okay guys,
I looked through the old posts, but there are only 3 pages so I did not quite find what im looking for -- but just wanted to say i looked before i asked a question that was bound to be answered before.

I've been djing for a while, and would love to start to learn producing. The question I have is what are the advantages of hardware vs software? I know reason, fruity loops are great pieces of software and I plan on checking them out. but is it worth for me to save up and pick up a nice keyboard? whats the advantages of buying the hardware equivalents of the software? or should i mix and match? like a keyboard for input and reason for syquencing and such... etc

please any info is very appreciated

dazzed

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"to be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated but not be able to say it"

mix and match is best... sonar f.x is a nice prog 4 sequencing yur traxx...

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BA-DUM-TSS

quote:

ALFI - BOHICA - DJ MIX (Stream+Dropbox)

There are pros and cons to both. It really depends on what you like, your budget, and what you aim to do with your music. Most producers use a good mix of both hardware and software. Software is cheap and very versitile, but sometimes it can't compare to the hands-on feel of hardware. Hardware is powerful and phat sounding, but not as versitile as some software proggies. For example, the real TB-303 is the most DOPE sounding machine EVER made (If you don't believe me listen to Uberzone's "Botz")!! A real 303 growler or "wow" sound is impossible to clone via software. ReBirth tried, but you can't fake the funk with analog circuits!! However, the TB-303 had no MIDI implementation, no echo, no distortion, and none of the nice features ReBirth has. Another good example is the Virus B by Access Music. They have a software version for ProTools and a hardware version which about every producer and their gramma uses (even me). The hardware version is MAGNIFICANT for making and tweaking patches. Knobs galore. With the software version, you are stuck with a mouse and editing is very time consuming. Also, a lot of hardware is able to be edited via software proggies, which combines the best of both worlds. For people starting off, I would recommend at least 1 expensive piece of hardware with lots of knobs (the Virus B or Nord Lead 2) and editing capabilities. Before making any purchases, research what the gear can do. Spend some time messing with it and make an educated buy. Don't buy Reason because someone else recommended it. See if it's for you. I spent an entire summer testing the Yamaha CS6X at the music store before I bought it. Try out everything and do your homework. That's the best advice I can give you. And rule #1 for samplers - DO NOT BUY A HARDWARE SAMPLER EVER!!!! Use a software sampler!!!

Here is a list of my main gear...

Hardware:
Yamaha CS6R with PLG-150AN card
Access Virus Rack
Novation Drumstation
Roland MC-303
Novation A-Station
Korg Prophecy
Roland JP-8000

Software:
Cakewalk 9.03
GigaStudio 160
Cool Edit Pro
ReBirth

There are some kewl proggies out there - Reaktor, Absynth, Reason, etc. but they are way too complicated for their own good. Once software starts being as easy to use as hardware, I'll vouch for it.

Hope that helps

Cheers!

JP8000Lover

PS You can't use Reason as a sequencer. Reason only controls it's own system and does not send MIDI messages to outside synths. Even if you could, Reason's sequencer is the worst sequecer ever invented!

PPS Loop-based music is for newbies!!!! Yes that means you fruity-loops users!!!!

Hardware synths are definately better for making nice thick deep sounds. I can almost always tell the difference between a synth lead made from software compared to hardware. So my recomendations are:

1) buy a heavy hitting synth with lots of room to work with. I recommend the Novation Supernova 1 or 2, Access Virus B or C, or the Waldorf Q. I believe these are pretty high multitiberal units (lets you have many different sounds going at one time)
2) buy a software sequencer, I recommend Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL.
3) get a wave editor program, I recommend Sound Forge 5.
4) buy a good sound card, I recommend the M-Audio delta series.
5) buy software for percussion.. I recommend Reason .. or fruity loops if you must.

Warning: If you get into hardware, it will cost alot of money. I didnt realize how much everything would really cost until after I got my Supernova. I actually had to buy a new computer just so I could have enough power to sequence and record properly in Sonar. I had to upgrade from a P2 400mhz, 128 RAM, 8 GB drive to a P4 1.7Ghz, 1024 RAM, 80 GB harddrive.

Software is alot more money efficiant in my opinion, but if you are seriously looking to eventually get a record released, hardware is essential (ok, maybe you could do it with software,, but it would be very hard !)

quote:

Originally posted by JP8000Lover PPS Loop-based music is for newbies!!!! Yes that means you fruity-loops users!!!!

Yes that means you TB-303, TR808, 909, 606, 707, 626, 727 users and what more...uh anything that is cool for live-music...korg electribe A, R, S, M users....MC-303 (like youerself), MC-307, MC-505 users! and then some

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All rhythm evolves around a kick...

thanks guys!
keep the comments coming =)

dazzed

___________________
"to be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated but not be able to say it"