Category: music production

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Your Holiday Chill-Out: Lo-Fi winter music.

lizteachespiano

I must be honest- I am not the biggest Christmas celebration person, but I try to take the time to slow down, and appreciate the things I have, and just try to take what I want from the holiday season, letting it wash over me quietly, gently and calmly.

However, for some, as the holiday season rolls in, the hustle and bustle of preparations can be daunting. Also, if traditional holidays songs are not your type of style- how can you listen to something which feels relevant to you, yet a little special for this time of year?

That is not to say I do not like ‘Jingle bells’ or ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ – but I also like to explore different types of music too! What if you could create a relaxing atmosphere, stay true to your music tastes, and unwind amidst the chaos and the cold? (if it is cold where you are at Christmas!)

Enter your holiday chill out: lo-fi winter electronic music, the ideal soundtrack for a cosy, cool holiday season .

The trend of lo-fi beats and chill electronic music has surged in popularity over the last few years, and it’s no surprise that it’s making its way into the holiday music scene.

Lo-fi, with its grainy beats, and subtle imperfections, is all about creating a laid-back vibe. When combined with festive elements like soft bells, and gentle wintry sounds, winter lo-fi music makes the perfect background music for everything from gift wrapping to a quiet evening by the fire.

songs  like Snowfall by Idealism or Aurora by Jinsang can be a peaceful alternative to the usual high-energy holiday tunes. A playlist like lofi Christmas chill can evoke the feeling of a winter wonderland, without being too intense, perfect for a low-key holiday gathering.

The beauty of lo-fi Christmas music is its simplicity. With its repetitive, hypnotic beats and mellow melodies, it creates an atmosphere of warmth without ever demanding too much attention. It’s ideal for those moments when you just want to relax, sip on a hot cocoa, or catch up with friends while the holiday lights flicker softly in the background.

I took a little time to create my own piece of lo-fi winter music-Here is the process using my Arturia MiniFreak:

Lo fi experiment: The bells I’m referring to are the lighter pink block.

Here is my Lofi composition titled “Winter 19th”:

My second electronic music album will be complete soon! You can listen to some of my released music here

Whether you’re curling up with a good book, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment of reflection, lo-fi and downtempo Christmas beats provide the perfect sonic backdrop to help you unwind during this busy season. This growing trend is more than just a musical choice —it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and savour the quiet moments.

beginner tutorial, learning environment, Music Lessons, music performance, music production, piano lessons, piano performance, piano practice, piano teacher, Uncategorized

Short but Sweet: Short Music Courses

lizteachespiano

Short music courses offer a variety of benefits, making them a great choice for people looking to begin learning musical skills or explore new areas of interest.

Here are some reasons why short music courses are a great option:

🧁 Time-Saving

Short music courses are designed to fit into busy schedules. They allow students to learn new skills without committing to long-term programs or giving up too much time. This flexibility makes them ideal for people with jobs, families, or other responsibilities who want to improve their musical abilities without long term commitment.

🧁 Affordable

Short music courses are typically more affordable than full-length courses. This lower price point makes music education more accessible for people who might not have the financial resources to commit to a full-time program.

🧁 Immediate Results

Because short courses are more condensed, students often see quicker results. Whether you’re learning a new instrument or refining a particular technique, the focused nature of the course helps accelerate progress. This can be highly motivating, as learners can immediately apply what they’ve learned in a short period of time.

🧁 Variety of Topics

Short music courses often cover a wide range of topics. From songwriting to production techniques, students can explore different aspects of music in a short amount of time. This allows for the opportunity to discover new interests or skills.

🧁 No Long-Term Commitment

For those who are unsure whether they want to pursue music, short music courses offer a low-risk way to explore their interests. If they find that a particular course or subject isn’t a good fit, they can move on without feeling like they’ve invested too much time or money.

🧁 Hands-On Learning

Short courses often include practical, hands-on learning experiences, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned immediately. This practical approach helps build confidence and ensures that learners can apply their new skills quickly, such as writing a song, producing a track, or performing live.

