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alright so here it goes. got into dubstep recently and fell in love. haha. ive been all over just reading/listening and want to get into the game so here i am to ask questions im sure have been asked 230894723583454385349580932423 times. i literally have nothing other then my computer and graphic arts background, but i do have the funds to get started. Ive been paying around with gurageband just because its fun and actually made some pretty nice sounds and short tracks. but now im addicted and wanna do it right. so what im looking for is everyones opinion about the best way to get started. equipment/software..the works. just looking to be sent in the right direction and ill do the rest. if there are any threads that anyone think i should see since im starting out please let me know. thanks guys!

most of that stuff is up to your personal taste but i reccomend Flstudio its pretty easy to get used to and the step sequencer makes it nice to program drums. you should try and get some softsynths like Albino, blue, massive, little quirky ones people offer for free like the itchy synths. and just download a couple of good drum packs like vengeance. then just mess around honestly. also read the production bible at the top for alot of great info to make everything sound better.

Demille

http://www.dubstepforum.com/put-your-wo ... 71469.html
http://www.dubstepforum.com/this-thread ... 74832.html
http://www.dubstepforum.com/the-dubstep ... 14797.html
http://www.dubstepforum.com/found-a-gre ... 23076.html

seeing as your already using garageband, the next logic step would be to use logic pro (garagebands bigger older and hairier brother)

Just have fun with it. Do a LOT of reading, Buy future music / computer music mag. Then maybe SOS when you are understanding the basics a bit more. Dont be afraid to ask any questions, but please do use the search function first as nearly every topic has already been covered and people hate repeat questions here.

Enjoy!

-Depone

think of your favourite producers/musicians in any genre...and try and sound like a combo of them.

StatiCjs wrote:so here i am to ask questions im sure have been asked 230894723583454385349580932423 times.

read the threads stickied at the top: "Dubstep Production Bible", "This Thread Will Answer Your Mixing and Mastering Questions"

watch youtube videos

read the manual for whichever program you choose

start learning about synthesizers: adsr is a good place to start.

begin making tunes as soon as possible, and finish each one that you're satisfied with for longer than 20 minutes. experiment with the daw

dont take yourself too seriously at first. have fun

nice nice. good stuff. as far as equipment goes, what should be my first stepping stones...like i said i have $ but i dont want to spend any that i dont have to. obviously i need a smoothly running comp, and i just happen to have Sinnhousser (spelling) headphones that everyone is rating about in the production bible. but i would like to start researching some on the compressor stuff and actual equipment. im about to order these monitors http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Mackie+-+Hi ... Id=9099067 because i get a super insane discount so why not. but also looking for what you all think i should look into for mixers and other interfaces. thanks again fellas!

Get yourself a midi keyboard, you will need one of those.

Mixer... Not really essential, most DAW's have everything 'in the box' so to speak.

Look at Fruity, look at Reason (the latter I head is also good for us noobs). I use Cubase, but purely because whenever I have dabbled, it's always been in Cubase. I know no different!

Soft synths. Demo them first, Rob Papen Albino/Predator/Blue, Native Instruments Massive, there are loads out there, do some research. Don't overdo it. If you are just starting out, you only need one or two... too many can make things very confusing. Learn your equipment well, and the rest falls into place. You can then start looking at adding to the kit you have.

Be patient, this shit is hard work.

Read, read, read. Here, Dogs on Acid, absolute treasure troves of info.

Use 'Search'. If you can't find an answer, ask. That's what we are all here for!

Also, try and finish tracks, even if they are rubbish. My work has gotten so much better since I got out of the '16 bar loop' zone.

good luck bro.

You need a good DAW, I would recommend ableton live intro or regular and a good midi controller like m audio oxygen/axiom 25 or 49 or novation mk2. Might want to get an audio interface like an ni audio kontrol for recording and they give you a copy of absybth or massive free which are great instruments. Get some good monitor speakers, krk rp5 are popular. You also need a fast computer, I would go with a laptop over desktop and people seem to like them macbooks.

im pretty much just starting also, and i've found really important to try to finish my tracks. its easy to get discouraged at first, when you cant produce the sound you want, and then you listen to other dudes tracks that are killing it youre like damn dude. but you just gotta keep going and remember that a lot of the people who are producing the tracks you hear have been doing this for years.

read manuals, take advice, watch videos.

most importantly, make tracks! thats the only way to get better.

good luck!

naja ninja wrote:really important to try to finish tracks.

^^^ that...

no matter what it takes, or how bad it sounds...

finish it, or get to a comfy point, mix it down and then move on to the next one

surprised noone has mentioned this, but for a daw i highly recommend cockos reaper. very simple and intuitive and costs only $60!!

mooseforyebs wrote:surprised noone has mentioned this, but for a daw i highly recommend cockos reaper. very simple and intuitive and costs only $60!!

yea but the guy has a mac, and hes just starting out,

we all know the only real option is logic, specially since 9 came out

im a pc user and i love cubase, but playing around on the new logic, and its ridiculous!! i wish i had a mac

daw?

StatiCjs wrote:daw?

digital audio workstation
aka your comp and choice of software

as par as tips experimenting on your own along with some reading about techniques is the way to go. helps to develop a unique sound as well as combining established sounds and techniques into your own.

nice nice.