MAKE MUSIC FOR FREE! WITH THE CM SUITE
We’re dedicating this issue of Computer Music to the beautiful art of music making on a budget; specifically, music making on no budget! (Well, we’re assuming you have a computer to start with, of course.) Over the previous 17 pages we listed 100 essential freeware apps that you can download to act as your plugin instruments and effects to make free music with. However, as a Computer Music reader, you are probably aware that you already have access to nearly as many free instrument and effect plugins as part of the world-famous Plugin Suite! With that in mind, we’re dedicating the next dozen pages to creating three different tunes using ‘just’ this collection of amazing plugins – plus a selection of samples that you’ll find at filesilo.co.uk/computermusic. Call it self indulgent, if you like, or call it practical – we’re erring towards the latter!
If you read the last issue of , you’ll have seen us cover a set of similar workshops, dealing with a variety of genres: from UK Garage to New Country. Because that worked so well, this time we’ll continue the process using the same format whereby we explain a particular genre, detail how you can put together the main arrangement using plugins from the Plugin Suite, and then finish off by covering three important production techniques within each genre (still using effects and outboard from the Suite).
As last time, we should stress that you don’t need to like the genres we cover: you will learn a lot by following the tutorials, no matter what music you enjoy making. Absorbing tips and techniques from another genre into your own style of music can be amazingly useful.
Finally, as well as using just plugins from our own suite (see page 105 for a full list of them plus more details on each), we’ll also include relevant samples plus the odd MIDI file over in this issue’s Tutorial File content at filesilo.co.uk. Your free music making is but a download away! Enjoy the workshops…
TECHNO
Originating from the melding of synth-driven pop music from the likes of Giorgio Moroder and Kraftwerk alongside American music styles like house, funk and soul, techno has transcended its Detroit roots to become one of the world’s most enduring and leading dance music styles, with artists such as Carl Cox, Adam Beyer and Jeff Mills in constant demand for both their productions and live sets.
Characterised by a tempo of between 120-150bpm, a palette of sounds heavily influenced by now-revered 1980s Roland kit like the TB-303 bassline and TR-808/909 drum machines, as well as a deliberately electronic, dystopian sound, techno has influenced many other music styles to varying degrees, including the UK rave scene which took inspiration (as well as a stab or two!) from the Belgian techno records that were being made during the late 1980s.
As early techno tracks were laid down using rudimentary equipment like inexpensive mixing consoles and four track tape recorders, the genre traditionally has a crunchy feel that’s great fun to recreate in 2020. While techno seems very simple in construction, it can be harder to make than you think. However, we’ve got your back with this superb guide on how to make your and the cm plugin arsenal to lay down and mix a techno banger. There are also videos, tutorial files and audio examples to help you follow along with ease.
