Whats the bare minimum?

Downstroke · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 03:49 PM

Ok, I'm a cash starved dude who makes beats, and all I keep hearing about are these dope bits of hardware and software that are essential in today's studio environment, but I was wondering what you guys think is thebare minimum set up you need for producing beats and recording tracks, complete with vocals etc.

Now, I'm currently on a mad basic set up which is my iMac running Reason, Recycle, Audacity (for recording samples), and Garageband for audio (vocals, cuts) all hooked up to my tt's (technics of course) & vestax mixer through the computers line in. I've also got an MPD16 and a cheap mic, plus a stack of vinyl. NOw when I see those post your studio photo posts, it looks like most of you have got at least a midi keyboard, often a few hardware toys and some form of mixer, audio interface and studio monitors. I was just wondering what you guys felt would be the minimum set up you'd need to record and mix your tracks up to a pre-mastered level?

CatasBeats · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 04:01 PM

all i use is a computer. i mean i got the mpd16 and a keyboard but the keyboard collects dust and the mpd i only use to see how im gonna arrange the sample but i dont record what i do on the mpd because my computer is shitty and records what i do a split second late. so i just click it all in in fl.

but i mean you dont need anything but speakers a computer and a couple programs and know how to use them programs. and you can get a decent mixdown.

but i mean that is if you plan on mastering it in a studio. but if you aint gonna do that really all you need is some decent moniters and a good program.

depends on what your own needs and preferences are.

im sure someones gonna say all they need is an mpc and moniters. and its the truth.

i personnally dont see the point in even having a mixer when most programs have mixers built in. but im not real knowledgable on the hardware level. mainly cause im broke and cant even afford moniters let alone mixers, and turntables and records and keyboards and mpcs and that

do what you do with what you got knomesain

[grimeshine] · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downstroke

Ok, I'm a cash starved dude who makes beats, and all I keep hearing about are these dope bits of hardware and software that are essential in today's studio environment, but I was wondering what you guys think is thebare minimum set up you need for producing beats and recording tracks, complete with vocals etc.

Now, I'm currently on a mad basic set up which is my iMac running Reason, Recycle, Audacity (for recording samples), and Garageband for audio (vocals, cuts) all hooked up to my tt's (technics of course) & vestax mixer through the computers line in. I've also got an MPD16 and a cheap mic, plus a stack of vinyl. NOw when I see those post your studio photo posts, it looks like most of you have got at least a midi keyboard, often a few hardware toys and some form of mixer, audio interface and studio monitors. I was just wondering what you guys felt would be the minimum set up you'd need to record and mix your tracks up to a pre-mastered level?

man thats not a bare minimum. Bare minimum is a 2 tape track recorder.

unless you feel like theres something your missing, chances are theres nothing.

Downstroke · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [grimeshine]

man thats not a bare minimum. Bare minimum is a 2 tape track recorder.

Hah! Yeah been there! I've still got a load of my old pause button tapes from back in the day.

I guess I feel the main thing I'm lacking is a decent condenser mike for recording vocals, but most of them require a phantom power source, so that means either an external mixer or an audio interface.

I was wondering as well cos a friend of mine looks like he has a decent set up with an MPC2500, MPC2000 one of those Roland multitrack hard disc recorders, a decent condenser mike etc, but his group still went in the studio to record their album. I was saying, dude, you could do the whole damn thing here in your flat, but he was like, yeah, probably but you know, the guys want to do it properly! I've gotta say, it did sound polished, but I'm sure it wouldn't take that much to record that at home and just send out the tracks to get mastered.

Also, I think people underestimate how important decent monitors are. I've got just the standard speakers from a technics mini system, which are cool for hi fi speakers, but don't tell the whole truth as I often find out when I play my beats on other systems.

CatasBeats · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 07:45 PM

word i need some moniters, but i mean its very possible to get a decent mix out of computer speakers and headphones, i mean thats what i use and i mean its not the greatest quality obviously but i mean its ok for the bare minimum

db2 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 12:51 PM

A basic computer and monitors will start you off. If we're talking minimums, things like controller keyboards, while helpful, are not entirely needed to get started.

You will however need to hear what you're doing hence some decent monitors or speakers will be helpful.

Dubbler · #7 (**permalink**) 06-13-2008, 01:17 AM

Hmmm......if we're talking minimum. Lets try a used Mac laptop G4, midi keyboard, and quality headphones. Of course you would be running Garageband with the Mac. Not the best set up, HOWEVER I know someone who just produced a track for Freeway with that exact set-up!

Downstroke · #8 (**permalink**) 06-13-2008, 03:14 AM

I still use Garageband for recording vocals and adding audio, even tho I've got logic, GB is just so much more user friendly.

dyllemma · #9 (**permalink**) 06-13-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downstroke

I still use Garageband for recording vocals and adding audio, even tho I've got logic, GB is just so much more user friendly.

learn logic its stock plugins are off the chain its also dope for chopping samples imo(logic express is what i got, i wish i could afford the full program). also make sure you are recording vocals in a good room with no metal chairs and that they are coming in at good level. nice microphones and preamps are obsolete if you dont know how to set them up properly. you can record decently line in with a radioshak mic if you know what your doing. good luck.

Downstroke · #10 (**permalink**) 06-13-2008, 01:08 PM

Believe me, I tried, but couldn't even manage to figure out how to record audio into Logic. I'm planning on picking up a USB mixer/audio interface, so when I get that, I may well have another go, cos at the moment I just record via my line in port and that works fine.I even tried open old garageband sessions into Logic, but it wouldn't work for some reason, saying the song was damaged, although it opened fine in GB.

I've got logic express as well, which I know is what I shold be using, but I've not had time to get my head into it, and I'm not normally a doofus when it comes to figuring out software, especially on a mac! I actually started a thread on this topic (how to record audio in Logic) before the big crash, and nobody could give me any answers then, so if you can help me out, I'd appreciate it.