my first drum machine

Five12 Numerology.

Five12 Numerology

 

edit: it's Mac only though fyi

 

also yes you'll need a MIDI interface and soundcard for your computer - either USB or FireWire. i use an Edirol FA-101 10 in 10 out FireWire interface which works very well for me...don't make them anymore but probably can get one for about 200 second hand. i wouldn't bother with a cheap USB-MIDI cable thing, not worth the bother, you may as well do things right from the off - you've just bought a load of nice gear, don't scrimp on the controlling and recording elements.

Edited September 22, 2014 by BCM

I'm on a mac so Five12 Numerology would work (I've been told to tay away from Abelton... apparently it has some plugin issues with the equipment I bought). still wondering about a good sound card; FWIW I have an iMac with 3.2GHz cpu, 16gb ram and 2 free thunderbolt inputs.

 

p.s. do I just need one piece of equipment for the MIDI interface and sound card? a single machine? i want to make sure to get something that does justice to my existing gear... will spend up to $500.

Wow this Numerology looks damn tasty for stuff I want to do

As far as issues with Ableton goes I've never had any problems. Used to run an ms-2000r and several other lower grade pieces of gear along with it. Pretty much any DAW will sort you, what it really comes down to is how you want to work. I'd suggest watching some YouTube vids of the suggested applications. When you find one that looks interesting to you, grab the demo. If after trying it for a period of time, and you find it doesn't suit you, move on to another one and repeat until you find a home.

 

If you're willing to spend up to $500 on an audio interface I'd look at something from MOTU. Not sure how much I/O you'll need to support all those roland boxes you grabbed but they should have something to sort you. I'd start looking at the Ultralight MKIII and work your way up from there.

Before going all software I was running a MOTU 828MKII that I nabbed off eBay. Don't be afraid to buy this stuff used either. Because even disregarding eBays very buyer friendly dispute program usually it's guys like us selling this stuff and we tend to care for our toys.

 

And yes, the midi and audio interface, usually, is handled in one box.

Numerology 4 Pro is getting closer to proper release (open beta at the moment), and gets better and better at each new built. I can't remember if those infos are on the website, but you should have a look at the forum to see what's new : http://five12.net/showthread.php?t=2618

 

You'll need your mac, and either a MIDI or CV/Gate interface (i.e. Expert Sleepers) to use it with your hardware. Works pretty nicely with softsynths and other DAWs too.

 

I'll add that its Novation Launchpad integration is fantastic and turns it into a marvelous combo. So you consider buying a Launchpad (Mini, better pads than regular LP, on par with the ones of my former monomes) as well.

 

Finally, Jim (Num's developer) is a super nice guy and will answer any question you might have before/after your purchase.

Worths every penny

 

Ps: I'd suggest you have a look at the SPL Crimson, fantastic soundcard.

Edited September 23, 2014 by lin

I've just purchased another Alesis MMT8 sequencer. For live performing i think it's fantastic

  On 9/23/2014 at 2:01 AM, mrgerbik said:

do I just need one piece ofequipment for the MIDI interface and sound card

yes that's right, you need an Audio MIDI interface. either FireWire or USB (i think there are now Thunderbolt ones, but they are expensive). MOTU make some very nice interfaces, also Focusrite and Edirol all well within the $500 range.

 

you may also want to invest in a mixer - maybe 8 or 10 channel to give you room for expansion...you could also record directly into the audio interface and mix in software, but i prefer the hands on feel and better sound quality (imo) of a decent external mixer - i use a Peavey PV-14.

Edited September 23, 2014 by BCM

how bout a MOTU 828x? even uses thunderbolt.

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/828x

I've never liked the low end MOTU pres, it might be a bit over your budget but maybe look for a used RME Babyface. Sorry, snobbery over.

  On 9/23/2014 at 7:10 PM, mrgerbik said:

how bout a MOTU 828x? even uses thunderbolt.

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/828x

yeah looks decent!

doesnt it depend on workflow and application?

I ended up buying the MOTU, they had one just down the street from me. so now here's my setup:

 

MOTU 828x (thunderbolt)

Roland System-1 synth

Roland TR-8

Roland TB-3

KRK Rokit 5 monitors

 

still need recommendations on software; the guy at the store suggested I try Logic Pro X. I'm still looking into Numerology...

From what you'd said in this thread so far I can't see how Logic would be anything but a pain in the ass to use. Can't speak of behalf of Numerology, but if I had the kind of hardware gear you have, I wouldn't want Logic, which is time consuming and cumbersome, especially the way it handles/routes audio and MIDI, as well as its real lack of any 'live' feel which you may want as you hint as coming from a more 'standard' instrument background. Given you say you've already got other things to learn, I wouldn't want my time being wasted on Logic.

