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NEOGAF's Official Music Production Thread: calling all producers

V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
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H

Hamst3r

Member
vonStirlitz said:
Does anyone use a sampler in their workflow - like resampling their own work?
Click to expand...

Yup, I definitely do some of this, usually when I want something to sound like it was sampled from another song. Or to remove the realism from a sound, if that's the effect that feels right. I like making drum loops that when rearranged cause the cymbal sounds to cut off suddenly.

I don't do it very much though, because I don't like working destructively. As much as possible, I want everything to run in real-time, to remain easily editable.
 
N

NotSelf

Member
One thing I found useful for chopping audio is a MMO Gaming Mouse. Dose anybody else use one of these things? I feel like i'm late to the party but only found the need for it when I started chopping audio.
 
S

shoelacer

Banned
vonStirlitz said:
Does anyone use a sampler in their workflow - like resampling their own work?

I only ask, as I have been getting into sampling recently, and find it a lot more productive to play a few chords, melodies or whatever, and then sample it and play around with it.

I just wondered how common this is, or if anyone had tried working this way and found any benefits or issues from working this way?

The only real issue I can see so far is that with a sample you are stuck with a slice of time, which doesn't 'move' (like a synth with no evolving filter or automation), but conversely, you can play around with the sample. I guess the best approach is a hybrid of playing, sampling and resampling together.

Anyway, just curious.
Click to expand...

What are you using for a DAW? I like bouncing my melodic shit down into a sampler on 1/8th notes and playing around with it after I get a decent bassline and kick snare pattern, but thats kinda a given in ableton
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
V

Voidguts

Member
NotSelf said:
Finally Reason 10 has new instruments!
Click to expand...

10 might be the first upgrade i skip
already bought synchronous and radical piano back in 8.5/9
rest of the stuff can be done with better vsts now that they've added vst support

depends on how much the upgrade costs, i guess
 
N

NotSelf

Member
Voidguts said:
10 might be the first upgrade i skip
already bought synchronous and radical piano back in 8.5/9
rest of the stuff can be done with better vsts now that they've added vst support

depends on how much the upgrade costs, i guess
Click to expand...

From reading some of the youtube comments people are pretty upset with this update I'm pretty happy with it for someone who just uses reason there's plenty for me to upgrade. Can't really afford some of the good vsts out there and really didn't care for the free ones I tried.
 
V

Voidguts

Member
NotSelf said:
From reading some of the youtube comments people are pretty upset with this update I'm pretty happy with it for someone who just uses reason there's plenty for me to upgrade. Can't really afford some of the good vsts out there and really didn't care for the free ones I tried.
Click to expand...

yeah, i'd be really happy with it too if i hadn't spent 200 bucks on the stuff that they're now deciding is a 'feature' lol
contacted them to find out what the deal is. trying to charge people twice for the same shit ain't gonna fly.
 
N

NotSelf

Member
Ya I think they should’ve added Layers instead of radical piano and synchronous I actually bought the synth bundle on sale which has syschronous they probably won’t give me a discount but if they decide to hopefully customers that paid full price will at least get a discount on the upgrade.
 
S

shoelacer

Banned
vonStirlitz said:
I use multiple methods, probably needlessly complex, but I like different workflows and working from the desk and the sofa.

I create quick riffs in Maschine with soft synths and libraries, then bounce it to the MPC, so I can rework it into a track from the comfort of my sofa, and then I bounce the final to Logic for mixing, mastering and processing.
Click to expand...

I totally get it. The MPC has a great feel and I've always felt more comfortable using it than working with a keyboard and mouse, despite the limited display and paging through a grip of different screens on the LCD. Been neglecting mine for too long now
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
B

BeeDog

Member
Figured I'd highlight the 25th anniversary sale that Waves are having on their plug-ins (80% discounts on pretty much everything):

https://www.waves.com/specials

Can especially recommend the H-Series bundle; quite old reverb/delay/compressor/EQ plug-ins, but they're still excellent value for $59 (instead of $599!).
 
