Make Music At Home With Dj Samples On Your Computer
Technology and the Rise of Home Studios
As technology advances, computers and applications become cheaper and better at an astounding rate. Once limited to large expensive studios, electronic music can now be made at home easier and cheaper than you think. Only a few pieces of software are needed to get started: music programs, loops, and VSTs.
Host Programs: the Heart of Your Workstation
When building your digital audio workstation you're becoming a pro now, so call it a "DAW" the first step is to find a music program. This is often referred to as a "host" program. There are complex, high-end host programs geared toward professionals, like Ableton, Cubase and Reason. These aren't for novices. Acid, Cakewalk and MusicMaker are simple and inexpensive hosts that are a great start for the would-be Paul Oakenfold.
Loops and DJ Samples: Fast Lane to Hot Beats
A huge advantage entry-level suites have over the professional applications is that beginner programs come with extensive loop libraries and DJ samples. Snippets of beats, choruses, guitar tracks and more can be clicked-and-dragged to build songs from scratch. These loops can be edited or extended to give the novice musician complete control over a track. Another important feature is the ability to expand loop libraries. The entry-level apps mentioned here offer downloadable expansion packs to increase the material available to the home producer.
VST: Tweaking Sounds
Want to add reverb to your drum track or fuzzy distortion to a guitar? VSTs (Virtual Studio Technology) are easy-to-install plugins that extend your DAW's functionality. If there's an effect you've heard, there's a VST for it. The onscreen appearance of a VST is familiar, with knobs to turn to tweak the sound. Apply the VST to a track and the effect will be applied, giving home musicians even greater ability to fine-tune.
There's More
An inexpensive host program, loops and VSTs are all the home producer needs to get started with a DAW. After getting your feet wet, check out MIDI controllers, microphones and VSTi programs. But for now, get going! Start making music at home today.
As technology advances, computers and applications become cheaper and better at an astounding rate. Once limited to large expensive studios, electronic music can now be made at home easier and cheaper than you think. Only a few pieces of software are needed to get started: music programs, loops, and VSTs.
Host Programs: the Heart of Your Workstation
When building your digital audio workstation you're becoming a pro now, so call it a "DAW" the first step is to find a music program. This is often referred to as a "host" program. There are complex, high-end host programs geared toward professionals, like Ableton, Cubase and Reason. These aren't for novices. Acid, Cakewalk and MusicMaker are simple and inexpensive hosts that are a great start for the would-be Paul Oakenfold.
Loops and DJ Samples: Fast Lane to Hot Beats
A huge advantage entry-level suites have over the professional applications is that beginner programs come with extensive loop libraries and DJ samples. Snippets of beats, choruses, guitar tracks and more can be clicked-and-dragged to build songs from scratch. These loops can be edited or extended to give the novice musician complete control over a track. Another important feature is the ability to expand loop libraries. The entry-level apps mentioned here offer downloadable expansion packs to increase the material available to the home producer.
VST: Tweaking Sounds
Want to add reverb to your drum track or fuzzy distortion to a guitar? VSTs (Virtual Studio Technology) are easy-to-install plugins that extend your DAW's functionality. If there's an effect you've heard, there's a VST for it. The onscreen appearance of a VST is familiar, with knobs to turn to tweak the sound. Apply the VST to a track and the effect will be applied, giving home musicians even greater ability to fine-tune.
There's More
An inexpensive host program, loops and VSTs are all the home producer needs to get started with a DAW. After getting your feet wet, check out MIDI controllers, microphones and VSTi programs. But for now, get going! Start making music at home today.
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