Guidance for a Beginner Producer (Zero-Dollar Budget / Waveform 13 Free)

[this_is_aiah]

I am reaching out to this forum because I recently started my music production journey (about a month ago), and I’m feeling incredibly overwhelmed. I am currently learning on the free edition of Waveform 13 with a $0 budget. I do not own a MIDI keyboard or a microphone, and I have no background in music theory.
I can dedicate 1–2 hours a day to learning, and my goal is to be able to produce full, layered tracks from scratch within the next 6 to 12 months. I’ve watched several tutorials, but I am struggling to bridge the gap between watching videos and actually creating music that sounds cohesive.
To help me get a solid starting point, I would deeply appreciate some insight on a few specific questions:
Navigating the Piano Roll Without Hardware: Since I don't have a MIDI controller, what is the best workflow for drawing notes and sequencing beats using just a mouse? Specifically, how can I start arranging patterns effectively without knowing music theory yet?
Essential Music Theory for Beginners: If I want to make melodies that actually sound good, what absolute baseline music theory concepts should I focus on learning first (e.g., scales, chords, keys), and what can I skip for now?
Sourcing the Right Free Instruments & Samples: Where are the best, legitimate places to find quality free samples, loops, and virtual instruments (VSTs)? Furthermore, what specific types of sounds (e.g., drum kits, synth plugins, bass instruments) should I focus on downloading first so I don't get overwhelmed by options?
Anatomy of a Track: What are the essential components of a beat/song (drums, melodies, bass, counter-melodies) that a total beginner should focus on learning to layer first?
The Basics of Mixing vs. Mastering: In simple terms, what is the core difference between mixing and mastering, and at what stage of my journey should I actually start worrying about them?
A 6-Month Roadmap: If you were in my shoes with just 1–2 hours a day, what would your step-by-step focus look like for the first month or two to keep me from quitting?
I am entirely willing to put in the hard work; I just need a little guidance to ensure I'm moving in the right direction. Thank you so much for your time, your expertise, and for reading.

Best regards!

[Peter Widdicombe]

Expect some questions, in order to get a reasonable reply:

1. Do you play an instrument and/or sing?
2. Why do you want to record (and what... music, spoken, live, composing, or video overlay)
3. Your journey MIGHT be more enjoyable with even a low end MIDI keyboard - some less than $100.
4. Similar with audio - although even singing only, a headphone with microphone (like for zoom meetings)...
5. Specific sound modules - 4OSC has a number of useful sounds, at least to start.
- K1 (Korg emulator) is free and has LOTS of built-in sounds, some dated
- MT Power drum kit is also free, single set of drums but has drum loops if you like 4/4 beats. Or use the micro drummer included
- BBC Symphony Orchestra is kinda large but free, if you want orchestral strings, horns, tympani, flutes, etc.
- You can also use the built-in rompler and download sounds, but do that once you're past basics.
- Sobanth as a Rompler works well, but you need a .SF2 library to load - ChromiumB.sf2 is a good starter.

[Benedict]

Ok this is common so not a failing in you as such. There is a lifetime of learning that never stops. Assuming you can - or even should - hold it in the front of your brain on command is a fail.

The path or mindset you take will define how well you can progress. If you try to be all technical about it, and do the "learning my DAW" thing you will struggle forever.

Waveform is free, but it is also somewhat clunky and if you assume otherwise, you can be thinking that is a you thing. So again, focus on the Music, not the tools. Tools are a dime a dozen and essentially all do exactly the same thing (despite the BSsery of the marketing). Learn Music & Sound; then everything else flows easier.

Having made pretty well all the mistakes in DAWville that slowed me decades, I would start where my highly trained father said I should start, in the music. Doh! This is a series of videos I made to help ease people into what matters and give the most powerful tool for music making: Harmony. My father's mistake was getting me a classic text from the Victorian era on Four-Part Harmony, which was all correct but totally impenetrable for a kid obsessed with Duran Duran, Deep Purple, Depeche Mode, and Doobie Brothers. Not to mention Devo, Dead Kennedys, and Donna Summer.

https://benedictroffmarsh.com/2023/08/0 ... effective/

This method is down n dirty. You can take the course free but I do ask for something from you. Two reasons: A) this is the only way I make a living and the really important thing B) people invest themselves far more in the things they invest in.

If you focus on this for that 6-months, more than anything else (sill make music), you will find yourself way ahead of people who have done the usual suspects routine for decades.

Happy to help - if you commit to the Real Work