The best studio is well thought out hybrid system. Even most analog standalone gear talks to each other digitally today. I wouldn’t suggest anyone go fully standalone unless you have disposable income.
Another word is tell the youngins is PLANNING. You have to really be dedicated to the plan of a song composition so you know WHEN and WHERE you are placing sounds instrumental parts etc great vid per usual brudda
As someone who started all standalone and rocked that way for a minute but then transitioned to all ITB.. at this point I feel a hybrid setup is the way to go. That way you have the best of both worlds.
I got a real minimal setup at home. My desktop, a laptop for recording on the go, my audient interface and a yamaha workstation. I got tired of getting new vsts and splice and sample packs. Ever since paring down, I've made more tracks and my tracks have sounded MUCH better. I still work in the box to enhance and mix my stuff, but I got no regrets.
One of the biggest drawbacks of standalone for me is recalling sessions. If your 100% analog all of your gear isn't going to have recall which means meticulous documentation of all settings.
@John-lv6uj this is where beatmakers differ from engineers, beatmakers only think of the instruments and sounds and not the mixing and post processing that needs to happen to make a consumer-ready song.
No matter what I’ll never go back to computer producing being stand alone shows actual talent the sound is different and there’s no limits man I love it mpc with a Yamaha montage and Roland fa06 as a backup board never going back
False. J.R Rotem has been making beats in Protools since the early 2000s. He rarely made beats on standalone hardware. My setup is a lot like his now that I'm Hybrid. I sequence my hardware sound modules in Studio One connected to my MOTU MIDI interface. I moved away from MPC'S and Workstation keyboards just 7 months ago. I littery threw my MPC5000 out side to the garbage edumpster back in January. Your DAW is way more powerful and flexible than any standalone hardware made to. I can mix and match soft synths with my legacy hardware synths.
@@MS7.7 Because all the modern MPCs are peices of junk. They aren't even made by Akai. They are mass produced products made by Numark/InMusic. The real Japanese Akai company has been gone since 2005. The 5000 was problematic even when it was fist launch with software bugs. It was so bad the Just Blaze complained about it. Now they have a known issue with the power supplies going bad on them given it shares all the same parts as the Alesis Fusion HD keyboards that also have the same faulty power that would overheat and fail! Go figure! The classic sign of power supply failure on the 5000 is when it goes in a boot loop. I bought my 5000 in 2012 and it only last 8 years of my ownership which broke in 2020. It sat broke for 3 years before throwing it away 6 months ago which was the final nail the coffin to move away from standalone hardware sequencing all together. I lost 8 years worth of beats.
When I started moving out of the box I started with the Roland TR-8 drum machine and TB-3 bass synth, just to get my feet wet a little bit. It was a pretty cheap way to get started and I really enjoyed doing little jams and getting to know a little about the work flow.
This video was a wake up call! I use a DAW & MIDI to make music but I obviously want the MPC & some keyboards etc but this video definitely made me look at it differently! I’ll hold off until I get my money right!
Many keyboards are not needed bro. A DAW is the evolution to music production. It’s nice to have a bunch of nice toys but it’s not needed. But I can’t hate on hooking up an MPC to trigger sounds and samples… thats a nice setup and very versatile. 😎👍🏽
I agree I come from using MPC and keyboards now I use a DAW and MIDI and it's easier but I still enjoy using my keyboards and stuff and makes you have to be more creative I will say that.
Great vid and a heads up to those new to making music and thinking of this route. Being of a ripe age, I was into hardware before you could even buy a PC. I used to record anything and everything onto a 4 track reel to reel tape. And I'm sort of back there now, after a professional lifetime of working with computers. It's a true joy and very liberating. About 15 years ago I got into modular (the *real* rabbit hole) and did some great stuff... but as I lost focus and got fed up with arranging on screen, I decided to return to my roots, with all the modular and other gear aquired on the way. Hence MPC... the best sampler and best sequencer in one box. Steep learning curve. But in 5 or 6 weeks I have two really nice tracks that do not sound like anything else I've ever done. I was missing one sound... the wavetable stuff to add the sonic movement, so the Modwave is here now. Job done! I amprobably done with gear for a while..... never say never 😆
I’ll use whatever process I need to get the results I want. Maschine coupled with its software, MPC X in standalone, Tascam DP-24 multitrack recorder, and Studio One depending on what I need to do. It’s good to have options.
if it comes out raw on standalone i leave it alone if it needs a little spice i bring it to the daw every time i stick with one way i miss the other i need both to be honest !
You gave nothing but gems to them Bolo. All facts. From Learning curves, To patience, Equipment Failure, Once you get it you love it...Great video bro.
Great video! As someone who has a lot of standalone gear.. it was eye opening to stop and consider all the great points you made. Especially about patience.
As a keyboard player I agree with everything you said!!!! I’m learning AL coming from LPX!!! & as a traveling musician I’m always putting my boards in the shop!!!!
Absolutely spot on! Most of my stuff is Stand Alone, but I actually enjoy figuring it out knowing it will do what I need, I just have to think of it like a puzzle... makes it fun. But I fully endorse "reading the reference manual" and learning off platforms like this! Great video A+ 🙂
I was strictly a session drummer until 2 years ago when I bought my live 2, now I’m producing my own music proficiently. It’s worth the learning curve for sure
I used to be completely dawless, looks cool on stage, but now Im older, I sold it all and invested in a top production PC. Never looked back. The studio is easier to use and my needs are minimized. audio minimalism!
