Help Starting Out

[DorianDDR1]

Yo, I am new to the music making game and I was wondering what do I need to start off. I got about 1000 to start with, give or take a 100, and I want to start ASAP. I just bought a DJX keyboard and know I need other stuff but just do not know what. Help me out. Hit me up here or through email. thanks.

[tdukex]

First of all, you need to explain--in as much detail as possible--what exactly you want to do.

Record an entire band live? Multi-track? MIDI? Loops? Make demos of you and your guitar? There are a few pros here, and quite a few very knowledgable people, but they'll need details before they can help you.

What recording medium do you plan to use? Do you have a computer you can use as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)?

[DorianDDR1]

I wanted to start making my own beats to freestyle on and maybe put together an album for my own listening pleasure. I really do not understand what DAW is so could you explain that to me. Also what equiptment I need to get started (sound module, sampler, etc) and the names and models of this. Remember I am working with a limited budget of 1000 so we have to try to stay within those limitations. Thank you for your help.

Dorian

P.S.
I wanted to use this computer I am currently building. Here are the specs of it:

Athlon 1.4 Ghz 266 FSB (I might get another board and put an additional 1.4Ghz processor on it for music and doing work for IBM).
1.5GB SDRAM
60 GB Hard Drive (just for music)
60 GB Hard Drive (for the OS and other things)
40 GB Hard Drive (for games and mp3's)
Ultra Wide-2 SCSI card from Adaptec
2 GB ext. Jaz drive
16x/10x/40x burner
72x CDROM
6X DVD
Sound Blaster Live Platinum with Live Drive (but if that is not a good enough sound card, let me know a better one for what I am looking to do).

[bball jones]

You will need a full duplex soundcard, one that allows you to multitrack. I have seen some good things on the delta cards and also the echo mia. These cards are in the $200 price range.

You will also need midi i/o capabilities, something that will transmit the midi signals from your keyboard to your pc. Many pcs have a stock card in them with the 25-pin midi connector, if yours does, get a midi cable and start toying with your patches.

Also some multitracking software such as n-track would be a good place to start.

[tdukex]

I still do not understand exactly what you want to do. What does "freestyle" mean?

A DAW is a computer with a soundcard and some software.

I don't recommend the Live Platinum if you will be recording real instruments with microphones. bball jones is right, M-Audio and Echo have some very nice soundcards for recording in the $200-300 range. If you want to use the Live for MIDI and soundfonts, the Live Value is only $50 and is the exact same card as the Platinum without ths breakout box. And it's a lot cheaper.

Answer these questions:

Will you be recording real instruments and voices?

Will you be using MIDI?

Will you be using Loops?

Will you be using a keyboard to "freestyle?"

If you are going to be doing MIDI, and it sounds like you are, you will need a MIDI sequencer like Logic, Cakewalk, Cubase. You will also need some hardware sound modules or some software sound modules like Gigasampler (a sampler), Reason, Rebirth, Reaktor. Also, as I said, you can use the Soundblater's soundfont and sampler capabilities (this is a good way to start).

If you are going to change your MIDI tracks into audio, and it sounds like you are, you'll need an audio editor like Soundforge or Wavelab.

You will have to try demos of these products to decide which ones you like. Nobody can decide that for you. There are also "Lite" versions of the software I mentioned which are a good way to start out.

If you are going to use loops, Acid Pro is the best product IMO. There's also a "Lite" version of this that goes for around $50.

[DorianDDR1]

what i mean by freestyle is that i want to make instrumentals and put lyrics to them. For years, I have put my lyrics over other peoples beats but now since I do have a steady high paying job, i would like to make my own beats. I already have the SB Live platinum and need to know what equiptment to get. I have SONAR and Acid Pro already but do not have any equiptment. What exactly do I need to start out (sound module, keyboard, drum machine, sampler, etc.)

Thanks

[CyanJaguar]

I was going to suggest that you get a vs1680 from ebay for like $800 used, but I see that you are already building your computer.

For software,

as has been mentioned, Acid kicks.
So do Reason, Gigasampler and fruityloops.

A prosumer soundcard will serve your needs, and then you need to get a condenser mic and preamp to put the vocals.

se finit

[DorianDDR1]

what other equiptment do I need? Don't I need a sampler, sound module, drum machine just to start? Please help. Also need makes and models of good manufactures that make these items. Thanks.

