Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Great thread! Along these lines, can anyone give me an idea of song 
form for this music? What is a good structure to start with? It's a 
lot of fun bringing different parts in and out and playing licks on 
top, but I believe it's the subconsciously noticed "changes" or 
structure (specific measures or sections) that make a hit really 
work. I welcome all comments on this. I have much to 
learn.....Thanks.
Mark--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "critten98" <travis.crittenden@c...> 
wrote:
> My asdvice is to keep your device and add a keyboard controller of 
> some kind (plan to spend about $100 to $200 for this).
> 
> Then, download the trial copy of sonic foundry Acid and the demo 
of 
> Fruity loops. 
> 
> Also,go to your nearest music store and ask a asalesperson for a 
book 
> on scales. This should map out each scale across a keyboard (as 
well 
> as your pads on your XX-7) and provide you with chord variations 
for 
> each key.
> 
> 
> Once you have that, here is what I would do to BUILD an 
understanding 
> of anything you are interested in.
> 
> - First (for about a week or two) Just learn how to use the basics 
of 
> Fruity Loops. You won't be able to save, but you can still learn 
from 
> this tool. Try playing a song you like and try to repeat the drum 
> parts you hear in fruity loops. This will help you know what you 
are 
> hearing and it will be easier to reproduce these PATTERNS on your 
XX-
> 7.
> 
> - Second, learn the basics of Sonic Foundry's (now owned by Sony) 
> Acid software. You'll be able to save but only use a max of 8 
tracks 
> (probably other limitations too).
> 
> Download the free loops from acidplanet and from the Sony "Acid" 
> software web site. You should now focus on combining rhythms and 
> sounds to achieve a mix you like. Change the tempo, change the 
key, 
> slow the tempo down and try to make the arpeggios and melodies you 
> hear come out on your XX-7.
> 
> Also, you can import songs you like into acid and "play along".
> 
> The point is instant gratification for your current level of 
> creativity, something to keep you inspired, rewarded and keep you 
> wanting to learn more.
> 
> After you ave done all that for about 4 weeks total, get your 
chord 
> charts and sclaess out and use your keyboard and start playing 
your 
> original ideas. Play some chord combinations, some single note 
> melodies, etc...
> 
> You should pick an idea you like or want to reproduce and make 
that 
> your first accomplishment. Oh, and If you have a problem with 
speed, 
> slow things down or do step recording. Need to see a rhythm before 
> you program it? Use fruity. Need to really hear what is going on 
in 
> one part of a song? put it's mp3 in acid and slow acid down until 
you 
> can imitate it.
> 
> Learning from what others have done can be done different ways, 
but 
> you really need to learn from others experiences (ie: music you 
> like), one way or another.