How to Make Electronic Music for Free

Looking to get into electronic music production but don’t want to spend a fortune? Check out our guide on how to make electronic music for free!

Introduction

Making electronic music is a lot of fun, and it can be done for free using some of the best software out there. In this article, we’ll show you how to make electronic music for free using some of our favorite tools.

What You Need

In order to make electronic music, you will need a computer with internet access and some basic hardware. For the hardware, you will need a microphone, an audio interface, and some speakers. You can find all of this equipment at your local music store or online.

The software you will need can be divided into two categories: production and performance. For production, you will need a DAW (digital audio workstation) and some plugins. A DAW is a program that allows you to record, edit, and mix audio. Some popular DAWs include Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, and Pro Tools. Plugins are software modules that add specific functionality to a DAW. There are plugins for almost everything, but some essential plugins for electronic music production include synths, drum machines, and effects processors.

As for performance, you will need a MIDI controller of some sort. A MIDI controller is a device that allows you to control software instruments with physical buttons, knobs, and pads. Popular MIDI controllers include the Akai MPK Mini and the Novation Launchpad.

Of course, this is just the bare minimum of what you need to get started with making electronic music. As you get more experienced, you may want to invest in more advanced hardware and software. But for now, these are the basics that you will need to get started.

Where to Start

When it comes to making electronic music, the software you use is just as important as the hardware. If you’re new to the genre, you may be wondering where to start. The good news is that there are plenty of free options available.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best free software for making electronic music. We’ll also give you some tips on where to find free samples and loops to use in your tracks.

One of the most popular pieces of software for making electronic music is Ableton Live. It’s a powerful program that has everything you need to create professional-sounding tracks. If you’re just starting out, though, it can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we recommend starting with a simpler program like FL Studio.

FL Studio is a great option for beginners because it’s easy to use and comes with a lot of helpful tutorials. Plus, it’s affordable – you can get the basic version for less than $100. If you decide you want to upgrade later on, FL Studio also offers an Unlimited version with more features for $299.

Another great free option is Audacity. This program is perfect for those who want to record and edit their own vocals or instruments. Audacity is also great for mixing and mastering tracks. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start exploring more advanced features like plugins and VSTs.

If you’re looking for something a little more unique, consider Renoise or Bitwig Studio. Both of these programs offer innovative features that set them apart from other DAWs. Renoise, for example, uses pattern-based sequencing to create complex tracks quickly and easily. Bitwig Studio, on the other hand, boasts an intuitive interface that makes creating music fun and easy.

How to Make a Drum Loop

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make a drum loop with the help of FL Studio.

For this example, we’ll be using the kick, snare, and hi-hat from the Drum Essentials kit.

First, load Kick into Channel 1 and Snare into Channel 2. Next, open the Mixer and send both channels to Drum Bus.

Now route Drum Bus to Master by clicking on the arrow next to “OUT”.

Next, click on the button at the top of each channel that says “B”. This will activate the BeatChopper effect.

The BeatChopper is a great way to add some variation to your drum loop. It chops up audio into small pieces and plays them back in a stutter-like fashion.

To use it, simply click and drag your mouse across the audio in each channel. The further you drag, the more pronounced the effect will be.

Once you’re happy with the sound, turn off both BeatChoppers by clicking on the button at the top of each channel that says “B” again.

How to Make a Bass Line

Synthesizers are capable of producing a huge range of sounds, but they’re especially good at making bass. Bass provides the low-end foundation that helps drive a track forward and gives it body. If you’re just getting started with making electronic music, learning how to create a great bass line is a essential skill. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a bass line using some of the most popular software synthesizers on the market.

To start, you’ll need a software synthesizer that is capable of producing bass sounds. Many modern DAWs (digital audio workstations) come with built-in synths, but there are also many excellent free options available. For this tutorial, we’ll be using the free U-He Tyrell N6 synth.

1. Start by opening your DAW and creating a new instrument track. Then load U-He Tyrell N6 (or your chosen synth) onto the track.

2. Next, you’ll need to choose a sound for your bassline. For this example, we’ll be using a simple square wave. With the oscillator section open, select “Square” from the waveform dropdown menu.

3. Now it’s time to start crafting your bassline. Start by sketching out the general shape of the line with some simple notes. It doesn’t have to be perfect, we can always go back and edit it later if needed.

4. Once you have the general shape of your bassline sketched out, it’s time to start adding some character to it. Start by adjusting the cutoff frequency and resonance of the filter section to taste. These controls will help shape the sound of your bassline and make it more or less aggressive sounding as needed.

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How to Make a Melody

Creating a melody is one of the most essential parts of making electronic music. A lot of people get stuck on this part, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a simple melody using only free software.

First, open up your DAW (digital audio workstation). We’ll be using Reaper, but the steps should be similar in other programs. Next, create a new MIDI track and load a software synth. We’ll be using the free synth MG-1 from Arturia.

Now it’s time to start creating your melody. Use the piano roll editor to input notes, or draw them in with your mouse. You can also record yourself playing the melody on a MIDI keyboard.

Once you have your melody, it’s time to add some color and interest with variations. Try adding different note lengths, or changing the velocity (how hard you hit the keys) of some notes. You can also add automation to the synth parameters, like filter cutoff or resonance. This will make your melody sound more dynamic and alive.

Finally, add a beat behind your melody to give it some rhythm and energy. You can use any drum samples or loops that you like, or program your own beats with drum machines like Drumgizmo or Hydrogen.

That’s it! Now you know how to make a simple electronic melody using only free software. With a little practice, you’ll be writing catchy hooks in no time.

How to Add Effects

Now that you have your MIDI controller and DAW set up, it’s time to start making some noise! In this section, we’re going to cover the basics of adding effects to your tracks.

There are a few different ways to add effects. The first, and most obvious, is to purchase plug-ins. These are software instruments or audio processors that you can add to your DAW. Many popular plug-ins are made by companies like Waves, Universal Audio, iZotope, and FabFilter.

If you’re just getting started, though, you may not want to invest in expensive plug-ins right away. That’s perfectly understandable! There are a few ways to get around this.

First, many DAWs come with a selection of built-in effects that you can use for free. Second, there are also a number of free third-party plug-ins available online. Finally, if you’re really on a budget, you can always create your own effects using the tools in your DAW.

Let’s start by taking a look at some of the built-in effects in Ableton Live 10 Lite…

How to Export Your Song

Now that you’ve finished composing and arranging your song, it’s time to export it so you can share it with the world! In this article, we’ll show you how to export your song as an MP3 file so anyone can listen to it.

First, open your song in your DAW (digital audio workstation). If you’re using FL Studio, for example, simply click File > Export > Export to MP3.

If you’re using Ableton Live, click File > Export Audio/Video. In the window that appears, make sure the Format is set to MP3 and click Export.

Once your DAW has exported your song as an MP3, you can post it online or send it to your friends. Happy sharing!

Conclusion

The important take away from this article is that you can make electronic music for free, and you don’t need expensive equipment to do it. All you need is a computer and some basic software.

If you want to get started making electronic music, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, start by finding some software that you’re comfortable with. Once you have the software, experiment with the different sounds and effects that it offers. Don’t be afraid to try something new; part of the fun of making electronic music is exploring all the possibilities.

Finally, don’t forget to share your music with others. There are a number of ways to do this, including social media and online forums. Sharing your music is a great way to get feedback from other people who are interested in electronic music. Who knows, you might even inspire someone else to start making their own electronic music!