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Hardware plugins

hey guys, a buddy of mine just bought a house and he wants to turn one of the rooms to a studio, hes loaded so money wont be a problem, and he wants me to help him on choosing synthersizers, mixers, computers, etc. everything to make it a nice studio.
now what i really dont know is what hardware plugins that are important to have in a studio, my knowledge is weak when it comes to plugins, and when i look at other musicians studio's i always see atleast 3 or 4 plugins. so can someone tell me what ones that are usually used the most, what is a good pick of hardware plugin ??

thanks in advance

What do you mean by hardware plug ins? Do you mean like hardware effects processors?

ahahahaha I love it, "Hardware plugin"

Next thing someone's gonna ask for will be a "fully analog hardware VA softsynth"

Well, IMO, since he doesn't seem to know much about synthesism and studio setups since he asked you (no offense), I wouldn't suggest jumping in the deep end just yet. But since he's loaded, as you say, I suggest starting off with maybe 2-3 synths, an arranger keyboard (or a simple midi keyboard), a dual core AMD PC system or a nice G5 workstation, and a good audio interface. I wouldn't recomment any hardware effects, since IMO they're just more hassle, you can get 99% the same results with software (and since he's new in the game, he probably won't know how to get the most out of them).

My shopping list would be something similar (for a trance/house -oriented setup, at least):

Synths: Access Virus C/TI, Waldorf Q, Nord Lead 3, Novation KS, Alesis Andromeda, Roland SH-201. These synths all vary in price and features, but they should all be nice for trance.

Master Keyboard:
1. I'd try to get most of the synths in rack versions, since they take up less space, but it may be good to get one of them keyboard version.
2. Get a keyboard arranger (something Roland or Korg Triton or similar) if he want the ability to do "bread 'n butter" type sounds as well (sampled real instruments and basic drum kits and such.. this can also be done through software for a cheaper price)
3. Get a midi keyboard - Probably the cheapeast alternative, and also the most efficient.

Audio Interface: I must say, I'n not a pro in this area, I have my Delta 44 with 4ins and 4 outs, it's great, but with hardware synths, more inputs are almost necessary (unless you route them all into a mixer first, which I wouldn't want to do). Something Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) or RME Hammerfall should do him good. If you decide on Pro Tools, it comes with a varying array of soundcards to choose from.

Computer: 64 bit dual core AMD is the way to go! an AMD 64 X2 4400+ processor is the top of the line, that's what I'd get. But Apple is also a very widely used choice in the industry

Software PLUGINS: Yes, plugins are always software, if they not software, then they're just called "synths" or "effects", not hardware plugins
Synths: z3ta+, Rapture, V-Station and Albino.
Samplers: Either Battery or Kontakt.

Lastly, there's the choice of hosts: Cubase SX, Sonar, Logic (for Mac), Tracktion (my latest favorite), FL Studio or Pro Tools, take your pick, it's all yp to personal preference!

.. I just can't help it, I love making shopping lists! But check the stickies at the top of the forum, there's a bunch of info on "what synths should I buy" and "what is the best sequencer" -type of questions.

thanks for all that info. so your telling me that hardwares that look like that are also called synths ?



i didnt know that, and i was asking about hardwares like amplifiers, equalizers, sound processor, things that are useful besides effects processor.

Let's try this another way...

What's the budget, and what's he intend to do with the studio?

From that I can get you started, but by the sounds of things you or your friend are not ready to start on that major a path right now.

It's been said before and said again, great talent and mediocre gear can produce great results, whilst the opposite is far from true.

It's best to have a very limited collection of tools and know them well instead of lots of tools that you don't understand. The fact these questions are being asked are, no offense, indicative of a fundamental lack of knowledge as to what's required.

Whilst I'd love a rack of Manleys, Vintage neve preamps and a wall of eventides, without understanding, a decent balanced setup and an understanding of WHY things are great then it's all a bunch of very expensive paperwieghts.

I've spend some VERY serious sums of money on my studio over the years. If I had unlimited cash and has just gone and got it all on day one I would still be lost. Too many choices cloud your creativity..

buy a pc from a audio dealer. not a 'dell' style supplier. and bundled with cubase and a nice soundcard like m audio 2496. then everything will work well. get an access virus keyboard model and some nice sample cd's for your drums.

now buy some software mastering plugins. and spend the rest on introductions to music production lessions. from 'youth clubs' not big 'academys' of music tech- they are shit imo, they just stunt progress so you need more lessons.

above all get a pc from a 'hi tech music' supplier that deals in music production pc's. and ask them for the number of an independant teacher of the program you choose.

