Comprehensive List of Books Relating to Music Production and Creative Growth

<br />

***

On Composition:

<br />

Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies - Dennis DeSantis
Amazon Link
This is a fantastic book. Each page has a general idea on boosting creativity, workflow, and designing sounds and tracks.


Music Theory for Computer Musicians - Michael Hewitt
Amazon Link
Really easy to digest book on music theory, as it applies to your DAW. Each DAW is used in the examples, so it is not limited to a specific program. Highly recommend this for someone starting out with theory to improve their productions.


Secrets of Dance Music Production - David Felton
Amazon Link
This book I recently picked up and so far it's been quite good. It goes over all the different elements of what make's dance music, and get's quite detailed. More geared towards the beginner, but it was engaging nonetheless. It is the best 'EDM specific' production book I have read.


Ocean of Sound - David Troop
Amazon Link

Very well written and interesting book on ambient music. Not only does David go over the technical side and history of ambiance and musical atmospheres, he speaks very poetically about creating these soundscapes and how they relate to our interpersonal emotions.


***

On Audio Engineering:

<br />

Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio - Mike Senior
Amazon Link
In my opinion, this is the best mixing reference book for both beginners and intermediate producers. Very in-depth book that covers everything from how to set-up for accurate listening to the purpose of each mixing and mastering plug-in. Highly recommended.


Zen and the Art of Mixing - Mixerman
Amazon Link
Very interesting read in that it deals with the why's more than the how's. Mixerman, a professional audio engineer, goes in detail to talk about the mix engineer's mindset, how to approach projects, and how to make critical mixing decisions. Really fun read.


The Mixing Engineer's Handbook - Bobby Owinski
Amazon Link
This is a fantastic companion book to keep around. Not only does Owinski go into great technical detail, he includes interviews from various audio engineers that I personally found very helpful and inspiring.


***

On the Industry:

<br />

All You Need to Know About the Music Business - Donald S. Passman
Amazon Link
This book is simply a must read for anyone hoping to make a professional career out of music, anyone wanting to start their own record label, or anyone interested in how the industry works. It's a very informative book for any level of producer, and is kept up-to-date with the frequent revisions. Buy it.


Rick Rubin: In the Studio - Jake Brown
Amazon Link
Very interesting read that is a semi-biographical book on Rick Rubin. It is not so personal as it is talking about his life, experiences, and processes. It does get quite technical when referring to the recording process, but there are better books for technical info. This is a fun read on one of the most successful producers in history.


Behind the Glass - Howard Massey
Amazon Link
A collection of interviews from a diverse range of musicians who speak about creativity, workflows, and experiences in the music industry. Really light, easy to digest book.


***

On Creativity:

<br />

The War of Art - Steven Pressfield
Amazon Link
This is a must-read, in my opinion, for any creative individual. It is a very philosophical book on dealing with our own mental battles as an artist, and how to overcome them. Definitely pick this one up, all of you.


This is Your Brain on Music - Daniel S. Levitin
Amazon Link
A book written by a neurologist on the psychology of music and what makes us attached to it. It's a fairly scientific book but it is a very rewarding read with some great ideas.


***

On Personal Growth and Development:

<br />

How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
Amazon Link
Although this seems like an odd book for a music producer, personally I think this is one of the most influential books I've ever read. Knowing how to be personable, effectively network, and form relationships is extremely important in our industry. Whether it be meeting and talking to labels, meeting other artists, or getting through to A&R, this book helps with all these areas and I suggest this book to all of you.


7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
Amazon Link
Similar to the recommendation above, although not directly linked to music, I assure you reading this book will change your views on life. It is a very engaging and practical book, and gets you in the right mindset to be successful in your life and music career. Trust me on this one and give it a read.


Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Amazon Link
You know the feeling when you're really in the groove of jamming out and all worries tend to slip away for those moments? That is the 'Optimal Experience' according to the author. This book will teach you about that experience, and how to encourage and find it in your work. This is a very challenging, immersive, and enlightening read, which deals with the bigger picture and finding happiness in your work and life. Very inspiring book that puts you in a good mindset when you're doing creative work.


The Art of Work - Jeff Goins
Amazon Link
A very fascinating book that looks at taking your passion (music in our case) and making the most of it. It guides you on how to be successful and turn your passion into your career. Some very interesting sections touching on dealing with failure, disappointment, and criticism, yet listening to your intuition and following your passion. Inspiring and uplifting book to say the least.


***

Happy reading!

<br />

Reaper is fine. Learn the tools. I've been a pro audio guy, and now a hobbyist with plenty of money to spend, and I chose Reaper for recording. Not because it's cheap, but because it's awesome (and cheap). I've used ProTools, among others. There's very little you can't do in Reaper that you could do in any other tool, and the workflow is really good.

To be very clear: You will be wasting money if you spend money on software before getting good microphones and good hardware for monitoring. You cannot possibly improve your recordings by prioritizing software at this point. Reaper can make pro quality recordings, but your current hardware cannot.

Spend the money on a decent audio interface, with a decent mic preamp built-in, a good set of headphones, and the best microphone(s) your money leaves room for.

The right mic for acoustic guitar is usually a combination of a small diaphragm condenser and a large diaphragm condenser. Sound hole or body gets an off-axis large diaphragm and the neck gets the small.

Vocals are usually very well served by a large diaphragm condenser. But for rock, a dynamic mic might be better.

