What do I need to start making music at home?
Many people want to start ‘producing’ (it’s actually technically called composing) their own music from their own home computers (aka ‘bedroom producers’). It’s easy to get lost at first as there is so much gear available and some things seem so technical, however you really don’t need much at all to get started.
This is a basic list of what you need to get started:
1) The MIDI Controller
The MIDI controller, such as a musical keyboard, does not in fact produce any music of its own! So it doesn’t actually produce or transmit any audio, it only sends data which is in the form of ‘MIDI messages’. These MIDI messages, such as when you press a musical note on the MIDI keyboard, transmit this data to your computer and it uses that data to activate a musical note so a sound can be heard.
This might seem too technical for composing music, but it needs to be covered so that you understand that a MIDI controller does not actually produce any sounds on its own like a real instrument would. It only transmits (and often receives) MIDI data.
MIDI controllers do not neccessarily have to be keyboard based (like the notes on a keyboard). You can get controllers such as breath instruments (they use sensors to monitor your breathing so its like a virtual flute) and electronic drums. You can even setup a tablet to function as a MIDI controller.
MIDI keyboards can either be connected via MIDI cables or USB, depending on the model. Check this when purchasing a MIDI controller.
Sweetwater - MIDI Controller Buying Guide
2) The Audio Interface
The audio interface functions as an external soundcard. It will usually have ‘Line in’ inputs and ‘Line Out’ outputs for you to connect actual instruments if you are interested in recording them, such as a real guitar. It will also usually contain a MIDI port for you to connect a MIDI device such as your MIDI controller.
While you could technically start composing music without an audio interface, it is a very important piece of equipment to have as it reduces latency (the time it takes for a MIDI note that is pressed to be heard) and allows you to connect external instruments as well as output your audio to monitor speakers.
Audio Interfaces can be very costly, however there are budget options available for starting out which usually only feature 2 channels in and 2 channels out.
Take note that there are three different types of Audio Interfaces in regards to how they connect to your PC and that is USB, Firewire and Ethernet connection. USB is often the most affordable but it tends to have the highest latency of the lot.
MusicRadar - '8 of the best budget audio interfaces
3) A Computer
A computer is obviously going to be needed. Apple systems are often sought after due to the way the Apple Operating System handles audio (Core Audio) however a normal PC running Windows will work fine. The two most important factors when it comes to getting a computer is your (HDD) Hard Disk Drive speed and the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) it has.
The HDD speed is important as various different audio files on your computer are often being accessed when composing or playing back a composition. The RAM also becomes very important when using sample-based virtual instruments as they utilise samples (individual audio files) that are played when you press a note. These are often loaded into your RAM and it’s not uncommon to have 16 gigabytes of RAM all used up when using the more expensive virtual instruments.
A basic recommendation to start with is 8 gigabytes of RAM which is more than enough for a basic setup.
4) The Digital Audio Workstation
The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is where everything takes place. This usually contains a sequencer where you add and remove musical notes, a playback system for starting and stopping the composition, the ability to record audio, a window to arrange your audio and MIDI regions and the container for your virtual instruments.
There are quite a number of DAWs available and it’s up to you to decide which you want to work with.
Ableton Live:
This DAW excels at being used in live performances, but it still functions as a DAW. It's built-in inserts use a modular approach which is great to experiment with when composing. I rate Ableton Live quite high up also because of the integration with Max for Live, essentially allowing you to program (as in 'logic programming' like Java/C++) anything your heart desires.
Avid Pro Tools:
Professional DAW
Apple Logic Pro (Apple OS only)
Professional DAW that is very cheap for what it offers, but only available on Apple systems.
Steinberg Cubase:
Professional DAW
Image-Line FruityLoops/FL Studio:
Very unique DAW, but it has quite a few limitations. It is great to start out on, but it lacks many features needed for professional composers.
Reaper: Many people consider this DAW to be free since the Trial version never expires, however it's not technically free. Worth a look if you have a tight budget.
There are a few DAWs out there that are entirely free, but it needs to be said that you should save yourself the frustration and time and get yourself a good DAW.
