Useful free bits for a beginner

muzzadj

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Yo all. Currently in the process of building a PC again to have another crack with production. I am a complete beginner.. Well I pissed around a bit years ago but didn't really know what the hell I was doing. I'd be grateful for any links to any free bits of software/sample packs/anything I can grab in preperation. The sort of essential stuff I should be having and maybe something you rate highly. I'll be looking to spend some money in the future on more but for now i'd just like to play around with whatever free bits I can get. I will be using Cubase. Unless you all recommend I try something else?

Cheers!
 
This site has some proper sample packs
http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/sampleradar-13154-free-sample-downloads-217833
They have some nice texture packs, amotsperes, drum samples, that sort of stuff...


And, since I buy almost all my packs here, I got to add this one.
http://www.loopmasters.com/genres/15-Drum-and-Bass
Yes, it's not free, but from almost all packs you can download a free taster pack. mostly like 10-20 sounds from the pack. Get a few of these as see to which ones you actually go to. And if you have to cash to spare, invest in actually buying the full thing. Believe me, you don't want to pay €20-40 euros for a pack that's not worth so much. *cough*londonelektricity*cough*



For vst's, you can try this http://www.vst4free.com/
This can be a hit and miss though. I tried some of these, some of them are utter shit. But once in a while there is one that's sometimes usefull.
 
I've also recently started....but am just using everything ableton already comes with at the moment. Is that a no no? I feel like there needs to be 'production jargon buster' of sorts haha
 
I've also recently started....but am just using everything ableton already comes with at the moment. Is that a no no? I feel like there needs to be 'production jargon buster' of sorts haha
My advice is to get to know the stock plugins, independently of which DAW you use. and THEN you consider buying other synths.
 
I've also recently started....but am just using everything ableton already comes with at the moment. Is that a no no? I feel like there needs to be 'production jargon buster' of sorts haha

Abletons own plugins are fantastic and i use a lot of them as well as vsts. Get to know the standard plugins that come with Ableton then broaden your horizons to other vsts
 
If you are a complete beginner, stick with the stock Cubase plugins for now until you actually discover their shortcomings and have an idea of what exactly you need to progress your tracks.
The only third party plugin I really think a beginner needs is the excellent SPAN spectrum analyzer from Voxengo:
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

Some quality samples for drums are nice to have though. There will frequently be collections of drum samples on Future Music/Computer Music cover discs, so you don't really need to spend a lot to get this.

Since you said you are a complete beginner, I'd recommend you invest your money on a book rather than plugins. I've read a few, but this is the one that has given me the most value:
http://www.mixingaudio.com/index.php
It will make you understand the principles of mixing, as well as explain the various types of audio signal processors (eqs, compressors, delays and so on) in detail. It really helps you understand when to apply processing, and why. That in turn makes you do the right decisions instead of just randomly applying processing in hope that it will do some good :)
 
If you are a complete beginner, stick with the stock Cubase plugins for now until you actually discover their shortcomings and have an idea of what exactly you need to progress your tracks.
The only third party plugin I really think a beginner needs is the excellent SPAN spectrum analyzer from Voxengo:
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

Some quality samples for drums are nice to have though. There will frequently be collections of drum samples on Future Music/Computer Music cover discs, so you don't really need to spend a lot to get this.

Since you said you are a complete beginner, I'd recommend you invest your money on a book rather than plugins. I've read a few, but this is the one that has given me the most value:
http://www.mixingaudio.com/index.php
It will make you understand the principles of mixing, as well as explain the various types of audio signal processors (eqs, compressors, delays and so on) in detail. It really helps you understand when to apply processing, and why. That in turn makes you do the right decisions instead of just randomly applying processing in hope that it will do some good :)

fuck about the books £30 on amazon!
 
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