Powerful but small studio ideas

So, as time goes on...I'm really not able to spend as much time with my music stuff as I want, and to be honest, I'm getting bored with having so much stuff (I know, wah wah). I'm looking to get back to a really, really basic set up, so I was looking for some opnions. I'll be keeping my mpc5k for sequencing. Other than that...if you could have one hardware va synth and one sound module (by sound module I mean a rompler or something similar), what would they be (say under a grand each). I make rap, dnb, jungle, and really kind of a little bit of everything. I've considered just going PC and MPC, that seems really to be the smartest option, but just humour me. What I'm getting rid of is an esx, emx, s2800, s950 (maybe...I REALLY like that thing), s770, mpc60 and maybe my dps24, if I go the computer route. (if anyones interested in this, let me know...I even have the original box for the mpc60!)

The z8 is interesting. By far the most capable hardware sampler I've ever used, and I've considered going back to a 4k and getting rid of my z8 and my 5k, though I actually like the 5k more (not that is better, just works better for me). I've put A LOT of work into building up it's library, but that's part of what's killing me. I feel like everytime I sit down to make something I end up just building libraries instead of making anything. That's what interests me about the PC route...buying say Komplete or something and just having a TON of sounds at my hands to mess with.


I've got a Access Virus B that I really like, but if we can come up with a better hardware synth, desk or rack or key (I've got a keystation pro, but would get rid of it for the right keyboard), I'd probably get rid of that, too. And I've also got a xv3080 that's just like the Virus B...if I can come up with a more versatile soundmodule, I'll sell this and get that. The other option is to fully expand the XV3080. I really like the idea of the Fantom XR, but the smart media storage kills it as a sampler, in my opinion, but the 6 SRX slots look really tempting. I'm fighting the urge to keep adding crap, but it seems like an mpc, fantom/jv3080 and virus would be a really good set up. Any thoughts?

To be honest, the other thing I'm thinking is after I sell all my stuff (there's also some furnature and a Tascam M3500 I'm selling), I was also looking at a Kronos. Those seem amazing, but all the demos I find on Youtube are pretty cheesey. I'm headed down to Guitar Center to start messing with stuff after work today, but figured I'd throw this up before I left. Any input is pretty appreciated.

Interesting. I have a lot of the stuff you mentioned. I make dnb and jungle too. I started down the hardware road with an emx and esx, and then added an access virus B. I also got an xl-7 command station but I sold it and the esx and got an mpc1000 instead. THe MPC covers both machines roles, being midi sequencer and sampler in one. Letting the esx go was a hard choice cos I like the workflow and it complimented the emx. But, the chopping on the MPC is far better than the esx, adn thats pretty important for jungle.

Personally I don't feel I'm missing out on much else for building a dnb/jungle rig. I have a Line6 POD HD500 which is a whole bunch of guitar effects and amp sims in a hardware box. I run loads of stuff through this as I think the distortions on the virus b are pretty weak. So if you dont have some decent distortions already you might want to consider adding that. I don't feel the need for any other synths, the virus is more than I can manage. I have a cheap alesis compressor with sidechaining, and an re20 space echo pedal. Thats enough for my FX. And a mini mixer. But by the time its all wired up this is still a sizeable amount of gear.

If I had to reduce the kit some more, I'd lose the EMX. I like it because it's quick and the drum sounds are pretty good, but I could probably do most if it's work in the MPC. So my ideal and minimal rig for dnb and jungle is MPC, virus B and possibly a good quality multieffects box

One other thing that's pretty nice if you are getting bored with your studio, is to arrange things differently or just sit somewhere else for a while. It's lovely to leave the studio with all its setup and just take a box to the sofa and chill there with some headphones. Try putting the MPC or EMX in a backback and going out somewhere to find an electricity outlet (library, church, cafe, airport). It's really nice

I listed the ESX and EMX this morning and it kinda sucked. Haha. I agree, if there were a couple of things different about those, I'd keep those and sell everything else. haha.

