What and how much ( as little as possible) do I need to spend?

Sense

What and how much ( as little as possible) do I need to spend?

To start to make beats, D&B, Breaks etc etc.

What do I need please (newbe question) I know. But want to start making beats / musical tunes. Also is there other cheap platforms or better and easy to use and understand please. I know I shouldn't be asking about other platforms)/ program but would appreciate the help. Also with sample packs. Will I need . (Again if there's is a chap way not to purchase a keyboard etc.

Also does the sample packs stems work in a tractor Z2 controller. Or what does work with the z2 so I can scratch up stems or samples of music.

How much in seconds / minutes can I use from other people's tunes without being in trouble.

Also does NI still sell rug butter mats for if so can I have a link please.

Lots of questions and information but I'd really appreciate someone to help a newbie out.

Thanks.

PK The DJ

Sense wants to spend as little as possible, so IMO buying Komplete 14 or any kind of keyboard is not necessary. The Maschine Mikro on its own (with included software) is enough to get started.

@Sense If you don't want to be "in trouble" then you can't sample from other people's copyrighted music.

JesterMgee

Well, TBH you can't go past spending $0 to get a feel for things first. It is 100% possible to get free software, free plugins and samples and learn how to construct beats and melodies using just your mouse and keyboard without spending a penny. I can almost assure you, if you buy a controller and software and spend money on samples and bloat you will create almost nothing interesting and eventually just quit and lose interest.

How much in seconds / minutes can I use from other people's tunes without being in trouble.

In all honesty, if that is a question you are asking, you aren't at the level to be concerned.

Hell, start off with a whole beat or remix a whole song and just learn how to cut and arrange things. I use to do that all the time just for fun and play it for friends. Just assume it can't be sold or used for promotion.

Spend a few years (yes years) first learning things then research copyright/free use terms. Don't expect to buy some gear and have some hits up on spotify in a few months that people will be diggin, tho the state of music these days who knows what people will actually like. If you assume the only one interested in what you create is you, and that doesn't phase you, you are in the right mindset.

I started off with completely free and open sourced software of the time, Fasttracker in 1996 then moved into "Buzz Tracker" by 2003 which is also completely free to use and supports VST plugins. However this is not "easy" software to use, it requires some hunger to want to figure things out and experiment, a skill lacking in a lot of today's youth.

It's Windows only and not at all what you would expect but is capable in the right hands and the price of admission is a good start.

https://jeskola.net/buzz/

These days you can try out something like Reaper which is also free to use with a startup nag screen and very acceptable licensing cost, more suited to the expectations of today's learners with a more familiar layout but again, not a simple thing to figure out.

https://www.reaper.fm/

As you progress and gain some knowledge what you need/feel you want will be much clearer, especially around if you feel you have the interest to actually continue. Making a "Beat" or an idea is super simple. Most of us could sit and come up with 50 or more interesting ideas a day. Where the skill and talent comes in is actually making something cohesive and finishing an idea, adding instrumentation and melody, progression and something that sounds cohesive, that is where many hit a roadblock and lose interest. This is all way before even learning about how to utilise effects, balancing instruments in a track, mising all your frequencies correctly, mastering, releasing, licensing etc…. There is an overwhelming amount to know if you plan to do it all and that is where a decent course would come in handy…. this all assumes you have some pre-knowledge of music to begin with, otherwise you may also want to learn how to read/write musical notation. Then there is mixing and production skills, completely separate barrel from writing and composing….

By all means, buy a controller, invest in software and plugins and load up on sample packs as most companies entice you to do, throw your money into it and have some fun if that is what you are after, nothing wrong there if that is what you want, but if you really want to get into it and have that drive and passion, you will be able to find ways to start off with nothing and build it up as you personally want. Look at many of the successful musicians out there, many started with almost nothing, maybe just a guitar and if they were lucky a 4 track.

DiosGnosis

I'd say one of the best price points for entry for producing/creating your own music currently is here:
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/maschine/production-systems/maschine-mikro/
bundled with this here:
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-14-standard/
Bundle for $368.50 USD during the Summer Sale.

