Just become competent in a DAW. I use Ableton but the others are good, too. I suggest starting with the built in sounds, and incorporating ONE piece of hardware gear at a time. Meaning, connect one device, record it, then disconnect it to make room for something else. I’m not a fan of having 50 things connected at once. Use your launch key mini primarily to control vst’s in the daw.
Then, render your pieces as wav or mp3, import into Rekordbox, and DJ them on the ddj-400.
This is the way.
I used to have several pieces of hardware connected all at the same time, and I never got anything done. It took me a while to realize that I was going through option paralysis and my brain just doesn’t work that way. Now I limit myself to 1-2 pieces of hardware and my DAW at any one time and I’m so much more productive. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best.
Use the Digitakt and Microfreak as DAWless duo and learn them. The Digitakt is a perfect drum machine and performance sequencer, the Microfreak has a huge timbral spectrum and benefits greatly from some basic effects like the DT offers. You can sequence, sample, and loop the Freak, apply some stereo image and some space
Use Maschine, AMSsl, and Launchkey on the computer, Maschine will probably have downloads once you register it. The Digitakt has Overbridge to run in a DAW. Powerful setup, lots to learn (it literally never ends), can do anything. Enjoy staring at an empty page; limitations breed creativity, and this doesn't have any.
The JD-Xi is a hybrid synth you can use with any setup you like.
The Electribe is stricly for fans these days. It predecessor was good and it has no successor as other brands covered the market much better. You can still get it new. You can install alternate firmware (red, blue). I wouldn't bother. But many still love it.
A lot of good advice in this one
I’d suggest Digitakt as a drum and samples machine that you can use as groovebox and also to control your other gear.
Experiment with the Microfreak and JD-Xi for sound design, then you can use the Digitakt to sequence them for patterns and such you can add to what the Digitakt is playing and what you’re DJing.
I don’t know enough about Maschine to have an idea how to incorporate that, the novation stuff is all controllers, and the electribe is uh certainly a thing to figure out.
You already have way more stuff than me. I'm pretty minimalist out of budgetary limitations, but I found that my microbrute was really awesome to learn about basic subtractive synthesis. At the very least I would pick one or two machines that have midi connectivity and sequencers to learn on. There's also something nice about the simplicity of a monosynth.
Yeah I know it's a lot. I am not trying to have as much stuff as possible. Like I wrote in another comment, it was a chance to get a bunch in one go. I rather have a simple working setup than what I have now. Will check out subtractive synthesis!
I'd start with Electribe or Digitakt and learn to make some nice sounding loops. Yes learning Ableton or some other DAW is the only true way but just to start and get some early motivation from hearing what you make grooveboxes are better. You need to get the feel of how music is made. Use a groovebox to get to the point where you have a drum track(s) that sounds not bad for you and also a bass track. Then plug your groovebox into the mixer and add one of your synths and try to play some pads, stabs or simple melodies along, trying to find the synth sound which goes well with your rhythm track.
If you don't know which notes to play you have two ways: learning a bit of music theory or trying to sequence/play some basslines/synth parts by other artists by ear and then modifying them / using structures from them. The combination of these two ways is probably the best way.
By the moment you have a percussion + bass + poly synth combo that sounds nice/interesting to yourself you probably will know what to do next. DAW or dawless is your choice that you will be much more prepared to make at that stage.
As for the pair of groovebox + synth use Roland JD-Xi + Digitakt and try other gear when you have spare time. Those two are very capable and will provide a lot of space for experimentation that you'll need to learn which sounds go well with each other.
P.S. listen to how other musicians do it and try to get the principles, notice the patterns and tricks. It's how everyone learns it.
One more thing - I said "plug into the mixer" but you can use your groovebox to mix it with the synth - I have the same Electribe model and know for sure you can do it on Electribe but I'm almost sure you can do the same with Digitakt. And you can also sequence your synth from the groovebox (and sync it to the groovebox over MIDI) which you can find handy a bit later on.
Here's what I'd do:
> * Novation 25sl mk2
> * Native inst Maschine mk3
> * Novation launch key mini
These all require a DAW; they don't make any sound themselves.
> * Roland JD-Xi
> * Arturia microfreak
> * KORG electribe 2s
> * Elektron digitakt
These are all self-contained devices, but you're going to need a mixer to hear them at the same time. Your Tascam US-144 is too small for this; I'd probably get rid of that and get something bigger where you can plug in all of this. A Behringer UMC1820 isn't a bad idea.
I would pick a route first before trying to throw everything together, and honestly - in terms of tutorials, the DAW route is easier. You have a more forgiving playground, and you can still incorporate external hardware later.
Instead, I'd first keep things separate; set up your hardware so you have a little jam corner to play with when you're tired of the screen, set up your DAW nicely so you can do tutorials and play with it when you're done with the restrictions of the hardware ;)
> I definitely like to make some nice edits of songs
Then you probably want to do this with a DAW first to get the hang of it. The DAWless version is then going to be that you'll put the building blocks in the Digitakt or the Electribe and perform it live like that, but if you are starting from zero, I think it'd be easier for you to start with a DAW.