Yea, you're right I use only Fl studio but I see how easy it is to learn the sp404mk2 and also the Akai force and Mpc. I gain a lot of knowledge over sometime how to use them. So now Im ready cause at one time I have never been interested in none of the stuff at all. I became interested in them over time and have been using fl studio for 8years straight. Never thought about using anything else but for some reason, I became curious to challenge my mind and thinking.
Just picked up an MPC X SE and have no regrets. There is a learning curve, but I've already found the work flow a lot more productive. I'm actually making music and enjoying the process, which is what it's all about
The beauty about working with fully equipped synthesizers is that you can have one crazy bit of gear such as a Korg Triton and compose/produce on it and when you're done, you take that piece of gear to a professional studio where you do an audio and MIDI dump and get cracking with final touches, etc. It can save you a lot of money if you do it this way.
I learned on a phantom and a Triton then I went to software for a while now I'm back using standalone hardware. It wasn't hard for me going back and forth. I'm a mpc head now so I combined both hardware and using logic and mpc 2 software. I believe ever word he said is facts.
The Hybrid setup is always best if you're musically inclined. Im old school, start playing @ 9 guitar, joined bands since 6th grade. Started playing keys in late 70's. The 80's came MIDI was HERE!!! Alesis MMT8, DX7 IIFD, Roland 626 got me in the game of recording. Now I Have a MPC X, FL Studio, Studio One (Keyscape, Serum, Omnisphere, Spitfire Orchestras) Kronos, and 9 guitars and One 5 string Bass, HeadRush Floor, Helix Floor, 2 guitars are Variax, one being the Shuriken used with Helix Floor. Actual instrument playing and playing with the Digital realm are simply ENDLESS!!!! Also You MUST LEARN YOUR GEAR!!!!!
Back in my heyday of being in the music game where I was making good money (early to mid 2000s era)... My standalone setup was the MPC 2000 XL, KORG Triton, and Yamaha Motit ES. I eventually bought my MPC 2500 off of Araabmuzik (He was in my circle back in the day before he blew up)... I loved the standalone game and it taught me a lot, It definitely challenged me to learn the mechanics of the machines. But hese days my setup is more streamlined and more software /Vst based with a MIDI controller ..Studio One 5 and FL Studio 21 DAWS, Akai MPD28/MPK249, plenty of vsts to help me go for the sound I want.. I wouldn't say one experience was better than the other. I learned a lot from both... For me it eventually became more of a space thing like he said in the video.(still got my MPC 2500 in the storage facility though lol)
😂 I upgraded my mixer and I had to literally spend £400-500 on new XLR cables. I also had to buy a bloomin stagebox to keep everything plugged for 1K. It hurt
I'm a Ol head older than you I started on an EPs 16 plus, ASR 10, Roland 8, Yamaha Rx7,16 track reel to reel, Mpc 60, korg x3 workstation, korg triton. etc. before I got my first copy of logic on pc when Emagic owned it and I still sequenced and midi my equipment to it. Still thinking of getting a MPC key61 or the Korg nautilus.
this is exactly how i started back in the day when computers were CRAZY expensive!! got some gear again, i really wish you would have touched on MIDI! hell if i can remember how to midi chain lol, thats MY BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE!!!!
Agreed 💯 … This only applies to new producers us OG’s producers was raised knowing this is the go to equipment and the way you produce/Make beats. PS: I do both Stand-alone and Virtual instruments!
My production career predates Pro Tools being the go to thing. I started on a Korg N364 and a Roland VS-1880... then moved to the MPC 2KXL and the Roland XV 3080 and XV5080 sound modules that I still love and am about to pick one up again. For me it's just something about the sound and the fullness of producing music OTB. It also teaches you "HOW" to produce as you stated ..." You have to think a little bit more" about how you want to lay out the song and if you don't have patience to see the process all the way through then don't waste your money...
Patience and money are the two biggest points on this list. The money is necessary to buy the instrument. And like any instrument, patience is key in learning to use it.
Transfers are the only downside to stand alone equipment. As the amount of analog outputs on your stand alone gear will limit you to how many transfers you can do in a single pass. Which I never had an issue.
Just last night I was looking for what kind of Mouse is best.. I use Logic and Reasons... and then I say at around 5:50 you help up a mouse with a track ball. What model is that mouse? Just found your video a few weeks ago and I'm really digging what you're bringing and how you're bringing it! I will support.
Yes, cable spaghetti, troubleshooting bad cables, noise issues, ground loops, etc..., and setting everything up is no fun. However, the reward you get in return after that is done is the hours/days of enjoyment you get while MAKING the music with REAL instruments instead of just mousing around with software. I also must mention the sound you get out of hardware is phenomenal!! Also, make sure you get an interface with enough inputs and outputs to track out ALL of your instruments in one pass and monitor them (BTW, this can get really, really expensive). Otherwise, you'll end up going through the tedious process of tracking things out in multiple passes, (sometimes one by one depending on your situation, like if you have an interface with just one pair of stereo analog inputs!!) which is also no fun. An alternative would be to get a really good mixer with plenty of input channels and just run everything through that, mix it all down on the mixer and record the mixdown beat to another recording device. Some mixers have a recorder built in that will let you record straight to SD card, like the Tascam Model series. I'm not sure, but I think it is capable of recording each of the channels as separate tracks too (multitrack recording). Is this true Bolo? Can this be done with your Model 12? As far as equipment failures go, computers can fail too. Hard drives crash too where you can lose EVERYTHING (if you didn't back it up). So it all goes with the territory. I've been using hardware for years and rarely had equipment failures. I think the biggest equipment failure I've ever had was when my old Tascam M3700 32-channel analog mixing console died on me. However, it was time for me to upgrade anyway since it akready lost most it's value and it would've been too expensive to repair. I upgraded to a new Tascan DM4800 digital console later on (circa 2012). Today, I usr a MOTU AVB rack rig running into Protools. However, in the past, I have had computer hard drive crashes on me in which I've lost several beats....more than once!!!!! That SUCKS more than anything!!!! Backup, backup, BACKUP!!!!!! All that said, I have to agree with Bolo here, hardware is very expensive. If you simply don't have the budget for it, a laptop and software is the most economical way to go these days. It wouldn't be nearly as fun or inspiring for me though, but it will get the job done with professional sounding results "IF" you know what you are doing.
