3K Budget for Keyboards and modules

[Mastermindzz]

Hip Hop and R&B Studio

Do I get the Triton Studio w/ cd burner (new)

or

Yamaha Motif (used)
Akai MPC 2000xl (used)
EMU Mo phatt (used)
Waldorf MicroQ (used)

[Krakit]

That's a lot of scratch.

Of the choices you list below I (personally) would go for the Triton Studio. Of course, that's because I would get a ton of use out of that particular peice of hardware (it matches up with my playing style and taste). For what you want to do, I could certainly see a good argument for getting a fleet (even if it is used) instead.

Can you be more specific about your intended uses?

[Mastermindzz]

Downsouth rap mainlyheavy Bass lines, synths,a lot drums) Example:Three six mafia, Pastor Troy, Oomp Camp, Ludacris


motif- Bread and Butter sounds
akai mpc-sequencer and drum machine
mo phatt-bass lines and drums
Micro Q-bass lines and analogue sounds, and creation of sounds

[Sonic Misfit]

That is a hard choice, but if you ever plan on doing any live perfomances, the Triton might be a better choice. Are you looking at the 88-key or 61 key Triton? If you can get the 88 key with CD for new for $3k, then that is a pretty good deal.

Also, unless you've worked with the other gear, the learning curve is steep to get the full benefits. I think that you could ramp up quicker with the Triton studio.

On the other hand, there is some advantage to having the wider range of sounds.

As I said, tough choice, but a good one to have.

[Krakit]

Originally posted by Mastermindzz
Downsouth rap mainlyheavy Bass lines, synths,a lot drums) Example:Three six mafia, Pastor Troy, Oomp Camp, Ludacris


motif- Bread and Butter sounds
akai mpc-sequencer and drum machine
mo phatt-bass lines and drums
Micro Q-bass lines and analogue sounds, and creation of sounds

I have to admit that I have never heard of the artists you mention and that if I had I probobly wouldn't like them .

At any rate, it sounds like you might be better off with the long list over the Triton because you've already thought of the applications for each unit. A quick armchair psychoanalysis leads me to believe that your heart has already made it's decision and you just need your mind to catch up.

Carl

[Wide Awake]

I'd buy the regular Triton (61-key) and a VA module.

Korg MS2000 R $500
Access Virus Rack $750
Waldorf Micro Q $ ? I forget how much they are, I think $750
Novation A-Station $550

I personally like the Micro Q but the Korg MS2000 R has the best bass sounds of them all for rap. A used Roland Juno-106 has some of the greatest bass sounds ever and is a secret weapon in pro rap studios. It's cheaper than a Minimoog but has a similar presence and phatness. It's getting harder and harder to find them in good condition but it's worth the effort. Studio Electronics also makes some great "true" analog monosynths.

Enjoy your new toys Mastermindzz.

[Rev E]

I like the Triton board, but if I had $3k to drop, I would consider investing in a wider variety of sounds. Regardless of what Korg says, there's not 'that' much different in the Triton Studio from the Triton Classic. I would buy a Triton rack ($1450) and a Studio Electronics Controller (61, 76 or 88 keys under $200 - $400). With the rest of the money you might be able to get a used MPC 2000 or any of the smaller analog modules that others have suggested above. (Virus, Q, MSR 2000, etc)

I just can't see spending $3k for one board whose claim to fame is that you can burn CD from it.... If you want to burn CDs buy a CD burner for your computer ($100 or less) and a soundcard.

My $0.02

E

P.S. Korg touts the Triton Studio as having 48 MB of samples... but if the piano 'alone' is 16MB that leaves only 32 MB for the rest of the soundset. 32 MB isn't much different than most modules that are currently out.

P.S.S. For the style of music that you're talking about (down-south rap), I doubt that you will find much in the Mo' Phatt. If you've tried it and it's what you want, then don't let me stop you. But I owned a Mo' phatt a year ago during the time when I produced a project for a rapper friend of mine. He did some down-south stuff and we didn't get many sounds from the Mo' phatt for what he wanted to do... A virtual analog module like the ones suggested above may be more helpful for sub bass and lead lines... or using sample CDs with analog basses.

[Flo' Dolo]

Mastermindzz,

depends on what the cost is on that used gear. Hell, for new prices you can still come up nicer than that Triton joint you mentioned. If you don't own a sampler, the MPC + a sound module will do you justice. If you do own a sampler, then I'd suggest that used Motif and probably the Mo Phatt unit. I see that Rev E. recommended against the Emu box, but it'll be hella useful, if not for the particular project you mentioned, then surely for your R&B (and other hip-hop) projects. It's kind of a common box, but still useful, nonetheless. I think the Motif will serve you better than the Triton, and though stuff like the Micro Q is quite a cool unit itself, for your uses, until you become more familiar with boards and stuff, I'd suggest holding off on a piece like that.

The old analog joints like the Juno will mos def do you justice, especially for bass sounds (layer 'em with whatever other box you get), but you may feel limited and get similar effects from other gear combinations.

Maybe you should look at the DBX subharmonic synth, it's a motherfucker for fattening up bass sounds, though it basically has to be used along with another bass sound. What it does is drop & play your bassline an octave with a low pass filter on it - I refer to it as "the rumble factor." It lists for about $300.00 new, and you can surely get it for a bit less. I'm really, literally, feeling this box (as is everybody else who bumps my shit in the clubs, cars, etc - it's pure-d-gold for the subwoofer set, I think).

The Korg MS2000 or 2000r is a cool piece of gear for about $400.00 for the rack version. Analog stylee bass sounds as well as whatever else you can coax out of it. I'd love to have one, but I keep spending loot on other shit. Maybe for my birthday...

Maybe if you told us what gear you already have, we could better help you make a decision.
<I might even lean towards a Yamaha RS7000 over the MPC, ask if you wanna know why...>

Either way, I'm gonna chime in with everybody else and say that 3gs is better spent on stuff other than that Triton studio.

Good luck

Flo' Dolo

[Mastermindzz]

I have 3K to spend on hardware, right now I have a midi controller, Roland PMA 5, Boss SP 202 sampler, soft synths sequenced in Nuendo but of all that, I'm going to use Nuendo and the soft synths, so I'm basically building my studio over and looking for suggestion, I'm reallying looking at buying just the Motif and MPC which is going to run me about $2200 with the right ppl and go from there.. you think I should just start off with that and build up and not get it all..

Thanks,
Flo' Dolo

[Rev E]

Sounds good to me based on what you have and what you want to do.