WHich Programs best for Rap

[curiouscat]

Ive begun the laborious process of trying to figure out what programs are best for producing rap beats. I mainly do spoken word , hard hitting stuff, but this is my first time trying to do the beats myself.

I am having a hard time sifting through the differences between programs, especially for someone who admits they no very little.

I have eye balled reason, but read somewhere else that all midi no samples are better for creative beats and the poster like a program called battery?

prior to coming here I was ending up sifting through guitar center and
by my own research came up with
reason 3.0, (it seems more electronica , techno to me though)
with M audio firewire 299 version that has cubase (for audio recording).

plus m axion keyboard.

my budget is around 1000.

Im not sure what mics are best for rap,

what audio progams are best combo with reason (or if there is a better beat making program.

need much , help


thanks.

[brandondrury]

Reason is a badass program capable of about anything you want to do in terms of electronic music or rap. It has tons of expansions that you can use as well that may better suit your needs for hip hop. This is a matter of taste.

However, Reason is only a midi sequencer. I does not record audio (as in vocals). So, I would not recommend it as your first program.

I'm a HUGE Cubase fan. Cubase 4 is the top dog these days and costs a small fortune.

I'd snag a Sound Card that includes Cubase LE. (Use the beginner section of the Sound Card Wizard in my signature for help with this). Then, I'd consider upgrading to Cubase 4 Studio. (You can get a great deal on Cubase 4 and Cubase 4 Studio if you upgrade later through Steinberg).

From there, you'll want more samples / synths than what Cubase comes with by default. I have Native Instruments Komplete 3 which I snagged for $600 last summer and it has just about everything I need to do whatever I want no matter if it's rap, techo, or pop.

Then again, you could run Reason within Cubase and that would be a very poewrful setup too.

Kontakt 2 is a VERY powerful sampler. You can get ANYTHING for it...hip hop samples, synth samples, choirs, orchestras, etc.

That may be the best way to go.

Brandon

[curiouscat]

Ok I think im leaning toward Reason and cubase, like the cubase 150 $ version to start.
Is that the same version that would come with the m audio 410 firewire preamp?

I was told I dont need a sound card if I get a good pre amp like the one above.

Can you recomend a good preamp as I looked at your wizard but they are just links to names.

I only know about the maudio ones but dont know what to look for in a pre amp?

What about that program battery you recommended and the program you mentioned kontact?

[MR.BYTCH KILLA]

Yea playa cubase is what I plan to run for rap producing.And the m-audio 410 firewire is a pluse for beginners like me and you.So do the dam thang.WE all here to help you and let me add that u have just found the best recording site online in my opinion.I love this site.See me 4am here,just stay true about what u wanna do.Then just do it like nike!

And get that stock soundcard out because it cant do shyt 4 you man.Get the 410 that u mention then u will be ready.Well we both will be ready....lol.....

[brandondrury]

Ok I think im leaning toward Reason and cubase, like the cubase 150 $ version to start.

I'm not sure. I'd get asound card bundled with Cubase LE. If it doesn't meet your needs, upgrade through Steinberg.

Is that the same version that would come with the m audio 410 firewire preamp?

I'm not sure which version of Cubase is the $150 version. Cubase LE is the version that is typically bundled.

I was told I dont need a sound card if I get a good pre amp like the one above.

You've been lied to or you misunderstood what they told you.

I re-read the thread and I could not find any mention of a preamp.

I'd get a sound card with a built in preamp. The stock soundcard will be useless for tracking rap vocals.

Can you recomend a good preamp as I looked at your wizard but they are just links to names.

Did you go here?
http://www.recordingreview.com/sound...ard_wizard.php

It sounds like you ended up in the review section but didn't click on the Soundcard Wizard.

What about that program battery you recommended and the program you mentioned kontact?

They are amazing. What else do you want to know?

[MR.BYTCH KILLA]

Brandon do u think I should get reason with Cubas 4?I read that u reccommended that to curiouscat.You forgot about me Brando?
Are just cubase wiil kool?

[brandondrury]

I didn't necessary "recommend" Reason. I just said it was a badass program. It may not be the best for him. I don't use Reason (simply because I just never bought it). I really don't need. I have everything I want now with Native Instruments Komplete 3.

You forgot about me Brando?

No, it would be hard to forget about you. Did I not answer one of your questions?

Brandon

[curiouscat]

thanks for the input KILLA,
im slightly confused, when I think of a sound card I think of something inside the computer?

So that 410 is a pre amp right? do i need another soundcard on top of that?


Have you used any other programs other than cubase? The onlything I didn't like about it is it looks like a cheap spreadsheet.

[curiouscat]

Im still lost after looking at your wizard,
I dont know what type of soundcard I need.
I dont know what inputs I need etc.

again, mainly rap beats, rap vocals.
some electric guitar riffs to also be recorded.
probably 1 track and 1 mic at a time.

[curiouscat]

killa, check out the reason 3.0 demo
you cant save anything but it shows the interface. That alone is what sold me.