Komplete based studio help

[joetones]

Well, first post ever as I've just discovered this bible that is known as tweakheadz guide. Please be gentle! I'm as noob as they come, and have been working diligently through the guide. So pretty much, I'm in the process of building my first project studio. I'm looking to get into music for film/tv, post, and sound design. First step is done: brand new 24" iMac 3.06ghz, 4g ram. Nice.

Couple paychecks later, I'm ready for the software. I've played with Reason in school and am well aware of its capabilities. Got some basic Pro Tools down as well. But for some reason, my mouth is drooling over software I've never touched - Komplete 5 and Logic Studio 8. I've done my research and have come to the conclusion that Logic is just the way to go for MIDI sequencing. Decided on the Kore 2/Komplete 5 bundle because I figure this will give me a endless array of sounds I would ever need. And I guess an article of Trent Reznor talking about NI synths got me going, hehe.

So what's been giving me a headache is trying to find the perfect interface and MIDI controller. Another important note is that I plan on recording guitar as well, but that will be it - guitar recording and MIDI sequencing. I've been reading up on tons of interfaces and am just having difficulty grasping which interfaces are compatible with which softwares? I know M Audio is compatible with Logic, so that's where I was starting. Looking to get one of the Axioms, and maybe even the controller for Guitar Rig 3.

So yeah, i felt I wrote a lot for help on one little thing. I hope somebody has a similar setup and can just let me know what would work and what things I need to CONSIDER. Alrighty, back to the guide....

[JDR]

I just bought the Kore 2/ Komplete 5 bundle and am just getting familiar with it (FYI, set aside a solid 12 hours to get this thing installed, updated, and get the libraries built). its awesome, but its not without its headaches (mostly getting the komplete 5 stuff to work in kore 2 is the biggest headache). also, be prepared for an EPIC amount of manual reading. I'm talking 11 different manuals totaling easily 1000 pages. its a HUGE learning curve, because its 11 programs in one.

as for controllers, i would tend to avoid the M-audio stuff if you can afford to. their stuff is not great. look at Edirol, Novation, Akai and Korg for better stuff. personally I use an Akai MPD32 pad controller paired with an Edirol PCR-800 keyboard controller. its a great combo (although mpd is yet another learning curve all over again) and it responds well with the Native Instruments stuff.

for audio interfaces, youll need to give yourself a few restrictions: budget, how many inputs (if your only doing guitar probably one for two will suffice), and what connectivity (USB/Firewire). go firewire over usb any day of the week.
look at the presonus stuff on zzounds.com (link at the top). they have good starter interfaces.

oh, and Welcome!

[joetones]

Awesome, thanks for the info! Yeah, i've been looking at tons of different options, and trying to find reviews of "perfect matches." But that's cool you have a set up that's sort of what I'm aiming for. For the controller, I was even thinking of Akai's MPK49. Seems like a built in combo of what you have. Any advantages to having a seperate pad controller from the MIDI controller? And you said those work well with NI software?

[JDR]

yeah the mpk 49 is supposed to be a great controller, i would have gone for it, but i got the mpd 32 first, so i didn't need another controller with pads.
in terms of advantages of having pads and keys separate, its really just convenience. i can move the mpd around to position it in a good spot to tap about more complicated beat patterns, whereas with the mpk 49, they're stuck in the one (imo awkward) position. and the mpd has more bells and whistle specifically related to pad playing. i dont know for sure, but i think the pads are the same on both.
NI supports pretty much all midi devices. ive never personally heard of any that don't work with it.

[Tweak]

I've got everything in your rig Joetones, and will vouch for Logic and Komplete without reservation. I'd pass on Kore 2 unless you plan to put in the hours to make it work with all the thousands of Logic sounds. But given you are into film/TV it might be a good thing. Logic has its own instrument database, though its not as nice as Kore 2, it also does not bog things down like Kore does. Still I think it is true that Kore is a totally incredible layering tool. If my answer sounds inconsistent its because I both love and hate it.

On the optimal interface for your rig, that always depends on how much $ you want to spend. I think the MOTU 828mk3 (the firewire--not the USB2 version) is a winner. http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--MTU828MK3 Unless you are in the over $2000 bracket where the Apogee comes in. The MOTU has tons of i/o and decent preamps to start with. Down the line you can add hi quality preamps and converters. A step up would be a MOTU 896 mk3 and down would be a Motu 8 pre.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--MT ... --showroom
http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--MT ... --showroom

Here's more on Mac friendly interfaces

http://www.tweakheadz.com/audio_interfa ... r_mac.html

[JDR]

I'd pass on Kore 2 unless you plan to put in the hours to make it work with all the thousands of Logic sounds. But given you are into film/TV it might be a good thing. Logic has its own instrument database, though its not as nice as Kore 2, it also does not bog things down like Kore does. Still I think it is true that Kore is a totally incredible layering tool. If my answer sounds inconsistent its because I both love and hate it.

