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computer music makers/dabblers: your set-ups, please

incandenza_ [Edit] [Delete] 48 replies 22:08, 5 April '13

hardware and software.

which audio interface?

which keyboard/midi controller(s)?

which DAW?

which VSTs?

tell me what you use and how.

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MacBook Pro

Korg MiniKey keyboard

Zoom H2 recorder for mic duties

Reason 6.5 for most of the composition & sound mangling (synths, samplers, FX etc)

WaveLab 7 for most of the finer editing

Reason or WaveLab for mastering, depends (used to use only WaveLab, but Reason is getting better & better at this)

VSTs: just the native ones that come with WaveLab, and more & more of the 3rd party "rack extensions" that Reason has been hosting for the past year or so

blisters | 5 Apr '13, 23:18 | X
- how are you finding the rack extension stuff?
  
  They look kind of pricey. You can try them out and stuff, right?
  
  jonny_rat @blisters | 8 Apr '13, 18:06 | X
Adobe Audition 3 and that's it really.

Mainly because I've used it for years when I worked in radio so I pretty much know it inside out. I've been told time and time again that it's not meant for music making which, of course, makes me want to stick with it. I just basically sample bits of songs, mess with them a bit and stick it all together.
I've got Reason as well but I just can't get on with it. Stick to what you know i suppose...

thetaxidriver | 5 Apr '13, 23:25 | X
- Adobe Audition is fine for music.
  
  Depending on what type you're making. People are nuts.
  
  BladeJB343 @thetaxidriver | 5 Apr '13, 23:48 | X
  
  thetaxidriver this'd this
Virtual DJ free edition

Audacity

that's all I use on the computers. Got a 4 track & a 2 track reel to reel thing and some other bilge but I just dump stuff from them onto the computer, don't use them at the same time.

I get confused if there are too many features like in Ableton. Just do basic editing/looping/eq like Apprentice Ron Hardy Junior Junior.

mug_mug_mug | 5 Apr '13, 23:36 | X
Switched over to ableton recently

with an mbox 2 mini for an interface, some m-audio monitors, and an lpd8 and novation keyboard as midi inputs. Next purchase will be an mpd if I can save some money.

StormJH | 5 Apr '13, 23:44 | X
argos keyboard

microphone

fl8

results; https://soundcloud.com/ghostletters/newdumbfoundland

Jordan_229_2 | 6 Apr '13, 00:20 | X
Used to use Cubase SE

But recently upgraded to Pro Tools 10 as I purchased a better computer.
Mbox mini
Roland A500 Pro
Xpand!2
Mostly waves plugins

Does this: https://soundcloud.com/framptone/in-this-weather-its-best-to

Tweezer | 6 Apr '13, 04:58 | X
Cubase 5

Mbox 3
Couple mics
Couple Guitars
Addictive Drums
M-Audio midi controller
4front piano VST
Tapeworm Mellotron VST
Waves Reverbs
pretty much

ethricdouble | 6 Apr '13, 12:55 | X
this thread needs more links

and Pics too

Body_In_The_Thames | 6 Apr '13, 16:00 | X
OK, here goes

hardware;

synths:
Roland Jupiter 6
Korg M1
Sirius Quasimidi

Drum/groove boxes:
Roland MC303
Roland CR8000

Keys;
Hoffman upright piano
Yamaha Electone B35N
Hohner melodica alto (red)
Hohner melodica piano 26 (60s vintage)

Guitars;
Fender Jaguar (CIJ 1999)
Aria Pro II PE1000GC prototype (sn. 0013) (1980/81)
Fender somethingorother classical with electronics
Washburn D11BR acoustic steel string
Washburn XS4 bass

Mics;
4x shure sm58
2x sm57
4x some old German Sennheisers from 1960s (internet says 2x MD406, 1x MD408n & 1x MD411)
Sontronics STC-2

Pedals;
Moogerfooger MF104m analog delay
EHX Small Stone phaser
DOD Dfx9 digital delay
Arion Sfl-1 stereo flanger

Amps;
Marshall Master Lead combo 5010
Roland Microcube

Percussion;
shakers, cowbells, tambourines, claves, etc.

misc;
Art Tube MP STV3
Roland VS880ex

Monitors;
1 pair custom made passive
1 pair really shitty Behringer active (truth b2030a)

Headphones;
AKG K702
Sony MDV 700

Controller;
novation remote sl zero

Soundcard;
Piece of shit M-Audio 410

Computer;
an ancient HP desktop from 2006 with a Pentium 4 single core and 2gb RAM running windows XP !!! - basically I just use the PC as a multitrack cassette recorder/midi sequencer

software/DAW/VSTs?

