Getting back into dance/pop music production. What should I buy?
August 18, 2020 12:56 PM Subscribe
In the early and mid 1990s, I had a small studio setup with a Korg 01W/FD, an Emu Esoniq Orbit (2.0), a Tascam 424 (which I used as a mixer) and a Mac running Logic. I did some original songs and a bunch of remix work before selling everything when I moved overseas. Now I'd like to get back into making music. I've lost touch with what's great, and the options are overwhelming. I also don't have an unlimited budget...
I would like to use a computer interface for mixing and am open to open-source or proprietary tools for this. But what are the other tools I'd need? The Teenage Engineering OP-1 looks fascinating, and perhaps that's the only item I'd need, but it's hard to tell. I would like a setup that's extensible and expandable, allowing for a range of synth sounds, the ability to upload samples/sounds/effects, and controls that are easy to use. I'd like a keyboard controller of some sort (the Alesis V25 or similar). I've seen YouTube videos of people using pad-based machines like the Akai MPC that look insanely finicky. I don't want to spend years learning how to use a device. But I'm also extremely out of the loop now. What do you recommend?
I would like to use a computer interface for mixing and am open to open-source or proprietary tools for this. But what are the other tools I'd need? The Teenage Engineering OP-1 looks fascinating, and perhaps that's the only item I'd need, but it's hard to tell. I would like a setup that's extensible and expandable, allowing for a range of synth sounds, the ability to upload samples/sounds/effects, and controls that are easy to use. I'd like a keyboard controller of some sort (the Alesis V25 or similar). I've seen YouTube videos of people using pad-based machines like the Akai MPC that look insanely finicky. I don't want to spend years learning how to use a device. But I'm also extremely out of the loop now. What do you recommend?
Teenage Engineering stuff is absolute fun to play with, but they make kinda expensive gear for the limited functionality provided (their recent foray into modular synths is a good example).
Ableton has a dedicated controller (Push) that looks like an interesting mix of a Doepfer Pocket Dial and Monome Grid. But no MIDI, which seems like a glaring omission given Live can output MIDI.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:22 PM on August 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Ableton has a dedicated controller (Push) that looks like an interesting mix of a Doepfer Pocket Dial and Monome Grid. But no MIDI, which seems like a glaring omission given Live can output MIDI.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:22 PM on August 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
If you are willing to consider a more hardware-centric option, the Elektron Analog Rytm might be of interest. It has its own sampler and tons of processing, sequencing, and I/O options. I used to own a Machine Drum and the build quality and UI were excellent. A used Monomachine might be a good mix of synth and controller (for integration with a computer).
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:30 PM on August 18, 2020
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:30 PM on August 18, 2020
I would just get a mac, Logic, and a keyboard controller to start. Logic is probably unrecognizable from what it was in the 90s under Emagic, but there still might be enough similarities to give you an advantage. Plus, it's fantastic, and comes with a ton of great synths and samplers (as well as related material.
Ableton Live is very cool, and has nice effects, but I think Logic completely blows it away in terms of included content.
Everything else you mention comes after.
A pad controller is nice, but if you want to make actual music with chords and melodies, you really need a keyboard. Plus, a lot of controller keyboards have 8 or 16 pads on them.
The OP-1 is cool, but despite some of the youtube videos, it really is pretty limiting. And assuming you want to get files online, you'll be doing that on your computer, anyway, so why not make that the focus? Sure, add one when you can afford it; but I can't imagine using it as a main tool.
posted by jonathanhughes at 1:54 PM on August 18, 2020 [4 favorites]
Ableton Live is very cool, and has nice effects, but I think Logic completely blows it away in terms of included content.
Everything else you mention comes after.
A pad controller is nice, but if you want to make actual music with chords and melodies, you really need a keyboard. Plus, a lot of controller keyboards have 8 or 16 pads on them.
The OP-1 is cool, but despite some of the youtube videos, it really is pretty limiting. And assuming you want to get files online, you'll be doing that on your computer, anyway, so why not make that the focus? Sure, add one when you can afford it; but I can't imagine using it as a main tool.
posted by jonathanhughes at 1:54 PM on August 18, 2020 [4 favorites]
The choice of DAW is, as ever, a very subjective thing. I was a die-hard Logic user until around the time Apple acquired it; then Ableton, until it got too fiddly for me to enjoy working with.
The last few years I've been using Bitwig and I'd recommend giving it a shot, particularly if you're interested in adding hardware later on. Its synthesis and modulation capabilities are strong, and although there's a lot going on, and a lot of customizability, I think the UI is more cohesive than Logic or Ableton.
(Another plus: it behaves pretty much the same on Mac, Windows, and Linux!)
