Arts >> Music >> Recording Music

How to Make Your Own Band Song for Free

There are numerous ways to create your own band song for free. Music production software, such as Audacity, Sonar and Pro Tools, enables you to create and edit audio and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) tracks courtesy of on-board mixers and effects. When creating your own band song, you must either have a selection of audio loops, which can be downloaded for free online, or a MIDI device such as an electric keyboard, drum machine or digital processor. When using a MIDI device, an external MIDI interface is needed.

Things You'll Need

  • Music production software
  • MIDI device
  • MIDI interface
  • MIDI cables
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Connect MIDI interface to computer.

      Connect the MIDI interface to the USB port on your computer, if not already connected. Connect the "MIDI Out" of your MIDI device to the "MIDI In" of the MIDI interface. Turn on the MIDI interface, then your MIDI device.

    • 2

      Open the software and create a new file by selecting "New" from the "File" menu at the top. Right-click in the "Track Listing" window to the left of the screen and select "Add New Track." Create up to five new "MIDI" tracks in the "Track Listing" window.

    • 3
      Set MIDI channel to 1.

      Hold the "Shift" key on your computer keyboard and select all of the tracks at once. Right-click then select "Track Properties" from the drop-down menu. Click the "MIDI" tab and set the channel to "1." Select the MIDI channel option on the MIDI device and set the channel to "1."

    • 4
      Press buttons on your MIDI device until you get a signal.

      Click the "R" in the "Track Listing" window to arm the track for recording. Click the "Expand" icon on track one in the "Track Listing" window. Press buttons on your MIDI device to see if you're getting a signal in the expanded window on track one. Check your MIDI connection and channel if you're not getting a signal.

    • 5
      Record from the MIDI device.

      Click the "Record" button located at the top of the screen and begin playing the selected notes from your MIDI device. Click the "Stop" button once you are done recording. Press the "R" in the "Track Listing" window on track one to un-arm the track for recording.

    • 6
      Preview the song before you save.

      Press "Play" to preview the recording, delete and re-record if you are unsatisfied with the results. Repeat above steps on different tracks if you wish to add more notes or other instruments. Save the song to your computer by selecting "File" then "Save" from the top menu.

Recording Music

Related Categories