Author Topic: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?  (Read 20773 times)

51NNED

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Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« on: January 07, 2016, 01:57:29 am »
Hi guys

I'm really interested in producing and need some beginner advice on how to start. If anyone could shed some light on this area it would be much appreciated, Future bass and complextro in particular.
The only thing I have right now is a DAW which is FL Studio 11 (Producers edition) and a decent computer with standard 2.1 logitech speakers ($150).
With what I currently own, is that sufficient to begin learning the basics of producing?, Is it necessary to purchase hardware such as a MIDI keyboard, drumpads and audio interfaces, headphones and monitors? Can I just rely on software still be able to produce reasonable production?.

At the moment I'm just planning to stick to FL studio and maybe purchase some decent headphones and possibly a MIDI keyboard if needed unless someone can lead me in the right direction on what I can do  :)

johnnygivs

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2016, 02:03:25 am »
If you can afford it I would recommend checking out syntorial, it's what really helped me get into producing and over the overwhelming curve of where to start.

If you're really seriously dedicated to pursuing music, I understand it's not the cheapest software in the world.

Shoot me a message on here and I can possibly give you my sublicense of the software.

http://www.syntorial.com/
« Last Edit: January 07, 2016, 02:08:32 am by johnnygivs »

polardubbear97

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2016, 02:13:20 am »
I would recommend some robust headphones and you are good to start! Maybe some sample packs can help too.

51NNED

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2016, 02:42:51 am »
-Thanks Johnny. Just watched the tutorial, I'll have a look into that.
-Yeah Polar, probably going to start off with some Sennheiser's

SorenAndrews

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2016, 03:00:13 am »
Midi Keyboards & drum pads aren't necessary, BUT they do make the job easier. You wouldn't want to be building a house without a hammer would you? lol But I use the Allen & Heath Xone series headphones since 2008 and they sound GREAT! They are a bit pricey BUT they are def quality studio headphones. As for a midi Keyboard, I just went simple and purchased the Samson Carbon 49 USB midi keyboard for like $80 bucks. Works like a champ as I only use it for writing notes & chords etc. A good soundcard, a good machine, a good midi keyboard & a good pair of headphones should start you off great
The Mr. Andrews

51NNED

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2016, 03:46:57 am »
Sounds simple. Cheers Mr. Andrews

MifzanHerawan

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2016, 05:16:56 am »
the basic ? yeah of course ! a pc, a daw, and a speaker should be fine. i'd definitely suggest trying to dive in first, getting to know what's ahead of you (in terms of studying music). if you like it then you invest more, if not then yea

calgarc

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2016, 07:45:12 am »
skip the headphones... skip the sample pack. first things first is to learn your daw. Once you figured out how to use the basics then you can move on. all DAWs do the same general things.

you will spend the next 2 years doing nothing but trolling forums and watching youtube videos, until you go crazy.

Futuremusic
DJTT
this forum
Gearsluts***

are good places to start.

polardubbear97

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2016, 07:52:03 am »
skip the headphones... skip the sample pack. first things first is to learn your daw. Once you figured out how to use the basics then you can move on. all DAWs do the same general things.

you will spend the next 2 years doing nothing but trolling forums and watching youtube videos, until you go crazy.

Futuremusic
DJTT
this forum
Gearsluts***

are good places to start.
True, learn your tools first.

aresz

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2016, 09:36:45 am »
Just to add onto the above mentioned.

Learn how to use the software you have, there are tons of tutorials on youtube which will help you learn. I wouldnt invest in and hardware/online courses yet, it is better to learn from the free tutorials available on the net first. Once you have a good understanding and have a few tracks under your belt, you can then sign up for the more advance courses which will be worth the money you are going to spend (you can find everything on youtube though)

As you go along you can then spend money on hardware. Better than finding out that music production is not for you after spending money.

start off with the basics, how fl studio works. Then find tutorials on tracks you already know (Youtube).

Here are a few links to get you started:

Basics on FL Studio
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m09FMKMlq8
2. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fl+studio+complete+tutorial

Making Complextro (once you have the basics down)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE2tFWe6ulM

Hope this helps

Good luck :)



51NNED

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2016, 12:46:33 pm »
Thanks guys and thanks for the links aresz

Harwood

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2016, 01:21:05 pm »
Most of the tips so far have been about gear and things like that. Obviously all of this stuff helps no end but you can make anything from anything in theory. The most important thing to do is ENJOY IT! It sounds very cheesy and fanciful, but without a shadow of a doubt you'll make something better if you are in the right frame of mind. Sometimes I sit down at my computer because I haven't got anything better to do and just end up pondering over average ideas for hours, however at times when you are desperate to get down and make something it will just flow. Some days it'll take several hours just to get the right chord progression, at others it will take a few hours to build the basics of an entire track! The thing is not to get perturbed when it's not going so great, go away and take a break, come back fresh, try a different idea or a different sub-genre, mix things up.

Genuinely my biggest tip would be producing is all a mindset. Get a DAW, sit down and play. And play. And play. Press every button, turn every knob, try every preset of every plugin. You will be surprised how quickly you pick things up.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP FOR ALL PRODUCERS EVER.
SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE.

Control + S is a producers best friend. Save your work constantly, there is nothing worse than making something amazing, your DAW crashing and then having no idea how you made it (a lot of the best things made are done completely by accident)

Hope some of this helps, I realise these aren't real tips but I hope it motivates you to go and have some fun and make some music!

Harwood

BrienWithAnE

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Re: Tips for someone that wants to start producing?
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2016, 01:50:35 pm »
Listen to a lot of your favorite music, as well as other genres.  Produce a lot. Experiment a lot.  Have fun, find out how things work, and just mess about for a bit.  That's a great beginner set up, so just have fun!
~ BrienWithAnE