Another studio improvement topic

[Barfunkel]

Ok, I had to sell my Octatrack (because I'm unemployed and needed the money for other things), so I've been unable to make music the last 2 months due to the lack of a sequencer.

However, a friend of mine just promised to borrow me his MPC2000, so I can sequence again.

My current setup then is:

Akai MPC2000
Roland TR-8
Moog Sub Phatty
Emu Vintage Pro (yeah it's a cheap old rompler, but there's tons of useful sounds inside, particularly for my housier productions)
Boss BX-8 mixer

And that's it.

So, shoot me with some ideas to improve my studio! They should be cheap-ish, of small size and be useful in a fully OTB techno/house setup.

I've been thinking about getting a decent sounding compressor (Focusrite Compounder is supposed to be good for techno) and maybe some kind of a poly VA (old Nord Lead or something).

I do actually have an Excel spreadsheet full of stuff I want, but let's just say it's just a high end-ish wishlist, there's like 40k worth of stuff in there, for most of which I have currently not even room for, let alone money. I need some realistic ideas for my current situation!

[Barskiniov]

i would buy an field recorder and a distortion unit and feed the MPC with some gritty samples...nomnomnom

[Críoch]

I have a compounder. Really nice.

Top quality bit of kit!! Makes everything sound phat. I probably over do it lol.. But it's fun. Very easy to use. Compared to other compressors vs. Features / price & sound quality ( If negative comments about cheap compressors that you've never used are to be believed ) etc.. It's a good one.

[Barfunkel]

i would buy an field recorder and a distortion unit and feed the MPC with some gritty samples...nomnomnom

I actually have a field recorder already! Zoom H4n, just forgot to mention it.

[Barfunkel]

I have a compounder. Really nice.

Top quality bit of kit!! Makes everything sound phat. I probably over do it lol.. But it's fun. Very easy to use. Compared to other compressors vs. Features / price & sound quality ( If negative comments about cheap compressors that you've never used are to be believed ) etc.. It's a good one.

I've heard it's especially good for techno kicks. No idea if that's true though.


You wouldn't have a before/after kind of demo?

[Mslwte]

From your list above I'd say you are missing some sort of multi FX.

[OHADOHAD]

Not sure I would go with a compressor... I would keep it for last purchase.
There's some cool old fx and synths you can get, but it depends on your budget.
Yamaha rex 50
Alesis quadraverb
waldorf rack synths pulse/micro q
nord modular (got to have a computer)

are you looking for something specific? or just an urge to buy something?

[Críoch]

Yeah.. I've a TR8 also, so can definitely do man. I'll link something for you when I get a chance. No problemo!

[Barfunkel]

are you looking for something specific? or just an urge to buy something?

Just want some ideas that haven't crossed my mind yet.

I'm the type of guy who's inspired by new purchases. I make a lot more new tracks every time I buy something new.

[Barfunkel]

From your list above I'd say you are missing some sort of multi FX.

Not a huge fan of multi FX rack units. I prefer pedals and tabletops, for a more hands on feel.

Unfortunately I have quite an expensive taste for pedals, from what I've had or used I mostly like Moog, Strymon and Eventide. If ya got some cheap but nice suggestions those would be welcome?

[Wiu]

I've never understood how people can lend out equipment. If they can be without it, then why not just sell it? Especially expensive electronic equipment. Not to imply that you are at all, but some people are just fucking retarded with their own equipment let alone someone elses, you only have to look at music equipment on ebay to see that. Or maybe I'm just a selfish cunt that wouldn't ever dream of loaning anyone any of my treasured equipment. Although on the flip side of that coin, I'd never want to borrow equipment off anyone either.

So yeah, maybe just buy a sequencer? Won't your friend be a bit pissed off when you're borrowing his equipment because you can't afford to replace your sequencer, but then spending out on other new shit? Most of the stuff that you're looking into costs about the same as or more than a second hand MPC. Just saying.....

