Production: 5 Basic Questions that I need answered.

[Pow3rs]

Hi!
I have reason 5 for software, novation launchpad for hardware (i originally got for djing with traktor) and a Midi Fighter pro (which I can also use to control Reason, no?) I have had reason 5 for a while but never learned how to use it.
1) What other MIDI devices that are fairly cheap should I get that would be better for beginner production?(was thinking like a MIDI Keyboard??) Maschine?
2) How do I map my hardware (hardware in general) to Reason?
3) How can I add some different sounds to reason? (aren't they called Refills?) where can i get them?
4) What about VST/ AU? do i need those? where can I get them? Free or paid for?
5) What else might I need to know that I might have missed?


THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Also to those of you that may have something negative to say about my knowledge of Production... YES I KNOW IT'S LITTLE TO NONE! THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR HELP!

[Tarekith]

1) What other MIDI devices that are fairly cheap should I get that would be better for beginner production?(was thinking like a MIDI Keyboard??) Maschine?

>>> You can't use Maschine inside Reason, since Reason doesnt support external VST or AU plug ins, just FYI. <<<

2) How do I map my hardware (hardware in general) to Reason?

>>> The instructions are in your Reason manual. <<<

3) How can I add some different sounds to reason? (aren't they called Refills?) where can i get them?

>>> Umm, the Propellorheads online store? <<<

4) What about VST/ AU? do i need those? where can I get them? Free or paid for?

>>> See my first answer. <<<

5) What else might I need to know that I might have missed?

>>> Patience and the ability to learn to google. <<<

[Pow3rs]

1) What other MIDI devices that are fairly cheap should I get that would be better for beginner production?(was thinking like a MIDI Keyboard??) Maschine?

>>> You can't use Maschine inside Reason, since Reason doesnt support external VST or AU plug ins, just FYI. <<<

2) How do I map my hardware (hardware in general) to Reason?

>>> The instructions are in your Reason manual. <<<

3) How can I add some different sounds to reason? (aren't they called Refills?) where can i get them?

>>> Umm, the Propellorheads online store? <<<

4) What about VST/ AU? do i need those? where can I get them? Free or paid for?

>>> See my first answer. <<<

5) What else might I need to know that I might have missed?

>>> Patience and the ability to learn to google. <<<

Thanks for the answers!
Would Maschine be better than Reason?
I know about the propellor heads online store, I got the free ones but was looking for others outside of that
I'll fire the old Google up and see what I can find!

[padi_04]

Maschine is not a full blown DAW (yet), so it's not in the same category as Reason.

[botstein]

HOLD UP let's not forget that does not support VST or AU plugins. Maschine actually does - it supports the NI plugins (Komplete, etc) really nicely.

[soundinmotiondj]

Maschine is not a full blown DAW (yet), so it's not in the same category as Reason.

+1

For a beginner I am often torn between "get simple(r) tools and focus on the craft" -vs- "get professional tools that won't get in your way as you learn."

Since you are asking about how to map midi into software, and how to add samples...I would suggest you stick to more tightly integrated HW & SW tools. That will get you "playing around" much faster. Maschine Mikro Mk 1 is about $200. NI offers really tight integration between the hardware and software. It comes with the latest Maschine software, and will let you start playing "out of the box." There are a LOT of tutorial videos, and options. After 6 months or a year....you will be in a much better position to know how you want to work as you produce.

[botstein]

+1

For a beginner I am often torn between "get simple(r) tools and focus on the craft" -vs- "get professional tools that won't get in your way as you learn."

Since you are asking about how to map midi into software, and how to add samples...I would suggest you stick to more tightly integrated HW & SW tools. That will get you "playing around" much faster. Maschine Mikro Mk 1 is about $200. NI offers really tight integration between the hardware and software. It comes with the latest Maschine software, and will let you start playing "out of the box." There are a LOT of tutorial videos, and options. After 6 months or a year....you will be in a much better position to know how you want to work as you produce.

I very strongly disagree that 6 months or an entire year are necessary to go from one level to the next. It is so much quicker and easier to learn on the real tools.

Learning to add samples to Maschine only takes a minute. Basic midi mapping (in Ableton especially) takes about the same to learn.

However, I certainly love Maschine, and it is well integrated with NI's software.

[soundinmotiondj]

I very strongly disagree that 6 months or an entire year are necessary to go from one level to the next. It is so much quicker and easier to learn on the real tools.

This is not about one level to the next. This is about the larger cycle of learning new tools, using the tools, fighting with the tools, and changing to new(er) tools. The important part is to start. Do something. The tools can be changed over time. The "6 months to a year" time frame is not to learn the tools....it was to learn the tools, and then using the tools to do something "interesting" a couple of times.

[ksandvik]

The fastest way, me thinks, is to get in touch with a friendly producer that knows all this and she or he could show you how it all works and answer questions on the stop. Would save you 4-6 months of googling and mistakes...

[Pow3rs]

I started messing around with reason just putting in notes with my computer and Launchpad, but where can I find some more dirty dutch/ house/ electro samples and one shots for making music?