Buzz Beginnings Part I

Have you ever wanted to try and make your own music? Haven't known Where to start,What to buy, What to do? Don't worry, I have released a website just for you and as a beginning I will show you how to get started for free! First of all you'll need to download Buzz , one of the only free software packages around. Of course I will have to say that it is from Finland, the place where I live. Without further ado we step into the ring. For this tutuorial you will also need the following buzz instruments:

  • Geonik's Primifun
  • FSM PanzerDelay
  • Rout 808
  • FSM chorus
  • Automation EQ-7 (You can download the tutorial in .bmx format here)

    After Installation, fire up Buzz. First of all we need to set up Buzz... To do this go to VIEW->PREFERENCES.

    Here you can select the driver to use. Direct X is usually a safe bet, but the optimal driver is the one that your soundcard supports, so refer to your soundcard's manual for optimal operation.


    Next is the Wavetable tab:

    Here you can add/remove sample folders. Which means that later you will be able to add your .wav files to your project from these folders.

    Then Preferences:

    You don't have to touch Midi Input unless you have a midi device such as a midi keyboard or an software midi keyboard such as Virtual Piano. I do suggest that you get your self a free software keyboard such as Bome's Mouse Keyboard.

    Next we configure Midi out:

    The Midi Output is neither necessary to fill ,but still you could set ticks to internal midi generator and to the midi out of your soundcard.

    Close the preferences window.

    Look around Buzz

    Now that the preferences should be ok, we can start our exploring around buzz. The screen that you should be in is the Machine view, this is the program's main view. In the Machine view are the machines, there are two kinds of machines in Buzz: Generators and Effects. Generators make sound and Effects modify sound. First the machines are created then chained so that the chain(s) end in Master which is the Master output module. Then there is the Sequencer view which can be accessed with F4. The sequencer view is made out of patterns which can be edited in Pattern editor accessible with F2. Then to the top are the transport buttons : Start(F5), Record(F7) and Stop(F8). There is a Wavetable view (F9) where you can add your loops to your song. And last there is a info view where you can write notes on your project.


    Part II : We dive into machines