Producing
Producing Posted on: 21.04.2009 by Mercy Nussear Okay so I know this is a DJ community
but I recently started trying to producing my own stuff ( DJing with ableton kinda makes it difficult not to, tempting you all the time with just a switch of the screen lol ) and I was just curious to know how many other DJs on here are into producing as well as DJing and could give me some starting advice even if pointing me in the direction of some community s that would help me, because im really intrested. And was also wondering if remixing or mashing or whatever is really producing or not since alot of my friends say it isn't since you do that live on stage any way and sitting down taking hours to do it and make it all perfect is cheating =/ i don't believe so tho lol anyways any advice is greatly appreciated. | |
| Harold Jaras 27.09.2009 |
Originally Posted by duerr
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| Verona Fashbaugh 23.09.2009 |
Originally Posted by Lambox
... And since that post 5 months ago, I've learned that one of the best ways to get better at producing your favorite genre of music is to practice producing others. I don't know why this has worked for me. Maybe because it forces you to avoid going through the motions when you put a track together. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that what I was producing 5 months ago was some straight trash. I'm not saying I'm some professional producer, but I'm comfortable with how I've progressed. Another thing that makes or breaks a track imo: tiny little nuances and differences in parts. Even adding or getting rid of one hit every other measure will keep your music from sounding overly robotic and repetitive. The last thing I'm going to suggest is to get some fresh drum samples. I really don't have any particular suggestions on where to get these samples (hint: google), but all I can tell you is that as soon as you stop using the basic drum kits that came with whatever environment your using, your songs will start to sound a lot more unique-- and they will be more unique. Note: Maybe my last suggestion is a Fruity-oriented one. It took me a couple years (gasp) to force myself to get away from that stupid 'Club Basic' kit that it comes with. And there isn't anything wrong with using these samples, but it's all about moderation. I don't want people to be able to tell I made a track in FL because they recognize the samples. :eek: |
| Harold Jaras 23.09.2009 |
Originally Posted by Rumblejazz
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| Earl Ancelet 22.04.2009 |
Originally Posted by DvlsAdvct
I just picked up a M-Audio KeyRig 25 and can attest that not only does it work great with Traktor but also with all of the MIDI software I use in the open-source audio space (ie - ZynSubAddFX, Hydrogen, SooperLooper, Ardour, etc.). Hell, it's even inspired me to learn just a little bit about tickling the ivories so that I can knock out my own melodies. |
| Harold Jaras 22.04.2009 |
Originally Posted by MisterMoleyMole
as far as the korg nanokey or whatever goes, i wouldn't expect much :P if you're serious, invest in at least a microchord. the korg won't get you very far (see ean's review, or any review for that matter). |
| Mercy Nussear 21.04.2009 | Okay so I know this is a DJ community
but I recently started trying to producing my own stuff ( DJing with ableton kinda makes it difficult not to, tempting you all the time with just a switch of the screen lol ) and I was just curious to know how many other DJs on here are into producing as well as DJing and could give me some starting advice even if pointing me in the direction of some community s that would help me, because im really intrested. And was also wondering if remixing or mashing or whatever is really producing or not since alot of my friends say it isn't since you do that live on stage any way and sitting down taking hours to do it and make it all perfect is cheating =/ i don't believe so tho lol anyways any advice is greatly appreciated. |
| Luann Scatterday 27.09.2009 | Get ana Akai MPK-25 tis way you get some quality build, nice endless knobs, decent keyboard and some drum pads aswell, they are not as cheap as the competition but they are worth the difference money wise. Z PS - Been a Dj since 1990 (before it was all just tape cuting and pasting on K7s and pause tapes lol) started producing around 92-93 |
| Harold Jaras 27.09.2009 |
Originally Posted by duerr
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| Belen Wermes 27.09.2009 | i've been producing twice as long as I've been djing.. I'm not a great producer by any means, but I'm pretty handy with synthesizers and writing catchy melodies. The most difficult aspect of making tracks for me is the engineering side of things. There are a lot different schools of thought on how to engineer tunes properly. It seems like different rules apply to different styles of music which can be very confusing for guys who are trying to self-teach themselves through info on community s, articles and trial&error. I'd go to school to learn this but just cannot justify the time/cash investment for a hobby. |
| Verona Fashbaugh 23.09.2009 |
Originally Posted by Lambox
... And since that post 5 months ago, I've learned that one of the best ways to get better at producing your favorite genre of music is to practice producing others. I don't know why this has worked for me. Maybe because it forces you to avoid going through the motions when you put a track together. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that what I was producing 5 months ago was some straight trash. I'm not saying I'm some professional producer, but I'm comfortable with how I've progressed. Another thing that makes or breaks a track imo: tiny little nuances and differences in parts. Even adding or getting rid of one hit every other measure will keep your music from sounding overly robotic and repetitive. The last thing I'm going to suggest is to get some fresh drum samples. I really don't have any particular suggestions on where to get these samples (hint: google), but all I can tell you is that as soon as you stop using the basic drum kits that came with whatever environment your using, your songs will start to sound a lot more unique-- and they will be more unique. Note: Maybe my last suggestion is a Fruity-oriented one. It took me a couple years (gasp) to force myself to get away from that stupid 'Club Basic' kit that it comes with. And there isn't anything wrong with using these samples, but it's all about moderation. I don't want people to be able to tell I made a track in FL because they recognize the samples. :eek: |
