ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR AMATURE DANCE PRODUCERS

[djjohnny2108]

Ok guys I have spent a very long time researching
into the world of djing and dance music producing,
along with taking musical classes and music theroy classes
at my local college so I do have some knowledge and
understanding of this industry.

I hate it when I come across threads and chatrooms
and see that people are saying stupid shit like FL Studio is better than
Cubase and Logic id better than Cubase and so on and so on....


First off, FL Studio is only a STEPPING STONE into the world of
what a sequencer does and a small insight into what a sequencer is,,
if you think sticking with FL Studio is going to make you big then think again lads / ladies.

FL Studio is nothing more than an overrated toy for dreamers thats that !!


Another thing is over useage of VST's and effects. although VST's have came along way since the last few years, they still lack in RAWNESS and are still very weak.. Effects also play a big part in todays FUCKED-UP dance world, since when does a whole track need to be coverd in Logics Space designer ??? Relax on your echos and reverbs !!

Having a good understanding of musical theory, understanding synthesis is going to make you stand out from the crowd !! ,,,, without learning Music theory and having some piano lessons your never going to make it unless you would like to spend hours upon hours tweeking notes inside your piano roll.


Below is a list I have put together that has nearly everything
your gona need to become a great trance / dance producer, it includes
software / hardware synths along with tech specs.


HARDWARE SYNTHS

ROLAND JP-8000 -----------\
ROLAND JP-8080 --------------- ESSENTIAL FOR SUPER SAW
ROLAND SH-201 ------------/
ROLAND JUNO 60
ACCESS VIRUS A
ACCESS VIRUS B
ACCESS VIRUS C
ACCESS VIRUS TI
WALDORD Q
WALDORF MICRO Q
WALDORF MICROWAVE
WALDORF BLOFELD
NORDLEAD 1
NORDLEAD 2
NORDLEAD 3
NORDLEAD ELECTRO
NOVATION KS RACK
NOVATION SUPER NOVA
ALESIS ADROMADA A6
PROPHET 08

Various other synth Manufactures such as KORG has a great selection of
synthesizers to offer to dance producers.

SOFTWARE SYNTHS

SYLENTH 1
NEXUS 2
VANGUARD
BATTERY 3
OMNISPHERE
TRILLIAN
ALBINO
ABSYNTH

These are the best VST's about used by top ranked dj's in the dance world, many producers would use battery 3 sampler vst for creating loops and samples apposed to using loops straight from any owl sample pack,, its always better to start everything from stratch and be more creative with your loops and samples.


SOFTWARE MASTERING

T-RACKS
WAVES
O-ZONE
UAD PLUGINS

Waves and UAD PLUGINS are the best hands down, used by master music producers world wide, but can cost alot. Many people turn to T-racks and O-zone if they can't afford Waves plugins or UAD's, either way, always make sure you send your work to a mastering engineer that has experience in working with dance tracks.

PC Specs

3.2 Ghz +
4 Gb Ram +
1 Tb Storage +
M-AUDIO soundcard

Windows XP is more stable than Vista and 7 so just stay with XP




I WILL UPDATE THIS THREAD FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE LATEST AND GREATEST GEAR I FIND OTHERS USE WITHIN DANCE AND TRANCE PRODUCTIONS

[Steve Helstrip]

Thanks for sharing your opinions with us. They are just that, though, not a definitive rule book!

For example, I made my last track purely with software instruments and just 1 hardwae synth: Nord Lead 2. That's about the only synth I'll never sell. All the other synths I've owned, in my opinion, can be replaced with software. In fact, most of the synths you mention (JP8000, Virus, Blofeld, etc) are just that - software!

As for plug-ins, again, that's down to personal taste. I don't use Waves. I think they're over-priced and sound pretty lifeless, except maybe for 1 or 2 plugs. I swear by UAD plug-ins, but that's just me.

S

[samM9845]

yes amazing gear, but I cannot afford most of that. one day I hope I will be able to tho

[djjohnny2108]

Yes mate I understand where your coming from but
I feel that the creativity in producing dance music espically
has been throwin out the window.

Too many people,, amatures and even some
pros are relying far too much on these candy sounds
which are being overused far too much.


Stated by Tiesto, John 00 Fleming and many others see link >>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytlCbpql5xE


There may be no rule book for making dance music Steve, but
having knowledge and understanding of music and how music works
will of course help people be more creative in their productions.

You yourself should know this as being an amazing Dj & Producer
and one of my fav Trance producers that creating music on a
professional level takes more than a cheap VST and sequencer.

Many youngsters coming into the industry are not knowing what
to buy because nobody will give the truthfull inforamtion on what it takes
to become a producer of any genre,, many see that having Logic studio
will better there chances,, so then we have these young people going
out buying £0000 Mac pros and an so on wasting all their money on crap
because they think if you or Armin, PVD, ATB, Sander.... has logic then it must be good which its not !!

The fact is that if you do not have any MUSICAL THEORY experience and
cant play a piano on nearly a professional level then you will never
be able to structure and a Track,, understand technical issues and improvise on them or even make a melody for your track or construct a bassline !!

And yes Im a strong believer in creativity Steve !!

