Expert help needed to finish my set-up

[yianni64]

Hi, I'm looking to make mostly hip-hop/electronic dance music and need to some advice as to what I should purchase next. I am running Live 6 on my Macbook and I have a Novation X-Station and Korg padKontrol. I am really torn with either buying something like Reason 3 (which I can get for $300 since I have Reason Adapted) or sending back the padkontrol and upgrading to a Roland SP-404 or Korg Electribe MX or SX. So Im looking to hear the pros and cons or using the padKontrol with Live 6/Reason 3 compared to using the other hardware. Well, feel free to ask me some questions if Im being vague..... I look forward to your advice, thanks.

[Lo-Fi Massahkah]

Hi and welcome!

When I was starting out I was also buying a lot of stuff - and kept on doing so for a number of years. Well, until Live 6 came out. Then I decided to simplify me setup - best thing I have done! Basically I have Live 6 on my lappy and a few midi controllers. I feel I'm being more productive with fewer things to get into and setup - and still there are plenty of choices of how to solve things.

So my advice - don't buy anything! Focus on what you've got.

Regards,
Mikael

[Tarekith]

Ditto, you have more than enough if you're just starting out. If you don't know if you need a piece of gear or not....you don't need it. save your money until you find yourself NEEDING something, versus maybe kinda sorta WANTING it.

[Rogue Scrunt]

get Reason, and be done with it.


reason with its rack GUI will give you te understanding of hardware. If you still find it interesting, then start buying some hardware.



Have Fun, Good Luck

[yianni64]

Thanks for your advice so far, so would it be safe to say that Reason 3 and padkontrol is a better was to spend $500 than an electribe or sp-404?

[Lo-Fi Massahkah]

Thanks for your advice so far, so would it be safe to say that Reason 3 and padkontrol is a better was to spend $500 than an electribe or sp-404?

Well taste and preferences are obviously different. But I'd get hardware anything over Reason everyday. I find it the most uninspiring program ever made - well almost...

If you want synths to complement Live download some free VSTs instead.

If you get some hardware - you'll at least get some hands-on control. And cool step sequencing with the Electribe.

Don't get Reason. Don't.















...no really... Don't.

-M

[Tarekith]

Thanks for your advice so far, so would it be safe to say that Reason 3 and padkontrol is a better was to spend $500 than an electribe or sp-404?

That depends, do you think it's better to get a Coke and Snickers, or some water and a big bag of chips?

You're asking us to decide what's best for you, when only you can say that for sure.

It's like saying, hey guys, I want to be a musician, should I play guitar or trombone? Well, what one do YOU want to play more.

If you're this indecisive that you can't figure it out, or you just don't know enough about both options, then do yourself a favor and just wait while you research the options better.

[jasinski]

Hi, I'm looking to make mostly hip-hop/electronic dance music and need to some advice as to what I should purchase next. I am running Live 6 on my Macbook and I have a Novation X-Station and Korg padKontrol. I am really torn with either buying something like Reason 3 (which I can get for $300 since I have Reason Adapted) or sending back the padkontrol and upgrading to a Roland SP-404 or Korg Electribe MX or SX. So Im looking to hear the pros and cons or using the padKontrol with Live 6/Reason 3 compared to using the other hardware. Well, feel free to ask me some questions if Im being vague..... I look forward to your advice, thanks.

master what you have now. once you have pushed everything to it's limit, you will know yourself where you need more 'room'.

For perspective, you have MORE production power-and efficiency in your setup now than the Beetles EVER did. Just make music.

[Rogue Scrunt]

jasinski, with the good advice.

[hacktheplanet]

My advice is buy both... Used. They are fairly cheap! Then sell whichever you don't find yourself using too often.
And watch out for gear lust. It's a killer. I got over mine last year after having four different synths, a drum machine, and three controllers. Now, it's just a synth, two controllers, a sound card, and a computer.

A simple set up is SOOOOOOO much more conducive to creating music.... Not to mention that 5 minutes for setup on stage beats a half hour.

[yianni64]

Thanks for your advice so far, so would it be safe to say that Reason 3 and padkontrol is a better was to spend $500 than an electribe or sp-404?

That depends, do you think it's better to get a Coke and Snickers, or some water and a big bag of chips?