[2lim]

Okay i am no pro at this but i can see that you are ma little confused. The only "real" equipment you will need to buy is a good preamp and a good condensor mic to do the vocals for freestyling, you won;t need a drum machine or a sampler because the software suggested in the previous posts contains programs that are equal and/or superior to an outbopard drum machine. I would suggest learning a bit about these programs by getting demos then buy the one that you find to be the one best suiting your needs.

[DorianDDR1]

Still looking to get hardware to go along with the software. Would like to know what is good to start out with. I might be getting an mpc3000 so what else should i get with that?

[tdukex]

You can use your Live! for sampling and soundfonts. You should read these articles at ProRec:

http://www.prorec.com/prorec/article...2568D700634565

http://www.prorec.com/prorec/article...2566B20024C532

[DorianDDR1]

I would still like to purchase a sampler, sound module, drum machine, etc for making the beats for my album (something I always wanted to do and since I have a few dollars to my name, I am able to do it). Please give me the names of some good ones as well as the best ones. Thank you.

[Cyrokk]

I have a Roland R-70 Drum machine..

wouldn't trade it for the world..

[Rubo4]

For about $1100 on Ebay you could buy a Waldorf Microwave XTk synth. It will produce some killer sounds, effects, drums.... As mentioned before you don't need to buy a lot of gear - a waste of money. First learn your software, then when you know exactly what type of hardware you need or missing - go out and test as many different ones as possible. Go to www.vintagesynth.com there they'll help you out to pick a piece of gear based on your genre and needs.

[mstudio1224@aol.com]

AKAI MPC2000XL -- for sampling would be good
EMU Planet Phatt-- sound modules for hip hop/techno
ROLAND JV1080 --- sound module for R&B/Freestyle/etc...
KORG TRRACK ---- sound module
ENSONIQ ASR-10 --keyboard/sampler/few sounds
AKG 414 --- Mic
AKG C2000B --- Mic
Avalon 747 ---- Mic pre (veeeryy niiiiice)


but like TDUKEX said, you wont really need a sampler if you have
a computer set-up -- you could just by plug-ins, but everyone has different tastes. By Freestyle do you mean like (jellybean) Latin music Freestyle or Hip hop Freestyle?

Anyway, there are a few things, just dont buy to buying, purchase what you need, one of the worst things to see is people buying stuff, just to say "I GOT THAT, or " I GOT THIS"
when they hardly even use it in there set-up

[DorianDDR1]

By freestyling I meant rap/hip hop not latin (even though that is not a bad idea).

Also, I need ALOT of drum beats/samples. Would it be wise to get a drum machine and a sampler or just a sampler (like the mpc2000/3000)?

[mstudio1224@aol.com]

If you are going to make your own it would be WIZE to get
the MPC drum machine / sampler

if you are going to buy discs with samples already then just get a software sampler, or keyboard sampler.

But you said HIP HOP, so get an MPC --- it's the all in one unit ----

[DorianDDR1]

Now what mpc should i get? anything else that might be of usefulness to what i am trying to accomplish?

[mstudio1224@aol.com]

The MPC 2000 -- has a O.S. disk you must load each time
but this one may be the cheapest to attain at $900 street value
$1299 store value, minus the EFFECT CARDS, 8 OUTPUT, SMPTE CONNECTION

they never tell you these little things or you may get lucky
check "LOOTUSA" just type in "MPC2000"

The MPC 2000XL or 3000 -- doesnt need a O.S. disk, it's built in
most come with the 8 OUTPUT, EFFECT CARD (dont know bout the SMPTE) but if you rather not slip in a disk before getting to work
this is for you, this runs like 2000xl $1300 ---3000 $3100

EFFECT CARD-- to add EQ, EFX to the sounds that you sample
8 OUTPUT -- to send 8 channels out to mixer, adat, or whatever
SMPTE -- to sync with external gear or use MPC as Master
MEMORY -- you may have to buy (2) 16 meg memory cards
to expand the sample time you need space, this will give it to you

this is why music gear is so expensive, they never tell you the little things that you need to get going, I hope this helps you on your choice

[DorianDDR1]

Decided on getting the 2000xl. Now just a few more questions...I already have the SB Live Platinum but also heard that I need a good sound module like EMU planet phat. Is that true? What about any additional software since I already have Sonar.

The easy thing to me is building the computer since that is done but this music stuff is hard to me. Thanks for you help.