Looking to get into production, but have a few questions...

[XeonHF]

Ok so I recently have wanted to start making dubstep, and have narrowed it down to more of wanting to be a producer rather than a DJ. I have been searching around for what is needed equipment wise for this, and have found nearly nothing very helpful. However, I have a list of things I will be buying, as I found them in different tutorials and production videos. I just need your help filling in what I still need.

Ableton Live 8 (have it, and have been learning it)
M-Audio Axiom 25 OR 49 (which is better???)
Korg Kaoss pad KP3 OR Mini (which is better?)
Akai MPDxx (forget the last numbers, but is it needed?)
NI Massive (have it already)
Vengeance Sample Pack (have it already)

I need opinions on the MIDI keyboard and Kaoss pad mostly, like which one I should buy. And whether I should get an MPD at all. Also what other equipment, if any, would be helpful in production?

Thanks!!

[Attila]

Start with a mouse and software. If you really want a midi keyboard get something simple like a keystudio or an mpk mini. I don't know why you'd ever get a kaoss pad. There's a million and a half threads about getting started.

[webs]

As many people will tell you, you NEED nothing more than software and effort to produce.

One of the biggest pieces of hardware to help you produce, in my opinion, is a good set of speakers/monitors & good headphones for comparison.

If you don't know how to play a keyboard/piano, the midi controller wont do a whole lot for you, but it's still nice to have.
Just have to get whats most functional for you really. (read product reviews as well)

[XeonHF]

Start with a mouse and software. If you really want a midi keyboard get something simple like a keystudio or an mpk mini. I don't know why you'd ever get a kaoss pad. There's a million and a half threads about getting started.

What's wrong with the Kaoss pad?

[Attila]

Nothing-they're fun to play with-but you'll find exactly zero uses for it while producing. Having any extra shit in the studio you don't need only serves to distract you.

[wormcode]

You need a decent audio interface before even considering half the stuff on that list. Do you have one? Check out M-Audio and E-MU for good entry level interfaces. Then after you decide you want to continue seriously, a couple of months or so... you will need some decent monitors. Search here for monitors/speakers for decent ones to use without having to spend crazy amounts.

MPD is not needed unless you work that way. If you don't plan on tapping your drums by hand, or using faders to mix then no. Maybe later.
Kaos Pads are cool, but like toys compared to the effects you can get in the software world. They are most useful for live stuff.
The keyboard depends on how much room you have, and if you can play keys or not. If you just plan to tap out single notes and hope for the best, the smaller/cheaper one should be fine to start with.
ps delete the vengeance sounds

[P Daley]

You need your software, a solid pair of headphones (studio that can pick up subbass, not earbuds), a good amount of effort, and the ability to spend many hours alone with your software and cigarettes.
Cigarettes are key to being a producer, never picked one up until my first session.

[bassbum]

Cigarettes are key to being a producer, never picked one up until my first session.

You know your on fire when you lite another and it makes you feel sick.

[XeonHF]

You need a decent audio interface before even considering half the stuff on that list. Do you have one? Check out M-Audio and E-MU for good entry level interfaces. Then after you decide you want to continue seriously, a couple of months or so... you will need some decent monitors. Search here for monitors/speakers for decent ones to use without having to spend crazy amounts.

MPD is not needed unless you work that way. If you don't plan on tapping your drums by hand, or using faders to mix then no. Maybe later.
Kaos Pads are cool, but like toys compared to the effects you can get in the software world. They are most useful for live stuff.
The keyboard depends on how much room you have, and if you can play keys or not. If you just plan to tap out single notes and hope for the best, the smaller/cheaper one should be fine to start with.
ps delete the vengeance sounds

I was planning on just using my USB ports for at least the keyboard. I wasn't completely sure how the Kaoss pad was connected, but that wasn't really a top priority either. Are you saying I won't be able to just use USB? Just for the keyboard?

[hutyluty]

dont get into production itll just end in disappointment

[Shum]

dont get into production itll just end in disappointment

Massive + Vengeance samples

[wormcode]

You need a decent audio interface before even considering half the stuff on that list. Do you have one? Check out M-Audio and E-MU for good entry level interfaces. Then after you decide you want to continue seriously, a couple of months or so... you will need some decent monitors. Search here for monitors/speakers for decent ones to use without having to spend crazy amounts.

MPD is not needed unless you work that way. If you don't plan on tapping your drums by hand, or using faders to mix then no. Maybe later.
Kaos Pads are cool, but like toys compared to the effects you can get in the software world. They are most useful for live stuff.
The keyboard depends on how much room you have, and if you can play keys or not. If you just plan to tap out single notes and hope for the best, the smaller/cheaper one should be fine to start with.
ps delete the vengeance sounds

I was planning on just using my USB ports for at least the keyboard. I wasn't completely sure how the Kaoss pad was connected, but that wasn't really a top priority either. Are you saying I won't be able to just use USB? Just for the keyboard?

Yeah you can use USB for that, I didn't mean that. I mean you won't get very far with your default sound card that came with your computer. Once you get a decent little tune going, every time you press a key there's going to be a delay that gets longer and longer as the project grows. So playing the keyboard will be frustrating and near impossible. Also, your CPU usage will be very high and it will cause underruns in the audio which results in loud popping and crackling/stuttering when you are working on music.

If you haven't noticed it yet, maybe your sound card isn't that bad... do you know what it is?
If it's onboard sound or a cheapo PCI card it will become a bottleneck soon enough. That's why I suggested an audio interface first.

[SpaceTigerMusic]

Yeah you can use USB for that, I didn't mean that. I mean you won't get very far with your default sound card that came with your computer. Once you get a decent little tune going, every time you press a key there's going to be a delay that gets longer and longer as the project grows. So playing the keyboard will be frustrating and near impossible. Also, your CPU usage will be very high and it will cause underruns in the audio which results in loud popping and crackling/stuttering when you are working on music.

If you haven't noticed it yet, maybe your sound card isn't that bad... do you know what it is?
If it's onboard sound or a cheapo PCI card it will become a bottleneck soon enough. That's why I suggested an audio interface first.

ASIO4All

[nowaysj]

You need power amps, skrillex get his edge with the power amps.

[drake89]

i'd get a keyboard or some good headphones before a soundcard. although a soundcard should be a priority right after monitors.

[InternetSlaveMaster]

Start producing seriously before you start buying gear man, I've been at it for 2 years and I've only got a Launchpad and Mixtrack Pro, both of which I don't use for actual producing.

Mouse and computer keyboard is all you really need right now.

Apart from that, as mentioned, you'd want to get a decent pair of studio-headphones, audio interface, then some studio monitors. You could make professional quality tracks with just this equipment. I know headphones aren't as flashy as a Kaoss pad, but the results don't lie.

[Sonika]

I'd look at some of the focusrite stuff for good quality but cheap interfaces
Definitely dont get the M-Audio one, its price may be very attractive but I've heard nothing but shit about it

[nowaysj]

True re m-audio, just don't do it. If you want to waste that money, just send it to me.

[Sonika]

No send it to me I have a wife and 10 starving children send me money guys

[P Daley]

Cigarettes are key to being a producer, never picked one up until my first session.

You know your on fire when you lite another and it makes you feel sick.

Actually dead true. Usually my sessions end when I run out of smokes, go to pick more up, and start nodding off on the way home.
Strangely enough, I only smoke when I produce, so in my 2 months of producing I still haven't picked up an addiction somehow

Also on that note, get plenty of sleep. Sometimes if you want some funky experimental stuff, take an ambien and try to stay awake and produce. You won't, but bitches love a man that can say he did anyway.