A Fairly Annoying Newbie Post.

[Jax]

Hi everypony!

So, after a while of looking on this forum, I decided to finally post. I'm a music newbie (or at least in the area of composition), so I was hoping a few of you could give me some help.

Mostly, I'm just having a hard time even getting off the ground. I have plenty of ideas that I think could sound great, but the problem is, I really have no way to make the music.

I tried FL Studio (Demo Version) for awhile, but I don't really have the money to afford the regular version. i just want something cheap for right now. That way I can see if I am at least capable of creating anything decent. I also am looking for a good way to record my own vocals, so any help in that area, hardware or software, would be greatly appriciated. With that, even if I can't compose music, I could at least offer myself for vocal work, which I've had training for.

One last question I have: Would Big Band music (Think Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Micheal Buble) be out of place in the MLP music scene? I haven't really seen any of it, and due to the training I've received I know I can sing that genre, so I would like to start off there before I branch off into more adventurous roads.

Thank you so very much to anyone who takes the time to respond to this post! I am so happy to be taking my first steps into this wonderful part of the community and I can't wait to meet you all!

[soup2504]

For the FL studio thing, there is a way to turn the demo directly into the producer edition, but I do not want to promote it here... So.... Uh.... Yeah :s

[Random111223]

Like soup mentioned, you can always download the full version of FL studio. Unless you have moral problems with that. Honestly, the majority of our producers haven't payed for their DAW

As for the recording software, i dont know alot about that kinda stuff. I can recommed Audacity, it's a simple and popular software which can edit and record audio effeciently.

If you are good with vocals, you're in heaven . We have tons of people who are looking for singers to collab with. HINT HINT

Big band music? Of course! Pretty much any genre i have heard has been ponified. Big band music isn't popular though. The majority of mlp music is electronic. This doesn't mean you'll have to change genres, unique music is always more than welcome.

Welcome!

[bartekko]

If you can afford to stand buckloads of crashes, try LMMS. -Circuitfry
If you can afford 80$, try cakewalk music producer. - d.notive
If you can afford a mac, try garage band - storm wolf (before ableton live)
If you can afford to pirate, try Ableton Live - me
and FLStudio - ArtAttack

[TheSunAndTheRainfall]

First of all, welcome!

Secondly, unless you have a problem with piracy, you can always get all the software you want very easily. If you'd still prefer to take the legal route... well, I can't think of free, full fledged DAWs, perhaps someone else here knows a few. If you're just aiming to record audio, and not sequencing anything on the computer, Audacity's a good, free, although very basic program for that.

If you're serious about the quality of the vocals you want to record, an audio interface and a decent microphone are the way to go. You can get basic USB interfaces for very little, although it may be a good idea to invest in something more versatile (more channels, firewire) if you're thinking about recording a wider range of instruments, or if you think you will need low latency, or whatever, in the future. It'll probably be a big investment, but one that you'll be getting a lot of for years.

As for serious mics, I'd recommend the Shure SM57, because it's everyone's bitch. They're at around 100 bucks, but they're awesome. But hey, what do I know, I'm just a kid who barely knows a thing about music. :B You might be better off browsing recording forums for opinions on this.


Dude, don't worry about the style, just do your thing! In fact, I think this community would be thrilled to have more variety in styles, so just go for it! And I'm sure you'd be a total hit if you were to offer your singing services around; there are tons of musicians around who'd be thrilled to have someone to sing their songs. I know I would.

So really, just dive in! Hang out, meet people, make music, ask around when in doubt, and have fun, 'cause that's what we're all here for!

[Freewave]

We need some MLP big band, swing, and lounge music!! Big Richard Cheese fan, lol



I'm not going to repeat what everyone here said (the answer is go for it if you're ok with it) but also recommend a cheap DAW called Reaper which is not a resource hog and I find it works great (I use it a lot). I THINK they'll even let you use it indefinitely as a trial and you can plug in all manner of free (or pirated vst's) and its midi oriented.

