I have all this music stuff what do I do with it.

[Tantalus]

Since I couldn't fit what I wanted in the title...let me expand.

I have FL Studio and Ableton

Tons of Plugins, Samples, and all the vocal-only episodes from the show.

I have my computer, mouse, and headphones.

Now what? I know the obvious answer is "Start remixing stuff you silly filly!" But I can't help but think I need a keyboard to make producing a little easier. I was on Skype earlier talking with some guys in the MLR chat and some said "Yeah they're important" some said "Well they're just tools for testing sounds." and some said "Yeah they're important for tools for testing sounds". So I just want to know if a keyboard is indeed important for what I want to do. If not then what is. "Well Soul" You may ask "What do you want to do?". Well I want to do Drum n Bass, Electro House, and Trance. I don't know what I need to make those kinds of music besides a DAW, and passion. Well there's a pretty damn big chunk missing there. How? HOW do I do those kinds of music, what MAKES those kinds of music identifiable? What makes them not the whole same ol' thing? What can make them special? What can you do to make it your own 'style'? Before I can really dive balls deep into this whole thing I need to know the answer to those questions.

Thanks from future me for the help!

~Soul

[Lavender_Harmony]

First of all, I would recommend you reduce the amount of tools you have. Pick either FL Studio or Ableton, and set aside all of those plugins and samples, they will just become confusing at the beginning. Next, I would look online for very basic tutorials. The way I learned how to make music was by first following very simple tutorials, where they would guide you through the steps of making a basic song. You would copy what they did, word for word. Yes it sounds tedious, but you will find that once you tweak things as the tutorial guides you, you'll begin to feel the will to experiment, feel that maybe if you turn this dial a different way it sounds better.

From there, it's all about learning. Learning about scales, rhythm, harmony, learning about synth creations and textures, drum sequencing, and implementing all these into what you do.

Style is something you develop slowly, on your own. You don't invent it entirely consciously, it evolves through habits, good and bad, preferred timbres and rhythms, signature sounds that you make. As for that special touch, it's all about knowing your tools, and how to get everything done that you need to, from solving mixing issues to creating specific sounds. I'll leave you with a quote.

"The more you learn, the less you know." -Socrates

[Facade]

the first step is usually learn how to use your daw and start messing around with it

[the4thImpulse]

First of all, I would recommend you reduce the amount of tools you have. Pick either FL Studio or Ableton, and set aside all of those plugins and samples, they will just become confusing at the beginning.

I agree with everything Lavender said but the above quote is exactly what I was thinking while reading your post.

Seeing as your new to this I assume you haven't paid for those DAWs in which case you will quickly get in over your head in the sea of music production. Most people have a hard enough time learning one DAW let alone two and a multitude of VSTs. If you have obtained some of those applications through "other" methods than I highly suggest deleteing them now before you get started and keep the free ones. Now seeing as you have both Ableton and FL try them both out for a week or so individually and then choose the one you like best (you can't go wrong with either). Once you have picked your DAW buy it if you have not already and forget about the other one as you won't need it.

Limit youself to one of two synths and use the stock 'simple' vsts that come with your DAW (delays, reverb, compressors) and get rid of or ignore all the other vsts you own now. And now is the best time to learn, with few tools you will make more music faster and you will master those tools quickly.

[Lavender_Harmony]

I just want to add something here. I'm not directly rallying against piracy, I've had enough hate for that.

When you actually invest in a piece of software, be it for music, video, drawing or whatever, you will spend more time learning how to get the most out of that investment. Piracy inhibits creativity in this regard, so if you're serious about music, consider purchasing something. You'll see results.

[prettiestPony]

... what MAKES those kinds of music identifiable? What makes them not the whole same ol' thing? What can make them special? What can you do to make it your own 'style'?

