** Updated Mar 6, 2008 **
Hi,
Let us discuss thoroughly and for the last time the following topics. This way, we'll have handy links for the questions that keep coming. If a discussion is big enough, let us start a new and final thread about it with the word "KB: " as a prefix. Then this thread here will just link there.
Here is a first attempt at the popular rookie puzzlers:
1. Which is better for my new adventures in music, Mac or PC?
2. Which is better for my new wondermusik, Macbook or Macbook Pro?
3. Does the Macbook (plain) have enough horsepower for my Deep Shizz?
4. Do you guys recommend the Motu Ultralite over the X?
5. Is an RME audio interface worth the ka$hmere?
6. Can you make Studio Monitor Recommendations, for a guy in dire straits?
7. I want to reinstall my copy of Live, but my two licenses are thru... how to proceed?
8. When will I see a forum moderator? why?
9. What does it mean, "mad props to neb"?
10. Which is better, Logic, Live or Reaper?
11. Teach me, how can I achieve that Daft Punk Compression
12. Does Logic sound better than Live? why?
13. What controller should I get?
these are the most recurring themes I could find at the moment, I'm sure you'll let me know the ones I've missed. Let's keep this up until we're done! I'll update/link as necessary. I think we'll end up with a decent knowledge base worthy of the abe.
-h
Our Own FAQ
Our Own FAQ
Last edited by Mesmer on Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:30 am, edited 2 times in total.
http://www.mesmero.net
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Hidden Driveways wrote:This doesn't answer your question at all, but I said it anyway simply for the joy of making a post.
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timothyallan
- Posts: 5788
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:05 pm
- Location: Melbourne Australia
- Contact:
12. What controller should I get?
13. Why does Live sound worse that Logic?
13. Why does Live sound worse that Logic?
tarekith
https://tarekith.com
https://tarekith.com
riiiiight.
how about some answers..?
how about some answers..?
http://www.mesmero.net
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Hidden Driveways wrote:This doesn't answer your question at all, but I said it anyway simply for the joy of making a post.
13. What Controller should I get: Draft Answer
this text is intended to you, total ableton newbie:
To help yourself yourself make the right decision, you should understand at least one fundamental aspect of your process: how do you intend to use ableton?
Club DJ'ing (Cue songs, play mixes):
You'll most probably find what you're looking for in 4-Channel-type mixer with crossfader and double jogwheel Midi Controllers
Take a look at:
Musician (record my musician self ideas):
You'll definitely feel the need for a straight MIDI keyboard controller. Knobs and faders are a plus. There's a great variety here, rather than provide a hefty list, consider your choice mostly passable unless it's one of the following (certified crapload for working with Ableton Live):
You are looking at buying a MIDI equivalent of an Analogue Mixer. Here's to start you off:
Oh, you're so an MPC freak you just don't know it yet:
Right, a big bunch of buttons, we hear you:
The following controllers can possibly perform for any, all, or none of the above categories, you'll have to investigate each one thoroughly to really understand the relationship they'll let you have with your Software:
Obviously needs help; contributors welcome.
good luck
To help yourself yourself make the right decision, you should understand at least one fundamental aspect of your process: how do you intend to use ableton?
Club DJ'ing (Cue songs, play mixes):
You'll most probably find what you're looking for in 4-Channel-type mixer with crossfader and double jogwheel Midi Controllers
Take a look at:
- Vestax
Elcler
Korg Zero line
Behringer BCD line
Musician (record my musician self ideas):
You'll definitely feel the need for a straight MIDI keyboard controller. Knobs and faders are a plus. There's a great variety here, rather than provide a hefty list, consider your choice mostly passable unless it's one of the following (certified crapload for working with Ableton Live):
- The roll-up "ultra-portable" MIDI keyboard
First Generation CME's (bad knobs and horrible usbMIDI was it?)
