That is a good program, but the program I'm currently using Ableton live 8, is pretty good for mashups and dubstep. I also use Mixcraft for some of my remixes for certain effects. Ableton will take some time to learn tho.
Ok, so it seems as though I wasn't too clear with everything. Let me try to clear some things up I've been playing piano since I was little and while I still enjoy it, lately I've just been going through the motions and I've gotten tired of all the classical pieces. So I want to take a break from that (though not completely) and focus on something new to keep my attention. I'm not really looking to focus on a new instrument at the moment. I know for sure that I want to get started with computer programs and such, I've been wanting to do it for a while now. So I'm mainly asking for help on how to go about starting that up. And I know several of you guys are advising not to go for the whole "computer" sound, but I think if it's done right it can turn out really well. And while I'm not completely sold on the whole dubstep/techno style yet, you can style create other styles of music with a program, right? Here's an example of some of the music that got me interested in wanting to do this: I've been listening to a lot of old Chiddy Bang stuff recently, a somewhat well known 2-person group with a vocalist and a guy who makes the beats. Here are a couple songs that have the style of music that I want to get into: Spoiler Chiddy Bang - The Good Life - YouTube Chiddy Bang - Run It Back (Instrumental) [HQ & DL] (prod. Xaphoon Jones) - YouTube Also, I just found a video of him doing a quick demo of how he does a lot of his stuff (I know, it's pretty cheesy) Spoiler Beat School 101 (with Xaphoon Jones) on Vimeo So I guess I'll just throw some general questions I have out there. Do these types of sounds come on a lot of standard programs? And if not aren't there downloadable sets? Can you sample tracks with programs like FL Studio? What kind of program and equipment is he using in the demo? Thanks so much for all your input so far, it's been very informative. I'm going to do some research on all the programs you guys mentioned and hopefully come back with a better understanding of the basics
The way that I took what you were saying is that you were telling him to completely cut out any computer-side editing. It also felt like you were saying he shouldn't use a professional grade recording software.
He didn't say "Teach me to make techno" he left the topic more open than that. Yes, you're going to need recording and editing programs, obviously. But if you really want to get into making music, you're going to need to know a thing or two about it. The best way to learn about music is to become proficient in an instrument or two or three. Honestly once you start learning to play them, it's hard to stop, they get easier the more you know.
That's my bad, I should have been more specific in the OP. I know how to play one instrument proficiently and I know the very basics of a few others, so I created this thread mainly to get info on different computer/editing software/equipment and to learn the basics of computer generated music and how different it is or isn't than a real instrument.
There is usually a very basic set of sounds that come with most music programs, but they can be tweaked to get the type of sound you're looking for. Once you figure out how to make your own style of sound you don't really need to look anywhere else. But sometimes it is hard to get what you're after, so you can import sounds from basically anywhere as long as they're compatible with your program. MIDIs, MP3s and WAVs are pretty much universally compatible with anything you'd want to use, but there are certain other files such as OGGs that are compatible with only a few proggys, as far as I know. I can only really give you the low down on FLS as I haven't really tried much else, but I know you can import tracks, slice them, and sample specific parts of songs, but, as far as I know, you can't sample individual components of a track, such as vocals only, unless you have the master track. As for the demo, the program he's using is Reason (not sure about which version, but would likely be the latest, being Reason 6.5) and the equipment he's using is a sample pad and a MIDI controller. Sample pads are good because they allow more direct control over the pieces you're sampling, and MIDI controllers are good for, again, more direct control over your creation process. Proggys like FLS have an automation where you put the chords you want down, and it plays them incrementally, but it does allow for MIDI input. Not sure about sample pads though, but I don't see why they wouldn't allow input for them either. As for Reason, I've never used it, but I know people who do and they're in love with it. Just look up info on it if you're interested in finding out more about it.
Thanks so much for the help Xun. I've downloaded the FL Studio demo and watched a few youtube tutorials while I'm still getting up to speed with everything. I have to say it's a lot more in depth than I was originally thinking, which is definitely a good thing. I can already tell how much easier a MIDI keyboard would make everything.
You're more than welcome, dude. Just make sure to share any tracks you make, I like hearing what others are up to musically.