A piano is pretty complicated to mic up well. Usually using three or four mics. A stereo XY pair of small diaphragm condensers in the room, facing the open lid, and a big diaphragm inside somewhere, perhaps. Consoles are similar, but more difficult to find the "sweet spot" where the mics should point and be placed. But, a minimum of a small and a large diaphragm combo would be OK.

AKG makes a good mid-priced set of the C1000 plus the C3000 which are great mics at a fair price, but it's not in your price range (if you're buying all the other stuff), so maybe an MXL or CAD bundle:

http://www.amazon.com/MXL-550-551R-Microphone-Ensemble/dp/B002LASBS0/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1344659431&sr=8-14&keywords=condenser+microphone+studio+pack

http://www.amazon.com/CAD-GXL2200SP-Studio-Condenser-Recording/dp/B0009K94L2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344659431&sr=8-1&keywords=condenser+microphone+studio+pack

The MXL bundle seems better reviewed. I've had mixed results with MXL; some are great, some are awful, and the model number is no indicator for which is which...they just have bad quality control. CAD mics are consistently decent. But, more expensive, so it might be worth starting with MXL.

Oh, wait, nevermind those, go with an Audio Technica bundle:

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT2041-Studio-Microphone-Package/dp/B000AQDSMQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1344659652&sr=8-6&keywords=audio+technica+microphone+pack

Cheap, awesome, from a good company with good QC. Those mics will serve you forever, and you won't ever grow out of them...you'll grow your mic collection, but good mics will always be good for something.

Anyway, the transducers (monitors/headphones, and microphones) are the most important factors in making good recordings, by far, followed by the room in which you are recording. Almost everything else is picking nits, and a good engineer can work around limitations. But if you can't hear what you're working with, you can't make good recordings, and if you're recording through a trashy mic, it'll never sound good. Garbage in, garbage out.

A big thing is to not let your practice routine stagnate. Take it from a (tuba) performance major who learned most of his stuff without lessons. You need to keep fresh material under your fingers. Pick up the Jazz Theory Book and use some of the examples in there for scale and key studies.

Also, I would highly recommend studying classical rep as well, work ona new solo peice every month, and try to play (and work up) one etude (at least) every week.

You practice should look like this, in essence:

10-15min of warm-up with long tones (focusing on superb sound and tone at ALL dynamic ranges), and easy, finger warming chromatic scales and the like.

30min of etude practice (try to do a new one every week)

30min of solo rep/stuff from band you need to work on

whatever time is left to you doing scale studies and jazz improv.


As far as getting better at jazz, the biggest one I know of is simply transcribing solos of other players and playing them. It takes for FUCKING ever, but if you're serious, it's what you do. Since I only ever play Bass Trombone in jazz band, it's not really worth it to me, but if you're looking to get better at tenor, man, listen to some coltrane and write down what he's doing for at least one chorus and play it with him. You start to assimilate some of the licks he uses and get an innate understanding of how to navigate the chords. Start with blues based songs, since they're the easiest. Move up to rhythm changes when you have solid material for any blues song. After that, man, you'll be set.


ALSO, you can always google and find some great stuff written by other great players, either on forums or on professional player's personal websites. I learned alot of what I know doing that when I didn't have lessons.

If you have any questions, send me a PM and I'll do my best to help out.

I think that Jazzology book /u/SP12turbo recommended will have you pretty well covered on music theory, it looks fantastic, though I haven't read it. The Jazz Language by Dan Hearle is pretty good, too (and mercifully short). It usually shows up in Jazz Theory discussions. Helped me out a lot, too. Cheap, too IIRC.

I always recommend some books on fugue and counterpoint since I think horizontal composition is often neglected. Most pop songs are not written by a 4 piece band anymore so I think having a serious command of horizontality is important. If you can't think of a fugue, the theme song from Castlevania is one. It's by Bach and it's awesome. Because Bach is awesome. I like Mann's The Study of Fugue, it has selections (just the good parts) of a lot of classic texts by the masters.

For Percussion, which as I'm sure you know is quite relevant in modern music, check out The Drummer's Bible - it's an encyclopedic reference. It's pretty much amazing. You don't need to play drums to benefit from it, it's really a percussion book. Pretty much every beat from a genre of music ever is in there with at least one representative. I can't oversell the book. Go buy it.

https://www.amazon.com/Drummers-Bible-Every-Afro-Cuban-Zydeco/dp/1937276198

There's a church organist who has a series of books on kindle with a focus on chord theory too, if a bit more basic, that are good if you can get past the English being somewhat broken and needing a bit more proofing. I think you can get all of them for @$3.

If you're going to dump tens of thousands of dollars into a degree, it's usually a good idea to put it towards a degree that will help you pay it back. Unfortunately, music production is likely not going to be that for you. In electronic music production especially, nobody really "hires" you to produce music. You spend years honing your craft and, if you work really freakin' hard and are lucky, somebody will notice you, sign you.... and you still likely won't make any money off of it unless you explode into super stardom like Deadmau5, Tiesto, etc.

You're also not likely to find a public school that has anything like EDM production, so it'll be a private school... and that shit will be expensive.

Save your money and teach music production to yourself via YouTube and practice, practice, practice. Seriously, YouTube is a goldmine for music production knowledge. There's also a great subreddit, /r/edmproduction.

