Electronic Music

[TerribleAssassin]

Well, I'm looking to get into making Electro Music, but I'm not sure where to start, I have inspiration, but not equipment.

So Escapists, this is where you step in, do you know any good or cheap (preferably both, but I'll settle) must-haves for making Electronic House music?

 

[smearyllama]

Cheap? Korg DS-10. It's a music generation game for the DS. Actually pretty complex, too.
Mario Paint Composer. Free and easy to use.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Cheap? Korg DS-10. It's a music generation game for the DS. Actually pretty complex, too.
Mario Paint Composer. Free and easy to use.

No, like actually keyboards and mixing desks, and I've looked at Korg items, not cheap..

 

[gl1koz3]

Basically, you type "music production software" into google and get your hands on the first app. Move on to next one as soon as it crashes.

In all seriousness, I suggest skipping on big hardware and learn the software things first. For this, I'd recommend Reason 4 or 5. It's kind of an equipment rack simulator. So, no knowledge of abysmal software development and sound routing specifics required. Just pure trial & error with on-screen rack and realistic wire connection simulator.

I haven't seen it badly crash on me in 4 years of using it. Never to the point where I can't press CTRL+S and restart it.

 

[smearyllama]

Cheap? Korg DS-10. It's a music generation game for the DS. Actually pretty complex, too.
Mario Paint Composer. Free and easy to use.

No, like actually keyboards and mixing desks, and I've looked at Korg items, not cheap..

No, the DS-10 has all of those functions crammed into a handheld game system.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Basically, you type "music production software" into google and get your hands on the first app. Move on to next one as soon as it crashes.

In all seriousness, I suggest skipping on big hardware and learn the software things first. For this, I'd recommend Reason 4 or 5. It's kinda of an equipment rack simulator. So, no knowledge of abysmal software development and sound routing specifics required. Just pure trial & error with on-screen rack and realistic wire connection simulator.

What about if I end up playing live sets (presuming this takes off), I'm sure people would expect more than a pre-recorded track from a laptop!

 

[gl1koz3]

Basically, you type "music production software" into google and get your hands on the first app. Move on to next one as soon as it crashes.

In all seriousness, I suggest skipping on big hardware and learn the software things first. For this, I'd recommend Reason 4 or 5. It's kinda of an equipment rack simulator. So, no knowledge of abysmal software development and sound routing specifics required. Just pure trial & error with on-screen rack and realistic wire connection simulator.

What about if I end up playing live sets (presuming this takes off), I'm sure people would expect more than a pre-recorded track from a laptop!

Version 5 supports multiple inputs and multiple outputs, so you just need a good audio card with this. You can even use it as a guitar distortion... and best part of it... no delay (just make sure to use ASIO4ALL or similar driver; it's free).

You can also assign each USB keyboard to separate device in the rack and map parts of keyboard to different devices. 99% of the knobs on the devices are mappable to external (USB) control devices, such as any knobs on your midi/USB keyboard.

EDIT: Reason 5 supports sampling inputs, but its main goal has always been real-time everything. Also, 1234 tracks? No problem. (By this I mean A LOT of tracks/devices; limit is only PC resources)

 

[Citrus]

Don't jump straight into the hardware. I'd recommend you practice a lot with FL Studio 9 first; it's a very popular and capable program for programming music, especially electronica and house. If it takes off then you can start considering equipment, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

 

[hem dazon 90]

use a therimen

 

[unoleian]

Don't jump straight into the hardware. I'd recommend you practice a lot with FL Studio 9 first; it's a very popular and capable program for programming music, especially electronica and house. If it takes off then you can start considering equipment, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

A good idea, indeed. Cheap, and effective training for a more complete suite like Reason.


One piece of equipment to consider, at least, is a basic USB midi keyboard. Trying to compose new loops using a mouse and (typing) keyboard can be frustrating and off-putting, in my experience. Drove me away a few years back, but now with some income going on I'm tempted to go back and try again myself...

