How to Make Electronic Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Are you interested in making your own electronic music? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this guide will show you how to get started. We’ll cover the basics of equipment and software, and then we’ll dive into the creative process of making your own beats and tracks. So let’s get started!

Introduction

It seems like everyone is talking about electronic music these days. Even if you’re not a music producer, you’ve probably heard of electronic music and the various sub-genres that fall under its umbrella. In this article, we’ll give you a crash course on electronic music and show you how to get started making your own.

What is electronic music?

Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments and circuitry-based music technology. In general, a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means (electroacoustic music), and that produced using electronics only. Electromechanical instruments include mechanical elements, such as strings, hammers, and so on, as well as electrical elements, such as magnetic pickups, power amplifiers and loudspeakers. Examples of electromechanical sound producing devices include the telharmonium, Hammond organ, and the electric guitar. Purely electronic instruments do not have vibrating strings, hammers, or other sound-producing mechanisms. Devices such as the theremin, synthesizers and computer can produce electronically generated sounds.

Different types of electronic music

There are various types of electronic music, which are classified according to their origins or the manner in which they are created. The oldest type of electronic music is that which originated from live-electronic or experimental music. This type of music was created using various electronic devices such as theremins, test equipment, and oscillators. It was used to create sound effects and new timbres. The next type of electronic music is that which originated from recorded sounds. This includes musique concrete, electronica, and disco.

The next category is that of computer-generated music,originating from the development of early mainframe computers and integrated circuits in the late 1950s. This category includes music composed by algorithms, as well as by humans using computers. The fourth category is that of digitally-synthesized music, which includes both pre-recorded sounds and those generated in real-time. The final category is that of hybrid electronic music, which combines two or more of the above categories.

Getting started

If you want to make electronic music, you need to have the right tools. You’ll need a computer with music production software, a MIDI keyboard, and some basic knowledge of music theory. In this article, we’ll show you how to get started making electronic music. We’ll also give you some tips on how to make your tracks sound professional.

What you need

To get started making electronic music, you will need a computer with music production software, an audio interface, and a MIDI controller.

A computer is the centerpiece of any home studio. A laptop is a great option if you want to be able to take your studio with you, but a desktop will offer more power for music production. When choosing a computer for making music, pay attention to the processor, memory, and storage. A faster processor will be able to handle more complex audio processing tasks, while more memory and storage will be helpful if you plan on working with large audio files or using lots of virtual instruments and plugins.

An audio interface is what you’ll use to connect your microphone, instruments, and other gear to your computer so you can record and mix your music. Look for an interface with enough input and output ports for all of your gear, as well as support for the type of connectors you’ll need (such as XLR or ¼-inch jacks).

A MIDI controller is optional but can be a useful addition to your studio. MIDI controllers come in many different shapes and sizes, from pads and keyboards to wind controllers and drum machines. They can be used to control virtual instruments within your DAW or to trigger samples and loops. If you plan on using virtual instruments or DJ software, a MIDI controller can give you more hands-on control over your music.

Setting up your equipment

To get started making electronic music, you will need some basic equipment. You will need a computer with a sound card, speakers, and a way to record and edit your music. You will also need a software program to create and edit your music. Many people use the free Audacity program, which is available for download at www.audacityteam.org. You will also need some kind of MIDI controller to create your music. A MIDI controller is an input device that allows you to control various parameters of your software with knobs, buttons, or faders. Many MIDI controllers also have pads that you can use to trigger sounds or samples. There are many different MIDI controllers available on the market, so you should do some research to find one that best fits your needs.

Making electronic music

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make electronic music. You’ll need a computer with a sound card and some music software. We’ll be using FL Studio 12, but you can use whatever software you’re comfortable with. Let’s get started!

Creating a basic beat

Now that you know the basic components of a song, it’s time to put them all together and create a basic beat. This will be the foundation for your song, and everything else will be built on top of it.

To get started, you’ll need a computer with a music production program like Ableton, FL Studio, Logic Pro, or Pro Tools. If you don’t have a program like this, don’t worry – there are plenty of free ones available (just do a quick Google search).

Once you have your program open and ready to go, it’s time to start adding some elements to your beat. Start by creating a kick drum track and adding a simple kick drum sample. Then, add a snare drum on the 2nd and 4th beats. Once you have your drums in place, you can start adding other elements like hi-hats, claps, and percussion. Experiment with different sounds and textures until you find something that you like.

Once you have all of your tracks in place, it’s time to start arranging them into a song. This is where things can get creative – there are no rules here! You can arrange your tracks in any order that you like, or even make up your own rules as you go along. Just have fun with it and see what happens.

Now that you know how to create a basic beat, it’s time to start adding some melody and harmony.

Adding melody and harmony

One of the great things about electronic music is that you can layer sounds to create rich, full tracks using just a few basic instruments. By adding melody and harmony to your electronic beats, you can create catchy, memorable tunes that will keep your listeners coming back for more.

There are a few different ways to add melody and harmony to your tracks. One popular method is to use a keyboard or piano to play simple melodies or chord progressions. You can also layer in recorded samples of real instruments or vocal snippets for added texture and interest.

Another way to add melodic elements to your tracks is to use a synthesizer. Synthesizers can create all kinds of different sounds, from long, drawn-out pads to short, sharp stabs. By programming in a melody or chord progression, you can create an endlessly repeating loop that forms the backbone of your track.

Once you have the basic melodic elements in place, you can start layering in other sounds and textures. Adding in percussion, effects and other elements will help fill out the track and give it more depth and complexity. With a little practice, you’ll be creating catchy, professional-sounding tunes in no time!

Creating sound effects

Oftentimes in electronic music, it is helpful (and necessary) to create your own sound effects. This can be done a number of ways, but some of the most common are using Foley (sound effects that are recorded to match the action on screen) or creating sounds using synthesisers.

Foley is the recreation of everyday sound effects that can be added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance the audio quality. These sounds can be anything from footsteps to the creaking of a door.

Synthesisers are devices that create audio signals that can be used to create sounds. There are many different types of synthesisers, but some of the most common are subtractive synthesisers and granular synthesisers.

Subtractive synthesisers start with a waveform and then use filters to remove frequency content, resulting in a signal that has been “subtracted” from the original waveform. This type of synthesis is often used to create bass sounds.

Granular synthesisers differ from subtractive synthesisers in that they do not start with a waveform. Instead, they start with a noise source and then chop it up into tiny pieces, or “grains.” These grains are then played back at different speeds and pitches to create entirely new sounds. This type of synthesis is often used to create textures and pads.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basics of electronic music production, it’s time to get out there and start making your own music. Remember to have fun with it and experiment with different sounds and techniques. There are no rules in electronic music, so go wild and see what you can come up with.

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