Hello everyone,
I have been preparing to make a career move focusing more on scoring for TV and Film and am looking for some advice in what gear/knowledge I should invest in starting essentially from scratch. My budget is about $20K.
My current DAW/rig is pretty bare at the moment: Decent monitors (Event 8) in an acoustically treated room, a quad core i7-2600 3.4GHz CPU PC running 64-bit Windows 7 with 16GB RAM and a 500GB SSD, an M-Audio Oxygen-49 Keyboard, Kurzweil PC2X Keyboard, Yamaha upright, RME Babyface. I have an array of standard budget microphones (SM57s, etc.).
For scoring I use Sibelius. I'm a traditional pen/paper composer, and have never really mocked up any of my compositions (I write mostly chamber music) and would love to hear some of my larger pieces realistically represented. My experience with virtual instruments is pretty limited and would love as much advice I as I can get on the subject.
The only major restriction/requirement is that my work computer must be Mac (for non-music reasons) but am open to setting up some sort of PC/Mac mini farm over LAN. I also want the ability to record a small number of instruments simultaneously with whatever setup I go with.
I also understand that different gear is required for different interests, styles and preferences. In my case I'd like to be able to make professional cinematic mock-ups, as well as recording small acoustic instruments in my home.
Given my situation, what approach would you take with $20K? Would love to hear what experience and setup works best for some of the more seasoned composers out there. Any links/info you can send will help me very much! Also, if there are any members in LA whose studios I might be able to visit, please message me.
Thank you!
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Starting from scratch, $20K
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If you're wanting a Mac, Look to spend about 4 to 6 grand on your system with multiple SSD drives for, sample storage, RAM, sound card, etc. You could go cheaper if you get a refurbished Mac.
Personally, I like to keep it simple so I just have one computer running everything rather than slaves. The more slaves you start adding the more complicated things get.
When you say...
I'd like to be able to make professional cinematic mock-ups,
Do you mean film scoring? If yes, then you should invest in a dedicated DAW for that purpose (Nuendo, Cubase)
If you like doing chamber works then look at VSL's Dimension series. Also, I would look at MIR which is also a VSL product.
If your budget is 20 grand then you should still have plenty for the Cube extended libraries even after MIR and Dimension.
One other thing. You may want to consider another MIDI keyboard (88 key) If you're using keyswitching to change matrices, and articulations, etc. you're going to use up those 49 keys real quick.
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Hi Ken,
I'm with jasen on the computer, however forget keyswitching, get an iPad and use vsl's brilliant remote app.
All automation is a breeze with the app and you can use the iPad to automate other libraries (lass, Spitfire etc) with another app called Touch OSC. I keep banging on about vsl's app because Keyswitching is so old hat these days if you're on a Mac.
Mike.
www.mikehewer.com -
All automation is a breeze with the app and you can use the iPad to automate other libraries (lass, Spitfire etc) with another app called Touch OSC. I keep banging on about vsl's app because Keyswitching is so old hat these days if you're on a Mac.
Will I ever catch up to the zietgiest😢??????????
If what Mike is saying is true than that sounds like a better route to take than medieval keyswitching.🌩️
