I found this on another forum, this is some real good info for peeps who wanna get started in the producing side of hiphop/rap or whatever type of music you like, for under 600$ .
Here is everything you need to bring quality tracks if your on a budget. I've worked with this same setup for 3 years.<br />
<br />
This is assuming you already have a computer.<br />
<br />
1. We'll start with the Soundcard<br />
The minimum I recommend is an <a href="http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=x7444g9h3jdsj0g&id=409" target="_blank">SB Live!</a>.<br />
It will run you roughly $35. <br />
<br />
Alot of people might argue against it, but where on a budget and it works. (Thats what I'm using)<br />
<br />
2. Software<br />
<a href="http://www.fruityloops.com" target="_blank">Fruityloops 3.4</a> is the cheapest.<br />
It will run you $100<br />
<br />
Reason & Sonar are just as effective, but will run you more.<br />
<br />
3. Sounds<br />
I recommend this <a href="http://www.soundfont.com/cds/mmbundle.asp" target="_blank">Soundfont Set</a>. Is 1280 patches from the popular EMU modules enough to get you started?<br />
It will run you $100<br />
<br />
<a href="http://board.rapmusic.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=375623" target="_blank">What are soundfonts?</a> <br />
<br />
4. Soundfont capable software<br />
You can make Fruityloops capable of handling soundfonts by buying their <a href="http://www.fruityloops.com" target="_blank">Soundfont Plugin</a>. It will make handling those soundfonts a breeze.<br />
It will run you $30<br />
<br />
Reason 2.0 is supposed to support soundfonts out of the box.<br />
<br />
5. Midi Controller<br />
If you want to play your melodies instead of drawing them in a piano roll your going to need a <a href="http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=&prodid=prod870288&primarySkuId=sku1280161" target="_blank">MIDI Controller</a>.<br />
It will run you $100 <br />
<br />
You may find cheaper alternatives on the net. I personally use an old Yamaha DJX that I bought for $300 back in the day that I'm just using as a midi controller now.<br />
<br />
6. Midi Cable<br />
Your going to need a <a href="http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=1303&primarySkuId=7120&prodid=10270&RELOAD_PAGE=true" target="_blank">MIDI to Joystick Cable</a> to hook your midi controller to your keyboard.<br />
It will run you $20<br />
<br />
7. Turntable <br />
For you vinyl heads, any cheapo turntable will do. <br />
It will run you roughly $50<br />
<br />
I use a Numark TT-1510 which cost me $100. (I forgot to mention, you going to need to pre-amp your turntable. Just head down to radio shack and ask them for the cheapest Pre-amp they got for a turntable)<br />
<br />
8. Monitors<br />
If you want to get the mix right your going to need a set of <a href="http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=&prodid=11839&primarySkuId=9982" target="_blank">Monitors</a>.<br />
They will run you $100<br />
<br />
I know those monitors dont look like much but I've been making quality mixes on those for years.<br />
<br />
The Breakdown:<br />
<br />
Soundcard - $35<br />
Software - $130<br />
Sounds - $100<br />
Midi Controller - $120<br />
Turntable - $50<br />
Monitors - $100<br />
--------------------<br />
Total - $535<br />
<br />
Thats assuming your being an honest person and buying your software and soundfonts... but if your not you are knockin off about 150-250$
<br />
<br />
Otherwise you can get away with $305 and if your not a sampler you can cut the turntable and get down to $255. <br />
And if you already have an SB Live! or a better soundcard like a Echo MIA or Delta 1010 / 44 / 66 ...you can have all that for $220.<br />
There it is, And some of this stuff you peeps probably have so it would be even less than 300, i got a controller, a good soundcard, and cables, all i need is monitors and im gettin started. THis guy J.C who wrote all this has been using this setup for 3 years, and check out his beats.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2443/2443530.html - street banger.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2587/2587442.html - street banger.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2562/2562010.html - street banger.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2554/2554660.html - smooth ass love beat.
I mean you can go spend thousands of dollars on equipment or do it this way and laugh at the people who do. your choice, thought this would be helpfull to people who wanna get started in the production business but don't have lots of money to waist nah mean , this way you can get the equipment and still pay ya bills.
