Setup question

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Setup question
Posted on: 21.01.2013 by Annamae Debow
Hello,

I'm new to the DJ/music production field, and I've done a little research on what to buy, and there are two setups that I'm looking at:

(1) APC20 + Traktor Kontrol S2 (I saw this being sold recently as a combo)

or

(2) APC40 + M-Audio Axiom 25

Pros or cons on either setup?

Thanks.
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks for the perspective. It's helpful to know that Maschine is a good place to start. It's something I didn't believe about until I started reading the community , so thanks!


Originally Posted by boarderbas
I'm a bit in the same boat. I've chosen to start with a Maschine (which is not realy a full DAW). It is fun and easy to understand. It had me making beats in minutes. Also, its cheap, concidering you get hard AND software. Coughing up the ableton pricetag while not being sure I can/want to prduce did not make sense for me.
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks for the info on the Novation Launchkey. It looks sweet. I saw that it won't be released for a bit. Yes, you do have a point - why not get a much larger keyboard, so it's something I'll have to mull over.

Now that I'm looking at this gear , I believe I need to step back a bit and believe about my budget.

Thanks for your link to the APC40 and MK2 combo. I'll definitely turn to it if I should choose this route.


Originally Posted by botstein
I recommend Novation's keyboards. They just announced a new one, which is cheap and worth checking out: http://us.novationmusic.com/midi-controllers/launchkey

Really, rather than a 25-key controller, I would highly recommend a 'master keyboard' situation - something with at least 49 full-size keys. If for some reason you have your heart set on that size, the little Novation keyboards are essentially exactly the same as their big brothers, just missing a few octaves of keys.

I love the Maschine (mk2 or otherwise, just not Mikro) for production and performance. Maschine and APC40 are great together inside of Ableton.

http://community .djranking s.com/showthread.php?t=48092

As for 'a lot going on with my own setup,' there's a lot to be said for minimalism. I'm just definitely not a minimalist. I'm looking at acquiring more controllers in the very near future.
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks for the advice. I definitely want the keys and read good reviews on the Axiom 25. What would you recommend other than M-Audio?

Also, I see you've got a lot going on with your own setup. I'll (probably) go with Ableton Live as my DAW, so looking for a controller - hence the APC20 or 40. Do you recommend the Maschine MK2 for production applications? And you use your MK2 and APC40 together?


Originally Posted by botstein
Superdee - I would stay away from M-Audio. I have not had good experiences there. Additionally, APCs don't really have a lot of production applications. They're for performance - it's in the name!
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks. I'm believeing of going with Ableton Live as my DAW...and read the APC20 or 40 are perfectly mapped for it. However, being a newbie I'm open to other ideas.


Originally Posted by William Gibson
Im still extremly new to DJing and producing myself so take this for what its worth....

Choose your DAW/DJ program first THEN choose your controllers based off that.
Annamae Debow
21.01.2013		Thanks for the advice. Very very helpful!

Originally Posted by dripstep
If you are just starting out, based off of your choices, here are the options I would recommend:
1. DJing - just the S2. No need for the extra buttons and knobs of another controller. Learn the basics, and then add in depending on what you are looking to do.
2. Production - APC20 and a keyboard is a great start, you have the keys to put your synths in, and all of the clip launching buttons on the apc20.

Pick one or the other as you are just starting out. Both DJing and production take up a lot of practice time each, and its better not to split that time up at the start. The good news is, it doesn't matter which one you start with, one will help you become better at the other.

Good luck, and welcome to the community .
Annamae Debow
21.01.2013		Hello,

I'm new to the DJ/music production field, and I've done a little research on what to buy, and there are two setups that I'm looking at:

(1) APC20 + Traktor Kontrol S2 (I saw this being sold recently as a combo)

or

(2) APC40 + M-Audio Axiom 25

Pros or cons on either setup?

Thanks.
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks for the perspective. It's helpful to know that Maschine is a good place to start. It's something I didn't believe about until I started reading the community , so thanks!


Originally Posted by boarderbas
I'm a bit in the same boat. I've chosen to start with a Maschine (which is not realy a full DAW). It is fun and easy to understand. It had me making beats in minutes. Also, its cheap, concidering you get hard AND software. Coughing up the ableton pricetag while not being sure I can/want to prduce did not make sense for me.
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks for the info on the Novation Launchkey. It looks sweet. I saw that it won't be released for a bit. Yes, you do have a point - why not get a much larger keyboard, so it's something I'll have to mull over.

Now that I'm looking at this gear , I believe I need to step back a bit and believe about my budget.

Thanks for your link to the APC40 and MK2 combo. I'll definitely turn to it if I should choose this route.


