Future rap artist needs help

[Chestian Crowle]

What I want to know is what does a rapper need to produce pro style beats and crisp flows? I have a RadioShack MD-1700 76 key keyboard, CakeWalk Music Creator 2003, RadioShack dynamic microphone, and a 5.1 surround sond system as my monitors. My computer is slow as he** (intel pent 2 400mhz). I mean come on I know there's another way to record without using computer software. Anyway I feel like my whole setup is DEAD WRONG, can someone please help me help me! My budget isnt a issue really but who wants to spend thousands on gear when one has to consider feeding his wife and children. Back to subject Ive been checking out the Boss BR1180 digital workstation for a while and it looks pretty good to me, What do yall think?

 

[grinder]

Up grading your computer would probably be the way to go. Do a search, to find requirements, should be lots of info, it's a common question. The Audiophile soundcard is recommended alot ($150) as are DMP-3 and RNP preamps ($200). Get a better mic, I can't recommend anything for rap, but you should find something descent for under $200. Monitors are the next step, you should be able to find something worthwhile in the $300-500 range.

Good luck,
Grinder

 

[distortedrumble]

the hardest words to hear

you must upgrade!

yes upgrading the comp is key.... think about getting FL studio make beats and map them out inside there and you can transfer the wav. file over to cakewalk to lay the vocals. plus you can keep it looping in FL studio to work on vocal layout. audiophile card is a very good choice.....it hit me in the pocket for 2 weeks but it was well worth it and i hated i put it off as long as i did. get a condenser mic and a compressor. however there are some shortcuts to be taken and still get a good sound. you can find a good condenser mic for $100. compressor can be under $100. a small behringer UB802 mixer is 50 bucks. starting price for some decent monitors (speakers) will be 250-300.

now another route to take which may put you in somewhat of a creative bind is finding a partner who raps...yall go in on the stuff together. cuts expenses by half but frustration may be doubled if yall dont see eye to eye on where the stuff can be setup.

 

[PoetSleep00]

Look, i feel you on the feeding your family thing but if you want to make music you have to get the components you need to make it, otherwise you'll be wanting to do something without the necessary tools.

That being said. It depends on what kind of hip hop your trying to make. I'm partial to a lot of east coast hip hop using the
e-mu sp 1200, the Akai Mpc 60, and the ever important sampling turntable element. Some cats nowadays are simply focusing on futuristic sounds and synths as their cups of tea. In that case you'd have to either upgrade your computer and get a few soft synths or get that bomb ass Virus C. I tell you what, a lot of folks around my way use Reason. Because its an all inclusive program that does it all for you. Plus you can always load it into a couple multitrack programs using Rewire. As far as your voice, dont trip too much. Dr Dre didin't like his voice when he began. Nowadays voice modeling software does tons. Besides that Ashanti can't sing, neither can Janet, Michael, or JLo. Most of hitmakers today sell persona. However if you are the consumate "artist" find out what the makers of the music you like use, then seek out that equipment.

-get a a cheap recorder with eight analog inputs (vs-880, motu 828) & a hardware sampler/sequencer with eight outs
(mpc 60,3000,2000, sp1200)

a sampling source
-cd plr (sound cds), turntable (vinyl)

then piece together your piece.

 

[PoetSleep00]

sampling is the key

One of my professors raves all day about MBOX, so I guess I'll plug it here. The good thing about it is that its protools. And for only $500 (and even less on ebay) you can attach a mic and create a song a sliver at a time through editing and cut n paste. Honestly bro, you can make music with anything its just a matter of creativity. But Since pro tools gives you this 500 dollar solution, you can easily transfer your work to a bigger rig. I think its one of the best deals on the market. As far as cheap music making is concerned.