Help with gear i need for producing
Help with gear i need for producing Posted on: 11.10.2011 by Etha Caloia So i am a new music producer and i make dubstep/dance/electro/ and all that stuff mixed together. I have ableton live 8 and the m-audio trigger finger as my main setup, did i make a right choice, or is there something i must have or anything? Just trying to better myself and my music for the people. I want to make passionate music, but at the same time, give the people a thrill every time they listen to my tracks (: | |
| Etha Caloia 03.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by calgarc
keyboard? sampler? etc |
| Micaela Scherbert 02.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
but having knowledge of both will make you better at both. |
| Micaela Scherbert 01.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by rawrjaay
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| Dorie Scelzo 30.11.2011 | Monitors are a big plus, but they're not necessary at first. You won't be making anything good enough to release for a while, so in the mean time, use what you have. Buy monitors when you can justify the expense. And don't skimp. Sound cards are cool, but if you're not recording anything |
| Odis Stirewalt 30.11.2011 |
Originally Posted by rawrjaay
studio MONITORs are built for a completely different purpose as your logitech speakers and the difference is HUGE. info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_...Hi-Fi_speakers |
| Etha Caloia 26.11.2011 |
Originally Posted by Fedor K
or so i still need monitors |
| Abdul Smull 21.10.2011 |
Originally Posted by rawrjaay
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| Stanley Topoleski 03.12.2011 | keyboard or dj controller depending on your producing style. don't invest to much money because you might not like it. |
| Etha Caloia 03.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by calgarc
keyboard? sampler? etc |
| Stanley Topoleski 02.12.2011 | see if you can acquire a used midi controller... m-audio, akia, cme, novation etc... |
| Etha Caloia 02.12.2011 | i jsut purchased KRK Rokit 6's yesterday, thats a start, dont no what to get next so now i have ableton suite 8 krk monitors (: |
| Stanley Topoleski 02.12.2011 | thing you need to make good music in the digital age... 1. DAW (ableton is good) 2. headphones (don't get cheap in ears) 3. creativity you don't need much at all... just practice and have fun... buy gear as you see fit |
| Micaela Scherbert 02.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
but having knowledge of both will make you better at both. |
| Dorie Scelzo 01.12.2011 | Yeah, but they build off each other. An EDM producer with no idea what works in clubs is going to have a hard time building tracks that work. A DJ without some tracks to his name is going to have a hard time finding work. DJing and Production have been entwined since House started. |
| Micaela Scherbert 01.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by rawrjaay
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| Etha Caloia 01.12.2011 | Ok everyone so im VERY thankful for all the replies, so far here are the updates: IVE SOLD my trigger finger so now i have no midi controller at all, i want to buy some good monitors for my music production (was believeing the krk rokit as the other post stated they are good monitors), i will buy a keyboard (don't know if it will be 25key or 49key etc) and i will soon start to look for a dj setup (traktor, etc) |
| Laurinda Benya 30.11.2011 | I would recommend a midi keyboard. Even a simple 25-key. [youtube]HvQQk2pVHFg&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube] |
| Dorie Scelzo 30.11.2011 | Monitors are a big plus, but they're not necessary at first. You won't be making anything good enough to release for a while, so in the mean time, use what you have. Buy monitors when you can justify the expense. And don't skimp. Sound cards are cool, but if you're not recording anything |
| Chin Thoroughgood 30.11.2011 | Also: a FULL setup is EXPENSIVE be ready to shell out cash if you want nice things, that being said work with what you have and get things as you go. If you try to get it all at once you'll be out at least $2000 (more like $3-$5+ if you're getting really serious). If you do buy all of that right away you will be lost and confused and its not necessary right away. I am sure there are many producers here who have spent more than that and still feel as if there is more that they could use to optimize their setup. Just stick with and buy as you go if this is a serious venture and not "I could easily do that" idea because its not easy (if it were everyone would be making it). |
