newbie questions

Oddible · Joined: Jan 03, 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Kansas City

ok im new to electronic music and im really lost on where to go from here. I have an Axiom 49 hooked up USB and running Ableton and I have a friend who likes doing mashups and is interested in taking it further. He has been looking into getting a Numark Mixtrack or something like it and im thinking of getting a APC 20. so i have 2 questions
1. Are we on the right track as far as equipment goes? were still doing alot of experimenting with different genres and such and dont know whats best for starting out.
2. What else would we need to be able to play live like at a party or something?

BobTheDog · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:58 am Post subject:

to the forum.

If you re-format your message you may get some answers as it is pretty hard to read!

Oddible · Joined: Jan 03, 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Kansas City

BobTheDog · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:58 am Post subject:

Hi Again,

I surpose a lot of it depends on what you want to do?

The APC20 is pretty good if all you want to do is set clips/tracks in Live playing. The APC40 does much more but is a lot more money!

If you have an iPad then TouchAble (http://www.touch-able.com/Site/touchable.html) is better than them both and much cheaper.

If your friend is going to get something like a Mixtrak then he would probably be using traktor, so would need a separate computer.

Then you would maybe need some small mixer and a small pa system.

It may be worth you posting the question on the NI Traktor forum and also on the ableton forum as you will get better answers than I can offer!

Cheers

Andy

1:11 · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:35 pm Post subject:

Agree with Bob here on all fronts.

i would def get an APC40 instead of the 20. If you make one investment for working with Live for playing live, the 40 is your best bet. All i have is Live, a 40, chaospad, and little various cheap toys and i'm able to do everything i want to do. If you look around you can get 40's for near the same price as a 20.

Some advice i'd give for starting off is that it's better to use the equipment you have to it's fullest than it is to keep buying more gear. Just about anything you can dream is able to be done inside of Live, it's just a matter of learning. Many DJ's/performers are able to use just their laptops and do a fantastic job.

i'd keep learning Live, not buy a APC20 right now, instead wait and save up for a 40. At some point you're gonna wish you had the knobs for on the fly control of the instruments and effects and filter sweeps, ect.

Hope this helps.

edit:btw, Oddible is a kickass name Cool

Oddible · Joined: Jan 03, 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Kansas City

thanks for the advice. ive decided to go ahead and save up for the 40. It seems like it will be worth it. the touchable looks awesome but i dont have an ipad and they are pretty expensive. Ive heard of traktor but havent really looked into it. ill check that out. thanks guys. Oh and any suggestions for PA would be nice i know brands but im not sure as far as quality/price ratio.

Oddible · Joined: Jan 03, 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Kansas City