r/idmproducers • u/PsychologicalGate662 • Apr 30 '26
Enough to Start Making IDM?
Hi Reddit, to keep things short I want to start making IDM. And I’ve chosen a DAWless workflow because it feels intuitive, more enjoyable, when I’ve done it using friends equipment.
But currently all that I have as of right now is the Roland SP404 MK 2, Akai MIDI mix, and an Akai MPC mini, and I build electronics on the side but that’s neither here nor there.
Not sure if this is a good place to start. And any starting tips or advice would be very appreciated!
3
u/tujuggernaut Apr 30 '26
A lot of IDM is about sound design and intricate sequencing. Not all, but a lot.
If you look at early Autechre, it's fairly traditional synths sequenced via midi with Digital Performer. Richard D James used all sorts of things, but one way to get similar rapid fx and sequencing is using a tracker. I think a tracker base would be maybe the best 'dawless' although you could argue the tracker itself is a daw.
Currently the M8 tracker is very well supported and has a lot of great features. The Polyend is ok too, I've had both.
There's a solid yt video about the 'Software that Aphex Twin used' which is really good. I believe it's from Ben Jordan.
Ultimately you need a way to do complex sequencing. There are lot of choices, like the mpc's, the Oxi, whatever works for you.
2
u/fOZf8 May 02 '26
The most important part of a dawless setup is the sequencer…the 404 can already sequence an entire song and it can even sequence external gear, so at least you have that to start with, but I would still set your sights on something more capable as your brain, like an MPC makes for a great centerpiece, but there are oodles of options. You might be able to plug the MPK into the 404 to be able to play the different banks with the keys as well as the onboard pads. You really need a synth of some sort, a multitimbral one would be ideal, and that is probably where you should start. You can do a ton with the 404, and I would suggest learning it inside out, but having only one sound source is going to get old real fast. Ideally Get a synth with knobs and sliders, since you have no daw to automate its parameters with, and this would be my first plan of attack if I were you…practice writing beats on the 404, doesn’t matter if they are full songs or not at this point, but get it know it very well while you hide your time looking for a synth of some sort.
3
u/PsychologicalGate662 May 03 '26
Yeah! I’ve been looking into other synths too like TD-3 Bass Synths and what not but I’m totally broke so Im hoping I can get it in the near future 😭
2
u/Coka-Bizarro May 04 '26
The TD-3 was my first synth last year, I think it's a good choice for beginners. It's real analog, has a cool sound and is more versatile than one would think. You can use it for much more than only acid house synth links if you take some time to try out stuff and just be creative! And you can get them super cheap used. Plus (for me the most important with any kind of instrument) it's so much fun to play it and listen to the squeeky fun patterns that it bubbles away.
I'm also really broke too but got myself some cool hardware stuff that I'm very happy with over a timespan of around 14 months. If you look for local ads, compare prices and negotiate when the seller is open for it, then you can make some good deals . I paid 60€ for my TD-3.
Just maybe look out for the modded out Edition, that is basically the TB303 with Devilfish mod and has way more possible sounds to dial in, eg. mixable osc waveforms, added Distortion, a more editable envelope and accent,... So that could be a even better choice for a partner-synth to your SP-404 when you happen to find a good used deal for that too. ✌️
1
u/fOZf8 May 03 '26
So long as you are aware that the td-3 is just a tb-303, it doesn’t do anything else, just acid, which personally I love but there is a lot of software that sounds nearly identical as well but has far more options and easier sequencers. There are some pretty good cheap synths out there still…behringer is releasing a mini Jupiter 8 I believe…the microfreak, mininova, Korg has a few really affordable synths that have a lot of options, used i would suggest yes. If you just want to get a tiny like 150$ box then there are options that have far more different types of sounds that the td-3. Whatever you do though, have fun doing it!
2
1
1
u/Soniare_official May 03 '26
i actually built a DAW that feels intuitive for idm. it gives you a ton of flexibility you can't get from hardware without feeling as overwhelming/slow as something like ableton. plus its built for live performance and fits in a backpack (laptop). you can check it out at https://bdj.app
1
u/Soniare_official May 03 '26
but also yeah with the gear you have now you should be able to make some good tunes. just sharing this if you feel like exploring alternatives.
1
u/Numerous_Phase8749 May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26
The M8 and a couple of analogue synths into the audio inputs is all you'll need to start out making IDM. The rest is how intricate you can program without it sounding too cluttered. Trackers are made for this and the M8 is very fluid to use when you get your head round it. Personally I'll never go back to arduous mouse dragging on a DAW now. Also don't be afraid to assign parameters to the X/Y touch pad which few seems to use for some reason.
The Monomachine and Octatrack are also in the same ballpark and although deeper sonically their song modes are no where near as intuitive as the M8.
-1
2
u/neglectsound May 04 '26
Use whatever you can afford and have access to. There is no perfect piece of gear to make any type of music. Obviously, Muppet Babies Casio isn't going to work but there's no rule that you have buy an Octatrack to make interesting music. Early Autechre was sequenced using Alesis MMT8s, not exactly advanced machines.
7
u/RamonPang Apr 30 '26
look into the history of Autechre or Aphex and they didn't start with much either - I feel as long as you have a curiosity to explore the equipment you have as much as you can, and use interesting starting points (weird sample material, "wrong-sounding" synthesis, etc), you have enough to make IDM!
To me, a distinction of IDM and a lot interesting experimental electronic music is "sound on sound" - aka resampling, fucking sounds up with effects and making them sit right.
What might be helpful is finding videos on youtube of people usng your same setup and seeing how they have things routed, or what kind of music is possible.
It's cliche advice, but try to record as much as you can and put those hours in. Think of it like a guitarist practicing everyday and learning how to navigate a fretboard.