More Music theory or more DAW training

[soultensionbenjamin]

thanks for all the feedback really helpful advice.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Both at the same time. No matter what you do, you will, no avoiding it.

[NegaNote]

That's completely true. Though, as long as you know what a musical key is, how to use it, & what a melody, riff, & motif are, as well as how to make basic chords/chord progressions, you can generally get away with knowing not much theory at all. Knowledge of your DAW, however, you will have to master, no matter what.

[Fimbulin]

Theory will take you up the John Williams (I read he uses a DAW to score some of his soundtracks, but uses live orchestra to record) river, while DAW training would take you more along the EDM route. You cannot produce music (just as Lavender Harmony stated it) without knowing at least some of both, but if your main focus is on one or the other you will still get better at music no matter what. I'm including synth programming and equalizing skills in DAW training, because theory is very different from setting up sound effects (yay Kontakt for instruments)!

Truth is, most folk bands and EDM producers know a comparable amount of music theory, but neither group could write a beautiful sonata with ease. Also, you will never see Howard Shore on stage with a banjo in a bluegrass group, or on a set DJing. My point is, you can try to master both- like Hans Zimmer- or you can focus on what compliments the style you write. Theory takes years of college study to master, takes lots of money in order to get training, (plus live orchestra or Kontakt libraries if you want people to hear your music), and I'm afraid I'm failing my class already.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Navron]

There's 2 different kinds of music theory:

1. Basic Music Theory (Song Structure, Chord Progressions, Scales, etc.)
2. Electronic Music Theory (Compression, EQ, Mixing, Mastering, Side-Chaining, etc.)

I suggest learning basic music theory first. DAW's are relatively easy to learn when all you're doing is recording tracks.

Learn how to make a song first, then focus on learning how to make that song sound better.

It's better to have a dull object that you'll learn to polish later than to learn polishing first and only polish turds.

[ph00tbag]

Music theory fundamentals are the first thing you need to know, even if you're getting into edm. Keys, modes, chords, chord progression, and dynamics are all essential aspects of any kind of music creation. Once you know how those basics work, then learning how to use your DAW is pretty easy.

[the4thImpulse]

There is also simply having a 'good ear' for music and being able to piece together a good chord progression even without knowing why it sounds good, something music theory would tell you. Look at Deadmau5, hes at the top of the electronic scene and he has stated multiple times he knows nothing about music theory and has to wish to learn anything about it, what he does know is what sounds good (and he does it very well). I would suggest learning your DAW first and actively seeking that knowledge and let the music theory naturally come to you.

Now if this does not come natural then music theory should be your focus and simply getting cheap electric piano and some books is a good place to start.

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

I would recommend starting with scales or rhythm in terms of learning music theory. At least, that's where I am. ;)