I definitely think the thing I'm lacking most is FX. I'd considered a KaosPad or something similar, but Ive never used one so who knows. I agree with you, the Virus is slowly but surely turning into the best synth I've ever owned. I've cycled through a bunch over the years, and I love it a lot. The retard in me who reads reviews of new stuff in magazines always wants newer and whatever, but it's so good, man.

As I've been driving to work and thinking on it, I'm getting more and more settled on either expanding my xv3080 or getting/expanding a fantom and possibly getting rid of the z8. I love the thought of being King Badass and building my own giguntic sample library...but I just don't have the time anymore.

first off, Manji where are you located, I may be interested in some of your gear. Second off, although I am a hardware guy, have you thought about using Reason on your pc as a sound module, the creative possibilities on Reason's platform is endless and the newest update allows third party plugins.

If you have the space, try breaking down your setup into 2 or 3 setups. Put one in the bedroom, one in the living room, get an mpc stand and leave it by the couch, etc. I personally can't work with a bunch of gear in front of me so I can relate.

If it has to be a VA then I'd either stick with the 5k internal synth or go for an Ion, but me personally I'd choose one of the 80s polysynths with MIDI. As for a sound module, same deal, I'd either stick with the 5k and expand the sound library or get a Motif rack xs (or the corresponding korg/Roland depending on which manufacturers sound suits your ear). Same with the DPS and your other samplers and sequencers, your 5k can fill in although it's a net loss capability wise. But obviously, having all this flexibility and functionality isn't working for you. Food for thought...

As for Komplete, I just caution you that it's one thing having a computer in the lab but it's another thing needing to turn it on to make a beat. Besides, a computer and a bunch of software doesn't really qualify as a gear reduction to me. Instead of looking at a rack full of modules you'll just be looking at a list of plugins...

I've been looking for a dps fr a min... Shoot me a pm with some details, if youre selling!

ArKyve-31 wrote:first off, Manji where are you located, I may be interested in some of your gear. Second off, although I am a hardware guy, have you thought about using Reason on your pc as a sound module, the creative possibilities on Reason's platform is endless and the newest update allows third party plugins.

I'm in Nashville, TN, willing to ship anything. Shoot me a PM if you're interested in anything

Also, I hadn't heard Reason allowed 3rd party stuff now. Reason is the only program I have any experience with, I've always really liked it. That seems like its worth looking into.

mp3 - Yeah, I know what you mean. I've always been completely computer free, so all of this would be a jump for me...I'm just getting sick of having music crap take over my house (like I said, wah wah, I know). I'm not entirely set on the computer, but I figure if I've got one to record on (which is the direction I'm kinda moving), I may as well have some libraries on it. I figure that way if there's something in there I really like I can put it in my mpc (multi sampling is dead simple, obviously), but it'd be to expand into. I hadn't even considered using the 5k to record into. I've recorded a couple songs on it, could be worth looking into. 90% of what I do is sequenced anyway, you know?


As I've been sitting at work thinking (slow day, man), I've actually come to realize that this may all hinge on the sound moduel. If I can find something that blows me away, I just get rid of all the excess fat and keep the module, mpc, virus and...still so unsure about the dps. I really love that thing, it's just so effing big. haha.

mp3 wrote:If you have the space, try breaking down your setup into 2 or 3 setups. Put one in the bedroom, one in the living room, get an mpc stand and leave it by the couch, etc. I personally can't work with a bunch of gear in front of me so I can relate.

If it has to be a VA then I'd either stick with the 5k internal synth or go for an Ion, but me personally I'd choose one of the 80s polysynths with MIDI. As for a sound module, same deal, I'd either stick with the 5k and expand the sound library or get a Motif rack xs (or the corresponding korg/Roland depending on which manufacturers sound suits your ear). Same with the DPS and your other samplers and sequencers, your 5k can fill in although it's a net loss capability wise. But obviously, having all this flexibility and functionality isn't working for you. Food for thought...