Peace
Enjoy
-Samos
Here is everything you need to bring quality tracks if your on a budget. I've worked with this same setup for 3 years.<br />
<br />
This is assuming you already have a computer.<br />
<br />
1. We'll start with the Soundcard<br />
The minimum I recommend is an <a href="http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=x7444g9h3jdsj0g&id=409" target="_blank">SB Live!</a>.<br />
It will run you roughly $35. <br />
<br />
Alot of people might argue against it, but where on a budget and it works. (Thats what I'm using)<br />
<br />
2. Software<br />
<a href="http://www.fruityloops.com" target="_blank">Fruityloops 3.4</a> is the cheapest.<br />
It will run you $100<br />
<br />
Reason & Sonar are just as effective, but will run you more.<br />
<br />
3. Sounds<br />
I recommend this <a href="http://www.soundfont.com/cds/mmbundle.asp" target="_blank">Soundfont Set</a>. Is 1280 patches from the popular EMU modules enough to get you started?<br />
It will run you $100<br />
<br />
<a href="http://board.rapmusic.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=375623" target="_blank">What are soundfonts?</a> <br />
<br />
4. Soundfont capable software<br />
You can make Fruityloops capable of handling soundfonts by buying their <a href="http://www.fruityloops.com" target="_blank">Soundfont Plugin</a>. It will make handling those soundfonts a breeze.<br />
It will run you $30<br />
<br />
Reason 2.0 is supposed to support soundfonts out of the box.<br />
<br />
5. Midi Controller<br />
If you want to play your melodies instead of drawing them in a piano roll your going to need a <a href="http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=&prodid=prod870288&primarySkuId=sku1280161" target="_blank">MIDI Controller</a>.<br />
It will run you $100 <br />
<br />
You may find cheaper alternatives on the net. I personally use an old Yamaha DJX that I bought for $300 back in the day that I'm just using as a midi controller now.<br />
<br />
6. Midi Cable<br />
Your going to need a <a href="http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=1303&primarySkuId=7120&prodid=10270&RELOAD_PAGE=true" target="_blank">MIDI to Joystick Cable</a> to hook your midi controller to your keyboard.<br />
It will run you $20<br />
<br />
7. Turntable <br />
For you vinyl heads, any cheapo turntable will do. <br />
It will run you roughly $50<br />
<br />
I use a Numark TT-1510 which cost me $100. (I forgot to mention, you going to need to pre-amp your turntable. Just head down to radio shack and ask them for the cheapest Pre-amp they got for a turntable)<br />
<br />
8. Monitors<br />
If you want to get the mix right your going to need a set of <a href="http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=&prodid=11839&primarySkuId=9982" target="_blank">Monitors</a>.<br />
They will run you $100<br />
<br />
I know those monitors dont look like much but I've been making quality mixes on those for years.<br />
<br />
The Breakdown:<br />
<br />
Soundcard - $35<br />
Software - $130<br />
Sounds - $100<br />
Midi Controller - $120<br />
Turntable - $50<br />
Monitors - $100<br />
--------------------<br />
Total - $535<br />
<br />
Thats assuming your being an honest person and buying your software and soundfonts... but if your not you are knockin off about 150-250$
<br /><br />
Otherwise you can get away with $305 and if your not a sampler you can cut the turntable and get down to $255. <br />
And if you already have an SB Live! or a better soundcard like a Echo MIA or Delta 1010 / 44 / 66 ...you can have all that for $220.<br />
There it is, And some of this stuff you peeps probably have so it would be even less than 300, i got a controller, a good soundcard, and cables, all i need is monitors and im gettin started. THis guy J.C who wrote all this has been using this setup for 3 years, and check out his beats.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2443/2443530.html - street banger.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2587/2587442.html - street banger.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2562/2562010.html - street banger.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artist_song/2554/2554660.html - smooth ass love beat.
I mean you can go spend thousands of dollars on equipment or do it this way and laugh at the people who do. your choice, thought this would be helpfull to people who wanna get started in the production business but don't have lots of money to waist nah mean , this way you can get the equipment and still pay ya bills.
Peace
Enjoy
-Samos
