Hey there’s DJ’s. First of all I used the forum search engine, and didn’t come up with an answer I was looking for. If you don’t want to hear my lil story, and just want to answer my questin, skip to the next paragraph. I am a beginner, and really just make misc as a hobby, as I love it but no good and well I couldn’t make a living from it, nor am I going to try so I’m not your competition. I am strictly hip-hop. Right now I use a program with keys on the screen, don’t remember what it’s called, but it’s junk. I want a real synthesizer keyboard, but don’t know about all the features they have and what’s good and what’s crap. Nothing would cruch me more than to buy and then see people online knocking it and calling it :my first keyboard" or something like that.
Here’s what I’m looking for> a keyboard with synthesizer capabilites, I don’t know if they are one in the same or if two units it ideal or what. I would prefer one.
-I would like it to have many sounds where I can make the keys anywhere from a piano to a fart to the sound of wind.
-it must be compatiblw with windows 7 and ideal for a computer.
-This is mainly for making beats. I would like to be able to strat with a simple drumline, run it back, add sounds, loop etc. I would also like some form of auto tune.
-I want great software of course.
Any more criteria ?'s let me know. I appreciate it in advance, I’d like to make this my new go to spot, and hope to be able to giveback/shar info in the future.
-Any comments welcome. Wel’ll flames are not welcome, but I will still rerad them and consider.
You are trying to get a lot by spending like pennies. I understand you are doing this as a hobby, but its not going to be a cheap hobby for you. I would save up some money, get a good computer, get a decent midi controller, and buy some solid VSTs. The way I am suggesting is going to be the cheapest method, and even that is going to run you around $1,000 if you do it right.
If you want to buy a real keyboard with sounds etc, you are not going to find somethng that is “good” under $500. You can certainly find a keyboard under $500, but its not going to be what you are looking for.
you can find lots of cheap and trial software out there. research man, research. google “computer music masterclass”
forget about just using only a keyboard.
Dang, thanks alot for your help. It’s benn a bit for a reply because the comp at my house doesn’t support the forum. I’m going to do some research and even check out some of these instruments. Keep the suggestions coming.
*I’m not really trying to spend pennies. I am willing to pay upward of $500 for a used instrument, Of course, that is 50,000 pennies.
I can sell you a use minimoog voyager for $2,000. Its a rack mount. I am not sure what you think you will find in the $500 range, but that is pennies for this kind of stuff. If you want quality you need to spend serious money. My TR909 sold for over $1,000 on ebay, and it was old… Like I stated earlier, this is not a cheap hobby. As everyone is stating, the cheapest most cost effective route for you would be a solid computer and some vsts…
You don’t need a moog at all. You don’t need vintage analog synthesizers. Alesis, Korg, and Akai all make great synthesizers for under a grand, and a few under $500.
Any thoughts on a KORG microkorg? Thinking about getting that with some good software. Can anyone tell me what I would be missing out on maybe buying a $250-$400 microkorg or Yamaha? I don’t need output other than to computer. Thanks for the help thus far.
Cool as expensive hardware is (especially vintage synths)… honestly a simple controller + a good DAW with VST’s is all you need to do Anything//&/Anyone that says your wasting your money on something like that is just a high fidelity, low concept artest..not the best means of ethic to follow as an artest.. dude even using FL Studio & freeware VST’s you can cut sick demos as long as you put your heart in it. Abletons probably the best DAW to date, Komplete probably the best set of VST’s, & ANY midi controller will work with BOTH. Don’t let big business get you dick whipped man, just work from your soul.
I agree with LiveFast, you don’t need a fancy set of keys. Any midi keyboard is good enough and thay come pretty cheap if you go used.
As for the DAW, look around try some demos and think about expansion before you invest (I recommend Live Lite as you get a great taste of what it can do and a lot of samples, and if you upgrade your cost is almost completely covered.). If your Mac, just start playing with GarageBand. It has lots of AppleLoops (you need to download the free expansion) and with the midi keyboard you can get a lot done.
Remember to just enjoy it, you are making something from you for all of us to enjoy (and hopefully go nuts over on the dance floor).
As everyone is stating, the cheapest most cost effective route for you would be a solid computer and some vsts…