The Musician's Gig Room Chat V1 - Songwriting and Sound Design for all! - Creationism Corner

[QUOTE=splenda;49586293]I keep getting tempted by cubase recently but I'm basically in a long term relationship with ableton since I grew up using it, my dad bought one of the really early versions before it was much of a daw, like ableton 1 or 2 or something, so it will be hard to switch for me. I have tried reaper and bitwig before and I have nothing but praise for both of them. As others have said, look at the features for each daw and see which ones gel with you the most. A hit song can be made with garage band or audacity, so don't be concerned if your choice is not one of the more premium options like ableton suite or pro tools or whatever. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] Reaper is really nice. I like the moddability of the GUI too, you can basically make the program look like anything you want.[/QUOTE] On the terms of being early users, pretty sure Trekintosh's dad has Pro Tools license #0002 or something

[QUOTE=paindoc;49586136]I'll have to give it a shot. Halofreak uses it, and seems to love it. It does seem to miss out on a few stock plugins, but the core seems rock-solid and abletons comp, glue comp, filter, and EQ-8 are the only stock plugs I use anymore.[/QUOTE] What stock plugins do you think it misses out in. To my knowledge it has every stockplugin you need with no exceptions

[QUOTE=paindoc;49586136]I'll have to give it a shot. Halofreak uses it, and seems to love it. It does seem to miss out on a few stock plugins, but the core seems rock-solid and abletons comp, glue comp, filter, and EQ-8 are the only stock plugs I use anymore.[/QUOTE] I still think ableton's ping pong delay is superb. And I get some neato sounds out of their chorus, bitcrusher, and frequency shifter. Ableton's stock plug ins are not bad, and it is nice to have stuff that is super resource conscious at the same time. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=killerteacup;49586380]What stock plugins do you think it misses out in. To my knowledge it has every stockplugin you need with no exceptions[/QUOTE] Reaper doesn't have any sort of microdelay effects such as choruses, flangers, phasers, etc. I guess you could just make them all out of their delay plugin anyways so it's not really that big of a deal. It also doesn't have stuff like distortions, saturators, fuzz, etc, but I usually find software versions of all that stuff do not come close to hardware, and guitar pedals are pretty cheap at this point, so I'll let it slide. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] If I had to choose the most exciting DAW for me right now, it would have to be cubase or bitwig, but like I guess ableton has just become standard to me at this point so it is not all that exciting, not to say that I don't still feel inspired while using it, I just sometimes look at features bitwig and cubase have that ableton does not have and go "hmmm that looks cool and I could think of a use for that..."

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49576637]No Soundcloud link on this one. Straight outta Dropbox this time: [url]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/965202/WIP%20Music/The%20Black%20Lodge.mp3[/url] I'm having issues with memory, I believe, that causes samples to jumble up a bit. I'm loading sample libraries like crazy and I think it's time to upgrade my memory. There's also some timing issues I'm going to have to fix with the "dropping pitch" sound when the strings come in. Too bad that I'm taking a break with music to focus on programming and this is more of a "fun" thing. Can't really justify working on music anymore. [/QUOTE] This sounds really sweet and calm, I like it! I don't really have any complaints other than the crackles in the sound, but those are justified by your memory issues. On the topic of calm, I made this epic/orchestral/progressive thingy. I don't even know what to call it to be fair: [media]https://soundcloud.com/venadore/etherial[/media]

