If you want the easiest experience, try using Garageband or Logic Pro on Mac, or Reaper on Mac and PC. For more advanced software, try using FL Studio, Pro Tools, or Cubase. All of the DAWs are available for Mac or PC. If you want to focus only on electronic music, opt for Ableton, Bitwig Studio, or Reason. Many DAWs offer free trial periods so you can try them before you purchase them. DAWs can be complex at first, so look up tutorials on how to use the interface and program so you learn all of the settings you can access.
You don’t need a microphone if you plan on making electronic music with software instruments.
High-end audio interfaces can be expensive, but you can get one for beginners for around $100 USD from a music store or online. You don’t need to use an audio interface if you aren’t using live instruments or a microphone.
If you don’t have high-quality headphones, it’s okay to use earbuds, but you may not hear the final mix of the song as clearly.
Many studio monitors cost $100 USD or more. More expensive monitors tend to sound better than cheaper models. It’s okay to work with just headphones if you can’t afford to get studio monitors right away.
If you don’t have an instrument, you can also use software instruments that are already built into your DAW. You can either use your computer keyboard or a MIDI controller to play the instruments.
For example, a hard rock song will have loud guitars with distortion while a hip hop song may prominently feature drums or synthesizers. Try multiple genres to find out which one you like the most.
If you want your song to sound happy, try using C, F, and G chords. For a song that sounds sad, try using A minor, D minor, and E chords. You can try any chords you want for your progression.
Loop your chord progression in the background so you can try playing your melody over it. Avoid using melodies that have been used in other songs since they are copyrighted and you usually need permission to use them in your own music.
If you want a basic drum rhythm, put a bass drum on the 1st and 3rd beats and a snare drum on the 2nd and 4th beats.
Include a hook for your song at the beginning or during your chorus to grab the listener’s attention. As you get more comfortable making music, you can try experimenting with different song structures.
Try to incorporate metaphors that you can use to represent emotions or feelings instead of saying them directly. For example, you could use a storm to represent anger and sadness or the sun to represent happiness. You don’t always need to rhyme your lyrics if you don’t want to.
You don’t need to connect an audio interface or microphone if you don’t plan on recording live instruments.
Use a metronome or click track when you record so you stay on beat.
You can also buy additional instrument packs for DAWs online. Many DAWs let you adjust the settings of digital instruments so you can tweak the sound to exactly what you want for your song. If you’re making electronic or instrumental music, you can use software instruments to make your entire song.
You can move and rearrange any track in your song that you want. Try experimenting with how you layer the instruments and how it changes the sound of your song.
Try adjusting the equalizers for your instruments to see how they affect and change the sounds.
Listen to your song after you export it to make sure everything sounds the way you want it to. If it doesn’t, go back and adjust the mix in your DAW.
Putting your music on Spotify, Apple Music, or Bandcamp can also help you earn money from your music, but only at a fraction of a cent per play.
