I am new to these forums so I say hi

[Guillecm]

Hello everyone. I've been looking for a good music production forum for ages and seems like this is the best option.

So I am new here. I'd love to be able to produce my own tracks to create some demos (I write lyrics and melodies, I just need the music )

As I said, I've got very little idea of how everything works. Right now I'm using FL Studio and I've created a couple of really basic and (quite shitty) tracks so...

My main objective is to create pop-dance music

Another thing I should state here is that I'm using a CASIO Keyboard as a MIDI Controller (I think). So, should I buy a MIDI keyboard just like every producer does? And what else do I need to create music?

I hope you can help me, I'm quite lost. Thanks

[thecontrolcentre]

Welcome to KVR

If the Casio works for you why would you change it? Is there a feature you feel you are missing? Also ... you have FL Studio which is more than capable of producing quality results. What do you feel you are missing with FL Studio?

To create music you already have what you need.

[BERFAB]

Welcome to KVR.

Pull up a chair and get comfortable. Lots of great stuff here.

To get started with the basics, just search your questions on the forums, and chances are it has already been asked and responded to.

Regarding the CASIO, I agree that if it works for you, why change it? Unless you are a pianist and need something more responsive, there's no "rule" about what you should use.

If you do need a keyboard suggestion, that has also been asked (and answered) numerous times here. Everyone at KVR has an opinion!

The search button is your friend.

Cheers
-B

[Guillecm]

Welcome to KVR.

Pull up a chair and get comfortable. Lots of great stuff here.

To get started with the basics, just search your questions on the forums, and chances are it has already been asked and responded to.

Regarding the CASIO, I agree that if it works for you, why change it? Unless you are a pianist and need something more responsive, there's no "rule" about what you should use.

If you do need a keyboard suggestion, that has also been asked (and answered) numerous times here. Everyone at KVR has an opinion!

The search button is your friend.

Cheers
-B

Welcome to KVR

If the Casio works for you why would you change it? Is there a feature you feel you are missing? Also ... you have FL Studio which is more than capable of producing quality results. What do you feel you are missing with FL Studio?

To create music you already have what you need.

Thank you guys what a warm welcome

Does KRV forum have a how to start thread or something? I'm so confused right now

I don't really know where to start: drums, creating synths... There are many things I don't understand (all these oscillators things, the different effects, the attack, delay and all that stuff that comes in the synths makers... )

[BERFAB]

Well, you're already in the "getting started" forum, so you know where that is. Specific questions you may have can be searched there.

Generally speaking though, you're already using one of the most popular DAWs out there. FL Studio comes with just about everything you need to get started: beats, loops, synths, samples, and effects are all there to make great music in just about any genre.

I, personally, would NOT worry about creating any new instruments or synths if you are just starting out (unless you're a programmer/developer and really want to focus on this). There are plenty of great instruments included with FLS, and there are plenty more in the user's library for the synth-creator (or whatever it's called these days--Flowstone?). Chances are, you can already at least come close to just about any sound you want to make with your existing tools.

You've already taken the first step and created a couple of tracks. Even if they are crappy, it's a start. Listen to them and compare them to professional tracks that you would like to sound like and then ask yourself what the differences are between your tracks and the pros.

Is it the song? Is it the beat? Is the groove and the song great but just SOUNDS like crap? Are instruments not mixing right? Etc.

Try your best to diagnose the problems yourself and work on tweaking things until they sound better to you. If you really can't figure it out, post your track on the music cafe forum here and ask for feedback. KVRers are not known to be shy about offering their opinions and advice.

But remember, the more spencific your question, the better chance you have of getting a satisfying answer.

Cheers
-B

[Guillecm]

Well, you're already in the "getting started" forum, so you know where that is. Specific questions you may have can be searched there.

Generally speaking though, you're already using one of the most popular DAWs out there. FL Studio comes with just about everything you need to get started: beats, loops, synths, samples, and effects are all there to make great music in just about any genre.

I, personally, would NOT worry about creating any new instruments or synths if you are just starting out (unless you're a programmer/developer and really want to focus on this). There are plenty of great instruments included with FLS, and there are plenty more in the user's library for the synth-creator (or whatever it's called these days--Flowstone?). Chances are, you can already at least come close to just about any sound you want to make with your existing tools.

You've already taken the first step and created a couple of tracks. Even if they are crappy, it's a start. Listen to them and compare them to professional tracks that you would like to sound like and then ask yourself what the differences are between your tracks and the pros.

Is it the song? Is it the beat? Is the groove and the song great but just SOUNDS like crap? Are instruments not mixing right? Etc.

Try your best to diagnose the problems yourself and work on tweaking things until they sound better to you. If you really can't figure it out, post your track on the music cafe forum here and ask for feedback. KVRers are not known to be shy about offering their opinions and advice.

But remember, the more spencific your question, the better chance you have of getting a satisfying answer.

Cheers
-B

Thanks again.
I get what you mean with the no need of creating synths this early, but I don't even know how to tweak the existing ones
Guess I'll have to do some research and I'll find out eventually haha

[BERFAB]

Try out all the presets on your synths. Presets are generally created to mimick the most popular sounds that musicians want to use. Even if you don't know how to program your synths, chances are that presets can get you most of the way there.

[Guillecm]

Try out all the presets on your synths. Presets are generally created to mimick the most popular sounds that musicians want to use. Even if you don't know how to program your synths, chances are that presets can get you most of the way there.

I've tried to use the presets but most of them sound... " too sharp " for me and I don't really like it.
I'm currently wathcing tutorials on YouTube to create the kind of music I want, I hope I can learn something

[BERFAB]

Try out all the presets on your synths. Presets are generally created to mimic
the most popular sounds that musicians want to use. Even if you don't know how to program your synths, chances are that presets can get you most of the way there.

[BERFAB]

Good luck. Let us know how you do...

[Tricky-Loops]

...I don't even know how to tweak the existing ones

If you like reading long articles, here are the basics:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_ar ... hool1.html

If you rather like to practice (what you're reading), you could buy the "Dance Music Manual" by Rick Sno(w)man which explains the basics and offers a lot of practical tips!