MIDI equipment, upgrade time!

Geocoder

Hi guys,

Long time lurker and looking for a bit of advice from you all on buying some new MIDI equipment and software, what to prioritize and where to buy!

To start, my set up at the moment is very basic and cheap but has been satisfactory for the last few years in that I am producing some decent music using it. I think I'm at a level now though where I need to invest in better software and equipment if I want to progress.

I am a keyboard/piano player and produce instrumental pieces only. I have been recording using sequencers for over 15 years. I am self taught and have invested very little into my hobby only time. The pieces vary from modern hip-hop to cinematic to chillout, so I use a wide variety of instruments. I use a range of free VSTI's I have gathered over the years and Reaper software. The problem here is that I now have so many instruments at this stage that I get caught up trying to decide on what instruments to use and then where to find them. Ideally I would like to have one core library of decent instruments that I can depend on. The reaper software is decent but quite buggy at times and has limited MIDI capabilities, I'd like to upgrade this, but I'm not sure if it's essential right now.

My keyboard is a Yamaha DGX I got about 8 years ago (it's got a floppy drive!), its a big piece of kit more designed for stage performances and takes up a bit too much room at the moment. I think I would hang onto this for playing around with, but for recording, a lightweight touch sensitive MIDI keyboard would be a good start, the full 88 keys is not necessary as this would save a bit of space.

I am using a mid-level dell PC for recording, which doubles as a web development machine. I have an audigy II sound card and standard logic speakers. I'd like to invest in a dedicated music machine along with some good monitors and headphone with some decent processing power.

Sorry this is long so I'll wrap up. I'd like to hear your opinions on what areas I should focus on firstly, whether this be hardware, software, or both? I've been eying up a mac which would deliver in terms of power and I could also go down the logic pro route which I have heard excellent things about, it's also got that nice comfort factor about it.

Would it be smarter going down the PC road, giving me extra funds to invest in VSTI's, monitors/headphones and a keyboard?

Would it be a good idea to invest in an external audio interface, in the future I might like to try record vocals/guitar? Is this overkill for my needs?

I have a budget of about 2k (could possibly stretch that to 2.5) at the moment which is generous, but I would like to spend this wisely and ensure I am investing in kit that I am going to utilize to its maximum potential in the future.

Looking forward to your advice guys.

Thanks.

The Fridge

Hi there Geocoder,
Below is subjective and personal but take it of leave it, whatever you will.
I'd probably have more questions for you on how you want to run the your setup, mobile rig or static at home, midi only or audio aswell etc etc, as I'm sure you know yourself there is so many way of doing it and depends on many different variables. Just from the point of view trying to offer a bit of input.
I think most of below will really be personal preference and have I got the space for it.

computer - laptop or desktop ? pc or mac ?
apple mbp 13-inch: 2.3 GHz from - 1199
apple imac 21.5-inch: 2.5GHz from - 1149
pc's options are endless - for more or less than above macs, you'll probably want to not scrimp on this one as it will be the hub and without a half decent spec it won't do what you'll ask of it

External hard drive
vary in size and price depending on where you buy,
G-Tech, Avastor, Glyph are probably the most known brands, about a year ago I bought a g-tech 500gb for €149, the other two are more expensive. Its better if the h-drive has an oxford chipset for better data transfer rates.

midi interface - are you upgrading here, or is current one ok?
MOTU Micro Lite USB Midi Interface 5x5 155
MOTU Midi Express 128 USB Midi Interface 8x9 245


audio interface: usb / firewire - some options if you want to get into audio
MOTU UltraLite Mk3 Hybrid Audio Inteface(both) 560
Tascam US-2000 USB Audio Interface 485
Avid mbox's - several options
M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio Interface 219
M-Audio Fast Track Ultra USB Interface with DSP 339


software sequencer: this is very personal as they all essentially do the same thing, but just do it differently, so whatever is best for you is best for you.
I've only used cubase myself
Logic studio 499
Ableton Live 8 385
MOTU Digital Performer v7 475
cubase 6 (unlimited midi and audio tracks) 595
Cubase Artist 6 299
Propellerhead Record & Reason Duo Bundle 389
Protools 9 509
Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer 399
Cakewalk Sonar X1 Studio 199

sounds
if you have loads will they work on a new setup, even if you change platform?

