Flipping software based studio to hardware(mpc, workstation?

Hey

I'm thinking of flipping my bedroom studio to more hardware and use software less and need some advice on things. So i am a rapper and producer, and would like to start making my beats on an mpc. I really don't like software in the way that i sit in front of the screen for hours, and how my mac runs slow when i use all the plugins i need and things like that in logic. Would really like to be able to sit wiht my mpc, midi keyboard/workstation if i get one(wrote about workstation farther down) and my turntable if im sampling and make beats without needing to look at a big screen for hours. The thought of also sampling straight straight into the mpc, and chopping it in there(read that its kinda...... to chop in the mpc?), or in a workstation as i have seen on youtube(for example that kanye video) and just rock with it.

My current set up:
Steinberg Cl1 soundcard
Krk RP5 monitors
Blue Spark mic
m-audio keyrig midi keyboard
Akai MPD26 (never used it so much because i didn't like the pads so much so used the midi keyboard mostly, been thinking about selling it and putting that money into the mpc if i get one)
Beyer dynamics DT 770 Pro headphones
Numark TTUSB for sampling vinyl

The software i use now is Logic Pro and Recycle for chopping my samples.

So i have been making music for like a year now, not so long but ever since i started i noticed that i really don't like sitting in front of the screen all day making beats. My eyesight has become weaker and my mom is saying i should get some equipment that doesn't make me sit in front of the big screen all day.This doesn't mean i won't use software, will use while recording.

Ever since i started making music i wanted an mpc but at that point i didn't have the money for it. So now i am thinking of getting one and probably some other hardware i would need?

I have been reading alot about the different mpc's, and think maybe the 1k will do the thing? People at the forums i've been reading on are saying the 1k/2kxl are good ones to have and then get the jj os. I really haven't understood whats so good about the jj os, been looking through the comparison thing but don't really know what many of those things on that list is so cannot really understand what makes it so good, tried as well to find posts and whatever on the internet where someone explains it but didn't find so much. So it had been nice if someone could explain that? Also which other mpc's could i look more into?

Will the use of a workstation, the asr-10 or something in the likes of it be something that i would benefit alot from getting? And if i in the end decide to get one i'll probably get one used on ebay.

How is it to mix on a mpc? Or will i be better off transfering the beat to logic and mixing it there? I would like to use logic as little as possible, but will use it to record my raps to the beats i make.

Sorry for the long post, but i believe i need to get as much information i need so that i don't make a decision i would not be satisfied with.

Thanks in advance for all replies,

ChingyDi

Get a hardware multitrack recorder (preferable Korg D32xd...one is for sale on the Atlanta craigslist for $600) This will give you 32 tracks, effects, no latency, great sound, and the ability to mix all of your tracks professionally.
Then you can get any other gear you want because you will be laying tracks. You will be able to get away with one of the lesser MPCs. Though I would recommend gear with mutliple outs.
Hardware mixers are great.
cheers,
Ian

Ian Canefire wrote:Get a hardware multitrack recorder (preferable Korg D32xd...one is for sale on the Atlanta craigslist for $600) This will give you 32 tracks, effects, no latency, great sound, and the ability to mix all of your tracks professionally.
Then you can get any other gear you want because you will be laying tracks. You will be able to get away with one of the lesser MPCs. Though I would recommend gear with mutliple outs.
Hardware mixers are great.
cheers,
Ian

What to you mean by getting away with one of the lesser mpc's? And what do i gain by getting a hardware mixer instead of just recording my songs the way i've been doing it up until now?

What to you mean by getting away with one of the lesser mpc's?
Not all mpc's are created equal. Check the specs and you'll find out.

And what do i gain by getting a hardware mixer instead of just recording my songs the way i've been doing it up until now?
One reason is tactile control of track mixing. Lots of hardware guys love that "at your fingertips" control. Something you don't get from a mouse.

Lampdog wrote:What to you mean by getting away with one of the lesser mpc's?
Not all mpc's are created equal. Check the specs and you'll find out.

And what do i gain by getting a hardware mixer instead of just recording my songs the way i've been doing it up until now?
One reason is tactile control of track mixing. Lots of hardware guys love that "at your fingertips" control. Something you don't get from a mouse.

Okay then i get that thing with lesser mpc. And i agree on that "hand on" feel instead of a mouse, i hate using the mouse. But would i be limited in one way or another by not using software?

Do you have any advice on if a workstation like the asr-10 would come in good handy for me?

ChingyDi wrote:But would i be limited in one way or another by not using software?

Do you have any advice on if a workstation like the asr-10 would come in good handy for me?

1.depends on the mixer, most if not all software mixer emulations have built in strips for compression, EQ, routing, etc... But unless your shelling out serious dough your probably only going to get different forms of EQ, mostly likely just a hi/mid/low with possibly a filter built in. For me I would consider that enough, but if you can throw the option to compress somewhere in the signal chain it would really round things out.

2.depends, I don't need one. But some swear by it. Depends on your workflow. I would just get the an MPC after doing research, then add things to fill various gaps in your workflow. Don't buy a bunch of extra gear beforehand just to feel awesome, wait till you know for sure you need it.

How is he supposed to know if he needs gear without buying it to test out... If you have friends who don't mind you using their gear... then great... alot of ppl don't have that option...

@OP
Was in the same predicament as you not long ago
Started by buying an mpc2kxl ... still have it, great machine.. count on the lcd failing though.
Use a mpc4k mostly now.. with a cheap analog mixer which all my other gear goes through.. straight to 1/4' tape.

....And yes there are alot of limitations to going hardware only, but you either work around those, or go back to clicking around all day... I found making music a lot more enjoyable since dumping the pc.. But who knows if you will feel the same.

If you need to add raps over your music using a multitrack might be an idea... There was a time when people where using samplers for that kind of thing though... usually recording short parts at a time, then triggering them from a keyboard.
On the mpc4k you can record while it's playing back... usefull for recording short vocal parts. I've heard on longer sections that is goes out of sync... Also the mpc5k can do the same... possibly without the sync trouble... others can verify that one.

^buying gear to test it out? That's a pretty big commitment for not knowing if you need it or not, I would just do your research at home & online. I also meant buy the MPC and try making a couple tracks to find where the gaps in your workflow are before buying a bunch of other instruments. I just think buying other gear to go with your MPC, before youve even touched an MPC to be over zealous.

Working with a multi track recorder will give you a few limitations. But I don't know how much that will influence your workflow.
In a Daw you can almost use an unlimited number of plug-ins and tracks, but will miss that hands on approach. Using a Daw with a nice controller would be best of both worlds. But like Lampdog said, we can't make that decission for you.

So basically you will need:

Something to record and mix with. Daw or multitrack recorder.

Sampler. ASR10 have beter sample editing features then some of the mpc's.

Sequencer. MPC's have the best hardware sequencers IMO. ASR10's sequencer doesn't seem te be as comfortable to use as the MPC's sequencers.

Synth/ soundmodule. Something for extra sounds like extra strings and bass. Can also sample or buy multi sample programs.

I think MPC 1000 with the (free) JJOS would be nice to begin with. Buy a few sample packs or sample a few plugins and you're good to go to compose some beats.