I left the standalone world back in January after going Hybrid when my MPC 5000 broke. My setup is very much like Producer J.R Rotem a true Hybrid setup of both hardware and soft vst synths. I sequence my legacy hardware sound module synth collection in Studio One Pro along with my modern soft synths like Omnisphere, NI Komplete 14.. J.R Rotem rarely made beats on standalone hardware has he always have sequenced the MIDI of his hardware synths in the Protools. We both have our hardware synths connected to MOTU MIDI interfaces.
I started out stand-alone hardware then incorporated Protools LE and MBox2 then over the years tried to do straight software and couldn’t do it. This issue now especially with my MPC is soon as you buy one Akai pops out with another version shortly after.
I am fully integrated in both I have the MPC X, and the MPC live two the Akai advance 61 and the Akai advance 25 among other pieces of gear. I also am fully mobile and can go to other studios and work what you’re saying is very true.
I been using Maschine only. I have the maschine ultimate and the maschine plus but im not a fan of the sounds. Im from new orleans but i feel native instruments dont have nothing dark and im very repetitive so its been a struggle being creative. Also i have the rokkit 8's
I actually started out with a standalone setup and later started working with a computer. But actually preferred working with my standalone better. I was way more creative and productive. Which is probably the opposite of most producers. There's just something about working building and composing on the instrument itself that's second nature for me.
if you click it in, i might suggest to try finger drumming on a cheap midi controller before dropping 1k and see if you enjoy it first. if you find you aren’t into finger drumming there are step sequencer drum machines. it can be done on the mpc but having it run across 16 pads isn’t as straightforward.
Definitely practice patience with that 404MK2, I noticed a lot of people ain't picking up on it as fast as they think they should. Just give yourself time and practice with it.
That's a small mind my man! You have so much more within sound than what rap uses. Guess it all falls under producers, but still a broad term to call real 😂
Truth .. I live in a small studio apartment... i just got my MPC key 61 , have my Motif Es6 .. My other beat boxes ... SMH .. I ran out of space around my work area ..
Even with stuff like iPad production I think a lot of people don’t take the time to learn all of the capabilities of the devices and applications they’re working with. It’s hard for me to justify, but I really want to go back to the Octatrack workflow. The iPad obviously is way more powerful but there’s just something about the way I made the beats on there that I wrote totally different music.
You ain't never lie, brother. I started on hardware and believe me the difference is huge this is not for everyone you have to be patient and really creative.
He’s telling facts I’m blessed to have a hole room for my recording studio with lots of gear that cost the price of a home. This is coming from a OG he knows what he’s talking. Creative thinking also goes on how you set up your gear it controls your work flow. And get use to your gear it will take months and years to get comfortable to your gear. And experiment till you get it that means music theory. And yes approach it with it going to be hard. You get the respect for it. If you think it’s easy and going to be easy. You will give up quickly. But just don’t give up it’s not for the weak.
The iPad is my standalone product 😂😭 but FR it’s the computer and touch device I needed my whole career. Everything else feels like a plug in or add on.
Stand alone is where I came from. It’s much better sounding. Yes it’s harder to pick up. I had a session yesterday for the first time using my One Plus and man did it take a while lol. But seriously I got through it and got the beat done. They just had to request a dang on sample beat at that lol.
You should mention routing and signal processing…. multiple mixers, preamps, compression, eq, power conditioners and effects. Necessary stuff but not as instantly gratifying as instruments and beat machines.
This was a good video. But I will say that the standalone world is struggling because the devices can’t compete with a laptop/MIDI controller/DAW set up for price/performance and in some cases, that setup is more powerful per specs. I see how these standalone devices are appealing but they don’t make sense in a lot of cases because of a lack of power relative to what laptop/midi/daw can do
No lies were told in this video. Believe it or not im 23, been on Flstudio since elementary school (Flstudio 8 xxl producer edition) and wanted to go dawless. I bought the mpc live 2 months ago and the first 2 weeks was hell 😂😂 but im also stubborn and i love learning new sht. Long story short, i sat down with my MPC every day and now im making the same music i was clicking in on FL, on the MPC. And its a flex because everyone is on FL now, so when i bring my mpc in the room its a "Wowser" to everyone. Especially when i play beats that sound like they're supposed to be made in FL 😈😈
i cant see having multiple items that do the same thing then having equipment now sitting in the corner ive been doing music for years i started out with hardware after i got into software my roland xp80 workstation keyboard started not getting used much which i hate that i sold lol but to have. but to have 4 diffrent akai groove boxes a maschine and 5 keayboards or more is nuts.
when I started making beats in 05 there is no choice but to go hardware you sound a little bit more polish if you take 1 year of music theory You sound like your favorite platinum producers but a lot of your favorite produces that new music theory, actually hired musicians he takes a lot of practice, but it’s worth it I feel 💎💎💎💪🏾💪🏾 I couldn’t afford a lot of the VST’s back then
Wassup Bolo!! I wrote for like ten minutes and deleted for another five just to say this: your videos they are extremely informative and helpful! I wanna say that hopefully after my first year of this journey I hope to make it to your studio to collaborate and of course cook up that fire!! 🔊💯💯🙏
Talk that shit bruh! Analog gear ain't for everybody...and with any instrument to get the hang of it..u gotta have patience! I bought my first Triton in '99...but here lately I switched up to Logic Pro..but in my opinion...you can't beat Analog...the textures the feel, and it's definitely easier to get that "swing" than it is on computer which is my only gripe about computer based production..