S

shoelacer

Banned
vonStirlitz said:
I have definitely got more music from the MPC than anything else. But it took a lot of prep to get there (like laboriously pruning and compiling sample libraries). And it can still be hard work trying to understand all the routing, sends, and so forth. And, despite wanting simplicity, sometimes I sit in a pile of wires, guitar pedals and mixers. Sigh.

But rant aside, it is still the quickest method of making a beat and making something different. I get more mileage laying down some chords on a synth, then transporting it to the MPC to glitch, warp and process. Great fun.
Click to expand...

Yeah being able to search drums by name is a godsend of modern DAWs lol, though the jog wheel feels great when scrolling through big libraries. What model do you use?
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
Q

qcf x2

Member
Dudes, I need some assistance. I have a Mininova and a Xenyx Q802 USB mixer. I use Reason 9.5 and Adobe Audition...

The most I've been able to accomplish with the Mininova is using it as a MIDI controller directly via USB. How the heck do I get the computer to recognize it and allow me to record to a DAW using the soundbank on the Mininova? As well as record vocals through the mic (on the Mininova)? I have searched high and low on the internets and I haven't found a solution :(
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
qcf x2 said:
Dudes, I need some assistance. I have a Mininova and a Xenyx Q802 USB mixer. I use Reason 9.5 and Adobe Audition...

The most I've been able to accomplish with the Mininova is using it as a MIDI controller directly via USB. How the heck do I get the computer to recognize it and allow me to record to a DAW using the soundbank on the Mininova? As well as record vocals through the mic (on the Mininova)? I have searched high and low on the internets and I haven't found a solution :(
Click to expand...

https://d2xhy469pqj8rc.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/novation/downloads/4635/mininovauserguideen.pdfHave you seen this? Will it help?

Ahh wait, I see what you wanna do, the mininova isn't an interface, so you'll have to go from the audio outputs L+R into your interface (your Xenyx mixer) which then goes to computer...

Edit: Made a quick diagram. Also those cables are TS unbalanced 1/4" jacks.
37435203506_3754330981_o.png
Click to expand...
 
Q

qcf x2

Member
Chris Metal said:
https://d2xhy469pqj8rc.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/novation/downloads/4635/mininovauserguideen.pdfHave you seen this? Will it help?

Ahh wait, I see what you wanna do, the mininova isn't an interface, so you'll have to go from the audio outputs L+R into your interface (your Xenyx mixer) which then goes to computer...

Edit: Made a quick diagram. Also those cables are TS unbalanced 1/4" jacks.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick reply! That's how I have it set up currently. Reason doesn't recognize the Xenyx Q802, but it does let me manually add a Behringer BCR2000, which is probably the closest to what I have that Reason supports natively. Unfortunately, with this setup I don't get sound from the Mininova at all. Not in Reason when I click Create -> Instruments ->MiniNova Editor 64, not as a MIDI controller in Reason, nada...

Should I just buy a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and toss the Xenyx in the trash? I just want to make sure that I'm doing all of the necessary wiring and UI adjustments first. It seems like the wiring is correct.

Oh, one thing... does it matter if both the MiniNova AND the Xenyx are plugged into the computer via USB? I figure only the Xenyx does but I've tried both.

Edit: oddly enough, if I plug one of the 1/4" cables into the first Line In (under the first mic) jack, I can hear the synth through the headphones that are plugged into the mixer... but not in Reason or Audition :(
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
qcf x2 said:
Thanks for the quick reply! That's how I have it set up currently. Reason doesn't recognize the Xenyx Q802, but it does let me manually add a Behringer BCR2000, which is probably the closest to what I have that Reason supports natively. Unfortunately, with this setup I don't get sound from the Mininova at all. Not in Reason when I click Create -> Instruments ->MiniNova Editor 64, not as a MIDI controller in Reason, nada...