In my mind VST's and candy presets has been the reason why
the Trance industry has went to s**t over the last few years,

And why then hell is every Track the same ????
same sound presets are being used over and over agian

When I go onto buy Trance mp3's I almost think im downloading
the same tune 10 times as they all sound the bloody same WTF ????

I honestly think Trance died along time ago and I think
thats why im soo annoyed over all this !!

When I listened to trance from around 1998 - 2004 it made me feel like
I was in a trance myself, hench the name,, it was like being on drugs without actually taking drugs, thats how powerful this music was back then

Todays trance doesn't do anything for me,, I mostly listen to Anthem Trance or Hard Trance to try and get that buzz back that I got from trance but its never going to be the same

[res-q]

Sorry, but I disagree.

[djjohnny2108]

WHAT ARE YOU ON ABOUT ????????

Im talking about having knowledge and understanding
of music theory and giving information for people who is only
starting out in producing.

Of course Steve would make a great track in FL Studio because
Steve has that knowledge and understanding of musical theory,
playing the piano, understanding synthesis, mastering and distribution
of music most of his life.

Maybe you should read this thread again

Ohh and if you knew anything about making music,
FL Studio would be your last choice as it doesnt even record @
24-bit/96khz unlike cubase and logic that shares near enought the
same sound engine..

Then again,, you know better

[djjohnny2108]

Yea its an expensive hobby to keep up with

[AzurCloud]

To see you trash FL Studio, while claiming to have "insight", got me smiling. Any half-decent producer would know that it's not about the software, but about the resulting sound. Check out Adam Nickey's tunes for instance. He's currently one of the most promising names on Anjunabeats, and with good reason if you ask me. I can however agree that FL Studio can work as a stepping stone, but it can just as well remain the platform you stick to .

[samM9845]

I don't really think what DAW you use matters
To me it's your equipment, Theory of music and Imagination
for a while I was lacking in imagination and was making crappy melodies but now I am getting a better imagination for music and I am finally nearly finished my first track.

[res-q]

[Steve Helstrip]

Music theory can also hold you back... Many times I've hit on magical ideas, which my music training taught me to steer away from. Listen to Sander Van Doorn; you wouldn't have caught Bach or Mozart making music like that! The rules are there to be broken!

At the end of the day, it's not the tools you use, but the way you use them. Most of all, use your ears. If it sound good, then it probably is. End of.

I see what DJ Johnny is driving at, and yes all those nice toys will help if you've got the right ideas. But, there are other ways to achieve the goal.

Now go an make some music!

[djjohnny2108]

fair point mate,


What you think is better for your needs as in sequencer ?

I hear you moved to Logic but back to Cubase, why the move back mate ?

[Television]

[quote="Steve Helstrip"]Music theory can also hold you back... [/quote]

Good God that's SO true !!
I can't stress that enough.

You spend so much time creating and "building' your own musical theory,
but at the end you figure out it's a spiritual prison if you keep going by it
every single step of the way.

That's why you "Innovate not renovate".

[AzurCloud]

[quote="Steve Helstrip"]Music theory can also hold you back... Many times I've hit on magical ideas, which my music training taught me to steer away from. Listen to Sander Van Doorn; you wouldn't have caught Bach or Mozart making music like that! The rules are there to be broken!

At the end of the day, it's not the tools you use, but the way you use them. Most of all, use your ears. If it sound good, then it probably is. End of.

I see what DJ Johnny is driving at, and yes all those nice toys will help if you've got the right ideas. But, there are other ways to achieve the goal.

Now go an make some music![/quote]

I second this as well. I've spent a year and a half taking classes in music theory and live band situations. I've quit now because I felt that if I had taken it further, I might just have lost my more naive approach to music making, which is where I find all my inspiration . In my opinion, trance music is just that, a genre of music that is designed to be about the "feel". In other words, music theory will only get you so far, while practicing and inspiration is what potentially might lead you to the place people like Steve now are at . Thanks for sharing your views, though, dj johnny.

[Steve Helstrip]

My switch back to Cubase was down to performance: I get double the plug-in count with Cubase on Mac than do with Logic. I love Logic, but was constantly hit with processor overload and low memory issues. Cubase, on the other had, runs like a dream.

[Jon Laprevote]

[quote="Steve Helstrip"]My switch back to Cubase was down to performance: I get double the plug-in count with Cubase on Mac than do with Logic. I love Logic, but was constantly hit with processor overload and low memory issues. Cubase, on the other had, runs like a dream.[/quote]

Did you switch back to pc as well, or running Cubase on Mac? If so, what version of Cubase?

Cheers

[Steve Helstrip]

Cubase on Mac... Way more robust than PC in my experience. V5.1.1

[djjohnny2108]

Steve just wanted to ask a question that
you can't really google lol

Whats the salary like for a pro dj / producer in dance / trance genre ??

Rought estimate

Where does it range from,,,, lowest too highest


cheers

[Steve Helstrip]

Anywhere from $0 to around $10,000,000. Seriously! How long is a piece of string?

[res-q]

[quote="Steve Helstrip"]Seriously! How long is a piece of string[/b]?[/quote]
There you go:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_is_the_world%27s_largest_piece_of_string