workflow suggestions for beginners

Gearwacz wrote:
I used Google to look up "the curse of knowledge", apparently, it also works for looking up sidechain compression and Mother Ducker.

I guess my suggestion for beginners is to try your best to answer your own questions first, if possible. Google search, the MPC Bible, the MPC User's Manual, YouTube, searching past forum posts, etc. There's a wealth of resources that can help you get to proficiency with the MPC, you just need to tap into them.

hyena wrote:well, in my more than a decade long experience as sound design teacher i know that young people usually learn what sidechain compression or ducking is even before knowing how a compressor works, especially in the field of dance music, it's such a popular technique. but mother ducker can give the impression of being bad for the job if you use the "wrong" (or untreated) kick...

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:My advice for beginners is: keep trying, keep performing and releasing. IMO the single most effective factor in learning music and music production is public performance. If you have an actual "gig" of some kind, it forces things in order somehow. But if you don't have a real gig, then there's no real purpose and it doesn't really matter if you get something done or just watch more Youtube. If you know about sidechain compression but you don't release and you don't have a gig, then how does knowing about sidechain compression make any difference?

B-Wise wrote:

hyena wrote:well, in my more than a decade long experience as sound design teacher i know that young people usually learn what sidechain compression or ducking is even before knowing how a compressor works, especially in the field of dance music, it's such a popular technique. but mother ducker can give the impression of being bad for the job if you use the "wrong" (or untreated) kick...

Why assume that only young people are beginners & that anyone that's making dance music knows anything about how to make it. They're beginners not intermediates. If you've been a sound design teacher for the last 10 years chances are most of the young people would've had already did a lot research like watching YouTube before they signed up to your class, but what about all the actual beginners? You don't think that sidechain tip is more than just a bit advance for a beginner?

Cool tip though, but try to think back when you didn't know anything about making music then reread that tip from the mindset of a noobie that's doesn't know what compressor/ducking/sidechain is & see if it still makes sense. HELL NO! Which is why I mentioned the curse of knowledge, not to be a wise ass, but because it's so common with highly knowledgeable people like you - a teacher with at least 10 yrs of experience.

Lampdog wrote:

A friend on 2k classic had no efx card, he would use 16 level volume and tap out delays.

B-Wise wrote:This is for workflow suggestions for beginners that may not even be at the stage for gigs or that may not even want to play live, but just want to learn how to use the MPC. What workflow tips can you offer?

B-Wise wrote:This is for workflow suggestions for beginners that may not even be at the stage for gigs or that may not even want to play live, but just want to learn how to use the MPC. What workflow tips can you offer?

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:The workflow tip was: focus on delivering a result. What there must be. Instead of doing things just because they're possible or you heard that "pros" do something like that. You don't just "use the MPC", you use it FOR SOMETHING. There is no workflow without an outcome.

To put yourself in this situation, where there is a clear outcome, publish your stuff somewhere. Youtube, Soundcloud, something. Under a pseudonym if you want, as long as you know somebody might hear it. Make someone listen to it.

In the Suzuki music teaching method, there is always lots of performances where other people listen to the student playing. Deliberately put yourself in that situation, and then your work has somewhere to flow.

hyena wrote:heehe , you are right, a bit too advanced for this thread. mmm usually it's young people but that's not always the case, and usually people approaching from an absolute beginner standpoint already have watched tutorials, read stuff online, developed a minimum vocabolary... anyway, you are right, lets keep this thread to a more basic level.

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:I was sure you wouldn't get it.

B-Wise wrote:

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:I was sure you wouldn't get it.

Damn you thank that little of me - that's cool I'm a INTP so i'm use to it

But the part I didn't get was, "What there must be"

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:When talking about any workflow, there is always an idea of an outcome. The purpose of work is to get a result. "Get things done"... But if you aren't really sure WHAT you MUST get done, then what workflow are you even talking about?