I've recently begun learning how to do Audio Production on a Linux Platform. The bulk of the music I make could be classified as "looping", which is where I record short sections of sound and then play them on top of each other (mostly just guitar, with a loop of rhythm, loop of bassline, loop of melody). In the past I've used Mobius Looper on Windows, now I learning SooperLooper on Linux. Learning my Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is probably the most difficult part of "Music" that I've attempted, save the initial decision to learn music theory. Now I'm in the weeds of EQ, arranging, filters, plug-ins, routing of audio, ect.
I've gotten past the first hard part of just getting things set up. On the Linux Platform, a program called JACK is used to route audio signals around inside the computer, for example connecting the output of my guitar to the input of the monitor speakers, or the output of my Looper to the input of the Recording Program. This is very powerful, but takes some getting used to. SooperLooper wasn't too bad to get started with, I'm not sure if I'll like it better than Mobius Looper or not. I'm still learning how to control the sync functions to keep my different loops playing together in time.
The two biggest challenges I am facing at the moment are getting comfortable with my DAW, which is Ardour, and also learning how to use a Drum Loop program (I'm thinking I'll use a program called Hydrogen). I'm pretty weak when it comes to knowledge of rhythm patterns. I'm a bit nervous that it will be quite difficult, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. If I turn out being successful creating my own percussion loops, I'll have most of the tools I'll need to begin composing original songs, arranging them on the DAW, and EQ'ing them well enough to share with the world.
I'll keep the blog posted with my progress.
