Advice on building a basic bedroom studio and tips about getting started as an amateur producer.

[Alexandersondura]

Hey guys, I've wanted to start producing music for a few years now however with exam stress and school I have been unable to do so. But with recent events I now finally have the time to start focusing on producing. I've picked/ bought my DAWs (Logic Pro 9 and FL Studio 11) but now I want to get a bit more serious. I'm looking for some advice on things such as what studio monitors to use and what external soundcard/ audio interface to buy (my price ranges are slightly limited but not for long as I am looking for a part time job to undertake along side collage). Also as producing is pretty new to me I'm still open suggestion about which plugins to buy. Preferably for mixing/ mastering e.g. compression and EQing. This is my first post so any replies would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.

[Robmobius]

If you looking for a good interface that's good value. I'd look at Focusrite's range. This might do you.

http://global.focusrite.com/firewire-au ... ire-pro-14

Logic's FX are good enough to get you started, and it comes bundled with a couple of good synths. You can always improve you set up as you go along. I wouldn't start buying too much at the start.

What type of music are you trying to produce btw? Kinda' need more info because some vsts are better suited for 'X genre' than others, etc.

Cheers,

Rob.

[Alexandersondura]

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the reply, I'm mostly looking to create electronic dance music. Mainly House (and its many sub genres). Preferably I'd like to create Progressive House, Electro House and Trance as I have been exposed to those types of music from a young age. Although once I've improved my skills I will look to experiment with other genres too. I'm currently using NI Massive and Lennar Digital Sylenth1. I'm basically just messing around with these every day and learning how they work. Sadly I'm not very educated in sound engineering and music theory (something which I hope to change over the coming months) so at times I feel a little lost and intimidated by all of the plugins/ synths. Especially compression and eqing plugins. I do like many of the stock Logic Pro plugins and synths although over the past few weeks I've been trying to make the transitions to FL Studio which is why I mentioned downloadable plugins that I can buy. Also if I upgrade to FL Studio Producer Edition I believe you also gain access to some of the Image Line plugins too. But from what I've heard they aren't amazing. Thanks.

[vurt]

for now stick with sylenth and massive, learn them.
once you have a little more knowledge you will have a better idea whats missing and what you need to find.

to start with, dive in and make some mistakes, then learn how to fix them, one at a time.
repeat this for the rest of your life.

seriously.

[ghettosynth]

You don't "need" any plugins or effects. Get to know what's in logic first. Since you have a mac, the audio interface isn't really that important either, unless, you are planning to record other instruments or voice. The built in audio is decent and you should focus on finishing some music.

BTW: This is the advice that many of us wished that we had listen to, in some cases many times over, over the years.

You do want monitors. For dance music I would avoid 5" monitors. Go for 6.5 or 8. Quite honestly, I don't think they are as important to the typical bedroom producer as the pros will often assert that they are. By that I mean that you don't need to get the best you can afford, you probably won't really be able to tell the difference in a meaningful way.

Get active monitors for less hassle. Some people on a low budget like these:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... Qgodg20Acg

If you don't have one, get a controller with some knobs, some pads, and keys. They are all useful when you are figuring out your work flow. I have several, I use this more often than any other single controller.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... QgodFy0AEA

[VitaminD]

If you're a total novice, don't buy a whole studio at the start.. you won't know how to use it effectively.. wasted money.

Trial all hosts with a trial.. pick one you seem to like the most and get a synth (Actually, there is a lot of free ware and magazine ware to get you going (Dune Beat Edition on facebook right now)
) and write a bunch of terrible songs.

Most hosts these days come with a suite of effects and some also with their own sound generators.. you shouldn't have to spend a lot to get started.


Unless you are already experienced in music (know an instrument, studied some theory, or did something musically) you will likely be lost for awhile... or creating cringeworthy songs that will, to you, sound really nice but to everyone else will sound like you're an amatuer.

It is crucial to get much experimentation with effects and synths in order to learn how they work and how to effectively use them to get your musical points across in the sonic stories you will be crafting.. You will learn a lot through trial and error. I'd also recommend groove3.com or dancemusicproduction.com videos to gently guide you on your musical journey.

No guide, video, or class will make you an in demand dance music producer.. dedication to learning is the start of what will get you places... not buying a ton of technology and expecting it to do the heavy lifting.

