Need Equipment/Software Advice

designor666 · Joined: Jul 03, 2006 Posts: 1 Location: New York City

Hi, I am a MAC user (Powerbook G4). I am primarily a visual artist, but recently I have been overcome with the need to make some electronic music. I want to keep things lo-fi, use a good deal of analog sampling. Think something like MUM or Looper.
Initially I might make some tracks to go along with the some animations or video work I've done, but I also would like to make music in itself. I would enjoy having a setup I could use live, when my skills are up to par. I've used video/motion programs on the mac (so i think i can pick up software fairly quickly) and have made a song or two on soundtrack/garage band, but I want to get to the next level. So at the least I'd like to be able to:
- make beats using drum pad/keyboard
- record live samples with mic
- sample off of pre-recorded music
There's really so much out there, so I'm getting a bit confused. I don't have a ton of money. Any advice on creating a bare bones set-up to make some cool shit would be much, much appreciated... Twisted Evil

Peace.

mosc · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

I'm not a Mac user (other than a simple laptop). There are lots of people here that use Macs for music though. I'm sure they will chime in. In general, I think if you aren't sure what you want, try to use as much free software as possible and don't spend a lot of money.

Moving this to the OSX forum, BTW...

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:45 pm Post subject:

I suggest you have a go at Garageband. The latest version is kinda great. The next step is Logic Express. That one is brilliant.

As for lo-fi, that would be something else really. Don´t confuse the aesthetics/style with the tools. You can add that lo-fi touch just fine with Logic Express.

brinxmat · Joined: Oct 24, 2005 Posts: 262 Location: Norway

I agree with elektro80: Garageband is a good start. Even a muppet like me can manage to get acceptable results with that one. It also forms an upgrade path to Logic Express, and then Logic itself.

I suggest getting a simple, portable soundcard with pre-amp to record and a cheap USB MIDI keyboard.

Other than that: spend money on a decent headphones.

renevanderwouden · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:30 am Post subject:

Garageband is a good start, but Logic Express is better. With that program you'll get 80% of what the pro-version can do.

Next to that I would recommend Native Instruments Reaktor 5 as a synth/sample/efx based system.

For mixing and mastering Izotope Ozone 3 is the one.

paul e. · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:41 am Post subject:

renevanderwouden · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:58 am Post subject: