A good beginner setup?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Skye
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Skye

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I applied for a $5200 grant from my trust fund, but Ive been really thinking thats TOO much for a startup.

Any suggestions? I need ideas, FAST! :)

Thanks in advance, I need all the help I can get.
 
Don't dive in too quick.....

You will hate all of your initial gear choices, guaranteed....

But if you are ready, and want to start with a decent and simple to learn system.... get this...

You will need a decent computer.... PC Pentium 3 1.3 gig proccessor, 512 mb ram... or something similar

(No Via Chips)

Glyph 30 gig firewire drive..

And, the Digi 001..... Recording package... www.digidesign.com


A small mixer, and 2 SURE SM57's and an Audio Technica 4033

Headphones, and some Yorkville YSM1 monitors... (if you don't have some sort of reciever or amp to run them, you will need one of them too..........)

Now, I could suggest some cheaper "hobbyist" level DAW's like Cool Edit Pro, but I think if you eventually get real serious, you will be upgrading it in a year or so.... Avoid that.....Digi 001 will do you for a long time.

Watch for other replies... This is only MY opinion of what I would start with, if just starting out again.....

Joe
 
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Dear Joe,

Thanks hombre, but at the same time I don't want to limit myself.

Also, I want warmth in my recording. Is analog the best way to go?
 
Limit Yourself???

You will have a fully automated, 24 track recording studio, 128 midi tracks, and editing capabilities....

I guess you could go analog, but you ain't gonna get much for $5200...

Maybe a Mackie board and an old Tascam reel to reel (8 Track..) or an old 16 track 1 inch machine...


Remember, You said "Beginner" set-up

Joe
 
LOL!

Thanks Joe, don't mind my stupidity.

Im a true "newbie", lol.

Thanks Gec, Im checking out your thread right now.

Ok, maybe not analog recording. But analog sounds?
 
Oh, and I think you should stick with digital.

Concentrate on getting good tones with your miking techniques and mixdown Eq....

Analog, as warm as it might sound (which some people even question as being a valid fact or not) is a pain in the ass these days...

Expensive tape, Possible machine maintenance....

Do you know how to dismantle a tape machine?:)

See where Im going with this.......? hehe

Once again, just my thoughts.. you will see other views coming into this.
 
LOL, Yeah your right.

But, before I buy anything like you said I don't wanna end up not liking what I spent money on. So Im carefully, slowly making my way through every piece of equipment I can 'til I find one of that I like.

Anyways, I was interested in a Nord Lead 3.

Maybe a 1402 Mackie Mixer, something cheap but worth the buck.

Ill probably stick to computer recording, whats ProTools?
 
Skye said:
whats ProTools?
Click to expand...

Pro tools is name of digidesign's suite of recording hardware/software solutions. They range from the digi001 (not including the Mbox midi thing) to their new HD systems.

here's info on that digi001 from their site.

digidesign.com/products/digi001/systems
 
Thanks Maxwell, Im checking your link out now.

Im looking at the DigiDesign 002,

In a small sum of words,

What am I able to do with 002?
 
The first question is, what do you want to record? What kind of music? Do you play keys? Do you have any experience with any hardware or software?

I have the lead3 AND the 1402. The 1402 is a very solid buy. The lead 3 is very cool as well if you know how to play keys and program. But if you don't, there may be easier synths to go with.

That's where a good deal of my experience is (synths). Lemme know as much as possible about what you want to do, and what your abilities and experience are, and I can help you on the instruments part...

$5000 is not too much as long as you buy all the right stuff.
 
Sub.

Sup Sub,

Well, I would most likely be recording instruments off of a MIDI controller via whatever module I choose. I'm not a fan of step sequencing, so Id probably be recording all of my melodies live.

Second, Im into soul, r&b, and hip-hop. I havent played the keys for quite awhile, but I took lessons for two years back in the day. But I am learning again, Im looking for a classical teacher.

Ive got the littliest experience ever, the only production wise stuff that Ive used is Cool Edit, FruityLoops. But, Im ready to move up.

I appreciate all the help everybody, keep the good replies coming.
 
Well there aree practically endless choices and combinations of gear for 5k. And since you don't know anything about it, there's going to be a lot of learning on all of it.

I would suggest a bad ass pc running only music software, with a nice soundcard, a controller, and good monitors or decent ones at least, and a good premic source if your gonna use a mic on anything. That's where the 1402 comes in handy. Because it has some of the best mic pre's for the money and it also serves as an outboard mixer. With a multi input soundcard you don't have to use a mixer but I prefer it.From there on out, what can't be taken care of with software or the controller/workstation, can be bought cheaper as rack units controlled by existing gear.

Your best bet is to put in as many hours in a music store as possible. They'll normally let you play around for as long as you like. Find the gear you want and then get it as cheap as possible and if you buy new, your gonna lose money. You can save a ton if you buy used. Just make sure it isn't used hard.

Try to decide if you want a workstation controller like a kurzweil k2500s, korg triton or yamaha motif 8. Or maybe virtual analog synths like the lead 3, virus, waldorf, ms2000 or novation. Certain synths in both categories can be found faily cheap on ebay, depending on the model.

I personally would want one of each. Either k2xxs/triton/motif8 as a main controller, then right above it a nord lead 2or3/ms2000/virus indigo2/super novaII/waldorf Q+. All plugged into a nice motu or delta soundcard. If your gonna use mic's add a mackie 1402 mixer and a shure sm57 or something like that.

I would think a workstation and one virtual analog synth coupled with cubase sx, or what ever software, would be enough to keep you busy for 2 years if your a fast learner.

Just start out with one synth workstation or virtual analog first, and while your learning about it and how to play keys, you should be able to formulate a plan as to what you want or need from there. Just go to a music store that has any of the models I mentioned and play with them and see which ones you like best.
 
Whoa!

Thanks for the indepth response man, Ill take all the bits and pieces of advice you dropped. I really appreciate it, thanks a bunch.

Well, the Lead 3 goes for $3200 canadian. (Too much)

A bad ass PC? $1800 probably.

Maybe the rack Lead 3, Im not sure how much they run for tho.

Heard of the Digi002? I like what I hear about it.

But, I am going to spend countless hours in Long & McQuade next week while Im in the store. They better not kick me out, or Ill be blaming you. LOL

Thanks again, Ill write down the models & synths you suggested. Your ideas will be well looked into, Skye.
 
There are some great threads about just this subject if you go to Computers and sounceards forum. $5k is DEFINITELY enough to get where you need to go with a DAW, just do your research (which you've begun here) and ask questions before putting all the components together. These guys know their stuff and will give good advice. GOOD LUCK! =D
 
Thanks!

Thanks Barometer, I need all the help I can get to start me off.

Btw, Im on my way to check out that forum now. :D
 
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