Hardware Suggestions

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Hardware Suggestions
Posted on: 05.12.2011 by Jerome Burruss
Hey all, I'm looking to get more into music production. Right now I'm purchasing Ableton. What is some good hardware to start out on? The APC40 looks sweet, and I am not sure about what MIDI keyboard to get yet, or what else I would need.
Micaela Scherbert
07.12.2011
Originally Posted by 123xyz
do you still need knobs and faders if on a keyboard if u already have a Maschine?
That's personal preference.

there are a lot of attributes that you can assign midi knobs to. Do you NEED them? nope. you can automate using a mouse and keyboard. is it easier to control using physical devices? IMO, yes.

but you can always get a cheaper keyboard and add a nanokontrol later, if you need moar knobs.
Jerome Burruss
07.12.2011
Originally Posted by 123xyz
do you still need knobs and faders if on a keyboard if u already have a Maschine?
I currently don't have a Maschine. I'm looking for some hardware to work seemlessly with Ableton, and I mainly work with Electro House and Dubstep.
Monserrate Rupnow
06.12.2011
Originally Posted by Nunz
And as for keyboards, the new Novation line looks sick.
Feels like poo though Worse than the SL series....
Micaela Scherbert
07.12.2011
Originally Posted by the4thImpulse
This is indeed a good combo but the apc isn't really useful for production, its geared for live preformance use.

Edit: A good soundcard and either studio headphones or studio monitors will reduce any latency you have and will give you a good picture of what your stuff will sound like.
I agree and disagree. after i bought the apc40 i found my workflow for producing music drastically changed. I now "perform" the clips before recording them into arragnment view. I believei this is WAY easier than just sitting in arrangement view and moving clips around.

the only thing i'd say is if you get the APC40, you may not need a keyboard with knobs and sliders. as soon as i got my apc40, the knobs and faders on my MPK49 pretty much go untouched. (although i'm going to try to map them to massive).

a launchpad with an MPK25 or 49 would also be a good combo.
Chandra Lean
06.12.2011
Originally Posted by Nunz
I need your recommendations for a good soundcard too. I have been using my S4 but I'm guessing that's not sufficient for production.
if you need to input a mic or anything then you need something else. otherwise the s4 is perfect.

if you need to input a mic, then look at a focusrite saffire series for FW, or a saffire 6 for usb. any NI interface will do. or presonus interface. essentially any company's will be fine.

just make sure the outputs will be able to go into your monitors.
Antonio Jackle
05.12.2011
Originally Posted by Tarekith
The APC40 and the MPK25 make a really nice combo.
This is indeed a good combo but the apc isn't really useful for production, its geared for live preformance use.

Edit: A good soundcard and either studio headphones or studio monitors will reduce any latency you have and will give you a good picture of what your stuff will sound like.
Jerome Burruss
05.12.2011		Hey all, I'm looking to get more into music production. Right now I'm purchasing Ableton. What is some good hardware to start out on? The APC40 looks sweet, and I am not sure about what MIDI keyboard to get yet, or what else I would need.
Micaela Scherbert
07.12.2011
Originally Posted by 123xyz
do you still need knobs and faders if on a keyboard if u already have a Maschine?
That's personal preference.

there are a lot of attributes that you can assign midi knobs to. Do you NEED them? nope. you can automate using a mouse and keyboard. is it easier to control using physical devices? IMO, yes.

but you can always get a cheaper keyboard and add a nanokontrol later, if you need moar knobs.
Jerome Burruss
07.12.2011
Originally Posted by 123xyz
do you still need knobs and faders if on a keyboard if u already have a Maschine?
I currently don't have a Maschine. I'm looking for some hardware to work seemlessly with Ableton, and I mainly work with Electro House and Dubstep.
Lanette Heinitz
07.12.2011		do you still need knobs and faders if on a keyboard if u already have a Maschine?
Jerome Burruss
06.12.2011		Wow, I'm surprised they really aren't that good. Just the feel is off?
Monserrate Rupnow
06.12.2011
Originally Posted by Nunz
And as for keyboards, the new Novation line looks sick.
Feels like poo though Worse than the SL series....
Micaela Scherbert
07.12.2011
Originally Posted by the4thImpulse
This is indeed a good combo but the apc isn't really useful for production, its geared for live preformance use.

Edit: A good soundcard and either studio headphones or studio monitors will reduce any latency you have and will give you a good picture of what your stuff will sound like.
I agree and disagree. after i bought the apc40 i found my workflow for producing music drastically changed. I now "perform" the clips before recording them into arragnment view. I believei this is WAY easier than just sitting in arrangement view and moving clips around.

the only thing i'd say is if you get the APC40, you may not need a keyboard with knobs and sliders. as soon as i got my apc40, the knobs and faders on my MPK49 pretty much go untouched. (although i'm going to try to map them to massive).

a launchpad with an MPK25 or 49 would also be a good combo.
Jerome Burruss
06.12.2011		And as for keyboards, the new Novation line looks sick.
Chandra Lean
06.12.2011
Originally Posted by Nunz
I need your recommendations for a good soundcard too. I have been using my S4 but I'm guessing that's not sufficient for production.
if you need to input a mic or anything then you need something else. otherwise the s4 is perfect.

if you need to input a mic, then look at a focusrite saffire series for FW, or a saffire 6 for usb. any NI interface will do. or presonus interface. essentially any company's will be fine.

just make sure the outputs will be able to go into your monitors.
Jerome Burruss
06.12.2011		I need your recommendations for a good soundcard too. I have been using my S4 but I'm guessing that's not sufficient for production.
Lanette Heinitz
05.12.2011		if you already have an mpc, is it ok to get the akai LPK 25 instead of the MPK 25? do you really need all those knobs and stuff?
Antonio Jackle
05.12.2011
Originally Posted by Tarekith
The APC40 and the MPK25 make a really nice combo.
This is indeed a good combo but the apc isn't really useful for production, its geared for live preformance use.

Edit: A good soundcard and either studio headphones or studio monitors will reduce any latency you have and will give you a good picture of what your stuff will sound like.
Monserrate Rupnow
05.12.2011		The APC40 and the MPK25 make a really nice combo.

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