You are looking at buying a MIDI equivalent of an Analogue Mixer. Here's to start you off:
- Bitstream 3x
Behringer BCF
Tascam US-x
Oh, you're so an MPC freak you just don't know it yet:
- M-Audio Trigger Finger
Korg padKontrol
Akai's MPC's or MPD's
Right, a big bunch of buttons, we hear you:
- Faderfox, faderfox, faderfox
A second usb typing keyboard, no really
your gaming console's control pad or joystick, it's possible, search for midijoy
Any midi (piano) keyboard can be configured to just launch clips on key presses
Monolake
The following controllers can possibly perform for any, all, or none of the above categories, you'll have to investigate each one thoroughly to really understand the relationship they'll let you have with your Software:
- Jazzmutant's Lemur or Dexter
Monome
wiimote
Tenori-On
Obviously needs help; contributors welcome.
good luck
http://www.mesmero.net
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Hidden Driveways wrote:This doesn't answer your question at all, but I said it anyway simply for the joy of making a post.
1. Which is better for my music, Mac or PC - Draft Answer
This FAQ answer is loosely based several other threads. To help find the right answer for you I've set up this table which comprises several of the most important related issues: OS, Hardware, Software.
PC Pro's
*With careful selection, you might save a few hundred dollars for competent system
*For a desktop, you'll have greater choice of peripherals (like video cards)
*When the time comes for troubleshooting, you're not alone, there's plenty of resources for you.
*It will be easy to streamline your XP installation to serve a specific (audio) purpose
*You'll have easy access to many, many freeware VST plugins
*You'll have an easier time finding a competent, versatile wave editor
*It is generally accepted that Ableton Live runs ever so slightly faster on windows XP
*You'll have an easier time with your hardware upgrades path
*You can choose your own damn keyboard
*Right Click
PC Con's
*With careless component selection, you might end up with incompatible/quirky hardware
*Most controllers need special drivers, which can be lame/irritable
*Vista
*If you're connected to the Internet, you'll almost certainly need to deal with the antivirus schmooze
*Firewire support can be flakey
MAC Pro's
*Your regular day to day use can prove to be "smoother"
*You're generally expected not to have to be opening up your chasis or tweaking the bios or otherwise getting your hands dirty meddling with configuration issues ... But
*If problems arise, your AppleCare guarantee can take care of the problems for you in a "polite", "professional", "friendly" manner: it's the only way, basically.
*Your hardware is for the most part guarantee to work nice with each other
*You can live without an anti-virus (as of yet)
*You have access to a wide variety of Programming tools via the whole GNU / Linux / Darwin / Unix OS "in the family" advantage.
*You have plenty of multimedia tools for audio and video production right out of the box
*It's easy to find "Class Compliant" MIDI controllers which means a true Plug and Play experience for you: no driver installation fiddle-splooching needed.
*Generally, your MIDI/Audio needs are in a capable and user friendlier environment called CoreAudio - this helps with virtual routing and other standard chores.
*Even though it isn't true: you'll feel like you are The Cool Guy
*Your computer should have a no fuss Firewire FW400/FW800 port (pc guy's call it the IEEE 1394 port)
MAC Con's
*You'll pay a premium for all that eye-candy
*Your choices for peripherals are more limited than for a PC
*Your choice in regular software can be more limited (this has been in decline, it is duly noted).
*If problems arise, your AppleCare guarantee can take care of the problems for you in a "polite", "professional", "friendly" manner: it's the only way, basically.
*Your upgrade path is limited to improve RAM and or improve Hard Disk
*Your very capable OS is also greedy on the resources (if that bothers you)
*No Games for your DAW rig. No Games.
*Your choice for free VST plugins is crippled.
*Even though it is not true: you'll be called a "fanboy". Worse, you'll have to contend with plenty of people which will babble on and on about "our" superiority because they consider you one of "us"
PC Pro's
*With careful selection, you might save a few hundred dollars for competent system
*For a desktop, you'll have greater choice of peripherals (like video cards)
*When the time comes for troubleshooting, you're not alone, there's plenty of resources for you.
