Dance music production - where do I start?
Discussion
I've been a long-time fan of trance music (since 1999) and regularly listen to it. I've always wondered what it would be like to produce something of my own and, just lately, have been thinking about it more seriously. So, where do I start?
I'm aware of the fact that i'll need something to make the music on (decent laptop computer) and will probably need something like a keyboard to hook up to the laptop. I will then need some decent software to create my masterpieces on the laptop
I did think about starting out with a keyboard and learning to play that first. Then moving on to hooking it up to something that I can create things with (the laptop and software). Is this the right thing to do?
With regards to laptops, which is the best to get for this? I have read that there are some good standard laptops that are ok, but are Apple products (i.e. MacBook Pro) better? I know they are more expensive but i've read that they are good (especially when using Logic). I have the budget for a MacBook but don't want to blow all of this money on something that I could do with a laptop that is half the price. I'm also not keen on not rushing into this, so the keyboard will be the first purchase.
Is the route of keyboard first, then laptop and software the best way to go? Could anyone recommend a decent mid-range keyboard that is good for beginners but can handle the connection to a PC or Mac?
Finally, is anyone on here currently producing dance music and if you are, do you have any advice? If anyone is in the know, I normally listen to Above and Beyond, Armin Van Buuren, Aly and Fila, Markus Schulz, Andy Moor etc.
Thanks all.
I'm aware of the fact that i'll need something to make the music on (decent laptop computer) and will probably need something like a keyboard to hook up to the laptop. I will then need some decent software to create my masterpieces on the laptop
I did think about starting out with a keyboard and learning to play that first. Then moving on to hooking it up to something that I can create things with (the laptop and software). Is this the right thing to do?
With regards to laptops, which is the best to get for this? I have read that there are some good standard laptops that are ok, but are Apple products (i.e. MacBook Pro) better? I know they are more expensive but i've read that they are good (especially when using Logic). I have the budget for a MacBook but don't want to blow all of this money on something that I could do with a laptop that is half the price. I'm also not keen on not rushing into this, so the keyboard will be the first purchase.
Is the route of keyboard first, then laptop and software the best way to go? Could anyone recommend a decent mid-range keyboard that is good for beginners but can handle the connection to a PC or Mac?
Finally, is anyone on here currently producing dance music and if you are, do you have any advice? If anyone is in the know, I normally listen to Above and Beyond, Armin Van Buuren, Aly and Fila, Markus Schulz, Andy Moor etc.
Thanks all.
Ninja, oh my god! 
That looks amazing! Chequered flooring!
Only joking.
Erm, how did you start out then? And will I have heard anything that you produce?
I used to do a bit of DJing at Uni too on student radio but didn't really do much after I left. More recently though i've been getting more and more interested again.
Edited to add - could you give me a summary of what is in that pic? Do you use Mac's or PC's, and what software do you use?
Sorry if I am bombarding with lots of questions here.
That looks amazing! Chequered flooring!Only joking.
Erm, how did you start out then? And will I have heard anything that you produce?
I used to do a bit of DJing at Uni too on student radio but didn't really do much after I left. More recently though i've been getting more and more interested again.
Edited to add - could you give me a summary of what is in that pic? Do you use Mac's or PC's, and what software do you use?
Sorry if I am bombarding with lots of questions here.
Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 16th March 14:40
NinjaPower said:
But in all seriousness... You don't need that.
You need either a MacBook Pro and Logic or a decent spec windows laptop and a copy of Ableton.
You need a USB midi keyboard like this:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/21213-m-audi...
That's a cheap one and will work fine for any software or mac/PC you use.
Next you need a GOOD set of monitors as these will make or break your tracks.
These are a good place to start:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/37568-krk-ro...
Any questions?
I do need that, tomorrow!You need either a MacBook Pro and Logic or a decent spec windows laptop and a copy of Ableton.
You need a USB midi keyboard like this:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/21213-m-audi...
That's a cheap one and will work fine for any software or mac/PC you use.
Next you need a GOOD set of monitors as these will make or break your tracks.
These are a good place to start:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/37568-krk-ro...
Any questions?
Thanks a lot for the info. I have no further questions for now so I'll scurry off and check out the things you have requested. I may return with more though.
Thanks Ninja.
I'll know i'm getting somewhere if I understand at least half of what the above equipment does!
I'm off to a music shop tomorrow to look at keyboards as a starting point. Thought it would make sense to learn to play one of them before I go any further.
Edited to add - I'll check out the midi ones too.
I'll know i'm getting somewhere if I understand at least half of what the above equipment does!
I'm off to a music shop tomorrow to look at keyboards as a starting point. Thought it would make sense to learn to play one of them before I go any further.
Edited to add - I'll check out the midi ones too.
NinjaPower said:
First things first... The important thing to note is that you do not need a keyboard to produce sounds.
