Hey there,
I'm really keen on making music on the comp but I just don't know where to start. (Sorry for sounding like a clueless newbie - but I_am_one. =P ) Anyway, which of the following music programs should I learn to use first?
- MIDI sequencer (eg. Cakewalk)
I've experienced making MIDIs using a simple sequencer (Noteworthy Composer) and just my normal keyboard and mouse. Now I'm trying to move on but Cakewalk scares me (and I do feel kinda useless and vulnerable without a MIDI keyboard).
- Tracker (eg. ModPlug)
I've also explored ModPlug Tracker but can't seem to master the more advanced features well (eg. Instruments section). And tracking's a bit time-consuming and dull (in a visual sense - for some reason, I just like to see real musical notes instead of letters/numbers on the screen.)
- Sound editor (eg. Sound Forge, Cool Edit)
Do I just download a wav sample, and then take it apart and experiment with all those functions in SoundForge/CoolEdit? How did you guys learn to use all these programs at first?
- Loop-based program (FruityLoops, Acid)
I'm a sucker for ambient, dance, electronica, etc., but I don't think I'll be composing solely in these styles. Orchestral music that has changing themes and dynamics doesn't go well with loop-based softwares, right?
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Ok, there can't be a definite answer to my question, huh? *sigh* I'm thinking that I should be able to handle SoundForge/CoolEdit and manipulating sound samples_before_venturing into trackers and loop-based programs. So I guess it comes down to MIDI sequencer or sound editor...
The types of music I'm influenced by are, of course, RPG music by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy) and Yasunori Mitsuda (Chronotrigger, Xenogears), and all the 7 mp3s here:
www.kturn.com
Username: finerva
Password: finerva
[mp3s are in "Music" folder]
What kind of music softwares do you think the composers used to create those songs (listed above)? It'd be awesome if I could follow in their footsteps or something.
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Equipment...
- MIDI sequencer
Yeah, maybe I should get a MIDI keyboard after all. Since I'm not even sure whether I'm gonna take computer music composition seriously (sadly, I'm notorious for having constantly-fluctuating interests), my budget's limited to CAD$200. Any recommendations?
- Sound editor
Should I record my own sounds? If so, that means I'll need a microphone. Say my budget's CAD$100, what kind of mic can I get?
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Damn, all this extensive computer music stuff has had me wandering aimlessly for a while (and yeah, I'm totally frustrated with myself too =P ). Would appreciate any advice, tips, etc. Thanks!
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-Finerva
Edited by - Finerva on March 14, 2002 1:44:11 AM