The Basics of Tempo

Before we explain the samples, sounds, instruments (or VSTs), we have to understand the fundamentals of music and the DAW (music software). Remember, I use Logic Pro, and have been using it for 17 years. For 250 USD you get a top-notch DAW.

Steinberg Cubase costs a 100 USD more and is definitely worth considering as well. The quality of Cubase is pretty much unbeatable. For cinematic sounds, they offer Iconaca, which beats NI cinematic instruments. However, with the right configuration, you can really achieve realistic-sounding cinematic instruments with Native Instruments.

Also, Pro Tools, the industry standard, still has a reputation of being ridiculously expensive. They cut their prices and shifted to a subscription model. So Pro Tools is now available for most producers. That being said, Pro Tools is the hardest DAW to master and is often used in the movie industry. So think twice before investing in Pro Tools if you are not ready yet. This is the tool professional audio engineers use in combination with an analog production set.

Other DAWs are much more expensive and are often not worth the price. Take into account that your plug-ins will be much more expensive. Hence, Logic Pro and Cubase are prime DAWs.

Basic Track Setup

(1) Track Controls

(2) Bars and beats

Generally, 4 beats fit into one bar. This depends on the time signature. If the time signature is 5/4, then 5 beats fit into one bar. A famous example is “Take Five” from “The Dave Brubeck Quartet”:

• https://open.spotify.com/track/1YQWosTIljIvxAgHWTp7KP?si=8d90c43740d24e83
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmDDOFXSgAs

Tempo

It’s extremely important to get the tempo right. There are a few options available:

• Keep: you leave the tempo, which is recommended when you have started working on the song.
• Adapt: use this when producing a song and have the tempo adjust to the tempo of the recording.
• Auto: system chooses to keep tempo or adapt.
• Smart: use this when recording and will create a tempo map.

(3) Track and Midi Options

On the left the button will replace the midi. Next is a tuner and solo button. The other buttons are metronomes.

We offer contracting and freelance services and training in the field of music production.