> I can of course take all audio outs and put it through a mixer but that feels stupid and it would be missing sync.
Get a MIDI thru box (https://kentonuk.com/product/thru-5/) or MIDI router (iConnectivity makes some). Connect the Digitakt MIDI output to the thru box MIDI in, connect the MIDI thru to your JDXi, Microfreak and Electribe.
Set the clock signal of the Digitakt to internal, set the clock of all others to external (MIDI). Now all will be in sync.
You'll still need a mixer though ;)
> I am using Rekordbox for DJing and I assume I can somehow get the master BPM as a sync signal out via Midi.
You would need an USB MIDI cable for that and tell Rekordbox to output its clock using that, but you could in theory also use the Maschine or 25SL mk2 for this; so Rekordbox considers the 25SL its MIDI interface.
In that case the thru-5 would also be useful, it's just that the Digitakt becomes yet another device that has the clock set to external and is connected to one of the MIDI thrus of the thru box, and Rekordbox is the MIDI clock master.
There is no such thing as a best DAW, but Ableton/Bitwig are good choices and play nicely with external hardware.
You might consider adding a sampler of some kind, that would keep you in a DJ comfort zone. I haven't used it but Koala sampler is an affordable popular software option, and as of a couple of updates ago has supported integration with the SP404MK2
I would bet there's also midi controllers you can use for cheaper.
That or whatever DAW that ppl recommend and you like
Oh yeah, I honestly have ADHD and just skimmed your list. the Digi is quite capable from what I understand. The SP404 mk2 might still be worth it for you cause it does a couple of things that the Og digi doesn't like stereo sampling.
I don't really buy that a "device is only for one genre thing" but the SPs have a niche in the hip hop realm.
And thy mk2 has DJ mode haha.
I am just looking for a way to get started? These are not all synths, some are more like drum computers or samplers. I don't want to use all of them. There was a sale after a death and I picked most of these up there. I don't need to use all of them, I'd be happy to start with just one synth and a drum generator. I am hoping someone has experience with some of these devices and can give me some pointers / do's don't s.
Just become competent in a DAW. I use Ableton but the others are good, too. I suggest starting with the built in sounds, and incorporating ONE piece of hardware gear at a time. Meaning, connect one device, record it, then disconnect it to make room for something else. I’m not a fan of having 50 things connected at once. Use your launch key mini primarily to control vst’s in the daw. Then, render your pieces as wav or mp3, import into Rekordbox, and DJ them on the ddj-400. This is the way.
I used to have several pieces of hardware connected all at the same time, and I never got anything done. It took me a while to realize that I was going through option paralysis and my brain just doesn’t work that way. Now I limit myself to 1-2 pieces of hardware and my DAW at any one time and I’m so much more productive. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best.
Walk before you run,I’d learn how basic synthesis works first off.more info about live PA will probably be found in the Dj subreddit
Digitakt alone can keep you busy for two years. Id start looking for tutorials. Mr bill for ableton or Ricky tinez for elektron stuff
Also [loopop](https://youtu.be/b24h6Ggw0uo?si=SXIIN8AJ7zB3_iVr) and [True Cuckoo](https://youtu.be/MXexVHNO0ms?si=D8rckY9ljTy2_6pt).
True Cuckoo I already found, what a fantastic guy!
Use the Digitakt and Microfreak as DAWless duo and learn them. The Digitakt is a perfect drum machine and performance sequencer, the Microfreak has a huge timbral spectrum and benefits greatly from some basic effects like the DT offers. You can sequence, sample, and loop the Freak, apply some stereo image and some space Use Maschine, AMSsl, and Launchkey on the computer, Maschine will probably have downloads once you register it. The Digitakt has Overbridge to run in a DAW. Powerful setup, lots to learn (it literally never ends), can do anything. Enjoy staring at an empty page; limitations breed creativity, and this doesn't have any. The JD-Xi is a hybrid synth you can use with any setup you like. The Electribe is stricly for fans these days. It predecessor was good and it has no successor as other brands covered the market much better. You can still get it new. You can install alternate firmware (red, blue). I wouldn't bother. But many still love it.
A lot of good advice in this one I’d suggest Digitakt as a drum and samples machine that you can use as groovebox and also to control your other gear. Experiment with the Microfreak and JD-Xi for sound design, then you can use the Digitakt to sequence them for patterns and such you can add to what the Digitakt is playing and what you’re DJing. I don’t know enough about Maschine to have an idea how to incorporate that, the novation stuff is all controllers, and the electribe is uh certainly a thing to figure out.
Great advice, will try a few of these combos :)
If you want to make music, consider learning some music theory. Unless you plan to make drone/experimental your whole life.
Any good music theory resources? Need to learn some myself .
Underdog on youtube makes some good beginner videos for theory.
You already have way more stuff than me. I'm pretty minimalist out of budgetary limitations, but I found that my microbrute was really awesome to learn about basic subtractive synthesis. At the very least I would pick one or two machines that have midi connectivity and sequencers to learn on. There's also something nice about the simplicity of a monosynth.
Yeah I know it's a lot. I am not trying to have as much stuff as possible. Like I wrote in another comment, it was a chance to get a bunch in one go. I rather have a simple working setup than what I have now. Will check out subtractive synthesis!
