help a begginer

[itchy feet]

i am extremely interested in starting to produce my own dance music but the only problem is i have no idea where to begin!!
i was hoping that some one could help me out by pointing me in the right direction!
what equiptment do i need? i have a computer so a free or cheap program to start me on my way would be good and then i can build from there as my expertise and quality of my mucic builds any suggestions or tips would be much appreciated:)

[phunkdust]

Ok, first of all...

Read the Production FAQ (http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21349)

Read Phunkdust's Getting Started Guide (http://www.inthemix.com.au/p/np/viewnews.php?id=5475) (I wrote this a little while ago, so it really needs updating ;D )

Since you've got a computer (is it any good? tell us some specs and we can guide you into what you need) it's best to start by downloading some software demos to find out what program suits you best...

I'd be reccomending these as good beginner programs...

Orion (http://www.synapse-audio.com/)
Fruitloops (http://www.fruityloops.com)
Jeskola Buzz (http://www.buzzmachines.com)
Reason (http://www.propellerheads.se/de/downloads/demos/frame.html)

There are a couple of other programs like Ableton Live and ACiD, but they are more useful in multitrack wave playback and sampling rather than a full, versatile, virtual studio solution (which is what you need)

Once you have these downloaded, start playing around! Go crazy! It doesn't matter that the programs are demos, just figure out what each one can do and find the one that you like best...

Once you've picked a piece of software you really like, jump back on here and we can help you with that program (or programs if you like more than one)

I have to point out here that we will help you USE the programs but we will not help you GET the programs. ie, we don't support warez on the forums. cheers ;D

Oh, and if anyone suggests a program called Dance eJay, ignore them ;D

Three other very useful sites...

Shareware Music Programs (http://www.hitsquad.com/smm)
A Bunch of VSTs (http://www.kvr-vst.com)
InterMusic's Tutorials Database (Fukn GOLD) (http://www.intermusic.co.uk/defaultfeaturearchive.asp?FeatureType=TUT)

Most of all, HAVE FUN!...

Phunkdust
phunkdust@inthemix.com.au

[itchy feet]

thanx phunkdust this has given me a great place to start i didn't think it would be this complex but it is exactly the challenge i am looking for:tripping: time to get stuck into it wish me luck

[phunkdust]

music production, unlike DJing, is very complex, it takes a lot of time, skill, and effort to pull it off effectively. It's also an addiction that will keep eating at your wallet as you buy up more stuff ( driload will confirm that one ;D )

If you want to go anywhere with it, not just having fun with it (hey if you just want to play around, feel free) you need passion, talent, and most of all, drive.

cheers, and good luck.

[WhiteTiger]

Just practice, pratice, practice!! Use the software you have selected to use constantly and just go crazy by using their max potential. Once you get you a few sample to work with use some of the multi-trackers mentioned before and 'drag n drop' to your hearts content. I may sound shit to start but you will find every track you make will get better as you get better.

Good Luck!

p.s. continually check for feedback- get as many people as you can to listen, if it sounds good to someone else, you have done it. SUCCESS in the music biz.

[phunkdust]

i wouldnt reccomend drag and drop because that pidgeonholes you into formula-based music where you have set patterns and rhythms and melodies...

drag and drop = SF Acid, Dance eJay, etc...

virtual instruments are the way to go, use these with creative sampling techniques and you have unlimited creative potential...

remember to keep coming back to ITM for the latest news, ideas, tricks, help, and of course to tell us when we can hear your first track.

[SPOKEYDOKEY]

Most of all, HAVE FUN!...

Phunkdust
phunkdust@inthemix.com.au

fun? what the hell's fun got to do with dance music? :p

[kidd]

I've been an acid (SF that is) user for years, I love how easy it is, however it DOES pretty much force you to organise everything into neat 4 bar phrases/loops (which is good for structure, not so good for creativity).

I've never used midi (The horror!) and was wondering what the looping process is like in programs like cubase. Is it easy to do (because looping wavs in cubase is a pain in the arse) and I am a big fan of the loop... also, how do you avoid programs like acid if you are using large amounts of looped samples - eg you want to lay down funky drummer (how original) as your beat, do you midi it from a sampler (I don't have one in any case!), or do you prepare it in Acid and export?

I want to move on from Acid, but all these questions linger in my mind! if its just a matter of playing with the software, I'm happy to do that. Currently I work only with wavs, I record large chunks either on Sound forge or on cubase and generally lay them all out on acid.

Any advice?

[kenada]

Originally posted by phunkdust

Oh, and if anyone suggests a program called Dance eJay, ignore them ;D
Phunkdust
phunkdust@inthemix.com.au

LMAO - A Mate of mine gave me a copy of techno e-jay, and I got like 1 good sound outta that thing - and it didn't even sound like techno.

BTW - the sound was a music box type dealy, I made a little loop outta it in reason and quite a few people thought it was decent. So if you can take anything from this little story at all, it should be that e-jay blows, reason is great, and that sounds can be sourced from the most unlikely locations.

E-Jay has VOX samples like "I'm an E-Jay" "and Scott Project style "Wait for the Bassline"

haaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaa. =)

[phunkdust]

kidd, yeah theres no reason why you cant do looping like in acid, you just have to pre-prepare wave files beforehand - ie make sure they loop properly, get the timestreching right (thank goodness for pocket calculators) and basically do it all manually, then you can dump it into cubase or logic or whatever and just paint it in as per acid...

you can use acid or soundforge to prepare and stretch samples for you...