I actually find Kore 2 quite nice to work with, however I only have Komplete 5 samples and synths - no other ones that it could conflict with. it is a bit of a beast in terms of CPU usage and what not, but I'm running a pretty hefty machine, so i don't notice it too much. it IS a pain to get the database built properly and maintaining all your sounds in it.

[joetones]

Well, a little late on the reply - busy busy at with classes, argh. Thanks for the input Tweak! I'm well aware that all if this will take hours of learning, but I'm ready to dedicate myself.

In terms of interfaces, I guess that m-audio just isn't recommended around here, eh? I figure since the majority of my budget has gone to the DAW (check) and software (next), I could slide by with an entry level interface. Or...go with a Motu and go down to Reason. Not that it's a step down in terms of quality...It'd be a good studio start regardless. Hmmm. Komplete just looks so...complete!

Thoughts on a mixer/interface? For my interests (post/sound design), would there be any added benefit besides the obvious mouse-free aspect? Oh and JDR, do you record guitar as well? I've heard amazing things about people taking their guitar through Absynth and I am just thinking about the endless possiblities...

[Tweak]

I could slide by with an entry level interface. Or...go with a Motu and go down to Reason. Not that it's a step down in terms of quality...It'd be a good studio start regardless. Hmmm. Komplete just looks so...complete!

You can start working using the built in interface on the Mac. Might just get a preamp. Learning software is a long curve.

Why Reason? Its going to add another snag --Rewire--if you are going to eventually get a full fledged sequencer (which reason is not--it does not record audio). Do you already have Logic Express? That is a good, sound path on a Mac. I'd learn Logic before you learn Komplete and Kore.

if I were prioritizing with what I know I would

1. Get the Mac, midi controller
2. Get Logic pro--or express if the budget won't allow
3. Learn Logic
4 Get the audio interface, mics
5. Then get kore/komplete and reason

Logic is so strong you really don't need any of #5 until you are composing and say "hey i needs a sound like this" and its not there.

[JDR]

man, if logic was still available for pc, i would switch over to it in a heartbeat...

[joetones]

Ok so Logic Pro is coming my way Christmas (fingers crossed), and doing some last minute MIDI controller reviews. Either M Audio Axiom 49, Edirol PCR 500, or AKAI MPK49. Hard choice....in other news, I am absolutely SOLD on Komplete 5/Kore 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEeGeCLO ... re=related

SOLD.

[JDR]

Ok so Logic Pro is coming my way Christmas (fingers crossed), and doing some last minute MIDI controller reviews. Either M Audio Axiom 49, Edirol PCR 500, or AKAI MPK49. Hard choice....in other news, I am absolutely SOLD on Komplete 5/Kore 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEeGeCLO ... re=related

SOLD.

Don't go with the M-audio. Its junk. the PCR and MPK are good options though!
Edit: hmmm apparently I made that point abundantly clear earlier..whoops!

In regards to your guitar question: yes i do record guitar but i haven't had the chance to try running it through any of the Komplete stuff yet. It should be pretty exciting!

[Tweak]

Ok so Logic Pro is coming my way Christmas (fingers crossed), and doing some last minute MIDI controller reviews. Either M Audio Axiom 49, Edirol PCR 500, or AKAI MPK49. Hard choice....in other news, I am absolutely SOLD on Komplete 5/Kore 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEeGeCLO ... re=related

SOLD.

excellent. Sounds like you've done your research. Please keep us updated with how it goes with your system. I'm going to take another stab at Kore2 and Komplete 5 as soon as I get my Mac Pro.

[joetones]

Ok, so if you were a college student low on funds, but serious about making music...there wouldn't be anything wrong with getting an ACADEMIC version of say...Logic AND komplete eh?

I figure learning the software should keep me busy enough before I would even need retail versions. Tweak, what are your thoughts? Take advantage of the educational discount? I also understand I won't qualify for any software updates.

[Tweak]

I am entitled to many educator discounts because I work at a K-12 school. Sometimes I will go for them; sometimes I won't. If they have a no upgrade clause I'll think twice. I would not buy MS Front Page on a discount, but would get the MS Office teacher/student edition. So check the fine print. With Logic and Komplete you will probably want to upgrade, but not all educator versions have a "no upgrade" clause.

Other discounts require you use it in an educational capacity and some go as far to insist you use it exclusively in an educational capacity. That is another matter. For me, the Tweaklab is a business and pays taxes and writes off expenses, so i like to keep everything 100% within the rules. But everyone can define things their own way.

[bellbrass07]

Coming from somebody who thought the axiom looked awesome and bought it, stay away!!! Sure its got tons of cool features and knobs and such, but the thing just feels cheap. I'm looking to sell mine after less than a year and upgrade to something else