Rocket Piano

Overview: Rocket Piano is one of the more popular courses to learn the piano as it goes through a 165 page beginners book, a 65 page intermediate book, and an advanced book with 59 pages. One really cool included feature is the “Rocket Piano Jam Tracks.” This feature allows you to play along with professionally produced tracks with an option to play without an accompanying piano. Rocket Piano is literally PACKED with other course materials and bonuses.

Bottom Line: With an immense amount of quality material, it’s no surprise as to why Rocket Piano is so popular among those looking for beginners piano lessons. Check out their site to see just how much material and substance this program contains.

Click Here to Try Rocket Piano!

Other Rocket Piano Reviews:

Rocket Piano

Overview: Rocket Piano is one of the more popular courses to learn the piano as it goes through a 165 page beginners book, a 65 page intermediate book, and an advanced book with 59 pages. One really cool included feature is the “Rocket Piano Jam Tracks.” This feature allows you to play along with professionally produced tracks with an option to play without an accompanying piano. Rocket Piano is literally PACKED with other course materials and bonuses.

Bottom Line: With an immense amount of quality material, it’s no surprise as to why Rocket Piano is so popular among those looking for beginners piano lessons. Check out their site to see just how much material and substance this program contains.

PianoForAll

Overview: The PianoForAll program is a huge course containing 10 eBooks, 500 audio files and 200 videos. From what I’ve gathered, the course is very simple to follow as everything is laid out in a step-by-step approach. After looking over the material, it seems as though this course is geared towards those taking their first steps in learning how to play piano. Though by means of gradual learning, the course actually touches upon some advanced techniques.


Bottom Line: This course contains a plethora of material, ranging from beginners piano lessons to advanced chord structures. What seems most promising though is the amount of praise it has received from content customers. Below are some quotes taken from the pianoworld.com forums:

“The documentation and the abundance of audio files are certainly top tier. This is the best value in piano instruction that I have seen anywhere.”

“I actually understand, for the first time, how to finger a chord, not by memorizing finger position, but rather by the logical way PFA explains how the chords are constructed. “

“Bottom line, I’ve only waded into the first of many eBooks included, and I’m very impressed with the method. At $39.95, it’s certainly a no-brainer as either a supplement to a teacher, another course, or as a standalone.”


There you have it. If you want to learn how to play the piano, these are two top of the line resources that will help you meet your goals. Personally, I am still amazed at the quality of resources these programs are offering for such low prices.

It seems as though many people who wish to make beats online believe that they must purchase an entire audio workstation to effectively create beats. Though it is possible to create some killer beats with these expansive workstations, there are alternatives out there that will give you the same results for a fraction of the price. The reason I am reviewing Sonic Producer is simple; for those who are interested in beat making, this program has the greatest value compared to its competitors. With top notch production quality, an extremely easy to use interface, and a ridiculously low price, this is the best investment an aspiring beat producer can make.

Making Beats
The way beat creation works in Sonic Producer is quite ingenious. It is possible to select sounds

You can drag notes from the Keyboard and Drum Pad onto the sequencer.

and “paint” each note manually on the sequencer. However, the most effective way is to utilize the keyboard and drum pads. Let’s say you have a killer sound equipped to your keyboard, but you want to play it in different pitches throughout your beat. All you have to do is click the note on the keyboard that you want to use, and drag it over to the sequencer. It’s that simple.
The drum pads may be used in the same way, although you may prefer using them in a slightly different fashion. Personally, I have found that the easiest way is to simply hit the “record” button, and tap out the beat with your mouse.


Sequencing
Ah, yes, the sequencer. The primary component of any beat making program. The sequencer on Sonic Producer is divided into 4/4 (4 beats per measure), a time common to most all hip hop beats.  The numbers on the left side of each row correspond to its channel number in the mixer. This way, it is easy to chose a sample/sound from the mixer and have it show up on the sequencer. The sequencer can hold up to a max of 16 sounds and samples, enough for most complex beats.


Interface
The interface includes the following:

Sequencer:
The workspace for all beat creation.

Mixer:
The 16 track mixer is used to adjust volume levels in each channel, and to assign samples/sounds to the sequencer.

An overview of the interface.

Keyboard/Drum Pads:
As mentioned earlier, you can create beats with the “drag and drop” feature of the keyboard and drum pads or simply use them to preview samples.

Toolbar:
The toolbar allows you to save, load and record projects. It also has functions that allow you to rewind, play or stop your beat and an area to alter the tempo.








Bundled Samples
There are hundreds of samples and loops that are included with the program. The sound and quality of each sample are actually quite impressive. The website also offers more downloadable sounds in the “members area.”


Price
The price is a one-time fee of $29.95. This includes access to on-site tutorials, software instruments, beats, cash contests and more goodies. I have seen some other beat production programs in the same price range, but none come close to matching the professional sounding beats you can create with Sonic Producer.



Concluding thoughts
I would recommend Sonic Producer to those taking their first step in beat production. If you feel lost as to where to start, then I assure you, Sonic Producer is definitely what you are looking for. You will be amazed at the shockingly simple workflow and the professional sounding beats that you will be able to make.

FL Studio comes bundled with everything necessary to record voice/instruments, create music from scratch, manipulate audio, and become a world famous musician (okay, well maybe not the last one). So sit back, relax, and enjoy the review.

Price
For a professional workstation, FL Studio is one of the most economical solutions out there. Directly from Image Line, the prices are:

FL Studio XXL – $399
FL Studio Producer Edition – $299
FL Studio Fruity Edition – $139
Though the prices seem very competitive, you can find it yet even cheaper if you look at various vendors.