Just an FYI to anyone too, while its not a pro mic the ipod touch does have a rather decent one built in and has impressed me more than disappoint me. Also just as an FYI on an impressive free online music studio there's http://www.audiotool.com/ You're still likely better of making music with a real DAW but its nice that there are free online alternatives on which to start with.

Anyway we love variety here and between some recent Jazz and Psychedelic Rock style coming in on the recent Toastbeards its important to find a unique sound so don't hesitate to go that way.

[Versilaryan]

Yay! More jazzers! Welcome to MLR!

If you're trained in big band singing, I'm assuming you're comfortable with sheet music, so I'd suggest Sibelius or Finale to write down scores and charts. They're hella expensive, though.

LMMS is a great free DAW, and you can ask Circuitfry if you need help with it. He made a tutorial on it that's up somewhere. Otherwise, Cakewalk and FL Studio are on the cheaper end as far as DAWs go. If you want to do a lot of recording, though, I highly recommend against FL Studio. It's meant more for electronic music and dealing with too many recorded samples is /really/ annoying.

I have a guide on microphones somewhere, if you want to check that out. Mics are expensive, though. IMO, you should just work off of questionably-obtained software and save your money for physical microphones, audio interfaces, and the like. As far as microphones go, it really depends on what sound you want. The Audio-Technica AT2020 is an amazing mic that sounds downright sexy when you get up close and personal, but it's the brightest mic I've ever used. The MXL R40 ribbon mic is supposed to be really good for more mellow, vintage-sounding recordings. I have one, but haven't used it yet. xP

Otherwise, you can't go wrong with the Shure SM57. Assuming you're a guy, the Shure SM58 is supposed to be really good for male vocals.

Also, don't worry about your music not fitting in. I'm most well-known for a shitty a capella cover of Eurobeat's remix of Giggle at the Ghostie, and as far as I know, I'm the only one who's ever done something like that. >.>

[BeaM]

Could you guys tell me where I could get FL studio for free?

[bartekko]

Could you guys tell me where I could get FL studio for free?

torrentz.eu

here

[Freewave]

if you ever get a chance to join demonoid do it.

[BeaM]

Is there a way that doesn't involve torrents?

[soup2504]

Is there a way that doesn't involve torrents?

Yes.

First, download the demo of FL studio. Then there is something else you can download, and simply put the .dll in a certain file.

I am not sure if I want to promote it here, so yeah :S

[Calamus_Dash]

I am not sure if I want to promote it here, so yeah :S

this.
talking about torrents on the forum=terrible, terrible idea.

[Jax]

First off, thank you all very much for the advice and support. It really means a lot to me.

Next, I think I may take a look at a few of the other DAWs mentioned here. They sound very promising. If not... *Puts on an eye-patch.* Arrr...

I also would absolutely LOVE to do vocals for anyone who will take me. After all, a toe in the door is better than nothing at all! I have an iPad and as mentioned above, it has a mic that will do for now. The only hurdle if getting the files on a real computer where I can work with them. If I can figure this out, I'll try and post a sample in this thread so people know what they're asking for.

It is also great to hear that I'm not the only person in this place who enjoys/makes jazzy, big band type music. Yay for common ground!

Once again, thanks to everyone, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.

*Thinks a moment.*

I guess I should consider getting one of those Skype thingy-ma-gigers. A soundcloud and YouTube account might also be helpful...

I also think I should mention that I am nowhere near Mr. Richard Cheese, but then again, who is?

[Pickslide1992]

First off, welcome to the scene! I too personally use a demo of FL Studio, but there are ways to get around it, I just don't for moral reasons. Cheesy, I know. xD

As for vocals, yeah, you're very much in luck, people like me who can't sing are always looking for vocalists.