*It will be easy to streamline your XP installation to serve a specific (audio) purpose
*You'll have easy access to many, many freeware VST plugins
*You'll have an easier time finding a competent, versatile wave editor
*It is generally accepted that Ableton Live runs ever so slightly faster on windows XP
*You'll have an easier time with your hardware upgrades path
*You can choose your own damn keyboard
*Right Click
PC Con's
*With careless component selection, you might end up with incompatible/quirky hardware
*Most controllers need special drivers, which can be lame/irritable
*Vista
*If you're connected to the Internet, you'll almost certainly need to deal with the antivirus schmooze
*Firewire support can be flakey
MAC Pro's
*Your regular day to day use can prove to be "smoother"
*You're generally expected not to have to be opening up your chasis or tweaking the bios or otherwise getting your hands dirty meddling with configuration issues ... But
*If problems arise, your AppleCare guarantee can take care of the problems for you in a "polite", "professional", "friendly" manner: it's the only way, basically.
*Your hardware is for the most part guarantee to work nice with each other
*You can live without an anti-virus (as of yet)
*You have access to a wide variety of Programming tools via the whole GNU / Linux / Darwin / Unix OS "in the family" advantage.
*You have plenty of multimedia tools for audio and video production right out of the box
*It's easy to find "Class Compliant" MIDI controllers which means a true Plug and Play experience for you: no driver installation fiddle-splooching needed.
*Generally, your MIDI/Audio needs are in a capable and user friendlier environment called CoreAudio - this helps with virtual routing and other standard chores.
*Even though it isn't true: you'll feel like you are The Cool Guy
*Your computer should have a no fuss Firewire FW400/FW800 port (pc guy's call it the IEEE 1394 port)
MAC Con's
*You'll pay a premium for all that eye-candy
*Your choices for peripherals are more limited than for a PC
*Your choice in regular software can be more limited (this has been in decline, it is duly noted).
*If problems arise, your AppleCare guarantee can take care of the problems for you in a "polite", "professional", "friendly" manner: it's the only way, basically.
*Your upgrade path is limited to improve RAM and or improve Hard Disk
*Your very capable OS is also greedy on the resources (if that bothers you)
*No Games for your DAW rig. No Games.
*Your choice for free VST plugins is crippled.
*Even though it is not true: you'll be called a "fanboy". Worse, you'll have to contend with plenty of people which will babble on and on about "our" superiority because they consider you one of "us"
http://www.mesmero.net
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Hidden Driveways wrote:This doesn't answer your question at all, but I said it anyway simply for the joy of making a post.
^^^ Since I am fairly new on the forum, I don't know very much about how other attempts to round up info into a fairly central place have been done before. I think dcease tried to instigate something similar a couple of weeks ago with a different plan of attack. Let's say that I fit the catagory of person who would look at most of the suggested issues. How would you propose That I follow up on some of the finer points? Even with the two examples you wrote above I have a couple of questions I could ask. Yes they reflect my lack of experience, but at some point I have to still ask the seemingly stupid(to some) questions. I really like your idea, but do you intend that nobody reply to the posted summary so the thread dosen't get watered down or filled with unrelated pictures etc? How does the 'new to things digital' person respect the thread but ask questions?
iMac - 10.10.3 - Live 9 Suite - APC40 - Axiom 61 - TX81z - Firestudio Mobile - Focal Alpha 80's - Godin Session - Home made foot controller
Hi gjm,
no cool, we all have questions. This is just an attempt to mostly just gather what is common-speak / common-knowledge among regular (experienced?) visitors.
The main thing is this: it's a work in progress, it currently is, and most probably will be for quite a while until things just settle. For instance, in the OP and the two answers thus far there is NO linkage, and this should be improved in the near future. I mean, when I mentioned "Vestax" controllers, I mean it to be a link to the official Vestax website and/or Vestax wiki at some point. That part is not ready yet!
The other important thing is, that my provided answers are draft articles, so if you have some sort of follow-up / lets-go-deepr question by all means rise it HERE in THIS thread, so that we have the ensuing knowledge about that issue HERE as well. Then, again, when some sort of consensus "nominal-state" is reached and more or less contributors agree, we can stamp that disparate knowledge into an official answer/article.
Thus that Knowledge-To-Answer process ends, when I summary up all the contributed pieces and edit the OP to include that answer. See at the moment Both Answers are down here "at the floor" so to speak, and when people are done bashing/smacking them into form I'll just include it as a tail part, to the OP.
Also remember, if it can be forseen that one of these answer/topics is going to go into deep territory let's just start a new thread and mark it with a "KB: " prefix. That will work as an appendix to this thread, which documents our process while birthing this answers. For regular 5-10 reply discussion though, it's more or less sensible to just have those discussions right here in this thread.
ya like?
no cool, we all have questions. This is just an attempt to mostly just gather what is common-speak / common-knowledge among regular (experienced?) visitors.
The main thing is this: it's a work in progress, it currently is, and most probably will be for quite a while until things just settle. For instance, in the OP and the two answers thus far there is NO linkage, and this should be improved in the near future. I mean, when I mentioned "Vestax" controllers, I mean it to be a link to the official Vestax website and/or Vestax wiki at some point. That part is not ready yet!
The other important thing is, that my provided answers are draft articles, so if you have some sort of follow-up / lets-go-deepr question by all means rise it HERE in THIS thread, so that we have the ensuing knowledge about that issue HERE as well. Then, again, when some sort of consensus "nominal-state" is reached and more or less contributors agree, we can stamp that disparate knowledge into an official answer/article.
Thus that Knowledge-To-Answer process ends, when I summary up all the contributed pieces and edit the OP to include that answer. See at the moment Both Answers are down here "at the floor" so to speak, and when people are done bashing/smacking them into form I'll just include it as a tail part, to the OP.
Also remember, if it can be forseen that one of these answer/topics is going to go into deep territory let's just start a new thread and mark it with a "KB: " prefix. That will work as an appendix to this thread, which documents our process while birthing this answers. For regular 5-10 reply discussion though, it's more or less sensible to just have those discussions right here in this thread.
ya like?
http://www.mesmero.net
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Hidden Driveways wrote:This doesn't answer your question at all, but I said it anyway simply for the joy of making a post.
^^^ I really like what you want to do. I know that its mainly for the experienced people to provide the answers, but you should consider having some noobs in the loop involved in clarifying both the questions and the summary answers. It might help keep some of the reply disussions to a minimum. I hope your in it for the long haul. I respect your intentions to help. Cheers. G.
iMac - 10.10.3 - Live 9 Suite - APC40 - Axiom 61 - TX81z - Firestudio Mobile - Focal Alpha 80's - Godin Session - Home made foot controller
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The Phat Conductor
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:30 pm
Re: Our Own FAQ
Mesmer wrote:** Updated Mar 6, 2008 **
Hi,
Let us discuss thoroughly and for the last time the following topics. This way, we'll have handy links for the questions that keep coming. If a discussion is big enough, let us start a new and final thread about it with the word "KB: " as a prefix. Then this thread here will just link there.
Here is a first attempt at the popular rookie puzzlers:
1. Which is better for my new adventures in music, Mac or PC?
MAC!!! i use both and windows makes me want to vomit blood.
2. Which is better for my new wondermusik, Macbook or Macbook Pro?
producing? MBP
3. Does the Macbook (plain) have enough horsepower for my Deep Shizz?
yes, if you're willing to do a lot of rendering and freezing and whatnot.
6. Can you make Studio Monitor Recommendations, for a guy in dire straits?
tannoy reveal 8ds
7. I want to reinstall my copy of Live, but my two licenses are thru... how to proceed?
email support
9. What does it mean, "mad props to neb"?
they are showing neb some love...
10. Which is better, Logic, Live or Reaper?
depends what you're after...
11. Teach me, how can I achieve that Daft Punk Compression
how can daft punk achieve your compression?
12. Does Logic sound better than Live? why?
go fuck yourself sideways with a cactus on the end of a jackhammer.
13. What controller should I get?
depends what for...
ill gates aka the phat conductor
producer, performer + ableton/music teacher
http://www.illgates.com
producer, performer + ableton/music teacher
http://www.illgates.com
ha ha haw, great contribution, we'll sum it up with the others as they come in.
thanks!
-h
http://www.mesmero.net
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Hidden Driveways wrote:This doesn't answer your question at all, but I said it anyway simply for the joy of making a post.
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friend_kami
- Posts: 2255
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 10:10 pm
