Dear OTT

I’ve been in the psytrance/GOA/dub/ambient scene for quite some time now but i feel it’s time to make my own contribution but when i look at your hard & software at your page (ottsonic) i go slightly mad..  What’s the recommended hardware to buy if you wanna start up your own music project and software, are there any other tips, hints or tricks for newbies like me if you wanna become a DJ???

thanks in advance

trismegistoz - 16 November 2009 06:19 PM

Dear OTT

I’ve been in the psytrance/GOA/dub/ambient scene for quite some time now but i feel it’s time to make my own contribution but when i look at your hard & software at your page (ottsonic) i go slightly mad..  What’s the recommended hardware to buy if you wanna start up your own music project and software, are there any other tips, hints or tricks for newbies like me if you wanna become a DJ???

thanks in advance

Well, im not Ott ( ^^ no shit! ), but anyways - i feel that im capable of providing you with good answer.

If you want to spin records, just buy a shitload of music you`d like to spin, buying two cdj-decks and decent mixer just to get started would be essential also. I would not recommend you to buy anything too cheap, since there is nothing more efficient way of killing inspiration and enthusiasm than a shitty gear which makes you feel that nothing is working.

But, more importantly - you need patience and time - practice, practice and practice! thats the only way to get forward.

If you want to start on producing your own music, you will need atleast a computer ( well, this is the setup i first started with, cradually investing on several synths, studiomonitors, and stuff like that ), along side with computer you will need a good soundcard ( not internal shitstem )

Here is my personal studio setup.

Cpu ( Guite old, dates back about 4 years, needs update ), soundcard ( m-audio firewire 1814 ), Yamaha hs80m monitors, clavia nordlead 2x, virus c and roland jp8000. Good headphones and few microphones. On the organic side, i have good quality electro acoustic hanging here on my wall.

Just to make my point, of all that stuff - just to get started you need that cpu and soundcard - and if you invest in a good soundcard with ability to support midi, and that has several out/inputs, will give you a bit space of upgrading for synths and plugging in mics and synths cradually.

Then, pick out software ( i wont recommend any of them, since there would be debate about that then ^^ ), tryout several programs, and pick out the one you fancy - you can upgrade about any daw ( software ) with different plugins, and load tons of samples to get started. Only software i know that cant support vst-instruments is Reason, and if i dont remember hugely wrong, even the fourth version did not bring that ability for it.

I hope this answered some of you guestions - if there is something you feel that is still blurred and you want it clarified, i can try my best to answer it.

Even… that.. im.. not… OTTTTTTTTT. ;P

trismegistoz - 16 November 2009 06:19 PM

Dear OTT…

Spell my name right and I’ll tell you.

Ok then, dear Ott..

(I blame the check spelling) 

Ott - 16 November 2009 07:01 PM

trismegistoz - 16 November 2009 06:19 PM

Dear OTT…

Spell my name right and I’ll tell you.

Your parents were hippies, right? Then your name’s probably a reference to OTT anyway :D

If you want to start making electronic music I suggest you buy as powerful a PC as you can afford, as good an audio interface as you can afford [RME Fireface if possible but an M-Audio would do] a midi controller [Oxygen 8 is perfectly adequate] and some speakers [Yamaha HS-50] and a copy of Propellerheads Reason.

Don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you Reason is a toy. They are wrong. Reason is powerful, stable, self-contained and includes everything you need to learn about making electronic music and to create finished tracks. For the price it is incredible.

That setup will take you from total novice to seasoned professional.

I look forward to hearing what you create.

Ott - 17 November 2009 12:17 AM

If you want to start making electronic music I suggest you buy as powerful a PC as you can afford, as good an audio interface as you can afford [RME Fireface if possible but an M-Audio would do] a midi controller [Oxygen 8 is perfectly adequate] and some speakers [Yamaha HS-50] and a copy of Propellerheads Reason.

Don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you Reason is a toy. They are wrong. Reason is powerful, stable, self-contained and includes everything you need to learn about making electronic music and to create finished tracks. For the price it is incredible.

That setup will take you from total novice to seasoned professional.

I look forward to hearing what you create.

dude, Ott, thank you! I hope you’re serious when you say Reason isn’t a toy.

It is crazy powerful for the $ and doesn’t strain your CPU at all which means you can make some pretty elaborate semi modular setups with the Combinator.

I love Reason’s sequencer as well. I’ve never used a sequencer in any other program that works as fast as Reason’s.

It does have a specific ‘Reason-y” sound, but it can sound great if you learn how to use each tool in its arsenal. It’s the perfect program to learn on and you’ll be making serious tunes when you get a accustomed to its workflow.

and to the OP, I have an RME Fireface and a Presonus Firebox and a dead Maudio 410 (great when it worked!).

For the $ you can’t go wrong with the Presonus. It sounds great and is uber stable.

If you have the $, the RME is wonderful too…but it’s hard to justify it when you’re starting out in case you don’t end up liking production.

good luck. Listen to Ott

As for audio interfaces, you could do worse than check out Echo. I’m very pleased with my Audiofire4

Ott - 17 November 2009 12:17 AM

Don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you Reason is a toy. They are wrong. Reason is powerful, stable, self-contained and includes everything you need to learn about making electronic music and to create finished tracks. For the price it is incredible.

http://www.twistedmusic.com/forums/viewthread/3483/#16685 

I have no opinion on Reason, as I have never used it.
But, Ott has some good advice.  That would be a good “first set-up”.

Cloudwalker - 17 November 2009 02:29 AM

Ott - 17 November 2009 12:17 AM

Don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you Reason is a toy. They are wrong. Reason is powerful, stable, self-contained and includes everything you need to learn about making electronic music and to create finished tracks. For the price it is incredible.

http://www.twistedmusic.com/forums/viewthread/3483/#16685 

I have no opinion on Reason, as I have never used it.
But, Ott has some good advice.  That would be a good “first set-up”.

it’s a good professional setup too…don’t fool yourself in thinking you need $10+K in gear to make a good song. If you know what you’re doing you can make a killer tune that is on par with the ‘professional’ gear.

Cloudwalker - 17 November 2009 02:29 AM

http://www.twistedmusic.com/forums/viewthread/3483/#16685 

As he says, he doesn’t have it. So what does he know?

I have no opinion on Reason, as I have never used it.

90% of my tunes are written in Reason.

Interesting Ott. I’ve been using reason, ableton live, and logic… The combination of all 3 opens SO many doorways. (as if it weren’t already infinite anyway). But for some reason, I’m a bit surprised to hear so much of your work is being done in reason. Not because I underestimate it’s power, but I can’t quite figure out why that surprises me.

Ott, I’d love to know how you setup to preform live. What are you running in that fancy briefcase?! I’ve seen you 5 times, all in colorado, thank you so much for showing us so much love. Every time I’ve seen you it has been MAGICAL. I even got to greet you and shake your hand at the MANIFESTATION CELEBRATION!

Ott - 17 November 2009 05:00 AM

90% of my tunes are written in Reason.

ALL HAIL!

Ott - 17 November 2009 05:00 AM

90% of my tunes are written in Reason.

Bollocks. 
Ain’t buyin’ that statement…

Cloudwalker - 17 November 2009 06:49 AM

Ott - 17 November 2009 05:00 AM

90% of my tunes are written in Reason.

Bollocks. 
Ain’t buyin’ that statement…

why is that hard to believe?

It kinda really is, I too thought at first that reason was just a toy, like the roland mc-303.