Tools Required to get started - 100% pure Newb

Hello all,

My first post, i've had a good search but i cant find any threads for Newbies where its clarified as to exactly what type of equipment a beginner would need just to get up and running.

I'm a Hip Hop and Reggae DJ, but now i wish to turn my hand to making beats, and i'm going to be buying an Akai MPC 1000 just after Xmas. I'll also be getting the latest JJOS to go with it, but what i really need to know is if theres any other essential gear that i will need to get up and running.

Will i need a midi Keyboard, any software etc.....

Or will my MPC be enough for me to just get started?

Thanks in advance for your responses

DJRossi

Here's a very useful link:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

(it's posted somewhere else on the forum, I have it bookmarked as it is a constant reference)

A mixer, turntable and an MPC should be enough to get you started.
A sound card and some recording software might help if you want to export your songs and finish them somewhere else.
Soundcards come in different prices/range, a good free audio editing software is Audacity.

Also, an answer you'll get quite often on the forum is "read the manual".

It might sound silly but it works.
(I still haven't read it, but that's another story...)

You might also want to consider some audio software, Fruityloops is quite good to get you started (it has a very good demo that even allows you to export wav files), I personally use Ableton, but in the end, it depends on how you work, try some demos and see for yourself.

The MPC sends midi signals so if you are on a budget, you might want to use the pads on the mpc to play software instruments rather than buying a midi keyboard straight away.

To connect it to your pc/mac you'll need a midi interface.

it depends what exactly you wanna do....

do you wanna sample?

do you wanna play the keys?

do you wanna sample and play the keys?

do you wanna record your beats to the computer and learn to mix?

all u need is an mpc and some sounds to choose from and your good.

I basically want to sample, but i always thought that having a keyboard would be good for things such as creating my own bass lines and so on.

But mainly i just want to create beats, either through looping drum samples/breaks or my own drum patterns, and then flip some samples on them.

so get an mpc and learn that bit ch inside out before you get a keyboard (unless u CAN play the keys) and before you get an interface to record.

Thanks Bicedidit, i will do.

Auto - i assume that CDJs and a mixer will work aswell as vinyl turntables?

DJRossi wrote:Auto - i assume that CDJs and a mixer will work aswell as vinyl turntables?

well, you won't be able to play records on your cdj's, so your assumption is wrong

Lord Toronga - Thats very amusing, can we be best friends?

What i meant of course, is that i assume the CDJs could be linked up to the MPC in the same way that a regular turntable could.

Is that right?

Rossi, **** pn with the properness dude, we lax in here home skillet. Yeah, you can sample from anything with an audio out. Also, the MPC 1000 has a USB Mass Storage interface, s you can chop on your computer, load it on to the CF card, and assign your samples to the pads. MPC 1000 with jjos 1 has to be the easiest machine to use. If you have a synth or keyboard, just run the outs to the ins and use an audio track. Its really easy, and you dont need much, cause the 1000 is pretty impresive for its size. I switched to a 2000xl, and it is much more limited an much more difficult to chp. Anyway have fun diggy, hope u get it.

Tapuno - Peace and Blessings, thats what i needed to know man.