There are some programs that might be worth it, though. I've got a friend taking the 6-8 month (I can't remember exactly) Dubspot program for Logic, and his reports to me say that it's worth every penny... but only if you put more into it than just showing up to class and doing the assignments. There are also schools like SAE that do 6-8 week courses in different topics of music production. A friend of mine did their Intro EDM Production one (I don't remember the exact name), and it was totally worth it. What they have to teach you is nothing that can't be learned off of YouTube, but some people really benefit from having a structured learning environment like that to get them started... especially for things like music production that have such a steep learning curve. It's also much, much more affordable than a "degree" from a college. Pricey (around $2K, maybe?), but still way more doable.

Obviously the Dubspot and SAE stuff aren't available to you for the in-person classes unless you're willing to move from your hometown, but they also have online stuff that may be worth it. In the end, do a lot of research before spending your money.

EDIT: Also, check this book out: the Dance Music Manual. The specific technologies they mention are a bit outdated, but the techniques described are just as spot on now as they were 15 years ago. It's also not specific to any tool, technology, or digital audio workstation, which makes it ridiculously useful to you whichever route you end up taking software/hardware wise.

Hey, I’m kind of a book junkie when it comes to common practice stuff, so I’m gonna throw a bunch of em at ya. The common practice era of composition can be broken down into 3 major fields of study: Form/Composition, Harmony and Orchestration. Form/composition is about how music develops over time harmonically and melodically. Harmony is about how vertical sonorities interact with one another, this is one of the most fleshed out aspects of music theory. Orchestration, usually the capstone discipline, dives into how groups of instruments interact with one another on a harmonic level and a melodic one. Harmony+composition can be studied simultaneously considering there is so much overlap, orchestration usually comes after you have a middling understanding of the other two subjects.

There are a bunch of free online materials on these subjects, but here is my personal favorite:
http://openmusictheory.com/contents.html

There are also a few free books on harmony, orchestration and composition, but most of them were published a very long time ago. As a consequence, you may run into outdated or poorly explained concepts.

Harmony:

Guide to the Practical Study of Harmony

Orchestration:

Principles of Orchestration

Composition:

Fundamentals of music Composition

Exercises in Melody Writing

Most of the stuff with comprehensive+up to date information on these subjects is going to be something you pay for. Here are my favorite textbooks. One thing I value in a textbook is an accompanying workbook and/or some sort of exercise based learning, so I’ll be listing the workbooks (if applicable) as well.

Melody in Songwriting

Craft of Musical Composition Parts One and Two

Models For Beginners in Composition

Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music

Workbook for Harm Practice

The Study of Orchestration

Workbook for The Study of Orchestration

This isn’t an exhaustive list but it’s pretty solid.


Recording orchestras is out of reach for most, so you’ll probably need some good VSTs to use and some knowledge of how to make them sound ‘real’. Building an orchestra template is key to making music quickly and efficiently. It’s a massive headache to have to wait for Kontakt to load and instrument every time you want to add a flute or violin to your score. Here are the basics of what you’ll need:


Woodwinds:

Flutes

Clarinets

Saxophones

Oboes

Bassoons



Brass:

French horns

Trumpets

Trombones

Tubas

“Low brass”


Strings:

1st Violins

2nd Violins

Violas

Cellos

Bass

First chairs of each


Others:

PIANOS

Harps

Choirs

Guitars

Vibraphones

Glockenspiels

Etc


Orchestral percussion

Concert Toms

Taikos

Snares

Concert bass drums


Here are some places to get all of that:

Audio Bro (the ARC system is awesome)

Spitfire

8Dio

Orchestral Tools (my favorite)

CineSamples

EastWest Sounds

Heres a resource to make all of that stuff sound ‘real’. It’s a lot more difficult then you may think.

The Guide to MIDI Orchestration 4e

I've been a drummer since I was 8. Quite rusty right now as a lot of things have kept me from practicing (moving to apartments for years, etc.). Honestly, it's never too late to start. Are you going to be playing Carnegie Hall in a year? Wildly unlikely. But as long as your expectations are grounded in reality, that learning anything takes time and practice, you should be good.

As for practice and sense of tempo/timing: it is imperative that you buy a good metronome and practice with it regularly. You don't necessarily need a Dr. Beat, though I have one, and it is useful at times. But you do need some kind of click to play off of.

Can you read music? If so, there are some really good technique books out there that I'd recommend that are classics. Most people hate grinding technique, but I find it oddly relaxing. Here's some good books:

• Stick Control
  
• Syncopation
  
• Master Studies - (Do wait on this one a bit and start slow. It is possible to injure yourself if you get too carried away. Stone Killer exercises are no joke)
  
• New Breed - This one's actually a full drum set book. Quite challenging. May want to wait on this one a bit or try to just play one or two of the lines together (eg. right and and right foot).
  
  The first two books are probably where you should start. With all of these, start the metronome at molasses level slow - like 60 bpm or maybe even slower if you're not accurate at that speed. Get comfortable with that speed - maybe 15-30 mins at that speed without any mistakes. Then bump the timing up slightly 2-4 bpm and repeat. At no point should you be tensing up. If you are, you need to stop immediately, shake out your arms, and back down the tempo a bit.
  
  Make sure that you're making more use of your fingers than your wrists. Wrists can be good to start the stroke, but your fingers should be doing a lot of the work.
  
  There's a lot of other technique stuff that you can do, but the above alone could take you 5-10 years of solid daily practice if you're being thorough.
  
  Good luck!

Sounds like a bad case of writer's block. There was a 2 year period where I wrote maybe 3 songs and they were pretty bad. Then one day I woke up and wrote a ton in a single session. No idea why.

Here's my advice on dealing with and beating songwriter's block:

• Read interviews with other songwriters. I have a great book, Songwriter's On Songwriting, which is comprised of interviews with some of the biggest songwriter's of all time. I always find it inspiring, and they talk about different songwriting techniques, which I then try out.
  