[Barfunkel]

I've never understood how people can lend out equipment. If they can be without it, then why not just sell it? Especially expensive electronic equipment. Not to imply that you are at all, but some people are just fucking retarded with their own equipment let alone someone elses, you only have to look at music equipment on ebay to see that. Or maybe I'm just a selfish cunt that wouldn't ever dream of loaning anyone any of my treasured equipment. Although on the flip side of that coin, I'd never want to borrow equipment off anyone either.

So yeah, maybe just buy a sequencer? Won't your friend be a bit pissed off when you're borrowing his equipment because you can't afford to replace your sequencer, but then spending out on other new shit? Most of the stuff that you're looking into costs about the same as or more than a second hand MPC. Just saying.....

Borrowing the MPC was his idea, not mine... it's been in the closet for like 10 years. No idea why he hasn't sold it.


I will buy my own sequencer too, probably the new Social Entropy Engine. Then I'll obviously return the MPC

Note: I won't buy any of this shit today, it's more like a near future plan. I'm broke atm, but that'll hopefully change in the next month or two. Borrowing stuff is not something I usually do, but I'm a bit desperate as I've gotten my inspiration back, but don't own a sequencer.

[Wiu]

I've never understood how people can lend out equipment. If they can be without it, then why not just sell it? Especially expensive electronic equipment. Not to imply that you are at all, but some people are just fucking retarded with their own equipment let alone someone elses, you only have to look at music equipment on ebay to see that. Or maybe I'm just a selfish cunt that wouldn't ever dream of loaning anyone any of my treasured equipment. Although on the flip side of that coin, I'd never want to borrow equipment off anyone either.

So yeah, maybe just buy a sequencer? Won't your friend be a bit pissed off when you're borrowing his equipment because you can't afford to replace your sequencer, but then spending out on other new shit? Most of the stuff that you're looking into costs about the same as or more than a second hand MPC. Just saying.....

Borrowing the MPC was his idea, not mine... it's been in the closet for like 10 years. No idea why he hasn't sold it.


I will buy my own sequencer too, probably the new Social Entropy Engine. Then I'll obviously return the MPC

Note: I won't buy any of this shit today, it's more like a near future plan. I'm broke atm, but that'll hopefully change in the next month or two. Borrowing stuff is not something I usually do, but I'm a bit desperate as I've gotten my inspiration back, but don't own a sequencer.

Ahhhh fair enough. I know the feeling of being broke. My hardware wishlist keeps fucking growing.

[Markus Wolf]

For inexpensive and very versatile id say two things that can open up my avenues. 1) Effects Processor, like a DP4 or eventide pedals and 2) Field Recorder, like a zoom H4N or something. You could build some sample libraries with these two things and build some crazy tracks.

[Markus Wolf]

maybe the limitations of the mpc will actually be a good thing.....

[Barfunkel]

maybe the limitations of the mpc will actually be a good thing.....

Trust me, I'm used to limitations and using gear to their maximum potential. I once made an albumful of music with a Nintendo DS and it wasn't as bad as one might imagine. MPC+my other gear is plenty of options compared to that.

I've never been rich either, so I never could just buy myself a nice studio. I've always had to invent workarounds and use substandard tools.

[Barfunkel]

Sweet, I just realized my Sub Phatty has an audio input! I can process stuff through it's lovely filter and overdrive.

That will come very handy with the rompler and the MPC, I'll just process the somewhat sterile sounds of the Emu through the Moog and sample to the MPC.

[Críoch]

Nice!

[CRDM]

If you are used to working with limitations would it not be a good idea to just get a mates rates on the mpc 2000, especially if your friend hasn't used it for a long while. Or if they aren't selling it just find another mpc for sequencing and just stick with that. Will be less of a temptation to sell it if money ever gets low again if it doesn't cost as much as something like the octatrack. Can't say I know how much the other sequencer you suggested is going to set you back though.

Nice you've got a friend that has an mpc to lend in a time of need!

[Críoch]

Get the loan of some more stuff.. then kill your friend