13 replies to this topic

[kanuck21]

So I just joined this message board because I love this label and you guys make some sick tracks. Basically I've loved hip hop forever and I finally started getting into writing some music. The track below me is pure shit because I did it all with garageband and an M-Audio ProKeys 88 keyboard. I want to step it up with much better equipment and software and don't know where to start. At all......

I was wondering what I needed to start with to compose all of my beats and tunes from scratch, and then recording them live to sample them. I know it will take some time to build up my arsenal and get some experience, but I'm willing to learn and excited to start.

I have:

a yamaha stage custom drum kit
an SWR working pro 2x10c bass amp
a Polytone Mighty-Brute guitar amp
a set of KRK Rockit 8s
various mixing boards (4channels to 16 channels)
a Technics reel to reel recorder (going to have some fun with that)
a Fender Rhodes 73
an M-Audio ProKeys 88
various mics
a Macbook Pro 15-inch
musician buddies (pretty much any instrument I need)

What I need:

Software
programs and hardware that can convert analogue to digital
what else?

Any help would be great.
Thanks

[sugoisounds]

so, you want to sample live instruments and work with those samples?
What kind of budget?

A soundcard with a few inputs/outputs and a copy of ableton sounds like a good place to start.
Google ableton, reason, record, SP-404, MPC1000, Protools etc

[down_Low]

i would go pro tools or logic 8
protools will cost more to set up
logic will be cheaper and since it has moved to mac it has most of the features you would want/need from protools and a few that pro tools doesnt offer that lend them selves more to the electronic side of your production

[OKG]

pick up an audio interface( run all the instruments into one of your mixers, then into the interface) and then either ableton or logic an your set

[The Wig Master]

you're all set. you don't need anything. you can make dope tracks with just garageband. the soundcard on the macbook is fine.
stop sleeping and just use what you have to the fullest

[TKurata]

OKG, on Feb 23 2010, 11:10 AM, said:

pick up an audio interface( run all the instruments into one of your mixers, then into the interface) and then either ableton or logic an your set

hey OKG, can you recommend a good audio interface that works with Windows XP?

I got a shitty little dongle from M-Audio, but can't get it to work right with my PC for some reason...(output works fine, no input though)

thanks

[kanuck21]

Ok well I was wondering, What are the capabilities of ableton? Is it a good program to use if I'm recording live off the floor samples?

With the audio interface, if I'm just say recording 6 horns off the floor using the mixer, will I still get each individual mic?

Now with a mac, what kind of sound card should I get?

I think I'm going to go with Logic over Protools, but which one is more maneuverable? I'll possibly be taking samples in different places and I was wondering which one is better for travel?

@ The Wig Master- I know I should just be making tracks no matter what software I have, but I just don't like garageband and it's lack of editing capabilities, I want to expand the horizon you know? You're totally right though.


Also just a side question, how do you guys promote? and what's a good way to start getting into my local hip hop scene? I have some friends that are dope graffiti artists, and b-boys, but no one that's pushing music in my circle.

You guys are a great help.
Thanks


EDIT: Also what's a good piece of equipment that I can use to mess around with my samples in a live situation?

[lslate26]

if your looking to conserve your money the best investment is the audio interface i recommend firewire with a tube and low latency, wont be cheap but well worth it.

as far as computer programs you have a few options (DAW):
Cubase
Logic
Protools
Reaper

I personally enjoy Cubase but theres a lot of bugs involved so i switched to Reaper it only cost $60 and comes with a lot of free updates. Dont bootleg the programs because your gonna regret it when you loose your files (its happen to me plenty of times)

once you get the DAW program look for free vst's theres a lot of good 1s out there. dont necessarily have to pay for quality instruments or plug-ins

[kanuck21]

Yeah I'm not going to bootleg the programs. I want to be legit about all this.

Now money-wise, I'm down for anything. I'm not rich but I'm willing to invest a hefty amount into my set-up. My goal to eventually have the best hardware and software for me, and I'll keep searching until I'm happy with it. I do have a few VSTs but what are some that you guys recommend? I'll mostly be using them for sound creation, and pre-programmed synths (moog, cs-80, jupiter, and other analogue synths).

Oh I also forgot to mention I have a Roland MC-303. I lost the manual, but was wondering if it was possibly to put samples on it? I don't know if anyone is familiar with it (probably are).

Also I have one more question. I'm uploading another track I tossed together a few months ago and was wondering- how can I get a clearer sound on my tracks? I find they're always lacking definition. Is it just garageband? or is it something I'm doing? I'm trying my best to get the clearest possible sound even before I have to eq parts, but they always turn out flat sounding.

thanks again

[sugoisounds]

kanuck21, on Feb 23 2010, 08:56 PM, said:

Oh I also forgot to mention I have a Roland MC-303. I lost the manual, but was wondering if it was possibly to put samples on it? I don't know if anyone is familiar with it (probably are).

I used to have one. You can't put samples on it but it's a good source of 808/909 and 303 sounds. You can probably use it as a sounds module, meaning you use the sounds on it but control it from a DAW or an MPC.

For soundcards, I have a M-audio Fast Track Ultra which has 8 in and 8 outs. IF you are regularly working with, and recording separately, a lot of mics maybe something bigger. I don't know how other people work but I'd have thought recording 6 stereo inputs separately at one time is a pretty big ask for something non hardware...

I'm pretty sure in Ableton you can only record one input at a time - maybe check with more serious users.

You know you can download demo's of all this software/VST and just try it out...might give you a road map

[J Barnes]

kanuck21, on Feb 23 2010, 11:10 AM, said:

Software
programs and hardware that can convert analogue to digital
what else?

Sounds like you've completely neglected getting any microphones what-so-ever?

[kanuck21]

J Barnes, on Feb 23 2010, 03:50 PM, said:

Sounds like you've completely neglected getting any microphones what-so-ever?

sorry I meant converting tape and analogue synths to a digital input.

[OKG]

TKurata, on Feb 23 2010, 02:30 PM, said:

hey OKG, can you recommend a good audio interface that works with Windows XP?

I got a shitty little dongle from M-Audio, but can't get it to work right with my PC for some reason...(output works fine, no input though)

thanks

i have an m-audio keystudio 49 ($250 CAD), it used to work fine with windows xp

i'd still go the m audio route, you may have to spend a little money on it tho

or you may just need to fiddle with it a bit, make sure the inputs and outputs are set to the audio interface( in control panel)

i've only ever used my keystudio, it's always worked for me and it gives me 49 keys to play with

@kanuck21, technically speaking, i can do anything editing wise in audacity that someone can do in protools, it all boils down to the fact that your just cutting and copying, pasting and moving audio slices and bits around, the diference is the effects/aux buses/number of tracks that logic and protools give you

[lslate26]

kanuck21, on Feb 23 2010, 12:56 PM, said:

Also I have one more question. I'm uploading another track I tossed together a few months ago and was wondering- how can I get a clearer sound on my tracks? I find they're always lacking definition. Is it just garageband? or is it something I'm doing? I'm trying my best to get the clearest possible sound even before I have to eq parts, but they always turn out flat sounding.

thanks again

Theres a lot of cool VST's out there that will help you with clarity. ive never worked with garage band so i couldnt tell you if vst's work for it. the best VST's are the free ones!

http://www.digitalfishphones.com/main.php?...2&subItem=5
^thatll help you with some clarity.

google free vst and try em out!
Goodluck
hit me up on the soundcloud if you wanna talk about studio techniques.
www.soundcloud.com/dranaL