5) Monitor speakers
Monitor speakers are specially designed speakers to produce a ‘flat’ sound. This means that the sound you are hearing from monitor speakers is ‘unaltered’ and not put through special effects to sound better. An example of this is how sound for gaming is run through all kinds of effects (THX etc.) to become more ‘earcandy’ for the gamer. You don’t want this with composing music as these special effects don’t let you actually hear what’s really going on so you might end up adjusting the level of something which wasn’t necessary. This will create problems when you hear your music on a system other than your own.
You do not need monitor speakers to start off with however you will definitely need to invest in a set once you are more serious into composing music so that you can work more accurately.
MusicRadar - 14 recommended studio monitor speakers
MusicRadar - 7 of the best affordable monitor speakers
6) Plugins/VSTs/Inserts
Plugins/VSTs/Inserts are ‘virtual instruments’ that are loaded into your DAW, although many can be used without a DAW (known as ‘standalone’). As mentioned, your MIDI controller doesn’t produce any sounds. The ‘virtual instrument’ is what is actually generating the sound you heard, which is triggered via your MIDI controller.
There are far too many virtual instruments out there to cover so I will just mention two types that you should be aware of:
i) Software Synthesizers: These are sound generators that produce a sound ‘from scratch’.
ii) Sample-based: These use recorded samples to generate their sounds. These are more common when you’re using a plugin that emulates a real instrument, such as a piano or guitar emulation.
Most DAWs contain their own plugins so you do not have to buy any plugins when starting, however they are usually somewhat limited.
This is a list of popular software synthesizers that people tend to use:
(Please note that this is not complete nor does it feature every popular software synthesizer, however these are very popular)
Native Instruments Massive
LennarDigital Sylenth1
Rob Papen Predator
Spectrasonics Omnisphere
u-he Zebra 2
Camel Audio Alchemy
ReFX Nexus 2
-- Conclusion --
Starting off without any knowledge on composing can be very daunting so I hope this clears up most of it up who have a passion for it.
If you have any doubts regarding a setup or equipment, please feel free to message me and I'll try help you out.
Many people want to start ‘producing’ (it’s actually technically called composing) their own music from their own home computers (aka ‘bedroom producers’). It’s easy to get lost at first as there is so much gear available and some things seem so technical, however you really don’t need much at all to get started.
This is a basic list of what you need to get started:
- A MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) controller
- An audio interface (It’s like an external sound card)
- A computer
- A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
- Monitor speakers (Not necessary at first)
- Plugins/VSTs/Inserts
1) The MIDI Controller
The MIDI controller, such as a musical keyboard, does not in fact produce any music of its own! So it doesn’t actually produce or transmit any audio, it only sends data which is in the form of ‘MIDI messages’. These MIDI messages, such as when you press a musical note on the MIDI keyboard, transmit this data to your computer and it uses that data to activate a musical note so a sound can be heard.
This might seem too technical for composing music, but it needs to be covered so that you understand that a MIDI controller does not actually produce any sounds on its own like a real instrument would. It only transmits (and often receives) MIDI data.
MIDI controllers do not neccessarily have to be keyboard based (like the notes on a keyboard). You can get controllers such as breath instruments (they use sensors to monitor your breathing so its like a virtual flute) and electronic drums. You can even setup a tablet to function as a MIDI controller.
MIDI keyboards can either be connected via MIDI cables or USB, depending on the model. Check this when purchasing a MIDI controller.
Sweetwater - MIDI Controller Buying Guide
2) The Audio Interface
The audio interface functions as an external soundcard. It will usually have ‘Line in’ inputs and ‘Line Out’ outputs for you to connect actual instruments if you are interested in recording them, such as a real guitar. It will also usually contain a MIDI port for you to connect a MIDI device such as your MIDI controller.
While you could technically start composing music without an audio interface, it is a very important piece of equipment to have as it reduces latency (the time it takes for a MIDI note that is pressed to be heard) and allows you to connect external instruments as well as output your audio to monitor speakers.
Audio Interfaces can be very costly, however there are budget options available for starting out which usually only feature 2 channels in and 2 channels out.
Take note that there are three different types of Audio Interfaces in regards to how they connect to your PC and that is USB, Firewire and Ethernet connection. USB is often the most affordable but it tends to have the highest latency of the lot.
