Yeah this is good advice. If it’s not fun then you won’t learn.

These are good points. In truth I’m not experiencing any lag so it’s practically superfluous in terms of speed. But to have my samples and other files in a removable drive will serve as a backup and something I can swap between machines if I ever upgrade hardware or change OS.

Okay, so there’s hardware, software, and skills to learn. I’ll briefly explore each one.

Hardware:

• You want a computer with an i7 processor, min 16GB of RAM, and an SSD drive. The computer should be newer than 5 years old preferably but in truth you can still do a lot with an 8-10 year old machine.

• A USB audio interface with 24\192 specs is a good idea but not required. It works as an external soundcard. If you use it, make sure your DAW has the

• Good monitoring headphones and\or speakers.

Software:

I use a DAW with piano roll for writing midi tracks that run through VST instrument plugins and fx. If you’re using linux then you can set up something more complicated and home made with the jack audio system, but that’s really not the best way IMO.

• DAW: I use Reaper because it lets me do time signature changes. But I like the piano roll in FLStudio more. I know Reaper runs on linux.

• Drum machine or sampler VST: I use a sampler and load individual drum hit samples so that each key in the piano roll (midi track) is a drum hit, so I can write drum loops instead of melodies. This is the most fun part of the process for me. On windows I used the tx16wx but on Linux I haven’t discovered any that I like as much (tell me if you find a great one!).

• Synth VSTs: you can find many free or paid ones on kvaudio or plugin boutique. Again my faves are not available for linux. Make sure you search for linux compatible ones. Again, load the vst onto the track and then write your melody loops in the midi piano roll.

• FX VSTs: apply them to your instrument tracks. It’s easy to go overboard here.

• Drum samples. I never use somebody else’s loops, but I do like to buy kits of samples in WAV format. I usually have one heavy/metal kit and another jazz kit. Load the samples into a sampler or drum machine and save the kit.

Skills:

• Writing melodies: pick a musical scale for each track. Use the same scale across all melodic tracks (bass, lead synth, etc). Some DAWs allow you to apply a scale in the piano roll.

• Writing drum loops: study rhythmic structures. Pay attention to what the high hats, snares, and kicks are doing. Drums and snares make the beat. HH often make the rhythm.

• Mixing/mastering: I am bad at this. It’s a technical skill that I struggle with. FX VSTs are essential to this process, with compressors and filters. Make sure each instrument occupies its own space in the audio spectrum and doesn’t overstep its boundaries into the other instruments’ zones. Sometimes a light touch is needed.

• Musical structure: Does this track flow like a dance track? A rock track? Something else entirely?

• Create a kit or band. I used to create a whole new instrument set for each track. But that was too time consuming. Now I create an instrument set for each album. Save it as a track that becomes the base for future tracks.