Best Way To Learn ?

[DistortAMG]

I would like to add, that I dont think producing tracks is something that you can pick up in a few days as theres so much to learn. It takes time, like learning too paint or play the piano. Yea, you can learn how to do the basics in a few days, but actually getting to grip with what your doing and making good tracks that sound good on the arrangement, and mastering side can take a while.

It takes a while, but so does anything thats worth doing too be fair.

I would say the best start would be to start learning about the basics, like getting down beats and bass, noises, fx and other stuff that sounds bangin in you DAW so that you actually have playable tracks. Then when you get to grip with things more start getting into the side of mixing tracks down, and compression and the mastering side. These are done when you have finished you track and you would apply certain signal processors and effects to make the finished track sound full of energy with punchy basslines and smashing beats. Basicly making sure everything like different instruments and sounds, sound like they fit well into their respective frequencies with no clashing, and everything basicly sounds clear, punchy and full of energy. This last part is probably as hard to master as producing the tune itself, and can only really be achieved well with speakers with a flat as possible frequency responce, aka studio monitors.

But stick with, it takes a while, but the results are worth it

[Tiger Blood]

thanks guys,

A problem i am having is I cant understand how the EQ eight works at all, Im a DJ so obv i can use an Eq 3 but the 8 i cant find any tutorials on just general EQ information, is there anything specific to the EQ 8 and dubstep or just anything about it in general ?

[DistortAMG]

Ive not used Abletons EQ8, but ive had a look and it seems to work pretty much the same as any EQ.

Basicly, your DJ mixer's EQ will split the full sound spectrum into 3 seperate bands, bass, mid, and high. With the option to boost or reduce each band with the 3 EQ dials on the mixer, by turning the EQ dials up or down.

EQ8 pretty much works the same as the EQ on your mixer but it allows you to split the sound spectrum into 8 different bands rather than 3, allowing for a more detailed EQ of any frequency ranges you want to boost or reduce. The graph is a visual representation of what you are doing, with the middle line representing 0db, and the very left of the graph being the lowest frequency part of the spectum, eg bass, and the very right side of the graph being the high range part of the spectrum. The Circled numbers represent the specific frequency range/s you are altering at a specific point that you have moved the circle too, so, if you moved a numbered circle from left to right it will change what frequencys you want to alter, then if you move that circle above the 0db line you will be boosting that specific frequency, if you move it below, it will be reducing that specific frequency.

Other people may have more tips, but i would say there are no specific rules on how too EQ any given track, as it will all change depending on whats in your tune, generally, if the EQ processing that you have applied sounds good, then it probably is. Just like on your decks, make sure nothing is pushing into the reds lights on the VU meters, as green means good, yellow means the signal (audio) is loud, and red means the signal is being stressed and distorted and will reduce sound quality. This is relevant because boosting your EQ at any part will also boost the volume of the signal.

Heres a basic general EQ tutorial video, its not specific to EQ8 but the principles and the methods are exactly the same, because EQ's pretty much all work the same way.

http://www.musictechtutorials.com/music ... on-101-eq/

[bull3tpr00f]

Perhaps this will serve you...

Rusko production masterclass

[Tiger Blood]

Ive not used Abletons EQ8, but ive had a look and it seems to work pretty much the same as any EQ.

Basicly, your DJ mixer's EQ will split the full sound spectrum into 3 seperate bands, bass, mid, and high. With the option to boost or reduce each band with the 3 EQ dials on the mixer, by turning the EQ dials up or down.

EQ8 pretty much works the same as the EQ on your mixer but it allows you to split the sound spectrum into 8 different bands rather than 3, allowing for a more detailed EQ of any frequency ranges you want to boost or reduce. The graph is a visual representation of what you are doing, with the middle line representing 0db, and the very left of the graph being the lowest frequency part of the spectum, eg bass, and the very right side of the graph being the high range part of the spectrum. The Circled numbers represent the specific frequency range/s you are altering at a specific point that you have moved the circle too, so, if you moved a numbered circle from left to right it will change what frequencys you want to alter, then if you move that circle above the 0db line you will be boosting that specific frequency, if you move it below, it will be reducing that specific frequency.

