thoughts on equipment setup ?

[Lib3rtine]

so, it's nearly 2014...and things have changed over the years regarding what's needed for dub creation. Hardware / software wise.

It used to be that a Midi keyboard was mandatory, but still only a piece of the puzzle... now in some aspects, only Novation is required.

I initially just wanna go with Hardware, as it helps build the creative process. (Ableton Live / FL Studio = later down the road)

What i'm needing the equipment for ? Complete dubstep creation from scratch. But also remix'ing popular big hits.

So... i'm thinking about 'korg kaossilator pro' for the general creation. And the 'Korg Kaoss Pad 3' for ripping things up / effects . They could even be connected and work together, which seems even better.

Midi keyboard / controller = starting to feel convinced it's not needed. ( Numark Mixtrack Pro II looks sik though)

Synthesizer ? Same as above. (although the microKorg 37-Key Synthesizer with Vocoder seems tempting and has amazing reviews...)

Korg Monotron ? thought about it, but seems too basic with it's tones. then again, it is only $30.

What im hung up on is with Novation.

Maybe KP3 + Novation would be better ? or Kaossilator Pro + Novation ?

I wanna have everything needed, but not 10 pieces of hardware either.

thoughts ?

[wub]

Do you have a budget?

[fragments]

What Novation piece are you looking at???

The Kaossilator seems cool, but its a really limited synth. Its really quite shit IMO. I played with one at a friends studio and he sent it back a couple days after he got it. If I remember it basically only has presets you can tweak.

I have a KP3 and love it, but its somewhat lofi IMO. I like to just loop a stem through it and record lots of versions of it.

I know lots of people like the microKorg and in general Ive had fantastic experiences with Korg products. I also have a Monotron delay. They are super Lo Fi and have virtually no options that allow you to design sounds. I dont even use it much as a delay unit or filter. The noise floor is really really high. Its a specialty tool for me...there are situations in which it sounds oh so sweet, but not often.

I highly doubt you are going to find two pieces of gear that will let you make full tracks w/o a computer.

Honestly Im having trouble figuring out what you are after. It sounds like you want to go with a full hardware setup then buy a DAW, computer etc later???


FWIW if you want a hardware setup that begins to emulate what a DAW can do there is no way you are getting away with less gear rather than more.

Hardware is a tricky, expensive path. Digital synths AND analog synths are kinda not worth it unless you just want the hardware experience and like tweaking knobs live--I do. The DAW is great for polishing ideas IMO, but I like to get the raw creative parts done on hardware.

I think items like Maschine and Push are the way forward...fully integrated hybrid hardware. Maschine changed my life.

[wub]

The Kaossilator seems cool, but its a really limited synth. Its really quite shit IMO. I played with one at a friends studio and he sent it back a couple days after he got it. If I remember it basically only has presets you can tweak.

+1 on this.

I keep mine around as it is battery operated and you can run it via the Monotron if you want to use the filters. Portable fun really.

[Lib3rtine]

Do you have a budget?

around $500'ish.

What Novation piece are you looking at???

the bigger one, the S.

The Kaossilator seems cool, but its a really limited synth. Its really quite shit IMO. I played with one at a friends studio and he sent it back a couple days after he got it. If I remember it basically only has presets you can tweak.

Interesting, not the first or second one to say this either.

I have a KP3 and love it, but its somewhat lofi IMO. I like to just loop a stem through it and record lots of versions of it.

Pretty much unanimous agreement on this one. Almost everybody seems to love it. (not just on these forums) The KP3 i'm probably locked in on.

I know lots of people like the microKorg and in general Ive had fantastic experiences with Korg products.

starting to 2nd guess already, and might go with the KP3 + Numark Mixtrack Pro II ....or KP3 + microKorg... or KP3 + Novation.

Honestly Im having trouble figuring out what you are after. It sounds like you want to go with a full hardware setup then buy a DAW, computer etc later???

Honestly, I don't know a 100% either...

FWIW if you want a hardware setup that begins to emulate what a DAW can do there is no way you are getting away with less gear rather than more.

Understood, but I still want hardware to have a good feel for what it can do, and eventually incorporate it into a DAW... But there's noway my brain's learnin the hardware and software together. One step at a time. 2 to 3 pieces of hardware at most....that's it.

I think items like Maschine and Push are the way forward...fully integrated hybrid hardware. Maschine changed my life.

I thought about the Maschine as well. You just got Big Up'd.

By the way, see'ing this clip today gave me the urge for sticking the Numark Mixtrack Pro II in there. (even though the one in video is different) -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riry3Uxh688

[fragments]

I'm still a bit lost...im not sure how a Novation launchpad S and a KP3 are going to get you anywhere. One is a MIDI controller that makes no sounds and one is an FX processor and a pretty week sampler. Same with the Mixtrack Pro and KP3 combo.

A microKorg and KP3 would get you further as far as hardware that would let you compose full tracks. Im not trying to be a jack ass, but are you sure youve researched this gear enough? Those MIDI controllers arent going to do much for you w/o a DAW to go with them.

500 dollars is going to be rough as far as hardware setup that will let you make a full song w out a computer. My best recommendation would be a Korg ESX SD you can mimic wave table synthesis, load samples, resample, record FX automation. Its also pretty lofi, but they are fun, intuitive and have enough parts/voices and options you can more or less make a full track.