[Alexandersondura]

Thanks for all the replies guys, after reading all of your replies I've decided to stick with what I have for a little while. This is was my first post/ question on these forums and I'm really happy with the response and advice from all of you. These forums seem to be great, I'm probably going to stick around here for a while

Thanks,
Alex.

[Robmobius]

No worries.... I totally get it as well. Because learning music is pretty intimidating at first. And it remains so to some extent. I mean, the better you get, the harder it becomes in a way, because you now realize that you need to know a lot more to get that good 'pro sound'.

That said, with practice, and some good tuition (even just by yourself) you will get there sooner rather than later.

Your starting set up sounds good... You've got Logic - which is one of the better DAWs. And you can't go wrong with Massive or Sylenth. Both of which are used extensively in the pro music world.

Logic's 'boutique effects' are very cool, but some of its workhorse effects are 'okay'. Like the compressors and EQs.

You could spend as little, or as much as you want with VSTs prices often differ between companies. I produce Darkside Drum & Bass, so I'm not a million miles away from your EDM stuff.

Here's a few things that I use constantly, and if you have some spare cash you could pick up one or two now and then.

EQ:
DMG Audio - Equilibrium is fast becoming my Favorite EQ of all time. It's fantastic (all their stuff is good tbh).
Flux Epure II - Very good also but very expensive!!
Fab Filter Pro - Q is also good.

PSP - Do lots of nice stuff. Such as the Vintage Warmer II (good prices as well).

Compressor (these are all good btw):
DMG Audio - Compassion
Plugin Alliance - Vertigo
Soft - Tube Tech CL1b (these guys have a 50% sale on at the mo').
Fabfilter Pro - C (note: with a FF purchase you get big discounts as you buy more).

Boutique Effects:
Sound Toys bundle - You will find these used a lot of EDM productions. Not cheap, but worth it. I think they offer an academic discount too.
Audio Damage - Great little set of quirky plugins - And Cheap too!

Probably one of the best buys you could have is NI - Komplete because you get loads of everything you need. From shit hot samples to top of the line synths.

Synths:
Zebra - Absolutely cracking soft sythn!! My Favorite.
Diva - Heavy on the cpu, but will give you that cool analog character.

Seriously tho'... Don't rush out and buy lots of stuff. It's really all about the skills. Dive any decent producer a crappy set up, and he (or she) will still be able to produce something very good.

Don't make the mistake that a lot of amateurs do. I certainly did!!


You definitely go on a course, but you can also teach yourself. When i was staring out I spent a lot of time on youtube. The problem in it's a real mixed bag. And as you'll soon learn people like to produce differently. What worked for me was getting a few good video tutorials. They will save you lot of time and are worth the cash imo.

Check out DMP (be right up your alley - The Fundamentals series is great!):
http://www.dancemusicproduction.com/

Also have a gander at Groove3:
http://www.groove3.com

Also, get on facebook and like the software companies, as they often have very good deals on there - like Plugin Alliance.

Cheers,

Rob.

[Robmobius]

Thanks for all the replies guys, after reading all of your replies I've decided to stick with what I have for a little while. This is was my first post/ question on these forums and I'm really happy with the response and advice from all of you. These forums seem to be great, I'm probably going to stick around here for a while

Thanks,
Alex.

Good stuff...

Get you head around Logic and ease into the basics. It really is all about practice and trial and error. Another thing to try is to meet up with other guys who are learning as well. It's a great way to learn.

And when your bitten buy the vst bug tread carefully and just buy what you really need. Of course it's a case of 'do as I say and not as I do'.

[wesleyt]

Alex,

+1 on focusing on Logic. It's a marvelous system. I was distracted for a year by Ableton Live, but I came back because I realized Logic is a better place to learn the fundamentals. I love Live too, and will come back to it, but after I know the basics better in Logic.

+1 on not buying anything. Logic's synths are great starting points, and Massive is a very versatile synth. Logic's effects are a great starting point as well.

If you want to learn the basics of synthesis, I'd recommend Simon Cann's book "How to Make a Noise: Analog Synthesis", as it's very good and he uses Massive as one of his two example synthesizers. The other is FabFilter's Twin 2, one of my favorites.

I'd strongly recommend not buying any additional software until you know why you need it. That said, I'll list some of my most important plugins I use often in Logic.

+1 on Komplete; it's full of good stuff. It was my third purchase, after Zebra (based on Simon's previous synthesis book, Becoming a Synth Wizard) and Alchemy. If I could have only two synths, they would be Zebra and Alchemy. Both are amazing and highly versatile.

