Ableton...
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- albums0
Thank you for the input, especially you orpkoobcam2, However, given the computer for this project is the donated PC, we'll keep heading down this multiple controller direction. I do appreciate the sentiments, though the ideas of song structure are about my only strengths in this endeavor and I understand the Ableton interface more than anyone else I'm involved in this with.
As far as the style of music being made, there is no telling. Whenever everyone is together, we're mixing a live drum and bass drummer with a hip hop lyricist and a thrash metal guitarist who both like dubstep. All 3 talented in their own right. I'm being brought into this as the "computer guy" to corral and somehow record/blend this all together.
The reason for the multiple controllers is for hope of growth of knowledge and that there are 2 others that will likely use the setup often, possibly a third more experienced than all. Each of the controllers selected may play to a particular artists strengths as there is also a digital drum kit that can be used as a controller though its age shows in its latency, a full live drum set and the other individual is a guitarist, being able to record and include their live sessions all in one DAW is important to me for convenience.
So far the only MIDI input really occurring is recording the digital drums in song mode and playing them into Ableton to record the pattern. As a live play device the drummers Roland digital drums do not work, but my intent is that it can be used for beat creation to be triggered later by the Launchpad in Ableton's song mode.
Given the investment the others already have into this I assumed the breadth of use from the 3 selected controllers could be quite vast compared to their minimal investment.
I have used Acid and find it limiting in the midi department and am striving to get away from using the mouse/keyboard interface and use something more intuitive hence the desire to use these controllers that are native to Ableton. I too was drawn to the MPK25 Dodecahedron, it seemed to have the most going for it as a standalone unit. I preferred this device to the others for its price point and capabilities. Its main uses I intend for it are pattern making & recording into Ableton via its MPC pads and 25 key piano.
The Behringer is the only superfluous choice as I only thought it convenient to map out 32 knobs in Ableton and put them on the table for anyone to twist. The kind of options/freedom you gain for $150ish seems well worth it in regards to production convenience.
- Dodecahedron0
get a crack and play with it. its really easy to just start and mess with it. there's lessons in the help, just do them and get on with it.
- bored2death0
I say go for the class. It's taken me about 4 years to be at the point I feel comfortable saying I know Live. If I could have done it in 9 weeks, I would have.
- autoflavour0
DOH.. just noticed the age of this thread.. i am assuming you have solved your problem.. if not, maybe you should consider masturbation like you originally suggested.
- still a helpful thread, i'm interested in jumping in as wellscarabin
- bored2death0
Oh, and just to be clear, you won't leave the class making music like Prodigy. That requires time and talent... you won't get that in 9 weeks.
Anyway, that song was done on ancient equipment like an SP1200, which is why the song is actually amazing.
- aanderton0
If you're looking for a life change, why not just change wank hands. Flips things into a whole different perspective!
- ukit0
- scarabin0
i'll just leave this here
- its funny, its 1 of 2 pieces of software i actually own.. i just love it that much.autoflavour
- aanderton0
If you're looking for a life change, why not just change wank hands. Flips things into a whole different perspective!
- 23kon0
Download the trial, it talks you through stuff.
I never read manuals and just taught myself this program by trial and error i in no way know everything this program can do, but if theres anything i DO need to know theres always a tutorial on youtube or the web somewhere.
bored2death is right though its taken me about the same amount of time to say i know the program well and still dont know everything.
if this course is good enough and will make you a ableton master then its prob worth the grand.there is the arguement though that the best creativity comes from chaos so just try having a dabble yourself and see how you get on with it. if you hit a brick wall then go on the course/
- albums0
I finally picked up my gear...
Akai APC40 (w/ hard case) + Korg padKONTROL + Korg microKORG (w/ soft case) + Odyssey Laptop Stand to raise the notebook above the APC40 + an M-Audio Firewire Solo to set on it's sound card shelf.
Checking out a Samson mic w/ stand & pop guard later today/tomorrow and will avoid monitors at this time with either a pair of Sony MDV6 or a pair of AKG K171 MKII or K240. Any input?
- ukit0
Am I missing something, there was nothing really that complex about what they did here?? The majority was just cut up different samples used in the tune and apply various effects to them.
The hard part would be coming up with the music or the samples to use in the first place, not using the program.
- this is pretty good way of understanding how a full track works. knowing what everything does and why is the hard partDodecahedron
- this is useful.... we did stuff like this in the 90's in more primitive software, not that different in a way....vaxorcist
- Miguex0
^
Could you pick any tune and reverse engineer it to sound just like the original?That to me is even harder than coming up with your own music.
I mean yeah, we all watch the video and say.. oooh that's how they did it... that's easy.. (now that you've seen it of course.)If you can do that, my hat is off to you Ukit.
- Miguex0
I think you need to consider the options here:
Yes, the software is easy (for most people that had a background in music applications) but for someone that has never used anything like it, it can be very intimidating.
Download a trial, watch the dubspot channel and other similars offering youtube tutorials for beginners, etc.
Give it a few months to see if you like it and then decide if you want to spend that money.
MOST people tell you it's easy to learn, but in all honesty the VAST MAJORITY will never learn everything you will on a reputable school with experienced musicians teaching you face to face.
Someone said, buy gear instead.
With all due respect, I disagree. What good is to have gear if you don't know how to use it?If you never learn the software you will be one of those guys on forums that argue about what software is better, because they think it's all about the tool and not the knowledge.
If you are already decided go take the classes, then you'll know what hardware is better for you, and you will spend your money more wisely in the future based on your actual needs instead of what controller [insert favorite artist name here] is using.
my 2 cents
- ukit0
@Meeklo I guess what I was saying is that while the video makes it look like magic or something, most of that comes from the knowledge of the samples or in other cases, the musical ability of the artist...not just from knowing what button to click in the program!
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on this program or anything but I could understand what they were doing at every step and none of it was too difficult. Certainly not worth paying $1000 to learn.
- caterpus0
Learn Pro Tools! You can have fun and maybe make some money :)
- you can make money if you're good with any audio s/w. fuck pro tools.sublocked
- well, it works for mecaterpus
- that's great but i hate the idea that some people have that you "have to know pro tools". it's bullshit.sublocked
- if you want to work doing actual audio design, you need to know protools.. end of storyautoflavour
- films = protoolsautoflavour
- tv = protoolsautoflavour
- recording studios = protoolsautoflavour
- i know people recording music without protools that do just finesublocked
- rounce0
I live with a music production teacher, if you're serious I can hook you up with him (nohomo).
- Miguex0
^
yes, I think with basic knowledge most of us watch the video and say right! that's how they did it...My question was different though, and aimed to the fact that you need to know and understand all the possibilities available on the software (not what button to click, but what everything does and when yo apply it so your ideas translate to the sequence).
In order to reverse engineer a track, you REALLY need to know your way not only around the software but around music theory as well, specially after achieving the exact track, In my opinion this ability takes years to develop, and goes way beyond using the software in the session mode and playing around w built in samples/presets
- Miguex0
Glitch Hop Forums has some really nice tutorials, and lots of the pros there share their custom dj modules for free.
Also look for ill gates tutorials on youtube the guy is a MACHINE