A MIDI keyboard just sends input signals to the computer. Nothing else. This is why they only cost 70 or whatever.
The sounds are generated by whatever software instrument your computer/sequencer is running.
Hope I'm not telling you how to suck eggs but it's an important point!
Thanks. Don't worry, I understand A MIDI keyboard just sends input signals to the computer. Nothing else. This is why they only cost 70 or whatever.
The sounds are generated by whatever software instrument your computer/sequencer is running.
Hope I'm not telling you how to suck eggs but it's an important point!
Learning to play the keyboard is something I wish to do in conjunction with everything else. I have some melodies in my head that I wish to try, and I have some that I want to learn to play.
I do have one quick question though. How do people remix other people's tracks? Do they get given a file that has the original track on and then they take bits out and mess around with them etc? Or am I completely wide of the mark and they get given bits of the original song (like the vocal) and they add their own stuff to that?
Thanks.
Bit late to replying and coming from a slightly different musical back ground (rap music) so equipment wise I've gone a different route to Ninja Power.
Putting that aside. I produced my first record with a battered old PC a vestax mixer and technic sl1200 turntable and a copy of fruity loops. The vocals were recorded at a friend's studio in Logic (at the time on a PC). With the proceeds I bought an Akai MPC, a hard disk recorder and have over time built my studio up that way.
When it comes to music I always advise people to learn on basic equipment first. Its not sexy, it doesn't look good but it allows you to see how your creative process is. Over the years I've gone for an OTB (out the box) solution. I'm not great with computers and I like the idea of wiring up bits of equipment before a session. I prefer analogue sounds as well where possible.
@ Ninja that is a classy looking studio. Mine is a beat up room with posters and stacks of records.
Putting that aside. I produced my first record with a battered old PC a vestax mixer and technic sl1200 turntable and a copy of fruity loops. The vocals were recorded at a friend's studio in Logic (at the time on a PC). With the proceeds I bought an Akai MPC, a hard disk recorder and have over time built my studio up that way.
When it comes to music I always advise people to learn on basic equipment first. Its not sexy, it doesn't look good but it allows you to see how your creative process is. Over the years I've gone for an OTB (out the box) solution. I'm not great with computers and I like the idea of wiring up bits of equipment before a session. I prefer analogue sounds as well where possible.
@ Ninja that is a classy looking studio. Mine is a beat up room with posters and stacks of records.
NinjaPower said:
When people remix, they approach the original producer and ask for the 'stems'.
The stems are the original separate parts of the track before it was mixed down into a single stereo track. These parts are bassline, vocals, drums, keys, melody, loop/samples, strings etc.
They then throw away the bits they plan on remaking and then utilise the stuff they want to keep original like the vocals.
When someone does a 'bootleg' or mash up, the just simply sample a few seconds out of the original track here and there and then use those samples in their new track. This is much harder as its difficult getting a vocal sample for example without there being drums in the background for example which you won't be able to remove easily if at all.
Thankyou very much. That explains a lot. The stems are the original separate parts of the track before it was mixed down into a single stereo track. These parts are bassline, vocals, drums, keys, melody, loop/samples, strings etc.
They then throw away the bits they plan on remaking and then utilise the stuff they want to keep original like the vocals.
When someone does a 'bootleg' or mash up, the just simply sample a few seconds out of the original track here and there and then use those samples in their new track. This is much harder as its difficult getting a vocal sample for example without there being drums in the background for example which you won't be able to remove easily if at all.
NinjaPower said:
I agree with Miguel's statement, start with basics, hence I said just get a keyboard first and a sequencer. You don't need anything else to get going
Again, same as Miguel, I'm very much out the box mixing, hence the desk, but you might find having everything 100% inside the laptop to be much better for you.
Cheers by the way Miguel, the studio didn't always look like this, but we House producers always have very neat and tidy studios!
I have no idea why!
Lol that is very true. Most hip hop studios look like a hurricane has hit them. Again, same as Miguel, I'm very much out the box mixing, hence the desk, but you might find having everything 100% inside the laptop to be much better for you.
Cheers by the way Miguel, the studio didn't always look like this, but we House producers always have very neat and tidy studios!
I have no idea why! @Ninja - Just looked back through your list. Some very nice equipment. Which EMU do you have? I'd love an SP1200 but can't really justify as I don't make as much music as I used to.
I also like the fact you have a couple of different speakers. People think I'm mad but but I got a range of speakers that I use for testing mixes out.
I also like the fact you have a couple of different speakers. People think I'm mad but but I got a range of speakers that I use for testing mixes out.
As an alternative view, I work with computers all week, so don't particularly enjoy spending my spare time also in front of a computer, therefore prefer the hardware alternative.
