Sound Production

[Blazin Trav]

What program is best? Fruity Loops XXL is lookin good, IMO.

Is there a tried and true combination of programs and drum kits anyone could recommend?

I am getting pretty serious about this stuff so serious experts and talk would be helpful, thanks.

Also I'm not sure if this will turn into a Highly Technical thread, my apologies if it does.

A few other things:

• Is a drum input needed? Ie. can a keyboard like the M-Audio 02 MIDI controller do everything I need w/o a drum input?
  
  How many (average) tracks do you usually use in a techno song or rap beat?
  
  Any other helpful tips...

 

[Goosemaster]

what is your goal?

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what is your goal?

To be a producer of beats, mainly progressive, house, and beats that one could rap or sing to...

 

[Blazin Trav]

anyone?

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what is your goal?

To be a producer of beats, mainly progressive, house, and beats that one could rap or sing to...

step 1: buy 808.
step 2: press play on the first pre-programmed beat
you are now a rap "producer." tell your engineer the beat needs more "air" and more "slap." your engineer will pretend to turn a few knobs. now tell your engineer it sounds "real phat, yo."

seriously, you'll need Acid Pro, Reason, and probably Pro Tools, plus sample libraries. and don't think there aren't already a million other people doing the same thing in their bedroom.

 

[Steve]

Damn, don't be hatin! DJ Blazin Trav's beats'll be so fresh!

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what is your goal?

To be a producer of beats, mainly progressive, house, and beats that one could rap or sing to...

step 1: buy 808.
step 2: press play on the first pre-programmed beat
you are now a rap "producer." tell your engineer the beat needs more "air" and more "slap." your engineer will pretend to turn a few knobs. now tell your engineer it sounds "real phat, yo."

seriously, you'll need Acid Pro, Reason, and probably Pro Tools, plus sample libraries. and don't think there aren't already a million other people doing the same thing in their bedroom.

I know people who are signed to labels and a few good producers. I'm not going to be doing this just for fun, but thanks I know a lot of people are already doing it...

Is there a way to meet the "up and up" people in this industry? Internships?

Reason I hear is best. Pro Tools is nice if you have expensive equipment, but what is the BEST method? Are you saying it's best to combine different programs and equipment, the more the better?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

I know people who are signed to labels and a few good producers. I'm not going to be doing this just for fun, but thanks I know a lot of people are already doing it...

Is there a way to meet the "up and up" people in this industry? Internships?

Reason I hear is best. Pro Tools is nice if you have expensive equipment, but what is the BEST method? Are you saying it's best to combine different programs and equipment, the more the better?

Something doesn't add up here. You're asking how to meet the up and up people but then you say you already know them?

There probably is no single best method unless money is literally no option. Find out what works for you. I'd probably look for forums that are aimed at this type of stuff and not AT as I don't think you'll find too many people on here who could give very good advice on the subject.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

I know people who are signed to labels and a few good producers. I'm not going to be doing this just for fun, but thanks I know a lot of people are already doing it...

Is there a way to meet the "up and up" people in this industry? Internships?

Reason I hear is best. Pro Tools is nice if you have expensive equipment, but what is the BEST method? Are you saying it's best to combine different programs and equipment, the more the better?

Something doesn't add up here. You're asking how to meet the up and up people but then you say you already know them?

There probably is no single best method unless money is literally no option. Find out what works for you. I'd probably look for forums that are aimed at this type of stuff and not AT as I don't think you'll find too many people on here who could give very good advice on the subject.

Let me clarify then:

I know maybe 2 people who will likely be signed soon. Other than that I don't know anyone that is making tons of money rapping or making beats.

That said, any tips? Any particular drum kit that is popular?

In general I am looking for someone who is already a sound engineer / producer of beats (techno and rap related mostly, but I'm not genre specific.)

 

[Canai]

Two words... Native Instruments.

edit: and maybe Ableton to pull it all together

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: Canai
Two words... Native Instruments.

edit: and maybe Ableton to pull it all together

Oh, for sure. That's gonna be the next step is to use real instruments, but right now it's just cheaper to make them electronically.

 

[Canai]

Em..... I think you missed something.... Native Instruments is a company that makes all sorts of synthesizer and sequencer and drum machine and various other audio software. Best on the market IMO. Not cheap tho, so maybe look for some demo versions or something.

 

[Pegun]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what is your goal?