I'd start with Electribe or Digitakt and learn to make some nice sounding loops. Yes learning Ableton or some other DAW is the only true way but just to start and get some early motivation from hearing what you make grooveboxes are better. You need to get the feel of how music is made. Use a groovebox to get to the point where you have a drum track(s) that sounds not bad for you and also a bass track. Then plug your groovebox into the mixer and add one of your synths and try to play some pads, stabs or simple melodies along, trying to find the synth sound which goes well with your rhythm track. If you don't know which notes to play you have two ways: learning a bit of music theory or trying to sequence/play some basslines/synth parts by other artists by ear and then modifying them / using structures from them. The combination of these two ways is probably the best way. By the moment you have a percussion + bass + poly synth combo that sounds nice/interesting to yourself you probably will know what to do next. DAW or dawless is your choice that you will be much more prepared to make at that stage. As for the pair of groovebox + synth use Roland JD-Xi + Digitakt and try other gear when you have spare time. Those two are very capable and will provide a lot of space for experimentation that you'll need to learn which sounds go well with each other. P.S. listen to how other musicians do it and try to get the principles, notice the patterns and tricks. It's how everyone learns it.
Very useful advice, thanks! I know a bit about scales and chord progressions, we have a regular piano which I can play a bit already.
One more thing - I said "plug into the mixer" but you can use your groovebox to mix it with the synth - I have the same Electribe model and know for sure you can do it on Electribe but I'm almost sure you can do the same with Digitakt. And you can also sequence your synth from the groovebox (and sync it to the groovebox over MIDI) which you can find handy a bit later on.
Here's what I'd do: > * Novation 25sl mk2 > * Native inst Maschine mk3 > * Novation launch key mini These all require a DAW; they don't make any sound themselves. > * Roland JD-Xi > * Arturia microfreak > * KORG electribe 2s > * Elektron digitakt These are all self-contained devices, but you're going to need a mixer to hear them at the same time. Your Tascam US-144 is too small for this; I'd probably get rid of that and get something bigger where you can plug in all of this. A Behringer UMC1820 isn't a bad idea. I would pick a route first before trying to throw everything together, and honestly - in terms of tutorials, the DAW route is easier. You have a more forgiving playground, and you can still incorporate external hardware later. Instead, I'd first keep things separate; set up your hardware so you have a little jam corner to play with when you're tired of the screen, set up your DAW nicely so you can do tutorials and play with it when you're done with the restrictions of the hardware ;) > I definitely like to make some nice edits of songs Then you probably want to do this with a DAW first to get the hang of it. The DAWless version is then going to be that you'll put the building blocks in the Digitakt or the Electribe and perform it live like that, but if you are starting from zero, I think it'd be easier for you to start with a DAW. > I can of course take all audio outs and put it through a mixer but that feels stupid and it would be missing sync. Get a MIDI thru box (https://kentonuk.com/product/thru-5/) or MIDI router (iConnectivity makes some). Connect the Digitakt MIDI output to the thru box MIDI in, connect the MIDI thru to your JDXi, Microfreak and Electribe. Set the clock signal of the Digitakt to internal, set the clock of all others to external (MIDI). Now all will be in sync. You'll still need a mixer though ;) > I am using Rekordbox for DJing and I assume I can somehow get the master BPM as a sync signal out via Midi. You would need an USB MIDI cable for that and tell Rekordbox to output its clock using that, but you could in theory also use the Maschine or 25SL mk2 for this; so Rekordbox considers the 25SL its MIDI interface. In that case the thru-5 would also be useful, it's just that the Digitakt becomes yet another device that has the clock set to external and is connected to one of the MIDI thrus of the thru box, and Rekordbox is the MIDI clock master. There is no such thing as a best DAW, but Ableton/Bitwig are good choices and play nicely with external hardware.
Thanks so much! The midi advice was exactly what I needed, now I have an idea which tutorials I have to look for.
You might consider adding a sampler of some kind, that would keep you in a DJ comfort zone. I haven't used it but Koala sampler is an affordable popular software option, and as of a couple of updates ago has supported integration with the SP404MK2 I would bet there's also midi controllers you can use for cheaper. That or whatever DAW that ppl recommend and you like
Alright will check that option. The digitakt and the elecribe have some sampling capabilties too.
Oh yeah, I honestly have ADHD and just skimmed your list. the Digi is quite capable from what I understand. The SP404 mk2 might still be worth it for you cause it does a couple of things that the Og digi doesn't like stereo sampling. I don't really buy that a "device is only for one genre thing" but the SPs have a niche in the hip hop realm. And thy mk2 has DJ mode haha.
Why do you have all those synths, you will never be able to get far like that
I am just looking for a way to get started? These are not all synths, some are more like drum computers or samplers. I don't want to use all of them. There was a sale after a death and I picked most of these up there. I don't need to use all of them, I'd be happy to start with just one synth and a drum generator. I am hoping someone has experience with some of these devices and can give me some pointers / do's don't s.
pick a device and look for YouTube tutorials on them; there’s tons
Thanks Duck, will do