Ableton Suite 8.2 (?)

fx/processing
Oxford Sonnox Bundle
Waves Complete
NI CSR reverbs
Tracks 3

VSTs;
don't use any except if I need 'real' drums I use EZ drummer
and if I want strings I use edirol orchestral or NI session strings

<<<tell me what you use and how.
all this stuff and what I mainly do is put the jupiter through the moogerfooger and layer tracks until I decide it's time for some organ, handclaps, singing, percussion etc, guitar if I fancy it and so on

sounds like
https://soundcloud.com/body-in-the-thames
and
http://bodyinthethames.bandcamp.com/

but sounds different when I record other people of course

looks like
https://vine.co/v/bHViTqUFBQZ

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/202283542.jpg

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/202282130.jpg

Body_In_The_Thames | 6 Apr '13, 17:51 | X
- holy shit that's a long post
  
  Body_In_The_Thames @Body_In_The_Thames | 6 Apr '13, 18:02 | X
  - Yeah but also the post I was waiting for, so all good
    
    ma0sm @Body_In_The_Thames | 8 Apr '13, 10:57 | X
cant be arsed to list everything, heres a few photos from a couple of years ago. added a few bits since then

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429996_10150869394505200_404604079_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429083_10150869394705200_542759056_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/424540_10150869394845200_2132964310_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/427070_10150869395110200_2087389922_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64105_10150869395315200_1911877722_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/428636_10150869395475200_1126244576_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420126_10150869395615200_1446473703_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150869395825200&set=a.10150869392410200.518177.627770199&type=3&theater

Matt_was_taken | 6 Apr '13, 18:19 | X
- totes wel jel
  
  good to see the vital vodka & tequila bottles there
  
  didyousayhand @Matt_was_taken | 6 Apr '13, 19:09 | X
  - haha
    
    definately an essential piece of gear
    
    Matt_was_taken @didyousayhand | 7 Apr '13, 20:48 | X
What about you incandenza_ ? What's your set up?

Body_In_The_Thames | 7 Apr '13, 09:36 | X

Matt_was_taken this'd this
- *cough*
  
  Body_In_The_Thames @Body_In_The_Thames | 7 Apr '13, 16:44 | X
- I made the thread for research purposes
  
  I want to know what people think is good.
  
  maybe I should have been clearer about that...
  
  incandenza_ @Body_In_The_Thames | 7 Apr '13, 22:36 | X
  - like, I've been meaning to sort a proper set-up out for myself for ages
    
    not sure what I should get. I probably should have just made it an advice-seeking thread.
    
    incandenza_ @incandenza_ | 7 Apr '13, 22:38 | X
I'll list as much as I can remember

Computer: MacBook Pro.

Soundcard / Synth: Novation X-Station 49.

Monitors: CX5 Studiophile Active Monitors.

Microphone: Rode NTK Valve Studio Condenser.

Drum sequencer: Native Maschine Mikro.

Guitars: PRS Custom 24 / Some cheap active bass whose name I forget / Freshman FA350D Acoustic Guitar

Amplifier: Orange Rocker 30.

Guitar pedals: Digitech Whammy Pitch-Shifter / Pro Co Rat 2 / Boss DD7 Digital-Delay / Boss TU-2 Tuner / Red Panda BitCrusher / Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Pedal.

DAW: Logic 9.

Mastering: Ozone.

Plugins: Virsyn TERA / Bluetron Blueverb / CamelPhat / Camelspace / The Novation suite / Effectrix...

ma0sm | 8 Apr '13, 10:55 | X
heads up re: DAW

Reaper does everything Protools, Logic and Cubase do, but a bit better and it's freeeeeee!!!!!

^Valuable

ehwhat | 8 Apr '13, 11:00 | X
- It's not as shiny though
  
  Royter-Hatfood @ehwhat | 8 Apr '13, 18:44 | X
DAW: Cubase LE

Interface: Tascam US1800

Focusrite ISA Two preamp

Neve Portico 5043 compressor/limiter duo

Event active monitors (can't remember the model number)

Mics: Electro Voice RE20, Electro Voice ND868, Oktava mk-012 (matched pair), Oktava ml-52, various Shure SM57's and 58's

Don't use a great deal of plug ins - mostly a bunch of the kjaerhus freebies for reverb, delay and compression. Also use the Izotope Ozone mastering plug in, which is ace.