  
• Listen to some new music then try to write in that style. For example, I'll listen to a single album over and over and then try to write a new track for the album.
  
  
• Makeup a nonsense song. The lyrics can literally mean nothing. Just doodle around on the guitar and say words over it. The Beatles' "Yesterday" was originally called "Scrambled Eggs". Sometimes all you need is to start making some words and it'll hit you.
  
  
• Start with writing a basic folk-story song. Two or three chords, C-G, and talk a story over it. It can be a true story, a book you read, a movie, a story you made up. Just write some talkin' blues. (Bob Dylan has some great hilarious talking blues songs, check out "Motorsycho Nightmare" or "Talkin' World War III Blues", or "I Shall Be Free" ). Sometimes just linking together random rhymes in a rough story can kickstart you again.
  
  
• Try looking into something like Oblique Strategies, which was created in the 70s by Brian Eno to overcome writer's block. It's essentially a deck of cards with writing prompts, words, and instructions. There's a website now that does it. It can really help you think outside the box and come up with new stuff. The cards say stuff like "What would your closest friend do?" and "Work at a different speed". The website I linked to generates the phrases, and you just try to write with the card(s) instruction/hint as your guide.
  
  
• Try writing with someone. It can be online or in person, but I find collaboration nearly always results in something. And if you've never written with someone, it can be a really helpful and interesting experience!
  
  
• Just don't give up! Keep at it. You'll have more to say soon.
  
  
  This (paraphrased) quote always helps me when I'm feeling like I can't write anymore:
  
  Songwriting is like fishing in a stream; you put in your line and hope you catch something… You’ve got to use some bait. Otherwise you sit around and expect songs to come to you. Forcing it is using bait.

As long as the machine has midi-outs on it you can use it as a controller. Just remember that there are a few entry level synths with 49-keys that make excellent controllers AND stand alone synths. I bough a M-Audio oxygen once upon a time and quickly switched to a dedicated synth that doubled as a MIDI controller. If $400 isn't out of your budget, take a look around and see what you can get. Something like a DX7 can be had for $250-$300 and it is both an excellent controller and an iconic sounding synth. But there are more recent machines like Roland's SH-201 and SH-01 "Gaia".

As for finger drumming pads, Akai is what you want. Something like the Akai LPD8 is good. http://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-LPD8-Ultra-Portable-Controller/dp/B002M8EEW8

Good luck and welcome!

Get an appointment with an audiologist in your home town. Get your hearing checked by them, and take their advice to protect your hearing.

Hearing loss is a one-way street. It does not come back. Protect your ears. Wear ear plugs in loud clubs, when using power machinery, or any other time you are exposed to loud noises. I use these for maximum protection:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Classic-Earplugs-310-1001-Uncorded/dp/B00O8NDAXE

Buy a box of 250 sets and keep it handy. Stick several pairs in your car, your guitar case, your gig bag, your backpack (etc.) so that you will never be caught someplace loud without them.

For hearing music clearly when playing, I wear these:

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEESS?th=1

The Etymotic ear plugs don't block as much sound as the 3m foam plugs, but you hear more accurately. For the best possible sound, get a pair of custom fit ear plugs from an audiologist. They cost $100.00+, but are well worth the money if they will save your hearing.

Protect your ears. Source: 50 something musician who still has good hearing and has been wearing earplugs for 25 years. I have friends my age who did not protect their hearing and they now deeply regret it.

• Learn how to NOT RUSH. It is a tendency of every beginner musician I've ever known. The easiest way to force yourself to stay slow is to subdivide in your head (Subdivide AS MANY TIMES as you need to stay slow. You may be physically playing notes slowly, but if you're thinking at the fastest rhythm possible, It will be next to impossible to rush). Use a metronome/click track on the slowest possible setting and play songs you're comfortable with until you can keep a steady beat.
  
  
• Learn about rudiments. These are the building blocks for a lot of different rhythms. I'd highly recommend picking up a good book on rudimental drumming and practice the examples forwards, backwards, and sideways! This book is my number one recommendation for ANYONE serious about learning rhythm.
  
  
• As several people have said, dynamics are incredibly important for percussion. As a quick example, take any rhythmic passage, then practice accenting the downbeats, the upbeats, then alternate, then accent TWO downbeats, two upbeats, three downbeats, three upbeats, etc. Immediately you will get a feel for the importance of dynamics.

The Behind the Glass series isn't exactly centered on mixing/recording but offers some detailed perspectives from some notable producers. I'm reading through the first one and they talk a good deal about their mixing philosophies, mic placement, and how to get the best take possible from their artists. Pretty good stuff so far.

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Glass-Record-Producers-Softcover/dp/0879306149/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420423311&sr=8-1&keywords=behind+the+glass

Shure SM57 and/or Audix i5. Those do vocals and drums pretty well (especially snare). Not USB based.

That being said, you can get the SM57 with the Shure X2U XLR-to-USB interface as a package.

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM57-X2U-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B001PPPWI4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374254453&sr=8-3&keywords=shure+x2u

Or, a friend of mine uses: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1374254491&sr=1-2&keywords=audio-technica+USB

He recorded a whole EP on it with decently good results, including drums. Works pretty well, since it's a condenser, for vocals.

The Shure x2u will allow you to plug in any other microphone into the computer as well, if you end up getting more.

This is sound advice.

If don't want to spend a ton of money, these are a really great value and sound fantastic.

