Software and VSTs

Given this is the first article about audio production, I wanted to make clear that the majority will be related to music production. However, we will explain how to clean up audio, such as background noise.

DAWs or Digital Audio Workstations

I primarily use Apple Logic Pro as my DAW. We will look at other DAWs, however, such as Steinberg Cubase and Ableton Live to a limited extent.

Also, take into account that the latest versions of these software packages will always be used during these series.

For audio post-production, I rely on Adobe Audition, though you can achieve the same results with other DAWs.

In the end, it’s exploring DAWs and finding the one that you feel comfortable with. It’s your core software, so it’s important that you learn it well, and understand its capabilities and limitations.

Plug-Ins

I use NI Komplete 13 Ultimate, and highly recommend investing in this software, and will upgrade to NI Komplete 14 Collector’s edition. For vocalists, I recommend Antaris Auto-Tune Unlimited, their software package has evolved drastically over the years.

VSTs

Digital and Analog Production

Digital

Loops, Instruments, Drum Kits, Sounds, One-Shots

• Loops are repetitive pieces of music, such as a drum rhythm. They could be a melody or several instruments may be used in the loop, which would technically make it a piece of harmony.
• Instruments could be analog and connected through your external audio interface or digital instruments, referred to as VSTs
• Drum Kits, as the name suggests, provide different sounds, creating a full drum set with floor tom(s), snare drum(s), hi-hat(s), etc.
• Sounds these are specific and aren’t combined with other sounds.
• One-Shots are short samples that are used in drum kits, loops, and instruments.

Analog

Nothing beats analog sound. Imitating a guitar with a virtual instrument through a MIDI keyboard won’t get the same effect.

That’s why the external audio interface is important. It allows you to plug in electronic instruments, produce very high-quality sound, and connect it with your DAW. Guitars and Mics are the most common instruments that required an interface.

Session View and Arrangement View

Ableton

You can't deny that Ableton pioneered and created arguably the best session view. Their arrangement view takes time to learn unless Ableton is your DAW of choice. This is why I don’t want to omit Ableton, due to its importance and constant innovations.

Logic Pro

I never use session view. Logic Pro has its created it’s version, which takes time to understand. Nevertheless, I am curious what their next upgrade will bring.

Session View

Arrangement View

For drums and beats, especially in hip-hop and rap, a groovebox and sampler, like the NI Maschine is ideal. But be careful if your macbook has an m1 max or pro processor.

Compositions almost always use the following instruments:

• Guitar
• Bass
• Drums
• Piano
• Strings (bass, cello, violas, violins, harp, …)
• Brass (tuba, horn, trombone, trumpet, … )
• Woodwinds (clarinet, oboe, bassoon, flute, saxophone, …)
• Uncommon world instruments

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