5 replies to this topic

[atp21754]

hey i am wondering if anyone can help me out on what equipment to get and im a beginner so i need somthin simple so thank you and i appreciate it

[Juma4]

1. what do you want to do? make beats? record vocals?
2. what's your budget?

some people only use a pc with some software installed.

others add a midi keyboard (useful if you want to program your beats/samples a bit more organically... the other option is to program everything into a software drum machine / sequencer like fruityloops, then you may not need a midi keyboard)

a good soundcard would be nice... and good speakers or headphones. pc speakers are not made for a producer to mix down to. if you add bass to make it sound good on pc speakers, you mix on a home system may sound like there is too much bass.

i recently bought some serious headphones from beyerdynamics, and only after i got those i discovered how bad my pc soundcard really sounds. if i'd have the money now i would buy a MOTU soundcard but those cost like 400 euros/ US dollars.

you probably will not need a big mixing table, or any mixing table at all, if you are going to make your beats using just a pc.

if you want to connect a mic, a mic pre-amp is a wise investment. the pre-amp goes into your soundcard and then your vocal will be recorded into your pc.

[j.Ei]

Quote

hey i am wondering if anyone can help me out on what equipment to get and im a beginner so i need somthin simple so thank you and i appreciate it

wats good man?

that question is very broad....what budget are you working on??
for a very basic entry level setup heres my recommendation (including prices in Rands)

1-soundcard :: ESI MAYA 44 (4 in/4 out PCI soundcard) R995.00
2-MIDI controller keyboard :: m-audio keystation 49 R1300.00
3-monitor speakers :: ESI nEar 05 eperience R2895.00
4-Software of choice but would reccomend Cubase Studio 4 R4595.00
5-Mixer :: soundcraft compact 4 (4channel mixer with phantom power) R1100.00 (*special price)
6-Microphone :: M-Audio Nova condensor microphone R1500.00
7-Cables :: R450.00

this is a basic guide.....
you can also always just scratch out the mixer and PCI soundcard and go for something like the M-Audio Fast track pro USB audio interface with mic pre (R2750.00) or the Presonus Firebox Firewire audio interface (similar specs to the m-audio)

have a look at this online shop www.orangemusic.co.za, they got a nice variety of quality products at good prices.also have a look at the specials they have going on at the moment crazy savings.

holla if you need more information

[Jman111]

If you can afford it, I would recommend the Akai MPC 2500. It is the only thing you will ever need. I used to use computer based software until I came across the MPC 2500. Once you try it you will never use anything else.

[j.Ei]

MPC is dope....if you do a lotta sampling and know how to work it. yeah it looks nice n easy when you see a video of swizzy working the MPC but it takes time to get ya game tight on that joint.

i disagree however that " it is the only thing you will ever need".

[Jman111]

j.Ei said:

MPC is dope....if you do a lotta sampling and know how to work it. yeah it looks nice n easy when you see a video of swizzy working the MPC but it takes time to get ya game tight on that joint.

i disagree however that " it is the only thing you will ever need".

Like most hardware you have to read the manual. Most users of hardware just want to get straight to work. That just leads to frustration. You also right, obviously you need more than the MPC for complete music productions.