need some advice on music-making

**fighter** · 08-19-2007, 05:26 PM

Hi guys. Im a newbie here. I need your help in deciding what stuff i need in setting up a home studio.

I've been in a rock band for 5 years but due to practical reasons, we had to break up. Anyway, this was back in 2002 and I then went full time in the corporate world. Now that Im relatively financially stable with some extra cash to burn, i can now go back to pursuing my passion which is music. In the last 2 years, i've been seriously digging electro/house music.. and a little bit of hiphop as well. Dati kasi pinupuntahan ko lang mga gigs sa mayric's, freedom bar, 70's bistro. Now that I've been exposed to the club scene and to BigFish events, parang I realized na ito na yung path ko.

I'm now looking into dabbling with music production and making my own electro/house beats. Im quite inspired by Steve Aoki, Kaskade and Timbaland. I have some cool (i think) beats already playing in my head and i dont want them to go to waste..

anyway, ive been researching on what equipment i initially need and kinda leaning into this idea: my friend is selling his slightly used ibook. So im considering buying it to use Garageband. Im also thinking of getting the m-audio fast track usb since i'll be recording some instruments and probably an m-audio midi keyboard. Is the ibook enough for my needs? or should i rather get a mac mini instead?

another option im considering is to just buy a powerful desktop PC (sorry guys) instead of the mac and use the m-audio session software.

Ano tingin niyo guys? My considerations are cost, ease of use and quality of output. Need your help. Medyo excited na kse ko gumawa ng kanta..

Thanks in advance!

By the way, if any of you guys selling your old stuff that i might need, please tell me.

**Sponsor** · 08-19-2007 05:26 PM

**travism** · 08-21-2007, 08:49 PM

If budget allows:

G5 Mac
22 inch Samsung LCD Flat Monitor Wide
Pro Tools LE / Logic Pro
Ableton Live
Traktor
Mbox 2 Pro

Medyo tight budget:

IMac G5 20 inch
M Audio Firewire 410
Pro Tools M powered / Logic Express
Ableton Live
Traktor

Really nagtitipid:

Mac Mini Intel Core 2 Duo
19 Inch MAG / AOC Flat Monitor Wide
M Audio Fast Track Pro
Pro Tools M Power / Digital Performer
Ableton Live
Traktor

You should be able to produce & remix with the set ups I listed. But remember, build a solid sound library & get the best soundcard you can because a good soundcard is key. Also invest on good sounding monitors. Normally, Genelec & KRKs are standard but there are more choices from Mackie, Samson. Tapco, M Audio & a lot more.

Happy hunting!

**makinao** · 08-21-2007, 10:17 PM

I couldn't resist adding to the bottom of travism's list :-)

SUPER-DUPER tipid talaga !

Any mac over 1gHz with OS X 10.4
If it doesn't have an audio-in (like the iBook G4): Griffin iMic
Garage Band (comes free with iLife in 10.4.x)
Audacity (freeware, OS X and Windows versions available)

I've done some interesting projects with less than this, but that's because I have had experience in old skool DIY/Indie productions since the analog era. If you want to test the waters first, you could cut your teeth with this modest setup like this, then graduate through travism's better systems as you gain experience, and as funds become available.

Another thing you should do is take stock of all the audio stuff in your home. For example, if you have old but respectable bookshelf speakers and a receiver/power amp, you could use them as monitors. Got an turntable and some old vinyl LPs? Record, then edit them into your own personal collection of loops. And if you have a working cassette deck, mix down into that, then pump it back into your computer (tape hiss and all) for the ultimate in lo-fi. Anything that makes a sound is fair game. So just as you look forward to getting new gear, have fun resurrecting old stuff.

**the_Nong** · 08-21-2007, 11:00 PM

i can't seem to find wer to get an Ableton Live 6.0 even the 5.0 will do, know where i can get it for free?

**ditoy_eagle** · 08-21-2007, 11:19 PM

No to an ibook, for me it's not powerful enough. Invest in the new intel processors, this way if you miss windows you can still run it on your intel Mac. I also prefer working on a bigger LCD to see your MIDI data, audio waveforms, tracks and a video window for video-post projects- so I don't suggest a laptop...well except the 17" lapzilla.

Travism has given you the right options but we can stretch it out some more.

If you have a budget, I suggest you get the newly released Mac Pros

You will have enough power and expandability for years to come. Or at least the mid-range 20" imac P88-95T when it becomes available here. Getting the latest model will assure you the current processor speed, more power for your music-making. And a brand new unit will have warranty coverage. Kung tipid talaga, get the newly released Mac minis with Core2duo processors. It's better to buy a brand new unit for resale value in case you wish to upgrade to a faster mac - common to all of us here at philmug!

**toner** · 08-22-2007, 02:30 PM

do you think the lowest end macbook (MB061LL/A) can handle reason, ableton live and logic express/pro well?

i was thinking of getting a core duo acer but after reading some articles that m-audio firewire devices might not work with it, i think i'm going to buy the macbook instead.

**raphgarcia** · 08-22-2007, 10:45 PM

it will handle it perfectly
the only thing is... as ditoy said.. u could really use a bigger display. but u can plug a second display in the mac book.

you will also be limited to USB or firewire audio interfaces only
i think if u already have a bunch of stuff going through those ports (like your dedicated-to-audio external hard drive, your mouse, midi controllers, control surfaces).. latency will be an issue... i only know this by theory though.. i wouldnt know whether or not it really will be a big issue. i think separating ur bandwidth hogging stuff (audio interface/harddrive) to usb ports and firewire ports respectively should solve that.

but really i'd stick to at least a g5 mac... or a macbook pro if u really want something portable. i'd have that with a bunch of eSATA external harddrives running through a port multiplier capable eSATA ExpressCard. then a firewire audio interface. then usb midi controllers/control surfaces. swak!

as for software: traktor for dj-ing/spinning. Ableton and/or Logic and/or Protools (with the appropriate audio interfaces of course [m-audio or digidesign])

**fighter** · 08-22-2007, 11:26 PM

Astig. Thanks for the valuable info guys.

Well, yeah, cost is an issue for me mainly because I'm new to this and i still just want to test my capabilities first. Of course, what's the use of a kick-ass setup if the talent's not there. Anyway, that's what i wanna develop first. So, i might just get the bare necessities first and try laying out the melodies playing on my head into tracks. We'll see after that. If the stripped down setup will no longer be enough for my needs, i'll definitely upgrade. In the meantime, the mac mini just might be it.

By the way, would you guys recommend that i get a midi keyboard already? what brand/model do you suggest? (for beginners, at least)

**fighter** · 08-22-2007, 11:32 PM

and by the way, i'm tracking my development in a blog i recently made. Try checking it:

http://mydjquest.blogspot.com

Please do post your suggestions, comments (whether positive/negative) and any form of help 'cos it will be gladly appreciated!

Thanks!

**travism** · 08-23-2007, 08:46 PM

@ fighter: If you're looking for value, then M Audio is a good option. Just snoop around the inet & you'll be able to find some reasonable deals. Check the Ableton website... they have bundles with midi controllers & the software. I have a G4 mac mini running ableton 5.2 to do basic stuff... Whatever you choose always try & max it out so you get the best performance. From what I've experienced, when it comes to macs most stuff are plug & play... which means that, you don't have to worry about anything when you plug stuff in. With the windows platform, you'll have to install a lot of stuff just to run simple programs. Happy hunting for that set-up! Just get the best you can & make do with it. Cheers!