Contents
- Introduction: what is electronic music and what do you need to get started?
- The basics of sound: what is a sound wave and how do you create one?
- Synthesizers: what are they and how do they work?
- Samplers: what are they and how do they work?
- Drum machines: what are they and how do they work?
- Sequencers: what are they and how do they work?
- Mixers: what are they and how do they work?
- Effects units: what are they and how do they work?
- Putting it all together: how do you create a song?
- Resources: where can you find more information?
If you want to make electronic music but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. Learn how to get started making electronic music, including tips on the best software to use and where to find samples and loops.
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Introduction: what is electronic music and what do you need to get started?
Electronic music is a genre of music that is made using electronic devices or instruments. It often has a repetitive beat and can be created using a variety of different sounds. Electronic music can be divided into subgenres, such as house, techno, dubstep, and drum and bass.
In order to make electronic music, you will need some basic equipment. This includes a computer with music software, an audio interface, MIDI controllers, and headphones. You will also need some basic knowledge of music theory and composition.
The basics of sound: what is a sound wave and how do you create one?
Every sound that you’ve ever heard starts with a vibration. When something vibrates, it creates a sound wave. Sound waves are made up of high and low pressure areas, and it is these areas that your ear detects. The difference between the high and low pressure areas is called amplitude, and the number of times per second that the wave repeats itself is called frequency. The combination of these two things is what we perceive as pitch.
To create a sound wave, you need something that can vibrate. This could be a vocal cord, a drumskin, a guitar string or even a column of air. When these things vibrate, they set the surrounding air particles into motion, and it is these moving air particles that create the sound wave. The faster the vibration, the higher the pitch of the resulting sound wave will be.
Synthesizers: what are they and how do they work?
Synthesizers are electronic musical instruments that generate sound by converting electrical signals into audio signals. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small desktop units to large-scale modular systems. Synthesizers can be controlled manually or via computer, and they can generate a wide range of sounds, from classic analog synth tones to digital sampled sounds.
Samplers: what are they and how do they work?
A sampler is a piece of electronic music equipment that allows you to record and play back audio samples. Samplers can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from drum beats to synthesized melodies.
There are two main types of samplers: hardware samplers and software samplers. Hardware samplers are physical devices that you can connect to your computer, while software samplers are programs that you can run on your computer.
Hard Disk Recording: what is it and how does it work?
Hard disk recording is a type of digital audio recording that stores audio information on a hard disk. This type of recording is different from traditional tape-based recordings, which store audio information on magnetic tape. Hard disk recording is more efficient than tape-based recording, and it also allows for editing and processing of recorded audio files.
Drum machines: what are they and how do they work?
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums, cymbals, or other percussion instruments. They are commonly used in electronic music, hip hop, and dance music. Drum machines may be played with or without accompaniment from other instruments.
There are several types of drum machines, including:
Samplers: Samplers play recorded sounds which can be looped or played back at different pitches to create new rhythms.
Sequencers: Sequencers record and playback sequences of sounds, usually of drums or percussion instruments.
Synthesizers: Synthesizers generate new sounds using oscillators, filters, and envelopes.
Drum modules: Drum modules are devices that contain sounds which can be played back by a controller, often a drum pad.
How do drum machines work?
Drum machines generate sound by playing back recorded samples of drums and other percussion instruments, or by synthesizing new sounds using oscillators, filters, and envelopes. Samples are usually stored on ROM chips inside the drum machine. Synthesized sounds are generated using algorithms that control oscillators, filters, and envelopes. These algorithms can create a wide range of sounds, from realistic imitations of acoustic drums to completely unique electronic percussion.
Most drum machines have built-in sequencers that allow them to play back rhythms in loops. The length of the loop can be set by the user, and patterns can be chained together to create longer phrases. Some drum machines also have the ability to record MIDI data from an external controller such as a keyboard or drum pad. This allows the user to play back their own rhythms or sequences on the machine.
Sequencers: what are they and how do they work?
If you’re wondering how to make electronic music, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll go over sequencers: what they are and how they work.
First things first: a sequencer is an electronic device or software that creates and records music by playing back sounds in a specific order. Sequencers can be used to create anything from simple melodies to complicated compositions.
There are two main types of sequencers: MIDI and audio. MIDI sequencers use MIDI signals to control the playback of sounds, while audio sequencers record and playback audio signals. MIDI sequencers are often used to create digital instruments, while audio sequencers are used to record and playback music performances.
Now that we know what sequencers are and how they work, let’s take a look at how to use them. If you’re using a software sequencer, the first thing you need to do is create a new project and add some sounds. Most software sequencers come with a library of sounds that you can use, or you can import your own sounds.
Once you have some sounds, it’s time to start creating your sequence. To do this, you’ll need to add notes to the timeline. Each note represents a sound that will be played back at a specific time. You can use the built-in tools to change the pitch, duration, and velocity of each note, or create your own sound by recording it directly into the timeline.
