I Want To Start Producing What Do I Need? - dj forums

DDJJ · 02-11-07, 04:57 PM

Hiya People, I need some advice on equipment to get because I want to start producing music and in specific: Bhangra, Hip Hop, Garage, Drum and Bass and possibly a few other favoured genres of mine. I was wandering as to what equipment I would need to get started to make some beats. I have used fruity loops in the past and I didn't really follow through with it due to other commitments but now I have seen how hip hop producers make music and its all done on MPC's and computers etc. I know it might seem i'm jumping straight to 'pro tools' i think they are called but they seem to be easier to use.

This is what I have in mind in terms of equipment: Serato Scratch Live to sample, Akai MPC 2000xl to sequence and my laptop to do the rest of it. (Yes i'm a bit vague but i'm a noob at this). If i'm wrong then by all means put me right and also help me choose some equipement because I really have a passion to produce......

DJ Fame · 02-11-07, 05:03 PM

you should also get a midi keyboard so you can play some keys, and use it for synth

drone · 02-11-07, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Fame

you should also get a midi keyboard so you can play some keys, and use it for synth

Not necessarily.
I got Fruityloops three years ago and didnt know shit about producing.
Didnt even know what midi was thb haha.
But i figured out i could play notes with the keys on my laptop,
now i can play them as good as i play a regular piano ^^

DDJJ · 02-12-07, 06:17 AM

Keyboard isn't a problem I have a few that are just lying around. Granted they might be old but i'm sure they will do the job.

P.S And yes I forgot to mention that in the original post but yeah I will be adding a keyboard in the mix.

steyg · 02-12-07, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Fame

you should also get a midi keyboard so you can play some keys, and use it for synth

its right first step hearin and fell the song of rtym

**mostapha** · 02-12-07, 11:37 PM

I vote for Reason, a DAW, a basic keyboard (possibly with drum pads), an audio interface, and some kind of control surface.

But, I tend to jump in over my head. For the most basic intro, Reason is probably the best first step, followed by a good DAW when you reach the limit of its sequencer or want to use Audio.

DDJJ · 02-21-07, 05:49 AM

Can someone tell me what pro tools are? Is what I am talking about i.e. the Akai a pro tool?

**mostapha** · 02-21-07, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDJJ

Can someone tell me what pro tools are? Is what I am talking about i.e. the Akai a pro tool?

Pro Tools is a sequencer/editor made by Digidesign that is used (not exclusively) in every major studio.

www.digidesign.com

similar software to look into: Cubase, Logic Pro, Digital Performer, Ableton Live, Sonar, and Nuendo. They all do basically the same thing...differences are based on preferences between the interfaces and the hardware you use.

pionear · 02-21-07, 03:26 PM

Just get a decent DAW to start with. And if you can make decent/passable tracks with that, then move on to the other stuff (keyboards, mixers, etc.)

zuzz · 03-01-07, 04:58 AM

Use anything you can get your hands on.

dj1479 · 03-01-07, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mostapha

I vote for Reason, a DAW, a basic keyboard (possibly with drum pads), an audio interface, and some kind of control surface.

But, I tend to jump in over my head. For the most basic intro, Reason is probably the best first step, followed by a good DAW when you reach the limit of its sequencer or want to use Audio.

What kind of audio interface would you reccommend? something with just 2-4 inputs would be OK?

pionear · 03-01-07, 04:41 PM

E-MU 0404 is good.

1trickpony · 03-01-07, 05:23 PM

I may not be the most informed about the subject, but something like an MPC just seems outdated and outperformed by today's software solutions. I honestly think the only reason people still buy the things are because either a) they're old heads that know how to use hardware and are more comfortable with something like that b) it's part of the hip-hop "image."

To the best of my knowledge, everything you can do with an MPC (or most any hardware sequencer/sampler) can be done more efficiently and cheaper in a good DAW.

Sean 5 · 03-01-07, 07:44 PM

I've been saying the same thing for a while.

A trigger finger, sound card, and ableton live / reason can do everything and more....

**mostapha** · 03-02-07, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj1479

What kind of audio interface would you reccommend? something with just 2-4 inputs would be OK?

M-Audio has great customer service. And I like my mbox2 mini so far. If you stick to good brands (such as digi, m-audio, motu, focusrite, presonus, RME, emu, etc.) and do your research, you can find something that will work well.

N.O.C · 03-02-07, 06:17 AM

cowbell, lots and lots of cowbell

OvaDoSe · 03-02-07, 06:55 PM

a banjo, sittar, mandolin and a toothpick

mcgyver, do your thang!

Club2k6promos · 03-03-07, 07:45 PM

I suggest starting out with a Couple of plastic cups, a piece of string (preferably cotton), a single cottonbud, two stainless steel spoons and a jar of milk.

