[rhodesp04]

i've mentioned this in different posts but i have gone through a few different phases with equipment so i can mention a few things that may help.

1st phase-> FL 6 + Midi-keyboard
- Good while i was learning to play keyboard and drums for the first time because I could put my drums into a grid set the swing and i couldn't mess them up
- FL has built in sounds that were effective and made it fairly easy if i wanted to sample (FL slicer)

When I was starting to get really good after about a year or so (already had a musical background since age 9) I gave into the peer pressure of switching to hardware...

2nd phase-> MPC 2000xl + Roland Fantom
- Much improved drum sounds (IMO) and had the legendary swing
- Enjoyed the fantom's stock sounds better than FL's
- Forced me to improve on my keyboard/piano chops because I couldn't edit them in a "Piano Roll" type format like in the past

Spent all my money on the MPC and Fantom and had no money to buy a DAW or better computer to record it. Didn't have much money because I was in college on scholarship so I sold them both and went for a new setup that I felt gave me the best of both worlds...

3rd phase-> Reason Only
- Could still edit my keyboard playing if I made a mistake
- Stock sounds were great (near or same as Fantom)
- FX and automation was great
- Started consistently making more pro-level songs (or so I was told by industry folks)

Started missing the "sound" and "swing" of the MPC but knew I'd have to get all kinds of other things to record it properly (preamps, a/d convertor, cables, etc etc) so I saved up for a system that would allow me to expand...

4th phase-> Everything (PT, Logic, MPC, Reason, Keyboards, etc)
- Created a system that could expanded and/or changed depending on my mood/inspiration
- Learned that everything has it's pros and cons and that how I'm feeling can dictate what's the best thing for me to use.


Having said all of that...Tips for the conversion...
1. Going to really have to practice your chops on programming / instrument playing because there usually is no way to correct errors. Pay attention to the velocity of your playing!
2. Save up for the best computer and outboard you can get FIRST so no matter what you do you'll have good sound quality-wise results (get good monitors, room treatment, d/a, etc)
3. No visual feedback. You have to really "feel" the music in a different way.