What should I do?
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  1. #1
    Tech Wizard
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    Default What should I do?

    Hey guys let me tell you a little bit about my situation. So I live in Chicago and I've been to one music festival, Ultra 2013, and am 18 years old. Honestly all I can think about every day is producing music and eventually DJing but I dont have any money nor do I have any equipment. I have a girlfriend who loves EDM as much as I do and we planned on going to 3 festivals together this summer, EDC Chicago, Spring Awakening, and North Coast. I already have all of my tickets however lately I've been wondering whether I should sell all my tickets and buy equipment and chase my dream now or hold off on getting my equipment and go to the festivals. All I think about it making my music and at the same time I love the experience of festivals.

    I could sell each ticket for about $200 each and save an extra $100 each just from not attending (ie. food/souvenirs)
    Is there a compromise I can make to do both?

    I'm just looking for some opinions from you guys as to what I should do, all help is appreciated.

    The gear I plan on buying by the way is
    -M Audio Axiom 49
    -Either Ableton 9 or FL Studio
    -Traktor S4
    -Midi Fighter 3D

    Any advice on gear is greatly appreciated as well.

    EDIT:
    Okay guys I'm convinced and I will be going to all the festivals this summer, HOWEVER this does not mean I dont have the money to buy any equipment. This isnt a hobby that I just wanna do I honestly want to put the time and effort into making music and I wanna learn how to get started. What I'm asking now is what would be good starting equipment/software for Producing music, not DJing. I want to focus on producing music then eventually DJ. I'm already hooked on trying Ableton but what other software/hardware would be a good purchase to go with? Any MIDI keyboards you guys recommend?


    EDIT 2: So now it's between M-Audio Axiom 49 + Ableton 9 Intro or Ableton Push + Ableton 9 Intro

    But I just thought I'd share a little bit about myself this time

    I've played the french horn and flute growing up as well as sang however I'm not gonna say that I have a strong musical background whatsoever. Honestly I've watched two of my cousins DJ over the years and I've always been lost on what I wanted to do until I went to Ultra 2013 with one of those two cousins who came back from the navy to go with me. Honestly when I hear music played I honestly close my eyes and all I think of is taking all the music I hear in my head and making it come to life. It's the only thing I ever was sure of that I wanted to do with my life. Everyday all I do is plan out how I can save up to get equipment and to get started and everyday I worry about being able to work enough to get the equipment I want. People on the thread are saying to start off really small in case you dont like it after a while but honestly its all I think about doing, its all my girlfriend hears me talk about and the first time I actually found equipment and stuff just to mess around with at a store I literally stood there for over an hour just playing with it trying to figure it out to learn. I can't put it into words but it's what I'm meant to do I just know it. I come home everyday disappointed that I dont have the equipment to to make everything I want to make and I'll sit at home or in my car for hours just listening to all kinds of songs just getting ideas of what I'd eventually want to put into one of my own songs one day.

    The genres that I'm most interested in are Electro House, Progressive House, Trance, and Tech House. I honestly like most EDM besides Trap.

    This is all I ever think about and this is the only way I'm able to put it into words for you on how serious I am about it.
    Last edited by Drade; 05-06-2013 at 09:56 PM.

  2. #2
    Tech Guru DubluW's Avatar
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    You're in a rare position of having plenty of time and festivals to go to! Fuck the gear, spend your time in the sun and get to those festivals!

    Winter months are made for jobs and money expenditure when you aren't outside!
    A+H DB4, Technics 1210's x2, F1, X1MK2 x2, MaschineMk2, Akai LPK 25, MF3D, XDJ-1000 x2.

  3. #3
    Tech Convert
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    Lots of questions spring to mind:
    - How much of a musical background (ever played instruments, music theory knowledge?)
    - How knowledgeable are you about 'EDM', what genres do you like especially?
    - How much do you truly love music?
    - No disrespect, but how serious are you? That's a lot of money to spend from the get go.