Dealing with (and the logistics of) power cords, power strips, wall warts, midi cables, usb cables, network cables, audio cables and speaker cables running to and from Mixers, amps, pedal boards, and anything that has to be plugged in (AND making sure your cables are long enough cause buying longer cables ain't cheap), having dedicated circuits for your equipment (overloading a circuit in the middle of a session ain't fun, especially if you haven't recently saved your project), higher electric bills (everything lit up in your studio looks cool but it costs 🤑) placement of racks, stands, and desks to hold everything, sound proofing your studio area, everything that Bolo Da Producer already said, family, friends, neighbors, clients, etc. Other than that, it's all good!👍🏿 😁👍🏿
I really have been getting father and father away from my mpc x lately…. Just really love all the possibilities with software… feel like my beats aren’t as repetitive and more dynamic and just in general better on software. Yes it does take more work too get it too sound how I want it too but once I get it too sound as good as hardware the beats are almost always better.
Totally agree. I have a combination of standalone and in the box and switch between the two. Standalone will really test you. Especially with time. Things will take a little longer... Great video. 🙂
I just got a Maschine MK3 and an FL Key 37, and I will say one thing that caught me by suprise is the stereotype of "the machines do the work for you" is really not true at all, just like every instrument its gonna take time to learn how to play on em 🤣🔥
I been there done that. I'm strictly inside the box, computer wise. I'm not going back to stand alone, no way. I have a main computer and a laptop and all that stuff I use to have, I have it in the computer; No cables, no racks, don't have to worry about space etc. I have the ultimate studio. I may do a vid on it. spin off from this vid.
Physical equipment is expensive and you won’t get close to what you spent when you try to sell it when you wanna downsize or get out the game completely.
Question. Why does my samples go off sync when I’m recording into my mpc. I have usb to my behringer poly d and korg modwave. Play in the midi and then when I record it’s off when I play it back as sample / loop it’s off beat Tried everything how do I fix the issue Without having to chop the sample
A "little more creative"? Dude, its 10 times the composing Energy, Motivation, durability and ANTI-Procrastination! I sperated my Workplace into 2 Regions. And since I have one only with: MODX, Verselab, Kurzweil PC3 and an old Alesis Fusion, triggert via Midi witjh an Cubasis* on my stone-edge Ipad 4...I AM WRITING SONGS (SOOOOONGS!!!!) again like a Teeny whos in love with his music Teacher. DO IT, BOLO!!!! (* so I can flip the file for Mixing and mastering into the DAW Corner to cabasew pro)
Also I had to get a new laptop after already downloading the software on the old laptop. Got the new same brand laptop acted it wanted to carry over the shortcuts once logged in my google account but it won’t load a page and the mpc studio shortcut. Also ilok manager mot there either so what does this mean… .. What does this mean? I gotta re download everything and loss the stuff I already been working on or is there a more efficient solution without losing the projects on old laptop??
OG i just started using real instruments and I have to say it boosted my creativity x3 to the point I just want to sit and play around to create melodies everyday. Once your fingers feel the vibrations from the instruments and you can do shit on the fly without any distractions, the creativity flows. B
just wondering, what hardware can I use for mixing and mastering on the MPC live 2? I'm really no good or patient with computers. anyone have any recommendations?
For a lot of folks who do get with it, it’s far more fun than putting in notes. The tactile feel as you create something on the fly feels so good!
@@keshermedia Everything isnt for everyone. What may work for you may not for everyone else.
@@keshermedial😊😊😊😊😊😊😊p
P
Ph9pp😢
Agreed
The best studio is well thought out hybrid system. Even most analog standalone gear talks to each other digitally today. I wouldn’t suggest anyone go fully standalone unless you have disposable income.
Another word is tell the youngins is PLANNING. You have to really be dedicated to the plan of a song composition so you know WHEN and WHERE you are placing sounds instrumental parts etc great vid per usual brudda
As someone who started all standalone and rocked that way for a minute but then transitioned to all ITB.. at this point I feel a hybrid setup is the way to go. That way you have the best of both worlds.
I got a real minimal setup at home. My desktop, a laptop for recording on the go, my audient interface and a yamaha workstation. I got tired of getting new vsts and splice and sample packs. Ever since paring down, I've made more tracks and my tracks have sounded MUCH better. I still work in the box to enhance and mix my stuff, but I got no regrets.
One of the biggest drawbacks of standalone for me is recalling sessions. If your 100% analog all of your gear isn't going to have recall which means meticulous documentation of all settings.
You can copy all the setting on any Analog Device and reload them.
@John-lv6uj maybe keyboards but not not compressors, preamps, most channel strips, eqs, etc etc.
@John-lv6uj this is where beatmakers differ from engineers, beatmakers only think of the instruments and sounds and not the mixing and post processing that needs to happen to make a consumer-ready song.
@@John-lv6uj I guarantee you, none of my analog gear has recall function.
True, but learn to use the MSB and LSB on ya midi gear. That way you can save sessions more efficiently
Cables cables cables……..that’s the true dark side
Man tell me about it!
Otherwise known as spaghetti :)
No matter what I’ll never go back to computer producing being stand alone shows actual talent the sound is different and there’s no limits man I love it mpc with a Yamaha montage and Roland fa06 as a backup board never going back
Right!!!!!!!!!!!