Also, if you're like me and stare at a computer all damn day for a living, it's definitely nice to have something that is not a computer to work on music ideas, even if you ultimately record it in to a DAW. I enjoy Elektron gear for this, but also I bought a Polyend Tracker and it's SO MUCH FUN. (assuming you can deal with the tracker-style UI)
posted by runehog at 2:39 PM on August 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
The last few years I've been using Bitwig and I'd recommend giving it a shot, particularly if you're interested in adding hardware later on. Its synthesis and modulation capabilities are strong, and although there's a lot going on, and a lot of customizability, I think the UI is more cohesive than Logic or Ableton.
(Another plus: it behaves pretty much the same on Mac, Windows, and Linux!)
Also, if you're like me and stare at a computer all damn day for a living, it's definitely nice to have something that is not a computer to work on music ideas, even if you ultimately record it in to a DAW. I enjoy Elektron gear for this, but also I bought a Polyend Tracker and it's SO MUCH FUN. (assuming you can deal with the tracker-style UI)
posted by runehog at 2:39 PM on August 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Ableton Live is outstanding for MIDI control and live performance, and it's fairly standard for electronic production. The included sound libraries are good for electronic production, but the samples/analogue instrument recreations are poor. Logic Pro X is only available for Mac, has a very strong library of sounds, including some creepily good horn sections and strings, but it's pretty weak for MIDI control and not at all good for live performance. Apple make a separate but related product called MainStage for live performance, which is industry standard for theatre keyboard players. Propellerhead Reason used to be big, but I haven't heard anyone talk about using it in years. Almost all recording engineers use Avid ProTools, but I don't know anyone with a home studio who does. A friend is trying to convince me that Cubase is coming back but I'm not convinced. Reaper is free but apparently a bit of a pain to use, and I don't think it comes with much in the way of sounds. You only really need to pick one of these to start - all of them are still more or less capable of. I'd recommend either Ableton Live or Logic Pro X.
A third party sound library like Native Instruments Kontakt/Komplete will cover you for a lot of sounds (analogue instruments and synths both). If you like vintage synths and keyboards, the Arturia V Collection is extremely good.
You'll probably want some kind of MIDI keyboard controller with knobs and faders so you can record MIDI clips and also record yourself using the knobs/faders to manipulate effects in real time. I'm currently salivating over the Arturia Keylab Mk2, but there are a lot of options, and what you want will depend on what features you need. Decent manufacturers include Roland, M-Audio, AKAI and Alesis. If you've got any more specific questions feel free to Memail me.
posted by spielzebub at 2:51 PM on August 18, 2020
A third party sound library like Native Instruments Kontakt/Komplete will cover you for a lot of sounds (analogue instruments and synths both). If you like vintage synths and keyboards, the Arturia V Collection is extremely good.
You'll probably want some kind of MIDI keyboard controller with knobs and faders so you can record MIDI clips and also record yourself using the knobs/faders to manipulate effects in real time. I'm currently salivating over the Arturia Keylab Mk2, but there are a lot of options, and what you want will depend on what features you need. Decent manufacturers include Roland, M-Audio, AKAI and Alesis. If you've got any more specific questions feel free to Memail me.
posted by spielzebub at 2:51 PM on August 18, 2020
Oh yeah - the OP-1 is cool as hell but it's also super expensive and really tiny. It's definitely not the first thing I'd recommend you buy.
posted by spielzebub at 2:53 PM on August 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by spielzebub at 2:53 PM on August 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
If I'd recommend one non-computer thing it would be a Synthstrom Deluge or a new generation MPC or an old MPC or maybe the new Roland MC series. Definitely not OP-1, even though it's fun it's also tiny and insanely expensive. If you want a taste you can try their $60-$120 Pocket Operator series.
The main thing to decide is how much in 'in the box' you want to be, because all you really need is Ableton or Logic or even Reaper and Audacity and a bunch of great free VSTi.
If you have a computer and want to use it, that way is the cheapest. But if you'd have to buy a whole new computer to dedicate to this, you can go pretty far with a something like an Octatrack or and a few Korg Volcas, or any other mix. It's a great time to by this kind of stuff imo.
I'd recommend describing more about what you want and how you like to work, maybe post this on the weekly 'what should I buy' thread on Reddit /r/synthesizers.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:25 PM on August 18, 2020
The main thing to decide is how much in 'in the box' you want to be, because all you really need is Ableton or Logic or even Reaper and Audacity and a bunch of great free VSTi.
If you have a computer and want to use it, that way is the cheapest. But if you'd have to buy a whole new computer to dedicate to this, you can go pretty far with a something like an Octatrack or and a few Korg Volcas, or any other mix. It's a great time to by this kind of stuff imo.
I'd recommend describing more about what you want and how you like to work, maybe post this on the weekly 'what should I buy' thread on Reddit /r/synthesizers.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:25 PM on August 18, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
The OP-1 looks amazing, doesn't it! It's so expensive though, if you don't have an unlimited budget.
posted by umbú at 1:18 PM on August 18, 2020 [2 favorites]