Either that or buy the whole Korg Volca series.

Honestly, as much as I love hardware...and I am a dirty dirty gear whore...if you want to make full songs spend your money on a DAW and add some pieces of hardware later because honestly....500 dollars is a weak ass budget for a hardware setup if you are starting from scratch. No offense...but 500 dollars will probably only get you one mid level piece of hardware unless you are an ebay god.

EDIT: what gear/software do you have already?

[Capture pt]

Either that or buy the whole Korg Volca series.

Came here to say that pretty much.

Unless you spend many thousands you're going to need a computer & DAW pretty much.

I have a Volca Bass and Microbrute. They're great together and cover a wide range of analog goodness. However without my DAW they would be pretty useless. I just use them as a source sound - make a patch, compose something via MIDI, record it into my daw, and apply effects ontop to warp/shape the sound more. Whack it in track. Done.

They're great for making strange modulations you wouldn't be able to do with a mouse (yes you can automate, but if you don't know what to automate in the first place...) - however I'll always use a DAW to sequence. Not sure I''ll ever bother with a hardware sequencer - never say never though.

[benjam]

The mixtrack is a dj controller mate. Reckon your best option is to stick with software then add bits of hardware when and if you need/want to. The gear your looking at isnt gonna get you very far and youll find your quite limited compared to working inside the box.

[fragments]

The mixtrack is a dj controller mate. Reckon your best option is to stick with software then add bits of hardware when and if you need/want to. The gear your looking at isnt gonna get you very far and youll find your quite limited compared to working inside the box.

Agreed. If you are starting from scratch spend the budget on a computer and or daw

Also though the volcas are cool with nothing else by our sound pallette will be quite limited.

[wub]

OP, I see from your other thread that you haven't even purchased a DAW yet, so might be a better idea to get a feel for the sounds that can be produced 'in-the-box' before buying external synths etc.

[Lib3rtine]

thx, I generally feel more undetermined what to get now.

damn....there's just SO much cool tish out there to mess with.

the ESX1SD seems like a good, all-in-one type solution. I wanted to make sure it could incorporate my own samples into it, and it appears it can do that. (not the EMX1SD though...good thing i compared the 2)

argh... so should I just torture myself to learn FL then ? Seems like the best all-in-one solution, even though it'll take me forever to learn.

Seems like KP3 + FL Studio = best route for now.

This Kaossilator Pro demo though makes me feel otherwise, that it's not so crappy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QatzKxZ5kWo

Undetermined still...but thx all for the recommendations. Opened my mind up more to all the possibilities.

With my luck, they'll announce the KP5...2 days after I buy the KP3.

[fragments]

thx, I generally feel more undetermined what to get now.

damn....there's just SO much cool tish out there to mess with.

the ESX1SD seems like a good, all-in-one type solution. I wanted to make sure it could incorporate my own samples into it, and it appears it can do that. (not the EMX1SD though...good thing i compared the 2)

argh... so should I just torture myself to learn FL then ? Seems like the best all-in-one solution, even though it'll take me forever to learn.

Seems like KP3 + FL Studio = best route for now.

This Kaossilator Pro demo though makes me feel otherwise, that it's not so crappy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QatzKxZ5kWo

Undetermined still...but thx all for the recommendations. Opened my mind up more to all the possibilities.

With my luck, they'll announce the KP5...2 days after I buy the KP3.

Rember to use the KP3 with your DAW youll need an interface with a set of line level ins and outs.

And yes, its quite simple to load samples onto the ESX SD. There is a free program out there that can make ESX sample libraries on your PC. The ESX mostly works with mono samples. Its probably the onlye all in one solution in your price range. Itd be really limited.

if you search for Daniel Kerrs youtube channel he has tons of videos that really show what all you can do with one. His insight into this machine really makes it live up to its poor-man's Octatrack reputation.

I owned one for several years and loved it. Id like to get one back some day, its probably the most fun box Ive ever owned.

Edit: the youtube channel user name Im mentioned is: danieklerr

[Crimsonghost]

I think maschine might be the best thing for you. You have tactile hardware control, with modern software flexability. It's damn near a full fledged daw now as well as sampler, sequencer, and synth (massive, scarbe, prism). The onboard effects are amazing. And let's not forget the huge sample library.

It really is an all in one solution that won't break the bank. And you can find used mk1 units for around $300 used. Add $100 for the 2.0 upgrade and your still well under budget. Hell, you can probably find a used volca for that price that would go great with maschine.

[AxeD]

Yeah that's a good bet. Definitely for people who want to use a lot of samples.
I barely use any samples and I still find a lot of use in Maschine. It's easily worth €200-250.

[fragments]

Also. If you are going to buy hardware synths and such later Maschine makes a sweet...sweet...sweet sequencer.

[Crimsonghost]

Also. If you are going to buy hardware synths and such later Maschine makes a sweet...sweet...sweet sequencer.

Yeah, thats totally why i was thinking he should look for a used Korg volca. Just not sure if there are many (if any) out there. But even new, there still super cheap and would be a great addition to a Maschine based setup.