a dilema

[cBas]

I went ahead and got a kurzweil K2600 about a year ago with no background in synthesis/sample based music. I can play the trombone and the piano, and it just looked so damn cool. I wanted to get into making some sample based music, sample some of my vinyl, maybe even screw around with synthesized leads and basslines. I had some money saved up, realized I could afford the K2600, widely praised as the best of the best of the best, and I went for it.

2 months later I realized I was in over my head in a major way. I figured I would wait till I had some more time on my hands, either learn the fuck out of it, or sell it. It has been about a year now and I have the time to get it out again and really put an effort into learning it. I still gotta get the sample option.

some of you remember my posts about it before.

So now I am trying decide whether or not to sell it.

Bottom line is, if I sell it, I will try and get something more straightforward like an mpc 60 or an ASR 10, something simple to get me into this. In other words I AM going to still try and make some electronic music. I would loose about 1000 dollars selling it, so I figure maybe I should keep it. Its just so complicated and I kind of went into it without thinking, Im not sure if it is what I want.

I would try and make some hip hop type beats, and probably mess around with other music styles as well, trip hop or acid or whatever ity is called. I would def want to get into sampling and looping my vinyl, and adding synth basslines or leads... and I def want a keyboard because I can play the piano.

BUT... there are software samplers out there now, and software sequencers... everyone always says how great the timing on an mpc 60 is. if I keep the kurz I am NOT shelling out any more money on hardware, some good computer recording software and that is it.

So what do you people think/know about the kurzweil as far as a sampler/synthesizer, for making some classic, sample/break based hip hop music... and of course embellishing with all the synthesizing and editing?

I know this post sounds stupid, it was a mistake I think to buy but I was caught up in the idea of having the best. I have the time now to learn.

peace

 

[stray411]

cBas,

I don't own and have never used the K2600 so I can't give you specific help there. But let me say this, the K2600 is a very deep workstation with countless possiblities for sound creation, sequencing and sampling. My advise to you would be, take it one step at a time. Don't expect to be able to use all functions, or even know what they do, at first. Start with sampling for instance. Of course the board is going to take sampling real deep, but just start with the basics. Take in a sound and edit the start and stop points and then save it, get that much figured out.

Now move on to sequencing. Take that sample you made and lay a track down with it, maybe a 4 or 8 bar. Once you have that start playing around with a drum or bassline. Keep building up from there. Of course sequencing will get deeper, but this will get you started.

I wouldn't recommend for a minute selling the board. As you mentioned you would take a considerable loss and end up something less capable. This board could keep you occupied for the next few years. When you get to a point where you're bored, just pull out the manual and learn a new function.

I also wouldn't recommend using this board for strictly sample/breakbeat based tracks. Software sequencers or phrase samplers are way more powerful for this type of production. Plus Kurzweil makes some great drum sounds you could use to create your own drum tracks. You can use the board for this type of production, but I wouldn't call it an ideal arrangement.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Stray