What Do I Need to Make Electronic Music?

If you’re wondering what you need to make electronic music, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the essential gear and software you’ll need to get started making your own beats.

Introduction

In order to create electronic music, you will need a computer with music production software and a MIDI controller. You may also want to invest in studio monitors or headphones, a microphone, and other recording equipment. With the right tools, you can produce professional-sounding tracks at home.

computers with music production software
MIDI controllers
studio monitors or headphones
microphones
other recording equipment

The Basics

In order to make electronic music, you will need a few things. First, you will need a computer. It doesn’t have to be a super powerful computer, but it should be fast enough to run your music software without too much lag. You will also need a music production program.

A computer

Obviously, you need a computer. It doesn’t have to be the latest and greatest model, but it should be fairly new. A laptop is preferable to a desktop, but either one will work. The important thing is that your computer has enough processing power to run the music software you’ll be using. If you’re not sure if your computer is up to the task, check the minimum system requirements for the software you want to use.

You’ll also need some kind of audio interface. This is how you connect your instruments and microphones to your computer so they can be recorded or played back. There are a lot of different audio interfaces on the market, so do some research to find one that will work well with your setup.

Last but not least, you’ll need music software. This is what you’ll use to create and edit your music. Again, there are a lot of options out there, so take some time to figure out which one is right for you.

Music production software

In order to create and produce electronic music, you will need music production software. This is a digital audio workstation (DAW) that allows you to create, record, edit, and mix your music. In the past, music production required expensive hardware and equipment, but today, all you need is a computer and the right software.

There are many different music production software programs available on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is right for you and your needs. If you’re just getting started in music production, you may want to choose a less expensive or more user-friendly program. As you become more experienced, you can upgrade to a more powerful program with more features.

Some of the most popular music production software programs include Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, FL Studio, and Reason.

Synthesizers

Hardware synthesizers

If you want to get into making electronic music, you’re going to need a synthesizer. But what kind of synthesizer should you get? There are many different types on the market, from simple MIDI controllers to complex modular units. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of hardware synthesizers and help you choose the best one for your needs.

The first thing to consider is what kind of sounds you want to make. If you’re looking for traditional acoustic instruments like pianos and strings, you’ll want a ROMpler. These devices use recorded samples of real instruments to create their sound. If you’re looking for more unusual or experimental sounds, you’ll want an additive or wavetable synthesizer. These units generate their sounds using basic waveforms that can be modified using filters and other effects.

Once you’ve decided on the type of sound you want to create, you need to decide how you want to create it. If you’re looking for simplicity, a keyboard synthesizer is a good choice. These units have a built-in keyboard and typically offer a limited number of voices (the number of sounds that can be played simultaneously). If you’re looking for more flexibility, a modular synthesizer is the way to go. These units are composed of separate modules that can be configured in endless ways to create custom sounds.

Finally, you need to decide how much money you’re willing to spend. Synthesizers can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, so it’s important to set a budget before shopping. With these guidelines in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best hardware synthesizers on the market today.

Software synthesizers

A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth, or software instrument is a computer program, or plug-in that generates digital audio, usually for music. These are usually played back by means of the host computer’s sound card and/or a sound module, or other external MIDI controller device. Software synthesizers are sometimes referred to as PCM synth, digital synth, soft synth and software instrument.

The term ‘software instrument’ has gained some popularity lately as it encompasses not only traditional synthesis techniques but also sample based synthesis, granular synthesis and physical modeling synthesis. It is also used to describe instruments that generate sound using samples of real instruments – so called ‘samplers’.

Software synthesizers come in a wide variety of types and prices. Some are very simple and have only a few basic oscillators and filters while others are extremely complex and have hundreds of controls that can be modulated in real time. There are also many different ways to control them – from simple MIDI control to advanced control via an external sequencer or computer.

Samplers

A Sampler is an electronic device or piece of software that allows you to record, manipulate, and play back digital audio samples. These samples can be anything from a single drum hit to a full-length song. You can use a sampler to create your own original music, or to add new sounds to existing tracks. Samplers are an essential piece of equipment for any electronic musician.

Hardware samplers

Hardware samplers are standalone units that come with everything you need to get started sampling and making beats. Most hardware samplers will have a keyboard, display, memory, and MIDI ports built in. Some hardware samplers will also have on-board effects. The main advantage of a hardware sampler is that it is self-contained — you don’t need a computer to use it.

The downside of a hardware sampler is that it can be expensive, and you may be limited in the number of features and sounds it comes with. If you’re just starting out, a hardware sampler may not be the best option — you may be better off with a software sampler or an all-in-one workstation.

Software samplers

A software sampler is a piece of software that allows the user to load in audio files (usually in WAV or AIFF format) and play them back at various pitches and speeds, with envelopes, filters and effects applied. Samplers can be either played from a MIDI keyboard or programmed to play the samples automatically, in a drum machine-style fashion.

