Author Topic: As a beginner, what sort of audio mixing software is recommended? (Read 3310 times)

TakingBackSunday · « **on:** October 04, 2008, 06:58:38 PM »

I don't know much beyond a few sparse things in Garageband and I really really want to get into mixing, so I can have a little bit of experience before I transfer to Belmont to work with that kind of stuff. Problem is, I'm very early at all of this and I wouldn't know where to begin.

So, what I'm asking is, what are some good programs to use as a beginner and are there any tips you guys can offer a new user, or any websites to guide me along?

I was eying Pro Tools.

Eric P · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2008, 07:52:01 PM »

protools is really out of your league as a beginner

i would really suggest starting with something like traktor which basically emulates turntables or maybe something like ableton, which is on a whole other level, but easy enough that anyone with 6 hours to spare can become quite competent at it.

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2008, 08:56:16 PM »

this is really interesting for me too.

any free alternatives out there? for beginners?

note: not really about DJ mixing, but rather recording and manipulation of recording. You know, like in a studio, or for an artist.

Eric P · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2008, 09:15:01 PM »

most of the audio suites have free versions

i just use soundforge, but then i purchased it.

i don't really do a lot with regards to sound manipulation, honestly.

if you're looking to remix or make your own music, again, ableton live is your best easiest bet. it was designed for music creation, it's just the djs took it over

Eric P · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2008, 09:15:25 PM »

http://www.ableton.com/free-trial

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2008, 09:26:36 PM »

Protools is out of my league, seriously?

That sucks. I want to go into the business once I go down to Belmont and I want to be able to teach myself...are you sure Pro Tools is something I shouldn't fool around with?

Ableton seems nice.

Beardo · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2008, 09:29:35 PM »

Sound track pro is the next step from Garage band.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2008, 09:40:50 PM »

Garageband is pretty simple and I enjoy working with it, but I feel I need to experience something a little more professional to be able to know how to use such programs.

duckman2000 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2008, 09:45:08 PM »

Quote from: laesperanzapaz on October 04, 2008, 08:56:16 PM

this is really interesting for me too.

any free alternatives out there? for beginners?

note: not really about DJ mixing, but rather recording and manipulation of recording. You know, like in a studio, or for an artist.

I doubt this will be a popular choice, but I've come to appreciate Magix audio studio. I used to be pretty heavily into experimental/noise before my hearing got fucked, and Magix was actually quite sufficient. There is a free trial of their new version available, it looks like it's basically the same as what I've been using. No harm in trying it.

hyp · « **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2008, 10:00:46 PM »

i started out with sound forge then graduated to adobe audition.

audition has been nothing short of amazing for multitracking and audio editing. love that shit.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2008, 10:08:40 PM »

What would audio engineering kids usually use, protools?

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #11 on:** October 04, 2008, 10:14:26 PM »

Yeah, Pro Tools is pretty much the industry standard.

duckman2000 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2008, 10:27:56 PM »

Pro Tools has been around for a while too. It was the standard for audio post back when I started out with NL editing and post, which is like 12 years ago. I don't think it was owned by Avid back then, though.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2008, 12:18:25 AM »

I just really want to get a feel for it all. It just seems...well, slightly overwhelming. Is it easy to learn after a few lessons and sit-downs?

Also, what sort of equipment should I look into buying for recording? I can plug in my guitar via the headphone jack, but that doesn't really scream professional to me.

tiesto · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2008, 01:55:31 AM »

I use Virtual DJ to make continuous DJ mixes, not sure if that's what you're looking for.

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2008, 03:05:08 AM »

are you looking to output your own music, brandnew? say, by internet? where do you live, btw? [no homo]

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2008, 12:45:07 PM »

Well, I'm interested in making my own music, yeah. Maybe spreading it around my college in Kent, Ohio. I just at least want the experience and basic knowledge of it all before I go down to Nashville and jump into those music programs down there. And hopefully I can find some people down there to work with me.

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2008, 02:06:24 PM »

wait...NASVILLE?? are you doing country music? I mean, i love dylan and guthrie too, but i dont think they welcome liberals :/

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2008, 02:50:16 PM »

Quote from: laesperanzapaz on October 05, 2008, 02:06:24 PM

wait...NASVILLE?? are you doing country music? I mean, i love dylan and guthrie too, but i dont think they welcome liberals :/

There's a pretty big difference between Belmont and general Nashville. Belmont has an awesome community of underground rock and a great collection of writers. Not to mention the actual school has the best Music Business and Engineering school in the nation.

