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I just downloaded Ableton Live and it’s been a blast playing with it. Similarly, I finally understand how modular synths work and it’s basically just functional

I just downloaded Ableton Live and it’s been a blast playing with it. Similarly, I finally understand how modular synths work and it’s basically just functional programming with sound. I haven’t bought any modulars yet but I’m really looking forward to getting into it in the new year. Music production is very cool and I can’t wait to learn more.

PaulDavisThe1st 3y ago
> It’s haven’t bought any Modular’s yet but I’m really looking forward to getting into other on the new year. http://cardinal.kx.studio http://cardinal.kx.studio https://vcvrack.com/ https://vcvrack.com/ The former is libre and gratis, runs as a standalone or plugin and in the browser!! and is based on the latter. The latter has a libre and gratis standalone version, the plugin version is non-gratis.
jnovek 3y ago
This is me, it was my pandemic hobby and then it just stuck. I’m still terrible on pretty much every front but I’m constantly improving. Take your time with modular. It’s easy to get carried away and overspend. Each module is deeper than it looks and you really benefit from getting to know each one. Edit: and, of course, VCV Rack is the best.
mr_sturd 3y ago
Good stuff! I started getting in to this at the start of the year. Already had an old, dusty MicroKORG and MIDI interface to use it as a controller, but recently splashed out on a bigger controller as the Korg's tiny keys were hurting me - plus, I wanted something bigger to get better at piano! A couple of free soft synths I'd recommend are Surge XT, and Vital. https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ https://vital.audio/ https://vital.audio/
tommychillfiger 3y ago
I did audio production for about 10 years before pivoting into tech, ha! Live sound for work, but I'm also a musician so I've spent my fair share of time with Logic Pro. It's funny because I also want to dig more into synths, I've always been a guitarist and have thus far only used soft synths mostly due to not having the money to play with nicer equipment. Now that I make good money, I haven't found time to circle back to it. Very high on my wish list is a nice analog synth and maybe a physical sequencer. I find that what happens to me is the futzing around with the DAW gets between my idea and getting it recorded - I've done some solid work at getting channel strip settings and templates built out to minimize this, but at the end of the day I need some more equipment. It really is a ton of fun, though. It's as broad and deep as you want to make it, not unlike software more generally.
cbrugs 3y ago
I got into making house/techno music about a year ago and it's become a life-changing hobby just like getting into tech was. Getting to that point where you start making "listenable" music is unmatched. The best advice that I can give (that you didn't ask for) is to use a reference track as you make a song. It keeps you inspired, allows you to learn from the track, and prevents the kind of listening fatigue that makes it easy to convince yourself your mix is well balanced. It's not- yet :) Have fun!
- appplication 3y ago
  When you say use a reference track do you mean trying to e.g. mimic some style, sound or beat?
  - cbrugs 3y ago
    Yes- it's common to drag a track into Ableton and use that as a reference for a few different reasons. You can try to mimic particular sounds, the structure of the song, or the overall mix. For example, if I like the hat of a particular house song I can try to match the sound and loudness of the hat I'm hearing from the reference, as well as how it's mixed and when it appears. There are a ton of videos on the best to go about using one. Also, if you want to take the route of just trying to copy a song exactly that's a great way to learn. It'll be far off but it's a good exercise to go through.
loxias 3y ago
Enjoy!!!! I worked in music tech for a few startups starting in 2000, have written a few instruments (VSTs) and dabbled in making noise (some call it music). specialize in cutting edge dsp, but i just like applying it to PHAT SOUNDS. :D i'm a much better sw engineer DSP enthusiast than an artist, but can still hold my own. Get ready for so much fun. Making music gets infinitely more fun once you start to build all your own tools =) Do you code? If you can code even a bit.. It's not my day job anymore, but send me an email if you'd like to know more, I guess I'm finally old enough to pass on some shit...
- appplication 3y ago
  I do enjoy coding quite a bit as well. Where do you recommend getting started merging these two interests?
- cbrugs 3y ago
  Hey, you mind if I email you!? I'm really interested in starting to create my own plugins and I'm not sure the best place to start.
  - loxias 3y ago
    Don't mind at all. go ahead. I can sometimes be an ass about replying.