[QUOTE=splenda;49586459]I still think ableton's ping pong delay is superb. And I get some neato sounds out of their chorus, bitcrusher, and frequency shifter. Ableton's stock plug ins are not bad, and it is nice to have stuff that is super resource conscious at the same time. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] Reaper doesn't have any sort of microdelay effects such as choruses, flangers, phasers, etc. I guess you could just make them all out of their delay plugin anyways so it's not really that big of a deal. It also doesn't have stuff like distortions, saturators, fuzz, etc, but I usually find software versions of all that stuff do not come close to hardware, and guitar pedals are pretty cheap at this point, so I'll let it slide. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] If I had to choose the most exciting DAW for me right now, it would have to be cubase or bitwig, but like I guess ableton has just become standard to me at this point so it is not all that exciting, not to say that I don't still feel inspired while using it, I just sometimes look at features bitwig and cubase have that ableton does not have and go "hmmm that looks cool and I could think of a use for that..."[/QUOTE] Reaper has Chorus flanger phaser It has distortion and fuzz as well, I haven't looked but I'm certain there is some sort of saturator in there. Granted, the distortion and fuzz is pretty meh (I mostly use the distortion to really make my stuff crunch though, and I once made a really nice distortion for my guitar) [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=wauterboi;49585965]Reaper is $60 and the best damn audio software I've ever used in my life. I recommend it over everything else.[/QUOTE] I also use it and I absolutely love it. I haven't tried recording more than 2 channels on it yet though, but it is fucking golden for the scale of my projects (usually a collaboration between writing and recording the 'acoustic' elements in Reaper, making synths n stuff in FL because of how easy it is to build segments in it) and then mix in Reaper. Cubase is fucking solid too, I am far more comfortable mixing in Reaper though since I've been getting a pretty good ear for both the compressor it has and the ReaEQ included.

I remixed Biggie cause I've been feeling like shit and his song resonated with me. [media]https://soundcloud.com/casadis/suicidal-thoughts[/media]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49587181]Reaper has Chorus flanger phaser It has distortion and fuzz as well, I haven't looked but I'm certain there is some sort of saturator in there. Granted, the distortion and fuzz is pretty meh (I mostly use the distortion to really make my stuff crunch though, and I once made a really nice distortion for my guitar) [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] I also use it and I absolutely love it. I haven't tried recording more than 2 channels on it yet though, but it is fucking golden for the scale of my projects (usually a collaboration between writing and recording the 'acoustic' elements in Reaper, making synths n stuff in FL because of how easy it is to build segments in it) and then mix in Reaper. Cubase is fucking solid too, I am far more comfortable mixing in Reaper though since I've been getting a pretty good ear for both the compressor it has and the ReaEQ included.[/QUOTE] Somehow I missed those. oops.

[QUOTE=splenda;49587528]Somehow I missed those. oops.[/QUOTE] No biggie, all the effects has the exact same UI almost (well except for different parameters to choose) so it's pretty easy to miss them tbh :) There's a shitload of effects I haven't really tested out yet and I think I've used it for a few years now.

Besides the plugins Splenda mentioned, abletons saturator is really good even if it's not as deep as FLs waveshaper. I also really like the best repeat and autopan effects. Using FL for me is mostly for creating various segments as well. I really like the synths it includes. EpicVerb has been my new waifu for FX, I probably shouldn't use it as much as I do. Also picked up a couple cinematic libraries and a new piano that's great, something something Yamaha.

Anyone else keeping up with NAMM? I'm for sure going to get the minilogue, which is coincidentally the name of a good band too, and the new volca FM. The matrixbrute, 0 coast, and OB 6 look cool too.

Sent some of my random practice unfinished tracks to Million Dollar Extreme and I got an Email from Sam Hyde saying that he'll use em.

[QUOTE=splenda;49586459]I still think ableton's ping pong delay is superb. And I get some neato sounds out of their chorus, bitcrusher, and frequency shifter. Ableton's stock plug ins are not bad, and it is nice to have stuff that is super resource conscious at the same time. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] Reaper doesn't have any sort of microdelay effects such as choruses, flangers, phasers, etc. I guess you could just make them all out of their delay plugin anyways so it's not really that big of a deal. It also doesn't have stuff like distortions, saturators, fuzz, etc, but I usually find software versions of all that stuff do not come close to hardware, and guitar pedals are pretty cheap at this point, so I'll let it slide. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] If I had to choose the most exciting DAW for me right now, it would have to be cubase or bitwig, but like I guess ableton has just become standard to me at this point so it is not all that exciting, not to say that I don't still feel inspired while using it, I just sometimes look at features bitwig and cubase have that ableton does not have and go "hmmm that looks cool and I could think of a use for that..."[/QUOTE] yes it does have those [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] in fact reaper has like so much random stock stuff you might never use ever, but its super cool