🧁 Opportunity for Networking

Many short courses are held in group settings, whether online or in person. This allows students to meet other like-minded individuals, who share their musical interests.

🧁Convenient Online Options

Many short music courses are available online, making it even easier for students to access education . Whether you’re learning from home, on the go, or from anywhere with an internet connection, online courses offer unparalleled convenience.


Are you interested in learning a musical skill? My short music courses are designed to improve your musical abilities in an engaging, simple way:

short music course

Lunctime Liz teaches piano

With the short course: Lunchtime Liz teaches piano, learn basic beginner piano skills in your lunchbreak!

Course information

short music course

Electronic music for adults

This course is for adults who have an interest in music production and making electronic music, but are not sure how to begin.

Course Information

short music course

Electronic music for children and young people

Perfect for children and young people who like computers, and might be ready to explore music as well!

Course information

Short music courses are perfect for anyone looking for a quick and focussed way to improve their musical skills, whether as a beginner or an experienced musician looking to expand their knowledge. They’re affordable, and provide immediate benefits, making them an excellent choice!


beginner tutorial, learning environment, music performance, music production, piano performance, Uncategorized

The Korg NTS-1: A compact synth thats big on fun.

lizteachespiano

The Korg NTS-1 (Nu Synthesizer) is a compact and affordable DIY synthesizer kit that may be small but is big on fun. It has captured the imagination of musicians and synth enthusiasts since its release.

There is now a MK II, but I’ve got the MK I, so that’s what Ill be talking about.

Why did I buy it?

I thought the NTS-1 would be fun to have because of a) how small it is! And b) the ability to customize and expand its sound.

I bought it predominantly to add more effects for my Arturia Minifreak (read the blog here), but more on that later. 

A DIY Approach to Synthesis

The NTS-1 arrives as a kit, which might seem scary, but don’t worry, assembly is ok (maybe half an hour or so?) and doesn’t require any soldering. This DIY aspect not only makes the NTS-1 more affordable but also makes you feel invested in this little machine from the start 😁

The Korg NTS-1 Mk1 come flat pack, but feels very rewarding once you have put it together.
There are not too many parts, it also has some screws and the keyboard part (which isn’t in this picture unfortunately)

Powerful Sound Engine

At the heart of the NTS-1 is a digital oscillator. It offers a wide range of sounds, from rich analogue-style tones to complex digital waveforms. The NTS-1 can also have sounds and effects added to it. It’s a little tricky to start with, but go to the Korg website and then support, find your synthesizer and it gets a bit more straightforward. The website shows you lots of different sounds and some are free! Make sure you use the official channels to download from. I also found a super helpful YouTube video here.

Note: I couldn’t get my computer to recognise it so you might have to do something to your audio drivers- google will be your friend here-but this could also be because my computer is a bit old and weak, and is already doing a lot with sound equipment! Fix: I just put the Korg digital librarian on my partners computer and it worked perfectly. 

I was very proud of myself when I downloaded some new sounds!

Example of a new sound!

Compact but Feature-Packed

The NTS-1 is packed with features. It includes a multimode filter, three LFOs, an envelope generator, and a versatile arpeggiator. The onboard effects section is especially impressive, offering high-quality reverb, delay, and modulation effects that can dramatically alter your sound. Whether you’re looking to create lush pads, sharp leads, or experimental textures, the NTS-1 can handle it.

Perfect Companion for Other Gear

So remember I said the main reason I got it was for more effects for my MiniFreak? The NTS-1 shines when used with other gear. It has full MIDI and sync capabilities, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into larger setups. Its audio input even lets you process external signals through its effects, making it a great tool for adding depth and character to other instruments. If you connect the timer to your other equipment, the arpeggiator will slow or speed up according to what you’re doing on the other synth, which I found fun as well.

Endless Creativity

The Korg NTS-1 encourages endless experimentation. Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into synthesis or an experienced musician searching for a portable and versatile synth, the NTS-1 offers something for everyone. Anyway enough of me describing- here a video of it in action. Thanks for reading!

