Looking for a starter FAQ, guide or anything you can offer.

[Asphyxiation]

I would like to make more hip-hop oriented beats and be able to lace lyrics onto the songs.

I have a very slight knowledge... well, slight is an overstatement, I pretty much know nothing.

I have a friend who use to do alot of home recording and the only help he has given me so far is some programs to use such as:

Cubase SX
eJ Studio
Sonicfire Pro
Sony Soundforge 7.0
Fruityloops Studio 4
Adobe Audition 1.5
Zend Studio
Goldwave
Pinnacle Studio 9

Problem is, I have no clue how to use any of these programs. Is there internet sites that can help me learn? Which programs are the best to use? What about books?

What kind of equiptment would I need? My friend told me to get ready to spend about $5000.00 on some used stuff.

The computer I have right now is a Pentium 4 3.0 with 1gig RAM and a intergrated sound card. So what kind of card should I be looking at?

Any help is much appriciated.

 

[crankz1]

Tweak's Guide
Computer Music Tutorials
AudioMinds
To name a few .... and of course, right here at HomeRecording.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

How about you learn how to play an instrument (keyboard?) and learn music theory for a few years, then learn how to record?

I mean, if you aren't musically trained I find it difficult to believe you'll have much worthwhile to record. Even if you don't 'play' the music and use sample loops it sort of helps to have a developed ear and theory. Imagine if you wanted to put a melody line over that sample and you didn't know what key it was in, or even what a key WAS? Or what about getting layered sample loops in the same key?

Too many hip hop/rap people are musical idiots and consequently sound like crap. Don't be one of them yourself.

 

[noisedude]

Wow - that's quite scathing! I would say he makes a good point about learning, but don't be put off. Also, try this little site I put up for total beginners:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nikkeefe/

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I work around a lot of rappers and 99% of them wouldn't know C flat from 5/8 time. Guys playing punk rock usually won't either, but at least they can play a few powerchords on their guitar and find cool stuff by accident, plus they get the proper ear training.

I'm not saying rap isn't music--I'm saying that if you want to do music you had better be a *musician*, not some lame looper and preset loser that wonders why their tracks don't sound good no matter what gear they buy or who records them.

If you don't want to suck you gotta put in the TIME. And that time is measured in YEARS. Heck, I consider anyone with less than 10 years music experience a novice, under five years you are a total noob.

That's just my perspective. But your tracks will improve radically if you have some musical skill to back it up, especially ear training and theory.

 

[warble]

I'd search the forums here under Manning1's name. Rumor has it there are thousands of tips and advice on virtually everything related to home recording.

 

[noisedude]

Ouch! This is not a warm and loved-up thread! I don't disagree with you Cloneboy ... but I think you put the case quite strongly to someone with enthusiasm wanting to get started!

 

[MichaelM]

Guys playing punk rock usually won't either

Ouch... Or do you mean people starting a punk band in school because it would be cool without any musical knowledge whatsoever?

 

[Trumpspade]

I don't get your theory Cloneboy........Rappers are performers like many vocalist, and many Vocalist do not play their own music or tell you where C flat is either. The need to know music would definitley enhance one's ability in music, but is not a prerequisite. I never studied Music in a school setting, but I did read alot of books regarding theory.
You sound discouraging to someone starting out, where as you should be more inviting. I have worked with many artist Rap/R&B/Country/Rock/Gospel, and they were not interested in my degree from a Music College, but rather my ability. If I had put off what I wanted to do for two years, I would have missed the many opportunities I have today.
I say read up, ask questions, experiment, and have fun. That is what it is all about!

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I don't get your theory Cloneboy........Rappers are performers like many vocalist, and many Vocalist do not play their own music or tell you where C flat is either.

As soon as you say 'performer' I can't help but think of the losers we have nowadays that are all dancing around that can't sing worth a crap without an autotune device sitting slightly offstage...

Not knowing music theory but performing music is sort of like trying to program a computer without knowing how to add.

The need to know music would definitley enhance one's ability in music, but is not a prerequisite. I never studied Music in a school setting, but I did read alot of books regarding theory.

I didn't say you had to study it in a school.

You sound discouraging to someone starting out, where as you should be more inviting.

That's the point. People need to realize that music isn't for everyone. It would stem the tide of crappy music if more people didn't even bother. I'm sick of every Fruity Loops bonehead trying to call their presets and lame sample loops "music". A monkey can do better.

People need to realize that there is a right and wrong way to go about music, and not having a clue is NOT the way to do it.

I have worked with many artist Rap/R&B/Country/Rock/Gospel, and they were not interested in my degree from a Music College, but rather my ability. If I had put off what I wanted to do for two years, I would have missed the many opportunities I have today.

It is impossible to say what you did or didn't miss out on--worthless example.

 

[Trumpspade]

I guess my only response to your IGNORANCE is that MUSIC IS EXPRESSION and if you don't know that maybe you need to take some courses in music theory. Therefore, you have a nerve saying a certain genre of music is CRAPPY. I'm sure Fruiy Loops isn't for you, but I've heard alot of creativity come from a Fruity Loops project. And I would bet many artist who inspire you do not have a Music ED.
A right and wrong way to go about music is a STUPID statement! EXPRESSION EXPRESSION EXPRESSION. And not having a clue is the purpose behind the bbs. Encourage people that no question asked in this Newbie section is a dumb one, only a dumb response that discourages a person made by yourself. IDIOT! ! !
NOW YOU GO BACK TO SCHOOL............

 

[Asphyxiation]

Thanks to everyone that responded, positive or negative.

True, I don't know how to play the keyboard or drums, but I figure I can learn just as well with these programs and I could with the actual instruments. Also, I have a passion for music and I figure that is all I need. I can learn the rest.

I consider listening to music for 16 years, musical experience.

In September, I am enrolling in college and taking many media courses. I just figured I can work on it ahead of time as well.

Cloneboy Studio, your comment on "I work around a lot of rappers and 99% of them wouldn't know C flat from 5/8 time." can easily be explained. The reason for this is because rappers are emcees. Their intrument is the mic. A DJ is the one who should know what a C flat is. 90% of rappers out there do not do their own production work, however I don't want to be part of that 90%. No one can get the sound I want down, but me. I understand where you're coming from and thinking "Oh great, another wannabe rapper wanting to hit loop on a beat he made in 5 minutes." You're kind of right, I am another rapper but I envision my music and 2 parts. The sound and my words. I plan on both being as important to me, so I plan on putting forth equal amounts of effort into both.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I guess my only response to your IGNORANCE is that MUSIC IS EXPRESSION and if you don't know that maybe you need to take some courses in music theory. Therefore, you have a nerve saying a certain genre of music is CRAPPY. I'm sure Fruiy Loops isn't for you, but I've heard alot of creativity come from a Fruity Loops project. And I would bet many artist who inspire you do not have a Music ED.
A right and wrong way to go about music is a STUPID statement! EXPRESSION EXPRESSION EXPRESSION. And not having a clue is the purpose behind the bbs. Encourage people that no question asked in this Newbie section is a dumb one, only a dumb response that discourages a person made by yourself. IDIOT! ! !
NOW YOU GO BACK TO SCHOOL............

Was that supposed to hurt my feelings or make some kind of point? Because it really failed in both respects.

We disagree, so what?

Also--by you saying that I'm wrong you're insinuating that you are right--which is wrong according to your opinion. So by your OWN LOGIC you are wrong too.

Great thinking Einstein. Very contradictory. And so very mature.

Also, am I not entitled to my personal opinion that some music/genres are crappy? Who died and elected you thought police.