Dubstepforum.com

I'd rate usefulness as: 1. faders, 2. endless encoders, 3. pads, 4. absolute encoders
Just depends on how you work/mix

ehbrums1 wrote:

Huts wrote:

Jux wrote:
Ahem, there are other methods to gaining software for those who aren't as blessed as the rest of us as far as production / studio budgets go.

that was a rather sad thing to read, ill refrain from ranting and going into why as im sure it's pretty obvious.

Keyword: methods
Meaning MULTIPLE ways...such as:

-Freeware
-Piracy
-Program your own s###

jrisreal wrote:

ehbrums1 wrote:

Huts wrote:

Jux wrote:
Ahem, there are other methods to gaining software for those who aren't as blessed as the rest of us as far as production / studio budgets go.

that was a rather sad thing to read, ill refrain from ranting and going into why as im sure it's pretty obvious.

Keyword: methods
Meaning MULTIPLE ways...such as:

-Freeware
-Piracy
-Program your own s###

I'll take piracy for 300 please

Immerse wrote:i agree that knobs are way more useful than pads

Agreed. I was a drummer for 10 years before starting production and I still prefer to sequence drums with my mouse.

You guys are getting soft :p

Read the original post.. As for the rest, TL;DR .. (Besides those who read "wanking" .. So did I)

Dude, don't worry about hardware.. Only buy hardware if you feel what you have in software isn't enough.. Seeing as you are beginning, you will have a lot of time before you feel like the software isn't capable of what you are trying to achieve (If ever) ..

I'd say these would help you;

Extra monitor (When I say monitor, I mean a screen.. It really helps)
A simple Midi keyboard (Mine is from like.. 10 years ago, but it's still awesome.. No knobs or any of that pad shit.. Just keys! .. Pads and Knobs are unnecessary)
Studio Monitors (Meaning "Studio Speakers" Which are flat response.. Yadda Yadda Yadda... Not necessary, but in the future, yes.. I still don't have any)

Besides that, you're good man.. FL Studio has everything you need.

When it comes to VSTs, 3xosc (Comes with FL Studio) Along with FL's other synths + maybe a copy of Massive.. You'll be set! Synthesis is basically the same in all synths, some are just easier / different GUI.

Then just scour the web for samples (Drums, Snares, Hats, Cat meows, etc..)

Fuck Launchpads and Knobs, seriously.. Unless you're DJing or activating clips in Ableton, it's not necessary.

I'm starting out also and I too have a question. I can see a lot of people recommending FL Studio. Is it a easy to learn or start with? I had a friend who told me to start out with FL Studio and move on to Cubase. What's better? Cubase, Reason, or Abelton? Sorry if these questions are stupid, I just want to choose the right DAW because after all I'm paying for it.

its all about what suits you, all daws are equally good. no one daw is better than another. most have demos that you should check out. try a few and make your decision based on what you like, not what others tell you is the best or what x producer uses

That said, GUI and workflow do differ, so thats what you should probly decide on. For example, i personally hate the way ableton looks and therefore cant work with it (yeah yeah i know)

FL is pretty easy to learn for a beginner. It also has the benefit of free lifetime upgrades. Reaper is a more stable product though, IMO...and it is very cheap.

it really depends which one you learn first, just sit down and learn ONE. it doesnt matter which, they all do the same thing (basically), if you try them all youll just get confused.

jrisreal wrote:FL is pretty easy to learn for a beginner. It also has the benefit of free lifetime upgrades. Reaper is a more stable product though, IMO...and it is very cheap.

What did you start out with?

I started with ACID Music Studio. Then switched to FL Studio, which I am still using.

jrisreal wrote:I started with ACID Music Studio. Then switched to FL Studio, which I am still using.

I think im going to try something in Garageband... Probably will terrible.

Try GarageBand and if you like it get logic... They are extremely similar

Tried out the demo of logic... didn't know it doesn't support VST's. I thinking about downloading reaper though.

Genesis wrote:Tried out the demo of logic... didn't know it doesn't support VST's.

It does, but you need to download the .AU versions instead of the .VST versions.

wub wrote:

Genesis wrote:Tried out the demo of logic... didn't know it doesn't support VST's.

It does, but you need to download the .AU versions instead of the .VST versions.

Feel so stupid now... I already deleted it and it took like 5 hours to download. Anyway also having VST trouble with reaper. How do you use them in VST's in reaper?

Producing for 2 days and this guys already looking at hardware...
Sheeet must be love.

The best thing to buy IMO is a good book on production as it will answer all the questions you have and enable you to make informed decisions when you buy keyboards/monitors/plug ins etc