02-11-07, 04:57 PM	#1
DDJJ Club DJ Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: United Kingdom, London Posts: 703 Track: Immortal Technique - Dance With The Devil	I Want To Start Producing What Do I Need? Hiya People, I need some advice on equipment to get because I want to start producing music and in specific: Bhangra, Hip Hop, Garage, Drum and Bass and possibly a few other favoured genres of mine. I was wandering as to what equipment I would need to get started to make some beats. I have used fruity loops in the past and I didn't really follow through with it due to other commitments but now I have seen how hip hop producers make music and its all done on MPC's and computers etc. I know it might seem i'm jumping straight to 'pro tools' i think they are called but they seem to be easier to use. This is what I have in mind in terms of equipment: Serato Scratch Live to sample, Akai MPC 2000xl to sequence and my laptop to do the rest of it. (Yes i'm a bit vague but i'm a noob at this). If i'm wrong then by all means put me right and also help me choose some equipement because I really have a passion to produce......

02-11-07, 05:03 PM	#2
DJ Fame Beginner DJ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miami,Fl Posts: 162 Track: A bunch of songs	you should also get a midi keyboard so you can play some keys, and use it for synth __________________ www.myspace.com/djfame305

02-12-07, 11:37 PM	#6
mostapha Back after 2 years. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 7,144 Track: Tastexperience - Highlander (still)	I vote for Reason, a DAW, a basic keyboard (possibly with drum pads), an audio interface, and some kind of control surface. But, I tend to jump in over my head. For the most basic intro, Reason is probably the best first step, followed by a good DAW when you reach the limit of its sequencer or want to use Audio. __________________ Ableton Live 8 \| VCM-600 \| Macbook 2.16 \| FS Open Interface \| RP 5s http://www.djforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=87 - DJF Trance Championship…Vote Current Battle

02-21-07, 03:26 PM	#9
pionear Resident DJ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Jerzey Posts: 1,296 Track: Hello Brooklyn 2.0 - Jay-Z w/Lil Wayne	Just get a decent DAW to start with. And if you can make decent/passable tracks with that, then move on to the other stuff (keyboards, mixers, etc.) __________________ www.piosystems.com 'The Forsaken Notes' EP available to listen. New EP, 'Revenge of the Synth' coming soon!

03-01-07, 04:58 AM	#10
zuzz Beginner DJ Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 87 Track: eep opp ork ah-ah	Use anything you can get your hands on. __________________ zuzz \| drum samples \| free loops


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02-12-07, 06:17 AM	#4
DDJJ Club DJ Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: United Kingdom, London Posts: 703 Track: Immortal Technique - Dance With The Devil	Keyboard isn't a problem I have a few that are just lying around. Granted they might be old but i'm sure they will do the job. P.S And yes I forgot to mention that in the original post but yeah I will be adding a keyboard in the mix.

02-21-07, 05:49 AM	#7
DDJJ Club DJ Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: United Kingdom, London Posts: 703 Track: Immortal Technique - Dance With The Devil	Can someone tell me what pro tools are? Is what I am talking about i.e. the Akai a pro tool?

03-01-07, 04:41 PM	#12
pionear Resident DJ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Jerzey Posts: 1,296 Track: Hello Brooklyn 2.0 - Jay-Z w/Lil Wayne	E-MU 0404 is good. __________________ www.piosystems.com 'The Forsaken Notes' EP available to listen. New EP, 'Revenge of the Synth' coming soon!

03-01-07, 05:23 PM	#13
1trickpony Elite DJ Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Knoxville Posts: 8,419 Track: Levon Vincent - Six Figures	I may not be the most informed about the subject, but something like an MPC just seems outdated and outperformed by today's software solutions. I honestly think the only reason people still buy the things are because either a) they're old heads that know how to use hardware and are more comfortable with something like that b) it's part of the hip-hop "image." To the best of my knowledge, everything you can do with an MPC (or most any hardware sequencer/sampler) can be done more efficiently and cheaper in a good DAW. __________________ Knoxville Electronic Dance Movement

03-02-07, 06:17 AM	#16
N.O.C Elite DJ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 3,149 Track: "On The Block" - DJ Fixx	cowbell, lots and lots of cowbell __________________ SEARCH is your friend, your BEST friend, your ONLY friend n00b...use it! my musicv2 myspace

03-02-07, 06:55 PM	#17
OvaDoSe Resident DJ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Golden State Posts: 1,328 Track: Little Big Bee - K.G.O. Jazztronik Remix	a banjo, sittar, mandolin and a toothpick mcgyver, do your thang!

03-03-07, 07:45 PM	#18
Club2k6promos Beginner DJ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 51 Track: andy moor - halcyon (alex morph remix )	I suggest starting out with a Couple of plastic cups, a piece of string (preferably cotton), a single cottonbud, two stainless steel spoons and a jar of milk.