Any genre would work well for MLP. Take a look at some of the official songs, we got everything from big band/broadway to hair metal. Though a large amount of music here is electronica/techno/dubstep, I'm in a minority as well (Hard rock/metal). Do whatever makes you unique, instead of being another face in the crowd.

[Calamus_Dash]

First off, thank you all very much for the advice and support. It really means a lot to me.

Next, I think I may take a look at a few of the other DAWs mentioned here. They sound very promising. If not... *Puts on an eye-patch.* Arrr...

I also would absolutely LOVE to do vocals for anyone who will take me. After all, a toe in the door is better than nothing at all! I have an iPad and as mentioned above, it has a mic that will do for now. The only hurdle if getting the files on a real computer where I can work with them. If I can figure this out, I'll try and post a sample in this thread so people know what they're asking for.

It is also great to hear that I'm not the only person in this place who enjoys/makes jazzy, big band type music. Yay for common ground!

Once again, thanks to everyone, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.

*Thinks a moment.*

I guess I should consider getting one of those Skype thingy-ma-gigers. A soundcloud and YouTube account might also be helpful...

I also think I should mention that I am nowhere near Mr. Richard Cheese, but then again, who is?

If I ever make a jazz/big band song, which I might eventually, I'll be sure to ask you if you want to collab on it :3

[LunchBagMusic]

ohmygodjazzyespleasewouldloveyouforever.

I've considered doing jazz covers of MLP music, but I have no way of recording myself...

:I

[Jax]

First off, welcome to the scene! I too personally use a demo of FL Studio, but there are ways to get around it, I just don't for moral reasons. Cheesy, I know. xD

How do you even manage to use the demo practically since you can't save your projects? That is my major hurdle. Is there a workaround for it?

Also, thanks for the compliments.

[bartekko]

How do you even manage to use the demo practically since you can't save your projects? That is my major hurdle. Is there a workaround for it?

Yes, there is a workaround.

But that's called cracking.

The demo is for demonstrational purposes. @captainobvious

[Pickslide1992]

First off, welcome to the scene! I too personally use a demo of FL Studio, but there are ways to get around it, I just don't for moral reasons. Cheesy, I know. xD

How do you even manage to use the demo practically since you can't save your projects? That is my major hurdle. Is there a workaround for it?

Also, thanks for the compliments.

I don't save. I work in chunks and keep it open. I work pretty fast on Fl Studio. The longest part is choosing which synth sounds right with the guitars.

I would crack, but there's a few unreliable sources plus I think the newest demo allows you to open files (I did it here with a few files).

[Jax]

Hmm.... Well, I've got some research to do then...

By the way, I should have a vocal sample uploaded by the end of today. I plan on just doing snippets of two songs (a-capella of course) to show my two most comfortable ranges. They're both big band, but that doesn't mean I can't sing other genres.

If anyone is interested and wants to hear something else, please do not hesitate to ask.

=)

[Pickslide1992]

Certainly. If you can do rock, then we'll get along great! :3

[Jax]

What type of rock are you looking for? There are just so many different sub-genres that I need a little context. For instance, soft rock or mabye even something along the lines of Shinedown or Seether are do-able with a little practice, but if you make something along the lines of Screamo or Death Metal, well... I can't really be of much help.

If you could give me a song that you would like to hear, I could practice a little and throw it into the sample.

[Pickslide1992]

I'm talking mainly classic rock, stuff like it came from the 70s/80s. You know, KISS, Poison, RATT, Dokken, that kind of thing.

I have a sample of what I'm about, abet I'm more of an instrumentalist, but this should give you an idea of what I do.
http://soundcloud.com/strangejames/cmc-theme-revised

Scootaloo did the voice here, of course, but this is the best thing I personally think I've done and it gives you a good idea of who I am.

[Jax]

Hmmm.... 70's and 80's eh? Very nice! I can think of a few songs that I know. Maybe some Areosmith. I'll go work on it and have the Sample up soon.

Lets just pray my vocals are better than Scootaloo.... Ugh....