|
What is a decent setup for a beginner interested in making trance/techno?
|
View this Thread in Original format
| jforrest1980 |
Forgive me and move this post if it in the wrong spot. This is my first time here and I didn't see a category for general information.
My name is Jeremy, I have been listening to techno/trance music for probebly close to 10 years. I have always wanted to make music ever since playing my nes back in the day and thinking those tunes in some of those nes games were pretty kick ass. I guess the genre has evolved alot since then.
Anyway, I have been researching for months and I just can't figure out what I need to buy to get started making trance/techno music. I have been to zzmusic and went to sam ash multiple times. I have read the whole tutorial on tweeks website and it seems more for the guitar type wanting to record music at home.
Basically I am looking for suggestions on a beginner set up for making techno/trance music. I am not sure what a good beginner keyboard would be. Or what software to buy. I have been looking at software for at least a year and I just can't see throwing down hundreds of dollars on something I may not need. I started using fruity loops just messing around over a year ago and it just doesn't seem like what I am looking for. I am all for using my pc to make music but I want a more hands on experience, like a home studio type deal but without spending thousands until I really decide to stick with it.
I am currently running on a laptop PC (not MAC), intel pentium celeron M processor.
Actually the note book I am using is a ACER 3620. Here is a link to the PC specs.
http://www.acer.co.th/product/trave...3620_/index.htm
I have been looking at the cubase SE software right now and Ableton. When I look around though I hear people who use Ableton and Reason as a plugin? I don't quite understand that? What does reason have that Ableton does not?
I would really like to have a vocoder also. I was looking at that mini Korg with the built in vocoder. Would it be better for me to get a nicer keyboard and get a vocoder seperatly? Or maybe I can somehow use a regular microphone and get some sort of software to get a vocoder type sound?
Finally, when buying all this stuff what can I buy in the beginning to get started? And what can hold off on for awhile while I save money? For instance, I don't think a microphone is someting I must have right away to start making music, but is something I would like to pick up in the future.
I know when it comes to these types of questions it is all really preference, but I really need some help and opinions on a good setup cause I don't think right now I can do this on my own without wasting alot of money on stuff I don't need. |
|
|
| echosystm |
Hi
This is all covered in the stickies man, I suggest you read those thoroughly. Basically, to get started, all you need is an audio interface for your laptop, a VST capable host (Cubase, Sonar(?), Reaper, FL Studio, etc.), some VST plugins (Synths & Effects) and some studio monitors (speakers). VST is a plugin standard for music stuff. Reason is ok for newbies, but you're almost guaranteed to have to upgrade because it doesnt support VST plugins; you might as well start on something more flexible.
Your laptop doesn't have a firewire port (from what I read) so you'll need a USB audio interface; I would get a Tascam US122L ($149US). For a VST host, get Reaper, it's "free" (after 30 days you have to wait 6 seconds for it to open, unless you register it). There are many people (such as myself) swapping from more expensive programs to Reaper, it's great. For now, just use whatever speakers you have lying around. PC speakers will do. When you have like $600US saved up, go and buy some decent ones and buy ONCE. That Tascam interface is very budget, but should suit your needs perfectly for the next 1-2 years at least. After that time you might want to look into getting something around the $500US mark.
Go to KVR for VST plugin recommendations. |
|
|
| BOOsTER |
I started making music on a Celeron 433Mhz with 128 megs ram, and 4,3 gig harddisk...with an integrated yamaha soundcard!
now I have a decent setup but if you want to just try-out if you'll like it or not, keep your current computer, get some speakers/headphones + some software and you're all set... |
|
|
| fr0st |
Download a demo of ableton live www.ableton.com
Find some free softsynths via www.KVRaudio.com
Buy a cheap midi controller at samash or what ever local music store you have.
Muck around in ableton, if its something you like make the ableton purchase. |
|
|
| Spoonz |
| quote: | Originally posted by fr0st
Download a demo of ableton live www.ableton.com
Find some free softsynths via www.KVRaudio.com
Buy a cheap midi controller at samash or what ever local music store you have.
Muck around in ableton, if its something you like make the ableton purchase. |
good advice imo, if u find ableton difficult to find ur way around, try similar programs tho... probably fruity loops... anything like cubase etc is more likely to confuse u! |
|
|
| richg101 |
cubase se is a good piece of software to start with. with a few hours of 'one on one' tuition @ about £30 per hour im sure you will learn everything you need to allow you to progress with the software.
search for night classes in it. all you need then is to learn the bits that come with the software. im pretty sure the 'se' version comes with a vocoder vst as well as a few steinberg synths and a drum machine vst.
cubase is not a confusing piece of software. you just need to be shown for an hour or two how it works - then you will learn it gradually. |
|
|
|
|
