Where & how did you learn to produce?

[DJ Tooie]

So I have been djing for almost three years now and naturally have always considered branching out into producing my own tracks. I have a basic knowledge of Reason, Ableton, and Fruity Loops but not enough to ever produce a track. I was just curious about how most of you producers out there learned how to use those programs... youtube, friends, self-taught, forums?

[Phunktion]

Forums have been incredibly helpful to me, that and plugging away at it for countless hours over countless years. Hardest part seems to be putting in the time and energy to get the sounds you want. Knowing the basics of synthesis and sampling never hurts either For the record, I don't think I'll ever be totally happy with my tunes...just keep working.

-w

[DJ Tooie]

What did you start out with and what are you currently using as for programs and midi controllers/keyboards?

[Phunktion]

I started out with DOS based tracker programs...hex editing and garbage like that...no more...moved through Acid and Fruityloops when they were in their early stages. Now I use Protools for capturing and mixing the whole mess down, but, the sounds are generated by an old Korg MS2K rack, an Akai MPC1000BK, all varieties of real instruments(Guitar, Rhodes, Basses, Drum kit, scratches, steel guitar, blah blah) I've used an ancient Alesis QS6.1 for some pads/pianos, and now have a M-Audio Axiom 61 for triggers, faders, keyboard control etc. I've started using Ableton live and really like the interface, but, I'm still working on digging the tone out of it.

Make the best of what you have and then decide what you need later

Ooh...I still use Soundforge for a lot of sample editing before it goes into the hardware...the reason I still have this PC It also does a decent mastering job, but, unfortunately the sound card in this machine is toast...so it must make it's way to one of the Apples...

[Ryan_Duley]

You can learn a lot from YouTube and other Tutorial CD's, but the best way to go about it after you learn the basics is TIME. Dedicate 2 hours or more a day every day and you will learn a lot. I personally started with hardware then moved to Reason as my sequencer with a few other pluggins and now have switched to only using Ableton w/ an APC 40, M-Audio Axiom 49, and a few other goodies. But the bummer is that I'm a streaky user and therefore don't get much accomplished. It seems that I have to reteach myself every 3 months because I take a couple months off at a time from even touching my equipment. So, like I said, if you really want to get something accomplished, try not to go to long away from your gear/computer/produciton.

That's my two.....

[Ryan_Duley]

Also......there are classes that you can take, but if you want the one on one training in a classroom setting (which I've heard works great and saves a ton of time in the learning process) you will probably have to go Portland, Seattle or SLC. I'm not sure if BSU offers such a thing yet?!?!

[DJ Tooie]

Yeah I have heard of many of those types of classes around the country. I actually have a buddy from Caldwell, headed to Arizona to attend one.