I play music, and have - for some time now - been interested in branching out and using computer programmes to make backing tracks.

The problem is that I don't know where to start, as I know virtually nothing, having not even used a computer til 18 months ago.

I don't want to waste loads of time and money barking up the wrong tree, as there are myriad ways to approach this.

Does anyone know of any projects or good sites where I could get help, or do I just have to lock myself away for six months and sus it all from scratch.

Its probably worth you doing the MusicTech course at college, and also contact Red Tape Studios, as they do some nice fre/cheap courses on music production, which includes all the computer side of things...

you do learn alot by just getting in there and playing around with things for yourself.

what software are you using by the way

Make the best start by getting a Protools soundcard. Protools is the industry standard and most studios use it.

Before everyone says yeah but it's expensive!!!; you can get the Digidesign mbox USB sound card with Protools LE for around £200.

Find out more at www.digidesign.com

Whilst I agree Pro Tools is a very versatile platform, with respect, I think it's potentially a bit of overkill for the OP.

In terms of getting started in music technology, it all depends on your learning style and your determination. Are you the kind of person that learns by doing, or do you prefer to have someone guiding you through the learning process?

That's the first decision you need to make. If the latter, then I'd also second contacting Red Tape Studios in Sheffield city centre and learning something about the combination of hardware/software skills needed, before spending considerable money on kit that may well be overwhelmingly complex to someone just starting out.

However, it is possible to learn it all on your own (though talking to others about music technology certainly does help), and a good start would be to browse for a good book on the subject, with an understandable style of writing, which you can use to familiarise yourself with terminology before you go out and start to make purchases. Also take a look at magazines such as Computer Music and Sound on Sound http://www.sospubs.co.uk .

Originally posted by chri5
Make the best start by getting a Protools soundcard. Protools is the industry standard and most studios use it.

Before everyone says yeah but it's expensive!!!; you can get the Digidesign mbox USB sound card with Protools LE for around £200.

Find out more at www.digidesign.com

Good value, but not the most reliable software on earth. The amount of times I have had to interupt my dinner and run to FOH cos the thing crashed I would not like to count.

I've got an Edirol UA 5 going spare if you want to make an offer. USB does everything interface. Two channel. No software thought, like Protools :(

In fairness, it may have been down to the 'puter, but it was only two channel playback on a G4. Even LE seems to eat resources. I'm PC myself.

But the mBox is good!

Originally posted by GabbleRatcht
Good value, but not the most reliable software on earth.

This is true. Always visit the user forums of digidesigns website to find out which systems perform best with Protools.
Protools is picky about what sort of motherboard/CPU setup you have.

I'll second that about sound on sounds website being a great source of info. Also great second hand gear can be had from their for sale section.

the best one i found( i dabble around abit ) is cakewalk you can't find a better one it has everything

Originally posted by funkymonkey
the best one i found( i dabble around abit ) is cakewalk you can't find a better one it has everything

the best thing is to try several until you decide which software sequencer you prefer, then go and buy it.


different people like different things, and we all work in different ways, so someone may rave on about how great cubase is, but somebody else may hate it, and prefer logic audio, some may prefer cakewalk, some may prefer fruity loops.

the top two are undoubtedly cubase and logic audio, ableton live is also pretty nifty

donkey --

I have been running cubase and related tools for many years now, if you want to buy me a beer sometime I'd be happy to tell you all about it, it's a long story though...

otherwise, to start off you should at least obtain a copy of cubase and a decent PC (lots of people have problems with dodgy hardware, you need to have good kit to do this stuff). also buy a decent semi-pro soundcard like one of the M-audio/midiman models and a little mixer. cubase comes with a big book that tells you how it all works...

Thank you for the suggestions and advice everyone. I think I'm just going to go for it as soon as I decide what software to use. software to use.

while pc's are fine for recording, have you considered a dedicated multitrack?

in my experience they are MUCH easier to use than pc's: you don't have all the larking about of booting up, loading programs etc; plus your pc is freed up to ask on the net for advice as you record!

the prices are also incredible: the korg d4 is £249...for that you get 4 tracks, 32 virtual tracks (i.e. try different 'takes' and pick the best), built in effects, eq etc.

you can "bounce" your finished tracks and just keep adding more on top if you wanted, making the number of tracks in theory unlimited.

£500 will get a "zoom" 16 track....

but if you want to try out pc software, you can get it all free on the cover of "computer music" mag, £5.99 :)