But if you really want to have a great experience, go to an audiologist and get some custom molded plugs. Worth every penny.

This is correct. Note though, that there are quite a few very, very good free software instruments available on the internet, while the software that comes with these controllers usually are more of a demo version. Therefore, don't weight that argument too much.

Personally, I'm just a fan of full sized keys. And there definitely are some in your price range. Like this Alesis V49 or [this M-Audio one without pads, but at $99] (https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Keystation-49-II-Controller/dp/B00IWWZAM6/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1479493057&sr=1-2&keywords=midi%2Bcontroller%2B49&th=1).

Anyways, I'm sure she'll be happy no matter what :)

Hey. There is nothing anyone can tell you that will turn you into a producer in a day. As people have said, its mainly practice, experimentation, and research.

Read the manuals for your hardware.

Play around in Logic. If there are options/tools/effects/instruments you dont know how to use, do some reading. The DAW/studio is an instrument in itself. Like any other instrument, its going to take alot of study and practice to produce a great sound. Well worth the effort though.

Get this book: (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0879306149?*Version*=1&*entries*=0)

Its great

Since this this still going, here are my two cents:

• For questions and inspiration read Songwriters on Songwriting. Zappa, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, you name it, all the big American Songwriters from back in the day are in it with very long insightful interviews.
  
  
• Split into lyrics and composition. On the lyrics side: what inspires them, any specific rhyhming or rhythmic techniques (if you need a primer on this either read Pat Pattison's excellent book Writing Better lyrics or do his free class). For composition ask about their connection of melody and lyrics. If they write the words with a melody in mind, or if it's completely separate.
  
  
• Ask about collaborative writing, if that's something they do, and if so, how the process works.
  
  
• Ask every songwriter if they know then a song is finished. And if so when and how.
  
  
• Ask about transitions. If they have techniques and tricks.

I bought this (Z-Line Designs Cyrus Workstation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VLW38Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1MAJxbGVQH9CK) on Amazon and it works like a charm. Fits my computer, full sized electric piano which I use as a MIDI keyboard, a pretty bulky mixer and even my small monitors. Has a sliding keyboard and mouse holder too! Doesn't cost as much as those "music workstations" but does the job beautifully :) check it out!

Edit: some words and link

If you don't need the keys to be weighted, I'm a huge fan of Novation's Launchkey series!! They've got pads, faders, and a decent amount of keys for a great price.

AND if you're looking to get into Ableton Live, the control functions are amazing. It's like you have a mini launchpad built into your keyboard.

https://www.amazon.com/Novation-Launchkey-Keyboard-Controller-Ableton/dp/B00VVK2A3I

Dish out for a mid-range keyboard with knobs and sliders that comes with some lite software bundled. Something like this. I'd recommend looking for one that comes with Ableton Live Intro/Lite, the one I linked is a great package, comes with some extra plugins as well. It'll have all you need to get started, and you can search the web for some free synth plugins to extend the library a bit!

Good on you both. Your future self is going to thank you a million times over for taking this seriously.

For now? Get etymotics.

Then you will have to schedule an appointment with an audiologist in your area. They will take care of everything. And then you put a fucking gps in the carrying case so you never, EVER lose them. Lest you want to ball your eyes out.

I'll be honest, I'll even pop in my earplugs if I feel like the general atmosphere around me is too noisy- in a bar, walking outside, ect. All the plugs will do, especially if they're customs, will just bring the noise level down. That's it. Just makes everything quieter.

Edit: I have VERY narrow ear canals, and the regular size (which is newish) etymotics fit really well. There's... not a great way to judge how to use these universal plugs. Maybe even get both sizes just in case. Then you have a backup, even if they are a little bit uncomfortable.

I like the Etymotic Research ER20s. The only problem I've had is cleaning them too much and some water got clogged in one, so it kind of sounds funny now. That said, they're still cheap and last a good while.

Been meaning to buy the Alpine MusicSafe Pros... they look very nice. They have adjustable filters and will fit under headphones.

Buy NICE earplugs now, ones that you can wear and not get pissed because you can't hear the music. This will save your hearing in the long run. I have permanent tinnitus, and it sucks.

And remember, engineers who don't protect their ears have short careers!

Pretty sure it is this one. I got it a few months back when I moved and it is absolutely perfect for music set ups and super cheap compared to most desks.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VLW38Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Try this


Maybe this

If you want the all in one solution to these, then of course go for the AKAI module you have listed in your post.

Best of luck and PM me if you need any help.

I'm not the best for advice since my primary use is for composing (I was raised on guitar rather than piano), but I'd go with something like the Nektar Impact LX49 or the Launchkey 49 Mk2.

Personally, I'd go with the Oxygen 49 since it's 6 pounds instead of 9. Again, I'm probably not going to be much help since I'm saving for a keyboard workstation that has to do double time as a live performance tool.

If you really want help, gearank.com has decent recommendations for just about everything.

I've been reading this book, because it covers theory, piano, and learning to read music, which are all things I'm trying to learn

https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Handbook-Complete-Guide-Mastering/dp/0879307277

If you want a book that's focused just on theory, there's Music Theory for Dummies which I've read, it's a very easy introductory book. For more advanced books I'm not sure, I usually just look at reviews on Amazon to try to find something that looks good.

I've also tried to read "The Jazz Theory Book"

https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1486656226&sr=8-28&keywords=music+theory

but it's way above my current skill level. You might be able to get something out of it though.

