Musicians' thread.

Talking about plugins I also need to revamp my whole production software kit. Currently I've only got Reason 5, Wavelab 5, Cubase 3 and some very old vst's.

What's everybody else using so I can...errrrrr...acquire them when I have time; software, vst, sample packs and refill wise.
I was looking into getting Reason Record but I can't seem to find a torrent where I can get by itself and not as bundle with Reason or is this only way?
 
tsume said:
Talking about plugins I also need to revamp my whole production software kit. Currently I've only got Reason 5, Wavelab 5, Cubase 3 and some very old vst's.

What's everybody else using so I can...errrrrr...acquire them when I have time; software, vst, sample packs and refill wise.
I was looking into getting Reason Record but I can't seem to find a torrent where I can get by itself and not as bundle with Reason or is this only way?
Click to expand...

Screw Propellerhead is the conclusion I have reached. :p

The in-the-box philosophy sucks testicles I've come to think.

DAW wise, I cannot recommend Reaper enough. It's cheap, and the new version 4 that's soon to be out is looking great.

reaper30.png


As for plugs, as far as I am concerned you can go a very long way without having to delve too much into commercial stuff.

Check out:

Bootsy - Brilliant stuff, just ****ing brilliant.

Synths?

Try Synth1, Oatmeal, Tyrell N6, Alchemy player (free, but with some kickass sounds), the list is virtually endless.

Reaper itself comes with loads of plugins, which might not look the best but they are top notch sound quality wise.

The only thing you'll really struggle with I've found is getting good drum sounds on the cheap...

*edit*

Although with the drum thing, a free sampler like shortcircuit plus the fact that there are plenty of nice drum hits floating around is a solution.
 
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I can recommend Ableton strongly. I couldn't het used to reason but Ableton is just awesome.
 
assagai said:
Some pc users are still using logic 5.5

I use logic 9 when I have to but it's not my preferred DAW
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What is your preferred one?

I'm looking to buy a midi keyboard to make some tracks, currently I am using a full on yamaha keyboard plugged into a usb midi but it is a bit bulky.

What can you recommend that is a good price, not looking to spend a lot at all.
 
Pooky said:
What is your preferred one?

I'm looking to buy a midi keyboard to make some tracks, currently I am using a full on yamaha keyboard plugged into a usb midi but it is a bit bulky.

What can you recommend that is a good price, not looking to spend a lot at all.
Click to expand...

My preferred daw is cubase 6, just works for me. I like logic too but I find cubase is more stable and I prefer the workflow.
Presonus Studio One and Reaper are also great daws that are maturing fast and well priced.

What sort of control are you looking for in a midi keyboard? I can recommend a few things if you can refine your criteria a bit. Do you just need keys, or do you want some knobs and faders for automation, drum pads, etc?
 
assagai said:
My preferred daw is cubase 6, just works for me. I like logic too but I find cubase is more stable and I prefer the workflow.
Presonus Studio One and Reaper are also great daws that are maturing fast and well priced.

What sort of control are you looking for in a midi keyboard? I can recommend a few things if you can refine your criteria a bit. Do you just need keys, or do you want some knobs and faders for automation, drum pads, etc?
Click to expand...

I need keys like a piano, knobs and faders can always come later.
 
Pooky said:
I need keys like a piano, knobs and faders can always come later.
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Nothing in the lower price range will have hammer action like a piano.

Best feeling keys in the medium price range is the novation remote sl series and the CME keyboards

As far as the budget range goes, Behringer, CME, E-MU make some very decent keys for the price.

Not a huge fan of m-audio but ymmv.

Best to get some hands on time if you can and see which keyboard action you prefer. My favorite of the non hammer action would probably be novation.
 
assagai said:
Nothing in the lower price range will have hammer action like a piano.

Best feeling keys in the medium price range is the novation remote sl series and the CME keyboards

As far as the budget range goes, Behringer, CME, E-MU make some very decent keys for the price.

Not a huge fan of m-audio but ymmv.

Best to get some hands on time if you can and see which keyboard action you prefer. My favorite of the non hammer action would probably be novation.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. I don't think there is anywhere in Durban that I can try them out.

Do I need hammer action though because I have an actual piano which I use for practicing? What about velocity?
 
Pooky said:
Thanks very much. I don't think there is anywhere in Durban that I can try them out.

Do I need hammer action though because I have an actual piano which I use for practicing? What about velocity?
Click to expand...

Try tuerkmusic in Durban, they may have options. Hammer action isn't a must, some folks just prefer it. All the models I mentioned are velocity sensitive, it's pretty much standard these days
 
assagai said:
Try tuerkmusic in Durban, they may have options. Hammer action isn't a must, some folks just prefer it. All the models I mentioned are velocity sensitive, it's pretty much standard these days
Click to expand...

Thanks for that shop I will definitely go there. Any reason why you don't like m-audio?
 
So I've been trying to decide to get myself some monitors or drum machine/sampler.
On the monitor side I'm looking at these (the Akai being the first choice)
http://www.amazon.com/Akai-RPM3-Pro...al-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1309207933&sr=1-26
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-MediaO...al-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1309207933&sr=1-39

When it came to drum machines I only remembered Akai and even at entry level seems a bit pricey. So I think I might just settle down for this drum midi pad:
http://www.amazon.com/Akai-Pro-MPD1...al-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1309209932&sr=1-43
Also just saw this but reviews tell me to save myself the pain
http://www.amazon.com/Korg-nanoPAD-Drum-Controller-White/dp/B001H2QCMU/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
Any suggestions?
 
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implement swing. In Renoise (daw i use) you can add swing, you basically just shift the tempo up and down a little to give it a bit of a groove. works like a charm.
 
luxe said:
implement swing. In Renoise (daw i use) you can add swing, you basically just shift the tempo up and down a little to give it a bit of a groove. works like a charm.
Click to expand...

Thanks will try that. Should I be adding any effects to the drums?
 
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