| Chin Thoroughgood 30.11.2011 | I have both the trigger finger and ableton and I must say that they are amazing products however there are a few more essentials I would add. First, get some nice monitors that have a true and flat sound. You want to be able to hear your mix for what it really is and computer speakers or headphones aren't really gonna do that. I recommend anything from krk they have great stuff at good prices, I believe most users here will agree (I have the krk rockit 6's). Second, I would get an external soundcard that gives you true audio signal that's complete and clean. I recommend anything from native instruments, their stuff is widely popular and has a proven track record (also the most used on this site as well). An audio 2 dj will get the job done for $100 but if you're looking for something with multiple inputs and outputs (like mics, instruments, outboard gear, etc.) get a nicer one (I have the kontrol audio 1). Third, I would get a midi keyboard so that you can actively play notes and bend pitch. This is not needed but highly recommend because it is VERY hard to play some arrangements with only a mouse and a keyboard. That being said any ole midi keyboard will do (get one with a pitch bend and mod wheel). Akai makes great keyboards with encoders and faders that are great to use for production, however I own an M-audio key rig 49 that is just a keyboard and it works fine (since you already have a trigger finger you already have knobs and sliders that are easily programmable to do that). I would recommend something 49 keys or greater because it gives you 4 full octaves and greater range compared to a 25 key keyboard which will still play all the octaves you just can't play in 4 at one time (you'll have to use the shift buttons). Forth, is all of the software in and plugins. There is a MASSIVE a mount of software out there that you can easily get lost in. I wouldn't worry about this right away because ableton has great built in instruments and can make songs right off the bat. Another reason not to dive into more software right away is that you don't get to learn abelton by playing with it over time. If you get more stuff you'll have 2 or more programs to learn and it can be over whelming and frustrating (trust me on experience, ableton is a POWERFUL program and I believe even most refined producers don't know all of its features and the only way to learn is to play with it). That being said if you're looking for an all around full-package-do-everything product (and have money to spend) I recommend komplete 8 ultimate by native instruments it has EVERYTHING you could possibly need, literally. If you don't want to spend $1000 on software I still recommend NI software (its the best I've found for any instrument plugins). Spend time and watch tutorial vids (they really help out alot and many can be found on youtube). Best things I have learned thus far: 1) Check craigslist search "midi" and "dj" (and whatever fill in the blank product you're looking for). There are a lot of KILLER deals there as well as the community s here and occasionally ebay too. 2) Do your research. 3) Spend the time working with the products to learn them inside and out. 4) Don't get frustrated or discouraged (its very easy to let it happen). 5) Practice, Practice, Practice. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions and everyone else please feel free to add anything I missed. |
| Odis Stirewalt 30.11.2011 |
Originally Posted by rawrjaay
studio MONITORs are built for a completely different purpose as your logitech speakers and the difference is HUGE. info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_...Hi-Fi_speakers |
| Etha Caloia 26.11.2011 |
Originally Posted by Fedor K
or so i still need monitors |
| Abdul Smull 21.10.2011 |
Originally Posted by rawrjaay
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| Abdul Smull 21.10.2011 | when you get serious for that buy monitor speakers its so important how you hear your tunes and master them, and maybe some midi keyboard would be enough. |
| Etha Caloia 19.10.2011 | did i do a good job choosing the m-audio trigger finger or no?? and by "monitor" do u mean screens for my computer? lol or headphones ajha |
| Brent Dierken 19.10.2011 | You need to be able to hear your music! Main investment should be a sound-card and Monitors. |
| Cindie Brodskaya 18.10.2011 | From a fellow Ableton Live user, I would strongly suggest a MIDI keyboard, I really like the Akai MPK49, however you could get by with the smaller (and cheaper) MPK25. A Novation Launchpad or Akai APC20 would also be a good start as they allow you to launch your clips in Ableton. You could go with the APC40 for more knobs and more control of your device parameters, however I find myself adjusting the automation for device parameters with my mouse in Arragnement view more than I actually use the knobs on my APC40 anymore. |
| Etha Caloia 10.10.2011 |
Originally Posted by ksandvik
this is what i needed.... just wait, one day... |
| Celine Surico 10.10.2011 | I believe what is missing is 300+ hours of production work and about 30 tracks or so done. |
| Marnie Foye 10.10.2011 | I believe a keyboard with the pitch and mod wheels really helps. However, perhaps sometimes it's what you don't have that helps define you early on? If I could go back I would get the small keyboard and some decent monitors. The honest truth though is that all you REALLY need to make great tracks is the software. |
| Leeanna Ayla 10.10.2011 | There is no answer to your question. Some people like to use a keyboard with some knobs and sliders. Getting that, or any other piece of gear will not make you better. My advise is to spend some time and learn the software, then decide what you need based on you what you believe not what someone else believes. |
| Etha Caloia 10.10.2011 | well thats what im kind of asking... like is there anything i am missing or need? i am working on getting headphones, but dont quite no which ones would be best for my music. but yea, thats what im kinda assking about my setup, and if its good so far |
| Detra Girardier 10.10.2011 | What are you missing in your setup? |
| Etha Caloia 10.10.2011 | would anyone happen to no? |
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