Should I just buy a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and toss the Xenyx in the trash? I just want to make sure that I'm doing all of the necessary wiring and UI adjustments first. It seems like the wiring is correct.

Oh, one thing... does it matter if both the MiniNova AND the Xenyx are plugged into the computer via USB? I figure only the Xenyx does but I've tried both.
Click to expand...

Hmm, does Adobe audition recognise the Xenyx, you'd be recording an audio track via reason not an instrument.

Also I found this video, smaller mixer, but same should apply.
https://youtu.be/pEA6A_ApsKU
 
Q

qcf x2

Member
Chris Metal said:
Hmm, does Adobe audition recognise the Xenyx, you'd be recording an audio track via reason not an instrument.

Also I found this video, smaller mixer, but same should apply.
https://youtu.be/pEA6A_ApsKU
Click to expand...

It doesn't, which is weird because when I tried (and gave up) a couple months ago I actually got it to record into Audition, but not to work with Reason. I then undid everything and just used the keyboard as a MIDI controller for Reason, because at least that way I can do something.

I tried following the video you linked and now I can get PC audio and Mininova sounds to play from the headphones plugged into the Xenyx. However, Audition doesn't recognize the Xenyx at all, and Reason only recognizes it for output, and only when I change the audio driver to the Xenyx input as the video suggested. Ironically, if I change the audio driver to ASIO4ALL I get no sound or recording capabilities, but the audio input meter in Reason responds to key presses.

I've spent many hours now and I feel like this is nuclear physics.

Edit: Okay, I got it working. What I had to do was plug in both the Xenyx & the Mininova to the PC via USB (so 2 USB connections). I reinstalled the ASIO drivers and in Reason I opened Preferences and set the ASIO4ALL driver as the active one. This time (because both USBs were plugged in) I was able to retain the Mininova as a controller & route the audio through the Xenyx, then create an External MIDI instrument from the Reason rack. I have yet to try with Audition or attempt vocal recording but hey, I'm just thrilled that I can record my synth sounds into Reason!
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
qcf x2 said:
It doesn't, which is weird because when I tried (and gave up) a couple months ago I actually got it to record into Audition, but not to work with Reason. I then undid everything and just used the keyboard as a MIDI controller for Reason, because at least that way I can do something.

I tried following the video you linked and now I can get PC audio and Mininova sounds to play from the headphones plugged into the Xenyx. However, Audition doesn't recognize the Xenyx at all, and Reason only recognizes it for output, and only when I change the audio driver to the Xenyx input as the video suggested. Ironically, if I change the audio driver to ASIO4ALL I get no sound or recording capabilities, but the audio input meter in Reason responds to key presses.

I've spent many hours now and I feel like this is nuclear physics.

Edit: Okay, I got it working. What I had to do was plug in both the Xenyx & the Mininova to the PC via USB (so 2 USB connections). I reinstalled the ASIO drivers and in Reason I opened Preferences and set the ASIO4ALL driver as the active one. This time (because both USBs were plugged in) I was able to retain the Mininova as a controller & route the audio through the Xenyx, then create an External MIDI instrument from the Reason rack. I have yet to try with Audition or attempt vocal recording but hey, I'm just thrilled that I can record my synth sounds into Reason!
Click to expand...

It's a shame I can't come over, I'd probably be able to solve it if I got hands on, but I believe we're in different countries. Little difficult over net :(.

Edit: ahh just saw your update, great news.
 
J

Jarate

Banned
Hey guys, im downloading Fruity Loops on my computer and thinking of getting back into some music production, which is something I havent done in like 6 years.

Anyone gotta any good tutorials for FL Studio for a beginner?
 
B

BlueBadger

Banned
If anyone needs a vocalist for any of their stuff, feel free to give me a shout! Kinda making it a personal resolution to do more collaboration stuff. I have demos/videos/etc available for anyone who might want those.
 
