how to start producing?

Neo4 · Post by **Neo4** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:59 pm

Hy guys,

i've been using ableton for a couple of years only for dj sets, now i want to start producing some things.
i've already seen a lot of tutorials that explain how to use mp3 samples and midi samples but i need some lights...

how should i start? download samples and start using them?
creat my samples with the instruments from live?

how did you do?

I don't have any midi controler.

i will buy this christmas the uc33-e but i guess this is more for live performances too.

thanks

coldrush · Post by **coldrush** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:11 pm

Hi Neo4, it might be a good thing to start by telling us what sort of music you intend to make.

Cheers!

Chris

Neo4 · Post by **Neo4** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:37 pm

yes you are right, sorry.

I intend to make minimal/techno music.

if you are interested you can listen to my dj work at:

www.0biwan.mypodcast.com

hugs

coldrush · Post by **coldrush** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:42 pm

First thing you could do is purchase a copy of computer music magazine, it has a how to make a minimal track and 2gb of samples right up your street all for 5 quid and free software to boot.

Chris

COSM · Post by **COSM** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:00 pm

Hey Mate,

My suggestion is to head over to my website and download the live set I have made available for free download.

It's basically an original live set full of loops and samples, ready to jam. It would be a great way for begginers to get a feel of the program and what it is like once you have your live set fully ready to go, so that when you start producing loops and samples you can keep an overall picture of what your live set will look like, giving you something to work towards.

The live set is set up with all kinds of effects and ways to manipulate the samples which have been mapped to keys on a computer keyboard, so you can load it up and start experimenting straight away. It will also give you a good insight into how many of the inbuilt effects in Ableton work.

More info and download links are here

http://www.cosm.co.nz/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=36

Let me know if your into it!

Cheers

-Tom

Neo4 · Post by **Neo4** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:22 pm

can I find that magazine in portugal?!

Cosm i will se your site

ethios4 · Post by **ethios4** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:24 pm

Actually doing it is the most important thing. And there are lots of smart helpful people on here that love to answer questions. I found "The Dance Music Manual" a good book to read... it's somewhat outdated, but relates many fundamental concepts very well.

I would also advise not getting too caught up in audiophile minutia...meaning, don't spend forever trying to decide which dithering algorhythm to use, or wondering if you would get better mixes from Cubase's mixing engine vs Live's. None of that is going to matter nearly as much as knowing how to use an EQ and a compressor properly.

I would also advise not spending too long on any particular track. I have had a bad habit of spending 8 months on one track, trying to get something to sound good that was built on old knowledge. Keep moving, and your skills will progress much faster. Also, try to finish as much of what you start as you can, as actually completing a large-scale structure is as important a skill as knowing how to tweak the rhythm between two kick drums just right.

Neo4 · Post by **Neo4** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:29 pm

yes but from where i get my music samples? download it? creat it?

i'm reaally apreciating your tips guys

this is a very friendly forum!

coldrush · Post by **coldrush** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:30 pm

Nice, i remember when i first started i used to listen to an 8 bar loop for hours thinking what do i do now, until i got bored this listening to it and deleted it

coldrush · Post by **coldrush** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:32 pm

I could always post you a copy of computer music from the uk

Poster · Post by **Poster** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:21 am

- kill your darlings..
- the delete button is also your friend..
- don't get caught up in tech talk, you're an artist, not an engineer..
- the unknown should not be a scary place..
- don't be a screengazer; look away from the notes from time to time to actually LISTEN to what you're doing..
- avoid 909 hihats..
- when you cannot see the last VST in your browser list, you're searching for the holy grail..

smutek · Post by **smutek** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:53 am

Neo4 wrote:yes but from where i get my music samples? download it? creat it?

i'm reaally apreciating your tips guys

this is a very friendly forum!

Record your own samples, create them, make them out of other samples you've downloaded. Just experiment with sound and the different devices and have fun while familiarizing yourself with the program.

Also, find some of your favorite tracks, take one of them and try to re-make it yourself using your own sounds that you've made. This is another good way to get familiar with the program while learning how to structure and compose.

Lots of good advice in this thread. I'd also add to just take your time, have fun, and most importantly don't expect to know it all in a day, a week or even a year.

Rahlo · Post by **Rahlo** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:47 pm

smutek wrote:
Record your own samples, create them, make them out of other samples you've downloaded. Just experiment with sound and the different devices and have fun while familiarizing yourself with the program.

Also, find some of your favorite tracks, take one of them and try to re-make it yourself using your own sounds that you've made. This is another good way to get familiar with the program while learning how to structure and compose.

Lots of good advice in this thread. I'd also add to just take your time, have fun, and most importantly don't expect to know it all in a day, a week or even a year.

You can also check the tips and tricks part of the forum for ideas. Lots of smart cats have listed some pretty ingenious production tips there! Whenever I get stagnant or can't remember how to accomplish something in live, I browse that section.

Neo4 · Post by **Neo4** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:37 pm

coldrush wrote:First thing you could do is purchase a copy of computer music magazine, it has a how to make a minimal track and 2gb of samples right up your street all for 5 quid and free software to boot.

Chris

hy i found that magazine but it was from October that your are talking is the November edition right?

Hey thanks all you mates from your answers I will follow your tips!

and i guess e shouldn't try to do a music in one time just make parts i've tried that and just don't get right because i don't have all ideas in one day right?

this is a technical question
for example i have an beat sample that if i loop it it does bum bum bum bum but the "Bum's" are very close
it is possible to add some silence to the sample just editing it in the program or i should record this i'm talking using the record button and pressing play with the silence interval and use it as new sample?

thanks

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:14 pm

Neo4 wrote:
coldrush wrote:First thing you could do is purchase a copy of computer music magazine, it has a how to make a minimal track and 2gb of samples right up your street all for 5 quid and free software to boot.

Chris
hy i found that magazine but it was from October that your are talking is the November edition right?

Hey thanks all you mates from your answers I will follow your tips!

and i guess e shouldn't try to do a music in one time just make parts i've tried that and just don't get right because i don't have all ideas in one day right?

this is a technical question
for example i have an beat sample that if i loop it it does bum bum bum bum but the "Bum's" are very close
it is possible to add some silence to the sample just editing it in the program or i should record this i'm talking using the record button and pressing play with the silence interval and use it as new sample?

thanks

answer for ur technical question.. you can use a 'clip envelope' in Live to control the silence (volume) levels in a loop.

for ur main question, the answer is ..

the aim of a producer is to producer. so always keep making stuff and u will find better ways of putting this stuff together as time goes on.

ur right, u cant make everything in one day (but with practice u can get closer) in the same way as you probably couldnt finish building a house in a day on your own.

one day make the walls, the next day add the doors and windows.

how to start producing?

how to start producing?

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@Neo4

@ethios

@neo4

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