Seeking Guidance/Advice on A New Venture

[Navkarn]

Alright so to keep it simple, I'm venturing into a realm somewhat foreign to me. For years I've loved writing fun songs on my guitar and such, but in the last few months an individual has really inspired me to take it to the next level and actually start making music. So here's my problem ... I've tried in the past to find a guitarist/keyboardist/etc ... but it just never works out. So this time around I want to do everything on my own with the help of technology. I have tons of stuff I've been writing, but have always been held back because I can never bring the ideas and music I hear in my head to life. My influences include bands such as Muse, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, etc ... I realize this is a bhangra forum and some have no clue to who they are, but I really don't know where to start. I know a lot of you on here mix and are very familiar with music programs, and my question to those who apply is ... What is a solid program that allows me to create music w/ various instruments (guitar, violin, piano, etc...) all through the computer? For example, an artist who recently made it it big here (in CA) used only his laptop and was able to create this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMr52bCXNdU ... this guy sat in his room and created everything everything via his computer and I really aim to do the same thing but with a different sound. And realistically, with a lot of practice, does anyone know if these programs are relatively easy to catch on to for someone with absolutely zero experience in this type of technology? Any feedback and advice would be appreciated. Any possible suggestions on equipment that I might need to purchase to make this easier would help a lot too! Thanks in advance BTF!

 

[ENVY BANG-RUH]

i have no clue, but lemme email my old music prof, he deals with stuff like this and midi, he'd be able to let me know. i'll find out for both mac and pc.

 

[RohanO]

Ableton Live (software) + keyboard (for midi) + soundcard + laptop = success!

For making your own stuff Ableton is THE standard. Ableton is so powerful b/c its based on "midi". Your keyboard will be what you use to translate your written work into music and then the software is what you will use to transform those sounds into any instrument you want (keyboard, synth, violin, etc).

Sorry if you already know what midi is, but in case you don't, midi is simply a "signal". Your keyboard will be used as a "midi" controller in the sense that you will press a key on the keyboard and can choose (thru the software) what signal (or sound) the keyboard should create. Extremely powerful as you get more into it and start collecting midi keyboards, korg kaoss pads, etc. You'll soon see that there are tons of keyboards you can buy (with knobs and faders) that make your experience easier/more fun, etc. Ableton has everything ACID has, but x100

Acid is more for just remixing already made audio. It has a recording function on it, but again, it's mainly used to add fx/cut/loops, etc (perfect for making Bhangra mixes). It also has midi capability, but not to the extent that Live does. You can even use Reason to make your beats and then import those files into Live...again endless possibilities once you get started.

Just PM me if you have any questions about this. If you're serious about this, its a huge decision that involves how to spend your money to make the best investment. The best thing to do is ask just the way you are doing and also do tons and tons of research! You just need the right equipment and the fun will never end...

 

[Jabar Jung]

Ableton's cool and everything but I would recommend you using Reason, rewiring it through Sony Acid and a decent midi controller not a keyboard. You want to get a controller because it's cheaper, since your going to use it with your computer anyway, no need to spend extra money on a keyboard that comes with patches and stuff built in, although it's very cool, but controller works. With reason there is so much you can do, it's not even funny.

Just remember, NN-XT
NN-19
Malstorm
Thor
Redrum
Will be your best friends. The reason you want to rewire it through Acid because of the sequencer. I am sure you will be recording your voice as well as at least your own guitar if not bass or synths. When you record it, reason won't let you import it, with acid you can import your files and sequence it properly. PM if you got any questions, help needing it set up

 

[abhigames]

Reason + Cubase is pretty standard, but Acid can work as well.

 

[pritpal94]

Garageband

 

[ban3rg]

how strange, i heard that song on the radio yesterday, i love the lyrics - good luck navkarn!!

 

[Navkarn]

hey guys thanks soooooooo much for your input ... i got ableton up and running and am having a ball with it. im working on the midi keyboard/controller and was wondering if you guys knew any reliable brands good for startup but not too cheap either ... thanks!

 

[Jabar Jung]

hey guys thanks soooooooo much for your input ... i got ableton up and running and am having a ball with it. im working on the midi keyboard/controller and was wondering if you guys knew any reliable brands good for startup but not too cheap either ... thanks!

Depending on how many keys you want.

I have the E-MU X board 49, but you can go smaller with 25 keys because you can move the octaves higher or lower.
M-Audio is also very good.

They're both pretty good quality and good priced companies

 

[justAguy]

Screw all the technology man pick up an acoustic n make ur music live

I used to play years ago, virtuoso kind of stuff like Vai Petrucci Satriani Greg Howe Mcalpine kinda music. Thrash too, older Megadeth Judas Priest n all that fun violent crap, even playing Flight of the Bumblebee at Malmsteen type speeds. Jason Beckers always been a hugeeeeee inspiration to me, I have 5 giant pictures of him all around my room, but never got into the whole speed sweep pick arpeggios type thing.
But then I became more fond of the softer sound...

Picked up an acoustic, sang some songs weekly at this all black bar/club in upper east side, n acoustic was so much more fun, no pedals none of that nonsense. James Taylor type stuff, Billy Joel n Elton John songs too haha, acoustic is so much more fun, plus I don't think you really need any kind of crazy software for acoustic recording, just slide in a pickup n that's it, Sungha Jung for example sounds so great, just plays by himself

Good luck !