monitors: active, probably the best option for at home, with the amp built in, you'll have to test drive these yourself
KRKs RP6 G2 380
mackie HR624MKII 435
yamaha hs50 339

keys - plenty of options here as well
M-Audio Axiom Pro 61 Advanced USB Midi Controller - 475
M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 Advanced USB Midi Controller - 399

Could go on and on here, but am getting tired now, the brain is somewhere else now, its been a long day, till another day. prices are in euros from different sites.
Hope this helps.

studiorat

Consider Logic or Logic express. In terms of what you get with the program it's the best value for money.

AdsKen

I'd agree with above consider Logic or Logic Express first then if you feel like Logic is the one the you can upgrade, but this of course is only if you decide to go the Mac route. My other sugesstion would be Ableton Live which is both PC and Mac and is one of the most used sequencers around at the moment, can be great for composing and also is an industy standard for live performance aswell.

As for other equipment, you will need a good interface i have the M-audio Fast track pro and it's great for what i need but you may need more. http://www.thomann.de/ie/cat.html?gf=usb_audio_interfaces&oa=smb worth a look.

Next i'd get a good pair of monitors as mentioned before, yahama, krk, genelec and Adam i would look at if i were you.

Midi Keyboard wise i'd look to getting this http://www.thomann.de/ie/novation_remote_49_sl_mkii.htm

49 keys, loads of knobs and faders which can be handy for live performace aswell as on the fly recording.

Geocoder

I don't have the ability to give thanks yet but sincere thanks to the all the replies so far, particularly fringe, that was some great information, appreciate it.

To be honest I think I had subconsciously decided I was already going down the mac route, I just wanted it confirmed Logic pro looks like the ideal piece of software for me and the studio version comes with all the instruments and loops I could want, again in one place so no VSTI's scattered around in different places. I would like the setup to be somewhat mobile so I can use the mac for development on the go. I am possibly heading abroad for year also so it would be great to be able to bring the mac and software with me, I'm sure I'll find a keyboard

I have provisionally chosen the following kit based on some of the advice here and reading other websites. Thoughts welcomed.

Hardware:

• Computer: MacBook Pro - 13" 2.3Ghz Dual core, 4GB Ram, 320GB HD -e1199
• Audio Interface: M-Audio Fast Track Pro - e177
• Keyboard: M-Audio Keystation 61es - e199
• Monitors: Focal XS Satellite Speakers and Subwoofer - e499
• Headphones: Sennheiser HD 238 Precision - e99

Software:

• Logic Studio -e499

That is slightly over my budget, coming in around 2.7k overall. I might have another think about the monitors, but those particular ones have been getting great reviews, and I'm thinking best to invest in them now instead of upgrading in the future. I will also need to invest in a reliable external hard drive but I think I can hold on for a while with that as I have a reasonable one at the moment.

Geocoder

So here's what I went for folks, I ordered from apple.ie and thomann.de over the last few days, would love to get your opinions

I went for monitor headphones because given the fact I live with others, I can't imagine pumping out a whole lot of noise regularly. I went for some decent bose desktop speakers instead and the audio-technica studio headphones which were highly recommended on here.

Hardware:

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- Apple mac i7 2.7Ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD
- Wireless mac keyboard, magic trackpad
- M-Audio Fast Track Pro Audio Interface
- T.BONE SC600 Diaphragm mic
- AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-M50S Studio Headphones
- BOSE COMPANION 3 II-GBR Speakers
- M-Audio Oxygen 61 key MIDI keyboard

Software:

---

- Logic Studio
- Native Instruments Komplete Elements

The Fridge

Good luck with that Geocoder, should keep you going for a while