That's a pretty difficult question to answer, in my opinion. Genre is determined, more or less, by identifiable characteristics that compositions within a genre share. For example, most trance and house tracks are in 4/4 and have that characteristic "four-on-the-floor" THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD in the bass drum. Trance often repeats musical phrases over long stretches of time while using filters or other effects to slowly vary how that phrase sounds, to produce a sort of gradual building or diminishing effect.

BUT, it is very difficult to pinpoint precise characteristics that must be present ("necessary conditions", in the mathematical/logical/philosophical jargon) for something to qualify as one genre over another: almost any time you think you've found such a characteristic, you'll be able to find some counterexample within the genre that disproves it. Furthermore, a lot of the time it isn't quite obvious whether a particular song belongs in one genre or another: it may have similarities to many different genres, so you could argue that it belongs in any one of them.

So it's a very fuzzy business.

The best way to get a feel for specific genres is, of course, to listen to them. But what you should be doing now, as an aspiring producer/composer, is to listen for what makes one style different from another. Think about things like tempo (speed), whether it sounds "sparse" or "cluttered", how repetitive it is, what instruments are being used, what they sound like (e.g. are they acoustic or synthesized? Are effects applied to them? Is it like a long, drawn-out sound, or is it something short, sharp, and "spiky"?), how they're being used, how the song changes over time, when an instrument appears or leaves (especially the bass and drums, in electronic music), and all that. Then you listen to another song, and try to figure out what's different from the last, and what's similar.

[Tantalus]

When you actually invest in a piece of software, be it for music, video, drawing or whatever, you will spend more time learning how to get the most out of that investment. Piracy inhibits creativity in this regard, so if you're serious about music, consider purchasing something. You'll see results.

Believe me I don't like piracy, I just have to because I cannot afford those DAW's. Its hard to make money as a 13/14 year old. Really hard actually. In the demo of FL (Decided I'm just going to use FL I like it more) you can't save. That's a real problem. Of course I could just never close the program..like ever. I'm sure there's ways around the not saving problem but its impractical and tedious.

[Tantalus]

The best way to get a feel for specific genres is, of course, to listen to them. But what you should be doing now, as an aspiring producer/composer, is to listen for what makes one style different from another. Think about things like tempo (speed), whether it sounds "sparse" or "cluttered", how repetitive it is, what instruments are being used, what they sound like (e.g. are they acoustic or synthesized? Are effects applied to them? Is it like a long, drawn-out sound, or is it something short, sharp, and "spiky"?), how they're being used, how the song changes over time, when an instrument appears or leaves (especially the bass and drums, in electronic music), and all that. Then you listen to another song, and try to figure out what's different from the last, and what's similar.

I watched a 7-8 video series on EDM Production, I should really post it on here. Anyway, It went over how you should say go onto beatport, buy say 3 songs from the categories you like then analyze them for stuff like you mentioned, Such as BPM, sound effects, starts, finishes, etc etc. It was very interesting and very helpful and I shall being doing so soon.

[the4thImpulse]

Believe me I don't like piracy, I just have to because I cannot afford those DAW's. Its hard to make money as a 13/14 year old. Really hard actually. In the demo of FL (Decided I'm just going to use FL I like it more) you can't save. That's a real problem. Of course I could just never close the program..like ever. I'm sure there's ways around the not saving problem but its impractical and tedious.

FL is only $200, I understand your finacial situation and trust me it will only get worse as you get older. Save up any way you can, ask for money for your birthday or christmas and soon enough you can easily pay for it. It will include everything you need to make music; synths and effects. There are many great free sample packs on the internet too so all you should think about now is getting FL. Watching a lot of videos and learning is a great thing too, so keep that up.

[Tantalus]

FL is only $200, I understand your finacial situation and trust me it will only get worse as you get older. Save up any way you can, ask for money for your birthday or christmas and soon enough you can easily pay for it. It will include everything you need to make music; synths and effects. There are many great free sample packs on the internet too so all you should think about now is getting FL. Watching a lot of videos and learning is a great thing too, so keep that up.

