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-- Some advice appreciated in regards to new setup....

Some advice appreciated in regards to new setup....

Hi all.

First time posting here been lurking and reading for the past couple weeks. Would love some advice on how to best go about creating my studio. Keep the following information in mind.

Im looking at either getting the Novation X-Station or the Korg Kontrol as my midi controller. I know the Novation comes with an audio interface of its own but is it any good>

On top of that I also have a laptop and desktop. My laptop is an HP-dv6000 and runs xp, is 1.66ghz processor, 3gb ram, and runs ableton verrrrry smoothly. The desktop is a older Emachines (its ok but only used for playing cards and surfing the net, etc. Also has Vista on it, gross!) Intel Celeron 3.2ghz with 2gb ram. Option 1 would be to hook my laptop up to my 22' monitor, and run everything through it. Option b would be buy a new desktop. However this seems like a waste of money that I could be spending on other things.

Monitors are not an issue at the moment I already have some. So its down to midi controller and/or desktop and audio interface. Looking to spend between 1-2k for everything max at the moment. Any opinions or advice would be awesome, thanks!

Just looking for some opinions on what would be most simplistic. I have a hard time choosing what route to go with situations like this.

I guess what im saying is.....I read all the reviews and everything but im still a new producer so someone who's been there done that with their thoughts the questions I asked would be nice. I guess I'll throw some cliff notes in.

- Novation X-Station vs. Korg Kontrol
- If the Novationis chosen... is the audio interface provided even acceptable or should I grab one as well with the controller. PCI or Firewire?
- Laptop vs desktop (if I stick with laptop the extra money can be spent on a second monitor) if not, no dice.

Just looking for some opinions from people who have some experience unlike myself! Thanks

-Michael

Hi Michael,

After lurking on these forums myself for a long time, I've seen a lot of people suggest that anyone starting out should first invest in a decent audio interface and a pair of monitors before anything else. I would have to agree with them.

A MIDI controller, though very handy, is just a replacement for a mouse and keyboard but you can still do everything without it. I've heard good things about the X-Station, but I don't think I'm really the one to tell you much about it as I own an M-Audio Axiom 49.

As for buying a new comp, I wouldn't dive into that just yet. Actually TEST the one you have now, and see how it holds up when you start throwing plugins into ableton. Try experimenting with what your comp can handle so you dont blow a bunch of money on something you might not need (yet)!

Anyways, before anything I would suggest an audio interface and a pair of monitors first. Try the waters out with these and see if producing is for you. Then, as you get better with what you have, upgrade one thing at a time. As for what equipment to buy - I hope you've looked through all the FAQ's and tutorials around these forums because they helped me when I was picking out the same kinda gear! Don't forget, even if your comp is straining a little, there are ways to get around it (like bouncing to audio, etc). Search the forums for those techniques too, because they helped me avoid buying a new computer when I can do just fine with what I have.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by cl0ckw3rk Hi Michael, After lurking on these forums myself for a long time, I've seen a lot of people suggest that anyone starting out should first invest in a decent audio interface and a pair of monitors before anything else. I would have to agree with them. A MIDI controller, though very handy, is just a replacement for a mouse and keyboard but you can still do everything without it. I've heard good things about the X-Station, but I don't think I'm really the one to tell you much about it as I own an M-Audio Axiom 49. As for buying a new comp, I wouldn't dive into that just yet. Actually TEST the one you have now, and see how it holds up when you start throwing plugins into ableton. Try experimenting with what your comp can handle so you dont blow a bunch of money on something you might not need (yet)! Anyways, before anything I would suggest an audio interface and a pair of monitors first. Try the waters out with these and see if producing is for you. Then, as you get better with what you have, upgrade one thing at a time. As for what equipment to buy - I hope you've looked through all the FAQ's and tutorials around these forums because they helped me when I was picking out the same kinda gear! Don't forget, even if your comp is straining a little, there are ways to get around it (like bouncing to audio, etc). Search the forums for those techniques too, because they helped me avoid buying a new computer when I can do just fine with what I have. Good luck!

Thanks for the response.

However I already stated I have monitors already. The X Station also has an audio interface so thats why I was asking if it is good enough by itself or if I need to purchase a separate one. It is also a hardware synth as well as a midi controller, which is really one of the biggest selling points on it with me.

I have had ableton I have been using it for the last month as I wanted to learn how to use it before investing in the other components. I am now comfortable and thus ready to make some purchases. I definitely am getting a midi controller, I wont even take myself seriously as a producer without one, im not going to dedicate myself to making songs off a computer keyboard. While it may be able to net an alright result I am not shooting for alright results.