To be a producer of beats, mainly progressive, house, and beats that one could rap or sing to...

step 1: buy 808.
step 2: press play on the first pre-programmed beat
you are now a rap "producer." tell your engineer the beat needs more "air" and more "slap." your engineer will pretend to turn a few knobs. now tell your engineer it sounds "real phat, yo."

seriously, you'll need Acid Pro, Reason, and probably Pro Tools, plus sample libraries. and don't think there aren't already a million other people doing the same thing in their bedroom.

Agreed. 4 Years experience doing recording.

 

[mattyrug]

step 1: buy 808.
step 2: press play on the first pre-programmed beat
you are now a rap "producer." tell your engineer the beat needs more "air" and more "slap." your engineer will pretend to turn a few knobs. now tell your engineer it sounds "real phat, yo."

seriously, you'll need Acid Pro, Reason, and probably Pro Tools, plus sample libraries. and don't think there aren't already a million other people doing the same thing in their bedroom.

HAHAHA after 18+ years, that about sums it all up. I always wondered what they meant by 'Air' until I encountered my first Mackie Console with an 'Air' knob!
Laughs!

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

I know people who are signed to labels and a few good producers. I'm not going to be doing this just for fun, but thanks I know a lot of people are already doing it...

Is there a way to meet the "up and up" people in this industry? Internships?

Reason I hear is best. Pro Tools is nice if you have expensive equipment, but what is the BEST method? Are you saying it's best to combine different programs and equipment, the more the better?

Something doesn't add up here. You're asking how to meet the up and up people but then you say you already know them?

There probably is no single best method unless money is literally no option. Find out what works for you. I'd probably look for forums that are aimed at this type of stuff and not AT as I don't think you'll find too many people on here who could give very good advice on the subject.

Let me clarify then:

I know maybe 2 people who will likely be signed soon. Other than that I don't know anyone that is making tons of money rapping or making beats.

That said, any tips? Any particular drum kit that is popular?

In general I am looking for someone who is already a sound engineer / producer of beats (techno and rap related mostly, but I'm not genre specific.)

So in other words you're a liar. You went from knowing people who are signed to labels to maybe 2 people who will likely be signed soon.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what is your goal?

To be a producer of beats, mainly progressive, house, and beats that one could rap or sing to...

step 1: buy 808.
step 2: press play on the first pre-programmed beat
you are now a rap "producer." tell your engineer the beat needs more "air" and more "slap." your engineer will pretend to turn a few knobs. now tell your engineer it sounds "real phat, yo."

seriously, you'll need Acid Pro, Reason, and probably Pro Tools, plus sample libraries. and don't think there aren't already a million other people doing the same thing in their bedroom.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what is your goal?

To be a producer of beats, mainly progressive, house, and beats that one could rap or sing to...

step 1: buy 808.
step 2: press play on the first pre-programmed beat
you are now a rap "producer." tell your engineer the beat needs more "air" and more "slap." your engineer will pretend to turn a few knobs. now tell your engineer it sounds "real phat, yo."

seriously, you'll need Acid Pro, Reason, and probably Pro Tools, plus sample libraries. and don't think there aren't already a million other people doing the same thing in their bedroom.

I want to be a sound engineer, not some kid doing it out of their bedroom.

BTW, this was the only non-sarcastic and at all beneficial post so far in this thread...

 

[NanoStuff]

There is lots of percussion software out there, it's impossible to decide on any given selection, but 808 would indeed have to be the one choice if it came down to that, considering rap/techno.

What do you mean by drum input? If you're using a MIDI controller, it will be capable of controlling any software regardless of whether it's drums or not.

How many (average) tracks do you usually use in a techno song or rap beat?

Depends if you want to split your percussion based on type or stick it all on one track. That often depends on whether you use a single instrument or more. Usually it's percussion, bass, vocals, so three primary with potentially more synth tracks for assorted effects. Again, it's circumstantial. If you have more than one vocalist, you'd want to split those up.

Any other helpful tips...

I'd like to suggest you get yourself quality output devices and a decent monitoring room if you want to go pro. You're gonna have a difficult time proving your work if what they hear on professional equipment is very different than what you hear at home.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Any other helpful tips...

I'd like to suggest you get yourself quality output devices and a decent monitoring room if you want to go pro. You're gonna have a difficult time proving your work if what they hear on professional equipment is very different than what you hear at home.[/quote]

I already plan on getting pro equiptment, that was never a question. The question is, with so many different programs: Cubase, Reason, Fruity Loops, etc etc, what is the best and most popular?

