New Equipment Recommendations + Help.

[Winterpark]

What exactly does that do?

I feel like such a noob, I know nothing about audio stuff!

you should probably buy things in the order you need them, and then work out what you're missing, and get stuff as you need it... but for starting out...

1. midi keyboard/controller (for getting midi info into your computer)

2. audio interface (for getting audio in and out of your computer)

3. monitors (to achieve accurate listening)

4. microphone/extra music creation software (for more sounds...depending on what sort of music you want to create!)

[antarktika]

bx5's aren't that good, pretty treble happy. you'll probably want to step up the monitors to something a bit better.

[loydb]

I'd agree with maybe holding off on Komplete (I have it and love it, but Ableton has a ton of great built-ins that will keep you entertained for quite some time).

[23kon]

Good advice from AM there.

The first thing you should be getting is a decent audio interface. This is effectively your new soundcard with multiple in's and out's (if you want). It'll take the load off the crap internal soundcards on machines.

I wouldn't say you need to go out straight away and buy monitors if you've already got a decent hifi setup that you can hook computer up to. Definitely shouldnt be working with crap computer desk speakers though. You wont get a decent or accurate sound range.

As for which controllers to get, its really personal preference.
You'll need some kind of keyboard to play notes on (makes it easier than programming them in midi with the mouse), it'd also be handy to have some knobs etc to tweak sounds/effects realtime.

I'd say that you'd be best "getting into" ableton before investing in various controllers as once you start using the program you'll soon realise the way YOU work and what YOU need to jam/perform etc. THEN go out and buy what you need.

I've chopped and changed loads over the years depending on my "controller needs" at the time.
I'm now down to a compact setup that's easy to carry to gigs.

[McQ714]

Okay, so I was able to bump my budget up to about $1800-2000.

Native Instruments Kore 2 and Komplete 7 Crossgrade - $698
Akai APC40 Controller - $299
Korg microKey - $99
JBL 2325 Monitors plus TRS cables and Mopads - $477
Shure SM58 Microphone with Cable & Stand - $124 - $10 rebate
Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 - $299 (This wouldn't be my choice for an interface but it seems to be one of the better interfaces within your budget. I had a couple cheaper interface/mixers and it just wasn't what i wanted so i bought a RME Multiface 2.
Total to startup - $1996

To save even more, get the Saffire 14 for $50 less, get an LPK25 keyboard for $30 less, skip Kore 2 and just get the full Komplete 7 for almost $200 less, and if you're just looking for a controller to launch clips, get the APC 20 for $100 less. I wouldn't make any of these changes but to each their own.

My honest opinion is to skip the APC40, skip the mic unless you have to sing, i guess, and maybe even skip the Kore 2 and Komplete and get a better interface and some good monitors.

[23kon]

With regards to the APC40, I didn't like it as a controller.
I wanted something with knobs (with feedback) to replace my behringer bcr2000 and also to launch clips. I "thought" that the APC40 was exactly what I wanted.

I bought one and used it for a weekend playing with my songs in Ableton Live and didnt feel that it suited the way I worked. I also felt that it was a BIG bit of kit and more suited to studio rather than 'on the road' portable.

So I took it back and got a Novation Launchpad and use it alongside my bcr2000.
Striving for an even more portable setup i'm going to replace the bcr soon with a Livid Instruments Code.