Also check out this page, it's actually pretty good. I had forgotten to mention it

http://www.tobyrush.com/theorypages/index.html

It's a bit expensive but this book is brilliant! Really enlightening. I bought it for my brother back in the 90s.

https://www.amazon.com/Songwriters-Songwriting-Expanded-Paul-Zollo/dp/0306812657

IANAL. Assuming you're Each song has a composition and a performance copyright. I believe registering the performance through USCO gives you protection over both. Make sure your contracts reflect songwriter/lyricist ownership over publishing, and representation. Make sure you're with ASCAP/BMI, or another PRO if you're not in the US.

I recommend the following:

• A good IP/copyright lawyer
  
• A good corp lawyer/CPA/accountant
  
• Start and Run Your Own Record Label
  
• Music Law in the Digital Age
  
• Music Law for the General Practitioner

These:

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Studio Headphones - 80 Ohm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_g1e8CbQ6ZWW2M

They are great but also very VERY comfortable to wear for hours on end.

JBL LSR305's are some of the best for the price. Great first set. Other than that look for sales. I got my Tannoy Reveal 5" 502 monitors for $99 each on sale (50% off!) at guitar center.

http://smile.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C/

Your keyboard probably has MIDI in/out already, which means all you need is a MIDI interface like this to connect it via USB.

Alternatively, the keyboard may have a USB port, in which case you don't need the adapter and should be able to plug it in and see it come up as a MIDI device.

Then you'll want to find a software instrument to play with it. There's all sorts of free VSTs available. Most of them will run by themselves as applications, but to use more than one in conjunction or do sequencing/effects you may need a DAW, as others have mentioned. The trial editions of FL Studio or Ableton Live are featured enough to start off with, or you could try a free DAW like BitWig which will have fewer limitations than the trial editions.

In the other comment they also mentioned the cheap quality of the novation keyboard. I don’t think I’m gonna get it since most people have been saying that as well (in other subreddits).

I think I at least want a 49 key keyboard, do you have any suggestions for a beginner?

Would any of these be good:

https://www.amazon.ca/Alesis-V49-Keyboard-Controller-Buttons/dp/B00IWWEW20/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543271425&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=akai+mpd218&dpPl=1&dpID=41SI3fyI30L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.ca/M-Audio-Keystation-49-II-Controller/dp/B00IWWZAM6/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1543272011&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=midi+keyboard&dpPl=1&dpID=41t4DtVzofL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.ca/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1543272061&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=midi+keyboard


Or should I save up for something down the road such as the Akai MPK49?

I really like this M-Audio one - and you get some software and stuff with it too, for a very good price :) https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Keystation-49-II-Controller/dp/B00IWWZAM6/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1473038843&sr=1-3&keywords=midi+keyboard

Do you sing and play the guitar or just sing? You could maybe get something like this with a laptop to lay down the drum loops and then play guitar and sing! I did something like that once, but that's only if you're really itching to perform haha.

Hey man, the starting point for my home studio was this little bad boy.http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC

Its a little monster and I love it. Still use it. My next level up was getting an Mbox and a SM58 which is awesome for acoustic guitar and vocals as well. Get some nice headphones for temporary monitors.http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U
Which are what Dr. Dre actually uses to mix haha, not his shitty beats.
Then eventually you get some monitors like a Yamaha HS series.
Then its pretty much your own little recording studio.
But the standard mic you wanna start with is a solid Condenser mic, like the one i suggested. You may be tempted to check out blue mics to but they do something weird to my voice. Don't like em. Hope this helps brotha.

Start and Run Your Own Record Label By Daylle Deanna Schwartz.
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0823084639#productDescription_secondary_view_pageState_1413127367038

She has some other good books that get a little more in depth with marketing the music. I think they would all be a valuable read, she also mentions other worthy books by other authors that I plan on picking up.

i can definitely afford something better, i just wanted something on the cheap end so i could practice at home. do you have any recommendations? i was thinking something maybe like this

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-802-Premium-8-Input-Preamps/dp/B000J5XS3C/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1398712839&sr=1-3&keywords=small+mixer

I have this desk which I find to be acceptable. It's large enough to fit my Maschine Studio + Sub 37 on the desktop and keep a mouse/keyboard on the tray below. The elevated shelf is great for a large computer screen and wide enough to fit rack units on either side of the monitor. I used to have my monitors on the shelf but upgraded to larger monitors that I ended up putting on stands.

As I said, the desk is acceptable. The glass top is a pain to clean and there have been times where the metal parts vibrated due to my music (this may have only been when the monitors were on the shelf, I can't remember the last time it happened). It's also on wheels which isn't that much of a problem but it does jiggle a little from time to time. I'm looking forward to getting a new wood desk someday, maybe a Zaor but for now this desk is acceptable enough that I would rather buy more gear.

I LOOOOVEEEEEE these!! I can hear everything and they hit decent on the lows. With the extra budget, maybe go with 8" version but it's double the price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUKP37C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit: This is what i have for interface. The free software is worth more than the interface. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6T50LY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I read Katz's "Mastering Digital Audio". Great book with lots of really good info about properly using a computer for mastering. http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audio-Second-Edition-Science/dp/0240808371/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334684096&sr=8-3 If you haven't read it and you're trying to learn how to master, this is a great place to start.

I have one of these lying around just in case I come across equipment with midi but not USB:

https://www.m-audio.com/products/view/midisport-1x1

It is also useful for equipment like the Korg Electribe or old drum machines without USB. It will allow you to use your keyboard as a controller for VST synths within your DAW.