I hear so much about Pro Tools but if you don't have expensive inputs it doesn't really matter if you have Pro Tools or not...

 

[Blazin Trav]

So... two good posts. No one else does this sort of stuff? I couldn't find the "sound engineer" degree so I'm going for a general Music (with tech focus). Is this similar enough to a Sound Engineer degree?

Classes I would take:
CIS 111: Concepts: Computer - should be easy for me
CIS 115 Multimedia on the Web - should be easy for me as well
CIS 122 Concepts: Algorithms - not sure how well I will do in this class
MUS 443 Elect. Mus. Tech 1 - should be easy for me
MUS 444 Elect. Mus. Tech 2 - not sure how easy
MUS 419 MIDI for Musicians

Music Theory 1-6
Aural Skills 1-6
Keyboard Skills 1-6
Survey Music History - 3 200 level classes
PHYS 152 Phys. Sound & Music (I have never taken a physics class before)
Music Analysis and Guided Listening Classes

Are any of these classes really going to be challenging if I am already musically inclined? I did piano for years and choir back in the day...

 

[Blazin Trav]

one last bump.

 

[Doctor Nyse]

I use Apple's Logic Pro professionally and would say, in my opinion and years experience, it is the best program out there for original music production.

Seen and it all... Fruity Loops, ACID, Reason, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Pro Tools. Personally nothing performs and SOUNDS as rock solid as Logic Pro. Even at the early PC versions (Logic 5.5) you cannot really go wrong.

Of course I also have gigs upon gigs of sound samples I've collected over the years (that in most cases will sound miles better than any preset kit) as well as dozens of plugins ranging from vintage synthesizers to digital effects.

I highly recommend Logic Pro.

Oh, and as far as the other questions you've asked - most applications will allow you to manually program your drums within a guided grid. If you prefer live drumming I recommend a 'Trigger Finger' which is an arrangement of pads which control a sampler (that has, let's say, a drum kit loaded). And as far as amount of tracks? I've had it up in the 30's, but that was only upon the final mixdown. I layer a lot to really give power and shine to all major players within the track (drums, bass, fx). But when in doubt, K.I.S.S.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: Doctor Nyse
I use Apple's Logic Pro professionally and would say, in my opinion and years experience, it is the best program out there for original music production.

Seen and it all... Fruity Loops, ACID, Reason, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Pro Tools. Personally nothing performs and SOUNDS as rock solid as Logic Pro. Even at the early PC versions (Logic 5.5) you cannot really go wrong.

Of course I also have gigs upon gigs of sound samples I've collected over the years (that in most cases will sound miles better than any preset kit) as well as dozens of plugins ranging from vintage synthesizers to digital effects.

I highly recommend Logic Pro.

Oh, and as far as the other questions you've asked - most applications will allow you to manually program your drums within a guided grid. If you prefer live drumming I recommend a 'Trigger Finger' which is an arrangement of pads which control a sampler (that has, let's say, a drum kit loaded). And as far as amount of tracks? I've had it up in the 30's, but that was only upon the final mixdown. I layer a lot to really give power and shine to all major players within the track (drums, bass, fx). But when in doubt, K.I.S.S.

Logic Pro? My friend who produces said reason was the best, I guess he was wrong.

 

[Blazin Trav]

any other tips?

 

[Doctor Nyse]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: Doctor Nyse
I use Apple's Logic Pro professionally and would say, in my opinion and years experience, it is the best program out there for original music production.

Seen and it all... Fruity Loops, ACID, Reason, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Pro Tools. Personally nothing performs and SOUNDS as rock solid as Logic Pro. Even at the early PC versions (Logic 5.5) you cannot really go wrong.

Of course I also have gigs upon gigs of sound samples I've collected over the years (that in most cases will sound miles better than any preset kit) as well as dozens of plugins ranging from vintage synthesizers to digital effects.

I highly recommend Logic Pro.

Oh, and as far as the other questions you've asked - most applications will allow you to manually program your drums within a guided grid. If you prefer live drumming I recommend a 'Trigger Finger' which is an arrangement of pads which control a sampler (that has, let's say, a drum kit loaded). And as far as amount of tracks? I've had it up in the 30's, but that was only upon the final mixdown. I layer a lot to really give power and shine to all major players within the track (drums, bass, fx). But when in doubt, K.I.S.S.

Logic Pro? My friend who produces said reason was the best, I guess he was wrong.

Reason is a tinker toy compared to Logic, Pro Tools and Digital Performer.