i wanna become like Dr. Dre...

what should i buy (Hardware/Software) if i want to build a home studio for recording and editing music?

i might use it do create nice beats or record some of my mushy love songs
:P

http://www.vintagesynth.org/akai/mpc2000.jpg

can connect this with my mac?

sorry i such a newbie in this audio thingie

start out with GarageBand (http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/)

I've recently been building up a home recording studio that at the same time would be pretty mobile since I usually want to record my band's live gigs plus the fact am moving abroad in a few months. So here's my set-up although still not operational becuse one of the key components is still missing.

I already have a Korg Workstation from waaaaaaaay back. I recently bought an M-Audio Oxygen8 (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=b4a8849dceaffac747e8 3be310498fa8) midi controller which is pretty basic but since I really just wanna get the hang of it before I do any upgrades on getting the more expensive gear.

I am still waiting for my M-Audio MobilePre USB (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=8eb1a9920df341303f81 bca7ff458be3) to arrive. It's been almost two months since I ordered it. This basically connects any of my analog inputs like a piano, guitar, microphone into my computer.

You'll need a decent mixer and good monitors. They usually come bunbdled with all these software already but these should actually work with Garageband.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: I did this set-up by doing research on the internet. I did not consult anyone. Plus it still isn't operational, so I can't vouch for it. (I kinda have this habit of not asking people for help, in thsi case, my cousin Vic Icasas could have helped.) But I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.

Bottomline is, I wanted to continue making music and doing it digitally with my Powerbook. I hope this helps but then again wait for the Muggers with more expertise on these to comment. They may even comment on my set-up now and see soemthing that may be wrong. ;)

ask help from Ditoy! :D

I keep on getting this humming sound when I directly connect an instrument to my MobilePre USB into Garageband. There's no hum when I connect the same instrument into an amp. Will it help if I connect a mixer to my MobilePre to act as a preamp? My mixer is busted now so I have no idea if it's going to work. ;)

-MIDI keyboard
-ProTools Prosumer solutions
-of course other stuff like decent speakers

I agree with jofab. I've worked with Ditoy and he's your man.

Hey subtlecharity, I will try to give you some suggestions.

A) What's your main purpose? Desktop recording and MIDI arranging - Or will you do LIVE performances and need a mobile set-up?

B) Set your equipment priorities and budget. If you will do Live, mas mahal yun for sure.

C) Basic components:

1. Computer (if Apple make it at least 1Ghz) with at least a CD-writer so you can burn your work to CD easily.

2. MIDI Controller - Usually a keyboard where you can do your performances, other available controllers are MIDI guitars or just like the Akai you posted with drum pads for percussion programming.

3. MIDI interface is for connecting your MIDI devices to the computer, most keyboard controller nowadays like the Oxygen8 has built-in MIDI interfaces.

4. Mixer - For your routing of different inputs, and sound sources like a Microphone, external synthesizers, etc.

5. Good general purpose mic - Shure SM57-58 dynamic microphones are popular, but if you have an isolated vocal booth best to invest on condenser microphones which are more accurate and sensitive.

6. Monitoring - Powered speaker monitors are best for studios for accurate representation of your mixes. Genelec is the most popular (and expensive) brand. But any ordinary home stereo, or headphones will do for those with a budget.

7. Most important is the choice of Software. Garageband is free with new macs, I suggest you try it out, you can do a lot of good music with it instantly. Of course, higher end software that you pay for have more features, more sounds and effects, and more complicated tools for control of your MIDI performances and audio recordings. Other popular software for Mac - Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Reason and of course Pro Tools.

D) My suggestion for you is to make use of what you have already (perhaps the computer, home stereo or headphones/earphones, generic microphone). Get a small MIDI keyboard controller like the Oxygen8 or Roland PCR-30. If you already have an old keyboard synth with MIDI ports at the back, you can get a usb MIDI interface for around $75. And with the mac, just start out first with Garageband.

The AKAI MPC2000 that you posted is indeed a good machine. You can do all your grooves and MIDI programming in that unit alone already. The sounds that you can import is limited to your available CD-rom sound library. That model has become a standard with hip-hop producers and DJs, specially that they can bring it around during gigs or LIVE performances. With this machine, you are paying for its built-in sequencer, the sound generating sampler and the drum pads. The downside though is that you can't play melodies with the drum pads, unlike using a keyboard controller.

But if you don't plan to do Live gigs, you can save a lot by just getting a MIDI keyboard, and load the same AKAI sound library into software synths which are bundled with programs like Logic, DP and Pro Tools via Sampletank. The same drum kits are mapped anyway on the keyboard. For sure, you will get more power, flexibility and ease of use with software running on your big computer screen, than Akai's.

At a small corner in the house, away from the studio, I have my portable mobile set-up where I have done a number of projects already:

Apple Powerbook 17"
Oxygen8 MIDI keyboard
Digidesign Mbox
Pro Tools LE 6.4 software
Etymotic ER-4P/S earphones

You will need a mixer if you have a lot of sound sources. If it's just one microphone and all sounds are coming from software, then the Mbox is good enough. Remember that you can also use the internal mic input and outputs of you computer. It's just prone to noise, and quality not as high as the Mbox or other external sound cards like the MobilePre as mentioned by mistermoya.



[Edited on 9-7-04 by ditoy_eagle]

whatever host program you and hardware interface you get... get good plug ins.... you have no idea how good plug ins can make your music a whole lot better....

the most sulit package for me is Logic, cos it comes with all the synth plugs you'll need... sampler, synths, epiano, organ, clav, and decent effects (except for its EQ and reverb... those two are one of the best)

and when version 7 comes out, you can expect at least two more new synths and garage band type looping capabilities.

Originally posted by ditoy_eagle
Hey subtlecharity, I will try to give you some suggestions.

A) What's your main purpose? Desktop recording and MIDI arranging - Or will you do LIVE performances and need a mobile set-up?

B) Set your equipment priorities and budget. If you will do Live, mas mahal yun for sure.


desktop recording lang... just wanna try out if i have a future in production ;)

Then your best option is try out Garageband 'coz its almost free, and just get any MIDI controller. The software is already capable to bring out the musicianship of any creative person. If from there you realize that you have the talent and feel that you need more power and control of your sequences, then that's the time to invest in professional stuff.