Hey all - when composing new tunes, what gadgets or software do you use? I'm looking for a simple way to just lay an idea down on top of a drum beat and bass (possible rhythm guitar). Some kind of multi-tracker software or a portable unit with a built-in microphone (and simple built-in beats) is kind of what I'm looking for. I've tried GarageBand, but have difficulties figuring it out!

The Men in Gray Suits (Montreal, Canada)
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I do have an Android tablet... I'll see if I can find something similar as Garageband.

The Men in Gray Suits (Montreal, Canada)
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Yeah, I hear GarageBand is the most popular... I do have a Mac with GB on it... I think I'll just take some time this weekend, sit down with it and try to figure it out. The last time I used it, I could find any surfy type beats...

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jimbones wrote:

Yeah, I hear GarageBand is the most popular... I do have a Mac with GB on it... I think I'll just take some time this weekend, sit down with it and try to figure it out. The last time I used it, I could find any surfy type beats...

Keep in mind that you can tap your beats in on the keys.
Fairly easy to figure out what keys trigger kick drum, snare and cymbal/hi-hat and tap in a simple 1 -4 bar surf beat. Then just loop and repeat.
One quick thing I dig with Garageband on the iPad - you have the visual drum kit to just tap on.

I'm with Rob in that I'm not much of a computer/software savvy person but I found Garageband on the iPad really easy and quick to learn. The program is a little more complex on a desktop or laptop.

For me speed is everything when putting down a new song idea. I want to capture the basic idea quickly without altering the theme by being slowed down or encumbered by tricky software or gadgetry, so I'd suggest seeking a platform that you find intuitive. Plenty of time later for actual recording.

Cheers,
Jeff

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Jim, for sketching out basic song ideas I try to remove as many "technological distractions" as possible. I find that I'm most productive with a guitar in my hands... it basically forces me to focus on the essential elements of a song, rather than twiddling knobs or chasing tone.

I use a rudimentary 4-track recorder app for iPhone called Multi Track Song Recorder (MTSR) Pro. I just use the phone's built-in mic and speaker for record and playback. Note that you will need headphones to actually layer tracks.

Because I'm too lazy to retrieve headphones from the basement, I typically just lay down a single rhythm track and play the lead/melody/bass-lines in real-time. This is the equivalent of sketching a house plan on a cocktail napkin. You can highlight the overall concept, but you can't start building until you have a more detailed set of drawings.

That's when I head to the basement and start working in Garage Band. I typically lay down scratch rhythm and lead parts to get started. Then I track (or sequence) drums, bass, and add additional instrumentation as needed. It's an iterative process where parts are revisited, replayed, and adjustments made to rhythm and harmony elements.

At this point you can listen to the full composition and make revisions. When all is said and done, the resulting demo can serve as the blueprint needed to move forward. It can be used for bandmates to learn parts or to refresh your own memory if you ever decide to pursue a higher-fidelity recording of the song.

I was in the same boat as you, having a Mac with Garage Band already installed. I had no idea how to use it at first, but it's actually pretty intuitive. Just spend a little time with it and remember you can always use google to find answers to specific questions.

As for finding "built-in surf beats", I have never utilized any of the loops available in GB, so I can't help you there. I will say that with a basic USB keyboard (especially one that is touch-sensitive) you can lay down your own basic surf beats pretty easily. You can quantize your "playing" and then use cut-and-paste to build/sequence drum parts quickly and effectively. You can also just use your computer keyboard to sequence parts and then adjust note-velocity to achieve more natural playing dynamics.

I am 100% convinced that there are better programs available for doing this type of work, but I'm also convinced they will have a steeper learning curve. There are a few specific things about GB that drive me nuts, but I have managed to live with them for 5+ years. At this point, I'd much rather use my "spare" time to work on new song ideas rather than learn a new program.

Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress in GB. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or via direct message.

-murph

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Jim, you just summarized the EXACT reason I started putting demos together in the first place! I don't have the musical vocabulary (or playing ability) to stand at rehearsal and try to explain what I hear in my head. It was waaaaay easier to struggle in the comfort of my own basement and then say "hey fellas, give this a listen".

-murph

P.S. If interested, I have a handful of GB demos posted at the 2nd link in my signature.

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"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball

Garageband rules
But as the most simple way I use Music Memos) also like it making a transcibed rhythm pattern to send to your bass or rhythm guitar player to prepare for rehearsal) also there is a nice feature of automatic drum and bass lines that give you at least some vision of how your melody or riff may sound with rhythm section.
Like it a lot and put all my ideas there, then move the perspective ones to Garageband for development

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New Single is out!

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Last edited: Feb 26, 2017 00:53:22

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

New Single is out!

https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single

Waikiki Makaki

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

i use a dito looper for this when i have a good idea

Number9 wrote:

mmmwell, i'm using any kind of paper that fall at hand, draw 6 lines, tab out that awesome riff melody down, store the pieces of paper or card in a shoe-box then forget about it.
No battery or adapter involved here

But where does the sound come out of??? Is it a magic shoebox???

Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest

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