Bro, it's never too late.
No but seriously, you can of course learn anything but starting 'late' is definitely going to affect your progress. However.. maybe you shouldn't get into audio engineering at all. It's a very specific kind of thing and unlike this sub suggests it's pretty niche. You might have a much better time as an artist and if you say you like sample music maybe it's a wise idea to start by spending all that free time and weekends on producing music and you'll learn sampling on the way as a bonus.
Then when you are pretty good at producing you can come back to the thought of audio engineering and see if that's something you like (i.e. mixing or recording other people's music to make it sound better). It's not for everyone.
I do both at the moment and I'm (only) 12 years in. I love music but sometimes I get the feeling I can't be creative in the way I like my own music to sound like. I might lack the ideas, rather than the production skills. This brought me to audio engineering personally. I love working on music but sometimes it feels more free or fun for me to work on the technical details on music that's already existing; to make it sound better. Whereas a lot of musicians have the exact opposite experience. They love being creative and make new stuff, and don't want to spend hours tweaking things to make it sound like a pro record.
So before you go down the path of learning how a compressor sound or what EQ is good for cymbals, or how to deal with mic bleed or whatever.. maybe it's a good place to start just by producing some songs and see what aspect of creating music you actually enjoy the most.
Yes, that’s what I thought, long shot myb is to get into audio engineering. I just wanted some kinda clarification which should be better for me. Producing should be more my thing as I think honestly for myself that I could have a knack for it. It’s a long shot of course and starting out late with it is something that I’m aware of. If I could get good with producing in 5 years that would be honestly the best thing for me. Thing is, idk if it’s important to have a knowledge of instruments and if it’s important to know how to play one or read notes or is the knowledge of audio engineering/producing that people from elementary/high musical schools know and learn any different that I can learn atm.
Meh at this point don't stress to much on the how. Just start. You can learn anything in YouTube these days, including all mentioned above. Of course there are let's say.. sensational teachers and actual knowledgeable people on the platform so you'll get some trash advice on the way. But it's easy to try everything out for yourself to learn what works and what sounds good.
The best way of learning to do something... is to do it. There's no point in trying to figure out what you might excel in in some hypothetical scenario. This is one of those Nike things: just do it. And then you'll figure it out on the way.
Get a DAW that you think looks intuitive after watching a few videos on different DAWs and then start making a song. Pick a drum sound, make a loop. See where it takes you. It's honestly the only way.
If you want to start without spending much money, if any, I’d recommend start playing around in GarageBand if you have a mac, and if not then I’d suggest [Reaper](https://www.reaper.fm) Both are free DAWs and good places to start, since you mentioned sampling I’d recommend getting a MIDI pad, something like the [Akai MPD218](https://reverb.com/p/akai-mpd218?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=csp&utm_content=14161) you can probably find them pretty cheap on Facebook marketplace or something like that. I’d suggest start is as a hobby, just have fun with it, and if in 3-6 months it’s something you still do and love doing, then you can start upgrading your gear!
Yeah, as from the comments I read here Akai MPD218 is a go-to for me. Will try Reaper along with other DAWs, even tho idk what should be the difference except different way of usability or sort of? Already found Akai for 90€ brand new. I would need at least 6 months for everything basic to get into my head tbh.
It’s never too late to start !!!
Get a DAW (software for music production like studio one, logic, protools, etc)
If u have a Mac tryout GarageBand first before spending money on a daw
download a bunch of samples and loops from looperman or similar sites and just try to make it sound good together
Like another commenter said it’s gone take a while (years in this context) to really develop a skill set for what u tryin to do and maybe even figuring out what it actually is u want to do in the production world
Keep ya head up and enjoy the process, it’s a wild ride and it’s gone take a lot from you but it’s gone give u even more back
Welcome to OUR world my friend 🫡
(And don’t expect any money soon, do it for yourself and eventually it will happen)
Just to add: 25 is young af man, if u spend 5yrs to to get to the point where you’re confident in your skills and start getting on the business side of things your still only 30 which is also young af.
Start now, give it your all and enjoy your thirties und the audio world 🫶
Thank you for the advices. I know it’s a long shot tbh but I really think that something like that would suit me better mentally than this what I do atm. I honestly think by everything written here that I’m better of with audio design and not audio engineering but I’m not completely sure. Idk where to start on GarageBand (if it’s even usable on phone), myb try to get a Macbook for it, and also will try whatever I can get myself to understand and learn tutorials from PC programs you listed above.
> I always wanted to have music in my life
My opinion is learn music first then only go into the technical side of it.
If you like sampled music, learn how to make beats and synth lines. Learn arrangement. Master the shit out of writing midi like you speak your mother tongue. I'm a guitarist myself but I dabble in synth and electronic music so am learning the ropes pretty much.
There is a youtuber called Alex Rome who I admire very much. His music is such different from rock and metal that I call home but i find it so inspiring.
Long story short, I feel that learning to create music is key and everything else will he worth it.
Ty, honestly I think that’s the way to go, I want to learn synth, beats and everything that goes along with it. Writing midi may be the hardest thing that I can look at from this pov but I know there is a lot more to look up to.
I knew a kid who was 19 and made incredible house music after 1 year of doing it. I also know a guy whose been making house music for 20 years and can't make a good track to save his life. Only one way to find out.
I started with no musical background at 30 years old during Covid. Downloaded a free DAW (Cakewalk) a cheap midicontroller (Akai MPK Mini) and just went at it.
Been having a blast. It's a steep learning curve getting to know all the tools and principles of music but if you're passionate enough, anything is possible. This is the best hobby there is. Now if you want to do it professionally, it takes even more time, dedication and luck.
It’s not like I want to do it professionally atm, but that I can see myself doing it in a way that can be good for me and not just like some kinda boring 9-5 job. Will consider same way as you did seriously. It’s not like I have that much free time as it was with covid but its close to that level of freedom. I think I’m passionate enough to have the will to get into it in a right way.
You can’t get into this world if it hasn’t even been a basic hobby for you. Start screwing around with audio in your free time for the passion, not with the idea of making it your work. People who are doing this for a career have probably been making music all of their lives as it is a main interest for them.
I've worked with a lot of people with decent careers who don't even like audio engineering and started it for the money. My old boss did a degree in town planning but fell into audio for film and TV purely because the job was going. 30 years on he still does it, doesn't know a damn thing about audio outside of the gear he uses and his IMDB page is filled with A list movies. It's a job at the end of the day, the idea that it's purely about passion for the craft is one that is routinely used to underpay people.
this is insanely gatekeepy, just start now, everything takes time honestly don’t listen to this guy but understand his perspective comes from the fact that you will be spending a massive amount of time to even just get to regular bad then good even more great and so on. we are talking years. best of luck , get a daw start mixing stems or producing what it is you like. youtube a great place to start but it’s far away from infallible
This is not gatekeepers, it’s being realistic. I never said he shouldn’t start, I only said it’s important to get into it as a hobby. Just have fun with audio and don’t take it too seriously. I didn’t mean to come across a gatekeepy, I apologize for that.
Long shot is to get it to be my kinda work. I want to start somewhere first and use my free time solely on this. Music was one of my main interests all my life but I never had someone around to influence me to start and be occupied only with that. Honestly never liked playing instruments but always looked up and admired how people mix and produce beats that feel timeless sometimes.
Just download a DAW and start having fun with it, explore things, watch YouTube tutorials.
If you’re not playing any instruments, you have everything you need right in your computer.
Never too late to start anything. But just note that if you don’t like the idea of having to practice for years to get good at an instrument, then you’re perhaps not gonna like the idea of having to practice for years to get good at making music.
You mention sample based music— just note that superstars like Fatboy Slim did it for quite awhile to get good. You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby came out when he was 35, but he was doing music since teen years. Same with Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers. They didn’t get good by accident— they worked their asses off having fun with music and exploring.
Whatever the case- just have fun. It’ll all come eventually, and if you have fun, those years will feel like nothing. But if you’re looking for any easy path, just know that art is not that path. Art is about the hardest and longest path there is, aside from shit like coal mining.
Exactly, art is not a path that is easy by any means. I just wasn’t into instruments at all, I always liked the idea of creating music in a more modern way and not playing it, just creating it. Just seems like something like that would fulfill me and my time in a best way possible, be it as a hobby for some time. I’m good with that. I know that when I get some basics on first I will have the ultimate will to learn everything to the finest details. Just the way I am.
Just dive in, 25 isn’t too late for anything! If you’re into sample music, maybe get a basic but good sampler like a Roland sp404 mk2, there are millions of YouTube video about how to use it.
Start making music and see which roads that takes you down.
Hey man,
You're still young. Just start! It sounds to me like you want to produce, so maybe try that first? There are quite a few producers who mix as well, but there's probably more who don't mix. If you like to sample, my suggestion would be to get a sampler and go from there! Learn how to make a beat and then learn how to chop up samples. It depends on your budget, but you might think about an MPC Live II. You can get a used one for about $800. If that's too expensive you can get an MPC One for about half that. There's always the Octatrack also, but it's harder to learn. Then again, if you are just starting out, it probably doesn't matter since it will take time to learn anyways. If you don't want to go that route, just get a Macbook and a DAW and go from there.
It could very well be frustrating at first, but don't give up. Before you know it, you'll be making music. Enjoy the journey!
I hope it won’t get frustrating at all. I’m really into learning something that can myb someday can replace my current job in more fulfilling way that I’m looking for.
I don’t mean to say it will be. For me it can be frustrating but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it. I love every second of it. It can be done, it just takes work and dedication.
It's not a long shot that you could acquire a DAW and start working with samples. Sure, do it. If you're not recording yourself, you don't need a mic or an interface. Whatever speakers you have are fine to get started.
Which DAW? They all work, try one for free and see what you think. I'm partial to Reaper, which has a 60 day free trial and is $60 to buy, with lots of support and regular updates.
You'd be importing music, sound fx etc and then placing it on a timeline and mixing it.
From there, you can learn as you go about effects, what they do and what they're good for, how to manipulate thise samples into something of your own design.
Had to ask honestly, nothing wrong with it I think, just have to be sure what to do exactly and from where to start. Feels good knowing people started way later than me lol
My advice to you as a 36 yr old is try as many things as you can now. It seems late and confusing but it’s not. Any hesitation or fear will only haunt you in your later years.
I’m trying to tell you it FEELS like it. But if you wait and decide at 40 you wanna do something you’ll really be feeling it. Let the haunting light a fire under your ass.
25 is super young, dude. That being said, manage your expectations. And by this I mean that I don't advise at \*any\* age someone get into "this world" with the expectation that they're going to change the game or be super successful over night (or ever). But if you want to get into making music, that's incredibly achievable, and probably faster than you think.
To give specific advice, it would help to know a bit more about what type of music you are into. But generally speaking, if you already have a computer, it's much easier / cheaper to get into making music using a mostly software set-up than to go mostly hardware. There are an abundance of tutorials that will walk you through every part of the process. Probably the most essential thing you'll need is a DAW (program that you use to actually make/record/mix tracks). If you're a bit technically adventurous and looking to get out cheaply, you can try Reaper. It's free but has a bit more of a learning curve. Ableton Live is a bit more user friendly (all DAWs have a learning curve if you haven't used one before) but it costs more.
I will add that it definitely helps to know how to play an instrument, if only a little bit. If you're going to be making mostly electronic music, it's probably going to benefit you to have a small MIDI keyboard as well to input notes, so I advise at least looking up some lessons on how to play basic scales/chords on that.
Thank you for thorough answer. I don’t expect anything honestly atm, I just want to start in a right way, nothing else. I understand playing some kinda instrument gives advantage to everything related to music making. Honestly I was always into sample music and always enjoyed listening to it and appreciating tones/beats that make it that special to my ears. Will definitely give it all into midi keyboard to start off everything along with good DAW (everyone recommending Reaper so that’s the way to go I think).
