Pet Sounds

Even if you can’t play an instrument or you know almost nothing about music, there’s a range of music software and sample resources (many free for the download) that can help you release your inner rock star. Here’s what you need to know to begin composing music your-way. Music can be anywhere, not just on CDs: Mood music for a business presentation, background tunes for a family website, a score for your vacation video. A lot of the music we hear everyday is created by taking music samples, creating loops and layering them to make a full, unique composition. Electronic-music programs allow someone with no instrumental training and no playing skills to create music with samples from other musicians’ instrumental and vocal recordings.

The free software
The king of consumer electronic-music software is called ACID Pro, made by Sonic Foundry (which was acquired by Sony Digital Pictures). The software is available as a free fully working trial edition called Acid Xpress (http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/download/step2.asp?DID=551). The only catch is that you’re limited to 10 tracks, which is actually plenty of horsepower for a beginner.

The free loops
Sonic Foundry’s Mike Scheibinger puts out a weekly update of interesting information featuring songs created by different electronic composers each week and always includes an “8 Pack” of top-quality free loops with each update (www.acidplanet.com/loops/8Packs). This is a great place to start.

The free vocals
One of the components that has been lacking out there in the home e-music world are high-quality vocal loops. Recording artist ILONA! has graciously included a product called ILONA!: Universal Female Vocal Toolkit in her latest CD release ILONA! Wonderful Feeling. This sample library includes the three octaves of “ooohs” and “ahhhs” plus scats and other great samples. Cross ABBA with Ricky Martin, add a pinch of Cher and an aura close to Ivana Trump and you’re getting close to the vibe she puts out.

Getting started
One of the best ways to get started with home composing is by using the ACID tutorials (included in the software). You’ll learn to manipulate the loops you download with sequencing software that lays out your available tracks just like a professional recording studio. You pick a loop you like and drag it along a single track. Then you paint additional loops on additional tracks to layer your sounds. Finally you can change pitch, volume, duration and add effects to your sounds. After a little practice the software is as easy to use as a word processor. Soon, you’ll be “wowing” them with your new musical creations.

ACID Pro, $299
ACID Xpress, freeware
Sonic Foundry 8-Pack, freeware
Website: http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/products/acidfamily.asp

ILONA! Wonderful Feeling/ILONA! Universal Female Vocal Toolkit, $39.95
Phone: (800) 577-6642
Commercial CD available at www.amazon.com

Writer/producer Jonathan Todd is president of the entertainment marketing firm SabreMark, Inc. With an extensive background in the music industry, his clients include #1 Billboard and Grammy winning stars. You can reach him at info@sabremark.net.