My father’s reel-to-reel machine sparked a lifelong interest that led me to work in recording studios, teaching music engineering and creating music. It’s something I’ve never lost interest in because the studio allows me to explore a wide range of creative possibilities.
The satisfaction that comes from generating ideas, laying out songs and fine-tuning a mix is something that only this creative process can provide. You may be wondering what is involved in all this.
Creating music, in general terms, involves writing, recording and mixing music to form a ‘track’. The initial musical inspiration is explored, which may take the form of a riff, a sound or a feeling. The track’s sound is then developed with several layers of instrumentation before being “mixed” or interpreted for creative effect.
Does it seem difficult? Well, you should know a few things before diving into this world. The good news is that online learning has made it possible to improve these skills from the comfort of one’s own home. Another thing to remember is that you can get the resources you need to get started with little or no money.
Still not convinced? It doesn’t matter if you can play an instrument or not. Thanks to loop-based music creation, anyone with a computer and free time can start composing music.
I grew up in a time when getting your music recorded to a release level meant hiring a professional to record and mix it. A large investment in music technology hardware was necessary to set up a home studio.
Fast forward to today, when my 16-year-old son uses his computer and some knowledge to release his music through digital distribution sites like Spotify and Soundcloud. While I have taught him a few things, he has learned most of his skills by studying the craft online.
how do you get started?
There are many options to consider if you want to learn how to make music online and get the equipment you need.
Even if you don’t have a lot of money to start working with music, you can start with a free digital audio workstation. Avid’s Pro Tools First introduces industry-standard recording software used in studios worldwide.
It’s not a big deal if you don’t know where to start with Pro Tools. To get you started, Avid has created free online tutorials.
Many websites are dedicated to providing knowledge to help users improve their audio software skills. Pro Tools Expert has a wealth of knowledge and tutorials on various topics, and it’s made to help people from all walks of life.
Pro Tools isn’t the only free music production software available.
Reaper is a digital audio workstation that has become increasingly popular. For non-commercial users, it is reasonably priced at $60. A free 60-day trial period is available, so you can try it before you buy. A variety of tools are available on the Reaper website to help new users navigate the software.
FL Studio focuses on electronic music production to free creative materials from “the limitations of existing audio recording tools.”
Garageband, a loop-based music composition studio, is familiar to many Apple users. Creating music with loops involves using pre-recorded or programmed sounds. It has a surprising number of features for such a small device, and there’s even a mobile phone application.
What resources are available to you?
It’s also easy to find instructions for systems like Garageband. There are many Garageband teachers to choose from on the internet.
There are many music making courses available for a nominal fee if you are ready to invest a little more in your education. Udemy is a platform where more experienced creators can offer self-paced courses, and these can be a great place to learn skills related to your musical interests.
While these options focus on using and maximizing your program, there are dozens more that include recording techniques. The opportunities to learn and improve your music producing talents are almost limitless.
There are many options when looking for tutorials, but try to find an instructor who communicates well. Forum comments are also valuable information that can help you find the right tutor.