Chris,
My advice would be to take careful stock of what you currently have, and
build from there. If you're writing e-mail, I'm assuming you have a
computer of some sort. The next step, then, would probably be a piece of
sequencing software. There are freeware sequencers for the PC (Jazz is
supposedly the best freeware/shareware sequencer out there, but it's more
like a full-featured "standard" sequencer). There are also sequencers like
the VAZ program, which have a software synth as part of the package
(similar to Rebirth, with a more powerful synth, but no drums) and Seq-303
(no synth, but the ability to use your soundcard's built-in instruments,
assuming it has some). I personally sequence on the Mac, but I don't know
if there are any shareware/freeware sequencers available for Mac (an older
version of a current package might be a good way to go for affordability;
I got my copy of Studio Vision Pro used, which made it much cheaper than
buying it new).
Next, my advice would be to get yourself a keyboard and drum machine or
sampler. I'm writing this all from an affordabilty perspective, being not
too far out of college to understand a low budget of music making. My
recommendation would be a Casio CZ-101 or CZ-1000 keyboard, and maybe
something like an Akai S-950 or Ensoniq Mirage sampler. The CZ-101 is
usually around $100, and the S-950 or Mirage will be between $200-$300 or
so. With this setup, you'll have the keyboard for melodies and noises, and
the sampler for drums, loops, etc. This setup definitely has its
limitations, such as not having a large number of synth voices (the cz-101
will play 8 notes at once, but only using the same sound. You can set it
up to play 4 notes with one sound and 4 with another, but it's not quite
as straightforward). The Mirage is a great synth/sampler: it has analogue
filters, it's pretty easy to find (at least, over the net), and you can do
drums, sounds, loops, whatever, as long as you can get the sound into the
board (either sampling your own sounds or loading them in off disk, or
getting sounds/samples off the net & dumping them to the board).
So, now that you have a sequencer, a keyboard to sequence, and something
to play drums/loops/whatever, you can start making music. You can start,
off course, with just a keyboard, or just a drum machine, or just a
sampler, or just software for that matter. My advice is to make a small
investment initially, see if you like it, and then assess what limitations
your current setup has. Things to expand into after the basic rig I
described would be a mixing board (if you DJ you can get away with using
your DJ board at first), an effects unit (the Zoom 1201 & 1204 are
especially good starter units, both under $250 brand new, and cheaper
used), and something to record onto (can be your computer if it's fast
enough, otherwise a DAT recorder is the industry standard, generally
speaking).
Hope this helps,
Bill / dj marathon
quoted 28 lines Hello all!
>
>
> Hello all!
>
> I was hoping you kind folks out in idm-land would be able to help me
> out. After years of listening to more or less idm-related music, I've
> decided that I'd like to try my hand at it! Only thing is, I really have no
> idea as to what sort of equipment I'd want to be investing in in order to
> get started. Essentially, my reference points for the sounds I'd hope to be
> able to produce would be along the lines of the new Boards of Canada CD, or
> some older Autechre (circa 'Amber'). Any suggesstions as to what I should
> be looking at to start - and then build from there? I've had the
> opportunity to play around a bit with a friend's copy of ReBirth and I have
> to say that it was somewhat impressive, but maybe a little bit limited for
> what I want to do - I'm not really sure. Any help would be most
> appreciated!
>
> Chris
>
> np: Tortoise 'Remixes'
>
> 'The true way leads along a tightrope not stretched aloft but just above the
> ground. It seems designed more to trip one than to be walked along.'
>
>
>
>
>
--
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connect: 313.sigma6.com
http://www.hu.mtu.edu/~wdvanloo/personal/