Time to start the production

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by Junglist

or buy a good set of headphones

technically you need both

Originally Posted by dabbler

technically you need both

Not really. Depends on how well you know your headphones. Saying you need speakers is kind of like saying you need a spectrum analyzer.

[whatitdo]

I have good headphones, and entry level monitors. Everything sounds better on the monitors.

Sure, it'll make it sound "better"... louder, beefy bottom end, etc. A club system will make it sound even better, but thats not the point.

[mux]

mixing on headphones will *not* give you the same results as mixing on speakers. for one, the stereo separation on headphones is absolute, which makes for all kinds of phasing problems.

sure, test your mixes on headphones. work on your music late at night on headphones. listen to your music on the bus on headphones. mixing music on headphones is a n00b error. headphones are designed to make music sound *good*, when what you need is for the representation to be *accurate*.

the advice is solid: a good set of monitor speakers is the most important part of your studio.

if you absolutely must mix on headphones, for one reason or another, at the very least use this: http://refinedaudiometrics.com/products-hdphx.shtml

^^ Better make sure they're positioned properly and your room has the proper acoustics. If not, they're probably just as bad as headphones.

Oh and that HDPHX plugin... wow very cool! Nice find!. and its free!

[whatitdo]

I meant better as in hearing the phasing properly, hearing the problems that can be heard on one set of consumer/club grade speakers but not another....accuracy.

And I think we all know most club PA systems are crap!

[dabbler]

the reason speakers are necessary is because of how they project the sound. frequencies sound different when they are right at your ear, as opposed to bouncing around a room. bass sounds different. levels sound different

[P.A.R.T.Y]

In order to achieve an accurate sound base, you need to listen to your mix through some dedicated reference monitors. It`s best to start with quality monitors instead of crappy Sony 3 ways, so start saving up.
A subwoofer will also help you hear the bass, which is very important for this genre of music.
I have been happy when I listened to my friends Blue Sky`s, Genelecs, and Yamaha NS-10s.
Headphone have some benifits, like monitoring at night if you have neighbors or if you want to listen to the tracks on the train/bus. Sometimes A/Bing the mix from headphones and monitors is good too, because you have to assume that a lot of people are going to be listening to your trax through their Ipods. However, since club music is for big club speakers, it`s better to monitor through some monitors that reflect the natural enviroment of the mix.
The mastering studio is going to want something they can work with, so it`s your job to give them something worthwhile.
Good luck

[P.A.R.T.Y]

After adding the new headphone plug-in, HDPHX, I discovered that Cubase SX2 already had an effect on my Master BUS1 output.
That's some pretty sneaky shit by Steinberg and it was rendering my files to 16 bit via. UV22HR by Apogee.
This is a real pisser, cause I record in 24 bit and don't need some digital P.O.S plug-in making my tracks 16 bit TYVFM.

[neoh]

i'm going to be attempting this whole production thing myself, to see if I am capable. And I certainly think I am, and the advice I'm taking to heart is from dabbler, as dabbler - your track Hard Times has influenced me. Respect.

I really don't know anything about music production. I'm on to Cubase 3, hopefully I can persevere and learn this thing. I've always been talented with music, we'll see how things work out.

[-evil-duerr-]

^ treat every track as if it were a private music lesson.

take your time with it, and have fun.

[~god~]

Originally Posted by Junglist

Not really. Depends on how well you know your headphones. Saying you need speakers is kind of like saying you need a spectrum analyzer.

loooooool.

[Digital Over]

Usually what I say is, take a look at a bunch of different software first, find a program which you can get from point A to to point B quickly.

Don't let navagation interfere w/ your creative vision....I'd say first start off w/ Reason 3.0 learn it inside out, then you could always use this function which comes w/ Reason called "Rewire" to further help your understanding of Digital Signal Flow. Rewire essentially connects Reason w/ another MT (Multi Track) and Recording Program which utilizes VST channels (Virtual Studio Technology).

Reason to Cubase or Reason to Pro Tools are often the most popular with new producers. Since there is a free version of Pro Tools which gives u 8 channels to work with. try that to start off with. If you like the result and it really clicks, then build on it. Often when I taught an off time table program at an Audio School here in Vancouver, lots of people were very intimated by my favorite production program to use.....E-magic's Logic Audio. The thing with Logic tho, is that 3 years ago, E-magic was bought out by Apple, so everything after Logic 5.5 was programmed for MAC. Other thing for Logic (and in some cases other programs too) is that cracks can really screw around w/ the performance of the program. When you A/B the two, you'll see a big difference over the course of a few weeks. Thus I would recommend, buy the software you're interested, and support the people who make the tools for us to use.

