Comments on: How to Create Music Without Playing an Instrument

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:29:52 +0000

I agree 100% with Nixon. I use a mix of MIDI and real intruments also.

By: X

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:51:42 +0000

Hey watsup. I stumbled upon FL about 2 years ago after being frustrated with recording my violin and using a crappy Wav editor. I have always KNOWN how to play the violin and piano, but I agree that my computer is the most proficient and versatile instrument I have. Now I just got accepted into a University that REQUIRES you to play an instrument in an AUDITION in order to be accepted into the MUSIC program, when all I really want to do is make really really great music. I’m afraid I will get rejected, then what will I do? Who has the right to say that someone who makes music digitally isn’t as talented or doesn’t have as much potential as someone who makes music acoustically?

BTW I’ve come along way since a year ago, here is my imeem

http://www.imeem.com/xjhall

By: dustin

dustin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 06:54:36 +0000

I use FL studio, i have never learned a real insturment. thing is i do not have time for an actual instrument, but i find fl studio very easy to use, and despite what critics say, can be as powerful as any other DAW. the problem with fl studio is alot of armatures use it so its assumed to be armature software. although it is great to start learning on. I love creating music without learning an instrument. it gives me the ability to do what i love to do best: experiment in genre mixing. Take classical music and make it into a rap beat. mix techno and rock, mix trance and orchestra. middle easteren and rock/rap…the list goes on and on and on. The only thing you need a basic understanding of is a piano, and have an ear for notes. and with that, you can play any instrument from drums to synths to electric, violin, chello, trumpets and bells. It gives you diversity, the ability to be a one man band if you want. Absolute control, absolute power. If you can learn an instrument, do so..it will defiantly help you become more in tune with music and closer to it, and will help you through your process a great deal.

By: Duke

Duke — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:40:17 +0000

Started out making loops with two ghetto blasters when I was 14. Went from there to adding a keyboard & drum machine. Six years ago set up a DAW (on a PC… didn’t know shit then) and have been going crazy since then.

By: Nokadota

Nokadota — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:05:54 +0000

For the last 5 years or so, I’ve been using Acid Pro and Sound Forge to make my beats. Sites like sampleswap.org and Sony’s official sample site is where I got a bunch of my samples.

I feel that no matter the medium, or how it was created, all music can be personal and intimate. Just depends on who makes it. I’ve made some really great songs in Acid Pro and am working on 2 simultaneous compilations.

A friend of mine recently told me about Ableton Live and I must say, that’s a pretty nice program. The built-in mastering and samples are really appealing.

To each his/her own I say. If anyone’s interested, my latest music can be found by clicking on my Gravatar and then the Facebook link after that.

By: Björgvin

Björgvin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:28:20 +0000

Hahah, I just came back from a friends garage where he made a complete song out of a joke riff I had and a few scat vocal lines. Just by painting in midi and arranging some drum loops. And he might be just as good a guitar player as Van Halen, but he just steadily moved his mouse around and built a song around my riff, calmly and coolly.

It’s amazing what you can do with midi and computer technology to help you make music, incredible even.

ps. that tutorial photo is hilarious.

By: Nixon

Nixon — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:14:46 +0000

I use both midii and audio in my arrangements.
I believe even if you dont play a musical instrument it is valuable to at least make an attempt so you can understand and appreciate the great strides that were made in order for us to enjoy the convience of modern day work stations. For instance programming an arpegiator in a vst instead of having to set a combination of knobs on a vintage synth. I think we have lost a lot of respect for musical equipment and the progression since everything is now plug and play!
Thanks Adrian you write great tutorials.
http://www.myspace.com/wrecklessdriverlive

~Nixon

By: mr. tunes

mr. tunes — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:27:02 +0000

kaossilator and tenori-on are also some suggestions