You are not wrong but you are not right either, Its a preference.
False. J.R Rotem has been making beats in Protools since the early 2000s. He rarely made beats on standalone hardware. My setup is a lot like his now that I'm Hybrid. I sequence my hardware sound modules in Studio One connected to my MOTU MIDI interface. I moved away from MPC'S and Workstation keyboards just 7 months ago. I littery threw my MPC5000 out side to the garbage edumpster back in January. Your DAW is way more powerful and flexible than any standalone hardware made to. I can mix and match soft synths with my legacy hardware synths.
@@eman0828 okay but why would you throw MPC5000? I'm team Daw but hardware is still special.
@@MS7.7 Because all the modern MPCs are peices of junk. They aren't even made by Akai. They are mass produced products made by Numark/InMusic. The real Japanese Akai company has been gone since 2005. The 5000 was problematic even when it was fist launch with software bugs. It was so bad the Just Blaze complained about it. Now they have a known issue with the power supplies going bad on them given it shares all the same parts as the Alesis Fusion HD keyboards that also have the same faulty power that would overheat and fail! Go figure! The classic sign of power supply failure on the 5000 is when it goes in a boot loop. I bought my 5000 in 2012 and it only last 8 years of my ownership which broke in 2020. It sat broke for 3 years before throwing it away 6 months ago which was the final nail the coffin to move away from standalone hardware sequencing all together. I lost 8 years worth of beats.
When I started moving out of the box I started with the Roland TR-8 drum machine and TB-3 bass synth, just to get my feet wet a little bit. It was a pretty cheap way to get started and I really enjoyed doing little jams and getting to know a little about the work flow.
This video was a wake up call! I use a DAW & MIDI to make music but I obviously want the MPC & some keyboards etc but this video definitely made me look at it differently! I’ll hold off until I get my money right!
Many keyboards are not needed bro. A DAW is the evolution to music production. It’s nice to have a bunch of nice toys but it’s not needed. But I can’t hate on hooking up an MPC to trigger sounds and samples… thats a nice setup and very versatile. 😎👍🏽
@@atmosfear3056 I agree
I agree I come from using MPC and keyboards now I use a DAW and MIDI and it's easier but I still enjoy using my keyboards and stuff and makes you have to be more creative I will say that.
@@JAYFULFILMZ what type music you make?
@@atmosfear3056 hip hop & r&b, I just started a few months ago though
Great vid and a heads up to those new to making music and thinking of this route.
Being of a ripe age, I was into hardware before you could even buy a PC. I used to record anything and everything onto a 4 track reel to reel tape. And I'm sort of back there now, after a professional lifetime of working with computers. It's a true joy and very liberating.
About 15 years ago I got into modular (the *real* rabbit hole) and did some great stuff... but as I lost focus and got fed up with arranging on screen, I decided to return to my roots, with all the modular and other gear aquired on the way.
Hence MPC... the best sampler and best sequencer in one box. Steep learning curve. But in 5 or 6 weeks I have two really nice tracks that do not sound like anything else I've ever done. I was missing one sound... the wavetable stuff to add the sonic movement, so the Modwave is here now. Job done! I amprobably done with gear for a while..... never say never 😆
All true my brother 💯
I’ll use whatever process I need to get the results I want. Maschine coupled with its software, MPC X in standalone, Tascam DP-24 multitrack recorder, and Studio One depending on what I need to do. It’s good to have options.
if it comes out raw on standalone i leave it alone if it needs a little spice i bring it to the daw every time i stick with one way i miss the other i need both to be honest !
Mannnn! I'm loving my MPCX, I had it since March 2021 🎧🔊🔊🎧🎹🥁 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
You gave nothing but gems to them Bolo. All facts. From Learning curves, To patience, Equipment Failure, Once you get it you love it...Great video bro.
Great video! As someone who has a lot of standalone gear.. it was eye opening to stop and consider all the great points you made. Especially about patience.
As a keyboard player I agree with everything you said!!!! I’m learning AL coming from LPX!!! & as a traveling musician I’m always putting my boards in the shop!!!!
I like using analog keyboards and recording them directly into the DAW
Absolutely spot on! Most of my stuff is Stand Alone, but I actually enjoy figuring it out knowing it will do what I need, I just have to think of it like a puzzle... makes it fun. But I fully endorse "reading the reference manual" and learning off platforms like this! Great video A+ 🙂
I was strictly a session drummer until 2 years ago when I bought my live 2, now I’m producing my own music proficiently.
It’s worth the learning curve for sure
I used to be completely dawless, looks cool on stage, but now Im older, I sold it all and invested in a top production PC. Never looked back. The studio is easier to use and my needs are minimized. audio minimalism!
Yea, you're right I use only Fl studio but I see how easy it is to learn the sp404mk2 and also the Akai force and Mpc. I gain a lot of knowledge over sometime how to use them. So now Im ready cause at one time I have never been interested in none of the stuff at all. I became interested in them over time and have been using fl studio for 8years straight. Never thought about using anything else but for some reason, I became curious to challenge my mind and thinking.
Just picked up an MPC X SE and have no regrets. There is a learning curve, but I've already found the work flow a lot more productive. I'm actually making music and enjoying the process, which is what it's all about
The beauty about working with fully equipped synthesizers is that you can have one crazy bit of gear such as a Korg Triton and compose/produce on it and when you're done, you take that piece of gear to a professional studio where you do an audio and MIDI dump and get cracking with final touches, etc.
It can save you a lot of money if you do it this way.
