Getting into making electronic music.

[juicylime]

Advice please!
I've started making electronic music and I'm really enjoying it and want to get into it a little more seriously. I play and write alot and I've got a decent understanding of putting music together, although I haven't worked with much electronic stuff. I'd love some advice on what I should do or where I should look to learn about the techniques and gear behind electronic and dance music (Not DnB or trance or banging stuff, more like stuff that grooves, has synths/loops/samples mixed with live instruments and lots melodic vocals).

My set up is a PC running Cubase and Reason with a few guitars, basses, POD XT's (1 for bass, 1 for guitar), Korg PadKontrol, old 70's GEM solid state organ, Yamaha CS01 mono synth, Axiom 85 key midi keyboard, lots of percussion, various toys and good mics.

Any pointers on where I should be looking to learn more?

[theoryinmotion]

Best advice I ever got was to listen to the genre or artists similar to what you want to make. Think about how they are programming their sounds, phrases and transistion..... try making something similar then personalize it.
Oh, and lots of practice.

Good luck!

[sguali]

And if you are not similiar with the softwares that you are using. Get some good manuals (my point is that you can get so much out from reason if you just know how to use it)

and like the theoryinmotion told you, listen listen listen.

Depeche mode, Air, Zero 7,Telepop Music, Royksopp, and For the groove some Jamiroquai.

The own "electro sound" will develop with time. and please share your reason files when you are having a problem.

- Sguali

[Stevil]

tweakheadz lab is a great place for info.
TweakHeadz Lab Electronic Musician's Hangout

if you really wanna get into electronic music, i recommend picking up an old analog synth or somthing like the sh201 with a ton of knobs so you can gain a hands on understanding of synthesis signal paths: LFO, Filters, Oscillators, Ect...

a general understanding of midi is also helpful.
MIDI 101 by TweakHeadz Lab

the knobs are your friends & are there to be played with. ultimately yer looking @ spending alot of time tweaking on em to dial up & discover the limits of yer gear & where the sound you're chasing after resides.

(Not DnB or trance or banging stuff, more like stuff that grooves, has synths/loops/samples mixed with live instruments and lots melodic vocals).

i'd point you @ massive attack, early morcheeba & ozric tentacles. they seemlessly blend electronics, electric & acoustic instruments.