Sequencing
There are a many features that have enticed me to use this workstation. The most attractive, however, has to be the unique sequencing style. The “pattern-based” sequencer allows for total control. The ease of painting, moving, or erasing pattern blocks and clips is a huge plus. Audio clips, patterns, and automation are all arranged within the “Playlist,” keeping the workspace

The Step Sequencer with a simple drum pattern applied.

simple. There are no limitations that inhibit your workflow in regard to arrangement. The freedom within this workstation is something you may not find in other competitors.












Piano Roll

I could have easily slipped the Piano Roll into the sequencing section, but this feature is so amazing it deserves it’s own sub-review. The Piano Roll is the tool that transfers creative ideas

Each block indicates a separate note.

from your head to the computer. It does this in the quickest, most efficient way possible. The left axis contains a vertical keyboard (for those of you who play the piano, this will take a little time to mentally calibrate), and the right axis represents time. From here, notes may be placed next to the desired keys in an intuitive manner. The beauty though, lies within the MIDI support. Each note recorded through a MIDI controller instantly appears in the piano roll and is readily accessible for editing. Though a MIDI controller is not necessary for taking advantage of the Piano Roll, it sure does make producing a heck of a lot easier!


Mixing/Mastering

The Mixer window with applied effects on the selected channel.

FLS8 contains a 64-track mixer. The mixer allows for effects to be added to each track. The effects include everything you need (Compressors, EQ’s, Reverb, Filters, etc)… The technical process of mastering, however, can be a bit tedious. When a sound is added into a new channel in your project, instead of assigning it to a new channel in the mixer, it assigns it to the master channel. This may seem like a minor flaw, but after assigning channels over and over again, it can get a bit annoying.


Interface
The main components of the interview include the:

Step Sequencer
- Used to assemble drumbeats and simple melodic parts.

Piano roll
- Useful tool in composition, as previously described.
Playlist
- Allows for the arrangement of Patterns, Audio clips, and Automation

A small section of the Playlist of a song I am currently working on.

Mixer
- Used for mastering, adding effects, and recording audio input.

Sample Browser
- Allows the user to quickly browse and access audio, samples, plug-ins, presets, and other FLS files.

The interface to some may seem obscure and difficult to follow. I will admit, it took me a little bit of time to get used to. However, after you understand all the functions of the various windows, FL Studio will be the easiest and fastest way to transfer ideas from your mind to the computer. Though the interface at first may seem threatening, there is a large reward for patience and the willingness to learn.


Audio Recording and Editing
Originally, recording audio was done by creating Clips in the Playlist view. A relatively new plug-in, Edison, allows for a smarter way to record and edit audio. Edison can be applied to a channel in the mixer as an effect, and in return, audio may be recorded through that specific channel. After recording the audio, you are able to edit the Clip with some nice effects. Edison offers convolution reverb, spectral analysis, noise reduction and some other features. These effects will also work on any Audio Clip, whether it was recorded or not.


Bundled Generators and Samples
FL Studio comes with some slick generators. A couple of new generators have been added to the newest version. Slicex, a tool for sample/loop manipulation, and SynthMaker, a new… synth maker, have been added to the family. The preset samples that come with FL Studio 8 are not exceptional, though they get the job done. However, after some time with these samples, you will find yourself looking for some new, higher end samples to use in your compositions.


Concluding Thoughts
FL Studio 8 is built for Windows, but will work flawlessly on an Intel Mac running Boot Camp (and is even encouraged by Image-Line to do so). The price is unbeatable, and Image-Line treats its customers with free upgrades for life.

To sum things up in a few words, FL Studio 8 represents Freedom, Control, and Innovation within the standards of digital audio workstations. If you have not tried this program yet, then you are missing out.

If anyone is looking to buy Fl Studio, below is the lowest priced vendor I have found. If you find a place with a better price please let me know.

Sonic Producer

Price: $29.95

Overview: This software is perfect for anyone who does not have the budget for high-priced production software. If you are interested in recreational hip hop beat making, then there is no reason to use any other software. The first thing I noticed when I tried the program is that it is incredibly easy to use. If you have no experience in beat making or production, you will still be able to learn this software VERY fast. The interface contains a 16 track sequencer, volume control on for each track, a piano and pads to record with and a few other options. There are thousands of preset sounds in the program that are all crystal clear quality. The production quality of the beats that you are able to create is amazing, considering the simplicity of the program. The program itself is not solely restricted to hip hop beat making as you can produce music in other styles as well.

Bottom Line: If you want a very reasonably priced program that will produce top quality beats and make instrumentals, then this is THE software to get.

FL Studio 8

Price: $100 – $399

Overview: I have had a lot of experience with FL Studio and would recommend this software to anyone who is looking to do more than hip hop beat making. Though the step sequencer allows for flawless beats to be produced, the program is able to do much more. I personally love this program because it is easy to use, the VSTi, DXi and MIDI support is exceptional (you will need these features if you plan on producing instrumental-heavy arrangements) and it contains my favorite feature – the Piano Roll. The customizable interface is made up five main windows – Sample Browser, Channel Window/Step Sequencer, Piano Roll, Playlist, and the Mixer. It may take a few days to get used to the basics, but once you do it becomes easy to make music. The software is comes packed with some very good plug-ins and an array of sounds.

Bottom Line: If you only want to make beats on your computer, then I would recommend Sonic Producer over FL Studio. If you want a powerful and professional tool that can deliver a vast amount of variations, then this is the best investment that you can make.

Well there you go. If you want to make your own beats then I strongly suggest that you check out some of these programs. I have recently given a full online review on both Sonic Producer and Fl Studio, if you would like more info on these programs and how to make beats online.