Keyboards - Casio CZ1000, Acetone combo organ.

I play drums so don't use any drum machines.

themolegerald | 8 Apr '13, 12:22 | X
- got a link?
  
  Body_In_The_Thames @themolegerald | 8 Apr '13, 21:56 | X
  - arg yeah, that would have been useful
    
    will post a link to some stuff when I get home from work tonight!
    
    themolegerald @Body_In_The_Thames | 9 Apr '13, 11:45 | X
    - LINK
      
      https://soundcloud.com/semihomelessguy
      
      Works in progress like
      
      themolegerald @themolegerald | 9 Apr '13, 21:00 | X
      - this is really nice
        
        lots of potential
        
        Rick Wright Freaks Out sounds like Stereolab covering War on Drugs (or vice versa) and Central Swimming Pool has an Eno ish wash to it
        
        The Focusrite & Neve portico are really working nicely together
        
        looking forward to hearing the finished article
        
        Body_In_The_Thames @themolegerald | 9 Apr '13, 21:36 | X
        
        Thanks very much
        
        I listened to a load of the BITT tracks on Soundcloud last night - great stuff, particularly the Italo disco track (the name escapes me now and I'm at work so can't check). Some excellent synth noises going on. Did you master those tracks yourself out of interest?
        
        I should probably add that RW Freaks Out and Central Swimming Pool were done with a friend so I can't take the full credit.
        
        themolegerald @Body_In_The_Thames | 10 Apr '13, 11:42 | X
        
        thanks - Panno Impregnato
        
        Yes, they're not really 'properly' mastered - just a DIY job but everything is mine own work
        
        that Italo track was supposed to get a vinyl release in France/Germany last month but the two label partners fell out with each other
        
        :/
        
        Body_In_The_Thames @themolegerald | 10 Apr '13, 20:12 | X
      - I've been listening to a few of these
        
        they're ACE. I'm really impressed with them as is, but I'm hearing some kind of low - maybe atonal - vocals over the top for some bits. What've you got planned for them?
        
        jonny_rat @themolegerald | 10 Apr '13, 14:56 | X
        
        Thanks!
        
        I have no firm plans to be honest but they're definitely missing something. Good shout on the vocals - I could imagine that too, although probably not my own less-than-golden tones (atonal or otherwise!).
        
        I've chucked the recordings over to some other musical friends, so I guess I'll see what they come up with. Although knowing those deadbeats probably nothing, so expect to hear these babies sounding EXACTLY the same in the not-too-distant future.
        
        themolegerald @jonny_rat | 10 Apr '13, 17:56 | X
Got loads of stuff years ago

...and am still in process of learning to use it...! Would love to learn how to someday!

Two different laptops, one a couple of years old running Vista, one that's ten years old running XP which has all my VST-i's on so I use that for MIDI work.
Cubase3 and Ableton 4 on both machines
M-Audio UA3-fx and Fast Track Ultra audio interfaces
Oxygen-8 small midi keyboard, top key is busted, gig damage!
Fave VST-i's are HALion, B2 Hammond emulator, FM7 synth, Reaktor
Fave VST's are almost anything from Mutagene.net, especially their warp delay. I have a ton of noisy manga inspired ones that are like Cementimental in a box but I forget where they come from, will have a look later if anyone is reeaaallly interested.

Various guitar/bass/live drums are recorded/messed with on this set-up with SM57's. Also like to occasionally use Playstation Music to do the odd lead or drum pattern, I used to crank out some tunes on that thing and it remains one of the easiest/most direct ways of getting something in my head down onto 'tape' as it were! Favourite pedal at the moment is the Behringer Flange Machine mostly for it's synthy like tones and amazing feedback possibilities.

HEAR: http://www.ontheway.viinyl.com/

amyblue | 8 Apr '13, 13:39 | X
- playstation music
  
  OLD SCHOOOOOOL YEAH
  
  jonny_rat @amyblue | 8 Apr '13, 17:52 | X
Audio interface: firewire FA-66
http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-66/
Very rarely lets me down. Using with a 2006 Macbook Pro which is on its last legs. Also a cheapo Tascam one on the desktop PC, which I sometimes use for acoustic recording.

Midi controller: cheapo M-audio USB keyboard. It's fine. The faders stopped working a while back but sure.

DAWs etc: Reason 5 and Logic 9 on the Mac, Reaper whenever I'm doing stuff on the PC.