For effects, I'll have to +1 FabFilter. I've collected almost all of them one-by-one (I'm missing only a few of the Pro plugs), and use them all the time. Pro-Q and Pro-C are my go-tos in each category.

I recommend two other bundles. First is the DDMF bundle, which were my first third-party EQ and compressors. IIEQ and 6144 are my favorites of the bundle, and I still use them often. NYComp and NoLimits are also very good.

Finally, I recommend the Toneboosters complete bundle. I use EBULoudness on every master bus to keep a handle on dynamics, Barricade is a great brickwall limiter, ReelBus is great for saturation, and I use Isone every day when listening to music on headphones (iTunes via Audio Hijack Pro). There are other great plugs in there I'm still getting familiar with including the unique and marvelous Flx.

I could keep going: I love Voxengo's stuff (GlissEQ and Elephant, my go-to bus limiter) and I can't mix or master without the Blue Cat Analysis pack, but those are for later.

About two and a half years ago, I started dipping into electronic music with Logic and Zebra. Now, I'm confident I've found the hobby for the rest of my life, and where much of my spare cash will be spent: in the Marketplace and with the good plugin vendors that support KVR.

Best wishes in your music endeavors!

Regards,
Wes

(edited for clarity, and again for typos)

[Robosapien]

Hah, I'm in the same boat. (Although I've been out of school for a while...)

This is really sage advice - to actually learn what you've already got, and more importantly, learn how to use it well.

This what I'm going to focus on for many of the coming months, rather than downloading the newer fangled and more better VST THAT YOU SIMPLY NEED / MUST HAVE TO SOUND ANY GOOD. IT'S THE LATEST THING11!! (unless it's actually revolutionary )

[Vospi]

Preferably I'd like to create Progressive House, Electro House and Trance as I have been exposed to those types of music from a young age.

I think that:

1. You don't need an audio interface with sophisticated audio inputs. Main thing for you to concern about will be great AD/DA conversion. If you're not on laptop, I'd recommend rather old Juli@ internal card. Note that in this case you'll have to buy a preamp for your headphones (as your studio monitors MUST have their preamps built in). This will be a common case for any internal card, as far as I know.

My point is that audio recording is the thing that you will probably think about later. For now, you as an electronic producer should have good monitoring and ad/da.

2. For great EQ and compression, you don't need any paid plugins. You should really stick with great logic processing plugins. Also, I'd recommend to consider testing GREAT free effects bundles, which are: mda effects (they could be LIFESAVERS and they're totally free), Melda Production Bundle (which are very well designed and really tweakable) and Antress Modern Plugins (just for their great free exciter called ModernPremier). Voxengo stuff could be really helpful, as they always've designed some great processing plugins and part of them are free, too.

3. For synthesis, pick Synth1.
A bunch of my friends which are into commercial electronic production are worshiping this synth, and you can find as much custom presets as you can imagine, and it costs literally nothing. Zero.

Massive is a great plugin, master it, it can do wonders for you.
Remember, automation is the killer.

[martygras]

Yep, take it slow at first just to get you feet wet and find what sounds you like, then learn how to spell college.

[sl1914]

here is something I just found. Lots of stuff for $79

http://www.musicsoftwaretraining.com/bl ... -soundlab/

[kritikon]

I'm with everyone else - stick with Logic for now. It's got everything you need.

As for speakers - I'd differ a little in that I prefer passive speakers and an amp. I never much liked active monitors. You also have to consider where you're going to be using your setup. Whether at home, or at uni, you'll need to be able to use headphones. You can't just blast out at volume until you get your own place, because you'll have either your parents or the police on your back. A separate amp straight off gives you headphone outs, and the ability to shut off the speakers when you use headphones. And any kind of hiFi amp nowadays gives you aux access for things like plugging in MP3 players etc. Even external recorders (which you might actually want to use at some point). It's just that much more flexible than powered speakers IMO.

And there's the extra expense of active monitors - if you shop around, you'll generally find passive monitors cheaper than active ones - and often more so than the added cost of a separate amp. And don't buy into the usual webmyth about "studio monitors". It's absolute crap. Decent HiFi speakers and amps are the same as studio ones. Cheap crap is cheap crap, but any HiFi manufacturer of worth has exactly the same aims as a studio speaker manufacturer. Which is to accurately reproduce the sound put into it. A decent HiFi manufacturer is not interested in boosting bass - You still read shite like that all over these forums. I wish they'd stop with it...