Music Production Technology Explained

by TR Editor

When diving in feet first to the world of producing music it can be a little mind blowing. There are so many new audio technologies hitting the market it is hard to keep up. Below is a list of some basics that will help you get your feet planted and producing tracks in no time.

Plug-ins

Plug in instruments give you the largest collection of virtual instruments than ever before. By using a sequencer to power your direct x or VST plug-ins, you can build entire orchestras, all on the convenience of your desktop. Many soft synths don't live up to the quality of hardware synths or "the real thing", but many do, and there are many plug in effects that you can use to fine tune your sound even better.

Samplers

Samplers work relatively the same way as soft synths, they both use the midi data to trigger a sound. Except a sampler maps those notes to one shot sounds, that you specify. A common use for a sampler would be to have all the sounds of a drum kit to compose your percussive loops. You can also use samplers to do quick remixes. Just cut your song into loops, and map them in your virtual sampler, then use your midi keyboard or virtual sampler to play loops of the song instead of notes.

Sound Editing Programs

These are great for both live recordings and software based music production. You are going to want something that can edit your raw recordings and/or to comp your vocal tracks with. Music producers make great use of these programs for slicing up beats and loops, and sound editors are the best for mastering your track after mix down (if you choose to do mastering yourself).Two of the most common programs used are "Cool Edit Pro" and "Sound Forge", but there are others out there too.

Sequencers

Sequencers are the heart of your virtual studio, they are used for mixing down all of your sounds and loops. Some sequencers even have plug in capabilities allowing you to run plug in instruments, and effects along side .wav tracks that your are mixing down. Some of the common sequencers are "Fruityloops", "Protools", "Cubase", and "Logic".

Once you have had time to work your way around these programs you will soon discover the limitless possibilities that computer technology has brought to the music industry. There are many more types of programs including the likes of programs that allow you to build your own plug ins or program your own kick drums from scratch.