# Music Production Tips/Tricks/Bits of Kit **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware And Production\ **Created:** [February 6, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989 "2022-02-06T19:34:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/1 "2022-02-06T19:34:21Z")
There’s many talented people on this forum making music, and probably quite a few, like myself, who are dipping toes. I thought it might be useful to have a thread on tips, tricks and useful bits of kit people are using as it can be a confusing world with the amount of options out there. I had a few bits of hardware many years ago and restarting in the mainly software world has been daunting - there is just so many options, and lots that are free, or cheapen comparison. Too much choice and options is never a good thing without the fundamentals in place. The original team behind the Roland 808 (and others) have released a free VST version. > **[Re-Create the 808 - RC-808](https://rc-808.com)** > > RC-808 “Drum Rap” Contest ↓↓↓ Updated on 27.Oct, check it out!! ↓↓↓ Japanese page is her... I love the Juno series of synths and wanted a good software emulation. I have tried many, and the best I’ve come across is the TAL-U-NO-LX plugin that can be had for around 40 notes. They do some nice free plugins too. Similarly with the Space Echo. Tried many variations and ended up going for the Arturia Tape 201 (all Arturia instruments and effects are currently half price). This VST is a lot of fun for the dubwise amongst us. On a whim, I ordered one of the Behringer 303 clones. Not quite the same sound as the OG but it’s good for the price and lots of fun to play with. Almost identical in terms of use, but with more connectivity and and good app. ---
**Author:** ![Amboss](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/amboss/32/329_2.png) [@Amboss](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Amboss)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/2 "2022-02-06T20:00:17Z")
Yeah the behringer 303 clone and the 808 clone are both excellent. I’m tempted by the 606 Edit - cured my own GAS / the hats on the rd6 are way off ---
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/3 "2022-02-06T20:10:24Z")
Good to know about the 808 ---
**Author:** ![J\_C](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/j_c/32/36579_2.png) [@J\_C](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/J_C)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 6:27am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/4 "2022-02-07T06:27:08Z")
The only thing I’d say about Behringer is that I wouldn’t buy any of their products just on principle. Uli is an absolute cunt and the way they treat dealers and other manufacturers is appalling. Not least the whole anti-semitic affair 😑 ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/joe/32/26080_2.png) [@Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 7:57am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/5 "2022-02-07T07:57:47Z")
The best advice I can give is dont get bogged down with loads of hardware and attractive looking synths and VST’s. Pick your DAW of choice and learn it. You can absolutely make pro sounding music with a copy of Live and its on board instruments and effects I didn’t follow this advice at all and spent many frustrating years wading through VSTs I didn’t understand and trying to wire up old MIDI hardware to the computer. Don’t get me wrong, outboard synths and drum machines can be a lot of fun, but try learn the basics of your sequencer first ---
**Author:** ![J\_C](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/j_c/32/36579_2.png) [@J\_C](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/J_C)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/6 "2022-02-07T10:06:49Z")
Yeah it’s absolutely possible. I made this very quickly from just a sine wave and stock Ableton plugins and FX Might re-visit this and polish it up! > **[Ump Challenge 0002 Project by jaysonic](https://blend.io/jaysonic/ump-challenge-0002-project)** > > \#UMPchallenge0002 All sounds from one single 5 second sine wave sample - no 3rd party plugins or FX used, only the sampler and FX in the DAW - Ableton Live 9 - Retro Techno kinda vibe - Cybotron/Model 500/Carl Craig etc. with a Basic Channel thing... ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/joe/32/26080_2.png) [@Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 10:18am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/7 "2022-02-07T10:18:02Z")
Agree the TAL-U-NO-LX is a great little VST though. I had that for years. You can achieve the exact same bassline sound used on Mr Fingers ‘Can You Feel It’ with that. Just turn the Chorus on and adjust the a VCF and ADSR settings ---
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/8 "2022-02-07T10:20:08Z")
Learning the basics of synthesis is important too ---
**Author:** ![Gavin](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/gavin/32/2532_2.png) [@Gavin](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Gavin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 10:27am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/9 "2022-02-07T10:27:58Z")
That’s great, maybe we should have a little TP project, maybe not a competitive thing, just a time constrained one? Based around a few samples or some such? Perhaps with a show and tell to learn how other folks get creative? ---