My birthday is coming up this August, I already have around 50 bucks saved. Admittedly my Grandmother likes to spoil the grandkids rotten so I'll be able to clear 200 easy. So put a hold on everything else except learning ^_^

[Versilaryan]

Only little thing I have to add is to not be worried about finding "your style" or "your sound" or what have you now. I see so many people preoccupied with that, and really, it's not going to do you any good. Make music because it's fun and because you like the way it sounds and for those reasons only. If you like <insert genre here>, listen to a lot of it, and then imitate what you like. Don't worry too much about the technical aspects of what makes that genre different from other genres, because in the end, it doesn't mean jack.

Also: http://www.austinkleon.com/2011/03/30/h ... y-told-me/

EDIT: You might want to look into the FL Studio Academic edition. It's cheaper than the regular license, with the catch being that 1) you have to be a student and 2) you're not allowed to sell the music you make with it. And in the future, if you become serious with your music, you can always upgrade up.

[itroitnyah]

Believe me I don't like piracy, I just have to because I cannot afford those DAW's. Its hard to make money as a 13/14 year old. Really hard actually. In the demo of FL (Decided I'm just going to use FL I like it more) you can't save. That's a real problem. Of course I could just never close the program..like ever. I'm sure there's ways around the not saving problem but its impractical and tedious.

A good trick for "saving" your progress in the FL Studio trial is just to export whatever you're working on in clips and sections. Like if you have an good base synth, export that beat ONLY and then export the drum loop ONLY and whatever else there is, and when you come back to it, just open those .wav files in a audio clip, and build the song again. And take screen shots of any presets or instrument builds you have. Then you can go back and rebuild after coming back on. And if you don't think you'll remember the pattern of the base beat, take a screen shot of the piano roll, and talk about the instrument too. It's a long process, but it works for me

[Acsii]

This book was recommended to me by Kromium and it is the most helpful thing I have ever invested money in. It's called 'The Dance Music Manuel' and can be bought on amazon for about $40 US or you can get the digital version for cheaper. As most people have said, if you want to get better at making music you need to invest money be it for a program, a book, or a workshop. You need to invest. Anyway I wish you all the best in you endevors SoulReaper

EDIT: Here's a link to the book http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manua ... 0240521072

[Tantalus]

Hey thanks!
I'll be picking this up...like right now. I have the money for it and it won't break the bank. Thanks for the luck and good luck in your own endeavors!

[EntroPony]

SoulReaper,

I've found myself in about the exact same situation.

I learn best by watching, then doing. So tutorials on youtube have been wonderful for me. I'm comfortable with all the shortcuts and where to find various mixer effects now. I'm not concerned about style or the finer points yet. It's worked well so far. If you would like, I can link a few tutorials I've found helpful. I've downloaded all the ones I like, and view/review them frequently. You would probably find the same thing helpful.

When I take a break because I'm getting burnt out from staring at the FL studio screen for hours on end, I come here and lurk around. Pick up a tip here or there. Check out some other new musicians. Listen to all the tracks I can, dissect what I like, what effect worked good where. All this has worked for me, and I've seen noticeable progress in about a weeks time. I'm no maestro, but at first I was unhappy with the simple melodies I made, and now I think "That's cool! I need to learn how to do this effect because it will make it even cooler."

Long story short, throw yourself at it hard. The more time you invest into it, the more you will see returns. Let me know if you'd like me to link the tutorials for you.

[Tantalus]

Let me know if you'd like me to link the tutorials for you.

Yes Please! Thanks for the advice, I'm probably not pumping as much time into it I as should but its bound to increase when I get the book I ordered and...stop wanting to play Fallout 3: GOTY. Then again breaks and relaxing are good sometimes...no?

[Acsii]

Then again breaks and relaxing are good sometimes...no?

Most of the times these come naturally as you hit composers block

[Freewave]

Then again breaks and relaxing are good sometimes...no?

