I have a small request from this community,
SA is truly an amazing source of information which I’ve learned to appreciate and cherish. It has really enhance my knowledge about music production and in a very small amount of time. I want to continue on this trend, and in order to do that I would love to know what other sources do people in here use to broaden their grasp on this craft.
Tell us about anything that you feel has helped you reach a higher level: books, magazines, websites, blogs, even older posts in this forums that contain information regarding this.
The more in depth the better!
I want to absorb as much information as I possibly can, and would greatly appreciate any help from you guys.
study the manual of your DAW. will help you in the long run
Sure absorb as much info as you can - however nothing actually beats just playing and experimenting - I still learn new stuff everyday about my DAW or a vst etc etc
My tip is have lots of hot sex with yr missus. Make the Neighbours complain about the noise.
Keep her happy & she wont give ya the dagger eyes when yr MIA for hours on end 
Be like a girl at summer camp or college and experiment
or like a young man in Public School :ermm:
For me it was just curiosity i started playing with my tools (no not those) and i was curious of the technical aspects of them so i googled alot, bought some books, got some magazines, read those stupid fat manuals, watched every possible tutorial on youtube no matter what genre or synth, thought myself music theory…
Try making a song or loop everyday try all the effects listen to the results…youll learn from your mistakes and make improvements
YOUTUBE! I’ve several subscriptions but I’ve learned the most from YouTube.
As a side note I surround myself with it. Tutorial magazines, websites, gear magazines to monitor trends; anything I can do to learn more. One good thing is the top DAWs aren’t that dissimilar; even if a tutorial is on a different DAW watch it, or at least the pieces that would cross over.
Good hunting.
I think the best thing that anyone could do is get involved with forums & make friends with people.
Someone said a while back - think it was Bouff or Bang - that you should just get stuck in & pretend as if you know us all already. I think thats gold. Theres no magic forumula - you just have to have a laugh & get chatting.
Get to know people - locate those that are on the same wavelength & become friends. Swap stories, exchange ideas / points of view / tracks etc… It’ll give ya something you’ll never get from tutorials or books - Support.
The hairs honestly stand up on the back of my neck and arms when I read a Thread from someone looking for a Knight in shining armour to take them under their wing & teach them everything they know for free. Life isnt free - and even though what I’m talking about is free (as in doenst cost $€£’z), you invariably exhange friendship & humour, sincerity & trust. Thats a fair barter.
You have to play the “long game” as a good friend of mine always says 
- Its fkn true!!
Theres no substitute for a personal relationship. I think thats what most people dont “get” about forums. They’re just like real life. You also have to be open / genuine & sociable to get on in this “life”. Just like the physical world - its obvious who is a cnut.
So, to summarise: Theres a lot to gain from being an active member of an online community
[quote]Subject 1 (16/08/2011)[hr]Be like a girl at summer camp or college and experiment[/quote]
We told you before we are not interested in your early cross-dressing experiences
Learn to fully understand how all your fx and processors work. By learn i mean really LEARN them, dnt just rely on presets or randomly tweaking nobs. Know what will happen if you tweak x knob and if you want something what you have to do and tweak to get that something.
[quote]ICN (16/08/2011)[hr]My tip is have lots of hot sex with yr missus. Make the Neighbours complain about the noise.
Keep her happy & she wont give ya the dagger eyes when yr MIA for hours on end :D[/quote]
this is a good one. ICN i really need to updated my ****. my Missus get on my way of producing music hheeeh
Thank you all for all the quick responses and tips, it definitely shows me a supportive community.
Most of the advice I’ve already started to follow, which makes me feel I’m moving in the right track. I do agree with experimenting with the equipment on your own is the best way to learn. I try to dedicate some time everyday to just sit and play with the synths and FX, and lately I can really see the improvement.
Reading the DAW manual really has helped a LOT too. Plenty of specific information there.
Regarding the forums remark, I couldn’t agree more. I have been a fan of online forums for a long time now (hence I’m posting in here). Getting known around an online community helps immensely, and I’m looking forward to interacting more with you guys.
Anyhow, I’m not looking for anyone to spoon feed me the information. Rather, if you know of any source that really helped you move up in your skills I would really love to hear it.
[quote]alinenunez (16/08/2011)[hr]
this is a good one. ICN i really need to updated my ****. my Missus get on my way of producing music hheeeh[/quote]
haha!
My other hot tip is the reverse - Invite her into your room & fkn terrorise her 
She’ll leave you alone then too! LOL :hehe:
Hey man - Just for the record, I wasnt saying that you were looking to be spoonfed or anything, absolutely not mate 
Just want to clear that up.
I was using it as a non-specific example - I’m only after realising now how it could be possibly misread.
[quote]ICN (16/08/2011)[hr][quote]alinenunez (16/08/2011)[hr]
this is a good one. ICN i really need to updated my ****. my Missus get on my way of producing music hheeeh[/quote]
haha!
My other hot tip is the reverse - Invite her into your room & fkn terrorise her
She’ll leave you alone then too! LOL :hehe:[/quote]
Hey Aline if you can’t take the pressure I am happy to help buddy - at a small chage ofcourse - but want to be paid in Stirling as $$ ain’t worth swat
[quote]slender (16/08/2011)[hr][quote]ICN (16/08/2011)[hr][quote]alinenunez (16/08/2011)[hr]
this is a good one. ICN i really need to updated my ****. my Missus get on my way of producing music hheeeh[/quote]
haha!
My other hot tip is the reverse - Invite her into your room & fkn terrorise her
She’ll leave you alone then too! LOL :hehe:[/quote]
Hey Aline if you can’t take the pressure I am happy to help buddy - at a small chage ofcourse - but want to be paid in Stirling as $$ ain’t worth swat :)[/quote]
hahah !!
Future Music and Music Tech are both great mags for info on the latest technology. I’m currently reading the Dance Music Manual, and Secrets of House Music Production. Very good reads
@Pshot - Do you not find the Dance Music manual is a bit dated?
I was reading a bit of it the other day & to be honest - I think looking back on it now, a lot of the info in there is fkn rubbish
Van Gogh with an ear infection could have written a better one.
Its not specific enough, and is a bit of a everymans book. I didnt realise it at the time when I read it - but with the benefit of hindsight, I dont think it was an essential purchase.
The Sample Magic book is a lot better. I have that open here in front of me as I type
Its what the DMM should have been.
[quote]jjdejong0 (16/08/2011)[hr]Learn to fully understand how all your fx and processors work. By learn i mean really LEARN them, dnt just rely on presets or randomly tweaking nobs. Know what will happen if you tweak x knob and if you want something what you have to do and tweak to get that something.[/quote]
I have been trying to learn as much as I can about how all these things work and why. But I think my problem is that I am trying to learn my DAW (Ableton Live) inside and out, learn all of the instruments and effect processors, plus learn how to build tracks through the tutorials here, and learn Music Theory as well. It can get overwhelming and I wonder how I’m ever going to learn all of this. :ermm:
I have a lot of ideas for songs in my head but don’t know how to create them yet.
I just try not to let myself get stressed about it and just keep taking it one day at a time.