share your experience

If you're just starting out and you want to get serious about creating music..
 
Step 1.  Choose an instrument.
Step 2.  Buy one
Step 3.  Learn to play it.
Step 4.  Learn to play it well...
 
You are now creating music.
 
Making music is all about the playing, not the recording.  There are plenty of free recording programs and dirt cheep audio interfaces to get you started without laying out thousands in gear you might not even need.
 
Programs like Sonar will give you all the tools the professionals use to create chart topping mega-hits except the musicians...
 
 

... thinking about creating music sounds really fun. its a dream of mine to create music, but I've always been scared to find out if im able to. and im 24 years old....kind of a late start im guessing.

 
To me that says he/she does not play an instrument.

Nope....it's never too late to start.   I started playing when I was about 7 with piano lessons. Got a guitar at 14 and jammed in some garage bands through highschool. Stopped for a few years when I was in the military. After getting out, I picked it up again and joined my first working band in my mid 20's.
 
The first question is, do you play now or just considering it? 
 
If you don't play, then yeah, go spend a grand and get a decent instrument. Don't buy a cheap beginner instrument. Buy something a pro would use.  A few reasons.... they hold value better in case you decide a year from now it's really not your cup of tea.... and they are easier to play because they are quality instruments.
 
If you already play and you're talking about recording.... yeah... a grand gets you in the game nicely.  $300 for a set of studio monitors, $200 for an audio interface, $200 for a condenser mic, $50 for Cakewalk Music Creator... and $250 left over for incidentals and other things. The costs above may vary a bit.... but you can set up a quick and fairly decent home studio for that budget. It's a hobby for most folks, and with the internet and advances in computers and software, you can collaborate with folks on the other side of the planet as easily as the guy next door.
 
I work out of the corner of a room. Certainly not a very "professional" set up..... but I can create and write music and then record those songs, so to me, that's all that matters. Click my link below  and listen to some of the stuff I create in this corner of the room.
 
So that's how I got started. It's a very enjoyable pastime and has it's own rewards.
 

Thanks for the reply guys! And yes I play guitar, have been for 6 yrs and play piano on and off. Can also read some music notation.

Hi,
I tried to help Pedro (Moshkiee or whatever his forum name is) for free.  we talked several times by email, but he could not get his system to work the way I was explaining to him.
 
I have helped hundreds, nay probably thousands of people on these forums get their systems up and running, both on the forums and off.  Do not let anyone tell you that it's not possible to get help or that it's way too difficult to do.  If bapu can get it working, ANYONE CAN!!!
 
so for $1000, you will be able to come up with a really good start on a studio.  much better than MOST people on these forums started with. 
 
the most important part of the puzzle is the audio interface/soundcard whatever you want to call it.  it's the same thing.  you want a quality soundcard designed for recording with inputs and outputs on it for your growth.  look to spend between $200 and $500 on the soundcard.  get specific advice on the soundcard from folks in this forum BEFORE you purchase!  do NOT purchase something from Best Buy, Walmart, Frys or any consumer retail operation.  your soundcard will come from Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or better yet, online from Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, Music123 or other established online professional musicians' store.
 
did I mention that you need to GET ADVICE on your specific needs from someone on the forums before purchase????  if not, I'll mention it again!  I have a website with some recommendations of soundcards.  it's outdated and I need to update it, but some of them on the list is still valid.  Me, Herb, Bapu, many others will be glad to assist you in finding the right soundcard for your needs and growth.
 
the next investment I'd make would be speakers and/or headphones.  I do not believe that headphones should be the only source for mixing.  there are some who disagree with me, but not the majority.  decent near field monitors are NOT cheap.  they start at around $200 EACH, but you might be able to find some cheaper ones for beginners.
 
again - DO NOT buy these without advice and DO NOT buy them from a consumer store!!!  near field monitors are specific to mixing/producing music and will not be found at Best Buy or Frys.
 
after that you'll probably want a decent microphone.  microphones range from $50 to $10k or more.  you can get a decent beginning mic for $100 to $200.  are you going to be recording ACOUSTIC guitar?  you'll need a small diameter diaphram condensor mic and maybe a large diameter as well.  will you be recording cabs?  you might need a dynamic mic for that.  will you be recording vocals?  a large diameter condensor for that.
 
Of course you'll also need recording software if you don't already have it.  I recommend either Music Creator 6 (which is like only $40 or so) or if you have the money, I'd recommend starting out with Sonar Studio X2, then upgrading to Producer eventually.
 
 
all of these things are on my website (see my signature) with recommendations.  again, it needs to be updated because there are new products out not on my list and there are some products on my list which are now obsolete, but the list is still a good starting point.  look at those, then ask questions!  I'll be glad to help more!

I originally had a lite version of another DAW.  I took a class at the local community college.  While it was geared towards DAWs in general, they used Sonar 6 as their default.  I liked it better than the original DAW.  I would recommend looking for a class that's local to you.  Video tutorials can help too.  They--and the helpful advice you receive here--can help you decide what equipment to get.  Good luck.  

Ok Pedro, maybe you can get it up and running then!  I would love to hear some of your work when you do!

If you're starting on the path to making music in your computer, stay away from THIS.
 
Once you've been making music for a few years and you're burned out or need a break go there then (it will still be alive, to be sure).

And the Blues Fest will be around here (July Fourth) and I am struggling to once again try and take my cheap camera and record some only to have people do funny things (after a few beers) in front of the camera or someone else to ask if they can have a video for their own purposes while other people talk close to you and all of it is picked up by a not so good camera that makes videos also (since I do not want to spend a thousand on a better cam-corder or even 500 on it) and wonder why I am standing there in the heat having people complain perhaps and all of that. Probably stay home afterall I like quiet and this forum makes enough noise most of the time (but not in Songs) to hear it clearly.
Well back to the food store, because something tells me that I should eat, but then they say to fast for three days and eat little if anything except water, and that will rejuvenate your immune system and whatever, but somehow I just can not quite get around to doing that as of yet.
 

This is the very best time to learn to make music. The tools available are astounding. You have youtube and the internet for any question. You have forums for whatever DAW, if any, you decide to use. 
 
I was never scared but excited and anxious to get started. I was 19 when I started. Jimi gave me the passion for it.
 
Spend some time thinking about and researching what and where you want to go with it. As much time as it takes to be sure how you want to spend your money.
I have ;
PC- Dell 64 bit Quad for speed and no other software except essentials 
audio interface
Midi keyboard
Mics, guitars, and bass
Sonar X-3 Producer
 
 
 
I started with Guitar Tracks Pro upgraded and now have Sonar X-3. I would suggest getting Sonar Studio. It's a wonderful tool to learn about music and your instrument. I've been recording since 09' I think. I have chronic amnesia and those kind of things elude me. I have collaborated with several here due to my whimpering about not playing with anyone plus their pity and or wanting me to shut up. You can posts songs/recordings for advice and there are some incredible players here that will give free and very helpful guidance. 
Here's shamelessly some tunes I've posted on Soundcloud. I apologize in advance for bringing it up