Help me get started

lnfinity · Post by **lnfinity** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:16 pm

Hey guys what's up. Hey so if your wondering why I'm typing in blue. Well I became famous for it on a different forum and it just stuck. Sorry if you don't like it.

Anyways. I'm trying to figure out my first few steps I should take to becoming a dubstep producer.
I like the style of skrillex, rhyno, Gemini, Nero and would like to play close to their style.
I am really creative and have a good ear and am cofident I'll be able to make some sick music.
I just need someone to help guide me through all the steps and process before I'm able to make music.

Step1 ?
step2 ?
Etc...

What software/hardware do I need to get started?

wub · Post by **wub** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:24 pm

At a base level, you'll need a computer of some sort and a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) of some sort. DAWs include;

FLStudio
Reaper
Reason
Cubase
Logic

All of the above have free to try demos on their site if you Google them. Logic is Mac only. Reaper is free if you decide to get the full version.

If you want to improve the sound coming out of your computer, you may need either a soundcard/sound interface and/or some monitors (fancy word for speakers). We have a load of threads on both so feel free to use the Search function in the top right.

Alternatively, if you don't have/want monitors, then headphones are an alternative. Again, Search for plenty of threads discussing headphones.

Finally, as you get into making noises and whatnot, a MIDI controller keyboard may help (piano with knobs on it). Again, Search will yield lots of info on these.

Maxxan · Post by **Maxxan** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:39 pm

It's a good thing you were first to reply here Wub, or things woulda gone downhill real fast haha.

95% of all synth tutorials are on a synth called Massive by native instruments, so you might want to look into that as well if you're eager to get some sounds going. Dubstep is a hard place to start since some of the sounds are very complex and presets don't do you much good, so tutorials might come in handy.

Also, I'd say read up on the physics of sounds and how they work. It'll make equalizers and the technical aspects of sound design and mixing make a lot more sense. Here's a good tutorial on EQ:ing, and while it may be a bit ahead of where you're at right now it explains the concepts in a fairly easy to understand way. If you think of your sounds this way from the start I think it'll all be a lot more understandable since some of this stuff can be hard to grasp at first, it's a way of thinking that you can apply to more than just EQ:s.

http://www.dnbscene.com/article/88-thin ... q-tutorial

NinjaEdit · Post by **NinjaEdit** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:49 pm

I guess there are certain topics that need researching and practise, like

composition
arrangement
sound design/synthesis
sampling
recording audio
mixing
mastering

Good resources are
youtube
wikipedia
forums
the rest of the internet

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:14 pm

To be fair, half the time forums really aren't that good resources.

ObscenityDubstep · Post by **ObscenityDubstep** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:21 pm

AxeD wrote:To be fair, half the time forums really aren't that good resources.

Hail Google.

ehbes · Post by **ehbes** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:30 pm

Use the search function, chances are someone else has asked your exact same question.
Think, instead of trying to learn one sound at a time, spend a lot of time learning synthesis

lnfinity · Post by **lnfinity** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:12 pm

Ok awesome! Thanks so much for everyone's imput. Especially yours wub.
Getting into dubstep is a scaring thing for me. It seems really really technical and seems like you need to know about all types of music and sound. I'm willing to learn about it all, but this is going to be one bumpy road.

wormcode · Post by **wormcode** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:51 pm

AxeD wrote:To be fair, half the time forums really aren't that good resources.

I'd say the same about youtube tbh. Everyone learning step by step how to make the exact same sounds as everyone else.

JBE · Post by **JBE** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 2:44 am

Being creative is a good thing, but what's really going to be tested here is your determination and your patience. Creativity will play a very small part in the learning process. It's not just a bumpy road, it's a LONG bumpy road. Were talking months, even years. This isn't something you'll be doing by the end of October. You need to make sure you're ready for that.

As far as what you need, Wub pretty much covered that. To start out just worry about your computer and a DAW. You don't actually "need" anything more than that to really start with.

After you have these 2 things one of the biggest hurdles you'll have to jump is learning the program itself. I think a lot of people never realize just how daunting of a task it is to really learn how these programs work. The first time you open your DAW it's probably going to be quite intimidating. Fortunately for you things like google and youtube exist now.

As far as making music goes, there is no step by step for that.

NinjaEdit · Post by **NinjaEdit** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:31 am

ehbrums1 wrote:Use the search function, chances are someone else has asked your exact same question.
Think, instead of trying to learn one sound at a time, spend a lot of time learning synthesis