However the Midisport 1x1 does not come with midi cables. So you will have to buy two midi cables. If you do not want to do that then the Midisport Uno comes with the midi cables attached:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-1-Out-Bus-Powered-MIDI-Interface/dp/B00007JRBM

> 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:

• Music Theory for Computer Musicians
  
• Composition for Computer Musicians
  
• Harmony for Computer Musicians
  
• Dance Music Manual
  
• The Drummers Bible
  
• Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices, and Tools
  
• Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers
  
  All the above are solid books.

You need a DAC (and I would recommend a MIDI to USB interface so that he can plug in a midi keyboard)
and a pretty inexpensive MIDI interface as well as a small mixer to balance his inputs:
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-802-Premium-8-Input-Preamps/dp/B000J5XS3C/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1479741584&sr=1-3&keywords=mixer

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MTrack2x2M

If he plan to do all music via software only, then all he needs is a DAC for his monitors.

Get The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. This book starts at the beginning, so you're sure to be able to learn from it regardless of level. It doesn't matter if you want to do jazz or not. Jazz is about the most harmonically complete music there is. If you get the hang of jazz theory, then all you need to do for most other kinds of music is figure out what stuff to leave out to make it sound like that genre.

You'll probably discover a few little tricks and sounds that you didn't know you were looking for. For instance--learn what a lydian dominant scale is, start playing around with it, and you might realize that literally every single note of The Simpsons' theme is from this scale.

You might be interested in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0240521072

Really thorough and explains everything you need to know in order to get a solid grounding in producing dance music.

The same guys also have a series of video tutorials that you might find useful: http://www.dancemusicproduction.com/index.php/tutorials#fundamentals

Honestly, I would try to save up a little more for this: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020USB-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1449013539&sr=8-3&keywords=at2020usb

Ableton. Some midi controllers (Novation Launchkey Novation Launchkey Mini) and audio interfaces(Focusrite 2i2 ) come with a free lite version.(there are more things that come with it, those are just the three I can think of right now) Or you can buy the "Intro" version for $99. A site that I like for Instruments is called VST 4 Free

(If I understand your request correctly, you need a midi in/out to USB,)
I would recommend an M-Audio Midisport Uno. I've used one for years and it works great for my variety of midi devices into Logic, Ableton, Cubans....
https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Midisport-Portable-Interface-connection/dp/B00007JRBM

Edit: in case it wasn't clear, I am a Mac user, and have used it with OS X Sierra

This is really similar to the poster chart included in Bob Katz's book, Mastering Audio. It's a good book to have on hand.

360 means you pay for stuff to get made ( either Everything or joint venture ) and also receive a cut from all revenue sources ( live shows , streaming , digital sales , merch )

It’s mainly just a term to state that u cover all bases

Here’s a good book to get you started:
https://www.amazon.com/Start-Your-Record-Label-Third/dp/0823084639

Hope that helps

Okay, in that case you should check out /r/Beatmatch and /r/edmproduction. I'd also recommend you look into this book, which covers everything you'll need to get started producing and then some.

Wait_What_Happened is right about electronic music being difficult to get into, since there are just so many different skills that you have to master, like how to program synths, EQ your sound, and compose music in the style you wish to produce. It's going to be incredibly frustrating at first, but the only way to get better is to keep practicing.

Shure SM57's are great to have in the studio. If you want a condensor mic you could check out the Audio-Technica AT2041 or the MXL 990/991 which are both 2 mic combo packs for around $100. I've used both combo packs to record acoustic guitar and vocals at the same time. I prefer the Audio-Technica mics. You could also find the larger condenser mics in each pack on their own for cheaper.

I have looked at the NT1A and NT1. I am likely to be recording guitar and vocals simultaneously, so I was looking to get a mic for each. I'm also looking at the Audio Technica offerings and found this https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2041SP-Professional-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000AQDSMQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Audio-Technica+AT2041SP+Studio+Pack&qid=1570081299&sr=8-1 which people are giving good reviews.

Ultimately I might recommend this:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398718722&sr=8-2&keywords=at2020

It's pretty much the same AT2020 that you are thinking about getting, but since it's the USB version you won't have to spend any extra money on an audio interface in order to get the mic to hook up to your computer. If you already have the 2i2, (sounds like maybe you do but I'm not sure from your wording) then just get the regular version of the AT2020.

Since cost is the concern here, why not get the USB version of the AT2020? The built-in preamp/ADC probably aren't going to be the same quality as one you'd find on a decent interface, but it's more than likely good enough for your purposes.

I have this one in black. The pullout keyboard tray is for a keyboard and mouse, though. You can put your MIDI keyboard on the glass, which is where mine is at. Works perfectly, imo.

For music I like: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Songwriting-Techniques-Writing-Berklee/dp/063400638X

For lyrics I like: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Better-Lyrics-Pat-Pattison/dp/1582975779/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397613676&sr=1-1&keywords=writing+better+lyrics

If you have the foam ones, you can try not putting them in as far as you normally do so that it doesn't cut the sound quite as much.

There are also these ones made for musicians, which attenuate all frequencies by pretty much the same amount, instead of attenuating the highs more than the lows like the foam ones do.

I think I will try audacity. I tried using it a little bit before but that was with a laptop integrated mic...

