starting without any experience at all!

[j$]

And we know he doesn't drink beer ...

[Dan-O from Five-O]

Hello All--

As you may be able to tell, I am new to the forums. Any suggestions to someone just starting out? Thanks.

You seem to have the hang of it. You asked one question, kept yourself out of the fray, and witnessed the complete derailment of your thread.

Recommended/necessary equipment and software?

Actually there's some good information that's already been provided. It seems like you'll want to consider a soundcard and a mic as well to get your songs into the computer. I don't know anything about that stuff though. I still use reel to reels.

[Caravan Ray]

Erik the Barometer of Hip

Hey - can I take "Erik the Barometer of Hip" as my new band name?

[Hoblit]

And we know he doesn't drink beer ...

but trust me, you'd wanna get him drunk anyways


starter kit:

Audacity
Hammerhead

take a few weeks to get to understand them, practice your instrument of choice and jump in the ring when YOU think you have something good for the title for that particular week. If you don't think you need a few weeks to learn Hammerhead (real basic drum software thats not all that great) or a few Audacity recording lessons then jump right in.

In a perfect world you would already be a great musician worthy of Blue and Erik's time. However, IF I had waited a year...I wouldn't have gotten the feedback that I needed THEN to step up my production and singing based on the tips I got from entering when I did. Simply said: I'd be a year behind where I am now.

Geez, next thing you know we'll have a novice and pro section on the website.

[jb]

<b>This is the Help and How To forum. STAY ON TOPIC, DO NOT STRAY.</b>

Seriously, control yourselves please. If you want to goof off, there's a whole freaking forum just for that. Stop cluttering what might be a helpful thread with meaningless banter that will make somebody who needs help go "hmm, not helpful" and go somewhere else where they'll get bad advice.

If you have a problem with something someone posted, please hash it out with them in that glorious Private Message area I've kindly provide for you, and then enlarged at your request. This "You said ____. No I didn't, jackass!" bullcrap is just useless in a general context. Work it out between yourselves, leave us out of it PLEASE.

JB

[Traz]

Thanks for the links and whatnot. I'll probably have more questions once I start trying to use my keyboard and such, but until then...Happy Prune Breakfast Month everyone.

[blue]

I'll probably have more questions once I start trying to use my keyboard and such

@#$%^#$%^$%!!!!

[Hoblit]

I'll probably have more questions once I start trying to use my keyboard and such

@#$%^#$%^$%!!!!

yeah, real helpful blue.

Anyways... beware of keyboard's hot signal. Keep the keyboard volume kind of low but get a good signal to noise ratio. You can always EQ and give it volume in post. If you record it too loud you'll get tons of distortion..which isn't easy on Blue's ears. Also, be good at it too.

[blue]

he never asked for help. he asked for suggestions for someone just starting out.

my suggestion is, don't songfight. here's another suggestion: learn to play your instrument. even further: take lessons. a lot of them. like maybe 3 or 4 years' worth.

or spend a year dicking around learning it on your own - i don't care. but don't bring that crap to songfight if you can't even play.

you don't have to be nice to be helpful.

[Hoblit]

you don't have to be nice to be helpful.

true, but you don't have to be mean to be helpful either

It's not what you say, it's how you say it.