KVR Audio

maschinelf · Post by **maschinelf** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:11 pm

Also, I'll probably tell them to eventually get at least two of the three i.e. computer running maschine or live, hardware synth/sampler, and ipad, but what I'm trying to decide is what he should start with if the goal is for him to start learning about the composing process, while also being able to put his musical training to use.

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:12 pm

maschinelf wrote:Thanks el-bo. Yea the ipad does seem like a great option. Only problem with it in my experience is that it is not the most stable platform around, though I am using an older ipad 2 with ios 7. If stability and performance is better on newer devices, then I'd have no problem recommending it. Also, it may be better for him to learn and experiment within defined limits, rather than the essentially blank canvas that the ipad is. On the other hand, maybe the exact opposite is true and he doesn't need to be quite so defined.

it's funny, as part of my thinking with the ipad is it's limits

even the more complex daw are gonna be much simpler than fully-fledged, desktop daw. there aren't tons of menus or sub-menus to get lost in etc

software like 'garageband' can be a great scratchpad, while also offering great instruments, with novel interfaces. i have also seen ios musicians record many albums worth of content solely with 'gadget' and 'ipolysix'

one point in the ipad's favour is that you already have one. the ipad 2 might not play well with all apps, but at least you get to test your nephew's interest before thinking about upgrading etc

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:18 pm

maschinelf wrote:Also, I'll probably tell them to eventually get at least two of the three i.e. computer running maschine or live, hardware synth/sampler, and ipad, but what I'm trying to decide is what he should start with if the goal is for him to start learning about the composing process, while also being able to put his musical training to use.

don't know if maschine is necessary, as there are many alternative controllers that offer pads, knobs etc. it all depends on whether the workflow clicks

if your nephew really is more interested in playing instruments, then any recording software would work to capture those performances. then, he may develop an interest in the recording environment itself

maschinelf · Post by **maschinelf** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:23 pm

Not my kid, don't have any

.. But hmm yea good point actually, because it just occurred to me that his dad (my brother) actually does have an ipad. And if he sticks with one or two apps at a time, then it's quite limited too. Ur also right about even the most complex ipad app being simpler than anything on a computer, and we already know he doesn't enjoy working with GarageBand on the computer.

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:30 pm

maschinelf wrote:Not my kid, don't have any .. But hmm yea good point actually, because it just occurred to me that his dad (my brother) actually does have an ipad. And if he sticks with one or two apps at a time, then it's quite limited too. Ur also right about even the most complex ipad app being simpler than anything on a computer, and we already know he doesn't enjoy working with GarageBand on the computer.

yeah, sorry, i realised it was your nephew after i wrote it

having worked with both adults and kids at varying levels on the autistic spectrum, i know it can be pretty hard to predict what they will 'take' to. unless he just doesn't click with the ipad as a medium, there are so many diverse options for very little outlay, on hardware he already has access to.

maschinelf · Post by **maschinelf** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:49 pm

Yes exactly. That is what I am most concerned about. That he should 'take' to whatever the chosen medium is. And I felt that since he is comfortable with playing instruments, he might more easily adapt to something with a more tangible feel to it, like the maschine or a hardware device, as compared to an ipad. Speaking of which, I think I'm gonna gift him my akai lpk25 so he can start playing with the ipad.

For now at least, I've completely ruled out maschine, and given that they already own an ipad, it's the most logical place to start. Thanks again el-bo, you've been very helpful!

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:56 pm

maschinelf wrote:Yes exactly. That is what I am most concerned about. That he should 'take' to whatever the chosen medium is. And I felt that since he is comfortable with playing instruments, he might more easily adapt to something with a more tangible feel to it, like the maschine or a hardware device, as compared to an ipad. Speaking of which, I think I'm gonna gift him my akai lpk25 so he can start playing with the ipad.

For now at least, I've completely ruled out maschine, and given that they already own an ipad, it's the most logical place to start. Thanks again el-bo, you've been very helpful!

no prob's

keep us updated. i have promised another member that i would get a list of apps together to recommend, so maybe i'll pass you on a copy.

maschinelf · Post by **maschinelf** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 10:23 pm

Yea that would be great. Think I'm gonna suggest garageband and gadget to begin with. Egoist looks interesting as well, but maybe not as easy to use as these. Same goes for nanostudio.

Tjivory · Post by **Tjivory** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 10:24 pm

Orion- the easiest and most intuitive DAW possible.

pigfront · Post by **pigfront** » Sat May 02, 2015 8:24 pm

+1 for LMMS
and from my childhood - FASTTRACKER II

tripomatic · Post by **tripomatic** » Fri May 08, 2015 8:54 pm

maybe Microsoft Songsmith is an option? xD

Unaspected · Post by **Unaspected** » Fri May 08, 2015 9:43 pm

KevWestBeats wrote:Reaper or FL Studio because I think they are the DAWs of the future. Low cost, insanely popular, and very functional. I am not a big fan of FL Studio personally but I can totally see the future going through imageline.

I agree with this. If you're thinking of electronic music, FL Studio or Live would be worth checking out; though if you purchase the downloadable version of FL Studio you have free updates for life. I started out with what was Fruity Loops (FL Studio) after playing around with Octamed (an Amiga based tracker) and some editing software.

When I moved to using other DAWs, I found everything I learned using FL Studio to be transferable so it didn't take long to adapt to slightly different workflows and tools. Though I do miss FL's piano roll when I use other DAWs.

You might also want to check out Renoise. It's a tracker so a slightly different paradigm, but useful learning. And also useful knowing there are alternatives.

For recording live I favour ProTools and there are cut-down versions to try (check out ProTools "First" - it's free!). Though Reaper would be my second suggestion for tracking.

Bitwig interests me but I haven't had time to check it out yet so I can't recommend it.

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Fri May 08, 2015 10:12 pm

Mulab or FL Studio Windows App version seem like good starters.

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Fri May 08, 2015 10:23 pm

tripomatic wrote:maybe Microsoft Songsmith is an option? xD

Whoa. Microsoft has a DAW and a vector graphics editor nobody knows about?!

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsof ... ion_Design

poonna · Post by **poonna** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:22 pm

Tracktion 4 has now become free. I think it makes a great starter's DAW.

Best DAW to start teaching kids music production?