I learned on a phantom and a Triton then I went to software for a while now I'm back using standalone hardware. It wasn't hard for me going back and forth. I'm a mpc head now so I combined both hardware and using logic and mpc 2 software. I believe ever word he said is facts.
The Hybrid setup is always best if you're musically inclined. Im old school, start playing @ 9 guitar, joined bands since 6th grade. Started playing keys in late 70's. The 80's came MIDI was HERE!!! Alesis MMT8, DX7 IIFD, Roland 626 got me in the game of recording. Now I Have a MPC X, FL Studio, Studio One (Keyscape, Serum, Omnisphere, Spitfire Orchestras) Kronos, and 9 guitars and One 5 string Bass, HeadRush Floor, Helix Floor, 2 guitars are Variax, one being the Shuriken used with Helix Floor. Actual instrument playing and playing with the Digital realm are simply ENDLESS!!!! Also You MUST LEARN YOUR GEAR!!!!!
Back in my heyday of being in the music game where I was making good money (early to mid 2000s era)... My standalone setup was the MPC 2000 XL, KORG Triton, and Yamaha Motit ES. I eventually bought my MPC 2500 off of Araabmuzik (He was in my circle back in the day before he blew up)... I loved the standalone game and it taught me a lot, It definitely challenged me to learn the mechanics of the machines. But hese days my setup is more streamlined and more software /Vst based with a MIDI controller ..Studio One 5 and FL Studio 21 DAWS, Akai MPD28/MPK249, plenty of vsts to help me go for the sound I want.. I wouldn't say one experience was better than the other. I learned a lot from both... For me it eventually became more of a space thing like he said in the video.(still got my MPC 2500 in the storage facility though lol)
😂 I upgraded my mixer and I had to literally spend £400-500 on new XLR cables. I also had to buy a bloomin stagebox to keep everything plugged for 1K. It hurt
I'm a Ol head older than you I started on an EPs 16 plus, ASR 10, Roland 8, Yamaha Rx7,16 track reel to reel, Mpc 60, korg x3 workstation, korg triton. etc. before I got my first copy of logic on pc when Emagic owned it and I still sequenced and midi my equipment to it. Still thinking of getting a MPC key61 or the Korg nautilus.
this is exactly how i started back in the day when computers were CRAZY expensive!! got some gear again, i really wish you would have touched on MIDI! hell if i can remember how to midi chain lol, thats MY BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE!!!!
Agreed 💯 … This only applies to new producers us OG’s producers was raised knowing this is the go to equipment and the way you produce/Make beats.
PS: I do both Stand-alone and Virtual instruments!
My production career predates Pro Tools being the go to thing. I started on a Korg N364 and a Roland VS-1880... then moved to the MPC 2KXL and the Roland XV 3080 and XV5080 sound modules that I still love and am about to pick one up again. For me it's just something about the sound and the fullness of producing music OTB. It also teaches you "HOW" to produce as you stated ..." You have to think a little bit more" about how you want to lay out the song and if you don't have patience to see the process all the way through then don't waste your money...
Patience and money are the two biggest points on this list. The money is necessary to buy the instrument. And like any instrument, patience is key in learning to use it.
Transfers are the only downside to stand alone equipment. As the amount of analog outputs on your stand alone gear will limit you to how many transfers you can do in a single pass. Which I never had an issue.
This was an important subject. You gotta read the manual on your gear also. Great video!
Just last night I was looking for what kind of Mouse is best.. I use Logic and Reasons... and then I say at around 5:50 you help up a mouse with a track ball. What model is that mouse? Just found your video a few weeks ago and I'm really digging what you're bringing and how you're bringing it! I will support.
It’s a Logitech mouse but I’m not sure if they make them anymore
I have the roller ball mouse, I only use it when editing vocals
Yes, cable spaghetti, troubleshooting bad cables, noise issues, ground loops, etc..., and setting everything up is no fun. However, the reward you get in return after that is done is the hours/days of enjoyment you get while MAKING the music with REAL instruments instead of just mousing around with software. I also must mention the sound you get out of hardware is phenomenal!! Also, make sure you get an interface with enough inputs and outputs to track out ALL of your instruments in one pass and monitor them (BTW, this can get really, really expensive). Otherwise, you'll end up going through the tedious process of tracking things out in multiple passes, (sometimes one by one depending on your situation, like if you have an interface with just one pair of stereo analog inputs!!) which is also no fun. An alternative would be to get a really good mixer with plenty of input channels and just run everything through that, mix it all down on the mixer and record the mixdown beat to another recording device. Some mixers have a recorder built in that will let you record straight to SD card, like the Tascam Model series. I'm not sure, but I think it is capable of recording each of the channels as separate tracks too (multitrack recording). Is this true Bolo? Can this be done with your Model 12?
As far as equipment failures go, computers can fail too. Hard drives crash too where you can lose EVERYTHING (if you didn't back it up). So it all goes with the territory. I've been using hardware for years and rarely had equipment failures. I think the biggest equipment failure I've ever had was when my old Tascam M3700 32-channel analog mixing console died on me. However, it was time for me to upgrade anyway since it akready lost most it's value and it would've been too expensive to repair. I upgraded to a new Tascan DM4800 digital console later on (circa 2012). Today, I usr a MOTU AVB rack rig running into Protools. However, in the past, I have had computer hard drive crashes on me in which I've lost several beats....more than once!!!!! That SUCKS more than anything!!!! Backup, backup, BACKUP!!!!!!
All that said, I have to agree with Bolo here, hardware is very expensive. If you simply don't have the budget for it, a laptop and software is the most economical way to go these days. It wouldn't be nearly as fun or inspiring for me though, but it will get the job done with professional sounding results "IF" you know what you are doing.
