Putting together a home studio (hiphop/r&b)

BAvoice

New member
I'm new to the scene and really need experienced music producers/singers input.

I'm trying to put together a home recording studio and are having a hard time trying to decide which hardware to get. I want to start off by purchasing hardware that comes with Pro Tools software as well as the extra software so I'm looking into purchasing a Digidesign 003. I like the option of having a good keyboard as well. Should I be looking into workstations? Which are really good and inexpensive?

Please help me out as I am just getting started...thanks
 
Digidesign 003 looks expensive - are you sure you need all that if you're just starting out? Personally I'd go for something other than Pro Tools. Have you looked at Sonar, Cubase etc.? They do cut-down versions which will still allow you to do decent music work.

I'd probably avoid a workstation - if you've got a computer, then you've got a pretty good sequencer/sampler already. I'd advise on getting just a controller keyboard and then some good modules or maybe some softsynths for sounds.
 
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I've done work previously on an 003 that my friend has and have created a beat on protools. I just want to know what alternatives I have as far as hardware because I do not want to get the same thing as my friend.

Can you give me some examples of some modules or controller keyboards that would give me the same effect if I were to just get a Triton or Fantom? I prefer to make original beats but want the option to sample as well. The 003 package comes with Pro Tools and other music software that you suggested.

My question is this, what else would I need if I wanted to actually record music after creation of a beat? Thanks a lot and feel free to steer me back on track as I'm new to purchasing the necessary equipment

-BAvoice
 
Here you go...

If you're looking for just beatmaking, I'd go with Propellerhead stuff i.e. Reason and Recycle. I'm unsure what you were using for sound emulation with ProTools, but I use M-Powered off and on via Rewire w/Reason and it works fine. And instead of buying all those keyboards, they are all available via refills for Reason from Propellerhead and others. Most of them you can find on Ebay, lol. Cubase is a solid production tool when you decide you're ready to drop vocals and has a pretty good sound engine. Also has better VST/VSTi support than ProTools.

http://www.propellerheads.se/

http://www.steinberg.net/1008+M52087573ab0.html
 
Yeah, listen to Jinx. Reason is probably a good package to get started on as it should have most of what you need right out the box (synths and drum machines). I can only really comment on Cubase SX3 though, cos that's the only sequencer I use right now. I use Pro Tools for audio post for TV etc., so can't really comment on the music side of that. But Cubase will give you powerful multitrack recording for laying vocals, beats, synths, samples etc together.

You'll need to check out controller keyboards to play-in bass lines, licks etc.

http://www.maudio.co.uk/index.php?do=products.list&ID=midikeyboardcontrollers

http://www.studiologic.net/

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productlist.aspx?ParentId=114

http://www.cme-pro.com/product.html

You'll also need an audio interface if you're not getting the 003. Again, there's a huge selection so take your pick. Good luck!
 
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yo what's poppin??? man i remember starting off right where you at right now... if you really wanna get a pro tools setup, personally, i think you should save up 13g's to get the all acel cards and all the other mess, cause pro tools le is too expensive for the quality you gonna get... you can get a firestudio for 600 or even a firepod for 400 and with a good mic like a rode ntk, you'll get good recordings... and you can also get the presonus channel strip with eq, comp, and mic pre for about 400 and you'll be set... also, for monitors, go with krk... any model, i do hip hop and RnB along with other styles and my krk's get my mixes done right... for software, i like sonar, had that in my studio but at school we use cubase... but do what ya gotta do.... oh and also, if you wanna hear what a firepod and an rode ntk sounds like mixed in sonar, check out my myspace page at myspace.com/bet50entertainment
 
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