I've been a Maschine/Komplete Ultimate user since Komplete 8 & Maschine MK 1. I wish they had a bundle like this back in the day…

I'd pick up an M32 as well:
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keyboards/komplete-kontrol-m32/
$139.00 USD

And since we can all benefit from routine practice and craft honing:
https://melodics.com
Annual Subscription approx $135.00 USD

You can absolutely come out cheaper when considering FREE DAWs and the wealth of FREE plugins available. Also, second hand gear is friendly on the pocketbook as well.

Regardless, the initial bundle of Komplete 14 Standard & Maschine Mikro MK3 under $400.00 USD is PLENTY to get started with and at a VERY reasonable price point.

Sense

Thanks. The way I found that to be wired being a newbie at this is I have to purchase 2 keyboard's? Is this correct? What is DAWS?

Or is the whole setup only $139 plus a subscription fee of $135 per year

Thank you for your quick response. I have a z2 can this be used is and way in this processe.

I also have a Denon cd mps deck 5500 it has a midi plug can I use this for anything?

Mark Oxley

Maschine Mikro MK3 with Komplete 14 select offer is a great deal at the moment and imo would make a good starter setup. The deal ends on the 8th July so not long to act.

PK The DJ

Sense wants to spend as little as possible, so IMO buying Komplete 14 or any kind of keyboard is not necessary. The Maschine Mikro on its own (with included software) is enough to get started.

@Sense If you don't want to be "in trouble" then you can't sample from other people's copyrighted music.

JesterMgee

Well, TBH you can't go past spending $0 to get a feel for things first. It is 100% possible to get free software, free plugins and samples and learn how to construct beats and melodies using just your mouse and keyboard without spending a penny. I can almost assure you, if you buy a controller and software and spend money on samples and bloat you will create almost nothing interesting and eventually just quit and lose interest.

How much in seconds / minutes can I use from other people's tunes without being in trouble.

In all honesty, if that is a question you are asking, you aren't at the level to be concerned.

Hell, start off with a whole beat or remix a whole song and just learn how to cut and arrange things. I use to do that all the time just for fun and play it for friends. Just assume it can't be sold or used for promotion.

Spend a few years (yes years) first learning things then research copyright/free use terms. Don't expect to buy some gear and have some hits up on spotify in a few months that people will be diggin, tho the state of music these days who knows what people will actually like. If you assume the only one interested in what you create is you, and that doesn't phase you, you are in the right mindset.

I started off with completely free and open sourced software of the time, Fasttracker in 1996 then moved into "Buzz Tracker" by 2003 which is also completely free to use and supports VST plugins. However this is not "easy" software to use, it requires some hunger to want to figure things out and experiment, a skill lacking in a lot of today's youth.

It's Windows only and not at all what you would expect but is capable in the right hands and the price of admission is a good start.

https://jeskola.net/buzz/

These days you can try out something like Reaper which is also free to use with a startup nag screen and very acceptable licensing cost, more suited to the expectations of today's learners with a more familiar layout but again, not a simple thing to figure out.

https://www.reaper.fm/

As you progress and gain some knowledge what you need/feel you want will be much clearer, especially around if you feel you have the interest to actually continue. Making a "Beat" or an idea is super simple. Most of us could sit and come up with 50 or more interesting ideas a day. Where the skill and talent comes in is actually making something cohesive and finishing an idea, adding instrumentation and melody, progression and something that sounds cohesive, that is where many hit a roadblock and lose interest. This is all way before even learning about how to utilise effects, balancing instruments in a track, mising all your frequencies correctly, mastering, releasing, licensing etc…. There is an overwhelming amount to know if you plan to do it all and that is where a decent course would come in handy…. this all assumes you have some pre-knowledge of music to begin with, otherwise you may also want to learn how to read/write musical notation. Then there is mixing and production skills, completely separate barrel from writing and composing….

By all means, buy a controller, invest in software and plugins and load up on sample packs as most companies entice you to do, throw your money into it and have some fun if that is what you are after, nothing wrong there if that is what you want, but if you really want to get into it and have that drive and passion, you will be able to find ways to start off with nothing and build it up as you personally want. Look at many of the successful musicians out there, many started with almost nothing, maybe just a guitar and if they were lucky a 4 track.