Most of the times these come naturally as you hit composers block

Absolutely. I saved most of my music time for this Tuesday to try to finish up a few tracks and nothing happened. I did not feel the spark, I didn't feel the creativity hit me, so I did something else instead. It's important not to have too many distractions (SKYPE/TUMBLR) around you but it's important to know when the magic isn't there on a particular day (despite maybe having that time dedicated) and to not waste your time if it isn't going to happen. By all means it will take practive before you know yourself well enough as a musician for when those days occur and to respond accordingly. Also expect that it will take you loads more time to do things (with many things getting replaced and redone) until you are used to doing them.

[natsukashi]

You do not need a keyboard yet if I can have my fair say in this. A keyboard is nigh unuseable if you don't actually use it for something else than testing sounds. If you however compose on your keyboard and record yourself playing in realtime, by all means invest in it. (Note: I am talking about a midi controller now.)

And personally I do not share the vision that you are required to invest money into your creatins to find motivation. I can see the reasoning that you feel obliged to do something if you've invested money in it. But to know if you WANT to do it: get used to your program and a small amount of synths. Get feedback and do not commit before you feel you can handle it because then you've wasted at least a fair amount of cash. The motivation will not follow investing, the motivation follows yearning.

inb4 people call me a cheapskate

[Facade]

most important thing is to watch tutorials it helped me a lot

[Freewave]

You do not need a keyboard yet if I can have my fair say in this. A keyboard is nigh unuseable if you don't actually use it for something else than testing sounds. If you however compose on your keyboard and record yourself playing in realtime, by all means invest in it. (Note: I am talking about a midi controller now.)

And personally I do not share the vision that you are required to invest money into your creatins to find motivation. I can see the reasoning that you feel obliged to do something if you've invested money in it. But to know if you WANT to do it: get used to your program and a small amount of synths. Get feedback and do not commit before you feel you can handle it because then you've wasted at least a fair amount of cash. The motivation will not follow investing, the motivation follows yearning.

inb4 people call me a cheapskate

I agree. This board cannot be PRO-piracy in sharing of links and warez but we also don't have to be anti-try before you buy or state that you can follow whatever methods you want outside of MLR. I agree a midi keyboard only helps if you compose through that method and too many vsts's will just make it that much harder to get to know them individually or get in the way of the music making process as well. Spending cash will not help you become a better musician (unless you're paying for lessons), actually making music with that technology will. If you're going to invest, invest time and energy most and foremost.

[Captain Ironhelm]

demo version is to see if you like the program.

I think somebody would know if they are passionate about music or not, before they get started. That's why they get started.

[the4thImpulse]

Spending cash will not help you become a better musician (unless you're paying for lessons), actually making music with that technology will. If you're going to invest, invest time and energy most and foremost.

This is technically true, however like Lavender said "When you actually invest in a piece of software, be it for music, video, drawing or whatever, you will spend more time learning how to get the most out of that investment". If you don't put money into music it will be much easier to give up when you get frustrated or when you want to put time into other past times (like video games). There has never been a famous musician who put music second in their life, if you want to make good music spend money on making music rather pirating everything you think you need for it. You will feel the motive to spend more time learning and producing music when you spend money on it rather making up that motive when you pirate the stuff.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Spending cash will not help you become a better musician (unless you're paying for lessons), actually making music with that technology will. If you're going to invest, invest time and energy most and foremost.

This is technically true, however like Lavender said "When you actually invest in a piece of software, be it for music, video, drawing or whatever, you will spend more time learning how to get the most out of that investment". If you don't put money into music it will be much easier to give up when you get frustrated or when you want to put time into other past times (like video games). There has never been a famous musician who put music second in their life, if you want to make good music spend money on making music rather pirating everything you think you need for it. You will feel the motive to spend more time learning and producing music when you spend money on it rather making up that motive when you pirate the stuff.

Thanks, you word it better than me x3

[natsukashi]

But throwing money into something you have no idea if you are passionate about is not imperative to becoming a good musician. :I