Have computer -- want noise
March 4, 2010 11:19 AM
Have computer -- want to make "music"
I thought it might be fun if my kids and I (or, for that matter, just I) made some music on the computer. Immediately upon having this thought I run up against a total brick wall of ignorance. There is simply so much out there (even on askme), and I lack even the most basic vocabulary to describe what I'm after, that I haven't been able to get a grip on where to start.
I think my goals are modest. My rough idea is that we'd have a library of basic noises that we can arrange in various ways. For starters, some drum/percussion sounds -- but it'd also be fun to make recordings of ourselves saying or singing something. Given the library of noises, we'd pick and choose and arrange in time, such that we'd have a continuous loop of noise upon which to build. Eventually, we might approach a sort of music but I'll be satisfied with "rhythmic noise".
Equipment: I've got an older powerbook I'd like to use, but we could perhaps use my wife's imac. I don't have any other equipment, but could invest in say a small keyboard, if that were useful.
Software: Is Garage Band appropriate for this sort of thing? Something else? In some of the related askme threads I've found I've seen references to various tools: Acid, Ableton, Reason. At this point I can't even distinguish between these tools. I've got no problem investing a bit in this project, but I'd like to start at the right place.
Resources: Books? Websites?
I thought it might be fun if my kids and I (or, for that matter, just I) made some music on the computer. Immediately upon having this thought I run up against a total brick wall of ignorance. There is simply so much out there (even on askme), and I lack even the most basic vocabulary to describe what I'm after, that I haven't been able to get a grip on where to start.
I think my goals are modest. My rough idea is that we'd have a library of basic noises that we can arrange in various ways. For starters, some drum/percussion sounds -- but it'd also be fun to make recordings of ourselves saying or singing something. Given the library of noises, we'd pick and choose and arrange in time, such that we'd have a continuous loop of noise upon which to build. Eventually, we might approach a sort of music but I'll be satisfied with "rhythmic noise".
Equipment: I've got an older powerbook I'd like to use, but we could perhaps use my wife's imac. I don't have any other equipment, but could invest in say a small keyboard, if that were useful.
Software: Is Garage Band appropriate for this sort of thing? Something else? In some of the related askme threads I've found I've seen references to various tools: Acid, Ableton, Reason. At this point I can't even distinguish between these tools. I've got no problem investing a bit in this project, but I'd like to start at the right place.
Resources: Books? Websites?
garage band is entirely appropriate for this; theres a large library of sounds and you can record with it. You should be able to use it effectively on any mac made in the last five years or so.
After a while, if you find garage band too limiting, then you can check out ableton or logic (acid is windows only, i think; reason doesnt do recording, just drums and synthesizers.)
posted by modernserf at 11:24 AM on March 4, 2010
After a while, if you find garage band too limiting, then you can check out ableton or logic (acid is windows only, i think; reason doesnt do recording, just drums and synthesizers.)
posted by modernserf at 11:24 AM on March 4, 2010
Yeah this is exactly what Garage Band does. I've found the UI a little opaque but most audio software is just as hairy. Your kids will probably figure it out really quick though.
posted by chairface at 11:29 AM on March 4, 2010
posted by chairface at 11:29 AM on March 4, 2010
Yes, GarageBand. Depending on how old your Mac is, you might have an older version. The newer versions (08/09) are much friendlier to beginners. You can buy it as part of the iLife package.
posted by Mwongozi at 11:32 AM on March 4, 2010
posted by Mwongozi at 11:32 AM on March 4, 2010
I meant to include the link to the GarageBand website, which explains much.
posted by Mwongozi at 11:33 AM on March 4, 2010
posted by Mwongozi at 11:33 AM on March 4, 2010
Yes, you want Garage Band. It comes with some good tutorials, and there are a lot more online.
GB is a loop-based music system, which is the easiest way to use it, but then you can lay down tracks alongside your loops. E.g., you can put together a percussion track using drum loops, and then you can sing or play guitar or whatever into a microphone, and record that into another track. Rinse, repeat, and you can be the whole band.
I think GB also acts as a MIDI sequencer, so you can plug a MIDI keyboard into it and play that as well, and use that as a track. (So, conceivably, you could do loop tracks, MIDI tracks, and actual recorded tracks all on top of each other.) If you know how to play the piano, you might find a MIDI keyboard to be a useful input device. If not (and you don't want to learn right now), I'd probably buy a USB interface and semi-decent microphone as your first addition, once you get bored with just playing with loop tracks.
I think it's probably an excellent first program for you.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:37 AM on March 4, 2010
GB is a loop-based music system, which is the easiest way to use it, but then you can lay down tracks alongside your loops. E.g., you can put together a percussion track using drum loops, and then you can sing or play guitar or whatever into a microphone, and record that into another track. Rinse, repeat, and you can be the whole band.
I think GB also acts as a MIDI sequencer, so you can plug a MIDI keyboard into it and play that as well, and use that as a track. (So, conceivably, you could do loop tracks, MIDI tracks, and actual recorded tracks all on top of each other.) If you know how to play the piano, you might find a MIDI keyboard to be a useful input device. If not (and you don't want to learn right now), I'd probably buy a USB interface and semi-decent microphone as your first addition, once you get bored with just playing with loop tracks.
I think it's probably an excellent first program for you.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:37 AM on March 4, 2010
I would recommend investing in a midi keyboard like the Oxygen 49. You could probably pick one up on eBay for quite cheap. There are plenty of midi keyboards to choose from.
It opens up a world of audio possibilities and also introduces your kids to playing a keyboard / piano. In Garageband you would use it to trigger your vocal samples and also the built in virtual instruments.
Making music on a computer really isn't much fun until you get a midi keyboard or controller.
By the way, have fun! You and your kids will love it.
posted by jasondigitized at 11:44 AM on March 4, 2010
It opens up a world of audio possibilities and also introduces your kids to playing a keyboard / piano. In Garageband you would use it to trigger your vocal samples and also the built in virtual instruments.
Making music on a computer really isn't much fun until you get a midi keyboard or controller.
By the way, have fun! You and your kids will love it.
posted by jasondigitized at 11:44 AM on March 4, 2010
Excellent! It looks like I'll have to start looking at GarageBand. One question, though, just out of curiosity:
if you find garage band too limiting ...
What do the other programs do that GB does not?
posted by lex mercatoria at 12:57 PM on March 4, 2010
if you find garage band too limiting ...
What do the other programs do that GB does not?
posted by lex mercatoria at 12:57 PM on March 4, 2010
Logic is way more extensive in what you can do pre and post production. It also has more bundled stock filters\apple loops\instruments.
As far as just recording some crap and laying down some loops, drums, keyboards, they are very similar.
Logic is also $600 whereas garageband is free.
posted by zephyr_words at 1:21 PM on March 4, 2010
As far as just recording some crap and laying down some loops, drums, keyboards, they are very similar.
Logic is also $600 whereas garageband is free.
posted by zephyr_words at 1:21 PM on March 4, 2010
If you get to a point where Garageband is too limiting, you would then move into the world of Reason / Live / Logic / Sonar / Cubase / Protools. They are basically like having a full blown studio in your bedroom.
posted by jasondigitized at 11:06 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by jasondigitized at 11:06 AM on March 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 11:24 AM on March 4, 2010