Creating Electronic Music for Beginners
Contents
This blog is dedicated to helping those who are interested in creating electronic music, but have no idea where to start. We’ll provide tips, tricks and resources to help you get started on your musical journey.
Introduction
If you want to create electronic music, you need the right tools. In this guide, we’ll show you what you need to get started.
First, you’ll need a computer. Any computer will do, but we recommend a MacBook because they’re very popular with music producers. If you don’t have a MacBook, that’s okay – any computer will work fine.
Next, you’ll need music software. The two most popular programs are Logic Pro and Ableton Live. If you’re just starting out, we recommend Logic Pro because it’s easier to use. If you’re more experienced, you might prefer Ableton Live because it’s more flexible and has more features.
Once you have a computer and music software, you’ll need some plugins. These are extra pieces of software that add new sounds and effects to your music. There are thousands of different plugins available, so it can be tricky to know which ones to get. We recommend starting with a few essential plugins like Massive, Sylenth1 and Omnisphere.
Now that you have the basics, it’s time to start creating some music! In this guide, we’ll show you how to make a simple four-bar beat using Logic Pro. Let’s get started!
What You Will Need
To create your own electronic music, you will need a computer with music production software, a MIDI controller, and some basic recording equipment.
The first step is to choose the right music production software for your needs. If you are just getting started, it might be a good idea to choose a program that is geared towards beginners. There are many different options available, so do some research and read reviews before making your decision.
Once you have chosen your software, the next step is to set up your MIDI controller. This will allow you to control the sound of your music by playing virtual instruments or manipulating audio files. If you do not have a MIDI controller, you can still create electronic music by using your computer keyboard and mouse.
Finally, you will need some basic recording equipment. This can be as simple as a microphone and a digital audio recorder. If you want to get moreserious about creating electronic music, you might want to invest in a higher-quality microphone and audio interface.
The Basics of Synthesis
In order to create any type of sound, you need a basic understanding of synthesis. Synthesis is the creation of waveforms, which are then combined to create sounds. There are many different types of synthesis, but for the purpose of this guide, we will focus on three common methods: additive synthesis, subtractive synthesis, and sampling.
Additive synthesis is the process of creating a sound by adding together various sine waves. By varying the amplitudes and frequencies of these sine waves, you can create complex sounds with a wide range of timbres. Subtractive synthesis is similar to additive synthesis, but instead of adding sine waves together, you start with a complex waveform and then filter out certain frequencies to shape the sound. Sampling is a bit different; instead of synthesizing sounds from scratch, you record existing sounds and then manipulate them using techniques like pitch shifting, time stretching, and looping.
Now that you have a basic understanding of synthesis, let’s dive into some specific techniques that you can use to create electronic music.
Sampling
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a sound recording in a different song or piece. Over the last several decades, the process of sampling has been used extensively in hip hop, electronic dance music (EDM), and pop music.
The first commercially released song to contain a sample was “Tom’s Diner” by DNA featuring Suzanne Vega. The song samples the a cappella opening bars of Vega’s track “Tom’s Diner”.Since then, countless other songs have followed suit and sampled everything from other songs, movie dialogues, TV shows, video games, and more.
In order to create a basic electronic song using samples, you will need two things:
-A computer with an internet connection
-An audio editing software such as Audacity (which is free to download).
Once you have these two things set up, you can begin searching for samples online. A great place to start looking is Splice Sounds which offers over 1 million royalty-free samples starting at $7.99/month.
Once you have found a sample that you like, it’s time to import it into your audio editing software. In Audacity, this can be done by going to File > Import > Audio. Once the sample is imported, you can begin manipulating it to fit your needs. This can be done by changing the tempo, pitch, and length of the sample.
After you have manipulated the sample to your liking, it’s time to start layering other samples on top of it to create your own unique soundscape. You can continue to import new samples and manipulate them in the same way that you did with the first one. It’s important to experiment with different combinations of sounds until you find something that you like.
Once you are happy with your creation, you can export it as an mp3 file by going to File > Export > Audio in Audacity. And that’s it! You’ve now created your very own electronic track using samples!
Sequencing
In electronic music, sequencing is the process of arranging a passage of music by linking together musical events in a linear, step-by-step manner. This is typically done using a MIDI controller and a digital audio workstation (DAW). Sequencing can be used to create anything from simple melodies to complex arrangements.
There are many different ways to sequence music, but the most basic approach is to simply enter each note or event into the DAW on a separate track. This can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you are working with complex passages of music. However, it can be a very effective way to create accurately timed sequences.
Another way to sequence music is to use a MIDI controller to input the notes directly into the DAW. This can be much faster and more intuitive than entering notes manually. MIDI controllers come in many different shapes and sizes, from simple pads to full-fledged keyboards.
Regardless of how you choose to sequence your music, the important thing is that you take the time to experiment and find what works best for you. There is no right or wrong way to do it – so have fun and see what you can come up with!
Mixing and Mastering
Now that you have all of your audio tracks recorded, it’s time to mix them together. This is where you determine the levels of each track, add effects, and generally make everything sound good together. Mixing can be a creative process, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Once you’re happy with the way your tracks sound together, it’s time to master them. Mastering is the process of preparing your tracks for release. This includes making sure the levels are consistent across all tracks and adding any final effects that need to be applied.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating electronic music can be a fun and rewarding experience for anyone with an interest in music. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, and there are endless possibilities for creativity. With a little bit of knowledge and some practice, you can start making your own electronic music in no time.