Originally Posted by botstein
I recommend Novation's keyboards. They just announced a new one, which is cheap and worth checking out: http://us.novationmusic.com/midi-controllers/launchkey

Really, rather than a 25-key controller, I would highly recommend a 'master keyboard' situation - something with at least 49 full-size keys. If for some reason you have your heart set on that size, the little Novation keyboards are essentially exactly the same as their big brothers, just missing a few octaves of keys.

I love the Maschine (mk2 or otherwise, just not Mikro) for production and performance. Maschine and APC40 are great together inside of Ableton.

http://community .djranking s.com/showthread.php?t=48092

As for 'a lot going on with my own setup,' there's a lot to be said for minimalism. I'm just definitely not a minimalist. I'm looking at acquiring more controllers in the very near future.
Evia Nitch
22.01.2013		I'm a bit in the same boat. I've chosen to start with a Maschine (which is not realy a full DAW). It is fun and easy to understand. It had me making beats in minutes. Also, its cheap, concidering you get hard AND software. Coughing up the ableton pricetag while not being sure I can/want to prduce did not make sense for me.
Ervin Calvery
22.01.2013		I recommend Novation's keyboards. They just announced a new one, which is cheap and worth checking out: http://us.novationmusic.com/midi-controllers/launchkey

Really, rather than a 25-key controller, I would highly recommend a 'master keyboard' situation - something with at least 49 full-size keys. If for some reason you have your heart set on that size, the little Novation keyboards are essentially exactly the same as their big brothers, just missing a few octaves of keys.

I love the Maschine (mk2 or otherwise, just not Mikro) for production and performance. Maschine and APC40 are great together inside of Ableton.

http://community .djranking s.com/showthread.php?t=48092

As for 'a lot going on with my own setup,' there's a lot to be said for minimalism. I'm just definitely not a minimalist. I'm looking at acquiring more controllers in the very near future.
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks for the advice. I definitely want the keys and read good reviews on the Axiom 25. What would you recommend other than M-Audio?

Also, I see you've got a lot going on with your own setup. I'll (probably) go with Ableton Live as my DAW, so looking for a controller - hence the APC20 or 40. Do you recommend the Maschine MK2 for production applications? And you use your MK2 and APC40 together?


Originally Posted by botstein
Superdee - I would stay away from M-Audio. I have not had good experiences there. Additionally, APCs don't really have a lot of production applications. They're for performance - it's in the name!
Annamae Debow
22.01.2013		Thanks. I'm believeing of going with Ableton Live as my DAW...and read the APC20 or 40 are perfectly mapped for it. However, being a newbie I'm open to other ideas.


Originally Posted by William Gibson
Im still extremly new to DJing and producing myself so take this for what its worth....

Choose your DAW/DJ program first THEN choose your controllers based off that.
Ervin Calvery
22.01.2013		Superdee - I would stay away from M-Audio. I have not had good experiences there. Additionally, APCs don't really have a lot of production applications. They're for performance - it's in the name!
Klara Kinnebrew
21.01.2013		Im still extremly new to DJing and producing myself so take this for what its worth....

Choose your DAW/DJ program first THEN choose your controllers based off that.
Annamae Debow
21.01.2013		Thanks for the advice. Very very helpful!

Originally Posted by dripstep
If you are just starting out, based off of your choices, here are the options I would recommend:
1. DJing - just the S2. No need for the extra buttons and knobs of another controller. Learn the basics, and then add in depending on what you are looking to do.
2. Production - APC20 and a keyboard is a great start, you have the keys to put your synths in, and all of the clip launching buttons on the apc20.

Pick one or the other as you are just starting out. Both DJing and production take up a lot of practice time each, and its better not to split that time up at the start. The good news is, it doesn't matter which one you start with, one will help you become better at the other.

Good luck, and welcome to the community .
Yong Aptekar
21.01.2013		If you are just starting out, based off of your choices, here are the options I would recommend:
1. DJing - just the S2. No need for the extra buttons and knobs of another controller. Learn the basics, and then add in depending on what you are looking to do.
2. Production - APC20 and a keyboard is a great start, you have the keys to put your synths in, and all of the clip launching buttons on the apc20.

Pick one or the other as you are just starting out. Both DJing and production take up a lot of practice time each, and its better not to split that time up at the start. The good news is, it doesn't matter which one you start with, one will help you become better at the other.

Good luck, and welcome to the community .
Simona Schar
21.01.2013		The first one is more focused ondeejaying, but can Also be used (APC 20) be solid in DAW like ableton. The second one is more focused on production and (eventualy, but not for a beginner) cand be tweaked for djaying.
Depends what you want to do...

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