Software vs. hardware!! I need help!

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Posted by jayrawk007 on Mar-15-2004 10:22:

Software vs. hardware!! I need help!

I've been Djing for a while, and really wanna start making tracks. I want to make trance, hip hop breakbeat, etc, and dont have much money to spend. The max is $400 on either software or hardware. I guess my question is what can I get for $400 that is quality enough for a beginner(someting better than Ejay) and should I get software or hardware? I wanna do alot of sampling too, so that is one of the most important features that should be choice. Any ideas?

Posted by sash on Mar-15-2004 11:09:

Re: Software vs. hardware!! I need help!

quote:
Originally posted by jayrawk007
I've been Djing for a while, and really wanna start making tracks. I want to make trance, hip hop breakbeat, etc, and dont have much money to spend. The max is $400 on either software or hardware. I guess my question is what can I get for $400 that is quality enough for a beginner(someting better than Ejay) and should I get software or hardware? I wanna do alot of sampling too, so that is one of the most important features that should be choice. Any ideas?

hey, try a quick search in the production forum. http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...p?s=&forumid=48

if you've never produced before, have a play around on some trial software before you invest in anything.

Posted by razzi on Mar-15-2004 15:12:

Re: Re: Software vs. hardware!! I need help!

quote:
Originally posted by sash
if you've never produced before, have a play around on some trial software before you invest in anything.

this is great advice, take it.

one recommendation: sonic foundry ACID.
push used a synth from an ACID cd for the main tune for universal nation.. and he made big bucks.. so i would recommend checking this out..

in the end, regardless of hardware/software.. its the innovative genius inside that will determine part of the success of anything you produce.

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-16-2004 08:13:

Look I've been producing as long as I can remember. In fact I got my first release before I was even born, so it's with some authority that I can tell you this: Forget software, hardware all the way. Nothing even comes remotely close.

Just get yourself a tape recorder, a mic, and use your voice.

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Mar-17-2004 00:39:

quote:
Originally posted by Tranc3
Look I've been producing as long as I can remember. In fact I got my first release before I was even born, so it's with some authority that I can tell you this: Forget software, hardware all the way. Nothing even comes remotely close.

Just get yourself a tape recorder, a mic, and use your voice.

um...ok, are you living in the 21st century?? This music is made by computers these days, with the help of *some* hardware, but nowadays its using a laptop with a copy of Reason or Logic, and you can make a killer track, and make a lot of loot. Also you must be really talented if you had a release even before your momma released you

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-17-2004 00:45:

quote:
Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY
um...ok, are you living in the 21st century?? This music is made by computers these days, with the help of *some* hardware, but nowadays its using a laptop with a copy of Reason or Logic, and you can make a killer track, and make a lot of loot. Also you must be really talented if you had a release even before your momma released you

I guess some people just don't get sarcasm, even if the writting is drenched in it.

Posted by jayrawk007 on Mar-17-2004 00:49:

Ok, Well, to get more specific... what can I get with $400 for software that will actually be able to make some descent music? I have a PC, so I cant buy logic.. so is reason the way to go?

Posted by Allied Nations on Mar-17-2004 00:54:

its kinda hard to read sarcasm

Posted by D Dubya on Mar-17-2004 01:04:

I agree. Using hardware over software is a lot better. Sonic Foundry ACiD though is a good program if you have to go the computer route. I know people who have made some pretty creative and professional sounding stuff through Fruity Loops as well... Just try before you buy. Don't want to get stuck with a triple digit priced piece of crap.

Posted by D Dubya on Mar-17-2004 01:05:

Then again.... I don't produce anything......

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Mar-17-2004 02:16:

quote:
Originally posted by Tranc3
I guess some people just don't get sarcasm, even if the writting is drenched in it.

with another dumb comment like that, I hope you get through life with your looks, if thats you in your avatar. Why don't you contribute to this thread...make yourself useful, if you can.

I also agree with the above, using both hardware and software will enable you to do it all, so don't just pick one or the other, use a combo hard/software that works best for you, and the type of sound your after.

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Mar-17-2004 02:17:

quote:
Originally posted by dinoXpress
its kinda hard to read sarcasm

hehe...

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-17-2004 03:47:

quote:
Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY
with another dumb comment like that, I hope you get through life with your looks, if thats you in your avatar. Why don't you contribute to this thread...make yourself useful, if you can.

I also agree with the above, using both hardware and software will enable you to do it all, so don't just pick one or the other, use a combo hard/software that works best for you, and the type of sound your after.

Dumb comment? You were the one that was unable to see the original meaning of my post in the first place. How does your inability to percieve things as they really are reflect on my own mental state? Besides which, I don't see you giving any useful information that's not just a repeat of what's already been mentioned. Why don't you just STFU about me and contribute something useful yourself?

The reason I posted that instead of useful information is because the useful information was already given - go to the production forum. They've got a nice thread there called "New? Then read this" It gives a rundown of all the major sequencers, as well as their pros and cons.

Basically what it comes down to is this: If you want VST functionality later on, don't get Reason. However if you just see this as a one time thing and don't really anticipate the want/need for more synths/more power/more flexibility, then Reason is for you. Reason is a great program at a great price, but extremely inflexible due to its' closed-studio design. The learning curve is not that bad though, compared to Logic or Cubase.