| Harold Jaras 23.09.2009 |
Originally Posted by Rumblejazz
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| Earl Ancelet 22.04.2009 |
Originally Posted by DvlsAdvct
I just picked up a M-Audio KeyRig 25 and can attest that not only does it work great with Traktor but also with all of the MIDI software I use in the open-source audio space (ie - ZynSubAddFX, Hydrogen, SooperLooper, Ardour, etc.). Hell, it's even inspired me to learn just a little bit about tickling the ivories so that I can knock out my own melodies. |
| Amada Brierley 22.04.2009 | 1. buy daw 2. buy monitors 3. buy mpk39 easy |
| Roberto Viccione 22.04.2009 | If you want a little MIDI controller there are TONS of options. M-Audio makes some decent MIDI controllers for the cheap. Really, all you need to start are some keys, knobs and faders and you should be fine. |
| Harold Jaras 22.04.2009 |
Originally Posted by MisterMoleyMole
as far as the korg nanokey or whatever goes, i wouldn't expect much :P if you're serious, invest in at least a microchord. the korg won't get you very far (see ean's review, or any review for that matter). |
| Roberto Viccione 22.04.2009 | I'd recommend getting a pad controller for drumming rhythms and a keyboard for everything else. It's a personal thing again, but yeah. everything is more natural for me when I'm playing it and not drawing it in. Though, for rhythms, I live in Redrum in Reason. It's how I've pretty much learned how to make drum patterns |
| Doug Bieling 22.04.2009 | Pretty much exactly what i thought, just a bit more natural. The reason i asked the way i did was to try and get an answer without leading anyone with my thoughts to much. I find that sometimes it makes it easy for people to just say "yes thats right" What i was believeing was drum beats must feel a bit more natural to drum out with your fingers rather than draw them in but was wondering if there was anything else i wias missing. I might just buy a korg mini key thing to see how much easier it makes messing with music. I love trying things out but just waste hours not getting anywhere. I wish i had more freinds that were into this kind of stuff then you just bounce stuff off eachother. All my mates just seem to grown up for all this stuff hahahaha or thats the way they see it! BOOORING GITS ! |
| Roberto Viccione 22.04.2009 | MIDI Keyboards add a lot of functionality. Yeah, you can draw your notes in on the piano roll, and you can use your mouse to do filter sweeps, and that works for a lot of people. When trying to find a good melody it's much easier for me to just bang on the notes until something comes to fruition, and if I am playing with effects it's a lot easier to use the knobs and faders. Really it's a personal thing. A lot of people will tell you that using a MIDI keyboard will make your life a lot easier. It might not for you, but it can never really hurt. |
| Doug Bieling 22.04.2009 | can i just jump in and ask a question here ... why get a midi keyboard? I believe i have an idea what the answer is but with the ability to just draw your notes in on fruity , ableton etc what is your view on teh need of a midi keyboard? Cheers Gav PS I'm a noob that really wants to produce & DJ but don't believe i have what it takes so if my questions seem dumb thats why. I'm a bedroom everything and will be forever me believes. |
| Verona Fashbaugh 22.04.2009 | I hardly ever do anything dj-related. I mostly produce. I use this community
because you can learn a lot from people that do dj. I've used FL for almost three years now, and even though a lot of people bitch about it, I still believe it's a powerful tool if you know how to use it. Learn music theory, or at least scales and such. Definitely buy a midi keyboard. Or (gasp) a hardware synth. I own a microkorg and I love it. Taking the time to learn to use it taught me a lot about oscillator shapes, filters, evelopes, etc... And have fun. Producing is raw. |
| Ashirumatic DJ 21.04.2009 | I have dj'n for approx 11 years and picked producing and up until recently had only dabbled in producing. Now I am more serious about producing/remixing my own tracks. I guess you could say this came about when I started into Ableton as well. Currently I am using Fl.Studio, Ableton and Cubase for production mainly with Reason, ReBirth and various VST's on the side. Hipnotikk is right into suggesting a midi keyboard. Also search google, youtube for: music theory tutorials mastering tutorials ableton tutorials etc... youtube - search MDL, NFX, Acephincter they have some great vids up for beginners. primeloops.com have some tutorials on Ableton, Reason and Fl.Studio http://www.warbeats.com aimed moretowards Fl.Studio but some of the practices there are the same no matter what DAW you use. http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=4444 this thread has a bunch of links and info on production as well. |
| Harold Jaras 21.04.2009 | first off, i believe mashups/remixes/blends are a type of producing, but don't go slapping your name on it without giving proper credit (ex. Original Producer(s) - Name Of Song/Created Name [Your Rmx]) as far as creating your entirely original stuff, ableton is a good tool, along with logic, reason, acid, even garageband (it's like logic's slower little brother). advice i can give is to get as many instruments/samples as you can, it really opens up your creative potential (and doesn't make you sound like every other "SFB" out there :P). also, you can't rush/force it. music will come to you naturally, just let it flow. it'll take time, but it's worth it. when i was beginning (i guess you could say i still am really) the beatgridding/drawing in ableton and logic really helped me out. it'll let you easily draw in and modify your patterns. EDIT: invest in a midi keyboard if you don't have one already. |
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