Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

OK, here's the deal. I bet I could make lots of sweet beats and samples and loops and other cool stuff. And I could be a super-producer for all kinds of music.

However, I'm not sure what exactly I should be using to record all this awesome stuff I come up with.

I figure I want to also be the new king of mash-ups.

I'm pretty sure this is going to be my fastest path to super-celebrity in the entertainment world, and easier to implement than my other plan of becoming a world-famous director.

Can someone give me some tips, maybe starting with what software I should be getting?

Thanks!

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

I have no tips, but if you're looking for a creative collaborative partner who is similarly full of awesome musical ideas but has little technical knowledge, PM me!

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

I think Reason is a popular software app, as well as the super-expensive Pro-tools.

As far as samplers I hear all the greats have an SP 1200, but those are kind of old.

Also you need some sort of weirdness angle, you'll have to come up with that on your own.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

The MBox 2 is what I have at work. I only use it for audio interviews, but it's a good program for all kinds of mixing. It comes with ProTools software, and has inputs for microphones so people can lay down some sick lyrics. Even came with a CD with drum beats and things!

Anyway, it's more powerful than the free apps online like Audacity, and might be a decent place to start.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]

Also you need some sort of weirdness angle, you'll have to come up with that on your own.

[/ QUOTE ]

The worlds of lucha libre and hip-hop have clearly been yearning to merge for some time. I think he'll be fine.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

I think everyone uses Pro-Tools.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

If you need someone who has no real ability to beat box but can spit all over the microphone I'm your guy.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

You should probably call dicfr to see what program he uses to mix stuff like mikeyrap.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

nolan: WTF, are you telling me I can become a super-producer for under $500? Wow, awesome.

All: Please, more detailed step-by-step instructions/recommendations! I will bring the best of you along with me in my meteoric ride to superstardom.

nath: Taken under consideration.

blinden: What do I do with that link?

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

First you need The Manual. In fact, you would do well to study Bill Drummond's whole career. While he wasn't completely lacking in musical talent, it was obviously not his strength. After that you just need an outlandish persona (done and done), and connections to get a few gigs (again simple for a man like you). The only thing surprising about your post is that you aren't a star already.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

El D,

Reason is really powerful software that works w/ a variety of hardware controllers (keyboards, etc.). You can make beats quickly and basically create any sound you want if you spend the time to learn the countless tools it provides.

I don't have any experience w/ Pro-Tools but I have heard good things.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
You should probably call dicfr to see what program he uses to mix stuff like mikeyrap.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFMFT.

rj

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Everyone who is linking you to software etc is going about this the totally wrong way. If you wanted to google up how to actually make music you would. I'll assume that you can afford a computer and figure out how to tweak little buttons and knobs. What you need is to have your finger on the pulse of the pop culture monster, and time your music to its beat.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

i want to contribute so i will offer my likeness to be used as the token-white-guy on the album cover.

my fee's are minimal.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

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What you need is to have your figure on the pulse of the pop culture monster, and time your music to its beat.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol.. what?

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What you need is to have your finger on the pulse of the pop culture monster, and time your music to its beat.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol.. what?

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks. I fixed my post.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

El Diablo- The guy who was talking about the MBOX is correct. I am currently pursuing a career in beat making and as a hip hop artist. PM ME when you read this. I might be able to help you out.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
El Diablo- The guy who was talking about the MBOX is correct. I am currently pursuing a career in beat making and as a hip hop artist. PM ME when you read this. I might be able to help you out.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd take him up on this, El D. The iconoclastic spelling of his name suggests a man who knows what he is about.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

El D: I think the most important thing is knowing what to wear. Let me help: a bandanna...

wait for it...

around your NECK.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

el d- mbox is a good start, but you really want the mbox pro II which comes with all the cool sampler add ons and stuff, plus you will need a computer capable of running pro tools which will run you at least another 1200 or so, more if you really want to be ballin out with your freaky deaky mixes and stuff.

that's all i can really contribute but i wish you the best man

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Gumpzilla - I can't tell if that is a sarcastic comment, but I am aware of how the word is spelled, Im aware someone on the forum already has the handle "Iconoclast". Ikon is my rap name, short for Ikonoclast. I was going to use 2 K's but then I figured that people would somehow associate it with KKK.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
nolan: WTF, are you telling me I can become a super-producer for under $500? Wow, awesome.

