Hello, hello! Not sure who I am quite yet..

[Smiley]

Hey, everyone! I'm not too good at talking about myself, so I answered some questions from another thread..

 

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments?

 

I sing sometimes, I've won awards for my school when I was in high school

 

2. Are you in a band or bands?

 

Not Currently 

 

3. Do you write songs?

 

Yes I do

 

4. Do you record your music?

 

No, but I want to start

 

5. What other roles do you perform in the music business?

 

I write songs, I dunno

 

6. Are you a tech head?

 

Not sure what that means

 

7. What country do you live in?

 

US OF A BAYBEEE

 

8. What are your ambitions?

To write and record music. I love it 

 

9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit?

 

I write stories and I want to draw.

 

10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff?

 

To hear music from others, and share my music as well, maybe even get some collabs.

[john]

lol, very good. There are busier times than now but quiet times do happen! Activity breeds activity

 

Do you record just now?

[Smiley]

1 minute ago, john said:

lol, very good. There are busier times than now but quiet times do happen! Activity breeds activity

 

Do you record just now?

I'm currently looking for someone to help me make the actual music for now, but I really, really want to record and get my stuff out there.

[El Diablo Songwriter]

12 hours ago, Smiley said:

I'm currently looking for someone to help me make the actual music for now, but I really, really want to record and get my stuff out there.

What do you mean, by "help"?

[john]

6 hours ago, El Diablo Songwriter said:

What do you mean, by "help"?

 

A simple term that could hide a lot of meaning!

[Smiley]

7 hours ago, El Diablo Songwriter said:

What do you mean, by "help"?

I'm not too good with making instrumentals or anything right now.

[El Diablo Songwriter]

18 minutes ago, Smiley said:

I'm not too good with making instrumentals or anything right now.

So, does that mean you don't have a D.A.W. (Digital Audio Workstation) software?

 

If not, right now for a short time, you can still get Cakewalk by Bandlab free.  They are going towards a paid version very soon... It's absolutely the best free DAW that used to be paid that is going free and going to be a paid version soon.  So, if you don't have a DAW, you should get that one.

 

If you have money, I recommend Reaper.

 

Other than that... I'm not sure what you mean by making instruments??

Edited November 15, 2023 by El Diablo Songwriter

[Smiley]

Just now, El Diablo Songwriter said:

So, does that mean you don't have a D.A.W. (Digital Audio Workstation) software?

 

If not, right now for a short time, you can still get Cakewalk by Bandlab free.  They are going towards a paid version very soon... It's absolutely the best free DAW that used to be paid that is going free soon.

 

Other than that... I'm not sure what you mean by making instruments??

 

The actual music that goes along with the words I'm singing. I'm looking for free D.A.W. software, but I want someone to help me along the first few steps to boost my confidence.

[El Diablo Songwriter]

https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk

[El Diablo Songwriter]

I don't necessarily trust free software as that can contain virus and or malware.  So, I can't recommend other free software for plugins for your DAW.

 

The reason I can recommend this DAW, as I paid for it when it was a paid product, and I tracked it over the years.  I received a letter from Cakewalk that was owned by Gibson at the time of this change of ownership, so I knows it's legit free software, plus they have a windows certification for the installation process for windows users.

 

I forgot to ask if you was a windows or Mac user.. Sorry.

Edited November 15, 2023 by El Diablo Songwriter
Spelling

[Smiley]

4 minutes ago, El Diablo Songwriter said:

https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk

Thank you :3

[Smiley]

1 minute ago, El Diablo Songwriter said:

I don't necessarily trust free software as that can contain virus and or malware.  So, I can't recommend other free software for plugins for your DAW.

 

The reason I can recommend this DAW, as I paid for it when it was a paid product, and I tracked it over the years.  I received a letter from Cakewalk that was owned by Gibson at the time of this change of ownership, so I knows it's legit free software, plus they have a windows certification for the installation process for windows users.

 

I forgot to ask if you was a windows or Mac user.. Sorry.

I use Windows on my desktop and also a Chromebook

[El Diablo Songwriter]

PAID PLUGINS:

 

 

For starting instruments, you can't go wrong with https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-14-standard/compare/

 

Currently there's a 50% off sale going on.  If you miss it, They frequently have it throughout the year, so no big worries.

 

There's a starters version called "select" for like $99 I think.. I've got the standard version, which is much better than the select.