An example of the effects so far!
beginner tutorial, learning environment, music performance, music production, piano performance, piano teacher, Uncategorized

A beginner guide to amps.

lizteachespiano

Unsure what amps can do ? (apart from Amplify!) Do you need an amp? What is a good starter amp? Read my beginner guide to amps, and hopefully it can help narrow your search.

A beginner guide to amps: What do amplifiers do?

Amplifiers are box like things that you plug an instrument into, and it gets louder. At least, that is what one initially thinks of when they hear the word “Amp”. However, even if you don’t play guitar, they can be useful for other things, such as:

Signal Conversion: Some amplifiers convert signals from one form to another, such as converting analog signals to digital (ADC) or digital signals to analog (DAC)

Effects and Processing: In music production, amplifiers can be part of signal processing chains, adding effects like reverb, delay, and distortion.

Multi instrumental use: You don’t just plug an electric guitar into an amp. I plug in my synthesizer, and even my ukelele (just make sure the instrument does have the capacity to be plugged in to an amp!)

Are they useful if you don’t play guitar?

Yes. I sometimes use my amp as a speaker to hear music more clearly (although I plan on investing in some studio speakers soon) and although I could play ukelele with an acoustic mic, plugging it into my amplifier which then inputs the sound into my DAW makes life easier.

What kind of amp do I need?

There is unfortunately not a precise answer for this. As this is meant to be a beginner guide to amps, I recommend you think about what you will be using it for? Think about:

  • Budget
  • Will you play live?
  • Do you practice at home? Or will it need to be carried somewhere by you?
  • What effects are you looking for?

I am not much of a guitar player, I really only play for a hobby, and I also knew I would be using this at home (where I am always running out of space for music things!) so I have a very old Yamaha THR 5. This is what the equivalent is now: Yamaha THR5 V2. There are a few different THR models by Yamaha, and a slightly larger version than mine is featured in this article: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/best-beginner-guitar-amps-amplifiers-for-beginners#section-buying-advice. As they mention, I wouldn’t say it has the best gain ever, but for me, this is not an issue. For me it is small, and can be an amp and a little speaker on my desk. (Although as I said, even as a relative beginner I know I need to invest in proper speakers soon!)

Amp Yamaha THR5 (very old!)

It is also worth thinking about if you want a valve amp, or solid state amp. I do not know very much about this but I do know that usually professionals use valve amps, however, I think solid state amps are the standard for beginners.

Why I like my amp as a beginner:

I like my Yamaha THR5 because:

  • Auxiliary Input: It includes an auxiliary input for connecting external audio sources, which is useful for jamming along with backing tracks or music from a phone or MP3 player. Keep in mind this is not build to be a speaker, so don’t expect professional monitor sound from it. However, I think you will be pleasantly surprised just how good of a speaker it is for an amp!
  • User-Friendly Interface: The controls are straightforward and intuitive, making it easy for users to dial in their desired sound quickly. Plus I like it has a sort of retro look!
  • Durability and Build Quality: It is sturdy. I have had mine over 10 years, and it has travelled and lived in many different apartments, and even countries! If you look after it, you will have it for a long time.
  • It is compact! Its small size and lightweight design make it highly portable, ideal for home use, travel, or (very) small gigs where space is limited. Despite its compact size, it delivers a surprisingly powerful and clear sound.
  • USB Connectivity: The THR5 V2 features USB connectivity, allowing for direct recording to a computer. This is a significant advantage for musicians who want to use the amp with recording software.

You may not want this particular amp, and you may not look for these things in an amp, but this list does give an example of the type of things to think about when buying an amp, and is another example of why even if you’re a musician who doesn’t play guitar much- an amp might be something worth adding to your studio. Thanks for reading my beginner guide to amps!

beginner tutorial, learning environment, music performance, music production, piano teacher, singing lessons, Uncategorized

Beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW.

lizteachespiano

Recording audio on your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can be a straightforward process once you understand the basics.

