pair of headphones or monitors. i know some people would say it's not necessary but i highly suggest a midi keyboard, even if you are just starting out. and if you do go with monitors i'm willing to bet you have a mixer you could run audio through to them if you don't want an interface but it sounds like you have the cash to get an inexpensive one. and that's really IT. don't go with anything else until you feel restricted by what you already have.

[drake89]

yeah i'd get a midi keyboard and beginning theory book if you don't have a clue about scales, chords, etc... You'll be doing yourself a favor because I imagine it's a pain in the ass voicing notes in the piano roll instead of just hitting a key on a keyboard. but you just need like 2 or 3 notes for a dubby song sooo

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

The biggest thing someone else has already metnioned is don't get too wrapped up in what hardware/software you need. I'de personally advise checking out Reaper, it has an unlimited trial period with no restrictions so you don't actually have to pay for it until you want to go out and make money off your tunes. And as far as DAWS go it really has everything you need. But of course go with what you're comfortable with.

I'de also advise getting at least a 2 octave midi keyboard. I have an M Audio Oxygen 25 Midi Keyboard, when got this it really felt like it opened up my freedom with screwing with sound. Before I had to draw in notes which to me was a huge thing in the way of a creative flow of any kind.

The next BIG thing (probably the biggest) is that you need to understand that right now you're in the most logistical stage you'll ever be with production. It's going to take you a pretty long time to get to the point of having everything you need to be comfortable with making anything that comes to mind at any point. There are a number of things you should focus on:

Choosing your tools. Don't just jump in and buy, spend a lot of time researching and trying out demo's of stuff, by this I mean DAWs, Synths, FX units. I really do recommend trying out reaper though. You'll love it once you get into it. Really try your best to not get ahead of yourself, patience is your friend here. look into different synths and pick a few that are capable of doing the sort of stuff you want to be doing. Get the demo of 1 and spend a lot of time playing with it READ THE MANUAL! seriously, as long as it takes, read the manual. Get comfortable with a few demo's and choose which 1 or 2 you'll want before buying. Do the same for effects units. You'll learn a hell of a lot on the way.

Its also extremely important to understand just how different making music is to mixing music. You need to teach yourself music theory, i can not stress this point enough, the biggest roadblock in the way of most would be producers is the frustration created by a lack of musical theory knowledge. Understanding keys/scales/modes/rhythm/tonal quality/timbre/texture/melody/harmony/counterpoint/time signatures/song structure and composition ( <-BIG ONE ) and so on, as well as the individual nature of the relationships between different scale degrees within different scales keys and modes e.t.c. will be your biggest arsenal in the creative process. you cannot speak a language until you learn it.

As well as musical theory you need to do a lot of self teaching into the nature of studio(virtual and real) signal chains, general administration and the logistical/technical side of making music. Learn what busses, Aux sends, recieves e.t.c. are. Not to mention things like the nature of Amplitude, the frequency spectrum, stereo field, fletcher munson curves and general psychoacoustics. how analogue waveforms experienced in the physical world are represented within the digital domain, and even the nature of how we actually experience interplaying waveforms as music are all things you need to become very familiar with, i.e. the difference between a saw wave and a square wave and when/why you should use which.

The last big milestone you need to be heading towards (allthough not actually 'the last' in terms of order) is synthesis. Learning how to synthesize sounds is very important too. Understand that synthesis is not actually directly part of the 'musical' process, allthough it can be, its hard to explain lol. Synthesis is the equivalent of making your instrument. guitars for example, have a certain pitch register, tonal quality and amplitude envelope. You pick up a guitar and learn tunes on it which would be the 'music process'. Synthesis is actually building the nature of the sound of the guitar. So understand that distinction, it may save you a lot of time.

One other thing i forgot until now actually is sample collection. Make this a part of your life. If you can get a decent mic and begin recording stuff, all kinds of stuff, rp things off the net, pull things apart, download sample packs, you name it. Develop a big collection of sounds you can delve into, keep it organized and structured, seriously, no, seriously, 90% of production workflow is managing files, well, you get what i mean.

Understand the journey. You are where you are now, you have a long road ahead of you, it will take you a long time to get to a point you're comfortable and feeling capable so don't get downhearted when things feel like they aren't moving forwards, they are, its just a very long process, knowledge is your key here, the more you learn and the more you commit yourself to learning and applying yourself creatively the quicker you will get better. Don't be afraid to experiment, take time out of 'making music' to fuck about, do this more than you actually make music at first. Spend time teaching yourself a defined thing for a while, be it EQ/compression/signal flow/scales... you name it. 'Teach yourself' rather than repeatedly attempt to make tunes because the perceived delicacy of the tune will restrict you from experimentation.

I'll leave you with this. Get hold of all of these and read them, make them your bibles ( as well as the manuals for your chosen tools). Right here I've cut down a very long search for decent learning materials. Get these books and follow them religiously, they are all you need, along with application, devotion patience and experimentation, to get really good at what you want to do. These book will teach you everything I have spoken about here, to a degree on par with professionally taught engineers and producers.

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Music Theory for Computer Musicians

Composition for Computer Musicians

Harmony for Computer Musicians

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How to Make a Noise

Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard

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Sound FX - Unlocking the Creative potential of recording studio effects

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Computer Music (Subscribe, its cheaper)

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First 3 books are open university computer musician course material. If you commit to studying the books and following them through you'll, well, it's the best thing you could do, trust me.

second two books are all you need to truly get on your feet with synthesis.

The Book on its own (Sound FX) is hands down the best written and most informative and comprehensive book on effects units and general DAW/studio technicality stuff I've read. It's written by a true master in the field, a university lecturer that's taught the subject his whole life and is one of the best in the country.

I'd advise subscribing to computer music to any serious computer musician, its a no-brainer.

All of these books are the best I've come across, taken me a long time to wade through the crap to find the diamonds in the rough and these be them. There may be better out there but personally I've not come across any. These are the best reading resources for learning what you want to IMO.

Good luck and Enjoy!

[extremesociety]

The people at the guitar centre will just try and sell you anything without considering your real needs

In my experience the people @ Guitar Center are not knowledgeable about most of what they're trying to sell. Do your own research for sure. I usually go to Guitar Center to try stuff.....then buy it elsewhere.

EDIT: BTW, if you have a Mac, the price for the full version of Logic Pro was just dropped to $199 on the App store. BUY THIS, most bang for your buck. If you have a PC I might go with Ableton, but that's just my opinion.

[Comfi]

Nice post turnip. I'd recommend fl studio. Lifetime free updates. Really awesome daw.