Nico Schuele
Tolerated Member
Hey all,
Sorry in advance for the long post or if this is not the correct category for this thread. I'm in need of you expert advice to validate the learning path I set for myself for the upcoming weeks/months/years... yeah, probably years.
First, I want to give you a little bit of feedback, it may help. I'm a software developer by trade and have been at it for over 20 years. Even though I don't even have a bachelor degree, today I teach programming at one of the world's top technical university. So, I know a thing or two about teaching myself new skills.
Musically, I have been playing bass guitar and guitar on and off for 20 years as well but I can't read sheet music and have only a very limited knowledge about music theory (I know what a chord is, how to build one and make chord progressions and other things like that). I have used Reason, Sonar and Garageband in the past but haven't been making any music for about 3 years. Haven't picked up my bass in these 3 years neither and don't intend to in the near future. Oh, and I can't play keys. Really can't. I use step recording for MIDI recording.
So, what am I doing here? Glad you asked... When I write code, a book or a new course, I listen to music. Music without lyrics as I can't concentrate on what I'm doing if there are any lyrics. Not being a fan of EDM, I mostly listen to orchestral, cinematic music. Nailing a particularly difficult problem with "To Glory" from Thomas Bergersen in the background is definitely an epic experience.
More and more, I started to listen to films and games soundtracks even when not working. Up to a point where I start to "hear" in my head things I'd like to listen to. So, I had this great idea: "Imma learn to make it myself". And here I am.
Currently, I supplement my income by writing programming books and building apps for mostly shitty startups that will die within 6 months but am slowly getting fed up and burnt out from coding. My long term goal is to transition from this side job to making music. At least, become good enough so outlets like Audiojungle and Pond5 wouldn't reject me on the spot.
I drafted some sort of learning path for myself and if you could take a look at it and comment it, it would help a ton:
Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X on Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/music-production-in-logic-pro-x-course/ - (80% complete).
To learn how to use Logic and be productive with it. I'm enjoying the course and would give it a good rating.
Evenant's Cinematic Music: From Idea to Finished Recording - https://courses.evenant.com/p/cinematic-music-from-idea-to-finished-recording - (20% complete)
Even though it is said that you don't need music theory to follow this course, I have to do a lot of research after each lesson in order to fully comprehend what was taught. On the positive side, it forces me to learn to read sheet music. I absolutely love this course so far. Worth every penny.
Alex Moukala's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_CyR8Aqfl45kzFIDeMr-CQ - (watched about 5 videos so far)
I try watching one of his videos each time I complete 2-3 Evenant's lessons. I really like what his compositions sound like and would like to be able to do something in the same vein.
EastWest 103: Tools for Film, TV & Games - https://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/eastwest-103-tools-film-tv-games&outline - (not started)
I want to learn how to use a more advanced library as the one I use at the moment (I have an EW ComposerCloud subscription). I tried HO from them but quickly went back to using the ensembles patches from Kirk Hunter's Virtuoso Ensembles as it is a little bit easier at the moment.
MIDI Orchestration Explained - https://www.groove3.com/tutorials/midi-orchestration-explained - (not started)
I will need to learn more about orchestration and how to work with it from a MIDI perspective. I thought this was a good option.
The Aspiring Trailer Music Composer - https://courses.evenant.com/p/the-aspiring-trailer-music-composer
This is the last course on my list that I plan to do. Trailer music shares something with the music I listen to while programming: repetition. I want to learn how to do that properly without it sounding dull. And who knows... maybe this could open some opportunities?
Of course, I spend as much time (if not more) practicing than learning. I sleep about 4h per night, this helps.
My setup is composed of Logic Pro X with Virtuoso Ensembles, Metropolis Ark I, EW ComposerCloud+ (so HO and EWQLSO), SonuScore The Orchestra, NI Una Corda (love the sound of this one) and Audio Imperia Multiverse for some effects.
The last thing: here's where I'm at for the time being. Be gentle, I only started a week ago, this is my first "completed" piece:
Now that you know all of this... what advice would you give me? Is my learning plan correct? What would you change/add/remove?
