Composition for Computer Musicians [Paperback]

Michael Hewitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 2009

You might be extremely knowledgeable about the software that you use, have a good understanding of your own genre, and even have a good basic understanding of music theory. However, this does not necessarily mean that you can write effective music tracks. You need another kind of knowledge as well - the knowledge of composition. This friendly guide explains the basics of composing songs and music on the computer using any music using any music creation and recording program, whether you choose Reason, Live, Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Finale, Sibelius, FL Studio, SONAR, or anything else. It's not as hard as it sounds, and this book eases the learning curve so you'll be making music in no time. You'll quickly learn how to program rhythm and drums, create basslines and melodic leads, and use FX and samples. You'll also learn about mixing and mastering your track and distributing it to a mass audience. Composition for Computer Musicians explains it all while showing you the basics of music theory throughout so you'll be sure you're not just making noise on the computer - you're using your computer to make professional-sounding music.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Artistpro; 1 edition (March 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598638610
• ISBN-13: 978-1598638615
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Recording & Sound
  • #67 in Books > Computers & Technology > Digital Music
  • #70 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Popular

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For novices and sloppily researched, February 17, 2010

By 

Robert T. L. Chang "Lunatique" (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Composition for Computer Musicians (Paperback)

This book is pretty much useless unless you are a total novice in both computer music production and composition/arrangement, since you if you're beyond novice level, you probably already known everything the book covers. The author also did not do his due diligence on research. He called VST "Virtual Sythesizer Technology," when it's actually "Virtual Studio Technology. The guy has never heard of the internet? It's the first thing that comes up when you search "VST." Any computer musician worth his salt knows this--it's really really basic stuff. He then refers to plugins as VST's. That is also incorrect. They are plugins using the VST format, and if anything VSTI would be better than VST, but only for virtual instruments and does not apply to effects plugins. I'm guessing this guy probably doesn't even hang around prominent sites for computer musicians like KVRAudio. He then also refers to DAW and Ableton Live separately saying both can host VST's, as if Ableton Live isn't a DAW. Does he even know what DAW stands for? It almost seems like he's only got a cursory understanding of all this technology and terminology, and the half-assed his way through the research when writing the book. Maybe it's just carelessness, but don't people proofread their manuscripts before sending them to the printer? The instructional aspect of the book actually isn't bad, and if yo are a total beginner, it can certainly be helpful to you.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Poor Choice For Any Level "Computer Musician", January 13, 2010

By 

Beatflux - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Composition for Computer Musicians (Paperback)

I was really disappointed with the book. There are some basic rhythm and harmony information, but it is very sparse. If you want to learn about rhythms or harmony, a more focused book should be sought, and not the bundle of weak summaries this book provides. Some of the advice about effects is so generic and grossly oversimplified that it won't help you at all. After looking through the book it went straight to the local used bookstore.

If you want a beginners guide to electronic dance music production, I would recommend the Rick Snoman guide, "Dance Music Manual: 2nd Edition."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wanted, May 17, 2011

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M (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Composition for Computer Musicians (Paperback)

I'm making a transition from traditional to computer and this is what I was looking for.

You need a basic understanding of music/theory as it is not a beginners music book. It offers an excellent start to computer musicianship without being overly technical or boring.