Mics: one condenser and one dynamic. Forgotten the model/brands, derp.

Guitars: a beaten up old Fender Squier and a beaten up old electroacoustic.

Lots of free and cheap AUs/VSTs, but these are my favourites:
http://www.michaelnorris.info/software/soundmagic-spectral.html

A recent track here: https://soundcloud.com/jonny_rat/a-king-of-cinders-cat-bites

Have recently inherited a JV1080 synth module and full-sized weighted keyboard which I'm using for songwriting and tinkering.

Want list:
Monitors (as pointed out to me by BITT the other day, mastering is a bitch without them).
Some guitars that are not terrible.
An amp that works.
A new MBP.

Someone sort this out for me is it?

jonny_rat | 8 Apr '13, 18:05 | X
Playstation 1 as my hub unit with 'Music 2000' interface.

GayGuevara | 8 Apr '13, 18:12 | X
- mtv music generator 2 was actually mint to make music on
  
  made loads of f### buttons like stuff when i was 13
  
  Jordan_229_2 @GayGuevara | 8 Apr '13, 18:16 | X
- I actually bought a car boot sale PS1 for exactly that but never really got round to trying to make bad grime with it yet
  
  Cementimental @GayGuevara | 9 Apr '13, 14:36 | X
I pretty much just dabble on my loop pedal. Should really use GarageBand more

Fao GarageBand users, if you buy main stage for £20 you get all the GarageBand jam packs for free (no interest in the loops but all the orchestral and world instruments are quite something for £20)

ThingsThatFly | 8 Apr '13, 19:45 | X
(relatively) cheap setup

Macbook Air

Logic Pro 9

The heart of it: Apogee One. http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/one.php. It's awesome; Can do guitars, external mics, and has a really good condenser mic in it. I can't sing for toffee but when I've had to use it it's a great sounds. Lots of examples on their website of great recordings using it.

Akai 25 mini midi keyboard (http://www.akaipro.com/lpk25). Does everything I need and small enough that I can take it to band practice, to work, on holiday etc.

Result: http://soundcloud.com/cannonbear/cannon-bear-surround

Samberic | 9 Apr '13, 07:02 | X
- Nice track there!
  
  Sad story about an Apogee One -- my band mate got one for his birthday and bought it over for band practice. As he took it out of its little protective case it fell out on to my threadbare carpet and cracked open. The little internal mic broke off and it never worked properly (I'd say again, but really it never got a chance to work in the first place!).
  
  TimmyL @Samberic | 9 Apr '13, 11:50 | X
  - This is the main issue with th'apogee
    
    My mic just stopped working too :(. It has been over a year and it's taken a beating. The newer apogee one is looking very shiney right about now, and you can record mic + guitar at same time.
    
    Thanks for nice words about track :)
    
    Samberic @TimmyL | 10 Apr '13, 12:18 | X
- Enjoying this track
  
  this thread is looking useful DiS podcastwise
  
  Body_In_The_Thames @Samberic | 9 Apr '13, 21:56 | X
this is making me well jel

:(

chris-budget | 9 Apr '13, 13:25 | X
Audacity for editing some of the more esoteric/noisy effects you can download

('Barry's Satan Maximiser' especially)

Metasynth (bought it on sale relatively recently because I've always wanted it for years, yet to do anything much but it's really promising/weird. Tends towards more psychadelic and more beat-based sounds than I'm generally after tho)

SoundHack

I mostly use hardware tho, don't do that much entirely on the computer these days.

Cementimental | 9 Apr '13, 14:18 | X
- oh and RTGS-X granular synth this with all sorts of sensible to crazy control options
  
  but annoyingly/fortunately it doesn't run quite smoothly enough for reliable live use on my olde G4 laptop.
  
  Cementimental @Cementimental | 9 Apr '13, 14:38 | X
Little wibbly USB keyboard

cacky cheapo USB external sound card
ever so slightly dodgy and dated copy of Reason
Reaper
Audacity
Quite flash condenser mic that's gathering dust

Does the job for most of my stuff

Royter-Hatfood | 10 Apr '13, 18:26 | X
- Equipment gathering dust that I should probably just sell but won't:
  
  Microkorg
  Theremin
  Stylophone
  Electric guitar
  Acoustic guitar
  Huge clunky effects box
  Wah pedal
  
  Royter-Hatfood @Royter-Hatfood | 10 Apr '13, 18:28 | X

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