Where to start with production? (for the newbie)
Where to start with production? (for the newbie) Posted on: 31.01.2012 by Regan Berzin Hey all! I've been djing for a year now and want to take the step into production. I have the following: Ableton 8 Bought myself a Vengeance sample pack Audio 8 soundcard Studio monitors anything else I require to get up and running? Now, since I'm a total beginner, how/where is the best place to get me going? I'm willing to put the work in. Also, could someone explain what VSTs are? And could someone recommend a synth? thanks for all your help | |
| Breana Singerman 02.02.2012 | 4 things you need, and you'll be able to Kompete with any producer out there sound quality wise. 1. Komplete 8 Ultimate 2. Arturia V Collection 3. Best interface you can afford 4. Best monitors you can afford. All you need, period. |
| Meaghan Kallmann 01.02.2012 | Been at it for a year or so, but really hunkered down in the last 6 months. As others have said, LOTS of time. The other thing I'd suggest is some sort of "school." For the longest time I considered going to Dubspot, but it's $5K for the "full" production school with Ableton. Ended up finding Sonic Academy (www.sonicacademy.com) and am REALLY stoked I did. Paid the $165 for the full membership for a year and it's been really, really worth it. My learning just went through the roof from watching their tutorials and just following along. They have a series of "How to Make" tutorials for specific genres which are just fantastic. Really give you an insight into how to get genre-specific sounds, and they go into extreme detail, even down to specific mastering techniques, etc. etc. Basically every single detail of making a complete song, which I can't stress enough how amazing that is when you can imagine something but have no idea how to translate it. I just made a track using their Dirty Dutch tutorial and it came out soooooo much better than anything else I've done. Just finished it and posted it on SoundCloud about an hour ago. (Speaking of lots of time, this is about 100 hours worth). Have a listen: http://soundcloud.com/geekyourfaceoff/save-us Anyway, I know I probably sound like a total plug for Sonic Academy, but I believe it's the best money I've spent. Maybe also consider a subscription to Future Music or Computer Music, but I don't believe those are nearly as good a value as SA. And yeah, again, shitloads of time. Don't get discouraged, and just accept that your first few tracks are going to sound like dog shit. |
| Mona Hoppenjan 01.02.2012 | I'm approaching the one year mark of using ableton and even then I haven't used it as much as I'd like to. I just finished up my first produced track and I'd say the best way to learn it is by getting comfortable. Learn shortcuts and keyboard tricks to make workflow less and that way any ideas you have you can get them out much faster. |
| Regan Berzin 01.02.2012 | So it seems like I need a load of free time, and luckily I do! How many hours a day do you guys put in? I will watch you tube as much as possible for now before I do anything with Ableton. Do you guys recommend I do a course to get familiar with it? I know a place running a intro to ableton course over 1 day (5hours) for 100 euro, worth it? I also read that its best to use samples just to get going with Ableton, what ya believe? hence why I bought Vengeance sample pack |
| Brent Dierken 01.02.2012 | Do a stack of tutorials, you don't need any more gear
or software yet. There are a lot of tutorials you can do with just ableton. |
| Krishna Hospelhorn 31.01.2012 | youtube. its how I learnt everything. AND it means I can crowbar in a plug for my own youtube tutorial channel :P http://www.youtube.com/user/MultiplierSounds |
| Tatum Untiedt 31.01.2012 | http://www.cosm.co.nz/ Check out his intro to digital audio production videos. The first 2 parts are free on youtube, but you have to buy the rest. Definitely a great investment for learning your way around Ableton if you aren't familiar with it already, personally it was one of the few resources that really put me in the right direction. In regard to your question, notice how when you load up Ableton it has a list of devices and effects that came with Ableton. VSTs are a type of third party plugin synths/effects/devices/etc made to work within your DAW. The most important thing I'd get is a synth like you said. For an all around versatile one Sylenth is definitely the way to go. Massive is another good choice. Both have demos so you can try them out before you need to drop money on anything. |
| Antonio Jackle 31.01.2012 |
Originally Posted by seitz
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| Maricruz Mouw 31.01.2012 | free time?....only thing id suggest is a keyboard |
| Delmar Swamy 31.01.2012 | Id say pick up a bunch of free vst fx, pick up a good vst like massive pr onmisphere and get familiar with it . pick up a midid controller like a launchpad or apc40 in a month or two to help with your work flow(not having to touch the computer all the time really opens up my creativity personally) and watch a hell load of Youtube tuts |
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