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Reddit mentions of Dance Music Manual
Sentiment score: 14
Reddit mentions: 31
We found 31 Reddit mentions of Dance Music Manual. Here are the top ones.
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Focal Press
Specs:
Height | 9.25 Inches |
Length | 7.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2013 |
Weight | 2.10100535686 Pounds |
Width | 1.21 Inches |
You are in luck because 2 weeks ago, the new edition of Dance Music Manual came out.
http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
You can read the reviews for the previous edition here http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0240521072/ref=pd_sim_b_7
It covers like all the bases to some extent. It does not teach you how to use a DAW though.
Also all the books (Music theory|Composition|Harmony) for computer musician by Michael Hewitt are pretty good if you have no music background.
Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio - http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Secrets-Small-Studio-Senior/dp/0240815807
Sound on Sound Synth Secrets - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm
Music Theory for Computer Musicians - http://www.amazon.com/Theory-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1598635034
Composition for Computer Musicians - http://www.amazon.com/Composition-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1598638610
Harmony for Computer Musicians - http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1435456726/
Dance Music Manual - http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644
Also all of the manuals for whatever daw/vsts you have.
Also the 'Dance Music Manual' by the same guys covers all the fundamentals
So this is what you learn:
-How to create an 808 Kick
-How to arrange a track
-How to create a "lush sparkling mix"
-How to use reverb
-How to create a build up
-Basic sound design
-How to use distortion and compression
NOPE. Not for $40.
For mixing: http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Secrets-Small-Studio-Senior/dp/0240815807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427666706&sr=8-1&keywords=small+studio+mixing
Sound design, arranging, etc.: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427666724&sr=8-1&keywords=dance+music+manual
The first book I linked to is literally the bible of mixing. It's a truly great resource. The second is a great cursory overview of music theory, sound design, and several aspects of the big electronic genres: arrangements, keys, percussion. It even tells you settings for synthesizing kicks in each genre it covers.
Missing Dance Music Manual - Rick Snoman
> BTW, that wiki song structure article is a mess
Agreed. I linked to that wiki article without even really looking. Personally, I like the following books that go into a lot more detail in regards to production and EDM:
All the above are solid books.
If you're in to dance music, The Dance Music Manual is densely-packed, but still easy to read and fun.
Reason 101 has a "visual guide to the Reason Rack" that's really good. PM your address and you can have mine. The type is too small for my eyes to read.
Read the ableton manual, seriously. Even though you know nothing right now, it will at least let you know the scope of the software. Read this book http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0415825644/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/190-8299723-7853348# I got a minor in music in college with an audio tech concentration, I've had hours of classes. This is the best beginner book I've ever read. It's not just for beginners, it's so all inclusive I can't believe how short it actually is. I would bet anything that it will answer every question you could possibly think of.
Here's the book I started going through when I was trying to learn electronic music. I didn't make it very far (I was only learning electronic because I didn't have a guitar... then I got a guitar again), but from what I did get through it was a nice introduction to music theory, compressors and EQs, etc.
I was scared of music theory before I started going through that book because it seemed scary, but the book made it pretty easy to pick up!
http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448940494&sr=8-1&keywords=dance+music+manual
I like to scan reviews by SOS, gearslutz, Keyboard mag and some of the EDM oriented site s like createdigitalmusic.com, attackmagazine.com to get clues about synth features: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may02/articles/rolandsh32.asp (they say the manual's not the greatest)
Also, from the sidebars of /r/synthesizers, /r/edmProduction etc:
http://www.amazon.com/Refining-Sound-Practical-Synthesis-Synthesizers/dp/0199922969
and http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/
I hear beattips is good.
https://www.amazon.com/BeatTips-Manual-Beatmaking-Tradition-Composer/dp/0989398609
this was a big help when I started
https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1598635034/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500536883&sr=1-1&keywords=music+theory+computer+musicians
and way beyond just music theory and beatmaking, but very informative
https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500536944&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=dancemusic+manual
Not a video, but this book was extremely helpful for me:
http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412538316&sr=8-1&keywords=dance+music+manual
It costs 30$ as a paperback but it teaches you about Music theory basics, synth, fx, master, mixing basics and also gives you an overview of almost all current EDM genres.
give the dance music manual a read. it will teach you the fundamentals of what everything does regardless of what program you are using.
if you want to learn how to use ableton or FL studio, look up tutorials or read the manuals for the programs.
No, what you need to produce electronic music is
^ that would be my list if I were starting out
a lot can be learned from www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction
look for the "FAQ" and you should find a LOT of information on getting started making electronic music
for a more detailed treatment I recommend you call your local library and inquire about this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412782807&sr=8-1&keywords=producing+edm+music
I recommend looking into some books on production. There is so much more information crammed into the better books than you will find in a week's of searching forums and youtube tutorials. For books on mixing, I say you can't go wrong with Bobby Owinski's The Mixing Engineer's Handbook or Mike Senior's Mixing Secrets for the Small Studioand for general production I recommend Rick Snoman's Dance Music Manual just be sure to get the latest edition, it includes chapters that cover everything from basic theory the popular genres (trance, dubstep, DnB, Techno, House, and Ambient/Chillout), it covers the electronics and science of acoustics, MIDI, DAW's and everything that come's along with them (instruments, effects, samplers, etc) and promoting and distributing your music. I can't say enough about this book and what a great way it was for me to see the "big picture" of what was ahead of me when I was starting out.
https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467226987&sr=8-1&keywords=rick+snoman
The Dance Music Manual is a great resource for this type of analysis of other genres:
http://www.dancemusicproduction.com/index.php/dance-music-manual-3rd-edition
http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644
I don't think the book contains anything specific to progressive house. There's a DVD for it though. I have not watched it but I would trust it based on their other stuff:
http://www.dancemusicproduction.com/index.php/tutorials/genre-tutorials/progressive-house
The advice to just experiment isn't wrong but it also doesn't seem to acknowledge that you have to start by imitating something, and it helps to know what you're imitating. I think this is a good question.