**Author:** ![don\_milano](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/don_milano/32/72_2.png) [@don\_milano](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/don_milano)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/10 "2022-02-07T18:52:50Z")
Really enjoyed this production technique video recently. I don’t make jungle but it’s fascinating how it’s done: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IDn7ZDcx9w0/maxresdefault.jpg "Retro Jungle Production Techniques With Pete Cannon") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDn7ZDcx9w0) Also really like how there’s no special acoustic treatment in the room, just shelves, gear and clutter in a tiny room. ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/joe/32/26080_2.png) [@Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/11 "2022-02-07T20:25:23Z")
Good that, I’ve seen that before. Watched a few like that with tracker software that they used to make hard-core and jungle on. So primitive but completely baffling, can’t get my head round it ---
**Author:** ![MassDensityHuman](https://forum.testpressing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@MassDensityHuman](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/MassDensityHuman)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/12 "2022-02-07T21:29:22Z")
Saw krust do a talk once (may have mentioned that before!) and he cited one of the biggest blockers for him was lack of constraints in the digital age. When he had 8 tracks on a desk and only 12 hours to fully do a tune (before Roni or Die came in for their session & wiped the desk) he did some of his best stuff. When he got a laptop with unlimited stuff he couldn’t finish anything. Always struck me as being something in forcing yourself to work within limits. ---
**Author:** ![pacific.coliseum](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/pacific.coliseum/32/28795_2.png) [@pacific.coliseum](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/pacific.coliseum)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/13 "2022-02-07T21:35:14Z")
If you’re looking for a good collection of mix tools, I’d highly recommend the FabFilter collection. Even the basic (which comes with a great EQ and compressor) collection is really amazing. I love the Arturia pack, the Korg collection and a handful of Roland Cloud vsts (though they’ve got their issues) if you’re looking for some instruments! ---
**Author:** ![dom\_moir](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/dom_moir/32/19762_2.png) [@dom\_moir](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/dom_moir)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 12:32am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/14 "2022-02-08T00:32:56Z")
Option anxiety. I made some of my best tracks with pretty much just a sampler, JD800 and an SE70. ---
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 9:26am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/15 "2022-02-08T09:26:44Z")
Limits are crucial. Fewer tools, but that you know inside out. ---
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 9:31am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/16 "2022-02-08T09:31:22Z")
Is there a way to have one midi instrument trigger another in Ableton Live? I’ve done this in the past with hardware gear, but don’t know if it’s possible with softsynths ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/joe/32/26080_2.png) [@Joe](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 10:45am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/17 "2022-02-08T10:45:23Z")
How do you mean, what do you wanna do exactly? You should just be able to set the midi out on the host channel to the channel you want to trigger? ---
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 10:48am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/18 "2022-02-08T10:48:13Z")
Say using one of the drum channels to trigger the timing of an arpeggio on a synth. I’m sure it must be pretty straightforward. ---
**Author:** ![Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/discophrenia/32/1000_2.png) [@Discophrenia](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/Discophrenia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 11:57am UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/19 "2022-02-08T11:57:11Z")
Like this, but with software instruments [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uJ998ugHgX8/maxresdefault.jpg "Roland - TR-8S - How to use Trigger with External Gear") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ998ugHgX8) ---
**Author:** ![don\_milano](https://forum.testpressing.org/user_avatar/forum.testpressing.org/don_milano/32/72_2.png) [@don\_milano](https://forum.testpressing.org/u/don_milano)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989/20 "2022-02-08T14:21:29Z")
The trigger input on a synth expects a voltage pulse, it won’t work with any midi. [Next page](https://forum.testpressing.org/t/music-production-tips-tricks-bits-of-kit/2989.md?page=2)