New to this (Composing Dance Software)
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Posted on Aug 10, 2006 02:35 pm
joshiestevens
Member Since: Aug 10, 2006
Hi, I would like to start composing dance/trance music as I really love it.
The only place I think I could compose is on the PC and I know there is loads of software about. I was hoping you could recommend some software to me where I could compose professional sounding music like in clubs etc.
Thanks a lot!
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 10, 2006 02:51 pm Welcome aboard, there Josh.
Project 5 is pretty well touted around here,
Reason comes to mind, and I think FL studio is used for dance stuff a lot, though I use it for drums.
I'm sure more will chime in, cause there's quite a few loopers, etc. on here.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Aug 10, 2006 02:53 pm I would investigate both Reason, and Project 5. I would say Reason might be slightly easier to use out of the box, but I just recently got Project 5 and I'm still trying to get a hang of it. I've had Reason for a while and got a hang of it relatively easily. Project 5 does allow for more flexibility and options though, like easily adding new synths and such.
also it would be useful to know what kind of budget you're working on.
Aug 10, 2006 02:58 pm Thanks a lot. Does anyone have a website to this Reaosn software, I cant seem to find it. Is there a particular verison I should look at.
Also, the Big Names out there, who create all the trancey dance songs that are played in clubs, such as Faithless, DJ Sammy etc, do they use this type of software to create their pieces?
Thanks
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 10, 2006 03:03 pm and on the 8th day, some dude said: Let There Be Google!
and it was good: www.propellerheads.se/
Aug 10, 2006 03:18 pm I have a Yamaha DJX Keyboard, I dont know if that wiuld be of use also?
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Aug 10, 2006 03:20 pm I have no clue what big name trance artists use to create their music...but I would assume it is not done in just one program, but rather a combination of hardwarde synths and samplers, and various software program.
But it can be done strictly in software if you want to.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 10, 2006 03:21 pm probably as a controller. you can play the keyboard and have it control the software. 'Midi out' would be needed on the keyboard, and a 'midi in' on the computer.
Aug 10, 2006 03:31 pm Yep, think I will do that. When you say a controller, do you mean using it to key in the notes?
Can I do it without a keyboard or will it be extremely irritating.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 10, 2006 03:45 pm well, i'm not a guru at this, but some i've heard 'play' in the notes from the keyboard, and have the software record the midi events (key, duration, velocity, etc). Then after, they go into the midi data, and clean up any missed notes, or under velocity events, off-time keystrokes, stuff like that.
You can also just 'mouse in' the notes on the piano roll, which may be faster for some people. I end up doing this often, because I'm just not used to using the keyboard as a creation component. Each person will be differnet, me thinks.
But what is nice, is you can develop sounds by playing the keyboard, and noodle around, then change some settings in the software, then play some more and hear the changes. When you found one you like, you can either play in the midi data, or mouse them in.
It's too time consuming for me to play one riff, make some tweaks, then want to hear some chords, but have to mouse in the chords, then press play again. Too clutzy for me. I'd rather play, tweak, play, tweak, etc.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 10, 2006 07:33 pm Reason is an excelant piece of kit. But it is not a sequancer or recording application. You would still need another piece of software to run Reason in and do your recording.
Project 5 is what I use, and so do several of the big name artists as well. It is an all in one bit of software. Seqauncer for midi, audio recording software, synth and sampler integrated, loop creation and editing all in one piece of software. It gives you a bit more veratility as it can act as both a ReWire host and a ReWire client. It also has some elements that Reason and Ableton Live dont. It allows several ways to set up grooves or acidized type files for looping. It as well has a loop creation tool built right into the interface. As well, right now it is the only software out there that will run live and not drop out while doing major edits while you are running live. The included synths and FX are more then enough to get you goin and then some. I run Reason ReWired into Project 5 or Sonar.
Have a look here. www.project5.com
Aug 10, 2006 07:39 pm Project5 has been treating me well. Hell, I love the thing!
Aug 11, 2006 07:32 am I downloaded the Reason Demo. Ahhhh, its all so comlicated!!
How long will it usually take you guys to create a propefssional sounding track?
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Aug 11, 2006 01:14 pm takes some of us years ;-)
if youre not digging Reason for now, how about FL Studio? Pretty simple starting point and perfect for loop based stuff like dance and trance
www.flstudio.com/English/frames.html
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 11, 2006 01:23 pm ya, i've been using FL for years, it's mucho simple, and can add complexity out the ying-yang, if you want to get involved.
Sytrus is a great softsynth (extra $$$ though), and they have a great soundfont/midi player (extra $$$ as well).
Aug 11, 2006 01:26 pm Cakewalk Kenetic is another cool, easier to use choice and Cakewalk's Project 5
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 11, 2006 06:46 pm Oh ya, thanx for adding that dB. I forgot about Kinetic. It is kind of Project 5's little brother. Still a very powerfull tool for creating the type of music you want to do.
AS I stated above, Reason is more of an instrument and effects rack unit. It is not a stand alone application for creating tracks. It needs a DAW or something like Kinetic or project 5 to run inside of.
