The MLR Music Guide (Look Here Before You Ask Questions!!)

[Navron]

Below is a list of tutorial and technique threads all compiled into one general guide for musicians of all experience levels.

Please understand that not all of these are dedicated tutorials. Some of the pages link to discussions on a particular topic, but you should find the information you need. Hopefully as more people create them, we'll eventually have a full guide of specific tutorials.

*If you find a topic that is particularly noteworthy, feel free to add its link to this thread, and I'll add it as soon as I can.*

Enjoy!

The MLR Music Guide

1. General:
1.1 Getting Started
1.2 What's your inspiration?
1.3 Pros and Cons of Being Multi-Genre'd
1.4 Why you shouldn't quit!
1.5 List of Tutors on MLR

2. Theory:
2.1 What Makes a Melody?
2.2 Guide to Twelve-Tone Music
2.3 Pandiatonicistic Music
2.4 Augmented 6ths
2.5 Music Theory Lessons
2.5 Fimbulin's Theory Help Thread
2.6 The Art of Composition: Counterpoint

3. Live Recording:
3.1 Guide to Microphones
3.1.1 2nd Guide to Microphones
3.2 Guitars
3.3 Moar Guitars
3.4 Getting Started with Singing

4. VSTs:
4.1 Must Have VST Plugins
4.2 Synth1 Tutorial Series
4.3 How a Common Vocoder Works
*Looking for Topics of Specific VSTs*

5. DAWs:
5.1 LMMS
5.2 Cubase 5
5.3 FL Studio
5.3.1 FL Synths Tutorial
5.4 Ableton

6. Genre-Specific Tutorials:
6.1 Dubstep
6.1.1 External Link - Dubstep Bible
6.1.2 Wobble Effect via Vocal Samples
6.2 Orchestral
6.2.1 Orchestral Composition Guide
6.3 Ambient
6.3.1 Guide to Ambiance
6.3.2 Introduction to Cloud Synthesis
6.3.3 Introduction to Cloud Synthesis Pt. II

7. Mixing:
7.1 Mixing and EQ Tips
7.2 Vocal Mixing and Compression
7.3 Vocal Post Production and Mixing Guide
7.4 EQ Guide and Frequency Spectrum
7.5 Full Guide on Mixing by Nick Thomas
7.5 Compression Tutorial by Lavender Harmony
7.6 Introductory Mixing Guide: EQ, Compression and Reverb
7.7 Do's and Dont's for Mixing and Mastering

8. Mastering:
8.1 EQ and Compression

9. DJ-ing
9.1 Full DJ Guide by 4thImpulse

10. Masterclass Production Tutorials:
10.1 D.Ramirez Masterclass
10.1.1 [Episode 1.1] [Episode 1.2] [Episode 1.3] [Episode 1.4]
10.1.2 [Episode 2.1] [Episode 2.2] [Episode 2.3]
10.1.3 [Episode 3.1] [Episode 3.2] [Episode 3.3] [Episode 3.4]
10.1.4 [Episode 4.1] [Episode 4.2] [Episode 4.3] [Episode 4.4]
10.1.5 [Episode 5.1] [Episode 5.2] [Episode 5.3] [Episode 5.4]
10.1.6 [Episode 6.1] [Episode 6.2] [Episode 6.3] [Episode 6.4]
10.2 Dodge and Fuski
10.2.1 Drums
10.2.2 Basslines Part 1
10.2.3 Structure
10.2.4 Reese Bass
10.2.5 Blending and Automation
10.2.6 Leads
10.2.7 Falafels
10.2.8 Mixing tips part 1
10.2.9 Remix tips part 1
10.2.10 Sub bass
10.2.11 How to be Skrillex
10.2.12 Drum fills
10.3 Rusko's Masterclass production

Z. Misc:
Z.1 General Music Tips Collection
Z.2 ill.Methodology - Growing an Artist's Mindset
Z.3 Song Completion Checklist
Z.4 Music Terminology and Definitions
Z.5 4th Impulse's Super Mega Awesome EQ Chart

Notable Links:
http://www.musictheory.net/
My Little Pony Episode Vocals

[Darktrot]

ill be looking over a few. including the not quit one

[Triple_B]

Somepony sticky this; we have a gem here.

