absolute beginner seeking guidance on what equipment to buy

[cway]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently studying Music Technology at A Level. I am producing my own stuff but I am looking to take up DJing using ableton live.

I am planning on saving up for some equipment in order to get started. But I haven't got a clue about whats good and whats bad for ableton. As I am only starting off I am looking for fairly cheap stuff, but not lacking in quality which will cause problems or hold me back.

The equipment on my list is:

Mixer (not got a single clue about these!!)
Sound Card - I want this to enable me to cue
Controller - something like an APC40 but no way near as expensive!!

I am looking to spend around $600 altogether on these 3 things.

I look forward to your recommendations and I thanks you in advance for your help!

[Icaro Ferre]

Hey (:
I'd suggest you to get a Desktop Konnekt 6 by TC Electronics which costs 199, a Launchpad ($199) and a Nocturn ($99) or a Nocturn Keyboard ($249) by Novation (: (and Automap Pro as well which is $30)
You'd have a nice audio interface with 2 really nice controllers that are based on the Automap Technology which is really handy.

But this is my opinion

(ha, my first post in this forum, hi everyone )

[aeon_flux]

Mixer (not got a single clue about these!!)
Sound Card - I want this to enable me to cue
Controller - something like an APC40 but no way near as expensive!!

if you want to cue via soundcard and mix only within ableton i don't think you need mixer. you can use ableton mixing features. my type (very cheap):
- native instruments - audio 2 dj (2 stereo out card - 1 for main mix and 1 for cue) - $99
- m-audio - x-session pro (midi controler that mimics mixer - mix is in fact done in live, it should give you 4-ch real mixer feeling) - $99
- novation - launchpad - $199

and probably usb hub.

you can skip m-audio as launchpad has mixing capabilities on one of its logical layers.

[davepermen]

besides a nice soundcard (the audio 2 dj should be fine for a start) i suggest you to get one device at a time, and force yourself into that device till you know it in and out, used it for tons of different things, and only then have a need for something specific, other, then get that.

don't get a brainless gearhead like we all are

[aeon_flux]

i suggest you to get one device at a time, and force yourself into that device till you know it in and out, used it for tons of different things, and only then have a need for something specific, other, then get that.

that's true. it also depends which workflow type you want to use:

- dj style blending two tracks? (mixer style)
- clip style arranging songs on 6-8 channels? (apc style)
- sequencing (monome style)
- live beat/sample/melodies (mpc/mpd style)

[davepermen]

i'd suggest the launchpad as it's quite inexpensive and quite abletonish.. else, for really more dj style mixing, ableton might not be the best starting point at all (but it can handle it, no problem).

[cway]

Thanks for the replies people!

I think I was going to go along the sequencing lines of DJing therefore a Launchpad would be most appropriate?
And the audio 2 dj seems quite a favourite so I'll look into buying one of them.

Your help has been most appreciated!

[aeon_flux]

I think I was going to go along the sequencing lines of DJing therefore a Launchpad would be most appropriate?

try to learn live even without soundcard (for certain workflows you don't even need cue). then decide which controller and style suits you.

[NeoMetric]

absolute beginners shouldn't buy equipment. stick with software for a time.