Help

cordragza

Hey guys,

Looking for your expertise.

What exactly is need to get started making electronic tracks.
Software/hardware wise.

I'm aware of programs like reason etc.

but what do i need to buy, I have a brand new MACbook pro.

The rest of the canvas is blank,...

Looking to make pop and hip hop tracks.

ironclaw

There is no set list of equipment. Some people at 100% software, others like a little hardware in their as well. Others are fully analogue and hands on with physical instruments. For me anyway, it always seems to be a case of your background i.e. Most of my musical friends who play an instrument would be 50:50, whilst those with minimal background would be software only. As a side project, I'd recommend learning at least the basics of music and an instrument such as the piano. Will, if nothing else, give you an idea of beats, bars and key.

Overall, I'd recommend grabbing a production course. I've been meaning to myself and it would certainly be a good place to start from. If that doesn't take your fancy, hit YouTube and look at the likes of Ableton, FL Studio, CuBase, Reason etc. The list is honestly endless.

In the end, its down to how much effort and time you are willing to put into it. Your not going to be the next wonder kid overnight but with will and determination, anything is possible.

cordragza

Thanks for the comments.

I can play a rake of instruments. I just don't know much about the production side.

It's mpre what i'll need to get going.

I was thinking.

A midi keyboard
Reason and cubase.

Some sort of interface(??) That's probably more where i'm stuck, making the stuff work.

ironclaw

Opps. Sorry, always better to assume someone is starting from now where but you seem fairly musically inclined!

Yeah, in general a midi keyboad, perhaps some midi pads for drums and an audio interface. Where in the country are you? Lads out in DJBox in Tallaght would be worth chatting to if you didn't want to go on a course. If you were thinking of a course, I've heard good things about RealSound and CreateSound. No affiliation to any of the above.

cordragza

Cool! Thanks for your help

deink

Have a look at the Akai MPK mini, it's a midi keyboard which also has drumpads and knobs. I used one before and found it really handy, you can get them for around €100 too.

old gregg

If part of your vision is to take your music out into a live setting then Ableton is really the way to go. Your lappy + midi keyboard and audio interface along with Ableton will get you pretty much all the way in that regard. Everything else by way of hardware is a bonus after that.

For Training, yea the folks at RealSound are the biz. But there's loads of quality tutorials on the interwebs to get you started.

cordragza

Thanks guys, if i went ableton, which version would you recommend, and also what audio interface?