[/ QUOTE ]

El D,

Others have mentioned this already, but please note that the cost does NOT include the capital needed to sign dcifrths!

(Or microphones, or a powerful computer, as NT mentioned, to run Pro Tools)

Otherwise, the answer is yes!

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Ikon,

I think the fact that you misspelled your name gives street cred to your abilities, e.g. Snoop Dogg, Outkast, etc.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Although the Neptunes beats are pretty amazing, I personally think the best beats used to come from Mobb Deep, around "Tha Infamous" and "Murda Musick". If you study beats you like, and see the elements to them, the effects, you can replicate your own version of these with an MBOX. You could probably even do some with samples and FruityLoops, but I don't reccomend it. I suggest once you get the equipments, find beats that you think are the best that are ALSO widely popular. Emulate these beats "in your own words" or in this case, with your own style. Or just light the trees up and let whatever happens happens. If you have the creative intellect, that is all you need.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Ikonoklast >>>> Ikonoclast.

Now you will never blow up and sell millions of records.

GG.

-Al

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

I have a friend that raps but is too broke for beats. I too would like to become a sick producer. I actually have made a couple beats with some [censored] programs in my day. If I learned to use the better programs I think I could make some cool ish.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

z: That Propellerhead software site looks pretty sweet. I will check out their stuff. Thanks.

Ikon: Word.

All: Those of you supporting me in this effort will not regret it.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

sicc,

Maybe you can be in my crew or something.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
I bet I could make lots of sweet beats and samples and loops and other cool stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can I get in on this action?

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Ikon,

"you can replicate your own version of these with an MBOX. You could probably even do some with samples and FruityLoops, but I don't reccomend it. I suggest once you get the equipments, find beats that you think are the best that are ALSO widely popular. Emulate these beats "in your own words" or in this case, with your own style."

WTF is all this BS? I am not gonna be copying other people's beats or having some POS derivative style.

Please don't bother w/ this thread if this is the kind of crap you're going to bring.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

Vyse,

No. You have proven yourself to be a complete dumb-ass with your posts, and there's no room for buffoons in my organization.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

I have a friend who makes beats, and I will be picking his brain asap. I fully support this endeavour of yours El D, and I wish you the best

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
Vyse,

No. You have proven yourself to be a complete dumb-ass with your posts, and there's no room for buffoons in my organization.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would never want to join your "organization." I was asking to take bets on you failing / succeeding, with me taking the failure side.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

traz: Thanks.

Vyse: Lies. You know you want in.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

is this really going to limited to software? you cant have a full analog double-turntable setup?

rj

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

RJ,

Oh dude, turntables and vinyl will most definitely be involved.

However, I think I will need software as well, and will definitely need software to become the king of mash-ups, part of this that people seem to be overlooking.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

[ QUOTE ]
RJ,

Oh dude, turntables and vinyl will most definitely be involved.

[/ QUOTE ]
If this is the case then you have no chance of staying under $500. But since you blow your nose with money, this shouldn't be an issue.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

I assume you have a good computer, that's a start. You'll also need a good external sound card.

For software I'd suggest Reason, it has some awesome versatile synths and a fun semi-intuitive drum machine. You might want to pick up Recycle too, another PH program that chops up sounds and you can throw the diced pieces into Reason.

Reason can't record though (3.0 might not positive), so you'll want another program, like Sonar or Cubase, which will also perform better to compose all the pieces. As many have mentioned Protools is the industry standard but costs much more and as a beginner you'll be getting the same out of cheaper alternatives.


Here's a link to some Cakewalk (Sonar) stuff, I take it you already looked the Propellerhead stuff, you can download the demo and play with it.
http://store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/cate...x?categoryID=9

Keep in mind many pieces people make with Reason etc sound very amatuerish because they use stock sounds, but with experience you can make incredible stuff with them.

These programs can be found for free too if you know where to look.

For turntables you don't have to get Technics 1200s as for your purposes there are probably sufficient much cheaper alternatives, but they are the industry standard. I dont know if youre going this route though but if so feel free to ask for deck/mixer recommendations.

Have fun/good luck.

Re: Help me become Pharrell or Danger Mouse
 

my buddy at work (also a DJ with mad skillz, also appears on a Wilco album!!) has a good buddy who is the producer for this guy. He's the Jay Z of Japan! I mean that's something.

I'll hook you up, yo.

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/8...6589367pf0.jpg