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New Hardware, what to get?

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:26 pm
by ruckus.dk
Im using..

Software: reason 3.something with a little bit of cubase towards the mastering stage!

Hardware: a Maudio MK-425C midi controller


I want to get some new hardware bits, thinking a midi desk with phantom power for recording vocals!?!? any advice out there?

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:38 pm
by j_j
get a axiom ...nice pads on it..

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:40 pm
by ruckus.dk
the only thing i could find was Image
a little to much for me!
and model numbers? or links?

thanks!

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:49 am
by misk
i think id get a nice lil outboard synth, or sampler. but not one of those preset-monster Xio Synths or something similar. id get something that i could actually tweak sounds on. maybe a MS2000 or something.

or try to snatch up an old e6400 on ebay when you see one :wink:

it really depends on what you want to do. if i had the money, id probably get some sort of mpc...

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:32 am
by nospin
stick with software :)

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:48 pm
by misk
yeah, really if i had money it would go toward an intel iMac, but since he was saying he wanted hardware... :)

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:08 pm
by ruckus.dk
cheers guys!

yeah am all about teh hardware, can chunk up my computer anyday, got a little cash at the mo and want a new production toy! MPC = mobile production centre?

what sort of things can ya do with these bad bowys? ie make entire tracks in the one console?! any links to info out there?

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:22 pm
by misk
i dunno what MPC stands for but what you said sounds right to me :)

AKAI makes mpcs and their, like, the cornerstone of hiphop production. Its a sampler that has pads on top of it that you can use to trigger samples. These pads are velocity sensitive, and the sequencer in the mpc has, supposedly, the best swing out there. from what i understand, their fun to use, and fucking fast to make tracks with. Really i tend to think that hardware is faster anyway, but thats cos you've got all the knobs available to you, instead of just a mouse.

anyway, theres quite a few different models of MPC out there, im sure theres one that will suit your needs. 8)

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:55 pm
by ruckus.dk
fuckn chuuur! massif help there!

:HuntsForMpc:

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:32 am
by shinto
yeah currently AKAI has a number of samplers right now on the market...i have been lookin' into them too...here's a quick run down of the models and prices along with some reviews...

MPC2500: It's an upgraded version of the classic MPC2000, a staple in the HipHop production game...they will run you about 2000 usd new...

http://www.turntablelab.com/production_ ... 10585.html

MPC1000: It's a step below and i don't know what the overall comparison on what you can and can't do compared to the 2000 and 2500, a lot more compact and I've heard are great to work with...these will run you about 1000 usd new...

http://www.turntablelab.com/production_ ... 13874.html

MPC500: This little guy(an understatement) just came out apparently so I have yet to talk to anyone on how well it does...but all of Akai's stuff is legit...they run about 800 new...

http://www.turntablelab.com/production_ ... 15137.html

there is also the MPD16 which works as a controller and whathaveyou...you can use it with a all major software...there is the MPC4000 if you got the cash its the top of the list with an onboard cd burner...

sorry for the long post sorry i couldn't make it more succinct...

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:51 am
by thinking
can't see why you'd want a MPC if you're already sequencing on a PC - it's a sampling workstation, and while you can use it with your PC I think there's better things you could spend your money on.

Why not get a fat little synth, or some outboard FX or mastering hardware?? You'd be surprised the difference a little hardware compressor or EQ unit would make to your sound (once you learn how to use it).

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:22 pm
by nattyphysicist
Who's using M-audio Trigger Finger? It has 16 pressure and velocity sensitive pads, some knobs and sliders. I think MIDI controllers are good things. I know in Abbleton Live it's really easy to assign the knobs and sliders to whatever parameters you want. So you have the hardware interface with a software engine.

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:30 am
by unit
save your money on an MPC and just get Live and the trigger finger midi control..

much more options, and much easier on your pocket book

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:32 pm
by eventualdecline
I'd say keep your money until you know exactly what piece of hardware you want and why. Don't just start collecting a bunch of gear because you can, you'll end up with a ton of kit you no longer use because it doesn't fit the way you work or provide what you need.

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:38 pm
by Sharmaji
keep in mind that whatever hardware you're gonna get, you're also gonna need a good interface that won't muck up the sound and cables, etc.

i have an mpc 1000-- bought it used for about half full price-- and love it. takes some getting used to but def. a really fun way to work out drum patterns.

reason, obviously, doesn't let you record outboard gear so you're gonna wind up working in cubase, w/ reason slaved to it. just a headsup.

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:06 pm
by lucky_strike
access virus.

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:46 pm
by misk
yeah, the access virus is pretty fucking killer. Id get the TI if i had the money.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:22 am
by Littlefoot
Trigger fingers are fucking sick, me and my production teammate use it for creating our rhythms for hip hop instrumentals, really human friendly, if that makes sense

im looking to get some outboard soon, maybe a few valve compressors :)

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:55 pm
by ruckus.dk
thanks guys!

i think i have decided to change programs instead of new hardware, looking at ableton live with one of These badboys.

Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:57 pm
by glamour
ive got the akai mpd-24, which is just like a trigger finger thing... apart from it looks 100 times better, has more assignable knobs and faders annnnd.... you get the quality akai pads that are world renound.. they're £150 which is shitloads cheaper than a sweaty old mpcs.. my mate just got one and he cant even understand how to use it! for just blasting in midi and controllin stuff the mpd is amazing, and it has a pretty blue screen. it also comes with a lite version of DFH called BFD which is pretty cool, for live drum sounds with full mic controllability its un-touchable..

if anyones installed toontrack dfh superior before (the purchased product)
can you please help me install mine? theres about 500 disks and its confusing.

p.s if ive made up words that arn't actually in the dictionary please forgive me!