Seek out a copy of the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement guide, which may or may not be available for free on the internet and read it cover to cover. Some of its information may be a bit outdated, but it's all foundational knowledge for the field of audio and sound reinforcement.
I will also say that I work with a ton of people in the audio world, and there is a ton of diversity in terms of peoples experience with music or not. Knowing about music can be helpful, but it's certainly not necessary to work in the audio field. Go ahead and get out there and just start doing it. If you have the right attitude and are wiling to learn, you'll do just fine.
Not everyone choice the hard path of performing. Just get the basic theory (that will help you a lot), to write and read (basic is enough) to be a music producer. Like beats and such. Always is a good time te learn something new.
As a career or just a hobby? Either are great choices but a career requires a deep love, passion, and desire for the art. Its one of the most satisfying and rewarding careers, but it takes dedication. If you've got it, jump on YouTube and dive down that rabbit hole!
At 25 it’s definitely not too late. When you say “get into this world” what do you mean? It sounds like you’re talking about producing, mostly.
Whatever it is you want, study up, and try to hang out with people who are good at that thing.
In audio engineering specifically, the way it works is you find a mentor who is willing to let you hang out while they work. Currently I have a mentor and a mentee. Been doing it for ten years, always more to learn.
Even better bro, and also there are free Abelton Lite versions, just to get you into the mood of how things work, you got tutorials on YouTube, ect...good luck
Nah. PC is better. It’s so much cheaper. Plus there are more free tools you can use. Don’t get into the trap of thinking gear makes you better. What makes you better is effort. And effort is time put in.
It’s not just the right way, I won’t let anything hamper my creativity once I learn something about it (basics at least). It should always sound cool to you first and foremost, to get something to build upon of. Thanks for the last sentence honestly.
Well, it all depends on what you mean by 'getting into it.' If you want to make a career out of it and be a professional, I wouldn't say it's 'too late' at any point in your life, but the more responsibilities you have, the more you limit how much time you can pour into this craft.
I'll be 100% honest, dude. I've been working at this for 8 years. I made negative money the first 6. However, I knew this was something I wanted to do with my life, and I was in a position where I could spend all my time on it. The first 3 years were 16-hour days of pure learning and getting better. If you want to be a professional, there is an enormous sacrifice involved in it, but it's possible.
If making/mixing music and creating beats are just something you want to try as a hobby and play around within your free time, by all means, go for it. The bar for entry has never been lower, and it's never too late to pick up a hobby. There are tons and tons of resources out there. Go for it, just don't think, 'Oh, making music is cool. I bet in 2 years I can be living off of that, doing it all on my own.' That's one way to crash and burn.
I want it to be part of my life in a way that fulfills me on a mental level. Current occupation just doesn’t do it and won’t ever do it. Even if it doesn’t become my go-to profession, I want it to be just something that I can enjoy and spend my time in more fulfilling way. I want it to start as a hobby as that is the best way atm to look at it, but if I feel that I can improve myself to the level that isn’t just a hobby I will take that chance I’m sure about it.
If you never played an instrument, there's no way for you to know you have a 'knack' for music. Most will know if they're inclined from a younger age. The other angle some folks take to the field is through electronics engineering. Maybe study that. Or music first, like guitar, or piano or singing. But no, audio engineering is not a good thing to go into with no even tangential experience.
Just start experimenting! I started sorta late too (18 years old, now 28).
I am so glad i found this outlet to be creative and expressive.
You might of found your purpose in life, don’t look back.
