Subject:Learning to create music with Acid

Posted by: Billy d

Date:9/27/2005 1:41:51 PM

I have no music ability and bought Acid 2 way back but have been unable to generate anything worthwhile so gave up years ago.
Is there anything out in cyberspace that can help me to use it?
(I know how to use the software, but the musical side is baffling).
- A tutorial on how to compose in Acid for a musical idiot perhaps?
- Compose by the numbers?
- The 5 minute guide to becoming a great... whatever.
Preferably free!
:-)
I'm looking to generate background/theme music for video. I'm currently using SmartSound, which works but is a tad expensive.

Subject:RE: Learning to create music with Acid

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:9/27/2005 3:08:49 PM

> I know how to use the software, but the musical side is baffling...
I'm currently using SmartSound, which works but is a tad expensive.

Did you just buy ACID 2 without any libraries and then try and make music from the sample loops they give you? This may be your problem because the samples don’t really give you enough similar loops to choose from. You really need to buy a few loop libraries in the genre of the music you are trying to make. This will give you a broader pallet of sounds and ensure that the sounds that you have work well together.

Try this first: SmartSound libraries are $99 each for 12-15 songs. Buy three $29 ACID Loops libraries from the style of music you want to make for your videos. You’ll be surprised how much easier it will be to compose when you have good loop libraries. If you can make 4 or 5 songs from each CD you will have made the same as SmartSounds would have given you. But I’ll bet you can make a lot more once you get use to it and those loop libraries will start paying for themselves.

What you have to do is tell yourself that you are going to throw way the first 5 songs. They are going to be junk so don’t worry about it. Just make them, listen to them, figure out why you don’t like them, and make the next one better, Before you know it, you will get use to mixing and matching loops and they will start sounding better and better. It’s not going to be as easy as SmartSound. You’re going to work a bit at composing but, like anything else, it will start to get easier the more you do it.

~jr

Subject:RE: Learning to create music with Acid

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:9/28/2005 11:05:41 AM

In addition to what JohnnyRoy said, check out any of the "construction kit" CDs, which are meant to let you create a music track complete with percussion, bass, etc.

On top of that, study some songs for their structure. A song typically has an intro, a verse, a bridge, a chorus and an outro. In-between those elements are small breaks to break up the monotony.

Don't layer tracks one right on top of another and have them all play at once. That's usually overkill. Plan on which tracks will begin to playback and which will end.

Some rudimentary music theory will definitely help out, especially in the case of percussive One-shot track types. I was weaned on Practical Theory by Sandy Feldstein. (This book may be overkill in some cases, but it will definitely cover the basics, like note values and time signatures.)

Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and mD!
mD at ACIDplanet

Subject:RE: Learning to create music with Acid

Reply by: Billy d

Date:9/29/2005 4:02:14 PM

Brilliant!
You hit it right on. I tried with the loops that came with Acid, failed, and decided it was stupid to throw good money after bad.
I'm going to give it a go!
Cheers,
Bill

Subject:RE: Learning to create music with Acid

Reply by: Billy d

Date:9/29/2005 4:05:39 PM

Thankyou, one question: how do I recognize a "Construction Kit" CD?
I thought they were all designed to be construction kits.
I guess some are more general purpose than others.
But how to know?
Bill

Subject:RE: Learning to create music with Acid

Reply by: Billy d

Date:9/29/2005 4:13:09 PM

Oh, OK. I just looked at the loops available for purchase, I see what you mean by construction kit.... Well, it's been several years!
Cheers.

Subject:RE: Learning to create music with Acid

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:9/29/2005 5:35:36 PM

Sounds like you have things under control. I gave that advice because, like yourself, I tried ACID 3, put it down, tried it again, put it down again. I just didn’t get it. Then someone effectively told me “I was looking for a clean shave from the razor but wasn’t willing to buy any good blades for it.” I think MetaRock Visions was my first Loop CD and after that I GOT IT! It had enough drums, base, guitar, loops that I could make whole songs that made sense. You’ll GET IT too. ;-)

~jr