getting your beats onto your computer

I know this has been talked about before, infact I have probably already started other topics just like it.

I am interested to know what steps you people take in getting your beats (drum machine, module etc.) onto the computer.

I will be getting a mo phatt to accompany my samples on my mpc and I want the best way to get my shit multitacked up on the PC so I can build proper tracks, drop out a snare there, add scratches, lyrics etc.

Would be very interested to know what process you guys use................

no-one?

Here's how I do it most of the time:

1. Make a rough sketch of a beat, w. a couple of variations
2. Track the drums. Just a basic 4-bar loop.
3. Copy the drums into a 16-bar verse
4. Start working with basslines, perhaps some guitar, chords and melodies
5. When I get stuck with the melodies I go back to the drum beat and start adding variations, new versions and track them too, replacing the copy/pasted drums from step 1-3.
6. After awhile, I step back, take a couple of listens and start tuning it, dropping things out and removing and adding stuff.

Oh yeah, and I always keep my MPC synced to cubase on my computer, and I track through an ST Audio 8-in/8-out PCI interface, but I'm looking for a replacement for that card as we speak.

a lot of the time i actually record my beats "on-the-fly."

i use cool edit pro to edit my tracks on the computer. everything goes into my mixer. then my output on my mixer goes into my laptop. thats an easy way to put it. and when i do it on-the-fly i hit record in c.e.p. and play the beat NOT IN SONG MODE. I play the sequence i want to start on and while its recording ill mute whatever tracks i want out and move to the sequence i want while its recording into cool edit. thats what i mean on the fly. no rehearsal. just strait out.

but when i track beats, i use the multi track mode in c.e.p. record all the tracks seperately into their own channels on the multi track. and edit from there.

hope this helped.

thanks for the replies, I haven't really made myself clear, I want to know what equipment you use and in what way, i.e. if you use a mixer and what model, monitering, what soundcard/interface, multitrack software etc. I want to know what you recommend as a good system for getting your beats up onto comp.
I think my biggest decision will be what multitrack software to purchase and the convenience of pro tools being bundled with mbox and digi 002 rack.
the motu 828 mk2 looks sick but then I would need to purchase the software seperately,
anyone messed with logic express, its quite cheap.
CEP or audition is also an option, also quite cheap, does this work well for you then smoove
I am also tempted by what djames suggested, 8 outs from mpc running to behringer ADA8000 this running into ADAT on emu 1212m,

I suppose I just need to choose the right recording software?

I'm also thinking about getting the emu - behringer - combo.
can any1 recommend this setup??

I've got a couple friends that have this setup and it works great for them.It sounds real good.12 inputs and 12 ouputs for about $450 is a steal.Plus the E-mu stuff has the Asio 2.0 drivers so it will work with most anything.I am going to be rolling with this setup running Nuendo.

yeah I would like to try this with nuendo but its too expensive, do you know if the loder version nuendo 1.6 will work on an XP PC.

Actually I just found out that you can get the E-mu 1820 for $400 and that gives you 18 inputs and 20 outputs and MIDI.It comes with a grip of onboard plug-in effects plus Cubase VST which will be more than plenty to do some really nice work.I am putiing one of these aside for me on Friday.I will tell you though that although the system requirements are kind of low on the spec sheet for this product that you will need at least a P4 or Athlon xp along with Windows XP and at least 512 megs of ram to be able to run this setup as it was designed when it came out we hooked one up to a "dated" PC and it worked but nothing like advertised.We then hooked one up to a Music XPC(P4 lots of ram) and the thing worked flawlessly.I can't wait to get back into the computer side of production because the possibilities are endless right know on the editing and plug-in side of things.

for about £100 more you can get that card (or the 1212) with emulator x, a software sampler with loads of free emu samples. are you sure you get cubase with this card, this might be an option

Got enough samplers already don't need anymore.It does come with a copy of Cubase VST.It comes on the software CD that comes with it.It has some other stuff on it as well I beleive Wavelab lite and some other stuff.I've already got Nuendo 2 and the full version of Wavelab so I don't think I'd use it much but it is nice that you get everything you need to start recording right away.

does the 1820 work w/ protools???

I got the Emu 1212 Sound Card & Record my beatz into Acid Pro while using reason 2.5, the MPC, and a Keyboard.

I can monitor my recording / tracking with my Event TR8's and after recording playback on an Altecs surround sound system.

I didn't even need a 1820 like i thought i did at first. It took a little thinking but you can set your signal flow the right way just with a 1212

Hope that gives you insight on one person methods of recording




* On a side note anyone ever master recording Reason 2.5 audio on the fly into Cubase , I heard by it using ASIO drivers and not WAV you can't record Reason audio into Cubase directly you have to export and all that other shit.

Skiggy wrote:does the 1820 work w/ protools???

If i'm not mistaken you must use the Pro Tools hardware interface with its software. Its a bundle package

EMU 1820 is an EMU product, not Protools for anybody wondering