Yet Another Newbie Who Has No Idea On What He Needs !!!!

[dedicator]

Hi.

This is my first post here, i have read alot these past few days but still im confused and in need of some guidance, after all this is the newbie section isnt it?

ok first of i would like to start making music ( obviously thats why were all here ppp )
Im interested in making hip hop and also on making house songs.

I have no knowledge of music, i dont play any instruments. This is my first attept to start on music.

Ok. so what do i need to get started?

firstly let me say what i have.

pentium 4 at 3,2 ht....290 giga hard drive.... ati 9800 pro 256mb.... 1 giga ram....terratec dmx 6fire sound card. some studio speakers ( i have hooked up the pc to my amp )

now i know that i propably need a midi player/keyboard what do you all recomend? i can spend up to $300 on one. should i get something from m-audio or something else?

i will propably buy a mic ( sennheiser e945 ) and headphones ( sennheiser hd650 ) are these good enough or do you prefer i buy something else?

software i have no idea what to get. what do you all prefer i start using? remember i want to make hip hop music and house tracks.

ummmm. thats all i can think of now.

im really excited about this and all advice is welcome.

thanx in advance.

ps. sorry for my spelling errors

 

[oh_the_blood]

to tell you the truth, if you dont know how to play an instrument and just want to start recording out of nowhere, youll find yourself getting overwhelmed and discouraged. try to learn something first before you spend money.

 

[aaroncomp]

He's making Hip Hop and House tracks. Why should he learn to play an instrument before starting this kind of music? Sequencers., etc. aren't that complicated, and all he needs is inspiration and the ideas in his head to make this kind of music - so dedicator, please ignore the first reply.

As far as MIDI keyboard goes, I recently purchased this one and have been really happy with it: http://www.evolution.co.uk/products/evo_mk461c.htm
I don't create the genre of music you're interested in, but I think you might also want a midi controller (someone else would give you better advice about this) - however, as you can see, this keyboard has plenty of knobs and sliders to assign. Also, they make smaller versions.

Mic: If I were you, I'd get a Shure SM58 and save yourself money - you won't notice much if any difference.

Headphones: Whoa, those aren't cheap. Definately could get something much cheaper. Just make sure whatever model you get, you take into consideration if they are open-back or closed-back. For example, when your're recording vocals while listening to your tracks through headphones, you don't want the sound of the tracks to bleed into the vocal you're laying down - i.e. you want closed-back.

Software: I use 2 seperate programs - Fruity Loops for MIDI and sequencing, Adobe Audition for mixing/recording. I can accomplish about anything with that combo with little complaints. With hiphop/house music, you might want another program - someone else can better answer this.

Before you get carried away with buying equipment, you need to spend alot of time reading up on technique, etc. Spend a good deal of time listening to music you like, and pay close attention to everything: how the sounds are panned, creative techniques, etc. (things you may not have noticed before) and then listen again. Me and many people here have had the gear fever/syndrome - thinking we have to have THAT piece of gear so that our mixes will sound better - avoid this at all costs and maximize/master what you have.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

He's making Hip Hop and House tracks. Why should he learn to play an instrument before starting this kind of music?

Maybe so it doesn't suck?

Last time I checked randomly guessing what notes to sequence wasn't the fastest or best sounding way to write music.

 

[Rokket]

You need a basic knowledge of music theory to be effective. I know some guys who play with those dj in a box things, and can do some pretty amazing stuff, but they have a music background.

Here is a link you may find useful.

http://www.emusictheory.com/

And here is one to look at and find some software to get you started.

http://www.hitsquad.com/

Try this out first, and see what you think.

 

[Tifstorey]

I think dedicator will be more confused now

Ok, You do need to know some basic theory if your wanting to compose some tracks and sample it all etc. This doesnt mean you cant use it all at the same time. Ive said this on a different post, along with CloneBoy Studio . Why dont you do the research one day? And then use some equipment the next, and carry on like that for a while. That way you will learn the basic theory and info from books/online, but you also get your hands dirty by working on the pc.

Your machines spec is very good, so you might want to just use the standard soundcard for a while, maybe download free sequencing software (Dont have any links to any at the moment unfortunately..), and basically keep all things to a minimum for a while before you splash out some cash.

I know it might seem boring, and that your dying to get started buying all this equipment, but believe me, it wil be for the best.

Good luck!

Peace

 

[aaroncomp]

Maybe so it doesn't suck?

Last time I checked randomly guessing what notes to sequence wasn't the fastest or best sounding way to write music.

sigh...since so many hip hop artists out there are virtuosos on there, umm, instrument? I've seen countless people who haven't played an instrument in their life, but loved sequencers and could hear what they wanted in their head - the result has, more often than not, been enjoyable to listen to.

 

[NYMorningstar]

sigh...since so many hip hop artists out there are virtuosos on there, umm, instrument? I've seen countless people who haven't played an instrument in their life, but loved sequencers and could hear what they wanted in their head - the result has, more often than not, been enjoyable to listen to.

Did you use a compressor/limiter to write that cause it sure is packed with bullshit?

 

[dedicator]

Hey guys. thanx for all your advice.
Dam one thing i really done is pay attention to music class in school, now i have to run around internet sites to learn the basics :-(

Truthfully i have been over excited and i was thinking that by buying cool machines and gadgets etc i would make cool music. Something which is not the case.

I have read that Ableton Live would be a good program for me to get started with and that i wont need many other programs later on.

Is this true?

Also. i have a question.

How long can it take for you to record your own song? i mean not for me being a newbie since it will take me muchhhhhhhhhh longer. But i mean whats the standard time needed?

The worst part of it all is that i have soooo many ideas for songs in my head that im going crazy. If only there was a way that i could produce everything in seconds

many thanx again.

ps. what do you guys thing i should get for headphones and mic?

 

[ez_willis]

I have read that Ableton Live would be a good program for me to get started with and that i wont need many other programs later on.
Is this true?

Probably not. If music is something you end up doing for more than a week or two, it will be an ongoing quest for new gear!

How long can it take for you to record your own song? i mean not for me being a newbie since it will take me muchhhhhhhhhh longer. But i mean whats the standard time needed?

There is no standard. Some go quick, some take time. There is too many variables for a standard time.

 

[Tifstorey]

How long can it take for you to record your own song? i mean not for me being a newbie since it will take me muchhhhhhhhhh longer. But i mean whats the standard time needed?

Like Willis said, theres no time limit. Ive had a song which i composed, recorded and mastered in about 2 hours, ive had another which ive still not finished and its coming up to about 6 months now.... When your recording a song, do not give yourself a time limit, just "Go with the flow" if you will

 

[aaroncomp]

Did you use a compressor/limiter to write that cause it sure is packed with bullshit?

No need to hate on others just because you may lack an innate musical intuition. I find it humorous one would actually want to call bullshit on such a benign statement. Smooth.

Back to the original discussion - being that everyone seems to feel an instrument just has to be learned to, not master, but just pick up a seqencer and experiment (sigh) - why can't his midi keyboard with whatever samples/soundfonts/midi be considered his "instrument" to practice with. Better than spending $1000 on a real keyboard or whatever instrument hip-hoppers are "rolllin'" with.

Btw, thanks again for being a tool and taking an unnecessary offensive on me.