You're asking us to decide what's best for you, when only you can say that for sure.

It's like saying, hey guys, I want to be a musician, should I play guitar or trombone? Well, what one do YOU want to play more.

If you're this indecisive that you can't figure it out, or you just don't know enough about both options, then do yourself a favor and just wait while you research the options better.

I understand where you are coming from, but your comment wasnt helpful at all. I stated what kind of music I want to make and asked for peoples opinions, how did that bother you enough to rant but not help out at all? I have reason 3 adapted and have played around with the hardware at stores. Ive also done a fair amount of research with both, but I was asking other people for their two cents. Since I can return the padKontrol within the next week and use the money towards the hardware my options are still open. Im obviously new to all this and under a time crunch so I dont see what the big deal is.

Everyone else, thanks a lot for your advice, hope to hear some more, peace.

[Lo-Fi Massahkah]

Thanks for your advice so far, so would it be safe to say that Reason 3 and padkontrol is a better was to spend $500 than an electribe or sp-404?

That depends, do you think it's better to get a Coke and Snickers, or some water and a big bag of chips?

You're asking us to decide what's best for you, when only you can say that for sure.

It's like saying, hey guys, I want to be a musician, should I play guitar or trombone? Well, what one do YOU want to play more.

If you're this indecisive that you can't figure it out, or you just don't know enough about both options, then do yourself a favor and just wait while you research the options better.

I understand where you are coming from, but your comment wasnt helpful at all. I stated what kind of music I want to make and asked for peoples opinions, how did that bother you enough to rant but not help out at all? I have reason 3 adapted and have played around with the hardware at stores. Ive also done a fair amount of research with both, but I was asking other people for their two cents. Since I can return the padKontrol within the next week and use the money towards the hardware my options are still open. Im obviously new to all this and under a time crunch so I dont see what the big deal is.

Everyone else, thanks a lot for your advice, hope to hear some more, peace.

Hey man, Chill!

Tarekith was just trying to help from his perspective. Being one that (just like me) has been through a lot of gear, but have now cleaned his house. He was not being rude in any way...

You asked for peoples opinions... this is what you get. Different opinons.

Cheers,
Mikael

[yianni64]

That depends, do you think it's better to get a Coke and Snickers, or some water and a big bag of chips?

You're asking us to decide what's best for you, when only you can say that for sure.

It's like saying, hey guys, I want to be a musician, should I play guitar or trombone? Well, what one do YOU want to play more.

If you're this indecisive that you can't figure it out, or you just don't know enough about both options, then do yourself a favor and just wait while you research the options better.

I understand where you are coming from, but your comment wasnt helpful at all. I stated what kind of music I want to make and asked for peoples opinions, how did that bother you enough to rant but not help out at all? I have reason 3 adapted and have played around with the hardware at stores. Ive also done a fair amount of research with both, but I was asking other people for their two cents. Since I can return the padKontrol within the next week and use the money towards the hardware my options are still open. Im obviously new to all this and under a time crunch so I dont see what the big deal is.

Everyone else, thanks a lot for your advice, hope to hear some more, peace.

Hey man, Chill!

Tarekith was just trying to help from his perspective. Being one that (just like me) has been through a lot of gear, but have now cleaned his house. He was not being rude in any way...

You asked for peoples opinions... this is what you get. Different opinons.

Cheers,
Mikael

Yeah, good point, I think I just read that the wrong way and made it more negative than he intended, my apologies.

Anybody else have some input?

[Michael-SW]

Make some stuff with what you got! You have everything you need to make some tracks.

If you were to buy anything, I would recommend a (software) drum sampler like Battery (to use with your Pad Control) and a good Hip Hop sample CD or two (if you don't have an extensive vintage vinyl collection).

[GaryTracks]

good luck on your buying process. i'm always a fan of hardware myself, it is more intimate. but software is more powerful.

if you do buy reason, i will sell you mine for cheap. that includes everything in the original box. you also get the authorization card which is really what you're paying for, which gives you full ownership and the right to upgrades.

here is the link to the do's and dont's of buying used propellerhead software;
http://www.propellerheads.se/index.cfm

PM me if you want to make a deal.

cosmo