Beginner setup

Iszk

Hi,

For someone who wants to start making music. What would be a good beginner setup from Native? I assume you many of you have experiences with it. What are some products which is a must have for a beginner. Both software and physical products?

PK The DJ

Hi and welcome to the jungle!

Are you a musician? What kind of music do you want to make? What's your budget?

DodMod

On the software side of things I would start with Komplete Start. Its free and will give you enough platforms (Kontakt Player) / instruments to give you an idea of what can be done. Of course you are going to need a computer to install Komplete on, the choice is PC or Mac, that really is down to you on what you want.

After that you are going to need a physical keyboard, an audio interface to get the information from the keyboard into the computer, a DAW application to allow you to construct any compositions.

The list of things required can get large very quickly.

I would advise that you do plenty of research and not rush. Oh and of course ask plenty of questions on forums such as this one.

PK The DJ

a physical keyboard

Not necessarily. That's why I asked if he's a musician, and what kind of music he wants to make.

Iszk

Hi Thank you for welcoming PK The DJ and thank you both for quick replies.

I am not a musician, I've played basis level guitar and piano and i've been involved in music production sessions before but i've never taken the step to actually pursue it untill now (i turn 33 this year).

DodMod, is there any audio interfaces and keyboards you recommend?

And what are you guys thoughts on ''Machine''?

The music i want to play..It's a good question as my taste in music can move across many genres. But i would love to start in the realm of Tourist, Hammock. But i would love to make something more accustic where potential singers can storytell.

Again, thank you for the help so far.

PK The DJ

The main reason I asked about your musical skills is that the non-musicians tend to go for the pad based units like the Maschine, whereas if you can play keys and/or understand music theory, a keyboard would make more sense.

Of course you could always get both (depending on the unaswered budget question). 😁

Including a Maschine (or M+ for standalone) will also solve the audio interface side.

There's plenty of software sound content included when you buy an NI product, so you'd have plenty to get you started - but the Komplete packages are very good value for money if you want to dive in deep.

Iszk

I see.

I am not a great piano player. But i'm decent. Pad based units seems reasonable based on my skill level.

As long as i could progress, make something in the realm of ''The Trip'' - Still Corners. Just to use an example with vocals in addition.

Sorry for the unanswered budget question. It is a good question, i tend to go big when i go all in on my interests. Never had the balls to do it with music untill now.

I would say a realistic starting budget would be somewhere around 1000-1700€

The Komplete Start looks like a great start.

Do you think

• Komplete start/Komplete 14 Standard
• Machine or Komplete Audio 1 or 2
• Keyboard (don't know which one)

is a good start?