How R They Doing It? Software or Hardware

rallycapmusic · 11th May 2007

I produce mainly hip-hop/pop music but im also interested in dance music,Armand Van Helden,producer,remixer/dj's of that type of music. I listen to thier music, sit and wonder"how are they creating that,with all the sounds,filters,fades going on it would seem that a program of some sort is being used. are these guys tracking each midi track as audio 1 by 1 into a DAW? if so,thats ALOT of tracks and alot of things happing at once.

Tibbon · 11th May 2007

You could do this all with either hardware and automation, or software and automation. Most people seem to be using some combination of hardware and software. Yes, there's a lot going on in (most) modern music, and it's pretty in depth. Lots of tracks. Some people are using MIDI heavily, and others are using devices like MPC's to sequence and using MIDI primaraly for sync and automation functions, instead of for sequencing everything and then mixing the synths (as they may have done at one point).

Either way, it's all possible with a great variety of modern equipment. Work with what you have. Buy only for the most part what you need, and you'll figure it all out. Most things can be done in your own workflow with a variety of things. Don't worry about what a specific artist, producer or engineer has, because with the same equipment you will get far different results for sure.

rallycapmusic · 11th May 2007

well i never been the type to bounce between software and hardware at the same time.it has to be either or..or it messes up my work flow. if i have an mpc and some racks mods i like to work like that because it boom,boom,boom n a certain order. if i worked in a program,reason,logic,etc..its like boom,boom,boom,keeping it simple. i never was the one who could make a beat jumping from an mpc then reaching over to fiddle around with reason on my laptop. it always had to be one or the other. if i have to stop then run over to the laptop to tweak a sound in reason it messes with my flow.

Improv · 12th May 2007

It is a LOT of work... and the very best producers of the technical genres are the ones that can keep the musicality in the piece in the midst of a mindf***'s-worth of edits and FX. Those two hats are not easy to wear at same time.

I know that when I do this kind of work, planning ahead is crucial. You have to have a certain vision of how you want it all to flow before you start. That way, you can use the effects and filters of your synths for all their esoteric goodness, printing the results as you go (but retaining virtual MIDI and sysex backups of all your synth data, just in case you need to go back). Combining hardware and software synths/fx results in a potent combination of editing power. Most synths these days allow virtually unlimited automation of all their parameters just like a plugin, so knowledge of midi controllers and editing is crucial. You also need to know your DAW's automation inside and out. There is no way to do all those things at once, so they are indeed programmed layer by layer, sound by sound. Not to mention audio data chops, manipulation, unorthodox FX routings (again, hw and sw)... the list of chores go on and on.

Props to "techno" producers all over the world. It's a whole different level of artistry that I think goes sorely underappreciated.

11th May 2007	#1
rallycapmusic Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2007 Location: West "Ma' **in" Oakland Posts: 555 Thread Starter**	How R They Doing It? Software or Hardware I produce mainly hip-hop/pop music but im also interested in dance music,Armand Van Helden,producer,remixer/dj's of that type of music. I listen to thier music, sit and wonder"how are they creating that,with all the sounds,filters,fades going on it would seem that a program of some sort is being used. are these guys tracking each midi track as audio 1 by 1 into a DAW? if so,thats ALOT of tracks and alot of things happing at once. __________________ <<<--------"Hook" Mitchell was a Street Ball legend here in Oakland

11th May 2007	#2
Tibbon Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston/MA Posts: 4,780 2 Reviews written	You could do this all with either hardware and automation, or software and automation. Most people seem to be using some combination of hardware and software. Yes, there's a lot going on in (most) modern music, and it's pretty in depth. Lots of tracks. Some people are using MIDI heavily, and others are using devices like MPC's to sequence and using MIDI primaraly for sync and automation functions, instead of for sequencing everything and then mixing the synths (as they may have done at one point). Either way, it's all possible with a great variety of modern equipment. Work with what you have. Buy only for the most part what you need, and you'll figure it all out. Most things can be done in your own workflow with a variety of things. Don't worry about what a specific artist, producer or engineer has, because with the same equipment you will get far different results for sure. __________________ David Fisher (aka tibbon) What is Noise, Blog (DIY, gear, tech, etc) Follow me on Twitter imVOX- Voice for Gamers WTB: Moog Theremin Signature Edition

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12th May 2007	#4
Improv Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,365	It is a LOT of work... and the very best producers of the technical genres are the ones that can keep the musicality in the piece in the midst of a mindf***'s-worth of edits and FX. Those two hats are not easy to wear at same time. I know that when I do this kind of work, planning ahead is crucial. You have to have a certain vision of how you want it all to flow before you start. That way, you can use the effects and filters of your synths for all their esoteric goodness, printing the results as you go (but retaining virtual MIDI and sysex backups of all your synth data, just in case you need to go back). Combining hardware and software synths/fx results in a potent combination of editing power. Most synths these days allow virtually unlimited automation of all their parameters just like a plugin, so knowledge of midi controllers and editing is crucial. You also need to know your DAW's automation inside and out. There is no way to do all those things at once, so they are indeed programmed layer by layer, sound by sound. Not to mention audio data chops, manipulation, unorthodox FX routings (again, hw and sw)... the list of chores go on and on. Props to "techno" producers all over the world. It's a whole different level of artistry that I think goes sorely underappreciated.