Just A Dream

[owenrees_73]

Right now everything seems like just a dream. I am in my late teens and currently at university. One of my life dreams is to work with music in some way. I have tried to learn to play guitar, but its not looking too good. I can't sing. I can't play anything else either, maybe drums would be more in my field but I've never tried.

I have always dreamed of working on the production side of music, but lately I can't stop thinking about it. I want to build my own home studio, with a little desk and office type set up and really take this seriously. The problem is right now it just seems like a dream, far off in the future. What is there that I can do to practice, prepare or learn so that when I have money and the ability to buy a house and build this studio, I can pull it off?

Everyday I think about this. I know that I belong in the music industry, music is one of the biggest things in my life. I have read many books on the music writing process, and even written a few songs myself. But I am much more keen to be a facilitator, and provide the oppurtunity for others to create music in a studio. Please can someone give me some advice, or recomendations as to what I should do so that I feel like I have started the process. Otherwise I feel I'm just sitting here dreaming about my own home studio - in the bassment.

Cheers,
Owen

 

[djhead]

You should rob a guitar center. Its not hard, just get in good with the stock room guys, and split the theft with them.

 

[DiVendetta]

Man, I wish I was in my late teens again and I would have done some things different. I have the same feeling about belonging to the music world. When I was 10 I wrote my first song about a teacher I didn't like and started recording on tapes. When I was probably your age I started recording on a computer with just a microphone.

Here is what I did wrong... I basically did it all for fun and neglected the technical side. I wish I invested time and effort learning about acoustics and practicing on my guitar. Learning about music and how to play different instruments. I am not saying not to have fun, but fun should be a byproduct, not the goal if you know what I mean.

Just now I am trying to learn as much as possible and using a spare room in my house to build my home studio (I can afford it now).

So my advice to you would be to just start doing it with whatever you have. If you have a pc and a mic go ahead and start recording. Get a few books or magazines about acoustics and STUDY, not just read thru it looking at cool pictures (there should be plenty in your school library... ). If you have a job... before blowing you paycheck on a Saturday night think about your goals and put some money away to start getting your gear.

One more thing... don't be afraid of performing yourself if thats what you like... music is a personal thing and if it feels your soul... it does not matter who likes it or not.

Good luck man.

 

[true-eurt]

Well, coming to a forum with good info, is a start. Read some more, then ask lots of valid questions. You will find good people here to help you. You will find a few who will not help you. Just overlook them and take the good and leave the bad. It is dedication, knowledge, hands on experience and just plain ol' time that will realize your dream. Just keep believing, and do all the things you can to make it happen. If you find obstacles or some hills to climb...then find out what your best strategy is, to remove, go around over, or take it head on would be and then apply that strategy. Don't ever give up, just because you get frustrated or seem to be at a standstill.... but do take a break from time to time to regain fresh thoughts and energy.

If you want it, you can have it. You may have to work very hard in one area, and work less hard in another area...but have no doubt, you will work...you will get frustrated and you will get excited and happy when you achieve a new feat in recording !! If you want that dream to become a reality, then put all of you heart into it. Sacrifices are always in order of some sort and I ain't talking about small animals !! You may have to give up a pastime or hobby or other things you have been enjoying, in order accomplish what you're wanting to do.

There is so much diversity in gear. So many opinions too, on which is best. I would do a lot of reading here(and wherever) and also get into some of the conversations about the gear you are interested in. When you see a thread that gets your attention, read it all the way through. When the opportunity rises..or make the opportunity, to ask a legit question. Not just...hey guys..what can I get for 200 bucks. If you read here and Google info on your own, you can learn a lot too.

Find what gear interest you most and stick with the gear within your price range. After you have narrowed it down to some solid choices...then ask the doods here about that gear and such. If you have trouble using it, after you have tried the manual, then ask. You will get lots of help...... It does seem to take a long time for me though...I have been here over a year and am still reading and still recording and progressing slowly. You may have a much faster pace than I. Just never give up on that dream !!!

Good luck and hope you enjoy your time spent here....

True

PS Never take the joking too personal or jump to conclusions....beware of the Cave...

 

[Riverdog]

I think...

Well I think you've got another path...
Though I think it's great that you want to be a musician (And that's absolutely cool if that's what you're intersted in), ; I think your words actually talk about what you REALLY want to do... "produce"...

