i wanna start making beats..not sure what to get.

[Nfinite2006]

For the longest time i wanted to make beats but now im really thinking about it, im just not sure what to get.

I love the Triton m3 and Roland gs series..but im also hearing that MPC are the more hiphopish thing or whatever lol.

if i was to get workstation would it still be cool to get a setup like this?

Akai MPC Forums - Just Blaze Rant on the 5000 : MPC5000 - Page 16

and i can i get a sound like these on a workstation(look at the first video):

Jermaine Dupri On The MPC 60(Or 3000)

this is pretty much where im stuck

[Keyflo]

A good computer, some good monitors, a great interface, i think the stereo type of a producer having a mpc is over rated, i think MPCs are only for like producers who are mobile alot, like the pros in the industry, oh yeah a MIDI keyboard,

[Nfinite2006]

i have a good comp. as far as monitors go im thinkin about getting the Yamaha HS80sm for mixing my recordings with and maye even a 2nd pair for when i do get into producing

[Stitch333]

Get a drum kit

[Keyflo]

Originally Posted by Stitch333

Get a drum kit

[phillysoulman]

I enjoy Harvard beets......yummm!!!...er...oh ,he said beats

[The Beatsmith]

You such a hater PSM! Everyone knows it's all about sugar beets and you just won't admit it

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by The Beatsmith

You such a hater PSM! Everyone knows it's all about sugar beets and you just won't admit it

Yo son..I be hatin'on sugah beets,yo!!
I eats dem Harvard beets cuz I wanna learn a lotta shit..son..an dem Harvard beets is what dey be eatin for dat shit..yo!!!!

[jrides]

Depending on your experience / age / motivation / desired sound...

1.) I would say grab a copy of FL Studio (or Reason etc..)and use the internal souncard on your computer. See if you like doing music first. Its okay if you suck at first.. If you keep sucking after a few yrs or so, just go ahead and quit. Pick up a new hobby.

2.) Or.. take the Keyflo approach and "invest" in yourself. Then when you realize you suck, we can buy your mint condition used gear for the lo-low.

4.) Or..combine the first approach with some piano lessons. (a wiser investment since it seems like you want to play keyboard)

Or..you may find that you dont suck. If going with approach 1 or 3 you can invest in better gear then. Approach 2 was a gamble and win.

Do not make a webpage featuring your music, until you are able to place/sell a track. (Network)
If no one is willing to pay you, you may suck. (Not necessarily, but maybe) There are too many Myspace pages etc.. with people who suck. Dont suck.... or if you do, keep that a secret and keep it to yourself.


Disclaimer: These are some of the random thoughts that came to mind after reading your post. My opinion may change in the next 5 mins. Take it with a grain of salt. LOL

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by jrides

Depending on your experience / age / motivation / desired sound...

1.) I would say grab a copy of FL Studio (or Reason etc..)and use the internal souncard on your computer. See if you like doing music first. Its okay if you suck at first.. If you keep sucking after a few yrs or so, just go ahead and quit. Pick up a new hobby.

2.) Or.. take the Keyflo approach and "invest" in yourself. Then when you realize you suck, we can buy your mint condition used gear for the lo-low.

4.) Or..combine the first approach with some piano lessons. (a wiser investment since it seems like you want to play keyboard)

Or..you may find that you dont suck. If going with approach 1 or 3 you can invest in better gear then. Approach 2 was a gamble and win.

Do not make a webpage featuring your music, until you are able to place/sell a track. (Network)
If no one is willing to pay you, you may suck. (Not necessarily, but maybe) There are too many Myspace pages etc.. with people who suck. Dont suck.... or if you do, keep that a secret and keep it to yourself.


Disclaimer: These are some of the random thoughts that came to mind after reading your post. My opinion may change in the next 5 mins. Take it with a grain of salt. LOL

thumbsupExcellent advice

[phsyke2k]

+1 on the FL Studio. That's how I started. Basic. If you start with comlex programs and equipment as a beginner, it will be hell to pay. And maybe some drum kits as stated above. Really though.

[Keyflo]

Originally Posted by jrides

2.) Or.. take the Keyflo approach and "invest" in yourself. Then when you realize you suck, we can buy your mint condition used gear for the lo-low.

4.) Or..combine the first approach with some piano lessons. (a wiser investment since it seems like you want to play keyboard)

Or..you may find that you dont suck. If going with approach 1 or 3 you can invest in better gear then. Approach 2 was a gamble and win.

Do not make a webpage featuring your music, until you are able to place/sell a track. (Network)
If no one is willing to pay you, you may suck. (Not necessarily, but maybe) There are too many Myspace pages etc.. with people who suck. Dont suck.... or if you do, keep that a secret and keep it to yourself.