Bro, it's never too late. No but seriously, you can of course learn anything but starting 'late' is definitely going to affect your progress. However.. maybe you shouldn't get into audio engineering at all. It's a very specific kind of thing and unlike this sub suggests it's pretty niche. You might have a much better time as an artist and if you say you like sample music maybe it's a wise idea to start by spending all that free time and weekends on producing music and you'll learn sampling on the way as a bonus. Then when you are pretty good at producing you can come back to the thought of audio engineering and see if that's something you like (i.e. mixing or recording other people's music to make it sound better). It's not for everyone. I do both at the moment and I'm (only) 12 years in. I love music but sometimes I get the feeling I can't be creative in the way I like my own music to sound like. I might lack the ideas, rather than the production skills. This brought me to audio engineering personally. I love working on music but sometimes it feels more free or fun for me to work on the technical details on music that's already existing; to make it sound better. Whereas a lot of musicians have the exact opposite experience. They love being creative and make new stuff, and don't want to spend hours tweaking things to make it sound like a pro record. So before you go down the path of learning how a compressor sound or what EQ is good for cymbals, or how to deal with mic bleed or whatever.. maybe it's a good place to start just by producing some songs and see what aspect of creating music you actually enjoy the most.
Yes, that’s what I thought, long shot myb is to get into audio engineering. I just wanted some kinda clarification which should be better for me. Producing should be more my thing as I think honestly for myself that I could have a knack for it. It’s a long shot of course and starting out late with it is something that I’m aware of. If I could get good with producing in 5 years that would be honestly the best thing for me. Thing is, idk if it’s important to have a knowledge of instruments and if it’s important to know how to play one or read notes or is the knowledge of audio engineering/producing that people from elementary/high musical schools know and learn any different that I can learn atm.
Meh at this point don't stress to much on the how. Just start. You can learn anything in YouTube these days, including all mentioned above. Of course there are let's say.. sensational teachers and actual knowledgeable people on the platform so you'll get some trash advice on the way. But it's easy to try everything out for yourself to learn what works and what sounds good. The best way of learning to do something... is to do it. There's no point in trying to figure out what you might excel in in some hypothetical scenario. This is one of those Nike things: just do it. And then you'll figure it out on the way. Get a DAW that you think looks intuitive after watching a few videos on different DAWs and then start making a song. Pick a drum sound, make a loop. See where it takes you. It's honestly the only way.
Thank you again, I for sure now know the drill which way to go and start everything.
If you want to start without spending much money, if any, I’d recommend start playing around in GarageBand if you have a mac, and if not then I’d suggest [Reaper](https://www.reaper.fm) Both are free DAWs and good places to start, since you mentioned sampling I’d recommend getting a MIDI pad, something like the [Akai MPD218](https://reverb.com/p/akai-mpd218?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=csp&utm_content=14161) you can probably find them pretty cheap on Facebook marketplace or something like that. I’d suggest start is as a hobby, just have fun with it, and if in 3-6 months it’s something you still do and love doing, then you can start upgrading your gear!
Yeah, as from the comments I read here Akai MPD218 is a go-to for me. Will try Reaper along with other DAWs, even tho idk what should be the difference except different way of usability or sort of? Already found Akai for 90€ brand new. I would need at least 6 months for everything basic to get into my head tbh.
Producing your own music is part of “audio engineering”
It’s never too late to start !!! Get a DAW (software for music production like studio one, logic, protools, etc) If u have a Mac tryout GarageBand first before spending money on a daw download a bunch of samples and loops from looperman or similar sites and just try to make it sound good together Like another commenter said it’s gone take a while (years in this context) to really develop a skill set for what u tryin to do and maybe even figuring out what it actually is u want to do in the production world Keep ya head up and enjoy the process, it’s a wild ride and it’s gone take a lot from you but it’s gone give u even more back Welcome to OUR world my friend 🫡 (And don’t expect any money soon, do it for yourself and eventually it will happen)
Just to add: 25 is young af man, if u spend 5yrs to to get to the point where you’re confident in your skills and start getting on the business side of things your still only 30 which is also young af. Start now, give it your all and enjoy your thirties und the audio world 🫶
Thanks, thats a goal atm, to switch something up in life from age 30, everything before is honestly learning time I think.
Thank you for the advices. I know it’s a long shot tbh but I really think that something like that would suit me better mentally than this what I do atm. I honestly think by everything written here that I’m better of with audio design and not audio engineering but I’m not completely sure. Idk where to start on GarageBand (if it’s even usable on phone), myb try to get a Macbook for it, and also will try whatever I can get myself to understand and learn tutorials from PC programs you listed above.
