Getting started in Song writing using a computer by Paul groover on The Pipeline at IndieMusicPeople

Getting started in Song writing using a computer
Hi just a small article on the basic software which means free to get anyone started in music production on the computer. First u will need a computer anything with a quad core even fast dual core and 4 gb of ram. Intel cpu is best for music production anything above core 2 duo avoid anything below 2.5ghz. Next is the DAW or Digital audio workstation which is a piece of software for layering multiple tracks together. Wether it be Audio or Midi. My recommendation is Reaper.fm it has a very good forum and loads of tutorial videos. It is quite easy to use not for the complete novice watch the tutorials. Reaper also works on Macs but Mac has it's own DAW called Garageband which is reasonably useful. Next you will need virtual instruments. IK multimedia has Sampletank CS for pianos drums and synths. Amplitude for guitar and Bass amps. And T Racks for effects the basic versions are all free. There are millions of Virtual instruments and effects out there. Check out KVR forum for more info on this. Native Instruments has some good freebies Reaktor player is one of them.

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Two Silo Complex

5/18/2016 3:52:27 PM

Good write up on keeping it simple Paul. I used reaper it was pretty good compared to some. I also used audacity for a time which is free but reaper is much better.

If the soundcard you have you can get aiso drivers then you don't even need an audio interface. I was able to load AISO driver for my on-board sound card and once I got the aiso configured correctly I was able to record with low latency. Now because it was on-board sound card mic the quality was not great but it was a way to get started.

VST are handy if you know how to play keyboard then with vst you can make your track into anything. Guitar, bass, whatever.

I recommend for a beginner either a cheap drum machine (which I used for many demos) or ez drummer has a beat section that you can play simple rock beats.

You don't need a lot to make decent demo's I've written a few articles about my setup.

With a tascam portasutdio for 500 dollars you can have 8 input at once 24 tracks and burn the mix directly to CD with no PC if the porta studio has built in CD. This is fantastic way for a beginner with low budget. And after your done you can import your wave into reaper and have even more fun.

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Paul groover

5/18/2016 4:09:16 PM ---- Updated 5/18/2016 4:17:50 PM

Yes Asio4all is killer for onboard soudcards u can get a USB asio audio interface for cheap on ebay. Anything by Focusrite i have tried many been my best so far. My own basic setup is Jeskola Buzz and some french and british synths no-one could afford when they were released for real unless u were Pete Townshend.

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Steve White

5/19/2016 5:29:50 AM

I use my iPad Pro for all my recording. The DAW is called Auria.

I use a lot of plug ins but my favorite is Sample Tank.

For my input I use a Novation Launch key 25.

If you have a fairly new iPad, I suggest you get Auria.

Steve

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