quote:

Originally posted by adi_hanson I joined here today (18/12/07) and have been into trance since since school 10 years ago and only recently been trying to make music, im using fl studio 7 wich took me ages and a lot of persistance to use but got a hang of it , but its crap without VSTi's so i got vanguard and nexus.But heres the problem , lookin through this site ive seen studio setups that are big then some with a laptop and keyboard which incedently is all i have. So this is the question does your music sound better with big physical equipment or a VSTi? What are the advantages and disadvantages? And is fl studio better or worse than anything else? Any advice would be helpfull

I personally have no experience with FL Studio, but from what I understand it has the capabilities to be comparable to any other DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) out there. Since you already have gotten hold of Vanguard and Nexus, which are fairly versatile and powerful VSTis, I would recommend you start teaching yourself mixing techniques, working out compositions, and understanding your sounds better. You also might want to get hold of drum samples to create a fuller track, when experimenting.

Since you are just getting started, there's going to be a lot of trial and error. You need to experiment and garner experience. If you ever have technical problems or require help and can't find an answer, then post in the Production Studio Forum on tranceaddict.com.

Regarding your question about softsynths vs. hardware synths, it is hard to say because so many have their own niches in the production realm. Hardware synths are just great because you can automate straight from them and usually are more "powerful" than softsynths, but that depends on the type of hardware synth. Bear in mind that hardware synths will put a nice hole in your pocket though--always very costly for a decent one.

It is always nice to have bigger, better, and more equipment, but the biggest downside to this is the cost. If you have the money available to dish out and you've done your research to find the most reasonable product for your endeavors, then go for it. In my opinion, when it comes to making fairly professional music that you love, it comes down to preference. I prefer to use Ableton Live for my productions because it is straightforward, although it consumes a lot of memory. I just use my stereo system as my monitors, although not the best idea--it will do. Just be creative and most importantly--informed. Know what you are doing and then work with your knowledge from there.

I hope I was helpful. If you have further questions feel free to PM me or post on the Production Studio Forum. I should warn you that some of the TAs (Tranceaddicts) on the forums will flame you if you ask anything that you could have found with a little web searching. Some people can be rather cynical and sarcastic, but I guess such is life. Good luck with the productions and welcome to the Tranceaddict Forums.

Last edited by phantom limb on Dec-19-2007 at 00:32

In addition, I would like to add that I am producing from a laptop and a simple Casio keyboard. I have been doing this for about 5 years now and have been able to accomplish quite a bit. Do not underestimate the productivity and possibilities that can unfold from just some effort and time. It will prove to be both a frustrating and uplifting adventure, but in the end, it leaves one with great memories and good times.

its personal preference, I would think.

ohh yeah, wrong forum.

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adi_hanson, eric prydz said he uses logic 5.5 (fucking OLD, they stopped making that years ago) and the korg legacy collection VSTi for most of his songs nowdays. he does all this on an old laptop too. so, no, you don't need some mad setup to make good music. lots of the biggest dance songs were made in software in someones bedroom.

that said, it is all preference. some people like hardware, some don't.

main benefits of hardware:
- you get the real analog sound (with those synths)
- you have hands on control of the synth
- more stable than software

main benefits of software:
- cheap
- everything is recallable from your project file

people will argue that hardware sounds ALOT better, but those days are gone. modern synthesisers are just software in a nice box. a good synth is a good synth, be it hardware or software. however, most hardware synths DO sound better than a lot of cheap software synths, for obvious reasons - more money and effort have been poured into them. VSTis like korg legacy collection, massive and sylenth1 do rival hardware in terms of quality.

things you need regardless of the hardware vs. software debate:
- good midi controller
- good monitors
- good pc
- reasonable listening environment

/thread

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Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I've never had a problem with FLs tech support till this day. (I've actually never used it till this day)

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Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.

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Originally posted by echosystm adi_hanson, eric prydz said he uses logic 5.5 (fucking OLD, they stopped making that years ago) and the korg legacy collection VSTi for most of his songs nowdays.

Interview? Source pls

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Originally posted by echosystm - more stable than software

Not always.
Yes, I'm looking at you Access.

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Originally posted by farris Interview? Source pls

There is an interview with him floating around somewhere on this board where Prydz mentions this. You can probably find it by using search.
Also, I know a guy who has done some work with him and he also confirmed that Prydz uses Logic 5 on an old crappy laptop.

This actually makes a lot of sense for him if you think about it. A lot of his bigger hits are just samples with a few elements thrown over it. Call On Me is a Steve Winwood song, and all he did was sample that track and throw some elements on top of it.

Simple idea, genius implementation. This proves the point that it doesn't matter how you come about it, as long as it rocks the floor, that's what matters.

Found it, at least I think it is this one:
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...threadid=445642

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As for my studio, I’m running a Macintosh with Logic 7, and like wavs, plugins, and I do have the Korg bundle as well.

Prydz uses Logic 5.2 on his laptop when he's traveling.. and finishes his songs on his mac running logic 7...

But you know what guys. I don't always believe what I hear about different producers. I learned over the years that in this industry some people like to keep stuff to themselves. Just because some people say in an interview that they use this and that, it doesn't mean they do. They might not tell you everything, keeping their secret weapon of choice strictly to themselves, and to the closest of production friends. I am not saying he's not telling the truth, but i am saying that some producers get a kick of saying that they accomplish this or that using this or that particular device, when they used something else. They just don't want you to know sometimes. It's being even known that certain producers pull out some racked gear or hide some things they used when people come to interview them in their studio. So Don't always believe what you hear, or read about. Some producers are paid nice cash for mentioning certain products they use, or might not, for advertising purposes. It's like with movie stars and so on. Sometimes they advertise stuff and get money and they don't use the product at all. They might have it at their home but it was given by the company to them. It's a interesting world we live in..

And About software Vs hardware synths thing.. There is ebay after all. Second hand hardware synths aren't that much more expensive than If you go out and get a VSTi synth. But Everyone knows that you can download all the vsti for free, and you just can't really copy a hardware synth, unless you steal it. So you get this guys running 30 vst's synths that would cost more than my hardware synths in the end. The only difference is they got it for free. My respect goes to they guys who buy the software that they use!

Last edited by DJDIRTY on Dec-19-2007 at 17:23

Learn to use the resources you have before you expand your studio

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