MusicRadar - '8 of the best budget audio interfaces
3) A Computer
A computer is obviously going to be needed. Apple systems are often sought after due to the way the Apple Operating System handles audio (Core Audio) however a normal PC running Windows will work fine. The two most important factors when it comes to getting a computer is your (HDD) Hard Disk Drive speed and the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) it has.
The HDD speed is important as various different audio files on your computer are often being accessed when composing or playing back a composition. The RAM also becomes very important when using sample-based virtual instruments as they utilise samples (individual audio files) that are played when you press a note. These are often loaded into your RAM and it’s not uncommon to have 16 gigabytes of RAM all used up when using the more expensive virtual instruments.
A basic recommendation to start with is 8 gigabytes of RAM which is more than enough for a basic setup.
4) The Digital Audio Workstation
The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is where everything takes place. This usually contains a sequencer where you add and remove musical notes, a playback system for starting and stopping the composition, the ability to record audio, a window to arrange your audio and MIDI regions and the container for your virtual instruments.
There are quite a number of DAWs available and it’s up to you to decide which you want to work with.
Ableton Live:
This DAW excels at being used in live performances, but it still functions as a DAW. It's built-in inserts use a modular approach which is great to experiment with when composing. I rate Ableton Live quite high up also because of the integration with Max for Live, essentially allowing you to program (as in 'logic programming' like Java/C++) anything your heart desires.
Avid Pro Tools:
Professional DAW
Apple Logic Pro (Apple OS only)
Professional DAW that is very cheap for what it offers, but only available on Apple systems.
Steinberg Cubase:
Professional DAW
Image-Line FruityLoops/FL Studio:
Very unique DAW, but it has quite a few limitations. It is great to start out on, but it lacks many features needed for professional composers.
Reaper: Many people consider this DAW to be free since the Trial version never expires, however it's not technically free. Worth a look if you have a tight budget.
There are a few DAWs out there that are entirely free, but it needs to be said that you should save yourself the frustration and time and get yourself a good DAW.
5) Monitor speakers
Monitor speakers are specially designed speakers to produce a ‘flat’ sound. This means that the sound you are hearing from monitor speakers is ‘unaltered’ and not put through special effects to sound better. An example of this is how sound for gaming is run through all kinds of effects (THX etc.) to become more ‘earcandy’ for the gamer. You don’t want this with composing music as these special effects don’t let you actually hear what’s really going on so you might end up adjusting the level of something which wasn’t necessary. This will create problems when you hear your music on a system other than your own.
You do not need monitor speakers to start off with however you will definitely need to invest in a set once you are more serious into composing music so that you can work more accurately.
MusicRadar - 14 recommended studio monitor speakers
MusicRadar - 7 of the best affordable monitor speakers
6) Plugins/VSTs/Inserts
Plugins/VSTs/Inserts are ‘virtual instruments’ that are loaded into your DAW, although many can be used without a DAW (known as ‘standalone’). As mentioned, your MIDI controller doesn’t produce any sounds. The ‘virtual instrument’ is what is actually generating the sound you heard, which is triggered via your MIDI controller.
There are far too many virtual instruments out there to cover so I will just mention two types that you should be aware of:
i) Software Synthesizers: These are sound generators that produce a sound ‘from scratch’.
ii) Sample-based: These use recorded samples to generate their sounds. These are more common when you’re using a plugin that emulates a real instrument, such as a piano or guitar emulation.
Most DAWs contain their own plugins so you do not have to buy any plugins when starting, however they are usually somewhat limited.
This is a list of popular software synthesizers that people tend to use:
(Please note that this is not complete nor does it feature every popular software synthesizer, however these are very popular)
Native Instruments Massive
LennarDigital Sylenth1
Rob Papen Predator
Spectrasonics Omnisphere
u-he Zebra 2
Camel Audio Alchemy
ReFX Nexus 2
-- Conclusion --
Starting off without any knowledge on composing can be very daunting so I hope this clears up most of it up who have a passion for it.
If you have any doubts regarding a setup or equipment, please feel free to message me and I'll try help you out.
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