200-300

[jibran]

Hello,

I am looking to get started in beat production and I've set a beginning budget (will add stuff later) of 200 to 300 dollars. I'm running a Windows laptop. What are your equipment and software suggestions?

Thanks,
"The Deen"

[jibran]

Also, I've been looking into this microphone and this MIDI Interface. What is your opinion on this hardware? I have no clue as to what software I should use.

Thanks again,
Jibran Khan.

P.S. I forgot to add that I also rap and I need to record as well as make beats.

[SPINSTERWUN]

Originally Posted by jibran

Also, I've been looking into this microphone and this MIDI Interface. What is your opinion on this hardware? .....

This sounds like a good starting point for you.

The next thing you need to start saving your money for is monitors.

[jibran]

How would these phones be for a temporary solution?

[Hi_D_Ho_Man]

Well you'll need a audi interface, midi interface, some sort of midi controller, and a recording software. These fit your budget..
http://www.americanmusical.com/item-...brand-153.html

http://www.americanmusical.com/item-...PHOTONX25.html

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-EDI-PCR1.html

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-EDI-PCRA30.html

Except mic and monitoring either of these will take care of your basic harware needs.
You get Cubase SE for $99 for recording and sequencing and look for free VSTi's and samples.

From there you can start building your sound pallette as your budget allows a nice sound module, or a software workstation like Reason or SampleTank2

.

[R-J-X]

jibran

Wad up bro

Hi_D_Ho_Man has some cool advice, but I some other stuff to add.

Since you're budget is only $200-$300 (for right now) I would advise you to invest in knowledge, instead of gear and in the mean time increasing you're budget. Man I know you're excited and anxious to get this moving, but I would try to hold off until you can maybe double you're budget. Just read this and other forums. Search all over the internet about sampling, sequencing, mixing, mastering etc. That way when you get gear, you will already have an idea whats going on and things won't be as intimidating once you get going.

With that said, on ebay you could pick up an ASR-X or ASR-X Pro for $200-$300 (try to find a Pro version) and there you will have at you're finger tips the foundation of you're future studio.

You will be able to sample, sequence, etc and has a bunch of cool upgrades. You can save you're samples with the floppy drive or hook up a drive to the SCSI.

I don't remember if there is a headphone jack or not, but you could always hook up the asr to a home stereo system via 1/4 to rca ... just be careful you don't blow the speakers! Or you could use headphones with the stereo receiver.

So you could be laying down beats, writing lyrics for the beats and improving you're knowledge. Save up and buy a little mixer and a mic. Then get an interface and audio software and by that time you should already know you're way around the ASR-X and mixer so once you start recording, you will start off recording hot material.

[jibran]

Hey folks,
I've been able to double my budget to 600 bucks; what should I use with this expanded budget.

Thanks,
Jibran

[onlydude]

I as well have set up my studio on a limited budget. The way my studio works is I haev a 12 channel mixer hooked up to my line in of my soundcard and I run everything through my mixer (drum machines microphones direct boxes etc). Thats just my set up. But one thing with a limited budget is if you are just starting out you can buy some things now and keep adding aditional pieces once you have more money. The hard part of building a studio on a budget is deciding wether to buy the cheapest stuff that will work or saving up a little bit more money to get great gear. The way I look at it is save up until you can get the exact gear you want, if you get cheap gear you are going to end up expanding anyway. But thats just my take. I hope it helps and good luck building you studio. Once you get things set up you will have a blast!