Ableton Forum

Hi,
I have around 500 English pounds to spend on something for my music set up and was wondering how best I would spend that money.

I have a Macbook Pro 2012 i7 Quadcore - 16gb ram which runs well.

I have Live 9 Suite and also the following selection of plugins instruments:


Diva, Bazille, Discovery Pro, Komplete 9, Lounge Lizard

as well as plugin effects:

Presswerk, Valhalla Vintage Reverb, Decimort, Devastor, MFM2, RP-Delay

I have Equator D5 monitors which are fabulous and I'm really happy with.

Controller wise I have an APC40, a Novation 25sl Mkii and also Push 2.

So I was thinking that I really fancy some hardware that would really inspire me.

I make techno/deep house music so whatever I buy would need to be suited to this genre.

I was looking at a hardware synth and even considered a Moog Sub Phatty (second hand and by increasing my budget a little) due to the legendary Moog sound that people talk about. I do wonder how much beyond the quality of U-HE Diva these things would be though and whether it would be really noticeable and worthwhile.

I'm not hugely experienced with the intricacies of synthesis so something that is really complicated may end up only being used to 30% of its potential.

So I guess I'm after something that will integrate with Live easily enough, something that is intriguing and inspiring, and something that will wow me beyond what I have already. My budget is around 500 although I could stretch a little higher if the item was incredible.

Your ideas and feedback is gratefully appreciated.

Looking forward to your ideas,
Adam

Good question, mate. Sounds like you want to get into hardware synthesis and right now you got a ton of options. I think the Korg Minilogue will fit within budget, and then you've got the Volcas, etc.

I think you'll get a different feeling programming hardware - it's quicker, easier, more intuitive and fun. Diva is amazing, though. It sounds magical and I'm not gonna lie, I've used it for some sounds over my Sequential Circuits Prophet 5. However, there is charm and character to this hardware stuff. I love it. I want more!

Hey, what kind of audio interface do you have, mate?

A second hand DS MEK would be my suggestion

room treatment

adam_mc wrote: I have a Macbook Pro 2012 i7 Quadcore - 16gb ram which runs well.

You don't mention an audio interface so if this means you don't have one that's where to put all your money. Nothing inspired me more than when I upgraded last time.

prebentious wrote:room treatment

After an audio interface and a good set of speakers (the OP has Euator D5s) that's a natural next priority.

Hey, thanks for the replies so far.

I've got a Focusrite Saffire 6 audio interface, should have mentioned that in my specs.

The room treatment is an interesting idea, my girlfriend still looks upon the music room as 'our' room though so I'm not sure the look would make her too happy. Also. . . Would it inspire me?

Also. . . I thought about the minilogue, however, I wasn't sure of the sound quality.

That Dave Smith MEK looks fabulous. EBay has one for 700 at the moment. Is that the price they tend to go for.

Roland Aira System 1 "plug out" synth?

Hmmmmm. Not sure about the System One. I think I would prefer something analogue.

I was thinking about something to add percussion and drums intro my setup but I have plenty of samples and push 2 so I'm not sure that's a decent investment of my money.

Any other ideas?

with all those VST you have you are already down to single digits in terms of using your existing potential, but that is true for everyone i suspect

adam_mc wrote:Hi,


I'm not hugely experienced with the intricacies of synthesis so something that is really complicated may end up only being used to 30% of its potential.

Adam

Virus B or C may be a decent choice.. sure you can get most of those sounds from your VST but interacting with hardware can be very inspiring

I've just started down the same road mate.

Couple of months ago I sold my car so had a bit of cash and fancied getting into analog so took the plunge on a System-1 because it's a good starter plus you can get the plug-outs which I intend to get the SH-101, a must for techno.

Anyway, 2 grand later! and I'm still going! So much so I've just picked up a second hand Octopre cause I've run out of inputs.

I got the Nord Lead 3 which I know is VA but wow I'm so chuffed, bit above your budget for now though.

My next purchase and my suggestion for you is the Cylcone TT-303, everyone needs a 303 but not the original, far too pricey!

I've looked again at the system 1, it just looks a bit plastic and I have the TAL emulation of the sh101 in vst form already.
I sincerely understand your purchases though, I think I'm starting to really enjoy having something more physical to use.
It's just working out what would have the greatest impact.

The Virus idea is interesting. I'm concerned that the difference won't be too far beyond where I'm at already though.


Found myself looking at ms20 minis earlier today. I'm going round the bend.