But that gets OP off the ground and playing around for less than $150, if shop around right. Even if the dream never takes off, it's a meager investment. I wouldn't think anyone would just run out and start tracking down mixing boards, monomes and the like without at least testing the waters for a while, first, heh.

 

[II2]

To me, VST (instrument plugin) support is extremely important, since it affords you room to grow within your chosen environment with 3rd party addons, free or commercial. FL Studio is what I use as my main DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

For electronic music in perticular, programs like FL Studio, Reason and Ableton Live really excel. For more general recording, you may want to look at old standbys like Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Cakewalk/Sonar.

For instruments / effects, go to KVRAudio.com and learn. Lots of excellent free ones. Some commercial suggestions would be, by company, Native Instruments, Izoptope, GRM and Waves.

As for hardware, you don't NEED mixing desks or midi controllers yet. Your first investment in hardware, if you find you enjoy working in software, should be a proper audio interface (soundcard) and studio monitors (speakers).

Cheers.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Don't jump straight into the hardware. I'd recommend you practice a lot with FL Studio 9 first; it's a very popular and capable program for programming music, especially electronica and house. If it takes off then you can start considering equipment, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

I was considering this, does the demo allow you to save files? Because I'm not in pocket and if it doesn't I'll just use the Nero's sound editor with loops made from the old keyboard.

Version 5 supports multiple inputs and multiple outputs, so you just need a good audio card with this. You can even use it as a guitar distortion... and best part of it... no delay (just make sure to use ASIO4ALL or similar driver; it's free).

You can also assign each USB keyboard to separate device in the rack and map parts of keyboard to different devices. 99% of the knobs on the devices are mappable to external (USB) control devices, such as any knobs on your midi/USB keyboard.

EDIT: Reason 5 supports sampling inputs, but its main goal has always been real-time everything. Also, 1234 tracks? No problem. (By this I mean A LOT of tracks/devices; limit is only PC resources)

Same question applies, does the demo enabling the ability to save files, I check the full-priced software, it's roughly £250, and cause I don't have that kind of money the only way to get the full-version is pirating and I want to avoid that.

 

[Dana22]

http://flstudio.image-line.com/

 

[gl1koz3]

To me, VST (instrument plugin) support is extremely important, since it affords you room to grow within your chosen environment with 3rd party addons, free or commercial. FL Studio is what I use as my main DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

For electronic music in perticular, programs like FL Studio, Reason and Ableton Live really excel. For more general recording, you may want to look at old standbys like Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Cakewalk/Sonar.

For instruments / effects, go to KVRAudio.com and learn. Lots of excellent free ones. Some commercial suggestions would be, by company, Native Instruments, Izoptope, GRM and Waves.

As for hardware, you don't NEED mixing desks or midi controllers yet. Your first investment in hardware, if you find you enjoy working in software, should be a proper audio interface (soundcard) and studio monitors (speakers).

Cheers.

I would drive around SONAR, as it crashed a lot for me. Other than that, the sound of it is post-processed to be good out of the box. In Reason, however, you need to tweak everything yourself.

 

[gl1koz3]

Don't jump straight into the hardware. I'd recommend you practice a lot with FL Studio 9 first; it's a very popular and capable program for programming music, especially electronica and house. If it takes off then you can start considering equipment, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

I was considering this, does the demo allow you to save files? Because I'm not in pocket and if it doesn't I'll just use the Nero's sound editor with loops made from the old keyboard.

Version 5 supports multiple inputs and multiple outputs, so you just need a good audio card with this. You can even use it as a guitar distortion... and best part of it... no delay (just make sure to use ASIO4ALL or similar driver; it's free).

You can also assign each USB keyboard to separate device in the rack and map parts of keyboard to different devices. 99% of the knobs on the devices are mappable to external (USB) control devices, such as any knobs on your midi/USB keyboard.