PaulDavisThe1st 3y ago

> It’s haven’t bought any Modular’s yet but I’m really looking forward to getting into other on the new year. http://cardinal.kx.studio http://cardinal.kx.studio https://vcvrack.com/ https://vcvrack.com/ The former is libre and gratis, runs as a standalone or plugin and in the browser!! and is based on the latter. The latter has a libre and gratis standalone version, the plugin version is non-gratis.

jnovek 3y ago

This is me, it was my pandemic hobby and then it just stuck. I’m still terrible on pretty much every front but I’m constantly improving. Take your time with modular. It’s easy to get carried away and overspend. Each module is deeper than it looks and you really benefit from getting to know each one. Edit: and, of course, VCV Rack is the best.

mr_sturd 3y ago

Good stuff! I started getting in to this at the start of the year. Already had an old, dusty MicroKORG and MIDI interface to use it as a controller, but recently splashed out on a bigger controller as the Korg's tiny keys were hurting me - plus, I wanted something bigger to get better at piano! A couple of free soft synths I'd recommend are Surge XT, and Vital. https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ https://vital.audio/ https://vital.audio/

tommychillfiger 3y ago

I did audio production for about 10 years before pivoting into tech, ha! Live sound for work, but I'm also a musician so I've spent my fair share of time with Logic Pro. It's funny because I also want to dig more into synths, I've always been a guitarist and have thus far only used soft synths mostly due to not having the money to play with nicer equipment. Now that I make good money, I haven't found time to circle back to it. Very high on my wish list is a nice analog synth and maybe a physical sequencer. I find that what happens to me is the futzing around with the DAW gets between my idea and getting it recorded - I've done some solid work at getting channel strip settings and templates built out to minimize this, but at the end of the day I need some more equipment. It really is a ton of fun, though. It's as broad and deep as you want to make it, not unlike software more generally.

cbrugs 3y ago

I got into making house/techno music about a year ago and it's become a life-changing hobby just like getting into tech was. Getting to that point where you start making "listenable" music is unmatched. The best advice that I can give (that you didn't ask for) is to use a reference track as you make a song. It keeps you inspired, allows you to learn from the track, and prevents the kind of listening fatigue that makes it easy to convince yourself your mix is well balanced. It's not- yet :) Have fun!

appplication 3y ago
When you say use a reference track do you mean trying to e.g. mimic some style, sound or beat?
- cbrugs 3y ago
  Yes- it's common to drag a track into Ableton and use that as a reference for a few different reasons. You can try to mimic particular sounds, the structure of the song, or the overall mix. For example, if I like the hat of a particular house song I can try to match the sound and loudness of the hat I'm hearing from the reference, as well as how it's mixed and when it appears. There are a ton of videos on the best to go about using one. Also, if you want to take the route of just trying to copy a song exactly that's a great way to learn. It'll be far off but it's a good exercise to go through.

loxias 3y ago

Enjoy!!!! I worked in music tech for a few startups starting in 2000, have written a few instruments (VSTs) and dabbled in making noise (some call it music). specialize in cutting edge dsp, but i just like applying it to PHAT SOUNDS. :D i'm a much better sw engineer DSP enthusiast than an artist, but can still hold my own. Get ready for so much fun. Making music gets infinitely more fun once you start to build all your own tools =) Do you code? If you can code even a bit.. It's not my day job anymore, but send me an email if you'd like to know more, I guess I'm finally old enough to pass on some shit...

appplication 3y ago
I do enjoy coding quite a bit as well. Where do you recommend getting started merging these two interests?
cbrugs 3y ago
Hey, you mind if I email you!? I'm really interested in starting to create my own plugins and I'm not sure the best place to start.
- loxias 3y ago
  Don't mind at all. go ahead. I can sometimes be an ass about replying.