Title: Beginner looking for a clear learning path (FL Studio or a free DAW?)

[PinkBussySlayer]

Hi everyone,

I'm 16 and I've recently decided that I want to seriously learn music production, but I'm not really sure where to start. Right now I have a Windows PC, the FL Studio trial, a MIDI keyboard, and a microphone. I also played a bit of piano by ear when I was younger, but mechanically I'm still close to a beginner.

The problem I'm running into is that FL Studio feels pretty overwhelming, and I also realized that with the trial I can't save or reopen my projects. Because of that, I'm open to learning on another free DAW if there's one that's beginner-friendly and lets me save my work.

The artists that inspire me are Ariana Grande, Steve Lacy, Tyler, the Creator, SZA, Billie Eilish, Bruno Mars, Frank Ocean, Leon Thomas, Malcolm Todd, Jamiroquai, 2hollis, and Childish Gambino. I'd love to make melodic pop, pop/R&B, neo-soul, funk-inspired music, and occasionally darker or eerie sounding tracks with interesting chords, strong melodies, vocal harmonies, and creative production.

I know I'm not going to become good overnight—I just want a clear learning path so I don't spend months randomly clicking around without understanding what I'm doing.

A few questions:

What should I focus on learning first inside a DAW?
Are there any beginner FL Studio (or general music production) tutorials that explain why things work instead of just showing which buttons to press?
What are some safe, free plugins, instruments, synths, drum kits, or sample packs you'd recommend?
If you recommend switching to a free DAW for now, which one would you choose and why?
If you were starting from scratch today, what would you spend your first few months learning?

I'd really appreciate any advice or resources you think helped you when you were starting out. Thanks!

[Audix]

Please read this short report on freeware DAWs to get an initial overview.

https://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/daw/

[eLawnMust]

That's a limited overview of what is free... Though you might try LMMS which is very free... I recommend Zynewave Podium free edition as it has very little in way of restrictions... No track restrictions... Rendering is great in free edition... It is actually an older version so not so complicated... There's no VST restrictions... There's no rewire in the free version... The only real problem I ran across was plugin scanning if one has a large VST folder it ain't gonna get through it BUTT, In the project setup screen one can add a plugin or a folder of plugs at a time which ended up being way faster...

One thing I like about Podium is when you enter record mode in the Piano Roll you can step record by just pressing on the Piano Roll Keyboard Keys... Makes it convenient for portable composing...

https://zynewave.com/

https://lmms.io/


FL Studio was simple 25 years ago when it was Fruity Loops those days long gone>>>

[Benedict]

Everything will feel overwhelming at first. Assuming it should be otherwise is a danger for you.

That said, FL is a bit unique - or just plain messy in its workflow. Doesn't mean you can't use it, but it may make it less practical long-term. You need to find something that matches your work/learning style. Me, I stay with Reason because it makes the most sense and is the best match for me and how I do things.

As for whatever you do choose to use, DO NOT think that you are there to learn that DAW or you bog down in trivial details that don't transfer. Learn Music and the core tools that make it happen. Those skills are totally transferable across every style, tool, universe... as they are universal.

It is better to invest in your tools so that you invest yourself in the tools. All this free, free, free thinking means no investment so nothing matters (except other ways to avoid - while you tell ebberywon 'ow 'ardcore u iz).

What I think you should learn more than anything else is core basics, which initially is Harmony and how to leverage that into helping you make music that works. This includes learning how to solve the issues that everyone meets as they compose so from the start you are learning how not to get stuck in a hole that others have already solved.

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

There is a lot in here so don't do the usual thing of thinking that you can wing it like a boss, then decades later wonder why you have 3,457 loops called "Asdf123" but no finished work.

As for mixing, leave that alone for now or you will make the other mistake of thinking that it is mixing with some 909 loopz and nothing works, seeing your 909 loopz are so LOUD that there is no space left for actual music (and you don't know how to program drums either).

Work with a Coach if you can at all, as this helps you keep on a sensible track rather than just scattershot trivia.

[bermudagold]

from what I have seen from the anecdotal data of my circle and the kids in my classes; there is nothing faster to finished song across most musical objectives and thus functional use cases than mulab... Simple, minimal, uncluttered, non intimidating, single window interface....3 views of the same underlying data accessible from a single button toggle with minimal pop ups...the power user functionality is always immediately accessible, but completely invisible and out of the way until you want it...the fastest loading and snappiest interface I've ever used...

granted i havent looked at FL in a while...and i know it is constantly adding new features and spec for spec its very powerful and pretty much has everything covered especially in ultimate tier,...but its probably one of the last daws i'd recommend for newbies because of its complexity, busy interface, and less standard workflow philosophies...yet Ive also seen newbies who really dig in become quite fast and prolific in it

[Michael L]

from what I have seen from the anecdotal data of my circle and the kids in my classes; there is nothing faster to finished song across most musical objectives and thus functional use cases than MuLab

I agree. MuLab was created to help people develop their musical ideas without losing their train of thought. It has a consistent design language that is easy to learn, and the deeper layers are modular so you can build the instrument or effect you need. It is actively developed with its own kvr forum, and there's a free version:
https://www.mutools.com/mulab-app-downloads.html
Later on, you can continue to use MuLab as a plugin in another DAW.

Also important: learn to play piano and train your ear, to more easily express your ideas and learn from others