need help with setup

[mad flows]

i'm having trouble deciding what to get for my studio.
i'll only be recording rap and hip hop. and i want to put
out radio quality material. this is what i have in mind. any
suggestions.


1. roland vs 2480 dvd. or digidesign 002
2. akai mpc 4000
3. korg triton studio keyboard
4. blue kiwi microphone
4. computer (don't no what kind)

any suggestions

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I've been working with more rappers lately and can consider myself to have somewhat of a clue.

Personally I'd go for the Digi02 if you are only doing rap. You don't need as many simultaneous inputs and personally it sounds better and is built better than the Roland. The sliders on that Roland look like they'd last about 2 of my average sessions.

The Blue Kiwi microphone is overkill for rap and hip hop. A lot of rappers I know like either the Rode NT1 or Shure SM7. Get a decent outboard preamp though (Focusrite Penta is okay for the money, if you have a big budget and are serious about your pre look into something like the Manley Voxbox or even a ISA series Focusrite). A smaller studio around here that does rap uses Studio Projects B1's and C1's and they sound fine.

The Triton is an okay choice... I guess. I never was too impressed myself with its sounds. Everyone and their brother has one too. If you're insterested in pro sound look into a Kurzweil.

The Akai MPC is good for rap, but why not save some money and get the 2000?

For rap I'd *seriously* look into getting a real Roland 808, or a TBS Syncussion, or even a Novation DrumStation to use as a sound module. The 808 will require a MIDI retrofit to use with whatever sequencer you set up. Another good dedicated piece of gear is the Studio Electronics SE-1. This is the deep bass you hear on a lot of big budget R&B, hip hop and rap albums these days (basically it is a rackmounted Minimoog).

Honestly, look into a program called ReCycle--which is specifically for sampling/looping and beat making. Easy to use and effective for hip hop/rap.

Hope this helps.

 

[jeff5xo]

Personally I'd go for the Digi02 if you are only doing rap. You don't need as many simultaneous inputs and personally it sounds better and is built better than the Roland. The sliders on that Roland look like they'd last about 2 of my average sessions.

That's just an opinion, and not very accurate, in my opinion. Roland is very durable and has awesome customer support. It's all a matter of your taste. If you're not that familiar with a computer go with the Roland, alot less head ache. But if you know how to de-frag and do the house cleaning a computer requires go with the digi, which is also very good. Most people here are either hard core computers or hard core all in one units. Hard core digital or hard core analog. If you know what you are doing, and that's the key, you can get quality results on either. I personally own a Roland VS 2000 and it's awesome, I love it. However, if you love computers and know your way around them, I would tell you to get the Digi02. I'm a computer retard. But to say the Digi "sounds" better than the Roland, no offense Cloneboy, is absurd.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I'm a computer retard. But to say the Digi "sounds" better than the Roland, no offense Cloneboy, is absurd.

So what you are positing is there is no difference in audio sound between digital recorders?

Yeah... okay... whatever...

You can hear a difference between Pro-Tools Mix systems and a RADAR. I hear a *major* difference between the Roland systems and my HD24. Granted I wouldn't touch either the Roland or Digi02 with a ten foot pole myself, but I've seen both in action.

The build quality on the Roland is *definately* suspect. I don't know what kind of gear you are used to but... it's not what I would consider to be particularly robust. Korg, Roland... both those companies have cheap sliders that are great for hobbyists. At least the Digi's sliders aren't that nasty--although in 5-6 years they will probably be shot.

When I buy a piece of gear I expect its tactile controls to be around indefinately. My mixer is 20 years old and the sliders on it feel more responsive and in better shape than a NEW Roland recorder's will. My 248 is a dinosaur.

But hey what do I know? I've only been doing this since 1988.

 

[jeff5xo]

So what you are positing is there is no difference in audio sound between digital recorders?



No, of course not. There is definately a difference in audio sound between digital recorders, IMO, the Digi is not *better* sounding than the Roland. I Apologize for saying your opinion was absurd, that was wrong, because it is YOUR opinion. I was just trying help MAd Flows out, giving him another opinion. It is what it is........MY opinion. My opinoin was based on a two week Pro Tools class, and extensive 1 on 1 with a Roland rep. Can we agree to disagree?
If it's any consilation, I agree with you on the Blue Kiwi being overkill, and the Triton being so-so.

 

[manning1]

jeff - just search under my name. ive posted many times on a good solution.
ie: athlon pc, powertracks (48 tracks) for 29 bucks, delta sound card .
some good mics and a good mixer eg yamaha mg .
peace.