Would something like this work for plugging guitars into the pc?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Songwriting-Berklee-Guide-Perricone/dp/063400638X . fantastic book

As a professional Audio Engineer, I would go with the second choice. That being said, with audio gear you ALWAYS get what you pay for (if its cheap it will probably sound/feel like it). Also you could go for something that has Phantom Power already on it rather than buy another piece of gear, like THIS

Also, you might want to read---> The Dance Music Manual and Last Night a Dj Saved My Life probably the two biggest jumps in knowledge in this genre you'll ever have.

No love for the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PROs? $179 on Amazon

I live in a 1 bedroom apt and I got these guys that work pretty well. Guitar center had them for but one get one half off!!

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C

Bob Katz's mastering book is pretty much the Bible of mastering techniques.

I can recommend these video tutorials, which are also available as book.
LINK
Also:
LINK

If I got something like this could I use it while my keyboard is plugged in?

Bob Katz - Mastering Audio is a fantastic book on this subject. Content ranges from audio fundamentals to advanced technical material, but is never overwhelming.

I've had these 2 for a while and I highly recommend them:

[Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro](https://www.amazon.co.uk
/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0016MNAAI) ~120 euro

Scarlett Focusrite 2i4 ~140 euro

I'm playing guitar, but my teacher recommended this for rhythm work:

http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Steps-Syncopation-Modern-Drummer/dp/0882847953

I just started reading Dance Music Manual, Second Edition: Tools. toys and techniques I like it this far and he mentions in the beginning that most genres will be covered.

You want to build a base of knowledge when it comes to creating rhythm? Start with this book. Order it now. https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Syncopation-Modern-Drummer-Publications/dp/0882847953

How's your theory? I'd recommend The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. It has lots of examples of most concepts taken from classic jazz recordings and simplified for piano.

I think the desk is this : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VLW38Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have it and I like it a lot.

True statement about the ear plugs.

I got these and they don't muffle sound like most do and last a long time.

Thanks, very useful info!

Regarding the XLR to 1/4", would it matter that the PA speaker itself is powered? Probably still worth spending the extra $20 to get the necessary XLR inputs though.

The application of my FX can be uniform for all 3 inputs. So would I just use the 1/4" FX send output into the FX pedal, then input back into one of the unused 1/4" channels? I'm confused because I see an "FX out" but no designated "FX In." Would I use the AUX Return?

For reference, what I'm looking at:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-802-Premium-8-Input-Preamps/dp/B000J5XS3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1458661832&sr=1-1&keywords=mixer

Mastering is more than just about applying compression, effects, etc...

Back in the days where people listened to albums as opposed to singles the mastering engineer usually was responsible for fade outs, fade ins, track ordering, space between tracks, etc...

Then there is the whole host of tasks related to digital managment, water marking and tagging, producing a DPP file to deliver to the repro house, generating cue sheets for a cd replicator, etc. I would highly suggest you read Bob Katz's book:

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audio-The-Art-Science/dp/0240808371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407885142&sr=8-1&keywords=Bob+katz

It can tell you far more about mastering than most other people on the planet.

I really enjoyed the book Behind the Glass. Have not read the second one yet, but here's a link to the first:

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Glass-Record-Producers-Softcover/dp/0879306149/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368636606&sr=8-1&keywords=behind+the+glass

Etymotics. You can get Hearos as well, which are the same thing but rebranded.

Terrific book

Link for the lazy

From memory, I believe that is The Mixing Engineer's Handbook by Bobby Owsinski.

Another staple read about this is Mastering Audio: The art and the science by Bob Katz

Buy this and a metronome.
Read it.
Breathe it.
Sleep it.

Jazz Theory.

Mine doesn't have USB out either, but I use this, maybe the interface is causing the latency.

M-Audio USB Midisport Uno | Portable 1-in/1-out MIDI Interface via USB connection (16 x 16 MIDI channels) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00007JRBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9yokDbETHEHN3

The general consensus seems to be THESE

Solution

ear plugs, duh.

Without a doubt I'd recommend Mastering Audio if you want to learn the very basics, although be aware it's not easy and will take lots of practice. PM me if you have any questions.

I hear everything better with earplugs. I use these: http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421889556&sr=8-1&keywords=musician+earplugs

They bring down the volume of everything while still being able to hear the high frequencies. My ears don't ring for days afterwards, so there's exactly no disadvantage.

I keep recommending these to people, but HERE I GO AGAIN.

If you can't afford custom-molded earplugs, buy these now. http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=pd_sim_e_4 $10 a pop. I've gone through 2 pairs in 6 years (don't do anything dumb to them, rinse them off after every use or every 2 uses, they hold up)-- they aren't as flawless as custom ones but they go a LONG damn way. Spent 5 years with DJs & EDM nuts without any major hearing loss, and I count myself lucky.

I use the ER20 ones like this http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Protection-Earplugs-Standard/dp/B0044DEESS

You can hear the midrange better than the standard foam plugs, but you still get a lot of bass. Also the noise reduction level's lower by about 7dB or so, which is bad. The toppings contain potassium benzoate, which is also bad.

The best kind are the custom fit ones that require you to throw $200 at an audiologist. I've been meaning to have them fitted forever but I never remember and the price is high for something so easy to lose.

Yes, you're right. I mixed it up, this is the mic with the usb: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-Cardioid-Condenser-USB-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1380923667&sr=1-2&keywords=at2020

They look very alike and I didn't realize the difference. Will you help me understand the pros and cons of both mics? Keeping this one and buying the spare parts will be a little more costy, but does it pay off? What can I do with this one that I can't do with the usb one?

Thank you for your help.

Edit: Just in case I upset you too, I'm sorry if I sounded cocky or arrogant, I was just mad at myself and it showed in the writting.