I've pretty much maxed out my DJ equipment as far as I can, I really want to look into getting some production gear...I want to get into trying to produce some trance, or even some tech beats. I admit I have no clue where to even begin. What are some of the essential pieces of equipment, and what do they do? Kind of a broad question, but maybe someone might be able to help.
I was looking at some samplers, keyboard synths, drum machines...it's all looking the same to me at this point. Any help would be appreciated.

You should ask in the "Production" forum, they will be able to give you better advice there.

I'd recommend you :
Mac G4/G5
Logic 6
Reason 2.5
Keyboard
Midi Interface

or
PC
Sonar XL
Fruityloops/Reason
Midi Interface

Maybe later on you' need more equipment, but don't buy something you don't need.

P.S:The Comp must have 2 Hard-drives > and one of them must be only for Audio Files .

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IKKI sums it up pretty much if you are talking the 'cheaper' end of production. Which is probably a better place to start if you are just taking your first step into this world.

It's worth mentioning though, you will need to get yourself VSTs if you are going to produce because a lot of applications by themselves will not have what you need to make good tracks. This requires a lot of CPU power and memory.
Tell you what though... there is a long way to go before you exhaust the capabilities of two decks and a mixer... even further to go before you go beyond vinyl and CD decks + effects unit(built in or otherwise), to be fair you will most likely never take it to the brink but I know what you mean when you have the desire to make music and experiment with your mixes.

This post is very relevant right here because there are things that you can do with samplers, drum machines and a lot of creativity. However, you are better off recording your tracks onto CD than bringing a lap top with you and running it with music software because the CPU strain can be monstrous.
I often do my own re-edits of known tracks if there is a bit I like I might extend it or just add a little something over the top of it. It does require a lot of patience when cutting samples and sequencing it but it is worth it. Worth noting though is that you have to do it really well and it has to sound professional for it to work. Just because your friends like it isn't good enough. It has to be spot on.
On the other hand with a little determination there is no reason why you couldn't achieve this.

Cheers
Nem

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thanks for the input. I take it these are all computer programs. I've messed around with Fruity Loops before....definitely a cool program. I was looking more along the lines of production hardware though...maybe hardware isn't even that necessary anymore. What are VSTs btw? Thanks again.

hell with hardware its more expensive, you can do so much more with software. then again, maybe you feel like wasting your money and making stuff that sucks. i'd go with software.

yeah, you should start with software... i guess you already have a pc, then all you need is reason 2.5, a good sound card and a midi controller (comes with reason in most packages)

quote:

Originally posted by rainbow_marble hell with hardware its more expensive, you can do so much more with software. then again, maybe you feel like wasting your money and making stuff that sucks. i'd go with software.

Err, hardware doesn't suck! But it is damn expensive. Software has loads of practical advantages but you still have tons of producers using hardware. Look at the studios of Push or Armin. Don't think you can fault the Nord Rack or the Virus considering they make up a lot of the sounds in the tracks we listen to everyday.

As for soundcards, you don't really need a good one as long as you have a CD writer. Just make a wav file of what you have done and burn it to CD. Although it is nice to hear what you are doing.

It is however good advice to start with software.

Cheers
Nem

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