I left the standalone world back in January after going Hybrid when my MPC 5000 broke. My setup is very much like Producer J.R Rotem a true Hybrid setup of both hardware and soft vst synths. I sequence my legacy hardware sound module synth collection in Studio One Pro along with my modern soft synths like Omnisphere, NI Komplete 14.. J.R Rotem rarely made beats on standalone hardware has he always have sequenced the MIDI of his hardware synths in the Protools. We both have our hardware synths connected to MOTU MIDI interfaces.
I started out stand-alone hardware then incorporated Protools LE and MBox2 then over the years tried to do straight software and couldn’t do it. This issue now especially with my MPC is soon as you buy one Akai pops out with another version shortly after.
I am fully integrated in both I have the MPC X, and the MPC live two the Akai advance 61 and the Akai advance 25 among other pieces of gear. I also am fully mobile and can go to other studios and work what you’re saying is very true.
I been using Maschine only. I have the maschine ultimate and the maschine plus but im not a fan of the sounds. Im from new orleans but i feel native instruments dont have nothing dark and im very repetitive so its been a struggle being creative. Also i have the rokkit 8's
I actually started out with a standalone setup and later started working with a computer. But actually preferred working with my standalone better. I was way more creative and productive. Which is probably the opposite of most producers. There's just something about working building and composing on the instrument itself that's second nature for me.
I was gonna say the video is a little 'dark' then I read the title 😂 well played
😂
if you click it in, i might suggest to try finger drumming on a cheap midi controller before dropping 1k and see if you enjoy it first. if you find you aren’t into finger drumming there are step sequencer drum machines. it can be done on the mpc but having it run across 16 pads isn’t as straightforward.
Definitely practice patience with that 404MK2, I noticed a lot of people ain't picking up on it as fast as they think they should. Just give yourself time and practice with it.
You got Beat Makers, then you have Producers. That’s all ima say. 💪🏾
👍🏾🔥💯
That's a small mind my man! You have so much more within sound than what rap uses. Guess it all falls under producers, but still a broad term to call real 😂
Truth .. I live in a small studio apartment... i just got my MPC key 61 , have my Motif Es6 .. My other beat boxes ... SMH .. I ran out of space around my work area ..
Man i refuse to go standalone. If i cant save midi and open it in multiple computers, i dont want it.
Even with stuff like iPad production I think a lot of people don’t take the time to learn all of the capabilities of the devices and applications they’re working with. It’s hard for me to justify, but I really want to go back to the Octatrack workflow. The iPad obviously is way more powerful but there’s just something about the way I made the beats on there that I wrote totally different music.
You ain't never lie, brother. I started on hardware and believe me the difference is huge this is not for everyone you have to be patient and really creative.
It feels good to be able to actually turn knobs on synthesizers versus trying to dial in and tweak sounds with a mouse.
the Moog one alone is 10K! I've been wanting a top notch synth nothing like analog sound.
He’s telling facts I’m blessed to have a hole room for my recording studio with lots of gear that cost the price of a home. This is coming from a OG he knows what he’s talking. Creative thinking also goes on how you set up your gear it controls your work flow. And get use to your gear it will take months and years to get comfortable to your gear. And experiment till you get it that means music theory. And yes approach it with it going to be hard. You get the respect for it. If you think it’s easy and going to be easy. You will give up quickly. But just don’t give up it’s not for the weak.
The iPad is my standalone product 😂😭 but FR it’s the computer and touch device I needed my whole career. Everything else feels like a plug in or add on.
Stand alone is where I came from. It’s much better sounding. Yes it’s harder to pick up. I had a session yesterday for the first time using my One Plus and man did it take a while lol. But seriously I got through it and got the beat done. They just had to request a dang on sample beat at that lol.
You should mention routing and signal processing…. multiple mixers, preamps, compression, eq, power conditioners and effects. Necessary stuff but not as instantly gratifying as instruments and beat machines.
This was a good video. But I will say that the standalone world is struggling because the devices can’t compete with a laptop/MIDI controller/DAW set up for price/performance and in some cases, that setup is more powerful per specs. I see how these standalone devices are appealing but they don’t make sense in a lot of cases because of a lack of power relative to what laptop/midi/daw can do
Facts!!
I'm into all this. Still watching but I got a question.. doesn't a DAW have all this equipment programmed?
Most Hardware instruments hit different. It may be beefier and/or more Analog sounding, ijs. OBXa for Example...
No lies were told in this video. Believe it or not im 23, been on Flstudio since elementary school (Flstudio 8 xxl producer edition) and wanted to go dawless. I bought the mpc live 2 months ago and the first 2 weeks was hell 😂😂 but im also stubborn and i love learning new sht. Long story short, i sat down with my MPC every day and now im making the same music i was clicking in on FL, on the MPC. And its a flex because everyone is on FL now, so when i bring my mpc in the room its a "Wowser" to everyone. Especially when i play beats that sound like they're supposed to be made in FL 😈😈
i cant see having multiple items that do the same thing then having equipment now sitting in the corner ive been doing music for years i started out with hardware after i got into software my roland xp80 workstation keyboard started not getting used much which i hate that i sold lol but to have. but to have 4 diffrent akai groove boxes a maschine and 5 keayboards or more is nuts.
when I started making beats in 05 there is no choice but to go hardware you sound a little bit more polish if you take 1 year of music theory
You sound like your favorite platinum producers but a lot of your favorite produces that new music theory, actually hired musicians he takes a lot of practice, but it’s worth it I feel 💎💎💎💪🏾💪🏾 I couldn’t afford a lot of the VST’s back then
Lool in 05 software was king bro. A lot of producers back then were using Reason
Matter a fact @Bolo I got a Fantom x 6 that needs to be cleaned can you recommend how can I get it cleaned hear in Tx???
