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production hardware and equipment advice?

So my buddy wants to begin to produce with me. He is planning to get the OpenLabs Niko production studio which is like 4 g's! I'm just wondering if that piece of equipment is worth it or are there some better options for us? We're both new to this, money is not really the issue, we just wanna make sure to get something that would benefit us the most and would be a good choice.
Any advice or opinions?

Nice Avatar

Just make sure you have a proper pc, proper set of speakers and a midi-keyboard. And don't forget to buy your software .

Then you should be all set.

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Originally posted by spolitta Nice Avatar

+1

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Originally posted by spolitta Nice Avatar

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Originally posted by cammaxwell +1

Stoners!

What the hell is OpenLabs Niko ? (sorry I don't feel like googln today :P ).

You need :

1) Mac or PC
2) Proper Audio Interface (something like Motu or RME)
3) Pair of Monitors (like Adam, Mackie etc.)
4) MIDI Keyboard Controller (like Edirol PCR-500 or M-audio etc.)
5) Sequencer software (Cubase, Logic, Sonar, Fruity Loops etc.)
6) Some nice plugins (synths and effects) ... there is just too much to name.

Well thats it, you may want a nice condenser or dynamic mic, some acoustic treatment in the room, a hardware synth or a dsp platform (like Powercore or UAD) ...

Just one midi keyboard will do?

The OpenLabs Niko is this here: http://www.openlabs.com/timba-overview-neko.html

It has pretty much everything in one, I know the learning curve is really long but I've been researching a bit and the only downside I find is the price, which is why I was asking here if it's worth buying or are there better options.

well a lot of software can be obtained for free

So you can just have a swing at it before you empty your bank account. Maybe you'll find out you don't like this as much as you thought you would. And if you do like it after all, then start spending cash . I'd say Neko is too expensive to start with when you don't know much about music production.

If you or your friend are just starting out don't waste any money on hardware that you are not sure you need. All you need is a good converter, a good set of monitors and a fast computer. As you learn and get more involved with production YOU'll know what you need and why you need it and that's the time to drop money on hardware. I highly suggest you spend most of your money on the best set of monitors you can afford and get a mid range converter like the Motu lite or apogee duet. For a keyboard controller I recommend any Novation SL or the SL compact.

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller I'd say Neko is too expensive to start with when you don't know much about music production.

Definitely.

Monitors are one of the main priorities, make sure these come before other devices like your Vst's, controllers etc... I'd also recommend FL studio as it allows beginners to get a good grasp of DAW's before moving on to something more pro like Cubase or Logic. A good audio interface is also a priority!

Happy producing

I'd like to add you neither need monitor speakers or midi keyboards. I'd just suggest you to try out some programs. Get a demo of fruity loops or another program and some plugins and try it out. See if you like making music first before you start spending it on (fun but expensive) gear.

Of course having monitor speakers and a midi keyboard makes the creative and technical process a lot easier. But I wouldn't spend the cash before you have actually tried music production for at least a couple of months.

Thanks for the advice. Software already we have so I guess time for monitors and a midi key.

just get a midi keyboard, send me the neko

Well to be honest I wouldn't risk it with that NeKo or whatever. I bought V-synth GT, spent way way too much cash, then sold it (didn't like the work flow at all ! piece of crap imo) and bought a used Motif XS6 which Im very hapy with.

Anyway, I wouldn't go with any "do it all" box, cause it wont do it all, it won't do even half and sometimes it may become a one-trick-pony after a month.

As I said : fast computer, appropriate software, GOOD MONITORS, preferably good headphones, GOOD INTERFACE + a midi keyboard will go a long way. BTW I don't know of any serious producers who uses this kind of ... NeKo or whatever, but I do know guys who get serious world-wide releases working on Fruity Loops and DJ headphones (no monitors even) ... don't ask me how

Well that's easy. Everybody knows how to download software for free these days and a fair ammount of people know how to steal headphones from the shop.

A Neko however is pretty big and inconvenient to carry out of the store unnoticed. That's why not much people have released music made with the Neko.

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Originally posted by Storyteller Well that's easy. Everybody knows how to download software for free these days and a fair ammount of people know how to steal headphones from the shop. A Neko however is pretty big and inconvenient to carry out of the store unnoticed. That's why not much people have released music made with the Neko.

I presume you've got some experience then No, srsly, thats probably not the case

I have a lot of experience on one of the subjects, true. I changed my life for the better now though hehehe. All is legal now

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Originally posted by Storyteller A Neko however is pretty big and inconvenient to carry out of the store unnoticed. That's why not much people have released music made with the Neko.

Concluding that people who releasing music steal the gear they make it with?.......

But of course.

Timbaland produced Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy Back' song with the Neko... just an example.

You should know a Neko is just a PC with a bunch of plugins and a keyboard built in one.

You seem to be eager to buy it. I wouldn't recommend it as said earlier. 4K is just way too much to invest in a hobby you haven't even started yet.

The neko is pure BS. Nothing more to say.

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Originally posted by CrazedOut Timbaland produced Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy Back' song with the Neko... just an example.

or at least he got payed to SAY he did...
getting 4k per unit, they can probly afford to get him to say that!
as if it's some musical marvel anyway! you could produce that track with any average software, but you wouldn't be wasting the money...

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Originally posted by csfp I do know guys who get serious world-wide releases working on Fruity Loops and DJ headphones (no monitors even) ... don't ask me how

VERY true: i know 2 boys who have been getting hammered by the world's top djs: 1 uses fruityloops, the other uses his laptop, headphones and nothing else...

it's about how you use it, not the size or expense of it

quote:

Originally posted by CrazedOut Timbaland produced Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy Back' song with the Neko... just an example.

Get propellerhead reason, monitors and a midi keyboard/controller.
If you like it, you can later on use other gear and rewire reason.

quote:

Originally posted by EgosXII the other uses his laptop, headphones and nothing else... t

what?

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