Basic Song Structure

I felt like I don't know anything about music at all. In order to make my own music, I thought having basic music knowledge will help my project.
I researched about the song structure (pop song) and learned that the overall structure has several elements.

The basic structure of a song is
Intro > Verse 1 > Chorus > Verse 2 > Chorus > Bridge > (Verse 3) > Chorus > Outro

It helps to know this because now I construct the songs instead of making random pieces of music clips.

Transition from the Technical Aspect to the Creativity Aspect

I have been dealing with selecting the software, getting to know its functions and learning about how music is made from these software, but now I am moving on to the next part: actually making the music. From now on, I will be making several music files and getting reviewed from both my mentor and my friends.

Importing Loops from Garageband!!

Imported loops from Garageband. 

I needed more loops for my project since I am 100% relying on the loops without using any instruments.

I felt like what I already had wasn't enough, so I decided to import some additional loops from other places. 

Garageband has so many high quality loops that I was looking for. I copied the loop files and converted to my software's extension than imported them.

Music Maker MX & Music Studio MX Review

In the last post, I have introduced my new software that I will use for now on to make music.

It is a bundle of Music Maker MX, Music Studio MX and Soundpool 17 only exclusive in Bestbuy. 

Music Maker MX is the software for making music using the built in loop files and sound effects and Music Studio MX is a software for music recording such as rocording instrumental music and multi-track recording. 

Soundpool 17 is a CD with additional loops for the Music Maker MX.  I think a package of all three together only for 60 dollars is a good deal comparing to Music Maker MX sold at 55 dollars on its official website. 

Anyway, I will talk a little bit more about the Music Maker MX. I found this software being really helpful for my project. It has a really simple User Interface that I don't think anyone will be confused with and its loops were also fascinating. However, the one thing that excited me the most was the loop maker. Loop maker is a program that is built-in the Music Maker MX. It allows users to make their own loop very easily. In addition to loop maker, there are several other programs that helps the user to make music. Of course there are various other software out in the market and their are some that are better than Music Maker MX, but I think Music Maker MX is a great software for its price.

I haven't really used Music Studio MX that much since my project is to make music using the loops.

Here is a picture of the Music Maker MX

Music Maker Mx

yesterday I brought a music making software called Music Maker MX. It was 60 dollars for music making software, music recording software and 6000 additional loops. I thought this was a really good deal. I don't know yet if this software would satisfy me or not, but I am really excited so try it.

Great Books to Learn about Music Production Software

Two books that provides knowledge and techniques of how to use music recording software that are recommended by Mr. Heurich  

The First Mentor Meeting

Yesterday I had my first meeting with my mentor. We have met and talked few times before, but this was our first "official" meeting.
We first decided to structure and plan our future meeting

Structuring future meetings


We decided to discuss about....

• What do I want to get accomplished?
• Questions
• Short term goals
• Long term goals
• Progress and sharing

Today's meeting 

• discuss and learn about the basic functions of the software
• showing what I worked on so far and getting feedback

I have showed him what I worked on so far, which is just random beats i have made not fully knowing the functions of mixcraft. Mr. Heurich told me to play with the tempo and volume and structure the music with begin, middle and end. He also told me to search free loops online for extra contents to use. For the long term goal, I will work on making my own loops using both real instruments and virtual instruments.  

Introducing My Mentor A. Heurich

Today I will introduce my mentor who will work with me for the rest of my project. 

My mentor is Armin Heurich who is my school's librarian. He have been recording his own music using Garage Band for several years. Mr. Heurich have actually made several albums and performs in a local band. 

He will give me suggestions and feedback for my project as well as making sure I stay in track of everything. 

I believe Mr. Heurich's mentoring will be critical for my project's success. I will have an official meeting with him once every week but he said he is willing to answer my questions anytime if I needs him. 

I appreciate his eagerness and passion for mentoring.  

   

Software for Music Recording

I have researched several kinds of software for music recording.

Here are the list of the software that I narrowed down among various available out in the market

• Garage Band
• Logic 
• FL Studio
• Mix Craft

Garage Band is a great software that is both free and accessible. It has lots of built in loops and simple user interface. However, it is only available for Mac.

Logic is basically an advanced version of Garage Band. It adds additional functions and features to Garage Band, making it more suitable for advanced users. It is quite harder to use than Garage Band. Also only available for Mac. Price: $199.99

FL Studio is known as "Garage Band for Windows." Very similar to Garage Band with similar functions. Also has built in loops in use. Price vary: $49.99 ~ $299.99

Mix Craft. Another great alternative of Garage Band for Window users. Very similar to FL studio. Easy user interface and many built in loops. Price vary starting from $74.95 to $149.99  

I decided to use either Mix Craft or FL Studio. I will try the free trials/demo of both types and finally choose one product for the rest of my project. 

Music Producing Software

Wow, there are so many things to do that I don't even know where to start from!
Well, of those "many thing to do, I will first start researching for the computer software programs for music production. Musing Production software is the basic element for music production. Either you record sounds from instruments or use made sounds from computer, music producing software combine them altogether and polish them into a single mp3 sound file.  
There are various types of music making software available out in the market. Each of them has its own pros and cons and choosing the right software that works the best for you will be tough. What program you use may affect your direction of music producing. Soon I will post about music producing software.

What is Music Production?

What is music production?
Music production is simply making music :)
Well, in a more formal definition though, music production refers to is a process of creating a recorded music project.

It is the process of making music using mainly the computer technology. Using the music producing software and other interface tools along with instruments, people create their own music.
Those people who "do music producing" are call "Record Producers."
Most of the music that we listen every day is produced this way.

For about of four months period starting today, i will explore the field of music production and actually produce an music album as a final product.
I have NO knowledge or experience in this field, but that doesn't matter! I have PASSION!!
This blog will be a journal that I will use to record the progresses as I learn.
I am excited and worried at the same time, no matter where I end, I will give my best for this project.
So, my project of Music Producing now begins!!!