I was wondering what software dressage folks are using to create musical freestyle CD? Any suggestion and recommendations for creating a music for freestyle is very much appreciated.
Audacity is free and pretty easy. If I can figure it out, you can.
Find music YOU like. Look at a video of the horse as you listen to it and see what makes your horse look better (which may not be the exact same beat.) Create a ride To the music, don’t cut and paste music to a ride. Have fun.
This link will take you to the free Audacity software.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
You may also want to check out my free website:
I have both of the programs mentioned and they are easy to use. Problem I have is removing vocals- both programs claim to do it- but getting the out completely is another story. Many times it doesn’t go as hoped. I know it’s possible to do as the ppl that made my freestyle last year did it, but I must not have advanced enuf software - the audio formats only have two channels and I havent seen a song with only vocals on the channel- its mixed in like a cake.
Which add ons/plug ins are necessary for the audacity or is just the beta version a good place to start?
Thank you . I will uploaded it and play with it.
Mr.GMan–I wish I could help you, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have an older MacPro. It works just fine. I’m sure you can download a version that will work.
It isn’t possible to take out vocals unless you own the digital master with all parts on separate tracks. Then you just delete the track. Only the studio which originally recorded the song can take out the vocal. Once all the parts are merged in final mixing, they’re in there for good.
If you can, search online for the instrumental version of the song. (If no hits on google or your other favorite sites, try 4shared).
[QUOTE=kichiri_kachiri;6084481]
If you can, search online for the instrumental version of the song. (If no hits on google or your other favorite sites, try 4shared).[/QUOTE]
Thanks. I actually found karaoke version of the songs I like which are available from Amazon for 99. i will play with that and see if I can fuse part together
thanks again for recommendations
[QUOTE=Mr.GMan;6079673]
Which add ons/plug ins are necessary for the audacity or is just the beta version a good place to start?[/QUOTE]
I teach Audacity to undergraduate college students quite often, so I can answer this. The Beta is fine to start. You don’t really need plugins. If you plan to export your final file in MP3 format, you’ll need the LAME Encoder. The Audacity web site has excellent instructions for installing that.
Audacity’s been around for a long time. I do strongly suggest you check out some Youtube tutorials for it; it’s easier to learn that program by example. This is one that I made last year for students, and I’ve queued it up to the 4-minute mark (which is where I actually start talking about the program and showing the main controls):
http://youtu.be/wyAEGBr1OnI#t=04m00s
And a second, shorter video that students asked me to make of additional Audacity features:
http://youtu.be/Id7zDQFWGRc
Your next question might be “Where do I get royalty-free music?”. Merry Christmas:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-resources-royalty-free-music/
I know a lot of people use GarageBand if they have a Mac and Audacity. I currently use Sony ACID Music Studio but it takes a little while to learn it. Mike Matson’s website www.equimusic.com is awesome to help you find music and there are some websites that offer Pre-Edited music…check out:
Marvin’s Music http://www.marvinsmusic.nl/english/
MusiKur http://www.musikur.com/
Both have music that is already edited and ready to go, you can also preview the music on the websites. 
I hope that helps!!! I have written an EBook, Create Your Own Musical Freestyle for First Level…it is a workbook and has many resources in it to help find music, edit music and create choreography. I have included 10 fully choreographed routines if you need help with that part. I am working on one book for each level, am working on Training level right now, hope to finish soon! Here is the link to my EBook and I also have information on my blog. http://beginthedance.com/shop/?category=E-Books
1 Like
A group of riding friends and I used Audacity. Thru a friend we got a college music student to do a class about using the website. It is pretty easy.
I used GarageBand to make my own Grand Prix freestyle because I couldn’t stomach the price people ask at that level! The learning curve was a little steep but now I find it pretty easy to make edits (which is a big benefit of DIY freestyle music).
I tried a bunch of music that I like, mostly modern alternative, but most of it was too fast. I finally stumbled upon this website that you can search for songs in the BPM (beats per minute) you need: https://jog.fm/workout-songs (designed for workout music). You can narrow by genres too. It led me to my trot music and I found everything else off the same album so it’s a coherent piece.
If you find something close but not quite right, you can adjust the tempo in GarageBand. Not too much or it will sound weird, but a little bit is okay.
Good luck and have fun!!!
[QUOTE=Libby2563;8104288]
I used GarageBand to make my own Grand Prix freestyle because I couldn’t stomach the price people ask at that level! The learning curve was a little steep but now I find it pretty easy to make edits (which is a big benefit of DIY freestyle music).
I tried a bunch of music that I like, mostly modern alternative, but most of it was too fast. I finally stumbled upon this website that you can search for songs in the BPM (beats per minute) you need: https://jog.fm/workout-songs (designed for workout music). You can narrow by genres too. It led me to my trot music and I found everything else off the same album so it’s a coherent piece.
If you find something close but not quite right, you can adjust the tempo in GarageBand. Not too much or it will sound weird, but a little bit is okay.
Good luck and have fun!!![/QUOTE]
Thanks for that link - lots of great stuff there!!
For those looking for instrumental music to today’s popular songs – look at Vitamin String Quartet. They have done everything from Metallica, Queen and Lady GaGa. And they sound amazing.
There are some really awesome Karaoke Software out there like:
- PC DJ Karaoki.
- Karafun.
- One Karaoke.
- Just Karaoke 2.
- Siglos, etc.
There are other great tools too but I would suggest you to read more about them before deciding which one would be best for you.
Actually USEF has an awesome agreement where you don’t have to use royalty free music for your freestyles.
"USEF has contracts with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc.(BMI) to license all USEF-recognized and endorsed competitions and events held in the United States effective 7/1/01. These contracts grant non-exclusive licenses to USEF for its recognized and endorsed competitions and events to perform, present, or cause the live and recorded performance of all non-dramatic renditions of the separate musical compositions in the ASCAP and BMI repertories. These repertories include all copyrighted musical compositions written or published by ASCAP or BMI members or members of affiliated foreign performing rights societies. While some competitions feature music as part of the class, for example in dressage—freestyle to music, many use music for entertainment purposes. The licenses provide another valuable benefit to USEF-recognized and endorsed competitions.
Competition management may request additional information regarding the terms and limitations of both agreements by contacting the USEF office at (859) 258-2472."