Trust me, I'd like to be closer to like Seattle or Baltimore and be apart of those music communities, but Nashville has some of the easiest pathways into the industry if I want to make a career out of it and also a pretty good scene as well. The younger kids there are a whole different type of music than the old farts there.

Eric P · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2008, 04:01:48 PM »

woo baltimore

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2008, 04:03:32 PM »

hmm...you know what? what is the name of the music college/institution taht you say is so great? perhaps i may go there....

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2008, 04:26:19 PM »

Quote from: laesperanzapaz on October 05, 2008, 04:03:32 PM

hmm...you know what? what is the name of the music college/institution taht you say is so great? perhaps i may go there....

http://www.belmont.edu/cemb/index.html

Belmont University. Liberal Arts school, but honestly only well-known for its music business and audio engineering, as well as the almost-upset basketball game against Duke last year. Oh, and it's hosting the next debate on Tuesday.

It's awesome. It's a private Christian school, but it's not forced upon you at all. It's just their identification. Only half a mile away from Vanderbilt too.

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2008, 07:52:15 PM »

Quote

private Christian school

:-/

Quote

but it's not forced upon you at all

how so?

and i'll remind you that even if in theory they are open to all variety of students and minds, the general staff and studenty body will no doubt be highly inclined for the Bible, the Christianity, and all its foils.

can you imagine all the girls are like "I dont like sinners like you, i prefer to wait until marriage, that's just what I believe in"?? I'd go insane.

also: ban on pot? ban on rap? on ...drinking? parties?

ontopic, tho: you seem like a real nice chap. Wish I lived near you, we could form an awesome acid/folk rock band!

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2008, 08:34:43 PM »

You get that sort of atmosphere in any college, tbh. It's just a private Christian school, oh well. I know plenty of kids who go there who AREN'T into that sort of thing at all.

Besides, Vanderbilt is like a two minute walk from Belmont.

I know, for real right? I want to make some goddamn music.

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2008, 12:18:23 AM »

but then again, your sig tells me you're prolly a bit...too inexperienced and unripe for me [no homo]

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2008, 12:33:58 AM »

I couldn't think of any other three letter sig

laesperanzapaz · « **Reply #26 on:** October 06, 2008, 02:04:04 AM »

ok now i feel better :p

Eric P · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2008, 11:02:11 AM »

Quote from: mojovonio on October 06, 2008, 08:26:21 AM

Acid.

i still use Acid to a degree

it's a GREAT sequencer

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2008, 11:03:26 AM »

I have Acid Pro. 4.something a long time ago, but I was like in 8th grade and had to fucking idea how to use it. I'd like to think I know more now to revisit it.

I just don't know if I can understand the large amount of info that goes along with these things.

Eric P · « **Reply #29 on:** October 06, 2008, 11:40:41 AM »

Quote from: mojovonio on October 06, 2008, 11:31:51 AM

Easiest thing to do is to download sample packs and mix them in Acid to get a song.

basically yes

that's how i did it.

this was made in acid. all of the sounds are mine except for the Amen break and the "unh"

http://www.wetotallyheartponies.com/glue/drywall%20lover.mp3

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #30 on:** October 06, 2008, 02:29:41 PM »

Where does one find samples to download?

hyp · « **Reply #31 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:08:56 PM »

acid is awesome, i made my first instrumental LP using it. as far as samples go, i dig records for samples -- but theres a ton of loops available online. just search for free loops.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #32 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:10:33 PM »

I know this might sound pretty ignorant...

but how can you get samples from records? Do you have to have a certain program?

Eric P · « **Reply #33 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:16:32 PM »

not really

just rip them to wav and you're golden

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #34 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:31:18 PM »

Mkay, wonderful.

I've been playing around with that Live Ableton thing for two days, I'm gonna do even more tonight.

hyp · « **Reply #35 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:35:01 PM »

yea there's some pretty cheap USB turntables now. just raid your local record store that carries vinyl (10cent bins and shit) and you're golden! really depends on the type of music you wanna make though.

i'm into trip-hop/hiphoppity type shit so it works well for me.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #36 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:44:32 PM »

I wouldn't mind doing something like Girl Talk, I'll be honest.

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Author Topic: As a beginner, what sort of audio mixing software is recommended? (Read 3310 times)