What does a soundcard do? What about an MPC?
When you first start producing, do you need any gear?
- Thread starter Apex
- Start date
be back in a bit
All Star
Sound card (or audio interface) converts analog signal in digital signal and vice versa. You can plug mics/synths into its inputs so the audio goes into your computer to be recorded. They also usually have midi inputs that use can hook up your midi controller or MPC into.
You also plug cables into the audio interfaces outputs to go to your monitors.
You should visit tweakheadz and check out their starter guide. Should help you know what does what.
An MPC is a drum pad that you use to trigger samples. (Eg. Drums, piano keys, record sample) Very popular and important part of hip hop history and production. Though a midi keyboard is really all you need at the start. Though MPCs can be fun to use.
My recommendation for anyone...the best and realtively the cheapest way to start
Laptop>desktop (cop a mac pro and you'll be good to go for a long time) I have a macpro from 2009 STILL running strong and I'm able to run MANY VST's and tracks at the same time.
you MUST get a midi keyboard. No mouse stuff...it will get boring and you just won't have fun.
hopefully a keyboard that has some pads on it...it will help for drumming....those AKAI joints are cool fukk M-Audio though...I've had 3 of those fukks die on me
some nice Monitors not ust computer speakers..start with cheap monitors at first but definitely make sure they are monitors. If you don't have the $$ to invest then get some monitoring headphones instead( for now...cuz you WILL need monitors eventually) Audio-Technica makes some dope ones
Software.....this is where there will be varying opinions.
me and my team mostly work with Maschine now for making beats. but when it comes times to make full songs we use Ableton.
IMO Ableton is the best and most flexible software out there.
I used everything from Pro tools to Nuendo to Logic...and Ableton is by far the best.
soo
Used macbook - $3-400
Midi Keyboard - $100-$200
Monitors - $300-$400
Headphones - $150
Software- ??? do what you gotta do.
i highly recomend the NI Komplete though.....MILLIONS of sounds
Laptop>desktop (cop a mac pro and you'll be good to go for a long time) I have a macpro from 2009 STILL running strong and I'm able to run MANY VST's and tracks at the same time.
you MUST get a midi keyboard. No mouse stuff...it will get boring and you just won't have fun.
hopefully a keyboard that has some pads on it...it will help for drumming....those AKAI joints are cool fukk M-Audio though...I've had 3 of those fukks die on me
some nice Monitors not ust computer speakers..start with cheap monitors at first but definitely make sure they are monitors. If you don't have the $$ to invest then get some monitoring headphones instead( for now...cuz you WILL need monitors eventually) Audio-Technica makes some dope ones
Software.....this is where there will be varying opinions.
me and my team mostly work with Maschine now for making beats. but when it comes times to make full songs we use Ableton.
IMO Ableton is the best and most flexible software out there.
I used everything from Pro tools to Nuendo to Logic...and Ableton is by far the best.
soo
Used macbook - $3-400
Midi Keyboard - $100-$200
Monitors - $300-$400
Headphones - $150
Software- ??? do what you gotta do.
i highly recomend the NI Komplete though.....MILLIONS of sounds
yea id start with reason, its a virtual hardware environment which makes it a great learning tool. that was all i needed and used for years
you will need a soundcard to hook speakers up to. it will also allow you to get input from outside sources.
Nowadays with soft synths and everything internally you can get away with smaller cheaper ones.
but I know dudes that don't even have one. some headphones and a USB keyboard is all you need.
When I travel thats what I use
Maschine Mikro with akai MPK and my macbook and AT-M50s
the ONLY problem I have with reason is that it is an all in one system that doesnt work without side software(or at least it didn't when I used it) no VST support or anything.
but it was great for what it was.
record got absorbed in reason 6 and recycle got absorbed into 7. reason is all in one now.
they have proprietary plugins but if you have vsts, chances are you have another daw, and rewire is typically very easy to set up.
thats neither here nor there for someone just starting out though. i just saying reason is perfect for an initiate transitioning into hardware.
I'll be starting off with a PC. If I buy a Mac in a couple year, will I need to change DAWs? If I will have to change DAWs, will my beat-making be hindered due to the change in programs?
naw most DAWs run on both platforms no problem.
Certain VSTs only work on one or the other but shouldn't be a problem as most work on both anyway
DJ Mart-Kos
All Star
If you wanna use FL Studio you better just buy a PC instead of a Mac.
And a lot of VST's only work on Windows to.
Those 2 where the main reasons why i got myself a PC instead of a Mac.
But i can understand people who buy Macs cause it doesnt get virusses like Windows.
And a lot of VST's only work on Windows to.
Those 2 where the main reasons why i got myself a PC instead of a Mac.
But i can understand people who buy Macs cause it doesnt get virusses like Windows.