Mcgiver69

He can have it, I had to buy a new laptop as I had a project to complete so I don't need the minimac now.

Thank you anyway.

Yeah I'm interested in the Minimac too

On 12/04/2017 at 17:12, Chiliwailer said:

I'm new to all this, like a week in. Already, possible laptop issues are presenting themselves. I have a 2-3 year old HP, i3 processor and 8GB RAM. Running Cubase Elements, but getting a lot of processing issues so need to constantly freeze tracks.

I use a lot of inbuilt fx and instruments so wonder what, if ever, would be a worthy upgrade?

If you're running Windows 32 bits you'll get all sorts of issues as you are not using more than 4gb ram. You need Windows 64 bits.

I had the same issues and installed Win10 64bits and now my very old Dell core duo is running smoothly and can handle more than 25 tracks with lots of vsts (effects and instruments) on them and I'm only using 4gb of memory (bound to upgrade to 8gb this week)

Like Si has said, usually with these products what makes them "geared" towards any DAW is the software package that comes with them and maybe the fact that such DAW is included in the package, but at their heart they are not different to any other midi controller. So do not be discouraged from getting the MPC if you fancy it, it will work in your DAW of choice.

If you're intentions are for backup then HDD now if you want an external drive to keep resources like samples and loops that you may want to use in your mixes then SSD is the way forward.

Another offer from Plugin Boutique for you guys who love to make orchestral stuff.

https://www.pluginboutique.com/deals/show?sale_id=4958

I got myself the Brass and Woodwinds.

Note: as usual I do not work for them and do not receive any benefits for these heads up!

Hi guys, 

Just to let you know that if you own a Focusrite interface, they are giving 6 months of Sonarworks Headphone for free.

So guys and gals, go to your Focusrite account and get your copy, it is only for a limited time.

2 hours ago, SH73 said:

SSD5 free version. There is a link somewhere on BC has been posted in autumn 2018

It's only for 64bit OS but it is great.

Another great one is Drummica from Sennheiser. It's a Kontact library totally free and it won't cut off after 30 mins like other free libraries do. 

Unfortunately the site is in german but google translate is your best friend, but the library is in english. 

https://de-ch.sennheiser.com/drummica

36 minutes ago, paul_5 said:

I think I bought that for 99p, good synth too!

Yeah they give crazy offers, they had Hybrid for £1 too and Serum for £3 not long ago. 

Check out Plugin Boutique, they always have great offers. You can get a top notch Synth for something ridiculous like £4.

Check this out

https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/4-Synth/4637-Synthmaster-Player

They have Xpand! for £14 (I bought it when they had it for £3)

https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/1560-Xpand-2

Vacuum Vintage for £8

https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/4-Synth/3891-Vacuum-Vintage

Check it out from time to time for their offers and freebies.

Right now if you subscribe to their newsletter you'll get a complete course on Synthesis for free.

Note: I'm not related commercially to them.

I'll take second dips

I have one and it's "The Keeper", sounds amazing and a real workhorse.

If you want a real powerhouse of a bass then get yourself this bargain...

It means more options, imagine a guitar player having not only one 4x12 but two. Same as a bassplayer having a 1x15 plus a 2x10 connected to an amp.

You can always use one if you want to.

As for impulse responses I recommend Lancaster Audio, their impulses are very cheap and made by professionals.

38 minutes ago, SH73 said:

Are these any good?

Give them a try, they work very well for me without ridiculous levels of gain and fizziness. You can get great results if you use them with their own cab sim.

Have a go and let me know.

Another favourite of mine (unfortunately for Windows only) is this bass plugin, it sounds really good and combined with some EQ & saturation you can get great results.

http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?plugin=Vee_Bass_Amp&id=2255

Ok these are the ones I use for guitar with very good results.

https://mercuriall.com/cms/details_freestuff

download the JCM800 versions and the cab simulation and you'll be fine.

As for Bass, here's another free bass amp

https://shop.audified.com/products/live-guitar-and-bass-bundle-le

I hope this helps.

It's not only that, The Big Al might be the most versatile bass ever made!!

5 minutes ago, I Denby said:

If one buys the Focusrite Scarlet interfaces, does it come with DAW software bundled. And if so, which one and is it just a 30 day thing or completely free?

Normally it's Cubase LE or Protools First, both are highly restricted versions of the real deal. But there are lots of free alternatives or cheaper ones (Reaper) that are fully functional.

I still think you should give Tracktion a go, for all you have said you want to do it is just more than enough.

Check out this mini tutorial which is very helpful.

Now that you are trying different DAWs to make up your mind it will be good you give it a go.

2 hours ago, danny-79 said:

I’ve kept that one (ableton) on my computer but removed and deleted the pro tools as it wouldn’t open properly and the amount of licenses with it, not worth the hassle. It’s designed for Mac so bound to be problems. 

Just watching YouTube vids. Lots of them. Plus band guitarist uses Reaper so will have a learning session with him at some point. 

Eager to learn I’m just not computer literate in any way. Very basic stuff, emails, forums, loading car iPod etc. 

If you are planning to use Reaper, go to Youtube and search for ReaperMania, there you'll find every single instruction you'll ever need. The instructions are simple and explained in detail by Kenny Giogia. Or you can always go here, these are taken from Kenny's channel https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php

17 hours ago, danny-79 said:

Windows. (Don’t know what version. It was new at Christmas and It’s still in its box.....)

If it's a new PC then we can only assume it's Win 10, now the main question is what version (32 bits or 64bits). To make use of more than 4 gb ram you need 64bits.

This means that if your win10 is 32 bits and you have let's say 16gb ram installed you will only be using 4gb ram.

12 hours ago, xgsjx said:

If you've used a DAW (recording software) before, then try all 3.  If you haven't, then choose one & learn it.  They're all good.

If Traction comes with the drums, then I'd go with that one.  Reaper has a bit of a learning curve & set up process & doesn't come with much in the way of instruments & fx, but once you learn it, it's pretty good.  You can get instruments & effects for any DAW (known as VSTs).  You'll find plenty of free ones as well as ones you have to pay for.

Tracktion doesn't bring those drums, they are free to download. 

I have used the 3 DAWS (Reaper is my main DAW) and to be honest Tracktion is the one that will get him going in no time. Cakewalk and Reaper have a bigger learning curve. And Cakewalk only works with Win10 64bits.

Danny if all you want is to record and you don't have much knowledge I would advise to consider Tracktion (version 7 is totally free without restrictions), it is very easy to use.

https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw

This intro video is for version 5 but is still relevant

This is an in depth review of T7

Msg for the Dean Markley SR 2000 30-125

Exactly everything depends on what you want them for, if you are just a home recording hobbyist then you don't need to spend your rent money on buying lots of mics,  chances are you can do everything you need with just a SM57 and a condenser mic.

There are lots of options that range from reasonably cheap with very good specs to more expensive ones but like I said before all depends what you're aiming for. 

My advice is this, unless you are trying to put together a studio for commercial use then just buy a SM57 and a good condenser mic like the Rode NT1. That will cover all your recording needs.

I hope this helps.

Are these new or used?