does anyone here make electronic music?

No, but I would like to (someday, when I get the time). I would be interested to learn how you got started with using a computer to make music.
I am heavily into AFX.
Cheers
Simon

i don't use a computer now! i have a hardware sequencer and all my friends who make music think i'm insane.

however, i started making music on a very humble pc (486 dx2 with a soundblaster 16) using a free piece of software called fast-tracker. ahh... those were the days.

i got samples from my record collection and made some using a microphone (resulting in a lovely experimental composition comprised entirely of me belching and farting - i think everyone does this when they first get a samling device).

Well instead of bleating about the technology, what about a few samples posted here eh?

There is somewhere an MP3 of me playing guitar and, ahem, singing. Fortuntely its been lost.

My mate Mike's music can be found here. He's always looking for opinions and advice so please feel free to offer yours.

Matthew

I've made a terrible racket with that music program for the PS and PS2 hooked up to my hi fi. Whatever I do always ends up sounding like Sweet Exorcist covering T99.

My mate Dave runs Loca Records, and has occasionally made use of my CD3.5 to check mixes. Have a listen to the stuff he puts out here.

Sean,

[Experts may want to skip the details..]

If you mean taking 4 inputs in simutaeneously, then you need some specialist multichannel input devices like an M-Audio Delta 1010 or an Ego-Sys Wami Rack 24 or 192.

If you mean a multitrack sequencer where you can lay down one track after another, there are a number of budget sequencers, such as Compter Musics Muzys, which is free (well, on the cover CD of the Magazine), as well as Cakewalk Home, Cubasis etc.

There are a number of multichannel audio editors as well, Such as Pro Tools Free, Goldwave, Cool Edit etc.

You might suffer some problems with latency (the time lag between the sound going in and coming back out through the monitors) unless you get set up with a suitable audio driver for your hardware, like an ASIO or WDM one. The latest Soundblaster Live has a decent low latecny driver, previous models didn't unless you used the Kx Project drivers.

What hardware do you intend to use? I might be able to point you in a helpful direction.

DS

ITC - Plastikman - Musik

I'm using FL Studio (née Fruity Loops), which permits me to create patterns, trigger samples, sequence midi, record audio, add effects, record automation, etc., on a P4/1.66GHz. I've also lots of other software, synths, sound fonts, etc. I started with a Roland VS-880, but I use it primarily as a digital mixer now.

With this gear I've managed to create lots of neat stuff, most of which is never "finished". I'm going to find some time to sit down a really polish up some of these.

I've got another thread here on the forum with a couple samples of my work: http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=38019385&m=3191958895. I'll add some more later.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

no one has ever heard my stuff except a few close friends.

would love to share with you lot, but i only access a computer at work.

so, what sort of styles are you lot doing? is everyone into goa-trance (that's the impression i get from quite alot of the posts elsewhere on this forum)

I use this for creating, toying with hip-hop style funk patterns. Obviously, the emphasis is on sampling. I also recently picked up an MPC-2000 but I think I'm going to cut loose of that and get Pro Tools--this driven, in part, by the possible acquisition of a new computer for the household. If we get the new computer, I'll be getting pro tools, plus, ideally, a Korg Triton.
Markus
==========

Just noticed this thread & thanks to Mr Lees for the encouraging words + link.

Coming from a DJing background - most of my early music started off with the intention of being HUGE club tracks. But as they progressed, they usually went off in a multitude of strange directions, ending up with something... well, something else(!)

The tracks I have on my site were mostly created with Cakewalk 3 MIDI sequencer, sounds are from an old Korg module and a Roland JV1080. They were generally not fully sequenced but were mixed down to tape/DAT from a 32 bar loop with lots of live channel muting / unmuting. For me this was the only way to go as the process of sequencing bored me to tears. Most of them were made between 1996-98 (that's the last time I can remember having enough free time for such things!).

Since then I've been getting more into the soft-synth approach (been fiddling with Logic Audio & Fruity Loops). I have to admit that the software solution makes for a much easier life - no more saving patches + banks for each tune, so much so that I hardly ever switch on the synths any more.

I would have to agree with Alan's comments 're:little space for originality', so many people have been doing this for so many years that the electronica marketplace has become saturated and generally less and less interesting. Time for something new perhaps?

'Ambient-electro-death-metal anyone ?'
Funny you should mention that(!) - Jimmy Cauty (ex-KLF man) has a new project called Blacksmoke. They have released no records but have downloadable music on their site and have recently produced an outrageous 15 minute session on Radio 1's Breezeblock (you'll find it on Soulseek if you're interested).

JeremyD,

Actually, I quite enjoyed listening to those bits on your site. In fact, I thought Cascade was particularly interesting, and I'm tempted to try to build something around it.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Mekon, it looks like your friends at Loca Records are starting to get noticed Wired News: Record Label Sings New Tune for their creative copyright license agreements Open source music.

I hope things go well for them with this brave venture.

Roy T