Here’s a guide with beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW, and things I have learnt to get started with recording audio effectively.

1. Choose a DAW to record your audio in!

Popular Options: Some beginner-friendly DAWs include Ableton Live, Logic Pro X (for Mac users), and FL studio. Each has its unique features, so choose one that suits your workflow and budget. Click here to read a blog which seems to cover pros and cons of quite a few!

2. Set Up an Audio Interface

Choose an audio interface: An audio interface is crucial for recording quality audio. Its basically a box that you can plug your audio things into and then it inputs their sound into the computer much better than if you just record playing guitar through a microphone for example. I really like the Behringer UMC series! Click here for a more thorough blog than mine on audio interfaces

Tip: I sometimes use my Yamaha THR5 as an interface play my guitar and ukelele through, and its an amp! Maybe Ill do a review of it in another blog!

3. Configure Your DAW for audio

This is much more tricky in my opinion than MIDI, so Ive done my best to put some help here!

Select Audio Device: In your DAW’s audio settings/preferences, select your audio as the input and output device, as I have said in a previous blog, this can be confusing, but try not to have too many input/outputs going on because the sound will suffer if you do not have a super powerful computer. 

Sample Rate and Buffer Size: I know in Ableton Live you can do a test sound, but play around with these until you get a clear sound.  I think a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz is quite standard and a buffer size of around 256 samples for low latency during recording. I have been known to go higher for sample size , so don’t be afraid to go a little higher if you really need. ASIO4ALL for me, is quite clear to move these sample numbers up and down and see. 

How to find sample sizes and test sounds.

4. Set Up Your Microphone and Instruments

Connect Your Mic: Plug your microphone into the audio interface using an XLR cable. If using a condenser mic, ensure phantom power (48V) is turned on.

Check Levels: Adjust the gain on your audio interface so that the input levels are strong but not peaking (typically aim for levels around -12dB to -6dB). This is important- in my experience it is much easier to turn sound up than down when mixing, so ensure your audio is not too loud (DAWS will tell you in one way or another!) 

5. Create a New Track

Audio Track: In your DAW, create a new audio track. Select the correct input source (the input on your audio interface where your mic or instrument is connected).

6. Check you are not too loud, and check for feedback.

When recording audio, make sure you are putting audio IN to the computer and make sure you do not have feedback. It will probably be quite obvious!

7. If you want, use a metronome

I personally do not like using metronomes, I find them very distracting and I have an idea of time signatures and what I am looking for in the breakdown of the bars, but I know a lot of people do find them imperative! So: 

  • Enable Click Track: Use a metronome or click track to stay in time. Most DAWs have a built-in metronome that can be toggled on or off.
  • Set Tempo: Adjust the tempo to match the speed of the song you are recording (this i do use!)

8. Recording

Arm the Track: Arm the track for recording by clicking the record enable button, and press record!

If you are singing, try to be a consistent distance from the microphone and adjust your position based on the dynamics of your performance. You can also use a pop filter to reduce unwanted sounds. Record in the quietest room you can or use portable acoustic panels to reduce unwanted reflections and noise. If anyone has a tip for sound panels which are good and cheap let me know!

As well as piano lessons, I also offer singing lessons should you want more help with good technique!

9. Basic Editing (This does not even begin to start with what you should do for decent audio though!)

  • Trim and Cut: Use basic editing tools to trim the start and end of your recordings, and cut out any unwanted sections.
  • Fade In/Out: Apply fade-ins and fade-outs to smooth out the beginning and end of your audio clips.

Keep in mind these are beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW. There is much much more to explore!

10. Save Your Work

Save Regularly to avoid disappointment. Maybe set up autosave features if your DAW supports it. Sometimes I make a copy of my track, and use that to be the one I experiment more with. I also keep backups of project files on an external drive or cloud storage.

Click here for an example of my work

I hope my blog on Beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW has helped. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to recording some audio in your DAW, a stepping stone in your music production journey. Thanks for reading!