About Hardware vs. Software - nowadays having a software studio is not much different from having a hardware studio, at least in terms of sound. VSTi's have gotten to the point where nearly every pro producer uses them - the only pro that sticks to all hardware (that I know of) is PvD. Keep in mind though that James Holden wrote, scored and mastered all of Horizons in Buzz, a free sequencing program with VST functionality. Since then he's gotten one piece of hardware, but according to him, he hardly ever uses it. Armin van Buuren also uses a variety of VSTi's as well as Reason...I could name more but really it's easier to name who DOESN'T use software than it is to name those that do.

My advice: check out Buzz first, as it's completely free and a proven tool. You can use it to then get the feel of producing, and see if you want to go any further with it. Not only that, but it can also act as a base for any VSTi demos you may want to try out. In addition to Buzz, I recommend you get the Superwave8 VSTi, it's built to emulate the Roland JP80X0 - one of the most widely used synths in trance, besides the Access Virus series and the Nordlead series.

Links

http://home.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm
http://www.buzzmachines.com/

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-17-2004 03:50:

Oh in regards to samplers, as you mentioned you wanted to do a lot of that, don't bother with hardware samplers, it's generally agreed that software samplers are much better for:

1) Cost-effectiveness
2) Versatility
3) Ease of use

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Mar-17-2004 04:17:

quote:
Originally posted by Tranc3
Dumb comment? You were the one that was unable to see the original meaning of my post in the first place. How does your inability to percieve things as they really are reflect on my own mental state? Besides which, I don't see you giving any useful information that's not just a repeat of what's already been mentioned. Why don't you just STFU about me and contribute something useful yourself?

The reason I posted that instead of useful information is because the useful information was already given - go to the production forum. They've got a nice thread there called "New? Then read this" It gives a rundown of all the major sequencers, as well as their pros and cons.

Basically what it comes down to is this: If you want VST functionality later on, don't get Reason. However if you just see this as a one time thing and don't really anticipate the want/need for more synths/more power/more flexibility, then Reason is for you. Reason is a great program at a great price, but extremely inflexible due to its' closed-studio design. The learning curve is not that bad though, compared to Logic or Cubase.

About Hardware vs. Software - nowadays having a software studio is not much different from having a hardware studio, at least in terms of sound. VSTi's have gotten to the point where nearly every pro producer uses them - the only pro that sticks to all hardware (that I know of) is PvD. Keep in mind though that James Holden wrote, scored and mastered all of Horizons in Buzz, a free sequencing program with VST functionality. Since then he's gotten one piece of hardware, but according to him, he hardly ever uses it. Armin van Buuren also uses a variety of VSTi's as well as Reason...I could name more but really it's easier to name who DOESN'T use software than it is to name those that do.

My advice: check out Buzz first, as it's completely free and a proven tool. You can use it to then get the feel of producing, and see if you want to go any further with it. Not only that, but it can also act as a base for any VSTi demos you may want to try out. In addition to Buzz, I recommend you get the Superwave8 VSTi, it's built to emulate the Roland JP80X0 - one of the most widely used synths in trance, besides the Access Virus series and the Nordlead series.

Links

http://home.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm
http://www.buzzmachines.com/

Ha...your first post had no meaning, and now you have contributed to this thread, in a positive manner...good for you, but your still a smart ass with a big chip on your shoulder. I'm glad you have shared all this with us...looks like were in the prescence of greatness.

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-17-2004 04:30:

quote:
Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY
Ha...your first post had no meaning, and now you have contributed to this thread, in a positive manner...good for you, but your still a smart ass with a big chip on your shoulder. I'm glad you have shared all this with us...looks like were in the prescence of greatness.

I might add that you sure have contributed a good deal to this thread.

Oh, in case you couldn't get it through your thick skull, being the obtuse person you are, that was sarcasm.

Posted by las3rjock on Mar-17-2004 05:00:

For the record, it is risky to attempt sarcasm with the written word alone. You can reduce the risk of misinterpretion if you convey sarcasm with emoticons as well as your words.

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-17-2004 05:07:

Oh cmon! I said all the hardware you needed was a mic, a tape recorder, and your voice...if that was taken seriously, I'd tend to believe the problem in the communication is not so much on my end...

Posted by D Dubya on Mar-17-2004 05:17:

I love this forum....

Posted by jayrawk007 on Mar-17-2004 05:31:

Thank you EVERYONE for your imput, I appreciate it. The origin of this post was to learn some info, NOT to bicker, come on now!!! Mad love to everyone!!

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Mar-18-2004 01:00:

quote:
Originally posted by Tranc3
Oh cmon! I said all the hardware you needed was a mic, a tape recorder, and your voice...if that was taken seriously, I'd tend to believe the problem in the communication is not so much on my end...

Why don't you look in the mirror and check yourself. If sarcasm is all you have, which that seems to be the case, why don't you go someplace else, this forum is here to help our fellow DJ's and enthusiasts, not interfere with other peoples threads that are trying to learn new things. I'd love to knock you the f$%* out, you dumb ho.

Posted by jayrawk007 on Mar-18-2004 04:19:

Well, obviously someone cant understand what "good vibes" are , and its sad that people who are "in the scene" that is supposed to promote positive vibes, have nothing better to do than argue with each other on a trance forum. COME ON! Dont you have anything more constructive to do? This is my last post on this one. Peace to all those who want to keep the POSITIVE energy. Peace out to the negative. :P

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-18-2004 05:24:

quote:
Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY
Why don't you look in the mirror and check yourself. If sarcasm is all you have, which that seems to be the case, why don't you go someplace else, this forum is here to help our fellow DJ's and enthusiasts, not interfere with other peoples threads that are trying to learn new things. I'd love to knock you the f$%* out, you dumb ho.