Music Mixing?

As you may already know, there are a plethora of apps for both mac and pc, it really depends on what you want to focus on-DJ mixing, recording, loop-based editing/beat arrangement, or composing on the computer with MIDI? What kind of music are you into making?

Hmm I just kinda wanted to mess around but I suppose DJ mixing…

If on a mac, the no-brained would be GarageBand, but I’m assuming you’re on Windows. A lot of students I teach start off with FL Studio or Sony Acid, then move on to sequencing on Reason or Ableton Live. The former two take very little musical knowledge and are primarily loop editors (you build songs by arranging the individual parts as short “blocks” of music that loop and sync together automatically to a master tempo).

The latter two are a bit more sophisticated as they let you go deeper into manipulating loops and adding your own loops with synthesizer instruments that are a part of the software.

If you’d rather start off just blending pre-recorded full tracks, then you’re seeking more of a virtual DJ program. The good ones usually cost quite a bit and require hardware if you want to mix with controllers that emulate authentic DJ hardware (mixers, turntables, etc.). A good entry-level system to look into for DJ’ing is M-Audio’s Torq software-which can be purchased with a controller surface for about $129 for the system. You would also need a sound card or box (USB audio interface) that has 2 pairs of stereo audio outputs (one for listening to one “deck” on headphones and cueing, the second pair of outputs for connecting to a PA it stereo system for amplification).

Let me know if this helps or if you’d like more direction…also it’s helpful if you know what your computer system’s specifications are…some programs require a certain minimum amount of memory and disk space to run. Good luck!

Thanks a ton! I am on a Mac btw but I thought Garage band was more of a playlist organizer for seamless playback etc. But I will fro sure check it out. Torq sounds very cool but since I am just looking to mess around it sounds a bit much haha. Thanks again!

No problem anytime! If you’re on a Mac (my weapon of choice btw), you should research the new GarageBand that’s part of iLife’09…some pretty nice improvements were made and decent sounds for both loop-based editing/arranging and actual best making (MIDI). Check out Apple’s site for the product tour and QuickTime clips. If you go that route, M-Audio makes a nice MIDI USB controller (the Axiom-series) that has drum pad buttons like the MPC drum machines, plus a piano keyboard and programmable knobs.

Nice I will for sure check that out!

Right on brotha…hit me up via PM if you have any Qs…I might be able to chime in and help you make a good choice and not break the bank with something you can’t use or may be for uses other than what you described…good luck with that.

Fruity loops, acid pro, soundstage, or garage band. The latter is actually a pretty powerful tool once you get the ins and outs down. I’ve done a couple CDs on GarageBand. Granted, it was me, a acoustic, and a fifth of jonnie walker black label, but yeah- They turned out pretty decent.

[mod says]: keep it legal, thanks!

Sorry @sndfreQ didn’t realize that I couldn’t recommend those :P

hmm what was it you recommended?

torrenting pirated sw

Yeah, it was about torrenting. Sorry again @sndfreQ.

no worries