A little insight please......

  • Thread starter Thread starter Trumpspade
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Trumpspade

Trumpspade

I'M BLESSED.......
I am not in a big dillema, but can someone clarify this for me?

I am hooking the studio back up. (Wiring it properly, getting the cabling, (ins and outs) correct, mics, etc.......

Now, my question is: What do you lose in getting a rack, (Motif, Triton, or phantom, for example) versus getting the workstation itself. My next purchase will be upgrading my recording system with a new keyboard workstation, or a rack sound module. I will be incorporating Reason and a MPC 2500 as well. I just want different opnions in which direction you would take and why.


CHOICES

1.) Triton, Motif, or Phantom Keyboard

2.) Triton, Motif, or Phantom rack

3.) Investing in a multitude of soundfonts to use in reason

I don't want to be cheap. When I hook everything up, I want it to be done properly. I am not into impressing people with what I have. I want to make things as easy and simple as possible, without compromising quality sound.

Any advice is welcomed!

Thanx Fam!
 
You are getting a classic and very capable midi sequencer when you buy the MPC2500. If you've used an MPC in any form in the past the midi sequencer is basically the same, as is the sampling engine --- there's just more of it.

If you've narrowed your search down to those 3 that you have listed it should be a matter of a quick trip around to the three manufacturers web sites to see what the diff between the keyboard and rack versions are. Usually the differences are limited to the onboard sequencers, and if you're going to be getting the MPC that really won't come into play.


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I think that software is the way to go, simply because its sounds are ENDLESS IMO. Hardware is going to have its limits and hardware will also get played out as time goes on. Take the synth that Lil' Jon made popular or maybe the plucked bass that Dr. Dre uses as part of his signature sound...wait, let's not forget the Swizz Beats brass ensembles that are frequently used. How many songs do you know that these types of elements in them and play them out?
 
ssscientist said:
Usually the differences are limited to the onboard sequencers, and if you're going to be getting the MPC that really won't come into play.
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So I that leads me back to what I believed initially. I need to focus on quality sounds........What would be the advantage of using soundfonts versus a sound module? Or is that the old Hardware vs Software preference?
 
Trumpspade said:
Or is that the old Hardware vs Software preference?
Click to expand...

Bingo...

I'm a hardware guy myself but eventually I'd like to have the best of both worlds - my longterm goals include Logic Pro (software sequencer) and maybe a Roland MV -8800 (hardware sequencer).

Logic is definately more powerful but I built my career on Roland workstation sequencers so I'm very much used to them. The MV operates like a bigger better version of the Fantom X.

I already own an MPC-2000 that needs servicing...
 
Not to start a hardware vs. software debate, just stating my opinion...I dig hardware, I really do, but I find using software easier in all aspects (once you decide what software you will use and work with it). I think it's easier to retrieve, upgrade, and enhance as well as when mixing.

If you know what you're doing, you can make soundfonts out of the sounds on any workstation. It takes a decent PC, a good size hard drive and the right software, but it can be easily done (and nice to have for personal use..especially if said hardware breaks down on you last minute).

If you want to go the hardware route, I would suggest using hardware that takes the best of both worlds (like MPCs). You're not limited to their stock sounds or additional cards to install, but you have actual controls that you can use on the device itself, not using a mouse or an external midi controller. You like a wav, load it up into the MPC and use it.

I still stand by my statement that soundfonts can be endless and beef up your arsenal as far as options.
 
You really don't loose anything by getting a rack (besides a shiney keyboard :D and possibly a touch screen), as long as you have something to control it.

Ahhh, the old software vs. hardware discussion...lol

My .02, I preferred hardware before I really got acquianted with software. Now I like them both equally because they each have their strengths. To touch on what Fiev said though, I don't fully agree with hardware sounds being limited. I'm a believer that anything software can do hardware can do for the most part. I've created patches from scratch just using a sine wav on my Fantom, so the sounds aren't as limited as you might think. You can stack, tweak, edit, split and even create new sounds on most boards. But let's face it... software's cheaper...lol that was my selling point.
 
I wasn't trying to start the Infamous Hardware vs Software issue. But I did want to hear people opinions on the strengths and weaknesses, although I know it boils down to preference. I have always said, that I would love to have the best of both worlds. Whatever makes it easier, and that is a matter of adapting.
Like I said, I have a MPC and I have plenty of drum sounds. What I need is a multitude of Bass, strings, and other sounds to add to melodies, basslines, and chords...........Quality supercedes Quantity!
I just wasn't sure of the Rack vs Workstation vs Soundfont issue regarding obtaining quality sounds, without Major tweaking!
 
I wasn't trying to start the Infamous Hardware vs Software issue. But I did want to hear people opinions on the strengths and weaknesses, although I know it boils down to preference. I have always said, that I would love to have the best of both worlds. Whatever makes it easier, and that is a matter of adapting.
Like I said, I have a MPC and I have plenty of drum sounds. What I need is a multitude of Bass, strings, and other sounds to add to melodies, basslines, and chords...........Quality supercedes Quantity!
I just wasn't sure of the Rack vs Workstation vs Soundfont issue regarding obtaining quality sounds, without Major tweaking!
 
Honestly, I would go the route & choose the best of both worlds. Together, they give you unstoppable tools. Maybe a Neko & some racks would do you good, be able to get as many sounds from all types of places. Software isn't much different than hardware, except that hardware is physical. Most software emulates hardware anyways.
 
Seems that everybody agrees that the best of both is a good route to take.

I haven't had the oppertunity to dive DEEP into the software side, but as far as I can tell it's easier to bend and twist things the way you want them - not saying you can't do the same with hardware....just that it takes more effort.

Perhaps you should build around your MPC first until your setup is fully functional and THEN incorporate the software rig. That's just my suggestion...
 
Trell Blaze said:
Seems that everybody agrees that the best of both is a good route to take.

I haven't had the oppertunity to dive DEEP into the software side, but as far as I can tell it's easier to bend and twist things the way you want them - not saying you can't do the same with hardware....just that it takes more effort.

Perhaps you should build around your MPC first until your setup is fully functional and THEN incorporate the software rig. That's just my suggestion...
Click to expand...

Good suggestion!

Thank all y'all for your input...............
 
damn people still talk about hardware vs software? both serve their purposes. I like Hardware for sequencing and software for editing and acoustic sounds hardware synths and samplers imo own software ones. i know software sounds great and it offers a ton of flexibility and I am a Reason user as well but for me nothing sounds better for bass than my Juno and I love my esq-1 for other synth sounds. Software synth sounds just sound too soft to me not enough grit and i like gritty sounds
 
mentalattica said:
To touch on what Fiev said though, I don't fully agree with hardware sounds being limited. I'm a believer that anything software can do hardware can do for the most part.
Click to expand...

Agreed...but some people can tweak sounds very easily. For some it is harder. That's for Trizz to see what he's comfy with.
 
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