[QUOTE=killerteacup;49588421]yes it does have those [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] in fact reaper has like so much random stock stuff you might never use ever, but its super cool[/QUOTE] I really never use stock stuff save for ReaComp and ReaControlMIDI. I use ReaComp exclusively for side-chain compression and ReaControlMIDI exclusively for simulating a mod wheel and very occasionally a pitch wheel. Other than that, I really only use Guitar Rig since it has all of the effects that I really need, including Reflektor. The second I got Guitar Rig, the second I stopped bothering with anything else. In reality, I just need to grab Komplete. After I grab that, I'm set for producing a large variety of genres in which I can expand upon with sample libraries. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=TheDrunkenOne;49587172]This sounds really sweet and calm, I like it! I don't really have any complaints other than the crackles in the sound, but those are justified by your memory issues. On the topic of calm, I made this epic/orchestral/progressive thingy. I don't even know what to call it to be fair: [media]https://soundcloud.com/venadore/etherial[/media][/QUOTE] My problems with my own song have to do with the random sample dropouts and random sample restarts. It's like the virtual orchestra keeps stopping to drag their bow the opposite direction and can't carry out a sound for as long as I want them to. When I'm back from el baño, I will review your track.

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49588980]I really never use stock stuff save for ReaComp and ReaControlMIDI. I use ReaComp exclusively for side-chain compression and ReaControlMIDI exclusively for simulating a mod wheel and very occasionally a pitch wheel. Other than that, I really only use Guitar Rig since it has all of the effects that I really need, including Reflektor. The second I got Guitar Rig, the second I stopped bothering with anything else. In reality, I just need to grab Komplete. After I grab that, I'm set for producing a large variety of genres in which I can expand upon with sample libraries. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] My problems with my own song have to do with the random sample dropouts and random sample restarts. It's like the virtual orchestra keeps stopping to drag their bow the opposite direction and can't carry out a sound for as long as I want them to. When I'm back from el baño, I will review your track.[/QUOTE] What soundcard do you have? You might not have enough dsp or whatever to handle everything going on.

[QUOTE=splenda;49589002]What soundcard do you have? You might not have enough dsp or whatever to handle everything going on.[/QUOTE] A built in sound card with my stock Gateway motherboard. :P I need to build a new computer overall. [editline]22nd January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=TheDrunkenOne;49587172]This sounds really sweet and calm, I like it! I don't really have any complaints other than the crackles in the sound, but those are justified by your memory issues. On the topic of calm, I made this epic/orchestral/progressive thingy. I don't even know what to call it to be fair: [media]https://soundcloud.com/venadore/etherial[/media][/QUOTE] I enjoyed it very much. My only complaint is the "dun-dun-dun" melody that goes upwards - it clashes too much with the background. Shifting the background with that melody at the same time could sound great, but I'm unsure. You've gotta try it first. I left a Soundcloud comment where this occurs.

Any tips for the creative process? ANd, at the risk of sounding completely unversed in musical arts, what does Music Theory mean? I've gathered that it has something to do with the essential components of music, like rhythm, beat, melody, harmony, pitch and more.

[QUOTE=Nitro836;49590347]Any tips for the creative process? ANd, at the risk of sounding completely unversed in musical arts, what does Music Theory mean? I've gathered that it has something to do with the essential components of music, like rhythm, beat, melody, harmony, pitch and more.[/QUOTE] That's pretty much it. Music Theory is basically the study of music, like observing different patterns and making putting words/names on musical phenomenon. It is basically transcribed music

[QUOTE=Nitro836;49590347]Any tips for the creative process? ANd, at the risk of sounding completely unversed in musical arts, what does Music Theory mean? I've gathered that it has something to do with the essential components of music, like rhythm, beat, melody, harmony, pitch and more.[/QUOTE] The creative process shouldn't be forced and should involve breaks if needed. That's all I've got.

