Tutorial Please...

[Tone]

Okay, so I've looked at a few programs for making music or mixing music...I don't know...really.

Which, is why I am creating this thread.

I have a strong interest in putting together some instrumental tracks and perhaps incorporating my poetry into them.

But, as is probably pretty evident by now, I don't know where to begin.

I can't even get past the downloading part of getting a program I can work with and then what, assuming I succeed in getting it installed and open on my laptop?

Thanks in advance!


Shalom.


-T1

 

[Anthony2019]

Whether you opt for a free digital audio workstation (DAW) , or pay for one, the way they work is generally similar. Obviously, if you pay for one you will get far better quality features and the interface will be more polished and intuitive.

You are presented with an editor window which usually has a timeline across the top of it. Underneath you have your individual tracks.

---------- 00:00s 01:00s 02:00s 03:00s

Track 1
Track 2
Track 3

Each track can be given a "name" and can be set up to record from a source of your choice, a MIDI instrument, a USB device, a microphone, a soundfont or software instrument. This is normally done by clicking on the track and setting its parameters. You can also adjust the sound settings, apply effects, filters, etc. You can add tracks or delete them, as you wish.

To record, you normally highlight the track you want, place the cursor at the appropriate position on the timeline and hit record. When you have recorded your sample, it appears as a box which can be cut and pasted, dragged and dropped, or even copied into another space, just like you would with a wordprocessing document. Most DAW's allow you to drag and drop audio files (such as WAV files) into the workspace which appear as a box and then you can move them and manipulate them.

Using the software for the first time can seem puzzling and daunting, but once you understand the basics, producing your projects will be easy and you will feel comfortable exploring some of the additional features such as filters, effects, and trying things out.

 

[Tone]

I don't mind paying...in fact, I was trying to do Ardour earlier, but I get stuck at the installation step.

what do you make of this:

ardour - the digital audio workstation

?

Thank for your help brother!


*ardour - the digital audio workstation


this stuff^

 

[Anthony2019]

I don't mind paying...in fact, I was trying to do Ardour earlier, but I get stuck at the installation step.

what do you make of this:

ardour - the digital audio workstation

?

Thank for your help brother!


*ardour - the digital audio workstation


this stuff^

I'm not sure. If you are planning to run it on windows, ensure you download the binary (.exe) file rather than the source code. Then it should be as easy as clicking on the installer and following the on screen prompts.

Another one you might want to try is the Linux Multimedia Studio (LMMS) which also has a Windows version
LMMS | Download
I don't think it's as polished or intuitive as the other DAWs, but in my experience, it recognised my devices "out of the box" and had quite a lot of useful features built in.

 

[Tone]

I'm not sure. If you are planning to run it on windows, ensure you download the binary (.exe) file rather than the source code. Then it should be as easy as clicking on the installer and following the on screen prompts.

Another one you might want to try is the Linux Multimedia Studio (LMMS) which also has a Windows version
LMMS | Download
I don't think it's as polished or intuitive as the other DAWs, but in my experience, it recognised my devices "out of the box" and had quite a lot of useful features built in.

Well, I don't understand any of this, but I took the plunge and switched out of S Mode (whatever that means), which I can't go back to...and it's installing now.

 

[Tone]

Ooookaaay...well, Ardour was a bit much for me at this point, so I went with FL Studio 20, and have progressed decently with the basics of beat creation!

 

[Tone]

 

[Anthony2019]

Have you tried selecting the section you have recorded and dragging, or copy/pasting it to another area on the timeline or into another track? Not sure how FL works, but you could try it?

 

[Tone]

*I found a little something more!

 

[Anthony2019]

Here's a track I did with quite a few extensive loops - where I built up a project using smaller segments.

 

[Tone]

Here's a track I did with quite a few extensive loops - where I built up a project using smaller segments.

Heeeyyy, I like that!


Do you ever put vocals in your compositions?


Excellent photo choice too, I got the feel of casting off!

 

[Anthony2019]

Heeeyyy, I like that!


Do you ever put vocals in your compositions?


Excellent photo choice too, I got the feel of casting off!

I'm not a singer - not something I'm very good at. I did buy a microphone for anyone who wants to try putting on vocals!
Photo is of the Bristol Channel, apparently the second largest tidal range in the world, the tide comes in faster than a horse can run. Thankfully the water was there when the photo was taken - usually it's all mudflats when the tide is out!

 

[Tone]

Dude, how are you still single!

 

[Tone]

I'm not a singer - not something I'm very good

What about like voice synthesizers and/or just like some poetic lyrics?

You know, Moby is not such a great singer...but he's got good timing along with the awesome instrumentals, of course.

 

[Anthony2019]

What about like voice synthesizers and/or just like some poetic lyrics?

You know, Moby is not such a great singer...but he's got good timing along with the awesome instrumentals, of course.

Haha. You really don't want to hear my voice. It would absolutely kill off any track I record! :-(

Here's another track I made with the extensive use of loops.

 

[Tone]

Haha. You really don't want to hear my voice. It would absolutely kill off any track I record! :-(

Hmmm, I've been told that I have a good voice many times...some lady even prophesied to me, when I was about 20, that I would be a singer.

Thing was...I have always been a little shy, but now I see that no one has to see me at all, with today's technology and platforms!

 

[Tone]

Okay, so I'll be audio interfacing by next year!

 

[Tone]

 

[Anthony2019]

Sounds really good - I love the lush 80's style synth!

 

[Anthony2019]

Here's one I did last year.
Tracks include:
1. Orchestral drumset
2. Orchestral soundfonts including tremolo strings, string ensembles, french horn, aah choir, oboe with a distorted effect!
3. Steinway piano, played using a VST plugin (Pianoteq).
4. Arpeggiator with synth