100% newbie questionz...

[TXABE]

Hello, im new here and just had some questions. I wanted to know what is the best/cheapest way possible to make good/decent beats. Im into hip/hop rap. I have a pentium 3 PC with 256 ram I believe. Im just now getting started and I recently bought a Yamaha PSR-292 keyboard & M-Audio midisport UNO connection. From what Ive read on this site I also need a multitrack recorder, audio mixer and sequencing software. For the multitrack recorder Im looking at the "Fostex MR8 8-Track Digital Recorder with Built In FX" and for audio mixer not sure. Can any1 please tell me what the multitrack recorder does? Does it just take in the keystrokes from keyboard and make then into WAV files? Or midi? I pretty much just want to setup a cheap home studio where I can make decent tracks. Can any1 tell me if Im heading in the right direction? What is the audio mixer for and whats the best sequencing software that can work 4 me?

I also have MAGIX music & video maker software on the PC but its not what Im looking 4. Im wanting to make my own beats from scratch. If any1 has any answers please reply!!!

[Hi_D_Ho_Man]

Give us an idea of a budget. I'm not familiar with Magix, but there are quite a few software sequencers that will allow you to make beats from scratch.

In any case I recommend getting as much ram as your PC can take. If you wanna go the standalone recorder route thats fine, but you're prolly gonna want more sounds than your psr has.
Most software sequencers these days allow you to use virtual instruments. You can use those in addition to your keyboard and record those sounds to your recorder (you'll need a soundcard to do that preferably better than your stardard SB Live) , but if gonna go to all of that, i would suggest using your new sequencers audio abilities and record to your hard drive. Save the Fostex money and get a soundcard and upgrade your computer

[TXABE]

Thanks very much, I really appreciate your response, I still have some questions, whats the soundcard for? I mean how does it mix in with the process? And the multitrack recorder then I do not need? What about the audio mixer? Would the sequencing software be all I need then? Whats the best one (anything less than $200 or around there.) Also for the soundcard which one is recommended?

[Hi_D_Ho_Man]

A sound card is for gettin audio to and from the computer.


Here are some sequencers that R available
http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Sequence...--2446/page--1

As for sound cards M-audio's soundcards are good and fairly priced. I believe M-Audio and Tascam bundle Cubasis with their budget soundcards (an entry level audio/midi sequencer). Tascam does for sure.

[PoetSleep00]

if I were you, I'd use my computer to make beats by using Sonic Foundry's Acid. Edit your sounds and your songs using Sonic Foundy's Soundforge, then find a way to get the audio out of the computer. If you have a cd burner great. If not, get a soundcard and a 8 track digital recorder. Run the audio out your computer and record into the 8 track digital recorder. There's a bunch of em out there. I used to own a Yamaha AW4416, but it was a b$%ch to learn. I've noticed that the Roland VS 880 is very simple 8 track to use. And it was fairly popular recently, so i bet there are quite a few for resale somewhere.


In order to make recorded music you need sounds, some form of sequencing, and a way to record. I use the mpc 2000xl for sequencing my sounds. My sounds come from modules and cd/vinyl samples. I record thru a Motu 828 interface that is hooked up to a Mac (with audiodesk software). I occasionally sequence my songs in acid, which is an easy user friendly interface that allows you to drag and drop wav files into a loop oriented environment. Soundforge & Acid to me, are the best one two punch in the business.

[PoetSleep00]

As far as soundcards I've got a Delta 44 card from M Audio its always workerd very well. M Audio's Delta 1010 card is a great 8 in/out interface for Mac or PC.

[PoetSleep00]

oh yeah, i own some sound modules, and some are worth it, but some aren't. don't get em. buy sound cds. like the ones found at bigfishaudio.com
www.bigfishaudio.com