Questions about LMMS and equipment for a newbie

[Michelle]

Hi all,

I am working through David Earl's book, "LMMS: A Complete Guide to Dance Music Production", and I can see that LMMS is very powerful. But my computer is just a little netbook and I wonder if it will be sufficient to create my own music. It's a Toshiba Satellite Pro netbook with an Intel Celeron 2.0Ghz and 4Gb memory. The system is Windows 10.

So, my first question is, if I download projects from the LMMS website, and they play correctly, then does this mean my computer will also be able to create the same music?

Secondly, I've seen good headphones mentioned as a "must", and I wonder what I should look for when reading the specifications for headphones? I have a pair of Samson HP20 headphones at the moment that I got with a Samson microphone for recording my voice. My budget isn't high, but at the same time I want to make sure that any music I create will sound good for anyone listening to it.

Finally, I've seen writers mention audio interfaces, but I have no idea why I would want one of these, what they do, and if LMMS requires them for music production.

Thanks in advance for your answers

[musikbear]

Hi all,

Welcome to the forum Michelle! First, For you all important links:
http://lmms.io/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4740

It's a Toshiba Satellite Pro netbook with an Intel Celeron 2.0Ghz and 4Gb memory. The system is Windows 10.

I think you will do just fine. The issue that you could have is if the netbook has an inferior on-board-chip for sound, but that i dont think a Toshiba has.

So, my first question is, if I download projects from the LMMS website, and they play correctly

I am not sure i understand 'project'
Are you talking about mmp/mmpz projects -aka LMMS-project-files? They can only be played inside LMMS, and you have not installed yet? right?
If you by 'project' means songs from youtube or soundcloud made with LMMS, then it says nothing. Those are just wave ot ogg-soundfiles, and has nothing to do with running LMMS

Secondly, I've seen good headphones mentioned as a "must"

Noo its not a 'must'. It is a help when you mix, and especially if you create an album, and need to 'produce', eg get a completely uniform soundscape throughout the whole album. Dont worry yours are fine.

: writers mention audio interfaces, : why I would want one of these,

:) Oh you do, but that is a part of LMMS and you chose it here:
https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=LM ... o_Settings
You are on windows, so you should choose SDL

If you need more just ask, otherwise just dl lmms 1.1.3 for windows here:
https://lmms.io/download/#windows
(dont take a yellow one - they are for devs only!!!)
Ask anything you need, and if you are new to DAW in general, maby you can start here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcUCFfQ3wn8

[slipstick]

If you download projects from the LMMS sharing platform https://lmms.io/lsp/ , load them into your version of LMMS and they play then yes, it is at least theoretically possible for you to create something similar. But bear in mind that some of those projects will use extra samples, instruments etc over what is delivered with LMMS so they won't necessarily all play. It makes more sense to try the demo projects that are delivered with LMMS first (look in My Projects). They should all play correctly because they don't use any external resources.

You need some reasonable headphones or speakers...the netbook internal speakers aren't good enough to hear music properly. Yours should be enough to get you started. Really decent headphones or speakers are not cheap so it's probably worth waiting to see how you like music production before you upgrade.

When you've been reading about "Audio Interfaces" they may have been talking about things like these, https://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces You would only need one of those if you want to connect instruments like guitars/basses etc or microphones that don't have USB connectors to record them. I'm guessing your Samson mic is a USB mic so can connect directly without needing a separate audio interface.

Steve

[Michelle]

Thank you both, you have answered all three of my questions.

I have already downloaded LMMS, the stable version, and I was trying out MMP projects that other users had shared. I've already encountered the need to install extra sound fonts or plugins to make the song play and haven't had any difficulties. It's great to know that my computer will do the job. I can focus on buying a monitor so that I can actually see what LMMS is doing

I've figured out how to create bass beats, that was easy. Next I'm reading about the piano roll. I do understand what it does, of course, but not being trained in music I'm finding that anything I create at the moment sounds really simple. I doubt that anybody will be impressed with a groovy beat and plonk plonk plonk keys in the piano roll. But David Earl's book promises that I will learn the fundamentals of music theory... I am thoroughly enjoying my musical journey so far

[musikbear]

Its great that you like LMMS and that it works

but not being trained in music I'm finding that anything I create at the moment sounds really simple.

There are also resourced for music theory you may like to visit:
https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=Us ... _resources

I also have made several tutorials on scale keys and harmonies
one is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEgx-_hMFYg
But there are many more on my LMMS channel :)

[Elaizz]

Hi , if u newbies , I want to help.
LMMS is a very useful DAW. You can do music, create a songs with this soft.
I can tell how create a first short beat. For use in ur song example.

If you installation LMMS first time, I hope this video help you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuDCO8D0ncs