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Comment by whatch | Hacker News Reader

How does one start creating digital music (today)?

I've got a midi keyboard to practice singing and there was free light version of Ableton included. I guess it is in the same category as PreSonus and GarageBand from the article. I studied music ~10 years ago but have no idea how to start creating digital music.

How and where do I start if for example I like ATB (DJ) and would like to (try to) create something similar?

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Ableton is great, especially if you are tech-oriented. I suggest you follow along with a couple video tutorials introducing the basics of Ableton to get started. You can make something decent-sounding with just a few tracks and loops. The basic concepts should apply across DAWs. Have fun, and good luck!

Thanks! Can you recommend some tutorials/channels on youtube by any chance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H83TxBL3yOE

followed by

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Zcy8Uu4dw

I can't recommend Audible Genius's Building Blocks course enough. It teaches many fundamental music composition techniques and ear training using a piano roll layout (like the one found in Ableton and other DAWs). It's very inexpensive and you will absolutely develop a great foundation for writing your own music while going through the course. You'll learn drum programming, rhythm, harmony, melody, and more, and it will directly translate into Ableton. There's a 7-day free trial as well.

https://www.audiblegenius.com/buildingblocks

Thank you, looks like exactly what I need! For some reason I've got only 3-day trial, but considering the price and upcoming weekend it seems reasonable for me.

Reason is another really solid, well-supported virtual instrument suite.

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