Edit; Also, that Creating Melodies link, doesn't go to creating melodies.

[Freewave]

oh brilliant idea. thanks for putting this together. worth stickying.

[Triple_B]

Also; this viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1381

[Navron]

I want to mention that some entries might get removed in the future, because eventually I want to have nothing but tutorials linked, or very, very in-depth discussions.

So if you see a link to a discussion for a particular effect/plugin/DAW that doesn't have a dedicated tutorial, but you have knowledge of that area, please consider writing a dedicated tutorial that could be linked here instead.

[CrimsonEpilogue]

That feel when that first post it yours, and you get excited, until looking at how long ago you posted it, and realizing you've barely made any progress since then.

Feels good, then bad, man.

[Navron]

It's a long way to the top, but if you listen to your pieces from back then and compare it to now, you can definitely hear an improvement.

[Mundius]

It's a long way to the top, but if you listen to your pieces from back then and compare it to now, you can definitely hear an improvement.

Wait. Isn't this a universal law with 99.7% of musicians out there?

[CrimsonEpilogue]

listen to your pieces from back then and compare it to now.

That's just it. All I have is little pieces. I can't make anything complete.
Only little bits and pieces. And those bits and pieces don't flow when I try to connect them.

But... I can say two positive things about it...
Before, I wouldn't even have been able to do that. And I really enjoy making what I can.

But I won't be able to do much more until much later, in July, I'll be sixteen, I can get a job.
So after I find a job, my first, small paychecks are going to a new laptop, an legal copy of Reason, and some actual equipment. But as I said, it'll be a while.

Regards,
Crimson.

[un1c0rn]

Nice informative post on how to get started, especially circuitfry's lmms video was informative and makes me want to start remixing things myself. Only thing I'm missing is information on how to make my own samples. For example 'oink oink oink' in pinkie pie's song has some is not in the center channel and has some music I want to filter out. It also seems to have a chorus effect or something that I want to cancel, this would be my first step into music. I think there's potential in those oink oink oinks.

[Navron]

Updates:

5.2 Cubase 5 tutorial added.
5.4 Ableton tutorial added.
5.3 FL Studio tutorial updated.

6.1.2 Wobble Effect via Vocal Samples added.

[Freewave]

here's a few.

vocal compression
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1326
compression & eq
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=13

[Navron]

Updates:

6.2 Orchestral Section Added
6.2.1 Orchestral Composition Guide Added

7.2 Vocal Mixing and Compression Added

8.1 EQ and Compression Added

[Navron]

Updates:

9. DJ-ing Section Added
9.1 4thImpulse's Guide Added

Z.2 ill.Methodology Workshop Added

[Orschmann]

Hi there! First off, I'd like to sincerely thank you for this guide, as it's been a big help to me.

Second, it seems that the "Creating Melodies" section links to this thread about automation in FL Studio.

[Freewave]

I think Don't Be Afraid to Make Your Music More <Pony>! should be in your theory section AS a technique as its geared to this scene and this site. The fact that pony music is something that's linked in context and influence from the show means it really should be considered as part of the music creation process. I think that thread covers that.

[Lavender_Harmony]

I'd like to suggest a 5.5 Logic. I'll head the topic if you wish?

[Navron]

Be my guest. If you can create a good Logic tutorial, I'll add it right in.

[Kromium]

If somepony hasn't mentioned the "Dance Music Manual" by Rick Snoman, I think that it is a really good place to start. The book covers literally everything and is pretty thick compared to other books. That or you could read the manual of your DAW.

[Navron]

Updates:

Link Section Added

7.3 Vocal Post-Production Guide Added

2.1 Creating Melodies link removed due to incorrect link. Would someone like to write a tutorial to fill this spot?

Made things prettier.

[Ed Viper]

Might I just say, this thread has helped me A LOT with music production. I've learned so much from this.

[Kromium]

Part 1:


Part 2


Pretty good walk thorough of his dubstep track... although his master is clipping, avoid clipping like the plague unless you are doing sound design.

[colortwelve]

^Those links are broken.

[Kromium]

fixed^