N

neurochasm

Banned
Jarate said:
Hey guys, im downloading Fruity Loops on my computer and thinking of getting back into some music production, which is something I havent done in like 6 years.

Anyone gotta any good tutorials for FL Studio for a beginner?
Click to expand...

I came back to FL after a huge layoff and there are a ton of great tutorials on youtube. Busy Works Beats is good for absolute beginners. SeamlessR also covers the basics, plus has tons of videos for intermediates and above. I'd also check out Composing Gloves and The Producer Project as well.

Here's a BWB FL 12 intro to get you started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtOrDf93jOk
 
B

BeeDog

Member
Chris Metal said:
Trying to decide between UVI Falcon, Arturia V collection or a U-He Diva. Falcon and Arturia are on sale.
Click to expand...

First time I hear about UVI Falcon, and JESUS it’s a monster!

What pages do you guys usually follow to check for good discounts? I’m currently only following Plugin Boutique but it’s obviously limited to their own discounts/bundles only.
 
H

Hamst3r

Member
Chris Metal said:
Trying to decide between UVI Falcon, Arturia V collection or a U-He Diva. Falcon and Arturia are on sale.
Click to expand...

I like the Arturia collection for the sheer number of synths in encompasses. I think they all sound pretty great too. I also like that they provide a plugin that consolidates all of the synths into one preset browser interface. It's like a version of Komplete for old synthesizers, so I'm excited to see what they put in V6.
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
BeeDog said:
First time I hear about UVI Falcon, and JESUS it’s a monster!

What pages do you guys usually follow to check for good discounts? I’m currently only following Plugin Boutique but it’s obviously limited to their own discounts/bundles only.
Click to expand...

Audio Deluxe. Basically everything you need and they usually provide an additional discount when you add to cart when you're logged in.
 
B

BeeDog

Member
Chris Metal said:
Audio Deluxe. Basically everything you need and they usually provide an additional discount when you add to cart when you're logged in.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

From one thing to another, does someone have a nice recommendation of a book/page/resource that helps learning about all the terminology used in music production (e.g. ADSR/tremolo/envelopes/cutoff/LFO/oscillators/resonance etc. etc.)? I am getting sort of a decent grasp just by fiddling around in the DAWs/plug-ins, but it would be swell with a more theoretical resource on this.

Thanks in advance.
 
N

neurochasm

Banned
BeeDog said:
Thanks!

From one thing to another, does someone have a nice recommendation of a book/page/resource that helps learning about all the terminology used in music production (e.g. ADSR/tremolo/envelopes/cutoff/LFO/oscillators/resonance etc. etc.)? I am getting sort of a decent grasp just by fiddling around in the DAWs/plug-ins, but it would be swell with a more theoretical resource on this.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I love the New York School of Synthesis videos on youtube. They're from the 80s and corny as hell, but super informative. The instructor goes over every aspect of subtractive synthesis. Wish I had had something like it when I bought my MS2000 a zillion years ago. I didn't know what I was doing with that thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atvtBE6t48M
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
So went with UVI Falcon tonight in the end. I realised the sale for that only goes on for another day or two and managed to snap it up for £161.85 rather than £299.00. No question really. I was looking at Serum as well, but it seems you can't buy that outright except through their subscription model. Next I think I'll get either another microphone or Arturia V/U-he Diva.
 
B

BeeDog

Member
Chris Metal said:
So went with UVI Falcon tonight in the end. I realised the sale for that only goes on for another day or two and managed to snap it up for £161.85 rather than £299.00. No question really. I was looking at Serum as well, but it seems you can't buy that outright except through their subscription model. Next I think I'll get either another microphone or Arturia V/U-he Diva.
Click to expand...

