Akai Sampler vs. FL or Reason

[Caine]

well i use software atm and the goldpack of the MPC with the kicks, snares etc. as samples. compressed, eq'ed etc.

but would an akai sampler make my production sound better?

or can i get the same effect with right adjusting in a musicsoftware?

[mgthefuture]

You should stick to what you know. The question answers itself with experience

[Lrmusic]

Try both out, see what you prefer. If you're like me, you'll probably be a lot lot better at production X months from now, so try it again when you improve, etc. You'll find something that works for you.

[swolfdab.]

honestly, it's not what the equipment does... it's what you do with the equipment... keep that in mind when making a decision...

[Thysta]

Originally Posted by swolfdab.

honestly, it's not what the equipment does... it's what you do with the equipment... keep that in mind when making a decision...

basically true, but I my S2000 sounded a lot better than any software to my ears. maybe it's subjective, but the drums from that grooved a lot better. too bad I sold that sh.

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by T Prod.

basically true, but I my S2000 sounded a lot better than any software to my ears. maybe it's subjective, but the drums from that grooved a lot better. too bad I sold that sh.

I disagree. I find that most hardware that is 16/44 or above sounds almost exactly the same, after mixing. You may get a similar sound before you start to shape your sound but it isn't good enough to jusify itself on it's own.


I love Akai samplers though and think if you have the money, have one around. If you are curious about the MPC line, buy one cheap. You can always sell it for what you paid for or more. I have a few samplers, 3 are akai, I normally use software but I still love to get my hands dirty on the hardware, when I have time.

[KevWest]

new gear will not make your music better

[CRACKPIPE]

I enjoy sequencing reason devices from my MPC via Rewire in Pro Tools.

[DocCreer]

Originally Posted by xabiton

new gear will not make your music better

I have a akai s2000 sampler,emu esi32 sampler,and a mini yamha su10 sampler...i use fl studio 8xxl to sequence them..they sound so much better than software...plus both the akai and emu can have 16 differents parts each...so i would go with the akai

[KevWest]

Originally Posted by DocCreer

I have a akai s2000 sampler,emu esi32 sampler,and a mini yamha su10 sampler...i use fl studio 8xxl to sequence them..they sound so much better than software...plus both the akai and emu can have 16 differents parts each...so i would go with the akai

and you can amke the same beats with them that u can on software doesnt make ur beats better so to speak. I have an S3000 and a EPS classic. They haven't made my beats better I just have more fun making beats on them than software.

[Lrmusic]

Xabiton, are you are referring to the technical level of his beats from an arrangement perspective, and not the sonics/workflow?

I disagree...new gear can make your beats better; if it makes your workflow a lot more efficient.

However, I agree with you on the notion that more gear, in general, will not make your stuff musically better...as the old saying goes...

Gear can only fix an efficiency deficiency, not give you proficiency sufficiency.

[KevWest]

aint nothin technical about it. if u cant program sounds it dont matter what you use. bad programming is bad programming.

[Audio Child]

Lemme burst ya bubble!

Hardware may sound better, but will the listener hear the difference ?

Hell no!

So does it really matter

hell naw!

Its all subjective really!

I feel creating your own drums/sounds are more noticeable and worthwile!

[Lrmusic]

Originally Posted by xabiton

aint nothin technical about it. if u cant program sounds it dont matter what you use. bad programming is bad programming.

technical = related to technique (borrowed a term from instrumental pedagogy) = proficiency

But yeah I agree 100%

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by Lrmusic

I disagree...new gear can make your beats better; if it makes your workflow a lot more efficient.
..............
Gear can only fix an efficiency deficiency, not give you proficiency sufficiency.

I mean, I agree that what you enjoy making music with will be more enjoyable to use and make you work more quickly but I don't think that is all of it.

I will say my beats have a different style when I use my MPC vs. Reason. Even my ASR 10 beats sound distinctly different from my MPC 2000xl, while using an Akai s2000 rack for my drums. Even my ASR sequenced to my MPC sounds different from my mpc standalone, or my ASR 10 paired with my S2000 rack.

I am not saying any of these peices create better music than others, or that it will make you better, but if you can make music you like on one machine, you may sound different on another interms of style, not just sound. And we are just talking samplers here. Limitations can be a major factor for creatitvity and different limitations make you create differently.

That's how it goes for me atleast.

[Lrmusic]

Yep

[cpu]

I've got racks and racks of hardware modules and samplers...i think they sound great...
But if they are just interrupting your workflow then they might not be for you. I used to blame everything on the gear...i used to make so many excuses about not having this piece or that piece. Now that i have all those pieces i realize how stupid i was and how many opportunities I missed.
Yes...I like the sound of my hardware, but i wouldn't recommend it if it drastically slows you down or hinders your creativity in any way. Hardware isn't for everybody...some people just don't get along with it. (It also pisses off your girlfriend...mine broke her toe on the hard case for my mpc2000 that i left at the top of the stairs last night. OOPS! )

[JaeOne3345]

Originally Posted by cpu

I've got racks and racks of hardware modules and samplers...i think they sound great...
But if they are just interrupting your workflow then they might not be for you. I used to blame everything on the gear...i used to make so many excuses about not having this piece or that piece. Now that i have all those pieces i realize how stupid i was and how many opportunities I missed.
Yes...I like the sound of my hardware, but i wouldn't recommend it if it drastically slows you down or hinders your creativity in any way. Hardware isn't for everybody...some people just don't get along with it. (It also pisses off your girlfriend...mine broke her toe on the hard case for my mpc2000 that i left at the top of the stairs last night. OOPS! )

hahaha.

My ex would come over and ask "how come you still haven't got dressed? messin with beats again?"

I'd try to lie and be like "nah I was cleaning, etc"

Then I'd get caught up cause she knew how my equipment heated up.
"Why is the sp1200 so damn hot then? I know you been doing music cause the room is hot."

Owned. hahaha. I had to stop messin' around when she caught on to that. Good times...

[DocCreer]

Originally Posted by xabiton

and you can amke the same beats with them that u can on software doesnt make ur beats better so to speak. I have an S3000 and a EPS classic. They haven't made my beats better I just have more fun making beats on them than software.

To me it gives a fuller sound...and i just enjo y workin with gear instead of a mouse...and each piece sounds unique

[KevWest]

Originally Posted by DocCreer

To me it gives a fuller sound...and i just enjo y workin with gear instead of a mouse...and each piece sounds unique

ill agree that hardware is more fun. I just don't feel that software users are really losing out on anything. software can sound big and full also.

[daez]

I feel like the hardware stuff has more transient snap or punch then most software and a mpc has that groove thats legendary but no machines have the workflow of software most of wich have every option you could ever need for reshaping stretching etc.... its kind of a quality vs quantity thing. I personally hate the flat dynamics of patches and sounds in reason