Hip Hop Specific...

[lemix]

Hello nice people,
I'll try to be short and to the point. My son and friends are setting up a Hip Hop production biz.
I'd love to help ...and will, as far as recording acoustic sources/mixing and mastering goes.
However, with all these Roland/Akai/Yamaha, etc, boxes out there, I haven't a clue what to suggest.
Guess we are looking for a "one box" solution of a higher quality and flexibility. To create the beats, so to speak
-sequencer/sampler/synthesis/multiple outputs/Load and save through CDR;DVD-R...
So, what should be we looking at ? And, what to avoid ??

any help and advice would be highly appreciated,
cheers,

[Stiff]

lemix, my main man, as you know I'm not a hip bouncer...

It might be me that's a bit slow (too much aquavit in the B&G perhaps) but are you looking for hardware or software or both?

As far as software goes I like working with Reason, but I think Live would be great for working with loops and stuff. I've used both the version I got with my Mbox and the full version and I find it really easy to use and not to hard getting good results quick.

[lemix]

Stiff,
Hardware ONLY...thanx, dude...

[TheLP]

AKAI MPC2000 or a MPC4000

[lemix]

Thanx TheLP ,

I'll search. I've seen the 4000' going pretty $$high... what is the reason ??
Do you guys know of a Roland 909 ? I'm so lost in this field, that it makes me dizzy and stupid...
Need more info>>

[pk_hat]

Might want to also check out the AKAI MPC1000 , which can now transfer samples to and from computer via USB, not to mention the Compact Flash card storage capability. I know a few hip-hop producer who have it and they absolutely love it, one of them sold his MPC4000 and got this instead.

The greatest hip-hop tracks are the simplest ones, imo. An MPC + good samples/vinyl + turntable + PT is a great start. Add something like Reason, Ableton Live or Kontakt in the equation and you're set. Good beats and good rhymes, s'what it boils down to.

Good luck!

[lemix]

again, thank you.
These kids like to do it all in one box, including instrument sounds and synthesis (??)
Once they're done, the stuff will come to me for overdubs and mix.
I've looked at the MPC 1000, it seems like a nice box, but just a sampler and sequencer...correct ?
I'd think it is more for live gigs, than put all the elements of the bed tracks together in a "composing" fashion..but heck...what do I know...
Keep it coming, if you don't mind..

cheers,

[AppleFunk]

You could alternatively go for an AKAI S5000 sampler which are dirt cheap on ebay these days. You can use AK.SYS software to control them almost as if they were a plugin. So easy to use.

MPCs are popular for Hip Hop people for a number of reasons, but one of the reasons is that sound. There is undoubtedly the punch and sonic nature of these AKAI machines which make them popular for that genre of music. Of course the MPCs also have the pads which are popular, but you could get the AKAI MPD16 pads alone, which when using in conjunction with an S5000 gives you an MPC setup for much less than the cost of an MPC.

Mind you, there are other features as well which make MPCs so suitable for Hip Hop, such as the legendary shufflng patterns, and stuff like that. I have never used an MPC myself, but I do have an S5000 which is great.

Oh, just re-read your original post. If it's one box solution, then it would have to be an MPC.

Apple

[halfguard]

actually, if you want it ALL in one box, your going to have to get a keyboard workstation. one of the triton/motif/fantom types. if i were to buy one now, id probably get the fantom x 61. however, you could go and an asr 10 of ebay for about 6-700$ alot of people use them and they are good. i think sweetwater is selling the original motif for like 1199$.

[will the moor]

mpc mpc mpc.

do they want to track vocals themselves? if so, mpc + one of the little digital multitracks. I know you said one box but the MPCs cant be beat. most of the boss/fostex/roland ... digital recorders can sync to the mpc for one box appeal.

If not, I agree with the previous post, motif or triton keyboard workstation. not cheap.

will
(a 909 is just a drum machine - albeit a great one and it will cost you your house)