The Beginner’s Guide To Creating Music On Your Computer
This guide gives you an introduction to what you’ll need for making music with software, as well as tips on arranging, mixing, effects, and more.
Audio Effects
Audio effects are designed to manipulate sound. They can be software (computer programs or plugins), or hardware (like guitar effects pedals or rack-mounted machines). The effect these devices have on sound can vary from a subtle colouration to all-out sonic terrorism!
There are a dizzying array of effects processors on the market but they fall into a small number of categories:
- Modulation effects (e.g. Chorus, Flangers, or Phasers) gradually sweep back and forth over time, creating various characteristic sounds
- Time-based effects (e.g. Delay and Reverb) create echoes and reverberations which can do anything from simulate the sound of a room to creating mesmerizing rhythmic patterns
- Pitch effects can create harmony from thin air or fix dodgy singing (like the infamous Autotune)
- Distortion effects (e.g. Overdrive, Fuzz) increase signal volume until smooth sound waves get ‘clipped’ into ugly squares, creating thick harmonics and endless sustain
- Dynamic effects (e.g. Compression, Limiters) make levels consistent and can make music thick and punchy
Audio effects are used by musicians to shape their tone into distinctive new forms, and by record producers and mastering engineers to make recordings sound more rich and full. Effects used to be the preserve of professional studios and millionaire rock stars, but the relentless march of technology means even beginners can now experience and use them to their heart’s desire.
Used carelessly, effects can rob an instrument of character and leave it lost in the mix… But in the hands of a master (such as U2’s The Edge) a musician can become a one-man soundscape.
Ear training can give you a deeper understanding of audio effects and help you:
- Recognise common audio effects by ear
- Creatively use effects to enhance your musical tone
- Make your demos sound punchier by mastering dynamic range compression
- Hear when vocalists have been auto-tuned (even tastefully!)
- Hear the difference between natural and artificial reverb
Series
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The Hearing Effects series on FX ear training teaches you to recognise all the most common types of audio effects by ear, including modulation, delay, echo, reverb, and distortion effects. You’ll also find out how to choose the right settings for each type of effect. |
Free articles about Audio Effects
An Introduction to Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
EDM is a fun and fascinating genre of music. Birthed at the end of the disco era, electronic dance music has made a huge impact on modern artists and culture.
How to Recognize Different Types of Synthesis
Explore the different types of synthesis, how to generate them and include them in your musical creations. With demo samples and real tracks as examples.
Hearing Effects: Modulation 2 (tremolo, vibrato, pitch shift, wah-wah)
Modulation audio effects are among the most popular, so train your ears for tremolo, vibrato, pitch shift, wah-wah. Learn how in this FX ear training tutorial.
Hearing Effects: Modulation (rotary speaker, chorus, flanger, phaser)
Modulation effects, including chorus and flanger effects, are among most popular and noticeable audio effects. Learn about each type and how to hear them.
Hearing Effects: Listen for that Reverb
Reverb can create a subtle sound environment or have a strong impact on your tone. Learn more about reverb audio effects and how to train your ears for them.
Hearing Effects: Echo… (echo… echo…)
Bonus Question answer Last time around, our bonus question was this: Where was the first echo (or delay) effect first manufactured? If you have been following the Hearing Effects series so far, then you’ll know by now that nothing has a clear-cut answer. There...
Hearing Effects: Distortion Effects, Part 2
Missed part one? Catch up here. Last time around we talked about the basics of amplifier distortion: What it is, where it came from and what it sounds like. Now it’s time to discuss the non-amp distortion gizmos out there that claim to be able to replicate the...
Hearing Effects: Distortion Effects, Part 1
Missed the start of the series? Catch up here. Ahh, it’s time for all things filth! Overdrive, distortion, fuzz, soft clipping, hard clipping, and limitless other descriptions to describe one of the most dramatic sound effects ever! If dynamics effects are to claim...
Hearing Effects: Introduction
Welcome back to the ongoing series that began with Frequency Fundamentals. I trust and hope it has been as helpful for you as it was fun for me to write. Moving along, this is the start of a new series that will dovetail with the frequency series. Consider it the...
Harmonics And Distortion
Missed the rest of the series? Click here to start at the beginning. Up to this point in the series we’ve focused on characterising each sound with a single frequency representing its pitch. In today’s article we’ll consider the other frequencies...
Bass Tone Podcast 5: Bass FX, Part 1
In episode 5 of the Bass Tone podcast, Bass FX Part 1, Nick Long covers the most frequently used audio effects for the bass guitar. You’ll learn all about:
• Equalization (EQ), the cornerstone of a good effects chain
• Compression and Limiting to even out playing dynamics
• Multiband Compression
• Distortion, Overdrive and Fuzz Effects
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