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[sega]

Newbs,
you've come this far. Its finally time to START making your music! If you master this page you will be this far along,This page is important as we are going to write a song, step by step, and I am going to share with you some techniques and shortcuts I have learned through the years.

What you need

1. A good quality MIDI sequencer. Are you serious? Then don't mess around with toys and $50 buck midi programs! Sure they may be feature laden and have the same specs as the big boys, but trust me, it just isn't the same. There is no substitute for the user friendliness of a top of the line (or near top of the line) sequencer used by the pros. While everyone needs to budget money for the studio, and MIDI is a very expensive enterprise, this is one area where a compromise may prevent you from reaching the heights. Music power is the ability to translate the music you feel into sequences. If your sequencer makes it hard to do something, chances are great that you won't try in the heat of creation. The easier functions are, the more likely you are to use them.

2. Learn Your Sequencer's Basic Functions. If you haven't done this you are wasting time. Hi end sequencers do take time to master and have a steep learning curve. Its an investment. The joys of making your own music is the payoff, and it is worth every minute you spend figuring things out. All sequencers have their own internal logic. Its important to find out which sequencer has a logic you can groove with. Here are the absolute basics you must master.

Make sure you at least know the major key commands for REC. STOP. PAUSE. REWIND. Don't use the mouse for these functions! It will slow you down and probably ruin a few ideas. I'm not kidding. Nanoseconds count when you hit a live spark. If possible make it so your playing hand never leaves the keys. Use the other hand to trigger the record button. Know how to use a DRUM or PIANO ROLL GRID. Figure out the fastest way to make a new track and define an instrument.

Speed and intuitiveness is everything. You don't want to be mucking around with menus looking for functions as your live spark fades back in the void till its gone. Read up on what Quantizing does. So crack the manual. Chances are before you get too far you'll have a few ideas.




3. A desire for Quality. The difference between a great sequence and a ho-hum one is quality. You have to work towards this realm. Quality occurs when you work your sequences with mixers, controllers, effects, program changes and every element suddenly locks together to make a unified image and statement.

That's what all those tools are for. Once you are in the realm of quality you can't do wrong. Well things always can go wrong, but they are less likely when a vibe has caught you. Tweak that foundation till it moves your soul. Always ask: What can make this better?


4. Fun. If its fun to record it might be fun to listen to. This is the most important of them all! I don't care what they tell you in music school. Music is supposed to be fun! If it's not fun, it is not going to work. So make sure you "Play" A fun piece can break all the rules and go platinum. A "textbook perfect" piece might get you through a college recital, but that's all it will do.