The most common use for a software sampler is to create drum kits. By loading in a series of one-shot samples of kicks, snares, hi-hats, etc., the user can create their own custom drum kit which can then be played from a MIDI keyboard or drum pad controller. Many samplers also come with a library of pre-loaded drum kits, which can be a great starting point for creating your own.

In addition to drums, software samplers can be used to create all sorts of sounds, from strings and pianos to synth pads and sound effects. Samplers are an essential piece of gear for any electronic musician.

Drum machines

If you want to make electronic music, you’re going to need some drum machines. The most popular and iconic drum machine is the Roland TR-808, which was released in 1980. It quickly became a staple of hip-hop and dance music, and its influence can still be heard today.

Other popular drum machines include the Akai MPC series, the Roland TR-909, and the Elektron Analog Rytm. Modern drum machines often come with a built-in sampler, so you can create your own sounds or load in samples from other sources.

There are also many software drum machines available, which can be used with a MIDI controller or as standalone programs on your computer. Some of the most popular software drum machines include Ableton Live’s Drum Rack, Native Instruments’ Battery, and Propellerhead’s Reason.

MIDI controllers

Most MIDI controllers will have some sort of keyboard on them. This could be anything from a single octave to a full-sized, 88-key keyboard. There are also dedicated MIDI controllers that don’t have any keys on them and are instead designed for use with other instruments, such as drums.

Some MIDI controllers also come with built-in sounds, which can be played without the need for a computer. These are typically lower quality sounds, but they can be useful in a pinch. Alternatively, some MIDI controllers come with audio outputs so that you can connect them directly to speakers or an amplifier.

In terms of price, MIDI controllers can range from under $100 to several thousand dollars. The more expensive models will typically have more features and better build quality, but there are plenty of affordable options that will do the job just fine.

Audio interfaces

An audio interface is a device that connects your instruments, microphones and other gear to your computer so you can record and play back digital audio. Audio interfaces come in all shapes and sizes, from simple USB devices designed for laptops to large-format racks for professional studios.

Some audio interfaces include a built-in mic preamp, headphone amp and other features such as phantom power, which is required for some condenser microphones. Others are more basic and only provide the essential connections you need to get started.

When choosing an audio interface, the first thing to consider is the type of connections you need. USB and Thunderbolt are the most popular options for connecting to a computer, but there are also Firewire, PCI and standalone units available.

The next thing to consider is the number of inputs and outputs you need. If you only plan on recording one or two tracks at a time, a two-input interface will suffice. But if you want to record a full band or multitrack drums, you’ll need an interface with more inputs.

Finally, consider the features you need such as phantom power, MIDI I/O or built-in effects. Some interfaces come with bundled software such as DAWs (digital audio workstations) or plug-ins, which can be a great way to get started making music.

Monitors

There’s a lot of debate in the world of electronic music about what kind of monitoring system is best. Should you go for a pair of big, expensive studio monitors? Or are a couple of smaller, cheaper pairs just as good? The answer, as with so many things in life, is that it depends.

First of all, let’s talk about what we mean by “studio monitors”. These are active loudspeakers that have been designed specifically for use in recording studios and listening rooms. They are usually characterized by flat frequency response, low distortion, and high power handling ability.

There are a few different things to consider when choosing studio monitors. The first is size. If you have a small room, then you’re probably going to want to opt for a smaller pair of monitors. But if you have a larger room, or if you want to be able to crank up the volume without causing too much distortion, then you might want to go for a bigger pair.

The next thing to consider is price. There are some very expensive studio monitors out there, but you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get a good pair. In general, the bigger the monitor, the more expensive it will be. But there are also some very good quality small monitors available at very reasonable prices.

The last thing to consider is your own personal preferences. Some people prefer the sound of one type of monitor over another. So it’s always worth listening to different types of monitor before making your final decision.

Here are a few popular types of studio monitor:
-Adam Audio A7X
-Yamaha HS7
-Focal Solo6 Be
-Mackie MR8mk3

Microphones

If you want to record your own vocals or instruments, you’ll need a microphone. There are many different types of microphones available, so it’s important to choose one that is best suited for the task at hand. If you’re looking to record vocals, a large-diaphragm condenser microphone is a good option. For instruments, a small-diaphragm condenser or dynamic microphone will usually do the trick.

Once you have a microphone, you’ll need a way to connect it to your computer. If you’re using a USB microphone, this will be easy – just plug it into an available USB port. If you’re using an analog microphone, you’ll need an audio interface to convert the analog signal into digital so that your computer can process it.

Last but not least, you’ll need some software to record and edit your audio. Audacity is a popular free option, but there are many other choices available as well.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basics of what you need to get started making electronic music, you can begin to put together your own studio. Remember that the best way to learn is by doing, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different gear and sounds. And most importantly, have fun!