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-- what to get first?
what to get first?
I am starting my journey in building my first studio. Just wanted to know from you pors what you think i should concentrate on first
thanks
Here is my list of what you should get to start up a homestudio, starting with most important.
1. Get a good computer. I prefer PC, but some people like macs. Have a sufficiant amount of ram (512+), have a good solid processor, invest in a good soundcard. I recommend the M-Audio Delta 44. You need some sort of midi input, so grab an M-Audio midisport for that.
2. Buy a copy of a softwear sequencer. Cubase, Sonar, Logic etc.. all of them do essentially the same things, just get one that appeals to you. In my personal opinion, computer based sequencers let you manipulate the sounds and midi data alot more easily than hardwear sequencers. They also allow you to use softwear synthesizers together with hardwear, and give you things like mastering plugins and wave editors.
3. Next, buy a midi keyboard controller. I have the Roland PC-70. Basically, any keyboard with a midi output will do, but usually more keys are better.
4. Get a good pair of monitor speakers. I know some people believe in buying active (having a built in amplifier) studio monitors like the Event 20/20bas or Tannoy Reveal's. In my opinion, having listened to such monitors, it is a better idea to go for a good* pair of passive "non-studio" monitors with an external amp. Why do I suggest this? Because you get a better price to performance ratio. I have a pair of Axiom M22ti's with a kenwood 80watt/channel amp. I can safely say that I definately prefer this to the Tannoy Reveals. Either way, a good subwoofer is also a good idea to invest in, but is not essential at the start.
5. Buy yourself a copy of Reason 2.5 (if you dont have it already). Its amazing what kind of quality can be produced by it.. and you can integrate it with hardwear using your sequencer.
6. Buy one hardwear synth to start. I've got a novation supernova pro (which im selling because I've found softsynths to be just as expressive). Waldorf Q is great (micro q is also good if you want to save some money), access virus b or c aswell.. get whichever one. They produce similar sounds, great for electronic music.
I hope I didnt leave anything out.. but that's what you need for a basic studio setup.
If you buy more hardwear synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, etc, then an external mixer is also a great thing to have.
If you have extra cash lying around and want to make your studio even better, go for dual 19" lcd monitors (great for sequencing and softsynth work at the same time), accoustic foam for the walls, high grade speaker wire and interconnects.. and maybe a better amp, something above consumer level, to really give you the power and headroom you need.
*when i say a good pair of non-studio monitors, I mean a home stereo speaker that has a linear frequency response, neutral sound, and adds little colouration to the sound.
The very first thing you must do is to make sure you know what you're doing.
The worst possible thing you can do is to spend loads of money on a studio only to realise that you have no musical skill whatsoever and/or have lost interest.
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| Originally posted by Mr.Mystery The very first thing you must do is to make sure you know what you're doing. The worst possible thing you can do is to spend loads of money on a studio only to realise that you have no musical skill whatsoever and/or have lost interest. |
thank you all for your reponse. I have played with reason and alot of software (fruity loops, cooledit, etc). I have a copy of Cubase but I never really found anything i could really do on them. I guess this is due to the fact that i have no midi keyboards to further play with. As far as knowing what i am doing I am no PVD but i have a general idea of the sound i am looking for. I know what i want and have tons of ideas i just have a hard time making them come to life..
thanks again
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| Originally posted by robbyrob ... I know what i want and have tons of ideas i just have a hard time making them come to life.. thanks again |
thats what its all about right! 
i just purchased a copy of Reason 2.5 and before i go and buy a nice synth. im gonna make sure i know how to use Reason otherwise the synth is going to just sit there.
reason is a nice app. Gotta upgrade to 2.5 myself
Rob..
ps. Ok lets make this ? a little more intersting. What software should once have and understand fairly before one starts to dish out some cash for hardware?
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| Originally posted by Breeze i just purchased a copy of Reason 2.5 and before i go and buy a nice synth. im gonna make sure i know how to use Reason otherwise the synth is going to just sit there. |
Ok, just send me the link to your ISO images and we'll call it even - I won't even tell on you.... Oh c'mon! 
share the luv!
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| Originally posted by CynepMeH Hmm... did you "buy" it or did you ... buy it??? Ok, just send me the link to your ISO images and we'll call it even - I won't even tell on you.... Oh c'mon! share the luv! |
does cool edit even make it into the producing scene? I know its more of a sampling program, but i just wondered..
No CoolEdit would not cut it for music composition. Production, yes.
Reason is extremely complex, and unless you have alot of time on your hands, it's not worth it. And if you are going to go for it, and you come across 2.0 somehow, don't bother, it won't allow you to use VST's, which is absurd.
FruityLoops is a great program IMO. If you are using all your own samples and VSTs, it only functions as a sequencer, and a great one at that. The sequencer in Reason is awful, AND YOU ALL KNOW IT, so shut up.
If you are going actually put some good ammounts of money out there, get your PC, and get a Korg Triton, Amazing synth, about 5000 Canadian.
If you are going soft, you need a MIDI keyboard, I recommend one with more than 8 controllers, these are really really handy. Sliders are better than knobs in most respects (can only turn so many knobs at once). Midiman Oxygen is excellent, just played with one for 5 hours. Ozone is the same thing, but it has a built in sound card, mainly for using it with a stand alone synth.
Thats all I care to say for now.
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| Originally posted by moth And if you are going to go for it, and you come across 2.0 somehow, don't bother, it won't allow you to use VST's, which is absurd. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by moth The sequencer in Reason is awful, AND YOU ALL KNOW IT, so shut up. |
I agree with moth about reason sequencer being absolutely crap, and about it not supporting vst's. However, there are ways around it. Just use something like cubase or some other software similar to that that DOES support vst's, and that supports rewire. Cubase SX has been the best that ive gotten to play around with. Then just use the rewire features to "plug" reason into cubase, and use cubase as a hub pretty much(and a sequencer to the vst's). I think theres more info on rewire, and how to get everything setup, at propellerhead.se
I'm not so sure about fruity loops. I played around it for about 10months, and the fact that it just loops stuff.. its.. not really all that appealing because a lot of times you can hear where it is looping and it sounds fairly bad... back to reason.. the synths and effects in there will last you a long time, without having to use vst plugins. Also, in reason you do the wiring like you would do similarly if it wasnt a virtual studio.. so i found it quite usefull when looking at all of the racks that are real.. it gives you some knowledge in case you decide to move to a non-virtual studio.. or a half and half(like im trying to do now)
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