I’m a self-taught composer, but I simply can’t work by clicking notes with a mouse. I always record everything with my MIDI keyboard — it feels much more natural to me, especially since I have strong visual memory and absolute pitch. I usually sing the idea first, then play it in and record it with my Kontrol S88 in real time. ☺️ Then same as @Paolo Beaupérin I go back to piano roll to edit the errors or do a little quantize.

@Marcel Gruhn "amazing" hahah, thanks but it depends, cozz I hear when artists play or sing off-pitch... and it could sometimes be unbearable. Regarding your question: For me it usually starts with defining the mood — mysterious, dark, beautiful, sad, etc. Then I hear the opening tones in my head. The first two or three notes already set the scale, so I sing them out quietly (my husband works from home in the next room😄), find them on the keyboard, and record them. Booom! that gives me the intro and the tonal center of the track. From there, I play the intro over and over again, and the next melodic ideas appear in my head. Same process: I sing them, find them on the keyboard, and record them over the existing material. I’m not sure I actually “hear” full chords in my head 🤔 I mostly experiment on the keys, and when something clicks harmonically, I record it. The tricky part for me is creating patterns/arp sequences. That usually turns into a more technical process: placing notes in the piano roll, looping a 4/8-beat section, and experimenting until the loop feels right.

@Ozan Turgay I bought both of the Benjamin Wallfisch (full price 🙈) some months ago 😅 and now my client changed the sound direction, so I won't need them for this project... hahah life irony

@Alex Pfeffer Thank you so much for these incredible prices, Alex! I’m sure many beginner composers here will really appreciate your generosity. I just treated myself to: ⚡ Cinematic Percussion (can't wait to learn how to make them fat & juicy 🤩) ⚡ Trailer Music Trailblazers I (done many trailers in 10 years, but I want to get better) ⚡ Mental Health & Mindset (this one is especially important for me!)

The interface looks so interactive and joyful, thanks!

@Dilara Köseoglu and a little VST libraries upgrade: sometimes you'll need new instruments to create the sound they are looking for.

@Alex Pfeffer Absolutely fabulous calculation you’ve done here, Alex! Thank you! I’ll keep that in mind. 🌠🙏