Ableton Forum

hey guys,
i've been a dj for 3-4 years and i spin on the Traktor .
i have a macbook pro 15" the new one ( base Model ), two cdjs and a mixer, a m-audio keyboard, a few midi controllers, Audio 4DJ, Torq Connectiv package and monitor speakers. i also have Ableton Live and that's where i create some beats and remixes, however what i have doesnt really look like a home studio, what else do you guys think i need in order to create more high quality tunes ? and of course to make it look more like a home studio ?

thanks

Buy a nice and big desktop where all that gear fits the way you want and you're ready to go!

http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17

Thread on DJTT showing users studios. Good stuff. Also, check out Sound on Sound, either monthly or their website, they have a monthly feature "fixing" random people's studios.

thanks guys ,
i have a big desktop,
what else ?

who cares what it looks like.. so long as the output is good!

otherwise just look at other people's studios and recreate something you think looks good in your space.

i just don't get how creating higher quality tunes is going to happen based on looks.

cotdagoo wrote:who cares what it looks like.. so long as the output is good!

otherwise just look at other people's studios and recreate something you think looks good in your space.

i just don't get how creating higher quality tunes is going to happen based on looks.

Ok boss
so recomend me something that will help me make the quality better ?!

a pair of ears

that's all you need dude; people release vinyl with a just simple midi keyboard and a laptop.

Don't worry about collecting more equipment until you can recognize and articulate a specific need, otherwise you're just procrastinating.

I don't understand how your equipment, in your home doesn't look like a home studio. I agree it probably doesn't look like a professional studio but it must look like a home studio.

Also you have more than enough equipment to make quality tracks, you just need to know how to make the stuff you want with that equipment. So i dare say practice is what you require.

sebrov wrote:I don't understand how your equipment, in your home doesn't look like a home studio. I agree it probably doesn't look like a professional studio but it must look like a home studio.

Also you have more than enough equipment to make quality tracks, you just need to know how to make the stuff you want with that equipment. So i dare say practice is what you require.

Well you're right
when i record in ableton using my laptops sound card it doesn't really come out very good quality
u think recording and using one of the mentioned sound cards and then exporting that way would make it sound better and give me better quality ?!
Btw, I was thinking of getting a compresser, would that help ?!

What exactly is it that you want the "better quality" for dj mixes or producing your own tracks?
I don't know the specs of your external soundcards but i imagine they will be better than your built in one.

No idea if a compressor will help, you don't need to get one though Live has a compressor.

What is your "quality" issues?

get proper monitors. it doesn't matter what you do with Live if you can't hear it properly. save up some money, wait, save up more money and treat yourself.

doesn't sound like you need a new sound card. I take it you don't play live into Live, so it doesn't really matter.

screw compressors. they have their place but they're overused and kill music.



as for looks...
I call that stuff "cush" (from the word "cushion") for more info, I refer you to Mixerman and 'the womb.'

sebrov wrote:What exactly is it that you want the "better quality" for dj mixes or producing your own tracks?
I don't know the specs of your external soundcards but i imagine they will be better than your built in one.

No idea if a compressor will help, you don't need to get one though Live has a compressor.

What is your "quality" issues?

Better sound quality for production
can u also recomend me some good monitors and keyboards

when i record in ableton using my laptops sound card it doesn't really come out very good quality
u think recording and using one of the mentioned sound cards and then exporting that way would make it sound better and give me better quality ?!
Btw, I was thinking of getting a compresser, would that help ?!

there is no soundcard involved when you render/export.

Expensive soundcards make sense for recording, and for reproducing on expensive monitors.

I think you've got the wrong idea completely.

Why are you asking about keyboards when you already have a few MIDI controllers and a keyboard?
What's wrong with your current sound quality - is it your equipment or is it your skills? In a lot of cases it's the skills.
And why do you care if it looks like a studio?