I think it would be great to have a studio in your house (Believe me - I've faught a LONG time to get what I have / And it's WONDERFUL! Especially with a spouse that supports you!) - It may be just a venue for you to produce the things you're interested in...

Start by doing exactly what you're doing... READ - Learn But also- - -
Get interested in the SOUND of the music...
Perhaps get a part time job in an actual studio in your area...
Meet People that you're interested in...
Ask questions... Go listen to studios and bands in your area...

Things may just take off on their own...!
Good Luck...

 

[djbaudio]

Also, pick out your favorite bands and see who produced their album. I've been getting into that lately. Research their background. It's very interesting to see the other bands they have worked with. A good website for studio insight. http://www.recordproduction.com

 

[Minion]

You might also consider going to University and getting a degree in audio production/enginering and you will learn most of the technical issues related to recording and running a Big studio....

after you get out of school you can try to get a job at a studio or even look for investors to invest in building a pro Studio and then you will be finally be liveing your dream.....


Cheers

 

[owenrees_73]

Well everyone, I took some forward action and joined my university radio station today. Not exactly the same, but at least it gets me into the technical side of music somehow. They are looking for presenters and producers as well as a news team. I am not very outspoken so I probably will just produce most of the week, but if I get the courage I will be presenting for an hour or two each week. They are looking for presenters with new ideas, anyone get any suggestions for a music program?

Thanks to everyone for their support.

 

[daav]

sounds like a good start.

You can get started with doing recording for a few hundred bucks and lost things beyond that is a matter of degree- quality of equipment, bells and whistles etc. The fact is that only a rare few will have the talent to make a great recording with really entry level gear, but ANYONE can gain talent with that same gear. So if you get me, the key is perspective- you can learn a great deal if you understand you won't get "dream" results, but if you realistically look at the process as getting you to expertise at some point, you will have the right approach to get there without getting frustrated by small setbacks along the way. This is the difference between people who quit and people who get better and get to where they wanted to be in the first place.

Not being able to record yourself can be a challenge, I would continue to try to persevere with various instruments until you find something that suits you.

But making reocrdings of others is actually easier with the right (read: patient) people. Trying to tweak knobs all the time while you are playing (and hearing) yourself can be quite a pain. Having "talent" standing there doing 75 takes in a row while you move mics around, and tweak knobs and sliders lets you focus on your thing. Also, bands/musicians will always apprecaite someone who wants to record them for free or next to nothing.

Good luck!
Daav

 

[TexRoadkill]

You can download Reaper http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download.php and start learning how to use a DAW program.

If it turns out you don't have any engineering ability then you could be a manager or promoter. Start meeting bands and hanging out at clubs and see what you can do to help. Most bands need help with promotions.

 

[Dani Pace]

I wish sites like this one had been available when I was 18 and an aspiring young musician. Advice and support was not redily available back in those days. You have a dream, don't be afraid to live it. Learn all you can about music and the business of music. Get a job in a music store, it's a good way to learn about various instruments and meet a lot of musicians. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Find a mentor, someone who is doing what you hope to do someday and learn all you can from them. Have patience, many of us have devoted our lives to persueing a similar dream. You have a long term goal, break it down into the little steps which you can take to make it an eventual reality. Playing an instrument is not a requirement although an understanding of music is. Most people spend years learning an instrument, the child prodegy is pretty rare.
You can talk about having a dream and never see it become a reality, you have to begin to live that dream and work to make it become a reality. Many of us can give you hints and tips which will help but the best advice anyone can give you is NEVER GIVE UP.

 

[TelePaul]

Hey I can empathize man, I'm also a student with a developing interest in music, and i knwow what you mean about ideals...basically, I have the rudimentary stuff I have because I have hugely supportive parents who furthered my interest in guitar playing by getting me my first recording tools. Like you, I have my eyes seton bigger and better things (I started out by mixing a local bands demo) but the main thing facing me is money, or a lack of. But I wont be a studnet forever, and if I have to knuckle down for two years to earn my degree, it'll be worth when im earning a decent income at 22. And then I intend to make good on all my recording longings!

I love every aspect of music. I started playing guitar when I was 14 because my older brother and his friends played. I've come along way since 'Smells Like Teen Spirt' and 'Rockin in the Free World'. But one thing that hasnt changed is my desire to listen to and further music as an intangible asset that everyone can share. The world needs music, it needs musicians, producers, engineers, roadies, managers, PR agents......theres something for everyone.