- if hardware is really a route required then look at dbx compressors, a rack jp8080 and of course.... a lovely 'virus' by access. plus a few decent cables for use with the sound card between the hardware.

hope that helps

Just get reason untill you/he learns the concepts your trying to achieve. It is good enough to make complete tunes of your fav style, and once your get a grasp of what your doing, then look into hardware.

Propellerheads Reason is an awesome learning tool, it's very flexible yet limited so it's easy to use. It's a complete software studio and works alot like hardware.

oya i know about reason, i have it but never had time to use it and learn on it bcoz of college and all,, but Ive already gave it my friend, i gave him the software and the tutorial dvd so he can start with it from now.

quote:

Originally posted by Diginerd What's the budget, and what's he intend to do with the studio?

his budget is between $25,000 and $30,000 for now. it'll be for prog. trance (ofcourse) and some hard house

quote:

thanks for the info richg101

Software wise, I think he should get Reason and some other music program like Cubase or Ableton live. And 2 LCD monitors.

Oh, he got Reason.

quote:

Originally posted by x_moe his budget is between $25,000 and $30,000 for now. it'll be for prog. trance (ofcourse) and some hard house

Jesus Christ, sinking 30 grand into a studio in one go is INSANE!! Especially if you don't even know what you're doing! If he spends all that money in one go without knowing what the hell he's actually buying, then he'll end up selling 90% of the stuff back in less than a year and losing tons of money!

start slow, that's the best advice anyone can ever give you when it comes to expensive hobbies like music production. If he spends all that money on fancy hardware processors it's going to be counter-productive, he's going to feel like he doesn't know what he's doing and he won't be inspired to learn to use all his equipment.

Start with a good computer, a nice audio interface, 2-3 hardware synths (but they're not even neccessary, since you can do everything with software these days), DON'T GET HARDWARE EFFECTS, at least not yet, they're a pain to use in a software setup, IMO. There are some great software processors on the market.

Take my word for it, more equipment means more time learning to use it, which equals to less time actually creating music, which means he won't feel driven to use his studio since he never makes any music! It's a vicious circle! (trust me, I've been down that exact road. Gear acquisition syndrome is evil )

quote:

Originally posted by x_moe thanks for all that info. so your telling me that hardwares that look like that are also called synths ?

No they're not, but they're not PLUGINS. That looks like a headphone amplifier.... And unless he's going to be recording an 8 person big band in his studio he won't have any use for an 8 channel headphone amp! stick with the basics to begin with!

ill just make sure that ill let him read this thread

Wait. Patience.

If he's got Reason, then use that for at least 6 months until he has a better idea of music production, what kind of gear he wants etc. Read plenty and test out some gear in the shops.

No offense, but if your mate sinks $30k into a studio, yet dosn't have a clue where to start, then they're an idiot. It's the same as dropping $30k on a car, and not knowing how to drive. You buy a shithouse banger of a car, so you can learn in that.

Not to mention if he actually enjoy's it, or has some talent.

You can't make a decent track with Reason? $30k of gear won't make you a decent track either; you still got to know how to use it and have musical ability.

On the other hand, I'm after some new gear, so if he wants to blow $30k, then get a Virus TI, Waldorf Q, Novation SuperNova II and Alesis Andromeda A6... then after 6 months when he gets frustrated and wants to flog them all off, I'll buy the lot.

lol oright, ill look into these equipments

I don't think that Rusty was seriously saying to look into them to buy them.
They are great pieces of kit but at this stage would a total waste of money.

It might sound like a strange question, but has your friend ever written any music before?
If the answer is yes then they may choose to purchase a cheaper sequencer with some presets and then perhaps invest in some VSTs. There are plenty of sites that offer this, you may want to check out KVR.

People have mentioned Reason, but done rule out things like Fruity Loops or similar. Possibly even go for the demo versions to see if you feel the urge to learn more.
If your friend doesn't actually know what he is looking for and can't be bothered to find out for himself then I have to question his desire and would possibly say that he is not up to the level of commitment needed to actually learn to produce tracks.

Best of luck whatever you choose.

Cheers
Nem

Just start making music with what you've got, and don't buy any gear until you come across a problem/limitation that can be fixed by a specific piece of kit. Then research what to buy. Then buy that.

he's not as new as you guys think, he has worked on FL studio before and he has a midi controller... but like i said, ill let him know wut u guys think, which basically i understand is that he shouldnt rush into things like he was going to.

quote:

Originally posted by x_moe he's not as new as you guys think.

If he's so not-new as to make the comments here inappropriate, he will know what he needs to buy next. By himself.

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