  4. #4
    Tech Guru MYE's Avatar
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    Just use the demo version of ableton until you have the money to buy the full version
    Techno Producer and Dj//Upcoming releases on Discovery Records and other labels//Australia//https://soundcloud.com/mrmye

  5. #5
    Tech Guru dj gullum's Avatar
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    I would also recomand going to those festivals and have a fantastic summer. This producer/DJ crunch might not last. So you could end up with gear you will not use for a long time and a summer without any fun.
    And you would not need the Midifighter 3D for starting you could use the drum pads on they keyboard instead.
    Or just sell one of the tickets and you are close to getting the M-Audio and Live intro witch should be fine for learning and basic production. You can always upgrate later on.
    DJ setup 1 - Pioneer XDJ-Aero, Pioneer DDJ-SP1, Mixvibes Cross, Macbook Air 13", Pioneer HDJ 2000. DJ setup 2 - NI Kontrol F1, Z1, X1mkII, Traktor Pro2, Macbook Air 13", Pioneer HDJ 2000 w. Production - iMac 21.5", Motu 828x, Icon Qcon Pro + EX, Nektar Panorama P4, Propellerhead Reason, Mashine Mikro(drum programer in Reason)

  6. #6
    Tech Guru squidot's Avatar
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    well first, i think it's a jerk move to make plans with your girlfriend to see these shows then sell all the tix or cancel on her because you want to buy stuff. even if she's supportive of you, it's still something that reflects badly on your part. go to the shows, enjoy the experience, and let it get you more excited to get on the other side of the audience.

    as mye says you can demo ableton for a full month with no limitations. that might also stretch into 3 months if they allow 1 month for each version (ie intro, normal, suite)...not sure on this though. you can also get into production with almost no money as ableton intro is less than $100. you can also upgrade to normal or suite (with a discount) once you have the money and have hit the limitations. as a beginner, intro will offer you plenty to get going. i personally think it's better to have limits when starting, but that's just me. if you really need a midi keyboard, then just wait for a good deal on craigslist for something. i got an mpk 49 for $120.

    also, i wouldn't jump right in and buy all that gear you posted. either pick djing or producing to start with and focus on that for a while until you get comfortable then add the other. if i were you i would start with producing since it's going to be the cheaper of the options and it sounds like you have no budget at this point in your life. you can also start off quicker if you don't have a lot of tracks in your library already. djing takes a long time to accumulate good songs in order to play out live.

    just my 2 cents and some food for thought.
    tsp 2.5 | vci-400 ege | mfspectra | kontrol x1s | rokit 8s (ferrari grey) | krk 10 sub | audio 8
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    thread of free music

  7. #7
    Tech Wizard
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    Sorry i worded it wrong, i already made all these festival and by myself and then i just started dating this girl recently and i met her when i went to ultra and she wants to be with me at the festivals. Her and I never planned anything together.

  8. #8
    Tech Mentor robbyluca's Avatar
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    Break up with your girlfriend and you'll have a lot more money for your gear.

  9. #9
    Tech Guru
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    Quote Originally Posted by robbyluca View Post
    Break up with your girlfriend and you'll have a lot more money for your gear.
    And you won't feel guilty macking all the groupies.
    Kontrol S4Senn HD 25-1Kontrol F1

  10. #10
    Tech Guru SirReal's Avatar
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    % chance that you'll become a famous DJ, .02. % chance that you're currently dating the girl who you'll spend your life with, 30.0. Knowing the odds?, PRICELESS.
    "Walking the fine line between Stupidity and Genious" My Soundcloud ---- My Mixcloud
    MBP Retina 2015--TSP 2.10--2xDNSC5000--2xDNSC2900--2xDNSC2000--NI F1--Denon DN-X1700--HDJ2000--Stanton STR8-80--QSC K12's--Crown Amplifier--Urei Monitors

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