This is the unofficial FAQ and unofficial Rules guide to making electronica on the audio portal of newgrounds, it consists with links to other threads that contain vital information along with frequently answered questions in a detailed manner. Please read below to get a general start on your road to electronica.
0.00 Welcome to the Audio Forums!
This is the place to be for audio advertisements, questions, discussion, and technical talk.
But, you must understand the Rules of the BBS.
The audio forums is a safe haven for you to advertise and discuss your works and the abilities of others, in order toearn respect you must give respect, we won't give you fives if you come at us like maniacs.
>>> 1.00 I want to start making Audio, what do I do?
To make music, you need Software, music software comes in all shapes, sizes and the quality depends on cost and computer efficiency, each software varies and depends on personal preference.
Visit the official Audio Software thread to view costs and info on all kinds of kits, including FREE kits.
From the looks of it, "Fruity Loops" is the most common choice and is deemed a very capable software, it is VERY user friendly and can help you in your travel to learning the path of... Fruity-ness. The Fruity Loops Help Topic comes in handy.
>>>1.01 What kind of software is there?
Again, software varies, but they are broken into several types, but the two biggest designs has open arrangements, known as Sampling Software (Which allows the user to use and shape loops, samples, and wavs of all kinds).
And then there's fruity/reason software that's scrunched up and allows maximum power to play with your sound bytes.
>>> 2.00 What kind of music should I make?
Pick your favorite genre of music (Or your best expertise) and make it your primary or goal Genre, because depending on what it is, you will be matching your current capabilities with what you have to actually make that kind of music.
>>>2.01 Popular mainstream genres on the portal (and maybe the world) are
Trance and Dance, clubs and DJs are renowned in this genre, and earn lots and lots of money. The only problem is that it's repetitive, simplistic, and sometimes mindless if non-lyrical. The good thing is that it's a good choice for you to start with.
Drum and Bass, which consists of, you guessed it, drums over bass, with multiple uppers, downers, and screamers of effects and whatever the hell else you can imagine, DnB is what you'll want to aim for impartially because it hones your skills as a slower artist.
Techno, defined Electronica in it's earlier ages, but do not mistake techno for everything, techno is a sub genre, it doesn't define electronica like stereotypes and misconceptions have led you to believe. Techno is the squeaky clean and rarely dark fun-ride that's been used in commonly in the likes of FL.
Industrial, it isn't too popular, but it's the darker, grittier, and clanky side of Techno.
>>> 3.00 Production
There are many ups and downs in music making, what makes people so renowned these days are their ability to be ORIGINAL. This doesn't mean you can't ever be a chemical brother, it just means do what you want to do, and do it to the best of your ability.
>>> 3.01 What's this? Uploading only takes Wavs and MP3s?
Most software you will get will come with a limited supply of mp3 encoders, but if it runs out, then you can always refer to our favorite thread; File and Song Converters
PS
The Fruity Loops Help Topic
>>> 3.02 What can I do with samples? What are they? What's legal?
The NG Portal is renowned for having authentic music, and it distinctly resents ANY use of outside samples, THE MUSIC MUST BE YOUR'S; MADE BY YOU.
Let's run over the Rules In The Upload Section , WHICH JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE IN PLACE AFTER YOU'VE MADE YOUR FIRST SONG.
A sample/loop is usually made by another artist, it's a piece that's been pulled together by another music loving person like yourself, and sometimes, those loops, if taken unnoticed, can be a big no-no. The rules state that it ALL, 100 Percent, of your work, must be your OWN WORK.
>>> 4.00 DONE! First song, now what?
Audio Portal
And then discuss it in
Audio Advertisements
BEAR IN MIND THAT IF PEOPLE REVIEW YOUR WORK, YOU MUST RESPECT THEM (TO RESPECT YOU) TO GIVE THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE. NOT WHAT YOU THINK THEY DESERVE. That's the prospect of sharing.
Don't be afraid to ask questions here or in the forum itself, we're here for you. Good luck, and thank you for trying. :D.
Mike.