 

If you can afford it.. Get the Standard.  You'll get guitars that will play to chords you do with the correct tempo you set.  I didn't see any reason to go any higher than standard.  You might be able to find Komplete versions for cheaper on ebay.  I first owned Komplete Standard 8 and it's awesome.  14 is missing a few of the instruments that 8 has.

 

FREE PLUGINS:

 

If you need free instruments, I can recommend Spitfire Audio Discover package (comes with several instruments and a piano): https://www.spitfireaudio.com/bbc-symphony-orchestra-discover

 

https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/?sortBy=prod_products_labs_latest&page=4

 

 

[El Diablo Songwriter]

If you need an inexpensive plugins on a budget that are off high quality for VST 3, I recommend https://www.hornetplugins.com/

 

Other brands I trust:

 

iZotope, Sonible, Mastering the Mix, Melda Productions, Waves Audio, Acon Digital, JMG Sound, 

 

Melda Productions has a slew of free bundle of plugins you should grab: https://www.meldaproduction.com/MFreeFXBundle

 

The Melda Productions bundle can really get you setup for almost all the effects you'll need with that free bundle.  The only thing I hate about their plugins is how complicated they are to use.

 

Waves Audio is also known as the home of inexpensive plugins.  They'll give you 1 year of free updates, but later want you to continue paying yearly for those updates.  You don't have to do that.  You can continue to use your plugins without their updates.  They don't hardly ever update plugins anyhow.

 

I Own iZotope Ozone 10 Standard which I use on my master bus for the final mastering of the music.  You should be able to get away with using their elements version of you want.

 

if you have a horrible microphone, you should get either Clarity VX by Waves Audio or RX by iZotope to clean up any noises from the audio your microphone produces or 'hears'.  Both of those products work very well with cleaning up audio.

 

https://acondigital.com/

https://www.izotope.com/

https://www.masteringthemix.com/

https://www.sonible.com/

https://www.waves.com/

https://unitedplugins.com/jmg-sound

 

The most highly revered plugins and the most expensive plugins would be from FabFilter.  I don't own any of them, so I can't judge them.

 

I've tried Soothe 2 which is very expensive too, and I'm going to buy FUSER & RESO instead of Soothe 2.  You'd have to be almost professional to even hear the difference Soothe 2 creates... It's for Audiophiles.

 

If I missed anything I'll post later.

 

[El Diablo Songwriter]

If you want to record yourself singing, I highly recommend Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th generation. https://us.focusrite.com/products/scarlett-solo

 

M-Audio solo is less expensive and is decent, but it only supports up to 48khz. https://www.m-audio.com/m-track-solo

 

I also recommend at least a AT2020 starting out, maybe going to a AT2050 microphone.

 

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/microphones/wired/best-for/studio-vocals/at2020

 

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/microphones/wired/best-for/studio-vocals/at2050

 

For headphones, the standard is Sony MDR-7506s. https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/all-headphones/p/mdr7506

 

You can get Sony MDR 7506s for $99 here: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E

 

I've done tons and tons of research, everyone has their preferences, but it all boils down to these headphones being industry standard.

 

If you have money for monitors, get the Yamaha HS5s.

 

Edit: Some people swear by Presonus (being the cheaper monitors sounds just as good for much less), but I've never tried them.

 

Edited November 15, 2023 by El Diablo Songwriter
Extra info

[El Diablo Songwriter]

Making your own music or having your own home studio can get expensive.  It's an expensive hobby that hardly gives you your money back unless your popular.

[Smiley]

31 minutes ago, El Diablo Songwriter said:

Making your own music or having your own home studio can get expensive.  It's an expensive hobby that hardly gives you your money back unless your popular.

Yeah.. I think I'll stick with the $50 microphone, my wired headphones, and a free software for now. I don't have a whole lot of money

[Peggy]

Welcome to Songstuff Smiley!  We have a lyrics critique board if you write lyrics. 

 

 https://forums.songstuff.com/forum/224-lyric-critique/

 

[El Diablo Songwriter]

42 minutes ago, Smiley said:

Yeah.. I think I'll stick with the $50 microphone, my wired headphones, and a free software for now. I don't have a whole lot of money

I believe in my previous posts to you of a few trusted companies that create free plugins and instruments should help you get started.

Edited November 15, 2023 by El Diablo Songwriter
if does not equal of

[Smiley]

1 minute ago, El Diablo Songwriter said:

I believe in my previous posts to you of a few trusted companies that create free plugins and instruments should help you get started.

Thank you.