I am very serious about this and have the money to invest. People were telling me when I was grabbing cdj's and a mixer to go with the cheap route first and build as I got better. I ended up purchasing the cdj1000mk3's and the djm 800. I have no qualms paying for quality. Better technology will usually shorten the learning curve, thus why im being so thorough prior to purchasing this all! But that is just me, im sure its different for others.

The x-station audio interface is basically a piece of shit. An interface is imo the most important part of your setup and wouldn't recommend it as an audio interface. Any hardware synth with midi will work as a midi controller. I think a used Novation K-station would be a far better investment price wise and sound quality. But i think it would be even better to get a dedicated midi controller such as the E-mu Xboard. Since you will also need an audio interface i will go ahead and recommend any of the interfaces in the echo audiofire line.

quote:

Originally posted by pwnage1 Since you will also need an audio interface i will go ahead and recommend any of the interfaces in the echo audiofire line.

I second this

quote:

Originally posted by cl0ckw3rk I second this

Echo makes good products, so I would recommend them as well. As I recommended to another user in another thread, I will also put in a plug for the Apogee Duet. Its an outstanding interface, but obviously it is limited if you are planning on doing any type of expansion in the hardware arena. If you are all software, this is my top choice for a sound card. Quality interface, reasonably priced.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Echo makes good products, so I would recommend them as well. As I recommended to another user in another thread, I will also put in a plug for the Apogee Duet. Its an outstanding interface, but obviously it is limited if you are planning on doing any type of expansion in the hardware arena. If you are all software, this is my top choice for a sound card. Quality interface, reasonably priced.

Looks lovely, probably made very well, (judging by other apogee products) and must sound great but I can't help thinking $500 is a lot for 2 in 2 out? That said, there probably isn't a better 2 in 2 out on the market.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN I can't help thinking $500 is a lot for 2 in 2 out?

There is no doubt about that, but think of it this way: You are paying for top-quality converters from a highly respected brand name. I mean, you really can't get much better quality in that price range, and Apogee products are in some of the biggest studios in the world. Some of the premium is definitely because of the name on the box, but if you look into it, you won't find too many people complaining about sound quality from an Apogee unit. For me, the value in a unit like the Duet is really second to none. You can't get any of the larger Apogee units for anything under the 4 figure range.

You get what you pay for, and nowhere is that more evident than in the technology realm. I've discovered the hard way, that if something is cheaper, then there is usually a reason (and it isn't a good one).

hey guys thanks again for the responses. Guitar Center had a limited supply of a lot of products at the moment so I wasnt able to go with my top 3 or 4 choices. Here's what I snagged.

NI Audio Kontrol 1 (works great!!!)
Yamaha HS50M Monitors for the production studio
Edirol PCR500 midi (will be upgrading soon the tech said lots of new midis coming out before xmas)
And upgraded my machine to 3gb ram

Also grabbed KRK rockets for the garage and the djing kit and got a better coffin as well

Havent been able to sleep the last few days!

Congratulations, now that you have some hardware i recommend a freeware vsti Synth 1 it is one of the best vsti's i have used plus it's free. there is plenty other freeware that rivals expensive software that you should look around for.

quote:

Originally posted by mfitterer1 Havent been able to sleep the last few days!

who needs it anyway

Good luck with the NI card. I've heard bad things about them.

quote:

Originally posted by pwnage1 Congratulations, now that you have some hardware i recommend a freeware vsti Synth 1 it is one of the best vsti's i have used plus it's free. there is plenty other freeware that rivals expensive software that you should look around for.

I strongly agree. Synth1 is fantastic.

Don't get the X-Station, get the Xio. They're both the same thing just one has more knobs.

I'm still 100% happy I got the Xio instead of the X-Station.

As far as sound, people say its the same as V-Station, I disagree. To me its like a V-Station on steroids. The filter is just a bit richer, the sound a bit thicker, and for the *price its an amazing deal.
Got mine brand new off amazon for $250.

quote:

Originally posted by Eldritch Good luck with the NI card. I've heard bad things about them. I strongly agree. Synth1 is fantastic.

what did you hear was bad about it works great so far but would like to test out whatever is supposedly bad so if it doesn't do something or whatever I can take it back

quote:

Originally posted by mfitterer1 what did you hear was bad about it works great so far but would like to test out whatever is supposedly bad so if it doesn't do something or whatever I can take it back

the NI audio interfaces are known to have terrible drivers. they may have been fixed by now, but they were ridiculously bad to begin with.

it's obvious that you are a hardcore impulse buyer, man. music gear takes a lot of research and pre-thought.

maybe he got deals, makes impulses alot easier lol. i know, have done a few stupid boughts myself.

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