Am I missing something?

IW1 · Post by **IW1** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:34 pm

Good morning all! I am currently using Live 4.0.4, Reason 2.5, Peak 4& Audacity along with a handful of VST effects. My keyboards include a Novation K Station, Korg Trinity and the old Kawai K5000W. I use the emagic USB audio/MIDI interface 6in 2 out as well. I do not have any other external devices such as rack mounted effects or samplers, mixers, drum machines, etc...

My question is this: due to the fact that I am strictly using the above mentioned computer software to record, sequence, mix, and develop my music & sound, are there any “Can’t Live Without” external devices that I should acquire? Am I missing some important devices in my “home studio”?

The reason I ask is that I took a look at the thread where everyone took a picture of their studio & posted it. I must say, my studio is really bare with only the (03) keyboards & my powerbook! What am I missing? What is (01) device that is essential for “computer music” composition you would recommend that I obtain?

ekko · Post by **ekko** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:39 pm

IW1 wrote: What is (01) device that is essential for “computer music” composition you would recommend that I obtain?

A creative spark.

Quit worrying about gear and make some tunes.

conny · Post by **conny** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:19 pm

Agree with Ekko.
The studio pictures remind me of cover for muscle magazines. (I have neither.)
Studio is in your hands and in the head and all around.
A flute sample and a long night while rain is knocking on the window.
(BTW: Nice voice, Ekko - listening to "Liar" while writing this.)

// C

sniffio · Post by **sniffio** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:22 pm

just do it

ekko · Post by **ekko** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:26 pm

conny wrote: (BTW: Nice voice, Ekko - listening to "Liar" while writing this.)

// C

Thanks, C. The singer's name is "Nicole." I'm just the music guy.

radder · Post by **radder** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:26 pm

agreed - studio porn is great but as long as you have the creativity to unlock the possibilities of a computer setup, and some way to get inspiration from your hands to the computer (the keyboards you mentioned), I think you'll be fine. Just go at it. If you find yourself longing for a new way to interact with the software down the road, I would recommend some kind of MIDI knob box but this is not essential to starting out.

IW1 · Post by **IW1** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:51 pm

You’re all 100% correct! I have jammed in many bands (metal & heavy alternative) for 12 years or so & many of my friends are still in bands, some local, some national (touring that is). I moved into the electronic genre 3 years ago using acid, sound forge, fruity loops, etc. I recently went “mac” and have updated my music software using the programs I mentioned.

Anyways, most of my friends have always said they enjoyed my songs, but the biggest critique on my sound that they all have agreed on is that the music “sounds” like its computer based & not polished like one would hear on a “professional” cd.

Now I will admit that I don’t have the first clue on how to master my songs. My mixes are fine but I have no clue on how to master to get that “polished” sound. I just figured that I must be missing some external audio hardware device or something...

Thanks all!

Martyn · Post by **Martyn** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:51 pm

Not everyone in that 'picture of your studio' thread had a massive ammount of gear, It's surprising what you can achieve with not a lot of equipment.

All that matters is the sound that comes off the speaker cone. How you put it there is completely irelevant.

Using what everyone else is using just creates the possibility that you will just end up sounding like everyone else.

Thinking for yourself would appear to be the best way to come up with something original.

As for mastering tunes, unless you have a golden set of ears or want your music to sound 'different' I suggest paying a studio to master your tracks. It can be done by yourself but I personally think that it's valuable to get somebody else's hearing involved.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:14 pm

You have more then enough, only good mic, headphones, monitors seem missing. If you cannot do anything with the gear you have then look for another profession or hobby. Enjoy and use wisely what you have and forget about gear maniacs.

ekko · Post by **ekko** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:24 pm

I used to have about 5 times as much gear and software as I have now. I honestly got rid of about 80% of my gear over the last two years, and my musical output has never been higher or better. Fewer options may seem like a negative, but it prevents you from getting stuck in a "what if I try this patch, what if I try this patch, what if I try this patch" loop and onto actual music creation.

Hey, Beethoven wrote his final symphonies when he was bone-deaf. He had NOTHING but his imagination. From that sprung the glorious 9th Symphony.

conny · Post by **conny** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:28 pm

Hallo again. Nothing to add but I felt that my opinion of the studio photos was a bit of the edge. Maybe I want a studio too...
Also: a few of us has begun to put live sets up to be downloaded. A part of that could be a couple Dogma sets (if you dont know about Dogma: its a kind of contract for filmmakers, no artificial light, natural surroundings, original sound)? Well, a computer and Live may be accepted.

Ekko: I fooled myself about the voice (but Ekko is a female figure in Ovids metamorphoses i think). Another thread to run: Where are the female Live users?

// C

dpel · Post by **dpel** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:37 pm

IW1 wrote:Good morning all! I am currently using Live 4.0.4, Reason 2.5, Peak 4& Audacity along with a handful of VST effects. My keyboards include a Novation K Station, Korg Trinity and the old Kawai K5000W. I use the emagic USB audio/MIDI interface 6in 2 out as well. I do not have any other external devices such as rack mounted effects or samplers, mixers, drum machines, etc...

My question is this: due to the fact that I am strictly using the above mentioned computer software to record, sequence, mix, and develop my music & sound, are there any “Can’t Live Without” external devices that I should acquire? Am I missing some important devices in my “home studio”?

The reason I ask is that I took a look at the thread where everyone took a picture of their studio & posted it. I must say, my studio is really bare with only the (03) keyboards & my powerbook! What am I missing? What is (01) device that is essential for “computer music” composition you would recommend that I obtain?

a nice view and a cold beer

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:39 am

Since all of your hardware is digital you might as sell it and just concentrate on mastering your software. One my of friends keeps on buying new synths and other toys. It seems like for every new piece of kit he gets another just collects dust. Gear Acqusition Syndrome, we all suffer from at some point.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:10 am

Anybody seen where I can get a creative spark for a good price?

noisetonepause · Post by **noisetonepause** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:34 am

suburbanbather wrote:Since all of your hardware is digital you might as sell it and just concentrate on mastering your software

Unless of course you like your hardware... it sounds like you can actually play instruments. That'll do you heaps of good in the long run.

Don't believe the hype. Digital racks aren't the same as native software. And software is not 'better' than hardware, sometimes quite the contrary. If nothing else, believe me, you'll want to get away from the screen once in a while! And you're not going to find those Kawai sounds in software, really... it's a mad beast. Err. How much?

Also, you might want to look at the Souncraft Compact series of small mixers specifically built for computer users with a bit of hardware. I'm thinking of getting one when I get some cash.

-Paws

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