I learned most of these by googling. After a while, I felt like I wanted to learn more so I got a book and read it. And so and and so forth, trying to learn something each time I didn't understand a term. After a while the terminology is second nature.
The book a lot of people seem to like is "The Dance Music Manual" by Rick Snoman, and the google a lot of people seem to like is Google.
A few purchases I made recently after few days of researching and asking for recommendations.
Mike Stavrou - Mixing With Your Mind
Rick Snoman - Dance Music Manual, 3rd Edition
Bob Katz - Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science
Bobby Owsinski - The Mixing Engineers Handbook: 4th Edition
Edit: ...and I just checked out the ableton book recommended by /u/NeiloMac and now it's on its way.
Check out The Dance Music Manual and Dance Music Production
This is a great book for getting started http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417712868&sr=1-5&keywords=music+production
http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457134809&sr=8-1&keywords=dance+music+manual
You missed a Rick Snoman's Dance Music Manual.
These books were invaluable to me:
https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=dimitridealen-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=6e883bdc057896253093f8e054c72c99&creativeASIN=0415825644
https://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Secrets-Small-Studio-Presents/dp/0240815807/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=dimitridealen-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=9e884653f74a627e4c84ece7550dfa1b&creativeASIN=0240815807
https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audio-Science-Bob-Katz/dp/0240818962/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=dimitridealen-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=c808c7581697392d615117dd9b96ec07&creativeASIN=0240818962
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Arranging-Orchestration/dp/1592576265/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=dimitridealen-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=e16959ecc585f52445a79cb70f6fc52c&creativeASIN=1592576265
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Art-Songwriting/dp/1615641033/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=dimitridealen-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=f587c782544a93ca1c853f973da25f0d&creativeASIN=1615641033
Obligatory mention of the Dance Music Manual: https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644
edit:/ the latest edition specifically goes more in depth on the "music theory" aspects of EDM production
Thanks!
Congratulations on getting into computer music! I would search on YouTube for instructional videos on using Cubase.
For composing, try coming up with a couple of chord progressions, the simpler the better, and then put them one after the other. Then put a melody on top of that. Then add whatever other accompaniment you feel like. Hell, even one chord progression is fine. My song Love Story from Chromatic T-Rex is just one four-chord progression repeated throughout the entire song.
Also check out the Dance Music Manual: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0415825644/
I haven't read it but I hear good things about it. :) Hope this helps!
If you don't mind reading abunch there is a book covering alot of the main things about EDM. It had really improved my producing, it is little heavy reading though. :)
Link to book
Well, I'm sitting here loading 23 dvd's of my new sample library, so I have some time to write :)
First of all I'm going to cite ITB gain staging honestly in digital you don't have to gain stage unless your effects plugins have an assumed range... slate (which does make input level assumptions) really hammered this home to me on the first project I did.
Gain staging is boring and takes a bit of time (and you have to revisit it if of you put in lots of piano or fortissimo sections after you set it initially), but it makes the mix go a lot faster. It also solves the issue of "crap this VST patch is way loud!"
I use live, so track routing may be specific to that.
Source (either audio, or instrument) -> sonalksis freeg to bring source to -18db RMS -> slate vtm -> slate vcc channel -> (optional side chain compression) -> (optional instrument compression, like to make a snare sound different)-> (optional effects like reverb or eq) -> output routed to a bus or group
bus or group -> slate vcc bus -> compressor for that instrument type / group (like FG-Grey for drums, FG-Red for synths) -> hybrid static/dynamic EQ here (which is really a mutliband compressor/expander)
bus or group always also goes to a dummy track (with no output) that has an instance of MMultiAnalyzer on it (for finding collisions and/or relative loudness of the groups). I do this on a dummy track so you can see the level after the output of the groups or bus's fader, ie, what the level is going into the master channel.
when mixing I first set the loudness within a group, and the ride the faders/automate levels among groups to balance the mix.
master chain
freeG-> slate vtm -> slate vcc -> MAutoDynamicEQ -> compressor 1 (usually slate fg-mu) set to barely move the needle off of -1db -> compressor 2 (usually fg-red) -> very fast compressor (built in or stillwell the rocket) at 1.5 ratio ~-9db to -12db threshold (for the fast stuff, think of it as the knee before the limiter) -> ozone (limiting and dithering only, with no gain and -0.30 for target) -> MLoudnessAnalyzer (for LUFS EBU R128 loudness for final mix check)
So to answer your question, since I almost always do my main compression via glue / bus compression on a group or bus, I would eq on the individual channel, before the compressor, if I considered it "part of changing the noise of that instrument." Compression for "make it fit in the mix and make it louder" is always handled on a bus, and The Glue compressor as well as VBC are really good for that -- a lot of people don't seem to know that's what "the glue" is made for.
Also, yes, that's three compressors in a row on the master chain. The reason is for the reaction speed differences, and coloration.
I don't use a limiter for the final gain stage, it's just there to prevent clipping. I try not to let the limiter hit more than 1.5 or 2db -- at 3db or more it's definitely hurting the mix even with IRC III or Elephant
I think you can see this all in action on a project here:
https://blend.io/project/540cfff496123d1970002907
Books I can't recommend enough:
Bob Katz
Mike Senior
Rick Snoman
TL;DR There's more than one way to do it, but after I read some books I tried a new way (to me) that I used on my most recent project and thought it was great for producing a nice loud (but not sausage) master.
My PC is high end though, on my older pc I couldn't run all this stuff at the same time.