Other people may have more tips, but i would say there are no specific rules on how too EQ any given track, as it will all change depending on whats in your tune, generally, if the EQ processing that you have applied sounds good, then it probably is. Just like on your decks, make sure nothing is pushing into the reds lights on the VU meters, as green means good, yellow means the signal (audio) is loud, and red means the signal is being stressed and distorted and will reduce sound quality. This is relevant because boosting your EQ at any part will also boost the volume of the signal.

Heres a basic general EQ tutorial video, its not specific to EQ8 but the principles and the methods are exactly the same, because EQ's pretty much all work the same way.

http://www.musictechtutorials.com/music ... on-101-eq/

thanks man very useful information ! ill give the video a watch

[Tiger Blood]

Perhaps this will serve you...

Rusko production masterclass

thanks man ive watched that three times now taking notes, i cant get my bass to sound punchy enough or make hi hats sound good yet though : /

[monkfish]

Perhaps this will serve you...

Rusko production masterclass

Haha Rusko is so cute :v

I have no clue how he did that bassline, I don't think Ableton has a separate pitch function like Acid's.

[silkpantsman]

fair play for that 1 Ld not a bad read

[Ldizzy]

fair play for that 1 Ld not a bad read

thx man, i meant it

[ToxicBass]

Read your DAW manual.
Learn what all the different types of VST do such as chorus, distortion, compression, reverb...
Learn how to programme a synth or two such as Massive or Albino 3.
Learn some music theory. At least chords and scales.
Practice making 1 minute loops until you get something that sounds good and then try to build a song structure.
Practice, then practice some more.
That's what I did but I was 100% self taught and failed music in school

[Voodeedoo]

I think the best way to learn is to grab whatever you can get your hands on and fiddle around with it and get familiar with the equipment and software you're working with. I feel the best approach to music is a raw, fresh start, where there are no rules or limits and the music doesn't have to be as disciplined. Once you get to know your software and have exercised the creative and musical parts of your brain you can see how others produce and get ideas on how to apply them into your own creations. No matter what, don't compare yourself to anyone and don't try to sound like anyone else. In time, you'll discover your own style and it'll be the best feeling ever.

And regardless whether it be 5 days of 5 years, you'll always know there's a lot to be discovered.

[iamjoncannon]

two things I wish I had read six months earlier:

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Drum-Layering ... 1906005109

http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/o ... gGuide.PDF

[Ldizzy]

two things I wish I had read six months earlier:

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Drum-Layering ... 1906005109

http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/o ... gGuide.PDF

neat

[daft cunt]

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Drum-Layering ... 1906005109

http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/o ... gGuide.PDF

@ Tiger Blood : imo stay away from this kind of stuff for now, particularly the mastering guide. Mastering is the very last stage before getting a tune released. Something you won't have to worry about for a looonnng time.
Layering drums is also premature I reckon. Learn how to program beats using mere samples/drumloops first.
Also stay away from mixing tools like EQs & compressors for now. And forget about resampling. All this technical stuff has nothing to do in the first stages of learning computer music and might as well kill the fun.

The process is simple : enjoy making shit tunes for a while THEN you will learn how to make better tunes using all that stuff.
And right now your focus is : how to program basic synth sounds & lay down simple drum beats.

Here are a few (very) good reads :
Power Tools for Synthesizer Programming by Jim Aikin is a must read to learn how synths work and how to use them.
Sound FX by Alex Case is complementary and explains most common effects found in computer music in a brilliant manner.
Music Theory for Computer Musicians by Michael Hewitt because we're not just pushing buttons.

Now, all you have to do is practice. Watching tutorials is very useful but ALWAYS make sure you spend more time practicing than watching.

[hifi]

Top tip : Just keep making shit tunes and one day theyll stop being shit.

aha so true you just progress with every song. but only if you want to.

[djwhupass]

if you're using ableton live then i highly recommend Tom Cosm's videos.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cosmcosm
He has a ton and is a total ableton guru.

Another guy with some good videos is Vespers.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DJVespers