Programs Id recommend:

E-magic: Logic Audio 7
Pro Tools LE or the Financial Fav, Pro Tools FREE
Reason 3.0
Cubase SX
Abelton Live 6.0 (Awesome program for Mash ups and Time Stretching)

VST Plug ins:

FOR PC

The "Waves" Bundle ( visit http://www.waves.com )

MAC

Native Instruments: Kontakt
Native Intruments: Reaktor
Native Instruments: Absynth 3.0
Steinberg: LM4


Hope that gets you pointed in the right direction.

[neoh]

cubase is a bitch :(

[Digital Over]

^^^ I find Cubase better for mastering more than hands on production, but as I mentioned, it totally depends on the individual and what aids towards the creative vision rather than trying to deal w/ navigational issues. I like how the waves plug ins work w/ Cubase. :)

[Hero.Skye]

Originally Posted by P.A.R.T.Y

Production=sacrafice
You will be able to make a track using Reason 3, Fruity loops, etc.
But, dedication to this craft involves investment in musical equiptment such as: a soundcard, midi interface, mixer, preamp, analog synth, drummachine, compressor, fx, monitors, headphones, manuals, etc.
Electronica production is no different from producing any form of music. You recognize a good track you hear on the radio, because those individuals went to a lot of trouble to make their music sound top knotch. If you rush it by downloading Reason 3 and crank out a track, you may find a large community of people laughing at you.
What I've given you is a framework for success. The equiptment I've listed is essential to making a solid hard hitting track. You don't need to buy everything at once, I suggest picking up a sound card and midi interface first (M-audio, Edirol, Novation, Korg) Personally, I would pick-up a Roland Juno 106 and an Echo soundcard with a midi interface.
As for production software, you need something that records at a very high bit rate (24bit minimum) I suggest Cubase SX with appropriate vsts. Read the manual over and over until it becomes second nature. Learn the little shortcuts like the hot keys (eg. g and h = zoom in and zoom out) the function keys, and the mixer.
Lastly, you say you have the music in you. Music and art is its own reward. Don't expect to get famous doing this, this is a more for you than anyone else. Expression of the arts is achieved through sacrfice and dedication. Research proven methods of success, try to make good decisions and don't rush things. Good luck.

your supposed to encourage the guy not get him down. you will be absolutely amazed to how little time some producers put it dude. and without all those things u just named.

[nabs]

cubase is definitly difficult.

[inside]

Sonar. Too bad the new novation sl midi controler don't work we'll with it.

[P.A.R.T.Y]

Originally Posted by Hero.Skye

your supposed to encourage the guy not get him down. you will be absolutely amazed to how little time some producers put in dude. and without all those things u just named.

I have given this guy a recipe for success. My advice is a honest and true. If you want to be a schlep and make party music on a crack version of Reason 3, go ahead.

[~god~]

Originally Posted by P.A.R.T.Y

Electronica production is no different from producing any form of music. You recognize a good track you hear on the radio, because those individuals went to a lot of trouble to make their music sound top knotch. If you rush it by downloading Reason 3 and crank out a track, you may find a large community of people laughing at you.

since when do you hear "good music" on the radio?
i could see myself agreeing with most of what you are saying, but this is not true at all. I've released many singles under various lables, including 2 under warner. none of them had anything to do with how they sounded, really. it was mostly about how you can make your shit smell good. That's modern music industry for ya.

regardless, I hate arguments like this when everyone is trying to throw in synth names and sequencer hot keys to show how much they know.
what you USE to make your tracks is completly irrelevant to the subject matter. Telling someone to use 'juno 106' instead of Reason 3, is like telling someone to use an sm58 ($120) instead of a Rode NT1 ($430).
does it guarantee a better quality or better track?
fuck no! depends on what you're trying to do.

to the guy who started this thread: budz just plug it in and use whatever you have. install that reason 3 and giv'er. what do you have to lose? worse comes to worse you learn a thing or two about basic sequencing, fx, synth modulations and have a feel of how a studio works all round.
is it wrong to use reason 3? nah, there's nothing wrong with it. heck, i still pull some synths out of it, even if i have 13 synths sitting around me.

it all comes down what Hendrix said: 'man, if it sounds good, it's good'