Make a music track with no physical instrument?

[annec67719184]

I'll put my question at the top and the story at the bottom. Thank you everyone in advance whoever reads/responds to this.

I want to know if you can make a music track with Adobe Audition without having any physical instrument in your hands. I wouldn't mind adding in the 'sounds' of real instruments without having them, but I'm predominantly going to go for more 'electronic' type sounds and beats. In the future, I might end up with a Synthesizer so I need to know if Audition will 'connect' to that just fine and take the 'inputs'(?).

So the story for context.

I'm doing a diploma in science. In doing this, I learnt a little about frequencies, a little about music etc. I realised that I wouldn't mind playing an instrument between studying as a creative break from studying without too much of a breakaway 'from' it as I've heard playing music is great for your mind. I also genuinely have an interest in playing music, it's not just for the benefit. I liked the sounds of flutes and a couple of other instruments. But I need them to be convenient to grab and just as easy to put down. 

While studying I had some random playlists going, eventually these playlists were refined to electronic ones as I tend to focus more with those. Grimes came on a couple of times, she sounds cool. Then I noticed how much more focused I was with Synthwave type music. I also realised how much I really like that style. 

I thought about the Stranger Things track also which is my ringtone because the sound is so damn cool.

I realised maybe I should have some sort of digital piano/dj like thing where I push buttons and it makes cool sounds. Sounds good in concept to me, as this way I could just swivel my chair, play a beat for 20 minutes or so, then swivel back into study. I think it would be a lot of fun making funky sounds, without intention of them being any good just as a creative distraction that isn't one that means just watching a show or doing something pointless.

However, I woulnd't want something bad quality. Supposedly I'm looking at around $800. I'm happy to save up for that. I would at least like to use my time while saving to learn how to use what I currently have. And currently all I have is Adobe Creative Suit. I'm sure, since I've used Audition for other things in the past and it seems pretty powerful, there's a way of doing it. I just need to be pointed in the right direction of what I should be looking into to get started with making some cool electronic sounds/tracks/beats without having any physical instrument. But I also need to know if Audition will handle me connecting a Synth to it if I do finally get one.

Thank you again. 🙂

[SteveG_AudioMasters_ · Accepted solution]

Having read through this, I really don't think Audition is the tool for what you want to do, as it's not music creation software in any way, shape or form. Yes it's great for recording live instruments, but that's about all - it doesn't handle MIDI, which would be a basic requirement for what you are ultimately aiming to do. It's primary function is as an audio editor, and it's more and more geared towards broadcast audio and video.

If you don't want to spend a lot, then something like Reaper would be much better, certainly at first.

[annec67719184]

This is great advice and information. Thanks for reading all of my situation.

Unfortunate. If Adobe had a program like that I would use it for sure. Even if it wasn't that highly rated, I would use it just because it's Adobe and everything about their programs make sense to me (layout etc.).

Apologies if I'm stretching your advice out. Let's say I could save up and get whatever program I wanted. What would you recommend I use as a DAW? Reaper looks good for its price. I also like the look of FL Studio and Ableton Live. I'm struggling though because my lack of knowledge means, although I get the feeling of bias and incentivised opinions, I can't quite call anything out. I can't quite pick the information I need.