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Hello fellow Facepunchers!
I would like to create this thread to educate and help you understand Computer music. Computer music is quite easy to get into once you are set-up. The set-up period may take a couple days to a couple months if cash is really strapped.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for taking an interest in this topic. Creating music is becoming easier and easier to make with all the software coming out.
You don't even need to dish out thousands of dollars on high end recording equipment or instruments!
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Everything can be done with a piece of software and a computer. In this blog i will inform you in all the things you will need to get started on making music from your computer!
Without further ado, lets get started!
What are DAWs?
Daws (Digital Audio Workstation) is going to be your epicenter of musical creations. This software is going to be the mother ship for all your plug-ins
(extension software).
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Daws also give you create space to work and organize your library of tracks and samples. Daw software is essential in your path to create music on your computer
Here are some Free and/or Payed Daws that you can use.
NOTE!: Free DAWs have excellent support from open-sources coders around the world! However payed DAWs offer best results in creating computer music and I encourage buying a good solid DAW, suggestions below.
FREE:
Ardour
Audacity
Garage Band (MAC only)
Reaper (trial)
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Pay:
Fruity Loops Studio
Reason
Logic
Pro Tools
Reaper
Once you have a DAW, you should really be all set.
Bumpy bump bump
Please do tell more
In this section I will discuss how MIDI Controllers work, different types of MIDI Controllers and some tips on what to look for in purchasing a MIDI Controller.
Note: MIDI Controllers are not necessary to create computer music! However, if you want more leverage and control over your music, I would highly recommend purchasing one.
What is MIDI?
Excellent question, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that gives software (Virtual instruments, commands) the ability to access and communicate with your MIDI controller. Basically, MIDI allows your plug-ins to be emulated onto your MIDI interface. The strange thing about MIDI sound is that its not actually an audio signal like naturally created sound. The computer is sent commands that would enable your computer to recognize the pitch, dynamics, volume, and tempo of the chosen note.
Digital sound has become extremely advanced over the years. Everything you hear on the radio these days are created from a computer using digital hardware and software (Pro-Tools, Logic, etc). Digital recording has become extreamely popular for many reasons. Here are three reasons that I call the Triple C reason. (Un-original i know ;P )
- Cheap
- Control
- Convenience
However there is another form of recording called Analog, which records actual audio signals and records to physical tape. I will go over this in a later section.
Buying a MIDI Controller
This part of your journey will require you to invest a little cash, but trust me, its well worth it. There are a couple things you should consider when your buying a MIDI controller. The main question you should ask is...
-What am I going to use it FOR?
This is very important in deciding which controller your going to settle with. There are many types of Controllers out there but the main 2 you should worry about right now is a MIDI Keyboard and MIDI Pads.
MIDI Keyboards will give you more options to create melodies while MIDI Pads will give you a lot of variety with creating beats. All can be done WITHOUT a MIDI controller. Many professionals have both of these types of MIDI devices.
MIDI Keyboard Size is something you should also consider. Smaller Keyboards are convenient, cheap, and could be all you need if you are not interested in creating complex melodies. Larger keyboards (Usually 49-88 keys) offer a full sized keyboard to work with. So whether your learning how to play piano, or creating full creative melodies, a full sized keyboard is a standard choice.
Note: Avoid keyboards with built in MIDI Pads. They are usually not very sensitive and cant handle complex rhythms. This will intern not register everything you are trying to play, thus limiting you. We certainly don't want that. If you want MIDI Pads, you should invest in buying a dedicated interface.
Here is what I suggest for MIDI Controllers
Keyboards
CME M-Key 49-Key
M-Audio Keystation 88es
Avid KeyStudio Keyboard
Pads
Akai MPD26 Performance Pad Controller
Akai MPD18 USB MIDI Pad Controller
Korg padKONTROL
[editline]8th April 2011[/editline]
PLUG-INS:
There are so many out there, ranging from just a couple megabytes to a 500GB library of pinpoint accurate and dynamic samples. I will discuss VST plug-ins and Mastering/EQing plug-ins in this article.
Plug-ins are little pieces of software that attach to the DAW. You can access and open software within the DAW to use it with your MIDI Controller ( A external hardware device that controls plug-ins/MIDI software) or Sampling Pad (An Electronic Percussive Device used the same was as a MIDI Controller).
Of course there are many uses for plug-ins and there are thousands of them out there. A lot of them are free to download and they are relatively easy to install.
*You can even pick up a disc of plug-in software at your local music store if they have a Pro-Audio section.*
VST Plug ins:
VST (Virtual Instrument) is a plug in that try's to mimic and simulate a real instrument. With the way technology
is growing, these virtual instruments are beginning to sound like the real deal!
Here is a short list of VST plug-ins that I have used and can recommend to you.
Drums:
Addictive Drums
EZdrummer
Guitar/Bass:
Guitar Rig 4
Steinbergs Virtual Guitarist
Refx´s Slayer
Piano:
Synthology's Ivory
Labordance stage piano
Mda piano
Orchestra/Choir:
EastWest EW-178 Quantum Leap
East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs
Other Plug-ins:
Not all DAW plug-ins are VST. There are plug ins out there that can add effects and more mastering/EQing options, which will in tern effect the overall end product of your song. All these plug-ins are just waiting to be downloaded so go ahead and try as many as your hard-drive can handle!!!
You forgot to mention the best DAW there is:
Ableton Live!
Easy as hell to use and you can perform your music live with it.
[editline]9th April 2011[/editline]
And if you want to learn Ableton Live Youtube is filled with tutorials.
just grab a tape recorder, strip out the erase head and have some fun
[QUOTE=thisispain;29066654]just grab a tape recorder, strip out the erase head and have some fun[/QUOTE]
So lo-fi man.
I've been learning the basics of FL studio in the past few weeks, its a pretty easy to use program. Is Ableton live as simple to use?
Yes, I used Fruity Loops for about 2 years and then I switched over to Ableton. Thanks to the massive amount of tutorials I learned it very quickly, beats Fruity Loops by far if you ask me.
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