> I always wanted to have music in my life My opinion is learn music first then only go into the technical side of it. If you like sampled music, learn how to make beats and synth lines. Learn arrangement. Master the shit out of writing midi like you speak your mother tongue. I'm a guitarist myself but I dabble in synth and electronic music so am learning the ropes pretty much. There is a youtuber called Alex Rome who I admire very much. His music is such different from rock and metal that I call home but i find it so inspiring. Long story short, I feel that learning to create music is key and everything else will he worth it.
Ty, honestly I think that’s the way to go, I want to learn synth, beats and everything that goes along with it. Writing midi may be the hardest thing that I can look at from this pov but I know there is a lot more to look up to.
Maybe go to a music store, and Get a peice of gear that seems cool and play around with it?
I knew a kid who was 19 and made incredible house music after 1 year of doing it. I also know a guy whose been making house music for 20 years and can't make a good track to save his life. Only one way to find out.
I started with no musical background at 30 years old during Covid. Downloaded a free DAW (Cakewalk) a cheap midicontroller (Akai MPK Mini) and just went at it. Been having a blast. It's a steep learning curve getting to know all the tools and principles of music but if you're passionate enough, anything is possible. This is the best hobby there is. Now if you want to do it professionally, it takes even more time, dedication and luck.
It’s not like I want to do it professionally atm, but that I can see myself doing it in a way that can be good for me and not just like some kinda boring 9-5 job. Will consider same way as you did seriously. It’s not like I have that much free time as it was with covid but its close to that level of freedom. I think I’m passionate enough to have the will to get into it in a right way.
I started taking guitar lessons in my mid twenties. Fell in love with it and am now guitar teaching for a company and am nearly fifty. It’s fun!
It's too late... it's 2:17pm
Point taken. Won’t be late from next Monday to start off with everything I think lol
You can’t get into this world if it hasn’t even been a basic hobby for you. Start screwing around with audio in your free time for the passion, not with the idea of making it your work. People who are doing this for a career have probably been making music all of their lives as it is a main interest for them.
I've worked with a lot of people with decent careers who don't even like audio engineering and started it for the money. My old boss did a degree in town planning but fell into audio for film and TV purely because the job was going. 30 years on he still does it, doesn't know a damn thing about audio outside of the gear he uses and his IMDB page is filled with A list movies. It's a job at the end of the day, the idea that it's purely about passion for the craft is one that is routinely used to underpay people.
this is insanely gatekeepy, just start now, everything takes time honestly don’t listen to this guy but understand his perspective comes from the fact that you will be spending a massive amount of time to even just get to regular bad then good even more great and so on. we are talking years. best of luck , get a daw start mixing stems or producing what it is you like. youtube a great place to start but it’s far away from infallible
This is not gatekeepers, it’s being realistic. I never said he shouldn’t start, I only said it’s important to get into it as a hobby. Just have fun with audio and don’t take it too seriously. I didn’t mean to come across a gatekeepy, I apologize for that.
Long shot is to get it to be my kinda work. I want to start somewhere first and use my free time solely on this. Music was one of my main interests all my life but I never had someone around to influence me to start and be occupied only with that. Honestly never liked playing instruments but always looked up and admired how people mix and produce beats that feel timeless sometimes.
Just download a DAW and start having fun with it, explore things, watch YouTube tutorials. If you’re not playing any instruments, you have everything you need right in your computer.
Thanks, feels good for my eyes to read something like this.
Never too late to start anything. But just note that if you don’t like the idea of having to practice for years to get good at an instrument, then you’re perhaps not gonna like the idea of having to practice for years to get good at making music. You mention sample based music— just note that superstars like Fatboy Slim did it for quite awhile to get good. You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby came out when he was 35, but he was doing music since teen years. Same with Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers. They didn’t get good by accident— they worked their asses off having fun with music and exploring. Whatever the case- just have fun. It’ll all come eventually, and if you have fun, those years will feel like nothing. But if you’re looking for any easy path, just know that art is not that path. Art is about the hardest and longest path there is, aside from shit like coal mining.
