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Beginner's Question
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| K1DUK |
I am very new to making electronica/trance and have been using FL studio solely. I have been looking into hardware lately, not just midi controllers but sequencers and keyboards. After looking through the 'spec' section of a few keyboards I have notices that they seem to have a built in sequencer. Is it true that I can just use that sequencer with the keyboard for most major keyboards? Should I just continue with Fl Studio? If I take the plunge into hardware focused production, what is the list of basic things I need?
Any answers are very much appreciated. |
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| echosystm |
| quote: | Originally posted by K1DUK
If I take the plunge into hardware focused production, what is the list of basic things I need? |
90% chance can't afford it. stick with your computer and a few hardware synths/fx.
for the record:
mixer
midi sequencer
audio recording doodad (eg. a 4-track)
sampler
fx units (delay, eq, compression, gate, reverb, etc.)
synths
that will get you started. probably looking at about 5-10,000 for "ok" quality stuff. for mixing, recording and sequencing, hardware cannot compete with a computer. making songs is a lot easier and faster on a computer, rather than mashing buttons on a 2" monocrome lcd screen. |
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| Mr.Mystery |
| Can I ask you what is it that makes you want to go hardware? |
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| echosystm |
| quote: | Originally posted by Mr.Mystery
Can I ask you what is it that makes you want to go hardware? |
i think he thinks it is what professionals use. |
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| Eldritch |
Stick with software.
Here's what I would invest in if I were you. My personal recommendations are in parenthesis.
Audio interface (Echo Audiofire 2 or 4)
Monitors (Event TR6, Alesis M1 MkII)
Midi controller keyboard (Novation Remote SL)
Headphones (AKG k240s)
Better VST plugins (z3ta+, Albino, Korg Legacy Collection, V-Station, Gladiator)
Sample CDs (Vengeance Essential Clubsounds 1 and 2) |
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| K1DUK |
| all dogs should be in bee costumes |
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| cryophonik |
With that budget, I'd get an Access Virus TI. It integrates with your sequencing software, so it's the best of both the hardware and software worlds and it's perfectly suited for trance. You'll still want to get good monitors, audio interface, etc. and Eldritch's recommendations are good. I'll also add a recommendation for Battery 3 and/or Stylus RMX for drums.
As far as the software goes, any sequencing package will get you good results. If you're looking to move up from FLS, here are several good options:
Sonar 7 - my personal favorite (PE version comes with Z3TA, btw - a great soft synth); PC only
Cubase 4 - my second favorite
Live - never used it, but many accomplished producers do and swear by it
Logic - never used it, but another widely used app (Mac only)
Keep in mind that any of these apps are going to have a much steeper learning curve than FLS. Also, you'll get more/better MIDI features with any of these apps, but you're also paying for audio recording features. So, think about your long-term plans - if you think that you'll be doing any recording in the future, that could affect your buying decision. HTH. |
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| palm |
| i understand totaly if u wanna go hardware its pretty boring sitting infront of the computer but you should realy learn everything on a computer first, then if u feel ur going to do this big time then u can look on some akai stuff for sequencing, its so much more fun but it takes hell of a lot more time and if u want to change something u already made it takes even more time. computer is alot easier, faster and better. though hardware is REALY FUN if u can afford it all. |
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| echosystm |
i'm going to go against most people in this thread and say:
don't buy any expensive hardware synths, stick with FL. certainly do not buy any hardware sequencers unless you have tried them out and are 100% definate that's the direction you want to go. sequencing in hardware is a joke compared to using computers, but it has it's applications (live work, etc.).
it is too early for you to be going and buying a virus ti. you won't even fully understand what an oscillator or envelope is for another year, so it is pointless. HOWEVER! i do strongly recommend you buy an entry-level synth/midi controller, such as a novation k-station or x-station. this way you have a very solid hardware synth to learn, and also a midi controller to start making music with. if you get an x-station, it has an OK quality soundcard built in, which is pretty awesome for a begginner rig!
also, i think FL is the best way to get into music. it is very easy to use, but can do 99% of the things a high end program can do. i used FL for about 3 years before shifting to cubase in the last ~3 years. i can honestly tell you that there is nothing i can do in cubase that i couldn't do in FL. IN FACT, there are some things i CAN'T do in cubase that i could in FL. the only reason i am not using FL is because it has poor multicore CPU support and the dev is being a dick about it, so i choose not to support it.
this is what i recommend you buy, in order:
1. novation x-station (no sound card needed, as it is inbuilt)
2. Headphones (AKG 240)
3. VSTis (legacy collection analog, massive, fm8, nexus)
4. Sample CDs (Vengeance lol)
5. VST effects (voxengo, sonalksis, wavearts, camelaudio)
6. Monitors (Behringer Truths, Event TR6s or Yamaha HS80Ms) |
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| derail |
Hmm. It depends on the status of this money. If you have loads and it's just "extra" money, where it doesn't matter at all whether or not you spend it, then go nuts.
But if you're just starting out with producing, how do you know you'll be up for all the learning and frustration that the journey entails? It may be better to stick with FL for the time being and only look for further purchases as you become aware you need them.
Then you can take your time with purchases. A lot of hardware goes through ebay, sometimes at astonishingly good prices. If you just wait for the right priced gear, and produce using what you have in the meantime, building your skills, then you'll end up with a lot more synths or other hardware then you would if you went on a massive shopping spree straight up.
I've never tried using any of my synth's onboard sequencers. I can't imagine why I'd want to, since I want to combine sounds from all my synths, as well as samples on my computer. I'm currently using Cubase 4 (with Reason and Live rewired into it), and it handles audio recording fine.
Try one of these synth's sequencers out at your local music store. I'm pretty sure it'd be just for using that synth's sounds, not recording other sounds into it. I don't think they'd have CD burners in them...give them a go, then you'll know what's what! |
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| cryophonik |
| quote: | Originally posted by echosystm
it is too early for you to be going and buying a virus ti. you won't even fully understand what an oscillator or envelope is for another year, so it is pointless. |
It took you a YEAR to figure out what an oscillator and envelope do?! I could've explained them to you in a few paragraphs. :stongue:
OP - if you decide to go with a hardware synth, Virus or otherwise, you will learn it the same way everybody else does - by reading the manual and (especially) by turning the knobs. Despite the previous claim, it will only take you a few hours before you're making sounds with it and you won't break anything by turning the knobs. Incidentally, you would do the same thing with a software synth, the only difference is that the knobs for the oscillators, envelopes, etc. are just visual representations that you turn with the mouse.
I absolutely recommend that you buy a hardware synth and I commend you for thinking beyond FLS. One of the best things you can do as a musician is to turn off your f@#ing computer once in a while and just play your synth, piano, guitar, drums, or whatever. People have been making music that way for quite some time now and it seems to be a good approach. ;) Unfortunately, this concept seems to be lost on many "producers." |
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| mysticalninja |
| hardware is TEH PWN OMGWUT |
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