After producing tracks for years, this is a question I get asked
all the time. So I have a stock answer: Use your computer by
itself for a while. Decide what you like, before you spend any
major change on the deal.
If you have a decent PC (Pentium II + large hard disk) a complete
production setup would be:
Soundcard : Creative/Ensoniq Audio PCI $45
CDR Kit : (get scsi with some decent burning software) $350
Sonic Foundry Acid Music: $70
Sonic Foundry Sound Forge Xp: $110
So I count that out as $575.
For raw source material, start from your own CD collection, and
stuff from the internet. Acid allows you to lay out tracks using
sample loops and one shot sounds. It allows you to pitch samples,
and will time stretch things to the track tempo automatically.
Sound Forge XP is the entry level of Sound Forge, which is a brilliant
program for editing and mangling sounds. It is missing stuff from the
complete version that you may eventually wish you had, but there is an
upgrade path from Sonic Foundry.
If you really have the bug and want to go further, you can do a ton
with Martin Fay's VAZ Modular. It may take you a while to suss it out,
but in the end it's really straightforward, and has a killer step sequencer.
It's a completely open-ended sound generation and sample mangling tool.
He also has a version that is a prepatched monosynth you can use for free.
Check on www.software-technology.com. -- Vaz is free, Vaz Plus is $35,
and Vaz Modular is $210.
Loads has been said about Rebirth, and while it's a cool program, and perhaps
worthwhile to get started, I really encourage people to try and explore
sound design and sequencing in ways that encourages individuality. Making
stuff that sounds like everybody else is an empty exercise.
Beyond this 'entry level' setup, you can start thinking about buying other
gear, but don't rush into anything. The first building blocks can keep
you busy for quite some time.
On Mon, 11 Jan 1999, `Pietro wrote:
quoted 25 lines I'm sure someone out there could help me out.
>
> I'm sure someone out there could help me out.
> I've been thinking about making music of my
> own lately, and was wondering what computer
> programs i should look into before purchasing
> anything. Eventually i'll look into finding a
> used keyboard, sampler, synth's and a drum-machine,
> but for now, i'd like to screw around with some
> sounds on my computer. Just to see where it takes
> me...
>
> I'd like to compose tracks that are similar to Ae,
> U-Ziq, MBM, Photek, FSOL, Plaid, SQ, Purple Penguin,
> Vibert, and all the digital noise in between. Just
> so you know what direction i'm talking about...
>
> I'm not interested in spending HUGE amounts of
> cash on software that i'll never learn (fully),
> i'd just like a program that will be able to manipulate
> and record sounds that have been floating in my head
> all these years...
>
> ANY input would be GREAT, and PLEASE reply off-list.
> Thanks in advance...
>