 

(I'm not saying you can't get good results on Logic, this is far from the case, and it has its positives. But as a DAW its quirks and workflow can be infuriating.)

you'll need something for multitrack recording. Numerology will handle the sequencing and control of all your gear but your going to need to route all those lovely patterns into something to actually record them. this is why i use Numerology in conjunction with yes, Logic Pro X. i think Logic is excellent and works much more smoothly and hassle free than any other DAW I've tried on a Mac (and I've tried them all). this is likely because it's an Apple product i guess but it certainly "just works" and the features and included effects plugins are outstanding. So yeah I'd go with Numerology to send patterns and control out to your synths (via the MIDI out port on the MOTU), then record the audio out from your synths back into the MOTU analog ins into Logic for multitracking, editing, post recording FX and mastering etc. then bounce the individual tracks out from Logic and you've got your stereo WAV file of your finished track... voila!

 

edit, not sure what droid is on about above tbh, sounds like he's working from assumptions based on older versions of the software when it was also available on PC (and yes, was quite fiddly and annoying). Logic these days is extremely intuitive and easy to use, no messing about required.

Edited September 24, 2014 by BCM

I have a Yamaha RX-15. Not used it for yonks, but it certainly used to do the trick. You can probably pick them up dirt cheap (I did). I believe it had MIDI, but I only used the standard sound jacks, which was fine for live jams and sampling

  On 9/24/2014 at 10:47 AM, BCM said:

edit, not sure what droid is on about above tbh, sounds like he's working from assumptions based on older versions of the software when it was also available on PC (and yes, was quite fiddly and annoying). Logic these days is extremely intuitive and easy to use, no messing about required.

Not really. I use Logic Pro X, and teach on it too. Bur for me it has too many steps involved compared to say Ableton. If I want to sidechain or record a track output, I have to bus it. In Ableton the audio track can not only get access to a particular track, but the subtrack too - which is great if I'm using a drum rack (even better if I want to steal the MIDI from an MIDI fx output). Also the multi output versions of the EXS24 are a complete ballache compared to the easy way I can get access to chains within the drum rack. If I want to manipulate an audio track I have to create new regions because it only hard edits (reversals/clip gain/pitch shifting) compared to Ableton where each individual clip is exactly that; individual despite it being based around a single audio file. The Smart Controls are nothing compared to the rack groupings in Ableton. I could go on.

Edited September 25, 2014 by b born droid

Also, you say it's an Apple product and it 'just works' like it's a good thing, yet I've lost count of the number of students who come in to their first lesson complaining that they can't find a parameter because they've installed Logic without realising that it immediately hides about 50% of the functions as it automatically installs with all the 'advanced' functions disabled. It hides access to a fucking toolbar with basic edit functions on ffs. What kind of programme hides half the reason you've probably bought it?

 

(I'm half cut here so not having a go at you. It just winds me up)

Edited September 25, 2014 by b born droid

well it's horses for courses i guess - I've used ableton, reaper, digital performer, cubase, renoise, energyXT, nuendo, the lot.... never found anything that works as well (for me) on a mac as logic...I'm not using it for anything complicated though, not composing on it or anything...literally i just use it as a multitrack recorder and editor, use a few of the effects plugins and a bit of EQ and stuff...don't even master in logic, i bounce out of there and master in t-racks (which i love)...so yeah, for the simple uses i have for it, i think it's the best of the bunch.

 

edit: I've never sidechained anything in my life...don't ever really need complex midi features or to record track outputs or anything...i keep things simple in the DAW and do all the "complicated" stuff live on my synths when I'm recording them or in numerology (which i have synced to logic via the IAC bus).

Edited September 25, 2014 by BCM

For the love of idm, get a DAW, get a DAW!!!!!

  On 9/25/2014 at 11:35 AM, Grain Bastard said:

For the love of idm, get a DAW, get a DAW!!!!!

 

 

what's the advantage of using a specific DAW over recording/editing with software?

hmm... I was under the impression DAW were standalone machines with onboard editing/recording software (as opposed to software like cubase/logic/etc).

DAW = Digital Audio Workstation e.g. Cubase, Logic, Ableton et al - always used in a software sense. the equivalent hardware machine would just be a Workstation.

Edited September 27, 2014 by BCM

Sorry, I mean get Cubase, Logic, DP or whatever - make it easy on yourself if you have it all to learn.

 

All recording devices, be it a DAW or hardware recorder will require some learning and the sheer number of tutorials available for the major DAW's (Cubase etc) shouldn't be overlooked. Having some kind of visual feedback along with the audio isn't something negative imo.