Basic Remx / DnB Production Setup.
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Posted on Feb 10, 2009 12:52 am
Johnz
Member Since: Feb 10, 2009
Hello! 1st post, so be kind :)
I am very interested in beginning to play with both remixing old reggae and hip hop tracks into more modern sounds as well as some drum n bass production. I have been doing a lot of reading online but am still left with some basic questions I am hoping you can help me out with. Here goes.
1) PC or Mac? I own both. I like the RISC based processing power of the Mac and figure it would be better suited for dedicated music production as it can hammer away on tasks. Can you think of limitations to using my mac? If I do use a PC would you suggest dual booting it with a dedicated music partition running only the software I will be using?
2) Basic software requirements. This is a huge question for me as they are all so expensive. I am leaning towards Cakewalk but have been reading a lot about Cubase and Reason. I downloaded a Mac compatible sample of Reason and found it overwhelming... though I am sure over time it would become more familiar. Given that I am essentially interested in 2 functions can you point me in a clear direction? Those functions would be 1) good audio editing functionality to allow me to pull samples out of existing audio tracks and, 2) good virtual synths capable of producing rolling bass lines and snappy highs.
3) This question relates to 2, which of the above software offers the greatest simplicity in adjusting final mix downs and eq settings for tracks to prevent clashing or muddied beats?
4) Should I buy a simple midi trigger keyboard like the Edirol PCR M30 (found one for $100 on Craigslist) or am I best to start without one? For now I am struggling to see how / when I'd need it but I am still very green.
5) Do you have any other suggestions to get me rolling? I've been a very competent DnB Dj for years, playing out for over a decade, but am only now finding real inspiration to remix my own sounds. Eventually I'd like to incorporate my tracks into my sets, likely with something like Final Scratch or Max MSP (which, again, comes back to the Mac vs PC argument).
Thanks for the feedback!
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Feb 10, 2009 05:37 am Welcome to HRC.
I am not a hiphop, or dnb type person, so I may not be able to address everything specifically, but reading the post I do have a couple comments.
As far as software goes, I have always found Cakewalk stuff easiest to work with for tracking and mixing, can't say for sure with remixing...but I do know one admin here does remixing and he uses Cakewalk as well. So, that dictates my OS recommendation, since Cakewalk is Windows only.
Both Windows and Mac can get the job done very competently. I would go crazy with dual booting partitions and all that while you are learning the ropes, it's simply not necessary. Nice if you start doing it a lot and experience problems in your current setup.
JohnzMember
Since: Feb 10, 2009
Feb 10, 2009 10:57 am I appreciate the feedback dB, thank-you!
I'd obviously welcome anyone else's feedback too but while I have you on this thread I might ask one last question.
PCs today are more stable and reliable than in the past but are still prone to crashes. I've read suggestions regarding dual booting and agree that would suck to have to do. Do you have any other suggestions (other than being careful with what software I install) to keep the OS running smoothly while wortking with Cakewalk?
Specifically, I've read things such as do not use an antivirus or auto update software for fear of it taking processor power at a key time. Likewise I've read that it is important the sound and video cards have their own IRQ number?
Cheers!!
John
Feb 10, 2009 11:14 am Ya know, computers are only as stable as the software on it...don't install a bunch of garbage on it and you're good.
As far as anti-virus and such things, I would never suggest not having one if you are even online with it or share disks with other computers...but don't use a resource hog like Symantec of MacAfee, I have found AVG to be very effective, and very lightweight in regards to resources...oh, and FREE.
Having everything on their own IRQ is advisable, but in recent years, computers have gotten so much more intelligent and so much more powerful, while those things will help, some of it isn't highest on the list of to-do's...if you do do that, don't use the OS to assign IRQ's, set up the card in the motherboard so that the BIOS itself assigns them, once you let Windows start mucking with stuff like that, you can have problems.
I don't believe PC's are "prone to crashes", crashes do happen, but it's not the norm, if it is the norm, something is wrong with that computer.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Feb 10, 2009 11:30 am I can count the crashes over the last five years on my fingers, they do happen but very rarely if your PC is properly maintained. Odd enough, I crashed less on Vista than I did on XP.
Also, we recorded my last band at a local studio in town running MAC and Pro Tools, it crashed twice during the process.
It happens in both camps. Save often and it's no problem.
JohnzMember
Since: Feb 10, 2009
Feb 10, 2009 11:38 am Thank-you both.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 10, 2009 08:26 pm Hey Johnz, I am probably the admin that dB was hinting at.
I'll run down your list as well.
1, PC for one reason only. The cost of the compatible hardware and software for PC is lower to maintain in the long run. Also software is much more abundant and many bits of software synthes and effects can be had for free. Not so much with a Mac.
I have always used PC and never looked back. I do work in studio's based around a Mac and to be honest I see no real difference in performance at all. I run a custom box I build to what I need. In the long run it pays off huge.
2, As dB hinted I use Cakewalk products, Sonar Producer Editioin with is now at version 8. It comes with all the bells ans whistles, and I do mean all! You won't be in need of much else with what it is supplied with. And yes, I do every type of music from Norwegian Black Metal to orchestral and everything in between with it. I also use their Project 5 version 2 software which is really centered around a kind of live feel, but it works well for doing remixing and using software synthes.
I do prefer Sonar though for the immense tools it is supplied with. But having both is a benefit as I can work quickly in P5.
3, Cakewalk has been a leader in the tutorials they supply for all their products for years. And they take pride in having an easy to learn GUI as well as the fact Sonar is fully customizable to suite your needs.
4, A midi keyboard is a good thing to have with either of the software I mentioned above. If your going to do remixing and adding your own touch's then you will find it very handy to have.
5, For live use I design and program custom set's for several DJ's using Project 5. It was designed with the laptop show in mind.
You can see it here. www.project5.com
Also to see Sonar you can go here. www.cakewalk.com/Products...ish/default.asp
JohnzMember
Since: Feb 10, 2009
Feb 10, 2009 08:59 pm Ok, this is excellent. I really really appreciate these links and the help guys. I had hoped the PC would work out as it is less $$ to maintain and is newer than my Mac!
Final question, these Cakewalk tutorials, are these online as I have not found them on their site. If not, I assume they come with the product then?
Many thanks.
John
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 10, 2009 09:03 pm Yes, they are built into and can be loaded with the software at the time of installing it.
Here is a quick search on google. There are tons of them out there on youtube and the like. www.google.com/search?q=S...lient=firefox-a
Feel free to ask anything on the Cakewalk stuff. I've been using it since their very first program on floppy disc.
