Newbie Interest Options

[Bizzaam]

Hi everyone! I'm interested in getting started in the music creation world. I've been interested for a long time just never really did anything with it. I wouldn't really count messing around with crap program a few years ago named E-Jay. I've heard arguments of Logic Pro is better than Pro Tools but the latter is supposedly the "industry standard." Does anyone have any experience with both to say which is better? From the videos I've seen, Logic Pro looks amazing. I also like Logic Pro because of some of the famous users, like Trent Reznor, which I am a big fan of. He has always provided some inspiriation with my musical endeavors.

My first problem is I don't own a Mac, which leads me to my next question. I know what the system requirements are from the Apple site, but what do you guys/gals recommend? Being in the military, I am on a limited budget so a Mac Pro is out of the question right now. Would a Mac Mini or iMac be sufficient? Are the Jam Packs sufficient for production/creation or would I need to get more sounds/instruments from say www.soundsonline.com or www.vsl.co.at/en-us/65/71/214.vsl if Logic Pro supports them. I'm not sure what styles of music I would be making when I get everything together, but I know I would be helping a friend of mine with his projects of hip-hop/R&B. Though these are not styles I like, I'm trying to help him take back a genre that he feels has lost a lot of originality among other things.

Anyway, if you have any questions feel free to reply here or send me a private message. I have it setup to notify me when replies are posted. Thanks a lot for your time.

[Mac Daddy]

Bizzam,

Quite a few situations need resolving... However, being in the Military has advantages when it comes to buying gear. You can get things new at half price or less!!! You'll have to establish a good relationship with the PX Exchange or whatever the store is called on Base. They would not have the items required for "serious" music creation, therefore, you would have to tell them what to order for you, hence, you have to establish a "good" relationship, as the sales person would have no knowledge about such matters, most likeky. Second issue that comes to mind: Where are you going to keep all your gear? Do you play an instrument? Do you live in the Barracks, Tent or Off-Base? Why would you begin working on a "Style you don't like" as a first project? Yep, you've got a lot of serious issues to overcome... BTW. I like Logic Pro 7 very much, trouble free and easy to navigate... I have not had the opportunity to personally work on Pro Tools, but, it is the Software that created the "Industry Standard". For sure.

Bottom line... Buy from the Military Exchange if you can, Music Store or from Mac Music Classified... Pawn Shops might have gear, BUTTTTTTTT!!!! Most equipment is good and will continue working for many years. Google any and all items offered and get accurate information, PDF's, oriiginal prices, etc., before buying anything. Buying "New" is always better. Good luck.

Make music not war.

[apachateca]

logic pro is great- pricey tho-- i use logic pro and i t has taken quite some time to really get the hang of it...protools, as they say, is the industry standard...anyways- an imac or macmini should be plenty to start with, plus the nice thing about macs is that it comes with garageband, which, if you have been on the sidelines, is a GREAT tool to start with. awesome for any sample/loop based music projects. garageband is very intuitive, comes with lots of virtual instuments and loops and is very easy to use, as well as lots of fun. to start of with i would get either a macmini or an imac- minimum 1 ghz RAM, better just to get 2 ghz ram to start, you can find upgrades on line cheap, save ya some loot. hard disk drive speed of 5400 or better 7200. external firewire drive for holding all your music files- you will fill you internal disk fast if you keep all your stuff on there, plus a crash will kill your work...
get a usb midi keyboard so you can play on that- it doesn't need to have sounds in it, all the virtual instuments will take care of that.
if you're not sure what kind of music you want to do, getting a chance to work with someone who has some experience, if your friend does, is an invaluable opportunity. you'll learn all kind of tricks and tips which you can't really get from reading a book.
hmm. what else...it may seem really expensive at first, but save up for the best mac you can get, even if it takes a little longer...it will well be worth it in the end. you'll be glad you did. good luck- anything else, don't be afraid to ask...oh yeah ps- logic express is $299(?) as opposed to $999 for logic pro, and it has a lot of the capability of logic pro...so look into that also....

This post has been edited by apachateca: Thu 3 May 2007, 17:51

[gdoubleyou]

PT|HD IS the industry standard, not to be confused with PTLE. All they only share is software interface, and
some native plugins. capabilites are quite different.

In my opinion Logic is more of a composition tool, PTLE more of a recording tool.

I recently upgraded to Logic Pro, from Express. Logic is the instrument, there are enough quality virtual instruments and effects included, so that adding 3rd party plugs, is not required.

The 32 track limitation of PTLE is a showstopper for me, I can use up to 16 tracks for drums and percussion.

In the end Logic Pro is a better value, and a more complete package.

For the price of a digi 003, you could have Logic Pro, Apogee ensemble and a Mackie Control.

[stagerlee777]

First of all - all of these other replies are great. Very good advice all around.

My suggestion, especially because it sounds like you are on somewhat limited budget is to go for the Mini or iMac and use GarageBand for a bit. Once you've got some of the basic ideas behind digital recording, working with loops and MIDI figured out, then consider moving up to Logic Express. The Express version has a huge amount of features and as someone else pointed out it's a heck of a lot cheaper than Logic Pro.

I've had years of working with different music programs and computers in general. When I got Logic (Pro and Express) last year I was confused for a solid week. I love it now, but I can't think of many less intuitive programs. Having a good understanding of GarageBand definitely helped a bit.

One thing to keep in mind is that Logic would be great for hip-hop and all kinds of electronic-based music - and you can certainly do anything you want with it, but I think that for recording more rock based stuff Pro Tools is the way to go.

This post has been edited by stagerlee777: Sat 5 May 2007, 08:33

[Mac Daddy]

gdoubleyou, lepetitmartien, deaconblue, (And Others) the knowledge, wisdom and understanding you have shared has made me wiser. Thanks.

[aportman]

What has happend to the pure ability to create the "art" of audio engineering and production? I am in no way putting down or am I against advancing technology, but I am tired of seeing everyone in the music industry in a constant frenzy and tail-spin attempting to stay up with all the latest and greatest advances in technology and software.

I have spent many many thousands myself trying to keep up with the latest and the greatest. But lately, I have had an epiffany. Use what you have, especially if it does the job that you what it to do. Start spending time more wisely, using the gift (art) that lies within all of us as artists.

We spend countless hours, weeks, months, years, wasting valuable time, constantly trying to figure-out and arguing on which software is supposedly superb to others, wasting time trying to figure-out why interfaces won't communicate with the other 15 devices that we recently purchased, only to learn that since you made the purchase of your "new" software (yesterday), that 3 newer drivers have already been released. We are literally chasing our tails, or maybe better, chasing a myriad of rabbits, constantly going in circles trying to resolve all these issues when we should be spending the wasted (lost) time in creating incredible music.

I think we need a contest in which we would be given an 8 track degital recording, basic preamps, allow only SM57 mics used for basic miking set-up, along with a couple of other necessities, we could then see the true and pure art of audio engineering shine (or not shine) in each of us.

Allen

[Mac Daddy]

Amen Allen...