Drum Machine? MIDI Controller? New TT?

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I just got a belated (very belated) holiday gift of $250 for Sam Ash
Music!!! I don't know what to get. I'm interested in making
jazz/rock/prog, and I'm considering getting a drum machine. Any
suggestions in this department? I'm somewhat skilled with MIDI
technology, but I've never touched a drum machine in my life. I want
something that can swing too, for jazz purposes. 

What about a MIDI controller? I have a synth, but its not much in terms
of MIDI channels... can't play too many at once. If I get a drum
machine, I assume I'll need a MIDI controller anyway, right? I was
thinking something cheap, you know, with just over 24 keys or something
like that.

Finally, I was considering getting a turntable. Any suggestions there?

Thanks!

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Sweetnighter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 24 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1298	Topic: Drum Machine? MIDI Controller? New TT? Posted: February 22 2005 at 17:11
	I just got a belated (very belated) holiday gift of $250 for Sam Ash Music!!! I don't know what to get. I'm interested in making jazz/rock/prog, and I'm considering getting a drum machine. Any suggestions in this department? I'm somewhat skilled with MIDI technology, but I've never touched a drum machine in my life. I want something that can swing too, for jazz purposes. What about a MIDI controller? I have a synth, but its not much in terms of MIDI channels... can't play too many at once. If I get a drum machine, I assume I'll need a MIDI controller anyway, right? I was thinking something cheap, you know, with just over 24 keys or something like that. Finally, I was considering getting a turntable. Any suggestions there? Thanks!
	I bleed coffee. When I don't drink coffee, my veins run dry, and I shrivel up and die. "Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso? Is that like the bank of Italian soccer death or something?" -my girlfriend

arcer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: September 01 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1239	Posted: February 23 2005 at 15:47
	Have a look at Evolution's midi-controlllers - cheap and with lots of controllers that can be mapped to soft synths. I'm not a drum machine guy - I used loops but if I need a drum machine I use soft-synth ones (loving Fruity Loops and it's cheap and very useful for a lot of sequencing duties) but it is step-time programming - if you hate that well..... But you can load up samples, step-time programme them, muck about with them on a piano roll, sequence patterns etc etc. It's good. Regarding a turntable - if you're on a budget a Rega Planar 3 is solid and usable if you've got money to spend - try a Linn LP12 - i have one, it's old and hasn't been upgraded a lot and I adore it. It's great. Hunt around for second hand ones - there's plenty out there on ebay alternatively have a look at Clearaudio - they have a basic model for around Euros700 and the upgrade path is infinite.

sigod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 17 2004 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 2779	Posted: February 24 2005 at 11:40
	I'm with Arcer on his suggestion of the Evolution controller. As for a deck, I've used a few in my time and the best of the cheaper units that I've come into contact with would probably either be the Numarks or if you can push the price a little, the Stantons. At the top end you are looking at either Technics or Vestax IMO.
	I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill