Where Can I learn about studio equipment?

[Vanfecto]

First off I would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped me with advice in this forum, this has been the most invivting and helpful forum I have ever been a apart off, no stuck up attitudes or flames just answers and advice, and I am just honestly blown away by the hospitality here at this forum because I know I have asked a lot of noob questions, but I did search before I asked but just once again thank you to everyone.. Now on to my question I read a lot of the threads around here and when I come across like studio equipment I am prety much at a loss far as understanding goes. Basically if it not an effect I do not know what its use is for, because I do everyhting as of right now on software, but I was wondering where you guys learned all this stuff and where I could pick up some info. Lastly when starting a home studio for hip hop what are the essentials besides and mpc, I guess I am asking from a sound quality P.O.V., thanx in advance for your help.

[toolskid]

I cant recommend www.gearslutz.com enough!

[Tohtruck]

I'm wondering this myself. I too am at a loss for studio equipment and hardware (only a midi keyboard and trigger finger) trying to work mostly with software (however, I'm also a noobie at that). I would also know how to get some knowledge with a professional set up or at least some more practical knowledge when using hardware or a more hardware based set up. I would also like to know what are the advantages/disadvantages of using hardware over software? Also if owning and using hardware is imperative when making hip-hop beats? (Or is it just as good to have a usb/midi controller (ie a usb keyboard or trigger finger) and a software sampler and sequencer in a powerful computer?

One way ive tried to learn about production is by interning. I tried to intern/volunteer for this one producer I know in Brooklyn who had a more hardware based setup (though not a professional recording/post-production studio). Does anyone know how useful/legit some of the institutes/programs are in NYC such as the Institute for Audio Research, or the DMX program at Touro College, or even the Scratch DJ program ?

Thanx

[Relax]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...&link_code=as1

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...&link_code=as1

if your using protools:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/007...lance&n=283155

those will keep you busy for a while

[Eager2Know]

Originally Posted by Vanfecto

...... Lastly when starting a home studio for hip hop what are the essentials besides and mpc, I guess I am asking from a sound quality P.O.V., thanx in advance for your help.

I can feel you, me and some friends of mine had the same problems. I started buying equipment bout 92, most of it was low end stuff to start with....

I was lucky because I had the chance to take some closer looks to a commercial studio. There I learned some basic rules about mixing and using compressors (but I still need more knowledge about that, that's why I'm here :-)

To start off, you really don't need more then a good PC or MAC and a good recording card.. and of course a midi keyboard... but after a time you'll need something else to satisfy you.

What to buy? Well I guess this also depends on the kind of music you're in too. Even in Hiphop/Rap this can be quite different. Do you like the older stuff more then the new one? I prefer the 90ies stuff from NYC, and of course I'm trying to get a similar sound.

Some examples?

Akai S950 (with a quite old and dirty sounding 12 bit chip)
SP12 Turbo plus (same here as above)
Ensoniq ASR10
old DBX 160 compressors

As you can see I work with older stuff, which is all hooked up to a 32 channel mixing console.... we bought most of your stuff from ebay.

To give you another example:

Here in my hometown is a producer who is really making a living from producing and has had a lot of hits recently.... HE decided to get rid of his stuff, only kept his Mackie digital console, his recording card, bought a logic controler (Dunno how this one is called exactly, he can use it to control logic on his screen)... he is fine with that, but for my ears his beats are too clean already..... I need to feel the dirt

As you can see, don't buy stuff only because someone recommended it. Make up your mind, do you REALLY have that kind of money, is this REALLY the kind of sound I'd like to have? Well I'd like to have a ssl console, neve channel strips, etc... but hey do you make money out of it, or is it just for fun? This is also something to consider. If iyou're not Pro, don't feel bad because you can't afford the real expensive stuff. You won't need it anyway......

What definetly is a MUST, are good monitors.... regardless of your knowledge/skills/whatever

If you don't have the big $$$ try to get good monitors and a good recoding card first, before you get something else. There are some out there for reasonable prices.

If I may, try EVENT monitors... These are affordable, and they are good for beginners, because they are really really linear...... (just be careful while mixing basslines or similar).... I use them now for several years and I really love 'em.

The price was about 1300 Euros the pair, and they are worth the money...

Don't make the same mistake we did, buy something pretty cheap, liek Behringer Taiwan crap (the German market ist full with it!).... keep your money in your pocket and leave it there until you have enough to buy something that will never leave your room or studio again....this could be HW or SW, depending on your personal habits.....

I love knobs.......... you know

[octatonic]

You can do what a lot of us have done which is go to your local pro recording studio (try to go to one with a Neve, SSL console) and ask to intern there.

You probably won't get paid- you will make a lot of coffee but for people of a certain temperament it is a great education.