Once you have your sequence created, you can add effects to change the way it sounds. effects can be anything from reverb and delay to filters and EQs. Experiment with different combinations of effects until you find something that sounds good to you.
That’s it! You now know everything you need to get started with sequencing. So get out there and start making some music!
Mixers: what are they and how do they work?
In electronic music, a mixer is a device with several inputs and outputs used to combine, route, and change the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A typical analog electronic mixer uses voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs) to vary the gain of audio signals. An audio mixing console is an example of a mixer.
Digital mixers have replaced their analog counterparts in many recording studios and nightclubs. They are also becoming more popular for portable live sound reinforcement applications.
A digital mixer typically has three sections:
The input section where audio signals are connected to the mixer;
The mixing section where the Level, Pan and Mute controls are located;
The output section where the audio signals are routed to the next destination.
The input section of a digital mixer typically has several types of inputs:
-Mic inputs: These connect microphones to the mixer.
-Line inputs: These connect line-level sources such as keyboards, drum machines and samplers to the mixer.
-Auxiliary inputs: These connect auxiliary sources such as effects processors to the mixer.
-Stereo inputs: These connect stereo sources such as CD players or tape decks to the mixer.
The mixing section is where the magic happens! This is where you mix together all of your input signals using the Level, Pan and Mute controls.
Level controls adjust the volume of each input signal. Pan controls adjust the left/right position of each input signal in the stereo field. Mute controls allow you to quickly turn off an input signal without affecting the other signals.
The output section of a digital mixer typically has several types of outputs:
-Main outputs: These connect the main mix to your power amplifiers and speakers.
-Monitor outputs: These connect your monitor speakers to the mixer so you can hear what you’re mixing.
-Headphone outputs: These connect your headphones to the mixer so you can mix in private!
-Auxiliary outputs: These allow you to send a separate mix (such as yourmonitor mix) to an outboard effects processor or recording device.
Effects units: what are they and how do they work?
An effects unit or pedal is an electronic device that alters how a musical instrument or other audio source sounds. These devices are most often used with the electric guitar and bass guitar, and there are many different types of effects units available on the market.
The three main categories of effects units are: modifiers, filters, and delays/reverb. Modifiers include devices such as overdrive/distortion pedals, which modify the sound of the guitar by adding distortion or overdrive; pitch shifters, which modify the pitch of the guitar signal; and wah-wah pedals, which create a “wah” effect by filtering the signal. Filters include devices such as EQ pedals, which modify the frequency content of the guitar signal; phase shifters, which modify the phase relationship between different parts of the signal; and flangers/chorus pedals, which create a “flanging” or “chorus” effect by mixing two signals together with slightly differentdelay times. Delays/reverb pedals include devices such as delay pedals, which introduce a delay into the signal; and reverb pedals, which add a sense of spaciousness to the sound by simulating reverberation.
When choosing an effects pedal, it is important to consider what type of effect you want to achieve. For example, if you want to add distortion to your sound, you would need an overdrive/distortion pedal; if you want to add a wah-wah effect, you would need a wah-wah pedal; if you want to add EQ to your sound, you would need an EQ pedal. It is also important to consider how much control you want over the effect. For example, some pedals allow you to control the amount of distortion that is added to your sound; others simply have on/off switches.
In general, it is best to start with simple effects and then add more complex effects as your needs change. There are many websites and online stores that sellEffects units
and it can be helpful to read reviews from other users before making a purchase.
Putting it all together: how do you create a song?
Now that you know all the basic components of electronic music, you might be wondering how they all fit together to create a song. The truth is, there is no one correct answer to this question. Every artist has their own process and methods for creating music. However, we can give you a general overview of how most electronic songs are created.
First, you need to choose the tempo (speed) of your song and the key it will be in. These two factors will determine the overall feel of your track. Once you have a basic foundation, you can start laying down your beats. Start with a kick drum and add hi-hats, snares, and other percussion instruments to fill out the rhythm section.
Next, it’s time to add some melody. This can be done with synth lines, basslines, or even vocal samples. Once you have a few different melody elements, start arranging them into a song structure (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.). Now would also be a good time to add any special effects or processing that you want to use.
Finally, it’s time to mix and master your track. This is where you make sure all the different elements are balanced and sounding their best. Once your track is mixed and mastered, it’s ready for release!
Resources: where can you find more information?
If you’re interested in learning more about electronic music, there are plenty of resources available. Here are a few places to start:
-The website Sonic Bloom has articles and tutorials on various aspects of electronic music production, including composition, sound design, and mixing.
-The website Home Studio Corner has an extensive series of articles on setting up and using a home studio for electronic music production.
-The book The Illustrated Guide to Music Production, by Paul White, is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of electronic music production, from choosing equipment to composing and arranging melodies.