Wait, did they change their official site too? (https://xferrecords.com/products/serum) Just checked the other week, and you could buy a full license immediately for $189.
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
neurochasm said:
Speaking of corny and 80s, if there are any retrowave fans out there I made an intro song for a fictional early 80s educational documentary show.

https://soundcloud.com/neurocsynth/computer-quest-1
Click to expand...

Primarily why I'm getting a few VST instruments, gonna dabble in some Synthwave I think. Liking your stuff on SC.

EDIT: So got a damn good deal with UVI... they sent me a €100 voucher for buying Falcon, with the 3 day sale on their store I managed to get an expansion for just under £4 plus another at audiodeluxe.com for £77. Two expansions (Synth Anthology 2 & BeatBox Anthology 2) for around £80 rather than €149 each. I am pleased.
 
N

neurochasm

Banned
Chris Metal said:
Primarily why I'm getting a few VST instruments, gonna dabble in some Synthwave I think. Liking your stuff on SC.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah, I do have some hardware but I mostly use VSTs. The speedy workflow and lack of audio driver and recording issues tend to trump authenticity for me.
 
N

neurochasm

Banned
Nyx said:
edit:

Something, something, uploading way too early.
Click to expand...

I gave it a spin a while back before you edited and forgot to post that I liked it. Had kind of an eerie vibe that I was into and I particularly liked what was going on with the highs/hats. I'm super lazy about my hat patterns/placements and usually just pan them a little left or right and call it good.
 
N

Nyx

Member
neurochasm said:
I gave it a spin a while back before you edited and forgot to post that I liked it. Had kind of an eerie vibe that I was into and I particularly liked what was going on with the highs/hats. I'm super lazy about my hat patterns/placements and usually just pan them a little left or right and call it good.
Click to expand...

Ah thanks! I deleted the last 3-4 minutes and tried again with different sounds, it's better now than before but it still feels unfinished. My usual problem is drum fills, definitely need to work on that.

Regarding hi-hats, I try to pan them, make sure some have a slightly different velocity or just a bit lower or higher pitch. This way it feels like somebody is on the drums but hits the hi-hat not exactly the same each time, if you know what I mean.

Also, having another audio track with just 1 hat heavily delayed and with a bit of reverb can work together with the regular hat pattern, it's a bit hard to explain in words.
 
C

csquared587

Member
Do you guys share your music with people close to you? I really dont. Actually, I actively keep people away from the fact that I make music usually.


I recently had someone find my soundcloud. Told me he gave it a listen, then gave a cringe face lol. Ouch. Need thick skin for sure when your hobby is more creative focused.
 
H

Hamst3r

Member
csquared587 said:
Do you guys share your music with people close to you? I really dont. Actually, I actively keep people away from the fact that I make music usually.


I recently had someone find my soundcloud. Told me he gave it a listen, then gave a cringe face lol. Ouch. Need thick skin for sure when your hobby is more creative focused.
Click to expand...

I do and I've received all sorts of negative comments, like when a friend says you've lost your touch, or another says they don't like the vocals in your new track because they "just sound like you", or when your ex says, "this is better than your other stuff" and you know she means your other stuff sucks, or when you try doing something different with your vocals and your other ex says it sounds like the vocalist is trying too hard before realizing it's you.

I've received all sorts of comments like that over the years, but for the most part the comments are very positive, so I think it's worth sharing, even with those same people. Don't let comments put a damper on your enjoyment.
 
T

The Kree

Banned
If you've got friends willing to make ugly faces at your music, consider yourself lucky that they don't just blow smoke up your ass about it. Most people don't know how to be constructive in a way that's going to help you get better though, so it's ultimately useless unless they're also musicians. That's why you go to online forums for real feedback and critique. Regular people can only let you know whether it moves them or not.
 
T

The Kree

Banned
Discord channel: Calling All Producers

For those that don't know, Discord is a chat client. I've just set up a channel there where we can continue our conversations about music production. If that link expires before you get in, just say so and I'll post another one.
 
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