Hello!
I am trying to learn how to produce music with Bitwig. I am kinda stuck, because I simply don't know what the first steps are.
I already know some music theory, which helps me at least in composing a decent melody. I also know how a compressor and an eq work, because I use them when I play bass guitar.
Could be a good idea to take a song I like (I'm a big fan of Paul Kalkbrenner) and trying to reproduce it?
Another question: I've seen a lot of people on youtube using samples to produce songs. Would be bad practice if I decide to use only sounds I model? Synthesizers for everything? Is it more difficult, or what? Why do so many use samples?
Thank you!
Regards
First steps in music productions
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- KVRian
- 829 posts since 7 Oct, 2005
Why not? All that make you learn something is good.Trixtan wrote:Could be a good idea to take a song I like (I'm a big fan of Paul Kalkbrenner) and trying to reproduce it?
No, it's not a bad practice, you may use any instruments you want. It's not more or less difficult, sampling and synthesis are the different technics in computer music. People use what they prefer.Trixtan wrote:Would be bad practice if I decide to use only sounds I model? Synthesizers for everything? Is it more difficult, or what? Why do so many use samples?
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- KVRist
- 361 posts since 14 Jan, 2014 from Germany
What I found helpful was to watch "Track from scratch" videos on Youtube. SeamlessR has quote a few on his channel, though he uses FL Studio. But the principles are the same. Most of his "Track from Scratch" videos are several hours long and go through the full song creation.
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- KVRAF
- 1800 posts since 10 Feb, 2007
Try to analyze the song structure of some of your favourite songs and start from there: what instruments are included in the songs? Kick, snare, hihat, bassline, synth, risers,...
You don't have to do a complete remake of an existing song but you could start by taking them as a guide.
You don't have to do a complete remake of an existing song but you could start by taking them as a guide.
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- KVRist
- 213 posts since 10 Sep, 2014
Incorporation of samples can add some real-life points of reference for the audience or create certain sounds that may be difficult with non-sample synthesis. Depends on whether you think that is good or necessary for your music.
It's just another color for your palette to paint whatever sound picture you would like.
You can skip that color altogether or use a lot of it.
It's just another color for your palette to paint whatever sound picture you would like.
You can skip that color altogether or use a lot of it.
My latest crazy track "The Quick Brown Fox sampled the Lazy Dog": http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 4&t=425647
15 Free DIVA Presets: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5892108
15 Free DIVA Presets: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5892108
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- KVRist
- 455 posts since 31 May, 2013 from Space is the Place
Yeah, i've done that before. It usually veers wildly off and becomes it's own piece of music though, usually quite early in the process.Trixtan wrote:Could be a good idea to take a song I like (I'm a big fan of Paul Kalkbrenner) and trying to reproduce it?
It's a good way to learn.
I can think of a couple of reasons, there's probably loadsAnother question: I've seen a lot of people on youtube using samples to produce songs. Would be bad practice if I decide to use only sounds I model? Synthesizers for everything? Is it more difficult, or what? Why do so many use samples?
Thank you!
Regards
1. Sampled instruments can give you access to sounds you might not be able to replicate with real instruments, due to cost, space, ability to do a quality recording, ability to play the instrument well etc.
2. Using Samples gives a different feel or workflow that can be creatively or aesthetically different from using an instrument or synth
I wouldn't say you have to use a sampler. It's just a cool tool for making music. Sampling is also an artform in itself, and not easy to master quickly.