Disclaimer: These are some of the random thoughts that came to mind after reading your post. My opinion may change in the next 5 mins. Take it with a grain of salt. LOL

yeah, im in a production group so money is split between all 5 of us, we decided that coming out of pocket for new gear was taking a tole on us, especially with all 5 of us in college. I started three years ago, i was orginally playing drums in my church then i decided to ask the pianist for some chord and scale tips and ever since then i fell in love with producing. It really took me 3 years so become an overall producer. I started making drums and i chose to sell some drums based on my repsonses received in the forums. All that gear came along the way, nothing wrong with condition used gear. Just bought some perfect conditioned Event TR-8s on the low lo off ebay.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by Keyflo

i was orginally playing drums in my church

This is a great place to start
I know a few very successful kats who started out this way.

[Nfinite2006]

Originally Posted by jrides

Depending on your experience / age / motivation / desired sound...

1.) I would say grab a copy of FL Studio (or Reason etc..)and use the internal souncard on your computer. See if you like doing music first. Its okay if you suck at first.. If you keep sucking after a few yrs or so, just go ahead and quit. Pick up a new hobby.

2.) Or.. take the Keyflo approach and "invest" in yourself. Then when you realize you suck, we can buy your mint condition used gear for the lo-low.

4.) Or..combine the first approach with some piano lessons. (a wiser investment since it seems like you want to play keyboard)

Or..you may find that you dont suck. If going with approach 1 or 3 you can invest in better gear then. Approach 2 was a gamble and win.

Do not make a webpage featuring your music, until you are able to place/sell a track. (Network)
If no one is willing to pay you, you may suck. (Not necessarily, but maybe) There are too many Myspace pages etc.. with people who suck. Dont suck.... or if you do, keep that a secret and keep it to yourself.


Disclaimer: These are some of the random thoughts that came to mind after reading your post. My opinion may change in the next 5 mins. Take it with a grain of salt. LOL

thanks for the advice man, preciate it.

i think i may take the FL-studio approch i have all the soundcard/recording stuff for all that.

But i do work at best buy in the musical instrumental department so i could just play with the m3 all day and practice before i buy it..dont know ive got some thinking to do.


thanks for helping guys

[Storyville]

definitely, start cheap.

down the road, I'd say investing in equipment that you can actually put your hands on is beneficial. There is a reason that MPC's are so popular, aside from all the mythology.

[Nfinite2006]

thanks for all the advice guys

[beat you down]

records.

[beat you down]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

If you ever want to be good at "beats," starting out by sampling records is one way to cut your career short.

You learn the keys first. I don't care what anyone says.

"the keys"... if the question was "i wanna start being a musician" maybe...
i'm talking hip hop "beat making" which derived from djaying, so...

records.
"ultimate breaks & beats" is a good place to start if you want to learn about classic breaks.

Ultimate Breaks and Beats - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[jrides]

Originally Posted by beat you down

"the keys"... if the question was "i wanna start being a musician" maybe...
i'm talking hip hop "beat making" which derived from djaying, so...

records.
"ultimate breaks & beats" is a good place to start if you want to learn about classic breaks.

Ultimate Breaks and Beats - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You obviously didnt read the OP's original post. He wants to play keys and has been looking at keyboards. Im guessing you just read the title? (Which depending on how you spin it, can be a bit misleading)

[beat you down]

Originally Posted by jrides

You obviously didnt read the OP's original post. He wants to play keys and has been looking at keyboards. Im guessing you just read the title? (Which depending on how you spin it, can be a bit misleading)

i will actually read as soon as noobs get their terminology straight.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by jrides

He wants to play keys

i wanna start making beats..not sure what to get.
For the longest time i wanted to make beats but now im really thinking about it, im just not sure what to get.

I love the Triton m3 and Roland gs series..but im also hearing that MPC are the more hiphopish thing or whatever lol.

if i was to get workstation would it still be cool to get a setup like this?

Akai MPC Forums - Just Blaze Rant on the 5000 : MPC5000 - Page 16

and i can i get a sound like these on a workstation(look at the first video):

Jermaine Dupri On The MPC 60(Or 3000)

this is pretty much where im stuck

I don't see 'playing keys' anywhere in the original post.
All I see is 'I wanna start making beats' and a couple comments about sounds.

[viewingstuff]

If the Fantom has drum pads AND keys AND an advanced sequencer then start with that. Having those three things in one box will cover all bases for you weather you wanna do RZA, Just Blaze, Polo Da Don, Premo, whatever(the Fantom can sample right?).

Learning to make music with your minds eye first is tantamount to great production trust me. After you master your work-flow on that board THEN record it to the computer where you can master/edit/add to the final track.

And I'm not just saying this because I just saw a show on the learning channel about the brain's regenerative capabilities which explains the way to unlock the potential for certain functions of the brain you have to train it blindly(like closing your eyes to learn balance/vision) and the mind will use other areas not normally associated with that function to take over. This explains why 10 years of beats on a computer for me can't even come CLOSE to the tracks I'm making the good old fashion use-your-ears-with-gears way. Ok maybe I am just saying this(prank caller prank caller!)

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

Sure, because when you talk about Fantoms and Tritons, the first obvious use for them is a slim, elongated picnic table with knobs for coat hangers.

The keys are just for marketing purposes.

Again, he never said, 'I wanna play keys'.
You said that.

Your funny marketing joke/sarcasm only goes to prove the point that you are projecting an opinion on someone else and then putting your words over top of that.

good luck with whatever...

[Nfinite2006]

i've been told to get into FL studio before a piece of equipement..ive played with FL its pretty confusing to me being that i've never made a beat before but watch my friend work FL like a champ.


Today at work i found it easier to make a beat on the trition m3 than in FL studio..should i still learn FL first before buying that?.

and the roland seems to be dope 2..ill check it out soon but im really diggin the m3 right now

[jrides]

Originally Posted by Stitch333

I don't see 'playing keys' anywhere in the original post.
All I see is 'I wanna start making beats' and a couple comments about sounds.

This is gonna be hard, but I know you can do this... Breathe... just breate.. and BE CAREFUL! Okay you need to clip the wires in this order. One false move and your computer exploeds and you die. Pay attention, because I can only say this once:

redblueredredblueblackyellowbluegreenwhiteblueblackredperrywinkle

Or you could just goto the clip featruing Jermain Dupri, (which the OP stated he wanted to get a sound similar to). Now you may not be familiar with his music, so watch the clip..wait for it.. wait for ittttttt BLAOW! KEYS!!!!!

You could also goto the OP's Myspace page and see what sound he is shooting for. (10 bonus points for above and beyond the call of duty)

Its not "rocket surgery" lol.

[jrides]

Originally Posted by Nfinite2006

i've been told to get into FL studio before a piece of equipement..ive played with FL its pretty confusing to me being that i've never made a beat before but watch my friend work FL like a champ.


Today at work i found it easier to make a beat on the trition m3 than in FL studio..should i still learn FL first before buying that?.

and the roland seems to be dope 2..ill check it out soon but im really diggin the m3 right now

If you feel more comfortable using hardware, by all means go that route. I only said FL studio because its only like a $100 investment vs hardware. If you decide you suck, or you dont wanna do it anymore, you only lost $100.

Realistically, the MPC is an incredibly intuitive sequencer. The 60 w 3.10e and the 3000 with Vallixi should be fantastic to sequence on. 1k and 25k with JJOS I have heard great things about regarding editing samples.

For keyboard sounds its better to get a keyboard, but with some effort you can get by with an MPC 2kxl. (Even better on the 4k)

If you can get your ideas out, with more ease on the M3, then there you go. You could get a MPD thingy for drum triggering if you feel it is necessary to have those type pads.

Very few (if any?) people are great emcees AND producers. If I were you, I would focus only on one. For snythy, keboard style stuff, I would still reccomend piano lessons.

[Storyville]

Fruity Loops and an M3 are totally different animals. You can do some really complex stuff with the Karma editor in the M3. Understand that anything that's worth it's weight is going to require learning. All of these things are tools. Since we seem to be getting off the topic of gear and onto process, I would say:

1) Learn an instrument. Not concerto masterful, but get versed in an instrument. Keys or drums as they are the most directly applicable to Hip Hop. Even if you strictly sample or whatever, knowing an instrument still effects how you approach music.

2) Learn how to sample. Even if don't use samples - I rarely do these days - you still want to know how to treat samples because it translates over to how you mix and construct Hip Hop.

3) Start with a small investment, unless you've got serious cash, because you don't know how long you will keep this up. Some people get tired of it after a couple of weeks, others make it their life.

Have fun. You will buy stuff you don't really need, and waste mad time. That's all part of the process. You can also get bogged down with: did I mix this right, did I do this and that. Just have fun.

[Nfinite2006]

^thanks for your help man..i appreciate it.

[jrides]

You have been given great advice. Honeslty though, what you buy doesnt matter as musch as making sure you dont suck.

Master whatever you get to the best of your abilty. Develop a good technique, a unique style, and an interesting approach to what you do.

Make it hot.

[Nfinite2006]

thanks for all the advice guys im going to start out with FL learn the basics of layering etc...thats pretty much what making beats is its layering..

and then if i feel im making progress ill try to study the m3..play with it at work alot and if i get the hang of it ill ill buy it.


i was the same rut when i got my avalon 737..thanks guys