Help a new artist get his studio setup.

Hi my names Felipe and Ive been wanting to take my musical talent to the next level for a while now, I managed to save up enough cash to buy a nice setup and finally get my studio setup to start recording. I'm a hip hop artist/rapper so what Im looking for is a studio with all the components to make hip hop/ rap music. I will be constructing a sound proof booth to record the vocals.
What Im looking for is a list of components I will need, Is it better to go with a separate mixer, beat machine and cubase software or an Akai MPC 5000? If I were to purchase an Akai MPC 5000 what else would I need other then a mic and moniters to make beats and add my lyrics to them? Do I still need an expensive software like Cubase 6? Not sure if it makes a difference but I have an Imac so if there are better softwares for the mac system and I need one please let me know.
Here's what Ive found so far that I will be purchasing:

One of these mic's, any recommendations?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSEGENESIS
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BALBLUEBIRD

These studio moniters :
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB2031A

Thanks
-Felipe

If it were my decision I'd go with Yamaha HS50M's over the Behringer's but that's just me. In general I've heard more negative press on Behringer than positive.

I would suggest going to the page below, doing some homework first then asking questions

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Whats your budget? Thats really important for us.

When u want one of these mics, i would take the MXL. But there are also cheap mics who makes sense, like the Rode Nt1a. Maybe u have a music shop near where u can try different mics. Each mic have a lil different sound. A deep voice should not recorded with a mic that boosts the lower frequencies.

For those mics u will need a preamp. The mic needs power of 48V. That will be realized by the preamp.

Dont buy the behringer monitors. Take a look at the alesis m1 mk II or some krk. For hip hop sufficient.
The best way, like i say at the mics, go to a shop with some songs where u know the sound and listen it on different monitors. The one that sounds right, will be your monitor.

Ableton live 8 ,Rokits and a shure mic is all you need

How are these for studio monitors?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--JBLLSR2325P
http://www.zzounds.com/item--KRKRP6G2SE

Im really thinking about the Blue Bluebird mich as its half the price of the genesis... Anyone ever used one?
So far the setup is looking like one of those studio monitors above x2
Blue Bluebird mic
NI Maschine
no clue on what software to go with, cubase, logic? Ableton live ? (opinions appreciated, Im running a mac if it makes a difference)
What type of cables will I need to get this all setup? cables for the computer to the monitors, cables from the mic to the computer etc... what is this pre amp that I need for the mic?
any suggestions on a good pre amp that will do everything I need and wont break the bank?
Thanks
-Felipe

Felipe_AZ wrote:How are these for studio monitors?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--JBLLSR2325P
http://www.zzounds.com/item--KRKRP6G2SE

Im really thinking about the Blue Bluebird mich as its half the price of the genesis... Anyone ever used one?
So far the setup is looking like one of those studio monitors above x2
Blue Bluebird mic
NI Maschine
no clue on what software to go with, cubase, logic? Ableton live ? (opinions appreciated, Im running a mac if it makes a difference)
What type of cables will I need to get this all setup? cables for the computer to the monitors, cables from the mic to the computer etc... what is this pre amp that I need for the mic?
any suggestions on a good pre amp that will do everything I need and wont break the bank?
Thanks
-Felipe

I have KRK Rockit 8's, they aren't much more expensive than the KRK's you had the link to. If you room is very small, they might be a little too bassy. The Yamaha's mentioned are a bit more accurate than the KRK's, but the KRK's are quality all around.

Any of those host sequencers are good, Live is probably the most fun of the bunch, although Logic and Cubase offer deeper MIDI/Sequencer functions. There's a fully functioning Live demo available at their site.

I would recommend a dedicated audio interface for your setup, either USB of Firewire. One of these will give you quality 1/4" balanced jacks for your monitors, probably a couple decent pre-amps for your mic/guitar etc. , and in most cases a set of MIDI I/O jacks if your ever need to control an outboard synth/module or MPC. You can find decent interfaces from $150-$300. A decent interface also allows for lower latency (tighter timing/response) of software instruments, and higher track counts than if you were to rely on the inbuilt Core audio on your Mac.

Thanks for the reply, wondering if you could point me towards a decent audio interface for around $200?
Thanks
-Felipe

Felipe_AZ wrote:Thanks for the reply, wondering if you could point me towards a decent audio interface for around $200?
Thanks
-Felipe

I have a couple Presonus and a M-Audio interface in the sub $350 range. They're all pretty good, but I think the Focusrite Saffire 6 USB is the best deal going at $200. http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio ... ire_6_usb/

Only 2 inputs, but you said your might go with with a Maschine/DAW combo, so your sounds will be internal. It has 4 outs, which is nice in Live for example, where you can set up a cue channel, or if you ever use Traktor or other DJ software that needs a cue track.