You could pick a Korg Triton up, which is a self contained keyboard, sequencer, sampler, effects, drum machine all in one, for probably around 400 or so second hand, a very good all round instrument and more than capable of creating a full trance track, and most other types of track too. Its pretty powerful out of the box, but you can also add trance/dance upgrade cards to it.
Alternatively if you want to dabble, you could consider one of the small Korg Electribe units, again stand-alone, beauty of those is you don't need to be able to play the keyboard, and they're fairly portable should you want to taken on holiday etc. New price is 400 ish, not sure what used prices are at the moment.
Plenty of youtube videos showing both if you want a look.
Just a thought (I don't work for Korg btw )
You could pick a Korg Triton up, which is a self contained keyboard, sequencer, sampler, effects, drum machine all in one, for probably around 400 or so second hand, a very good all round instrument and more than capable of creating a full trance track, and most other types of track too. Its pretty powerful out of the box, but you can also add trance/dance upgrade cards to it.
Alternatively if you want to dabble, you could consider one of the small Korg Electribe units, again stand-alone, beauty of those is you don't need to be able to play the keyboard, and they're fairly portable should you want to taken on holiday etc. New price is 400 ish, not sure what used prices are at the moment.
Plenty of youtube videos showing both if you want a look.
Just a thought (I don't work for Korg btw
)Edited by SeanyD on Friday 16th March 16:28
NinjaPower said:
Agreed, the SP1200 is a beautiful gritty sounding thing and it's a classic hip hop and house making machine I would also live one but not for 1000 or whatever they sell for now!
The EMU is a 6400 Ultra from around 1995 (I think!)
The Akai is still a great sampler after all these years as well.
Also, I think you've gotta have a few sets of monitors if you have the space/money as you need to make sure it sounds good across a range of systems
My mate is a gear slut and has that EMU along with a SP1200. I've got a few Akai samplers, 2 rack samplers and the MPC although I only really use the MPC. It's a do it all piece of kit in my mind. I would also live one but not for 1000 or whatever they sell for now!The EMU is a 6400 Ultra from around 1995 (I think!)
The Akai is still a great sampler after all these years as well.
Also, I think you've gotta have a few sets of monitors if you have the space/money as you need to make sure it sounds good across a range of systems
I always wanted to try one of those Roland MPC copy cat boxes but didn't know anyone who had one.
NinjaPower said:
Good on ya
People enjoying the music is what keeps us DJing and Producing!
Along with the studio pictured, I also have a large vinyl collection of every bit of Trance produced during the 'golden era' of 1997 to 2005
I've also got every good House record produced since about 1990.
People enjoying the music is what keeps us DJing and Producing!
Along with the studio pictured, I also have a large vinyl collection of every bit of Trance produced during the 'golden era' of 1997 to 2005
I've also got every good House record produced since about 1990.
Top work mate & please keep us all entertained for many years to come. I'd advise taking it slowly and getting the minimum you need. You may find that it just stays a hobby and nothing else which seems a bit of a shame if you went mental and kitted out your bedroom to look like the studio above. 
If I were starting out with no musical ability, I'd be tempted to get something like Dance Ejay for the PC or something like this:
http://youtu.be/dj9TNoDOobM
Of course, you can do it all free of charge with some limitations:
Download a demo of FL Studio - you cannot save but you can export wav sounds.
Download Audacity - you can manipulate the exported wav files.
Download a copy of Kristal Audio Engine - for layering sounds into a song. Free for non-commercial use.
They run on my old Pentium 4... this way, you will be able to dabble and, if you feel you love doing it, you can start to investigate the best kit to buy.
If I were starting out with no musical ability, I'd be tempted to get something like Dance Ejay for the PC or something like this:
http://youtu.be/dj9TNoDOobM
Of course, you can do it all free of charge with some limitations:
Download a demo of FL Studio - you cannot save but you can export wav sounds.
Download Audacity - you can manipulate the exported wav files.
Download a copy of Kristal Audio Engine - for layering sounds into a song. Free for non-commercial use.
They run on my old Pentium 4... this way, you will be able to dabble and, if you feel you love doing it, you can start to investigate the best kit to buy.
Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 18th March 15:56
Dance Ejay is limited, naturally (it's $5 software!) as it's mainly sample-driven although you can create your own samples and I'd rather have full control of what is going on, but it's a damned good way of getting into it and quickly creating tracks to give you the inspiration for producing your own things from scratch if you've never tried music production.
However, it sounds like you'd be better off going down the FL Studio and Kristal route as explained above as you will appreciate the greater flexibility if you have the creativity and have already tried the likes of Ejay and Dance 2000.
However, it sounds like you'd be better off going down the FL Studio and Kristal route as explained above as you will appreciate the greater flexibility if you have the creativity and have already tried the likes of Ejay and Dance 2000.
Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 18th March 16:14
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