Productivity gear

Anima · 04-09-2011 11:13pm #1

So I'm thinking of buying some gear but I'm struggling to think of what would really make a difference.

My setup is basically just a computer and a ton of software (daw, plugins, music programming languages occasionally). Outside of the obvious playback equipment, what is the best gear that really changed how you went about making music?

I'm thinking of some kind of controller but I think I'd probably be quicker with a mouse and keyboard really.

electrogrimey · 07-09-2011 4:17pm

Good monitors.

If you already have good monitors, get better ones.

SteveDon · 08-09-2011 1:44am

Maschine

Most instant daw of all time to get something going. Made all my tracks on it since the moment i got it.

eeloe · 08-09-2011 4:35pm

I have Maschine since the beginning of the summer, so my knowledge of it so far is just using it as a drum machine alongside Traktor.

Now that work has calmed down for the winter somewhat, I'm gonna really dive in to it next week, see what I can come up with!

Anima · 08-09-2011 5:09pm

Hmm was thinking of it alright but a bit pricey. What do most people use it for exactly?

SteveDon · 08-09-2011 6:48pm

Anima wrote: »

Hmm was thinking of it alright but a bit pricey. What do most people use it for exactly?

I use it for absolutely everything. Sequence in it, sample in it and use it to host vsts and stuff.

Its just so handy having the hardware in front of you really makes it easy to get things going quickly.

eeloe · 09-09-2011 10:26am

Anima wrote: »

Hmm was thinking of it alright but a bit pricey. What do most people use it for exactly?

Even if you buy it, and don't like it, you'll still be able to sell it off for not much of a loss, but trust me, once you get around to playing with it, you'll love it!

Logical Fallacy · 12-09-2011 10:39pm

Buy a good synth and learn how to play it well.

You can easily spot the producers out there who are actively playing their melodies over those who are just programming stuff in.

More natural flow and variation.

hubiedubie · 29-09-2011 1:21pm

Maschine
Elektron Octatrack

These are the 2 purchases that have completely changed the way I work to a much more hands on affair.

Anything that changes your workflow / forces you to work within different constraints or limits is great for learning new things and coming up with different ideas.

condra · 30-09-2011 7:19pm

If you use Live, an APC or Launchpad is a no-brainer.

Laserface · 01-10-2011 11:43pm

Anima wrote: »

what would really make a difference?.

what is the best gear that really changed how you went about making music?

some hardware definitely makes a difference. a sampler is a good live sequencer..the mc500 or roland SP..

as Logical Fallacy mentioned "more natural flow and variation"
you can't compare playing a live gig on yer laptop to playing it on hardware.. as its just 2 different kettles of fish altogether.

and theres plenty of cheap toys these days to do it with

jose-fahartose · 20-10-2011 2:28pm

electrogrimey wrote: »

Good monitors.

If you already have good monitors, get better ones.

Best advice imo. Ive spent a bit on contoller etc and imo they're not going to make you any better, easier with a mouse. Good monitors are essential & lots of time in your DAW

Productivity gear

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