Long post ahead, going full analyst. I've noticed that quite a few composers, at least in gaming, make a handful of melodies that they later modify heavily. I'm thinking I should go for themes, and try pairing those themes with some kind of emotion. Currently I can think of Simon Viklund and Toby Fox as examples. Simon's tracks in Payday games tends to have several parts. The beginning is usually some kinds of tense 'calm before the storm' beats. Then, when the crew's cover is blown, the music changes gears into a 'get ready' tune. When a police Assault approaches, the music climbs up in tension until it transitions into high intensity rhythms. With Toby's songs, it's much simpler, which is fine since Payday's music changes as the situations do. In Undertale, for example, The Ruins doesn't sound gloomy and scary as ruins in most games do, but bright and uplifting. Fitting, since mere minutes before hearing the song, you almost got killed, and now get a lengthy breather section with soothing piano melodies that let you know you're going to be fine. Well, until you get past a few obstacles and get out into a snowy forest with a solemn piano that echoes through the air, accentuating how alone you seem to be on your trek to the surface. Oh well, at least the chipper violin keeps you company during the song on occasion to keep you from despairing.

I really like Max Richter for taking a motif and expanding upon it in a ton of different ways. The same motif in Memoryhouse is used to represent ingenious power, delicate mourning, rain, etc. Perhaps some people would sincerely disagree with me on that, but I enjoy it a lot: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x4IHO8RvQg&list=PLMtRpBaUBUTWdJl0w95RXO-d4Qd-ZlKWE]Max Richter - Memoryhouse YouTube Playlist[/url] Another example of motif exists within The Downward Spiral with Nine Inch Nails. The motif, as you might imagine, represents position in the figurative downward spiral. It's modified to fit the tone of the song and in the position of the album, serving as the metaphorical "whimper" or "hate", moving to denial of God, moving to sexual desire (to the point of basically worship and psychological disorder) for another person, escalating to the climax of the album where the album's main character begins to switch from loathing others to hating himself, until there's that final mental snap where he commits suicide. [url=https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/965202/facepunch/tds_motif.mp3]The motif and its uses in The Downward Spiral - My Dropbox[/url] The beginning is me playing that motif on the 4Front Piano VST. It fades into "Piggy's" playing on the organs on a in a not-so-loathing manner - more passive. Then later in "Piggy", it's played on the piano, in a very calm manner. Then it switches to "Heresy", where it's played aggressively on the guitar. Then there's the infamous "Closer" ending with the piano. It doesn't appear on the album again until "The Downward Spiral", first played intimately on the guitar and then blaring on guitar and piano with his scream signifying basically shooting himself. All different scenarios, all different ways of playing them, all different means of expression. The motif itself is "falling" too, and you're never too far from the motif. [I]You're always coming closer and closer.[/I] Something I didn't play in that album as well is the antithesis to that motif, which makes up most of "A Warm Place", which is the turning point of the album where his outward hate becomes redirected towards himself, putting him on the path of committing suicide. [video=youtube;G1vxJb6MQ34]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vxJb6MQ34[/video] You'll notice that it rises. It's not a literal opposite by any means, but it's contradictory rise in comparison to the rest of the album is important and can be interpreted many different ways. I interpret it as the real point of no return for the tragedy that's about to happen. There's a capacity to "get better" - he realizes that there's something wrong with [I]himself[/I]. Unfortunately, it fuels his new goal of self-destruction. [url=https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/965202/facepunch/tds-a_warm_place.mp3]Here's The Downward Spiral motif put side by side with A Warm Place - My Dropbox[/url]. There are many reasons why I look up to Trent Reznor even though I don't listen to his music anymore. This is definitely one of them.

I was never a huge fan of NIN, but I get how they are so influential and stuff. To be honest, I like Alessandro Cortini more than Trent, but that is mostly because his solo albums are ace.

