lookin for advice/tips/suggestions

[mutha]

...okay, i posted this on another board as well but seeing this is "homerecording.com" and "newbies" i thought i might have better luck here. here goes...

i've been sampling for a little over a year now. i work with records/cd/dvd/live sound/etc...i have an sp303, a dr rhythm 770 drum machine(out of commission right now), technics tables, a couple mics, basic little setup. i've been recording(cassette) on a raggedy old cd player i've had probably over 10 years. a maganavox as641 i think it's called. anyhow, this is what's been going on in my head lately...

i've been wanting to upgrade for a minute now and i(cross my fingers) am expecting to run into a decent amount of money within the next few months. the other week i got my first taste of software beatmaking @ my partners. his roommate had fruity loops on a dell laptop. i got about 7-8 hrs. worth of playtime. so here's where you come in...

what's a good laptop and software program to sample/beatmake/record with? what type of equipment would i need to have all my machines connected to each other, like at once or whatever. i get sick of unplugging shit everytime i wanna sample something. i feel very limited/restricted with my 303. is it possible to use a 303 alongside a software program? also, can you list off some good monitors...monitors are speakers, right? i'm not gonna pretend to be all up on my audio terminology. and if there are other things i'd need for a sufficient setup, fill me in cuz i'm in it for the long haul...

anyhow, any and all help would be appreciated. thanks alot.

 

[Cosmic]

Hi Mutha,

First, the disclaimer: I record on self-contained digital recorders, and I am not in the world of sampling, but I thought I would give you what I could:
I don't know what your 303 is, but I do know of Dr. Rhythm (I have a Zoom myself) as well as your 1200es.
Generally, regular computers, as opposed to laptops, are favored for music, for a variety of technical reasons. However, if portability is key, Dell is a good place to go. Check their website, they have deals going on.

The key to computer recording is to have the processor focus on as little as possible besides your audio programs. So, no mail, no Word, none of that. Just Basic Win XP, plus your audio programs.
Get the fastest processor you can afford; get as much RAM memory as you can possibly stuff into it.
Programs: I am at a disadvantage. However, I have heard good things about SampleTank in additon to the FruityLoops you mentioned.
To get your gear to play along, you need MIDI. That way, your drum doctor could be programmed to just 'join in' when you run your program. Whether Sample or Fruity have these built in, I don't know. But sequencer programs (which coordinate MIDI) are plentiful out there.

Monitors:
Google these:
M-Audio
KRS
BlueSky
Genelec
(Different price ranges)

That's about all I can offer; good luck and feel free to ask for more,

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