Need Advice - Roland MC307

[spage]

Right in a nut shell I am a competant DJ and I have been interested in making a few tunes of my own for my own pleasure for a few years now. I am not very keen on computers but use them daily at work at the investment firm I work at in the city and to surf the net and buy tunes and DL and seed films on private trackers. I am a bit scared to be honest to buy something like Ableton or Reason or even to use Fruity Loops as the problem I have with computers is that I find a lot of stuff can be "hidden away" hence me coming up with the idea of purchasing something like the Roland MC307 as it is ONE BOX controlled by keys, buttons and dials . . . it's all THERE in front of me.

Basically I writing this to get some feedback from you, what can you tell me about my train of thought here, have you used one, what's your opinion, where would be the best place in London, England to buy one, is there any literature I could read that would help me?

[::BLM::]

ebay you can get them.

I would rather have Ableton over one of them.

[Barfunkel]

I would start with software, like Ableton. Hardware is for people who know exactly what they want and need. Buying stuff semi-randomly will just make you sad and poor, especially if you're a newbie.

And this is coming from a hardware guy. I don't recommend that road for beginners, it's expensive and it takes longer to find a decent setup combo than it takes to fully learn a software like Ableton.

[spage]

What about Fruity Loops, I'd be making percussive techno and tech house mainly.

[trak660]

Fruity Loops, Ableton, Reason are all good ways to get started.

As for "grooveboxes", I'd consider an EMX-1 before a Roland.

I think you'd be more satisfied with software and a nice controller.

[Robot Criminal]

well this clearly belongs to producing forum so... it's going to be moved to producing forum.

[TechnoMusic]

If you want a groovebox and already have a laptop go out and buy NI maschine. Its a brilliant halfway house between hardware and software.

I love mine.

Some "tech" examples of maschine in use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDu-szaN9Mk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8pyGb7Pd7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuFP44meZ7Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoolaBAfmQg

[Lindsay]

A bit late but eh...

I've had a 307 for years, I pull it out to program patterns on it now and then. The xox sequencing, muting keys, size and the lfo are enjoyable to use. I would recommend you try before you buy. There are some talented people on youtube doing dubstep with these which shows that the sounds can still be programmed to reflect something of current trends but the stock sounds are the units' pitfall and are not the most adjustable.