Wassup Bolo!! I wrote for like ten minutes and deleted for another five just to say this: your videos they are extremely informative and helpful! I wanna say that hopefully after my first year of this journey I hope to make it to your studio to collaborate and of course cook up that fire!! 🔊💯💯🙏
Excellent video. You break it down so easy to understand!
My advice: Before you buy new gear, download the handbook, and read it. YT really isn't enough to figure it out.
Simply awesome. Thanks again
Solid content, sir!
Talk that shit bruh! Analog gear ain't for everybody...and with any instrument to get the hang of it..u gotta have patience! I bought my first Triton in '99...but here lately I switched up to Logic Pro..but in my opinion...you can't beat Analog...the textures the feel, and it's definitely easier to get that "swing" than it is on computer which is my only gripe about computer based production..
Dealing with (and the logistics of) power cords, power strips, wall warts, midi cables, usb cables, network cables, audio cables and speaker cables running to and from Mixers, amps, pedal boards, and anything that has to be plugged in (AND making sure your cables are long enough cause buying longer cables ain't cheap), having dedicated circuits for your equipment (overloading a circuit in the middle of a session ain't fun, especially if you haven't recently saved your project), higher electric bills (everything lit up in your studio looks cool but it costs 🤑) placement of racks, stands, and desks to hold everything, sound proofing your studio area, everything that Bolo Da Producer already said, family, friends, neighbors, clients, etc.
Other than that, it's all good!👍🏿 😁👍🏿
I really have been getting father and father away from my mpc x lately…. Just really love all the possibilities with software… feel like my beats aren’t as repetitive and more dynamic and just in general better on software. Yes it does take more work too get it too sound how I want it too but once I get it too sound as good as hardware the beats are almost always better.
So I got the push 3 stand-alone and I alway been In Love with synthesizes but don’t know what to get the Juno x or system 8
Bro didn’t lie! Put the time in! In 2023 we have TH-cam and Google for any snags we come across
Bolo in the matrix, this shizza gets addictive 🎉🎉🎉 big up my guy
Totally agree. I have a combination of standalone and in the box and switch between the two. Standalone will really test you. Especially with time. Things will take a little longer... Great video. 🙂
Good stuff Bolo!!!!!!
Bolo do a video on the routing of all the external equipment to model 12 and sequenced through MPC
Great video!!!
Great video as usual bolo❤
For me it's a mixture of the Two Worlds.. a few Hardware synths and a daw
The upside is that it sounds so good!
Ahhhh, the good old days. Equipment and Cables, equipment and Cables. No laptops and mouses.
I just got a Maschine MK3 and an FL Key 37, and I will say one thing that caught me by suprise is the stereotype of "the machines do the work for you" is really not true at all, just like every instrument its gonna take time to learn how to play on em 🤣🔥
i get my MPC NEW, i dived in 2 days 12 hours. it really about solving problems and answering questions they come up :D
I been there done that. I'm strictly inside the box, computer wise. I'm not going back to stand alone, no way. I have a main computer and a laptop and all that stuff I use to have, I have it in the computer; No cables, no racks, don't have to worry about space etc. I have the ultimate studio. I may do a vid on it. spin off from this vid.
Physical equipment is expensive and you won’t get close to what you spent when you try to sell it when you wanna downsize or get out the game completely.
Bro, if you can find the KAM crystal mic please do a test on that mic. They say it's close to a TLM 103
May The Good lord watch over your settings bcoz what Recall 😂 😂
yo man you need a podcast i think you'll reach more of in audience cause you love to talk i see that's more of your strong point
Question. Why does my samples go off sync when I’m recording into my mpc. I have usb to my behringer poly d and korg modwave. Play in the midi and then when I record it’s off when I play it back as sample / loop it’s off beat Tried everything how do I fix the issue Without having to chop the sample
stand alone crashes,,,,,, are a headache and it happens more than people think...
A "little more creative"? Dude, its 10 times the composing Energy, Motivation, durability and ANTI-Procrastination! I sperated my Workplace into 2 Regions. And since I have one only with: MODX, Verselab, Kurzweil PC3 and an old Alesis Fusion, triggert via Midi witjh an Cubasis* on my stone-edge Ipad 4...I AM WRITING SONGS (SOOOOONGS!!!!) again like a Teeny whos in love with his music Teacher. DO IT, BOLO!!!!
(* so I can flip the file for Mixing and mastering into the DAW Corner to cabasew pro)
Also I had to get a new laptop after already downloading the software on the old laptop. Got the new same brand laptop acted it wanted to carry over the shortcuts once logged in my google account but it won’t load a page and the mpc studio shortcut. Also ilok manager mot there either so what does this mean… .. What does this mean? I gotta re download everything and loss the stuff I already been working on or is there a more efficient solution without losing the projects on old laptop??
Still waiting on this mpc 3.0.
great content
GAS definitely has a dark side
OG i just started using real instruments and I have to say it boosted my creativity x3 to the point I just want to sit and play around to create melodies everyday. Once your fingers feel the vibrations from the instruments and you can do shit on the fly without any distractions, the creativity flows. B
love your channel brother
Thanks!
Out of all the synths I have ever owned none have ever failed or broke on me in the past 15 years of owning them
just wondering, what hardware can I use for mixing and mastering on the MPC live 2?
I'm really no good or patient with computers.
anyone have any recommendations?
Use the internal plugins they are great