Thank you a lot for your time!
Sorry in advance for the long post or if this is not the correct category for this thread. I'm in need of you expert advice to validate the learning path I set for myself for the upcoming weeks/months/years... yeah, probably years.
First, I want to give you a little bit of feedback, it may help. I'm a software developer by trade and have been at it for over 20 years. Even though I don't even have a bachelor degree, today I teach programming at one of the world's top technical university. So, I know a thing or two about teaching myself new skills.
Musically, I have been playing bass guitar and guitar on and off for 20 years as well but I can't read sheet music and have only a very limited knowledge about music theory (I know what a chord is, how to build one and make chord progressions and other things like that). I have used Reason, Sonar and Garageband in the past but haven't been making any music for about 3 years. Haven't picked up my bass in these 3 years neither and don't intend to in the near future. Oh, and I can't play keys. Really can't. I use step recording for MIDI recording.
So, what am I doing here? Glad you asked... When I write code, a book or a new course, I listen to music. Music without lyrics as I can't concentrate on what I'm doing if there are any lyrics. Not being a fan of EDM, I mostly listen to orchestral, cinematic music. Nailing a particularly difficult problem with "To Glory" from Thomas Bergersen in the background is definitely an epic experience.
More and more, I started to listen to films and games soundtracks even when not working. Up to a point where I start to "hear" in my head things I'd like to listen to. So, I had this great idea: "Imma learn to make it myself". And here I am.
Currently, I supplement my income by writing programming books and building apps for mostly shitty startups that will die within 6 months but am slowly getting fed up and burnt out from coding. My long term goal is to transition from this side job to making music. At least, become good enough so outlets like Audiojungle and Pond5 wouldn't reject me on the spot.
I drafted some sort of learning path for myself and if you could take a look at it and comment it, it would help a ton:
Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X on Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/music-production-in-logic-pro-x-course/ - (80% complete).
To learn how to use Logic and be productive with it. I'm enjoying the course and would give it a good rating.
Evenant's Cinematic Music: From Idea to Finished Recording - https://courses.evenant.com/p/cinematic-music-from-idea-to-finished-recording - (20% complete)
Even though it is said that you don't need music theory to follow this course, I have to do a lot of research after each lesson in order to fully comprehend what was taught. On the positive side, it forces me to learn to read sheet music. I absolutely love this course so far. Worth every penny.
Alex Moukala's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_CyR8Aqfl45kzFIDeMr-CQ - (watched about 5 videos so far)
I try watching one of his videos each time I complete 2-3 Evenant's lessons. I really like what his compositions sound like and would like to be able to do something in the same vein.
EastWest 103: Tools for Film, TV & Games - https://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/eastwest-103-tools-film-tv-games&outline - (not started)
I want to learn how to use a more advanced library as the one I use at the moment (I have an EW ComposerCloud subscription). I tried HO from them but quickly went back to using the ensembles patches from Kirk Hunter's Virtuoso Ensembles as it is a little bit easier at the moment.
MIDI Orchestration Explained - https://www.groove3.com/tutorials/midi-orchestration-explained - (not started)
I will need to learn more about orchestration and how to work with it from a MIDI perspective. I thought this was a good option.
The Aspiring Trailer Music Composer - https://courses.evenant.com/p/the-aspiring-trailer-music-composer
This is the last course on my list that I plan to do. Trailer music shares something with the music I listen to while programming: repetition. I want to learn how to do that properly without it sounding dull. And who knows... maybe this could open some opportunities?
Of course, I spend as much time (if not more) practicing than learning. I sleep about 4h per night, this helps.
My setup is composed of Logic Pro X with Virtuoso Ensembles, Metropolis Ark I, EW ComposerCloud+ (so HO and EWQLSO), SonuScore The Orchestra, NI Una Corda (love the sound of this one) and Audio Imperia Multiverse for some effects.
The last thing: here's where I'm at for the time being. Be gentle, I only started a week ago, this is my first "completed" piece:
Now that you know all of this... what advice would you give me? Is my learning plan correct? What would you change/add/remove?
Thank you a lot for your time!