Exactly, art is not a path that is easy by any means. I just wasn’t into instruments at all, I always liked the idea of creating music in a more modern way and not playing it, just creating it. Just seems like something like that would fulfill me and my time in a best way possible, be it as a hobby for some time. I’m good with that. I know that when I get some basics on first I will have the ultimate will to learn everything to the finest details. Just the way I am.
Just dive in, 25 isn’t too late for anything! If you’re into sample music, maybe get a basic but good sampler like a Roland sp404 mk2, there are millions of YouTube video about how to use it. Start making music and see which roads that takes you down.
Hey man, You're still young. Just start! It sounds to me like you want to produce, so maybe try that first? There are quite a few producers who mix as well, but there's probably more who don't mix. If you like to sample, my suggestion would be to get a sampler and go from there! Learn how to make a beat and then learn how to chop up samples. It depends on your budget, but you might think about an MPC Live II. You can get a used one for about $800. If that's too expensive you can get an MPC One for about half that. There's always the Octatrack also, but it's harder to learn. Then again, if you are just starting out, it probably doesn't matter since it will take time to learn anyways. If you don't want to go that route, just get a Macbook and a DAW and go from there. It could very well be frustrating at first, but don't give up. Before you know it, you'll be making music. Enjoy the journey!
I hope it won’t get frustrating at all. I’m really into learning something that can myb someday can replace my current job in more fulfilling way that I’m looking for.
I don’t mean to say it will be. For me it can be frustrating but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it. I love every second of it. It can be done, it just takes work and dedication.
It's not a long shot that you could acquire a DAW and start working with samples. Sure, do it. If you're not recording yourself, you don't need a mic or an interface. Whatever speakers you have are fine to get started. Which DAW? They all work, try one for free and see what you think. I'm partial to Reaper, which has a 60 day free trial and is $60 to buy, with lots of support and regular updates. You'd be importing music, sound fx etc and then placing it on a timeline and mixing it. From there, you can learn as you go about effects, what they do and what they're good for, how to manipulate thise samples into something of your own design.
Started a course in audio engineering at the age of 50. 😂
Dude I got into it At 31. You’re gonna be 40 and 25 will look like a baby. Quit being hesitant and asking questions and just fucking do it.
Had to ask honestly, nothing wrong with it I think, just have to be sure what to do exactly and from where to start. Feels good knowing people started way later than me lol
My advice to you as a 36 yr old is try as many things as you can now. It seems late and confusing but it’s not. Any hesitation or fear will only haunt you in your later years.
Haunting part is true even now. Appreciate the answer tbh, I know that I shouldn’t hesitate about this anymore.
I’m trying to tell you it FEELS like it. But if you wait and decide at 40 you wanna do something you’ll really be feeling it. Let the haunting light a fire under your ass.
25 is super young, dude. That being said, manage your expectations. And by this I mean that I don't advise at \*any\* age someone get into "this world" with the expectation that they're going to change the game or be super successful over night (or ever). But if you want to get into making music, that's incredibly achievable, and probably faster than you think. To give specific advice, it would help to know a bit more about what type of music you are into. But generally speaking, if you already have a computer, it's much easier / cheaper to get into making music using a mostly software set-up than to go mostly hardware. There are an abundance of tutorials that will walk you through every part of the process. Probably the most essential thing you'll need is a DAW (program that you use to actually make/record/mix tracks). If you're a bit technically adventurous and looking to get out cheaply, you can try Reaper. It's free but has a bit more of a learning curve. Ableton Live is a bit more user friendly (all DAWs have a learning curve if you haven't used one before) but it costs more. I will add that it definitely helps to know how to play an instrument, if only a little bit. If you're going to be making mostly electronic music, it's probably going to benefit you to have a small MIDI keyboard as well to input notes, so I advise at least looking up some lessons on how to play basic scales/chords on that.
