Software is the way to start imo. Pros have made stuff using software exclusively. Mylo made his album using Reason and Logic (the programs...coincidently he does have a philosophy degree) and was a hit.

Gradually buy new gear as you need them. If you start out buying loads of gear you dont know how to use, aint gonna get you anywhere.

Oakenfold, Tiesto etc.. they sound pro, because they are proffesionals, its not because they have the fancy gear, but they know how to use the gear they have. Which is in this case, alot of fancy stuff.

___________________


http://soundcloud.com/subtara

I think that if you are going to spend on anything, invest in a good audio interface and good monitors at the very least. I just upgraded from a $250 audio interface to a $1,500 audio interface and the improvement in sound quality is outstanding.

quote:

Originally posted by Subtle Gradually buy new gear as you need them. If you start out buying loads of gear you dont know how to use, aint gonna get you anywhere. Oakenfold, Tiesto etc.. they sound pro, because they are proffesionals, its not because they have the fancy gear, but they know how to use the gear they have. Which is in this case, alot of fancy stuff.

Agreed. I started with a select few things - Reason, Ableton, Motif ES. Too much more and it was way too much to learn at once. So, start with a few things, learn how to use them to their potential, and upgrade when you feel you've gotten a majority out of each product. With just a few things you can go a long way!

All more gear does is give you more options i.e. access to a range of sounds, more routing options etc.

So long as you have good quality basics then you are good to go.

Good setup - like large enough desk, good chair to sit on etc
Studio monitors
Good PC
decent sound card

Then after working on some tunes go into a pro studio who do they style of music you like and work on a tune alongside a good engineer and LEARN from them.

___________________
Kuroi
@ web/Kuroi Music
@ myspace/Kuroi Music

promo track: Mirco de Govia - Voller Sterne (Kuroi Remix)

quote:

Spending thousands on gear do you need to?

Yes, you need to.

___________________


https://soundcloud.com/ghostea stuff

quote:

Originally posted by newtrancer Is it better to spend thousands on gear hard/soft to sound professional.

Sounding professional has nothing to do with what gear you have and how expensive it is.

___________________
Latest releases:
Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
The Charlatan [Morphosis]

Even if you had a million dollar studio it by no means will give you a proper professional sound if you don't know what the hell to do with it.

It also really doesn't matter what software you use for producing, it matters how you use it and to what extent/potential.

If you can afford a 300,000$ studio with 4,000$ guitars and synthesizers and custom sonic/sound acoustics and consoles then go buy it. But don't cry when you realize you've just paid for something you have no idea how to setup or use.

I say start up small, start with something like FL Studio or Cubase and use that for the time being and after a couple years when you have some skill and knowledge and you can acquire a somewhat professional sound then spend money slowly on some hardware.

There are some AMAZING FREE vst's and synthesizer software out there for no cost at all that in my opinion perform better than the ones you'd have to pay 400$ for.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J I think that if you are going to spend on anything, invest in a good audio interface and good monitors at the very least. I just upgraded from a $250 audio interface to a $1,500 audio interface and the improvement in sound quality is outstanding.

how does having a better sound card improve your sound quality ? I mean i'm assuming you are talking about the actual mixing process which would be done internally thus in 1 and 0s . Are you talking about the small advantage of having a cleaner signal going to the monitors ?

i think these things are extremely negligeble and should only matter to a seasoned professional working in a very commercial setting. There is a difference between what is right for someone starting to make EDm and someone making a an actual living doing production.

quote:

Originally posted by RichieV how does having a better sound card improve your sound quality ? I mean i'm assuming you are talking about the actual mixing process which would be done internally thus in 1 and 0s . Are you talking about the small advantage of having a cleaner signal going to the monitors ? i think these things are extremely negligeble and should only matter to a seasoned professional working in a very commercial setting. There is a difference between what is right for someone starting to make EDm and someone making a an actual living doing production.

All I was saying was that everything sounds better through a $1,500 audio interface vs. a $250 interface. Maybe I misspoke when I said it improves your sound "quality". I was just saying that things sound better through the more expensive interface. That is most likely due to better AD/DA converters for my hardware gear and higher quality circuitry for things coming out of my computer (VST's, etc.). Hearing your productions through a good set of monitors is better than through consumer grade speakers. Hearing your productions through a quality interface is better than an internal computer soundcard.

You're right that it shouldn't matter to a beginner, but once you decide to invest in this, then I think your first purchases should be those two things.

That's all I was saying and it's just my opinion, many other prople may disagree, but that's been my experience so far.

you do agree that your sound card will not colour the actual mix process because that process is entired digital. Wether it happens on an inboard soundcard or the most expensive sound card available.

The recording of external synths , well sure , i agree with you there but i get the impression the person asking this question doesn't have any .