EDIT: Reason 5 supports sampling inputs, but its main goal has always been real-time everything. Also, 1234 tracks? No problem. (By this I mean A LOT of tracks/devices; limit is only PC resources)

Same question applies, does the demo enabling the ability to save files, I check the full-priced software, it's roughly £250, and cause I don't have that kind of money the only way to get the full-version is pirating and I want to avoid that.

"Limitations:

The Reason demo has all the features of the full version but is save/export disabled, has no support for ReFills and quits after 20 minutes. The full version of Reason comes with a 1 G+ sound bank."

Whatever works for ya, anyway.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

"Limitations:

The Reason demo has all the features of the full version but is save/export disabled, has no support for ReFills and quits after 20 minutes. The full version of Reason comes with a 1 G+ sound bank."

Whatever works for ya, anyway.

I suppose if I look enough I'll find it cheap somewhere.

Thanks!

 

[II2]

FL StudioI was considering this, does the demo allow you to save files? Because I'm not in pocket and if it doesn't I'll just use the Nero's sound editor with loops made from the old keyboard.

I've been using it since version 3, now 9, (one time price - lifetime updates, they've been excellent about honoring), so it's been awhile since I wrangled with the demo. As I recall it either A) disables saving / exporting altogether, or B) lets you save .flp project files, but doesn't let you export any audio?

I suppose it's probably worth saying that if you're interested in getting into writing electronic music, you WILL be spending money, just like with any other genre. Most products, including FL, like everyone's been touting, have one or two boxes in retail stores, but offer more flexible pricing : features solutions from their websites.

Again, KvRaudio - you'll find lots of freeware.

What kind of electronic music do you want to make, anyway?

 

[TerribleAssassin]

FL StudioI was considering this, does the demo allow you to save files? Because I'm not in pocket and if it doesn't I'll just use the Nero's sound editor with loops made from the old keyboard.

I've been using it since version 3, now 9, (one time price - lifetime updates, they've been excellent about honoring), so it's been awhile since I wrangled with the demo. As I recall it either A) disables saving / exporting altogether, or B) lets you save .flp project files, but doesn't let you export any audio?

I suppose it's probably worth saying that if you're interested in getting into writing electronic music, you WILL be spending money, just like with any other genre. Most products, including FL, like everyone's been touting, have one or two boxes in retail stores, but offer more flexible pricing : features solutions from their websites.

Again, KvRaudio - you'll find lots of freeware.

What kind of electronic music do you want to make, anyway?

What ever people want, intial ideas are Electro House, Drum and Bass and Dubstep.

 

[II2]

What kind of electronic music do you want to make, anyway?

What ever people want, intial ideas are Electro House, Drum and Bass and Dubstep.

I might be misinterpreting this, but if you're looking to write music for other people, I assume you're looking to get paid, at some point? I sorta feel like I should warn you this isn't a lucrative pursuit (for about 98% of all electronic musicians). Better, perhaps, to write what YOU want and if you can sell it, bonus.

But, whatever, that said, I assume you know what you're doing.

The genre's you're interested in working in tend to lend themselves well to "sample collage" styles of composition. While I would still advocate something like FL Studio or Reason as an ideal platform, depending on how far you want to take things you might also be comfortable getting your foot in the door using looped phrase samples in an environment like Sony's Acid or Apple's Garageband.

There is also REAPER, probably the best freeware workstation, similar to the two aforementioned products.

There are tons of free breakbeat and hip hop drum loops all over the internet. Grab a few, install Reaper (vst compatible) and you're sailing at $0. If you like it, save up and buy FL or Reason. Then some proper studio speakers.

Good luck!

 

[Zykon TheLich]

I'd go for FruityLoops and or Reason. Cubase or another decent sequencer programe.

Personally I use DJ 2000, a really budget £10 music programme (this was back in 2000 so you know how cheap it must be) with a sequencer, drum machine and a couple of other little aps I never use, plus soundforge, fruitly loops & wavelab on occasion.

Can't really do live with it but it's a start.