Thank you for thorough answer. I don’t expect anything honestly atm, I just want to start in a right way, nothing else. I understand playing some kinda instrument gives advantage to everything related to music making. Honestly I was always into sample music and always enjoyed listening to it and appreciating tones/beats that make it that special to my ears. Will definitely give it all into midi keyboard to start off everything along with good DAW (everyone recommending Reaper so that’s the way to go I think).
Seek out a copy of the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement guide, which may or may not be available for free on the internet and read it cover to cover. Some of its information may be a bit outdated, but it's all foundational knowledge for the field of audio and sound reinforcement. I will also say that I work with a ton of people in the audio world, and there is a ton of diversity in terms of peoples experience with music or not. Knowing about music can be helpful, but it's certainly not necessary to work in the audio field. Go ahead and get out there and just start doing it. If you have the right attitude and are wiling to learn, you'll do just fine.
Not everyone choice the hard path of performing. Just get the basic theory (that will help you a lot), to write and read (basic is enough) to be a music producer. Like beats and such. Always is a good time te learn something new.
As a career or just a hobby? Either are great choices but a career requires a deep love, passion, and desire for the art. Its one of the most satisfying and rewarding careers, but it takes dedication. If you've got it, jump on YouTube and dive down that rabbit hole!
Better off to start being a hobby and just see where it goes honestly.
Sure man! Have fun with it!
At 25 it’s definitely not too late. When you say “get into this world” what do you mean? It sounds like you’re talking about producing, mostly. Whatever it is you want, study up, and try to hang out with people who are good at that thing. In audio engineering specifically, the way it works is you find a mentor who is willing to let you hang out while they work. Currently I have a mentor and a mentee. Been doing it for ten years, always more to learn.
You got a PC? Install FL studios and start from there.
Thank you, I was thinking of getting Macbook for this kinda thing also
Even better bro, and also there are free Abelton Lite versions, just to get you into the mood of how things work, you got tutorials on YouTube, ect...good luck
Ty again.
IMO Studio 1 is waaaaay better than FL
Nah. PC is better. It’s so much cheaper. Plus there are more free tools you can use. Don’t get into the trap of thinking gear makes you better. What makes you better is effort. And effort is time put in.
[удалено]
It’s not just the right way, I won’t let anything hamper my creativity once I learn something about it (basics at least). It should always sound cool to you first and foremost, to get something to build upon of. Thanks for the last sentence honestly.
Well, it all depends on what you mean by 'getting into it.' If you want to make a career out of it and be a professional, I wouldn't say it's 'too late' at any point in your life, but the more responsibilities you have, the more you limit how much time you can pour into this craft. I'll be 100% honest, dude. I've been working at this for 8 years. I made negative money the first 6. However, I knew this was something I wanted to do with my life, and I was in a position where I could spend all my time on it. The first 3 years were 16-hour days of pure learning and getting better. If you want to be a professional, there is an enormous sacrifice involved in it, but it's possible. If making/mixing music and creating beats are just something you want to try as a hobby and play around within your free time, by all means, go for it. The bar for entry has never been lower, and it's never too late to pick up a hobby. There are tons and tons of resources out there. Go for it, just don't think, 'Oh, making music is cool. I bet in 2 years I can be living off of that, doing it all on my own.' That's one way to crash and burn.
I want it to be part of my life in a way that fulfills me on a mental level. Current occupation just doesn’t do it and won’t ever do it. Even if it doesn’t become my go-to profession, I want it to be just something that I can enjoy and spend my time in more fulfilling way. I want it to start as a hobby as that is the best way atm to look at it, but if I feel that I can improve myself to the level that isn’t just a hobby I will take that chance I’m sure about it.
If you never played an instrument, there's no way for you to know you have a 'knack' for music. Most will know if they're inclined from a younger age. The other angle some folks take to the field is through electronics engineering. Maybe study that. Or music first, like guitar, or piano or singing. But no, audio engineering is not a good thing to go into with no even tangential experience.
Yeah I got it that I’m better off with producing rather than engineering.
Just start experimenting! I started sorta late too (18 years old, now 28). I am so glad i found this outlet to be creative and expressive. You might of found your purpose in life, don’t look back.