Want to get into making music remixes, but has no idea where to start

[SailorCardKnight 85]

...this isn't something recent, but rather something i've been wanting to do ever since I realized its possible to make music using audio clips from TV shows or taking already existing songs and giving them a new spin.

How long, you ask? I've always been inspired by artists like Enigma and Deep Forest. But back when I was a kid, during the days of Napster, I downloaded some Sailor Moon songs

only to quickly realize they where something some average joe fan made at home. This meant *I* could do it myself, and ever since then, I've always been wanting to try it. These days, I've been wanting to do it more than ever, especially since technology has come such a long way and is much more commonplace compared to 10+ years ago.

 

Currently, my main computer (its an older Mac) is busted and won't be fixed until I manage to get a job and have a steady source of income coming in (whenever THAT will be), but I figured in the meantime I can gather info/read up on it.

 

Question time!

 

-What are some great programs for beginners like me? What is their price tag? Is their any additional equipment I might need?

 

-Is there any tutorials I can watch/read? (This should also help me determine if this endeavor is worth my time/would truly be interested in or not.)

 

-What about Garage Band? I tinkered around with it a few times, but is it secretly some awesome remixing program with some cool hidden features I overlooked?

 

...thats a start, but yeah, any help would be appreciated. I've had ideas accumulating in the back of my mind for years that I want to get out. One idea from this past year combines the Twilight Zone theme, "Fly me to the Moon" from Evangelion, the Doctor Who theme, a couple tracks from Star Wars, and other iconic tracks from famous sci-fi films/shows. It sounds bizarre now, but man, if only I could get it together...

 

 

TL;DR

I'm a total noob, who has zero experience with making music remixes, really wants to start, but has no idea how. Where do I begin?

[MeanBlackHawk 147]

I'm a little further ahead than you on this one, though I have not taken the next step to become the next deadmau5 or Nero.  

1) Though you want to start it depends on what kind of music you want to make. Is it just music remixing your interested in or are you interested in making music from scratch as well?

 

2) If you start anywhere (regardless of what kind of music you'll be making) I recommend fruity loops.  Here's a video, it's pretty basic and user friendly.  You can download kits to add different sounds that are not already with the program.  I'm not sure what the "real" musicians on this forum would say, but you should start out simplistic and basic such as fruity loops.  Just get a feel for it and start playing around with it.  Some "famous" people have used fruity loops to make hits and it's easy to see why.  If Soulja Boy's stupid self can do it you can too.  

 

 

[Planty 1,053]

@@MeanBlackHawk, Do you know where to get floops from and how much it's cost's? (Pref for as little as possible ) I've always wanted to get it but i heard it was really expensive!

[MeanBlackHawk 147]

@@MeanBlackHawk, Do you know where to get floops from and how much it's cost's? (Pref for as little as possible ) I've always wanted to get it but i heard it was really expensive!

I torrented it on my old computer a while ago, legally I have no idea how to get it, but illegally, you'd torrent it.  You're right it is very expensive though! I guess they gotta make a living too hunh?

[K3WRO 79]

@@MeanBlackHawk, Do you know where to get floops from and how much it's cost's? (Pref for as little as possible ) I've always wanted to get it but i heard it was really expensive!

 

Actually, It is expensive, but a bit cheaper than many other widely used DAWs, like Abelton for example.

 

You can get the Producer Edition for around $200 and the full (Signature) Edition for around $299. It comes with some good vsts and such so I'd say it's worth it. IMO, I like it better than Abelton Live. I recommend buying it, It's not about the virus issue or legal issue or anything, but it's about how you progress, Knowing you spent money that you earned by working hard on a tool rather than getting it for free can improve your production and level of investment on the program, and thus, you can learn it better.

 

1) If you ever get a new computer, go download a demo for FL, and once you make enough money, upgrade it to the full version, However, there's a free alternative, It's called REAPER, it's CPU light and Free! and if you want to publish your music or sell it, you can get the licence for it, which is only $60, Trust me, I used both of these softwares.

FL Studio : http://www.image-line.com/documents/flstudio.html

Reaper : http://www.reaper.fm/

 

2) Try searching up theory tutorials on youtube, There are TONS out there.

 

3) Gradge band is a fun program to use, though it's a bit limited in some parts reliable for audio production, if it's the time, you can upgrade to logic, which is more suitable if you decide music is your profession.  

[~Scootaloo 440]

@@SailorCardKnight, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are. I have a copy of FL Studio thanks to my cousin so I don't really have to worry about paying for it since he already got me a license.

 

 

Try searching up theory tutorials on youtube, There are TONS out there.

 

What are "theory tutorials"? I have looked up how to make a simple song in FL Studios and most of the tutorials were either too advanced or simply not what I was looking for.

[K3WRO 79]

@@SailorCardKnight, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are. I have a copy of FL Studio thanks to my cousin so I don't really have to worry about paying for it since he already got me a license.

 

 

 

What are "theory tutorials"? I have looked up how to make a simple song in FL Studios and most of the tutorials were either too advanced or simply not what I was looking for.

Here's an example of a youtube video I used back then : 

 

Also, By theory, I have a webpage right here : http://www.musictheory.net/

 

I'd check it out if you want to make good music