I know how to play many instruments etc, but what programs can I use to mix it? And how to I mix it? I use Windows.

For playing in/recording instruments I would have to say Ableton Live.
What equipment do you have now? ie soundcard, mixer board, mics etc. You will need to invest if are planning on recording in live instruments.

I study music and can record in the university. I just need to know how to make the kickdrum-sounds, and mixing and making weird sounds :p

Shpongloor - 08 April 2009 08:38 PM

I just need to know how to make the kickdrum-sounds,

Use samples or drum machines. Then you have to tweak them to the desired sound that you want.

Shpongloor - 08 April 2009 08:38 PM

and mixing and making weird sounds :p

Using virtual synths and once again playing around until you find what you want.

Else you can write to a magazine like computer music and ask them how to do some stuff. Also in the mag they have tips on how to mix/record etc etc

It’s more the software I need to know about! I use mac os x, windows 7 and Ubuntu.

It is very complicated to sum up every technique that Simon Posford (or any other producer for that matter) uses.
Now, you can make “shpongle” music in any daw software, the importent thing is just to know it very well. This takes years of training, so you’re best of getting a teacher of some sort if you don’t know anything about digital audio and manipulation. Maybe there is somebody at your university that knows about this stuff and can teach you the fundamentals?
It is nearly impossible to answer your question right know, but return with some more in-depth questions when you know exactly what you want to do, and we’ll be happy to answer them.

Friendly regards, Morten…

Just give me the name of some apps for Mac, Windows and Linux, and I’ll check them out!:)

Well, Simon Posford himself is using Logic:
http://www.apple.com/dk/logicstudio/

This is the obvious choice for mac. On windows, Cubase is still the leader and the Linux platform is still a bit behind, so i would go for Logic studio if you’ve got a mac.

Ableton Live is also good to use.

A few suggestions…

Ableton Live - Mixing, arranging, composing
Cakewalk Rapture - Very large synthesizer capable of some very complex programming
Battery 3 - Drum Sampler
Korg Legacy Collection - Emulation of classic retro synths used by many twisted artists
Cakewalk Dimension Pro - Good variety of sounds. Everything from strings to rhodes

You’ll need to learn how to program a synthesizer.
Don’t get carried away with too much software either.
Hundreds of vsts, synths, and plugins will do you no good.
Learn to use only a few tools to their fullest potential.

And for the love of god, if you pirate software and like it, please go out and buy it!
That way, the companys can keep making these awesome products!

http://www.generalfuzz.net/blog/?p=486
Some of the best advice on electronic music I’ve ever read.
Hope that helps!

-Cloudwalker

I spent the money from my last gig to buy Ableton, Cubase and Logic! Now I just have to learn how to use them…

Shpongloor - 14 June 2009 11:11 PM

I spent the money from my last gig to buy Ableton, Cubase and Logic! Now I just have to learn how to use them…

I use logic and it is a tough one. The basics are fairly easy but I can honestly say that using logic will be an experience of perpetual learning.

For my money, it’s the cats whiskers!

Do yourself a favor and check out some of the online tutorials (youtube etc) because they are really helpful to get things rolling.

And, above all else, use the manuals when youre stuck on something.

When i first started using Reason, i read the entire manual from start to end….. nnot an action i would recommend to anyone with Logic…...there are far too many pages.

Above all else, remember to have fun with it all the time, celebrate the small victories, and don’t give up!

Good luck.

I use Cubase 5 on a Mac and love it, it’s really streamlined for electronic music it seems.  Cubase is my choice because it makes it easy to get ideas down quick and it’s fairly easy to add effects and tweak samples/etc.  Good luck!