As for Komplete, I just caution you that it's one thing having a computer in the lab but it's another thing needing to turn it on to make a beat. Besides, a computer and a bunch of software doesn't really qualify as a gear reduction to me. Instead of looking at a rack full of modules you'll just be looking at a list of plugins...

I actually think this is a really good idea (the breaking up). Besides the space, that's half the problem, I sit down and am overwhelmed. I made more with just my mpc and a va than all of this stuff. I like that, I'm going to go stick my 60 and s950 in my living room.

damn, the s950 is what i want lol. Depending on what get for my r3 i may take a stab at the EMX.

reasons update to version 6, (i believe its reason 6.3) is allowing third party plugins, theyre calling it "rack extensions", its free if you already own reason 6 to upgrade to

http://www.propellerheads.se/news/rackextensions/

Yeah sitting in front of a pile of gear and not being productive is the worst feeling, you start feeling guilty thinking you should be way more productive than you are, but when you try to be productive you just end up fiddling with features or learning the gear or creating presets or mentally jacking off about what you should sell to fund the next addition. Or if you're a libra like me, you just lock up because of option anxiety.

My whole philosophy nowadays is to streamline and compartmentalize. I'm not a minimalist, because I still gotta lotta gear, but I just approach it in a more compartmental fashion. Got my 2500 on a stand, the keyboards in the bedroom, a Numark HDX in front the couch, and the DAW and rack gear in the opposite corner of my living room. I just move the 2500 around the house depending on what I wanna do that day. That's in part because I've found that I'm more productive when I work on one aspect of five tracks (e.g. adding keys to the five sample chops I did last night watching the game) as opposed to five aspects of one track (sample, add keys, add fx, track out, etc.) all in one sitting. So if I'm not gonna do it all in one sitting anyway, then there's no reason for the stuff to be collocated.

I do think the main thing that helped me out though was cutting down on samplers. I mean I just came to the realization that having 4-5 samplers is like having 4-5 sets of pots and pans - at the end of the day its the ingredients (the samples) that matter, not the pot. I do 95% of my sampling on the 2500, and even though I do have another sampler in the lab (Akai X7000), in my mind it serves a completely different purpose than the mpc and can therefore coexist.

Also, don't be afraid to throw stuff in the closet. Like if you're unsure about the DPS, then don't do something you'll regret later. Just put it on ice for a minute. My ASR-10 is on extended loan to my nephew for precisely that reason. If 6 months to a year have passed and you didn't get the urge to break it out, then you can be more sure you won't regret selling it.

That sounds exactly like what I'm learning.

And as for the one sampler, besides my s950 (it sounds so good, dude), that sounds like half the battle for me. I wish the 5k had more ram, I hit the limit alot (though I haven't upgraded, which is part of what some of this money is going towards). If I could mix the z8 and 5k, I'd be in sampler heaven and that's all I'd need. But the s770 and s2800 I haven't used in months. i put the 60 and the s950 in the living, here's hoping I start using it. Ha.

having the mpc60 and s950 combo in the living room sounds like a dope idea... don't forget to keep a turntable nearby as well.

Just turn on the game dude, I guarantee you you gonna end up hopping on the 60/950 a lot... And when you get tired of that, just swap it out with the 5k and the virus...

Just focusing on my little 2500/HDX setup has been so big for my productivity that I'm mad I didn't do it a long time ago. Also I been meaning to get an RCA adapter so I can hook my 2500 up to my DVR... Heard this dope ass sample on NFL network watching one of those NFL Films joints, still salty about that one...

Now all I need is a minifridge and a recliner with a built in potty

*posh Joffrey Monocle ass voice* YOU SIMPLY MUST BUY ABLETON AND A NI MASCHINE!

or just do what you originally said, 5000 + pc with kontakt or whatever and maybe one other hardware synth.