[QUOTE=Nitro836;49590347]Any tips for the creative process? ANd, at the risk of sounding completely unversed in musical arts, what does Music Theory mean? I've gathered that it has something to do with the essential components of music, like rhythm, beat, melody, harmony, pitch and more.[/QUOTE] Music theory encompasses _everything_ that is music, except for the act of performing music. As for the creative process ; There isn't really one way to do it, it is a very individual thing. There are probably four very common ways to start a song (although they are usually very intertwined). Start with a chord progression, or just a single chord, and go from there. Start with a melody, try and find a chord or chord progession that works with it. Start with making a particular sound, with your instrument of choice. Start with a rhythm, either percussive instruments or with how you plan on playing a particular instrument. I think the most important thing is to not wait for inspiration to find you, but to look for inspiration yourself. Always look for new music, not just music from artist and genres you know you like. Look for completely new music that you'll have no idea whatsoever what might come when the track starts! Always learn, always listen and save everything. Forcing yourself to create music when you don't feel like you have any inspiration at all is also a great way of finding inspiration. [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] I could probably write a lot longer post about inspiration and the process of creating music, if people would be interested? :)

hopefully this is the right place for a musical inquiry Hey people, my friends are all pooling money together to get another friend a slap box drum for his birthday, wondering if anyone can recommend a decent model? Also if someone knows what their real name is it'd be great help! [t]http://cdns3.gear4music.com/media/11/112794/1200/preview.jpg[/t]

Those are called cajons and are super awesome. I want one. [video=youtube;-uLsM9vp3dw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uLsM9vp3dw[/video]

[QUOTE=vladnag;49593210]hopefully this is the right place for a musical inquiry Hey people, my friends are all pooling money together to get another friend a slap box drum for his birthday, wondering if anyone can recommend a decent model? Also if someone knows what their real name is it'd be great help! [t]http://cdns3.gear4music.com/media/11/112794/1200/preview.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] What's your budget? I got one that I think is pretty good, it went for around 1000 SEK, which I guess is roughly $120

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49593760]What's your budget? I got one that I think is pretty good, it went for around 1000 SEK, which I guess is roughly $120[/QUOTE] Well there's 8-10 of us at around £10 each, we're probably going for the highest rated one on Amazon since it's the easiest way to go about it.

I have this weird line on my piano roll, and I can't make it go away. I've tried opening up new files, still there. What should I so? [img]http://i.imgur.com/0um4zdU.png[/img] I have this

[media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/tongue-drum-1[/media] I tried to write a melody for the first time in a while. I've been really motivated lately. [editline]24th January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=TheDrunkenOne;49587172] [media]https://soundcloud.com/venadore/etherial[/media][/QUOTE] Those strings are really tight sounding. Love the bass too. Melody is fucking sick dude

[QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;49600413][media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/tongue-drum-1[/media] I tried to write a melody for the first time in a while. I've been really motivated lately.[/QUOTE] this is really good, dude. You definitely have to expand upon this, because the whole time i was just imagining a nice beat behind it and some supporting chords and it sounded awesome. Love how rythmic it sounds even without any percussion. fantastic m8 getting a good grip on using sytrus, decided to have a whack at old school dubstep [media]https://soundcloud.com/thehoyticus/blunderbuss[/media]

[QUOTE=Hoyticus;49601784]this is really good, dude. You definitely have to expand upon this, because the whole time i was just imagining a nice beat behind it and some supporting chords and it sounded awesome. Love how rythmic it sounds even without any percussion. fantastic m8 getting a good grip on using sytrus, decided to have a whack at old school dubstep [media]https://soundcloud.com/thehoyticus/blunderbuss[/media][/QUOTE] Ooo, even it has feels of old school, it kind of has some parts of modern dubstep in it. It's pretty good, but I would recommend exporting the mp3 with 320kps so all of the high frequencies can be more present. Unless you removed the high frequencies on purpose to give that old school vibe, in which case good job. But whatever you want to do, It's just a small nitpick. Pretty good overall. --- [media]https://soundcloud.com/relaxedcreeper/if-only[/media] Fun fact, I frantically, in the middle of the night, tried to upload this song and think of a name before I have to sleep to go to school tomorrow. Turns out that I slept in today. Whoops. It's like house? I'm not sure with genres anymore.