Please read and give your input! (NEWBIE)

Hey whats up guys?
Ok I'm NEW to this whole DJing thing... I wanted to start because I heard of this DJ named "Araabmuzik" and he made me want to start making my own ideas into hip-hop beats or dubstep..any music really.
I need to know everything I need to make beats!
Please refrain from using slang or DJ talk because I won't understand what you're saying and it will not help me.
I bought a AKAI MPD18 for like $100 or something, About a year ago...I've yet to make any beats with it.

Do I need a laptop to use an MPC? which MPC is the best for Hip-Hop & Electro music?

Where can I buy the MPC(s)?

How many do I need?

What programs(If any) do I need to make music?

Basically I want to make free-style beats.

Please keep the advise as simple as possible, I have a learning disability but once I fully understand something I'll be able to be good at it.
And yes I've read MANY MANY MANY forum posts/websites/Q&A's about this stuff but I either can't get a straight answer or I can't understand the terms the people used in their feedback.


Thank you community for all feedback!

Do I need a laptop to use an MPC?
No

which MPC is the best for Hip-Hop & Electro music?
All of them.

Where can I buy the MPC(s)?
Internet, stores, people.

How many do I need?
As many or as little as you need to fullfill your dream.

What programs(If any) do I need to make music?
I use no programs to "make" music. What you choose to use is up to you.

Basically I want to make free-style beats.
Okay

Find gear your interested in. Read up on it's capabilities and weaknesses. Once you have a good handle on that go for it. If you don't know about YOUR gear you'll be spinning your wheels and going NOWHERE.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Production_Center

Read that to understand a little bit more what MPC's are and do. There's also a comparison chart on that page.

Youtube can also be a great source for info.

A few music software programs I would suggest to get info on:

Reason
Fruityloops
Ableton Live
Logic
Pro Tools
Reaper

Download demo versions and try them out with the MPD.

Youtube and Google will be your teacher, master, instructor and tutor.

Do I need a laptop to use an MPC?
No

which MPC is the best for Hip-Hop & Electro music?
All of them.

Where can I buy the MPC(s)?
Internet, stores, people.

How many do I need?
As many or as little as you need to fullfill your dream.

What programs(If any) do I need to make music?
I use no programs to "make" music. What you choose to use is up to you.

Basically I want to make free-style beats.
Okay

Find gear your interested in. Read up on it's capabilities and weaknesses. Once you have a good handle on that go for it. If you don't know about YOUR gear you'll be spinning your wheels and going NOWHERE.

Okay so I don't need a laptop I got that.

I have 2 speakers(Not sure what brand but their loud and expensive) that plug into the headphone jack..... Does the mpc have one of those so I can plug my speakers in?

Lampdog wrote:I **** up.

Ren, Elements, Studio NEED a computer as they are mere, simply, just, controllers without a brain.
You need to read up on gear you want.

60 thru 5000 don't need a computer.
You need to read up on gear you want.

Headphone jack is for headphones.
You need to read up on gear you want.

Done.

I will read more about what I'm asking in this topic, But I thought I'd try a forum where people know what their talking about, First. Thanks for the info brotha man.

Lampdog wrote: After all it's your money, spend it wisely.

Research, research and more research.... No point spend money on things you think you need, only to find out you don't actually need them.

Menco wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Production_Center

Read that to understand a little bit more what MPC's are and do. There's also a comparison chart on that page.

Youtube can also be a great source for info.

A few music software programs I would suggest to get info on:

Reason
Fruityloops
Ableton Live
Logic
Pro Tools
Reaper

Download demo versions and try them out with the MPD.

Youtube and Google will be your teacher, master, instructor and tutor.

If you already have a laptop or desktop and a MPD (assuming you do), try demo of any or all of the above and use your MPD. Its a start and that is where you need to do with anything you desire... find starting point.

If you may want to 'try' MPC you could try one of the new software MPC's such as the Element or the MPC Studio which will be a small investment and get you up and running with minimal investment compared to buying even a 10 or 15 yr old hardware MPC.

If you want to try your hand at a hardware MPC, then you may want to take a look at MPC 1000, MPC 200XL. Again, Any of them will do but I am trying to get you up and running with small investment. After you get your feet wet you can decide which way to go from there. It might be other brand of sampler or keyboard workstation.

Go to local music store and get feel for what inspires you and not what producer X uses. Thats what works for him....