Producing techniques?

mcshort · Post by **mcshort** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:47 pm

hi!

got a question for general producing techniques:

i am into music making for a long time,
and since my music style moves and changes alot,
i tend to like+produce the minimalistic music styles more often now.
still, i wonder which tools are suited best for making minimal stuff?

what is the best way to produce:
minimal-house, microhouse, klicks+cuts, etc.?
especially - which tool works best for the "arranging part"!!!
to get a good workflow.

i found out it is very important to know this,
since when i use the wrong tools,
it is quiet time-consuming to get the results i want.

for example:
i find it very bad to use cubase or similar sequencer software,
for making minimal-music.
maybe fl-studio, live, or a tracker program works better?
any other software that is usefull for this type of music?

so, what do you use?
what sequencer-software and other tools/plugins etc.
do most people use - to produce minimal-music in general???

maybe, a pure multitrack wave-editor or a tracker,
works better than a midi-sequencer?

any tips are welcome,
thanks in advance!

plaster · Post by **plaster** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:56 pm

i think that the arrangement part comes from you in the first place, not from the software. any program is good, it depends on the person who uses it.

mcshort · Post by **mcshort** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 3:08 pm

plaster wrote:i think that the arrangement part comes from you in the first place, not from the software. any program is good, it depends on the person who uses it.

yes, i know what you mean..

still i would like to know, what most people use.

maybe my question was put up the wrong way?

since, i am looking for new ways, new tools, new techniques,
for me .. to choose from..

i read alot about people using very simple tools,
like gameboy software, and other simple stuff..

so, maybe there are some things out there,
that i don`t know, yet.

plaster · Post by **plaster** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:32 pm

oh, nice that u mentioned this... i was into 8bit breakcore for sometime. couldn't believe when i saw the gameboizz orchestra doing their set with "a gameboi".

um, i used reason from day one, back thne i couldn't stant ableton, but since version 5 came out i fell in love. soo, to answer your question from my point of view... reason i superb for minimal arrangements, cos it's really flexible. ableton is the same, yet i miss the arrangement flex like reason has. i tried nuendo, but it's not that fun.

forky forkerson · Post by **forky forkerson** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:15 am

an audio editor and a sampler is really all you need.

audicity is a good free audio editor for making short samples or micro samples.

As for sequencing I would suggest trying as many demos and deciding how you best make music.

run though sonicstate.com, hitsquad.com, and kvraudio.com to see what all your software options are.

mcshort · Post by **mcshort** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:58 am

thx forky,

but that sounds like i am a beginner..but i am not..
i am into pc based music making since 1997...
until now...

i got all the software i need,
actually i do cut back (trash) alot of software lately,
to get a better overview, and better usage for the real
good stuff..but..

still i was thinking maybe i missed out on something?
since i really want to go "lo-fi" all the way now!!!

cubase or similar sequencer seem to be useless,
for minimal music creation...
step sequencer are not bad..
wave-editor seem to be even better...
still.. i was thinking of other ways..

maybe, i need to try Live5 ??
cause this is the only software i haven`t tried yet,
besides another one..

like i said,
my biggest problem is the "sequencing part" itself,
that i need to find a tool that suits to my way of work..

the music should sound "driving" ... "live" ..."impulsive"..
..but simple too..
so, live5 is maybe my ultimate answere to this???

i tried a lite-version once, but was totally confused,
of how this beast works???
even as i read alot of times, that live is sooo easy?

anyways,
is there a fansite that explains the basics of how to use live5?
so, that i get a clue..a starting point?
i will get live5 soon.(for christmas)..anyhow.. as i decided
to try something... NEW

clubfoot · Post by **clubfoot** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:52 pm

Well, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ableton Live to anyone. It's fantastic. It allows a more flexible approach to composing and arranging. And the whole file structure and save methods/options are geared towards not losing anything. Kind of encourages you to keep ideas and experiments, which is constructive.

However, I can't see why Cubase should stunt your creativity - minimal or maximal. I think you should perservere with what you've got - really learn your tools and put them to their full use. It's a common trap to feel that the software may be holding you back or that you need more VSTs, but at the end of the day if what you've got allows you to make sounds and move those sounds around, then it should be adequate.

A mate of mine uses BUZZ. It's a free modular system for PC and is pretty good apparently. There's a fairly sizable user community with people developing and sharing their own 'buzzmachines'. I understand James Holden uses it for his tracks.

.camea. · Post by **.camea.** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:39 pm

mcshort wrote:
cubase or similar sequencer seem to be useless,
for minimal music creation...
step sequencer are not bad..

That's not true. Myself and Tim Xavier use Cubase and are putting out minimal tunes, especially Tim. He's a die-hard cubase user, whereas I use Ableton more and do the final touches in Cubase. If you're having a problem with sequencing don't give up, because it's a difficult process and takes a lot of time and practice no matter what program you use.

But, I think if you are having a hard time with Cubase then definitely try Ableton. It's a lot more intuitive, and you can record your tracks as you perform them and then make edits when you are finished, instead of having to write it all out. Also, it's pretty easy to get a minimal sound b/c the effects presets that come with the program are great. It also comes with an easy to follow tutorial which will get you started right away.

I'd also recommend Battery 2 by Native Instruments in addition to Cubase and/or Ableton, it's a great virtual drum machine and might help you organize your thoughts better.

http://www.native-instruments.com/index ... battery_us