You will need more than just Cubase SX. The standard synths that come with it are quite average. You would be better off getting at least one decent soft synth.

Is Cubase SX easy to learn, well it might take a couple of days going through everything. Thankfully, it has a really good tutorial manual if its your first time, taking you through all the major features and how they work. The main operation manual may take a few weeks to go through but if you need the details its there.

I already had knowledge of Acid Pro and Reason before i jumped to SX, which was good because it is quite similar to Acid Pro in many ways. I don't know whether its overkill, its not that hard, but you might find it dificult if you haven't produced before.

Maybe you could start on FL studio, I think it might be easier to get the hang of, and if you feel the need to buy hardware, when you upgrade to something like Cubase, all your VST and DX synths and plugins that you got for fruity can be transfered over to SX.

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Thanks alot bro, I appreciate the response. It's a bit hard to get into something like producing if you have absolutely no idea what you need or how it works, especially if none of your friends or people you know are into it.

Good point about using Fruity, but from what I've seen, it might be a waste of time taking many hours to learn fruity if I'll eventually move up to something larger no? I can spend those hours on a major sequencer?

Thanks for the help, up until your response I didn't know the exact reason why people had more than 1 or 2 synths if the sequencer already came with them.

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When I turn on my mixer, drop the needle, and put on my headphones... nothing else matters.

I am a DJ.

Well if you plan on using hardware, then you might as well put in the hard yards now and learn the thing. Its the kind of program where you learn something new everyday just by accidently clicking on the wrong button.

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1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

I've just started learning Cubase SX after having a brief fiddle with Reason a few months ago and I really like it, the interface in particular. Although it's complex and has a lot of potential it doesn't really overwhelm you and you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting to grips with it if my experience is anything to go by.

I don't know if this helps you in any way, but I started using cubase when it was on atari st in version 1 on one floppy disk I think, And that was when I was 16 or 17 years old... Now I am 27 and moving to every new wersion of cubase is really easy. Since you know the basics and stuff, It's basically the same software that constantly get's more features added. But the whole idea of putting a track together is no dieferent than in version 1. And I can say that SX isn't that hard to use. My girlfriend became insterested in sx about two month ago, and after watching me make some tracks on my computer she can do a basic arranegement using audio + vsti instruments on her own. SHe's far from advanced user, but she can do the most important stuff. SO if she can do it You can too .. And besides like tha guy in the above post wrote, The manuall is great. Tells you some good examples. Ohh and than you can eaven get a cubase sx video for like 60 bucks or something like that that show's you some basics and more advanced features . Since for some it's way easier to learn by watching others. You can also get a book called cubase sx power which is written little diefferent than the manual and has some great step by step instructions that explain basically everything you need to know.. If i was You I would jump right up on the band wagon and start learning the software that you might be using later anyways cause you'll come to conclusion that the easier and more basic programs aren't giving you the features you might require at a later time. I tried all sorts of sequencers that are on the market, and I like SX 2.01 the best, and Pro tools.. Logic is nice as well, but never really got to learn it really good, maybe cause I got so use to Cubase.

If I had the money when I started I would have plumped for Cubase or Logic, but now it's always in the back of my mind - should I just keep on with Orion or get some "pro" software (although as you probably are very aware of now, many released artists use so-called amateur stuff like Fruity, which I think is class and Orion is damn amazing I find). Thing is though, it's expensive to get the upgrades, I moaned about the forty or so pounds for Platinum 5 (which should last a year or two) but it's nothing compared to the price of continually upgrading Cubase.

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"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!"

anon

Thanks again for all the replies!
2 quick questions. What is a good synth to START with... I've heard about alot of good ones: Absynth, Pro53, Atmosphere, Vstation etc etc. Any good ones to start off with Cubase, easier to use but good sound as well? Also, is it ESSENTIAL to buy a specialized soundcard like M-Audio?? I have an audigy, but do I truly NEED another soundcard to produce? And lastly, for the synth, is it a good idea to pair Cubase up and use Reason as a synth as I hear alot of peeps do through that Rewire prog? Thanks so much for the help and replies, you guys are making or breaking my hobby

quote:

Originally posted by neil_f Although it's complex and has a lot of potential it doesn't really overwhelm you and you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting to grips with it if my experience is anything to go by.

Thanks for the reply bro, good thing you guys don't think it's too complicated, I was getting worried it would take years for me to make a decent track

quote:

Originally posted by DJDIRTY If i was You I would jump right up on the band wagon and start learning the software

Excellent, that's what I was hoping to hear. This is definitely a hobby I want to put time into, but it's not just a regular hobby like basketball where you pick up a ball and play... a bit more time consuming and requires more dedication to be satisfying I think. I'll definitely look into the video and book if I have a hard time starting out.

quote:

Originally posted by BassAngel but it's nothing compared to the price of continually upgrading Cubase.

Hey man, how much are regular upgrades say from 1.0 to 2.0 SX that it moved up to right? But if the program is all that it says it is, I guess 50 bucks every 2 years or so isn't a big deal for what you are getting.

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When I turn on my mixer, drop the needle, and put on my headphones... nothing else matters.

I am a DJ.

What's a good soft synth? Depends on how good your computer is.

If you have anything under, say, 1ghz or 256 ram, then get something not too CPU intensive, such as PRO-53 or Vstation.

But, as long as you have a moderately good computer, I advise to get the Z3ta. It's very cheap for a soft synth, but sounds amazing. And there are lots of great presets online (like those by KIRE) Blows most other softsynths out of the water. But, it takes a whole lot of CPU to run.

Also, now the Vanguard is out. I haven't had much experiance with it but people say it's great too. Might also be worth looking into.

Get the demos for all of them, see which you like - I like the Z3ta, others prefer the pro-53 or the Vstation.

As for Fruity - It may not be as featured as Cubase, but buying it is cheap, and you get lifetime free upgrades. It also has the easiest interface of any program I've used - much easier to learn what cutoff, envelopes, and other terms are in such an easy interface. It's only $100 for the Fruityloops (middle) edition, which gives you all the features you need, or$ $150 for the producer edition, which includes a wave editor and a better mixer. I definatly advise FL to start.

As for a good soundcard, depends on how focused you are on mastering and getting the best sound quality. I would put a sequencer and a getting a few good synths in front of a soundcard. Then go for that or good speakers (monitors). I get on ok with my crappy soundcard and average speakers. Just make sure you have a good sub.

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quote:

Originally posted by MrCowski I advise to get the Z3ta. It's very cheap for a soft synth, but sounds amazing.

Thanks for the advice bro. Any idea of Reason is good to use as a Synth for Cubase? That's what I've been hearing.

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When I turn on my mixer, drop the needle, and put on my headphones... nothing else matters.

I am a DJ.

reason is not a synth, it is an entire studio program that runs by itself.

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1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

quote:

Originally posted by hey cheggy reason is not a synth, it is an entire studio program that runs by itself.

Right I understand. But from what people have said, they decide to leave the sequencing job to Cubase, but use the sounds in Reason for Cubase. Using Reason along with Cubase, with that rewired program? Is this effective and worth it?

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When I turn on my mixer, drop the needle, and put on my headphones... nothing else matters.

I am a DJ.