Cheapest setup without too much pc involved (Page 1 of 2)

For the sound your selection is not better than a pc, and for your sequencing needs the Zoom won't do you much good either. Why would you dump the pc and settle for this stuff?

just use what works. we use a lot of stuff that doesn't work too

and u cant upload to demo contest with a cassette recorder

maybe get one of those digital recorders out there like a tascam or something? i think they have USB built in these days so you can easily dump your finished mixes to a computer.

"working computer"

At the moment I am using the following stuff in my computer-less setup:

Akai MPC 2000XL as a central sequencing station and for drums/sampling
Doepfer MS 404 for basslines
Nord Rack 2 for most synth stuff, sometimes also basslines
Roland JX8P for additional synth stuff
Alesis Micron as MIDI keyboard ans additional synth stuff

I only use a computer for recording, which is an okay task for a machine like that I guess I bought a Terratec PHASE26 (external sound card) for that, and use it with my laptop (it's connected via USB).

Before, I was using two old KORG Electribes, they're totally easy to use and cheap to get, but not too flexible and not too good sounding. I only used them for live stuff and for getting ideas, but not for producing. The newer ones (blue and red) should be a bit better, though.

I'd say get a good sequencer, Akai MPC or maybe a Yamaha RM1x (never used it but heard a lot of good things) or something like that, and maybe one additional synth or sampler. That should be enough along with what you already have to create a few interesting tracks.

Btw, I plan to sell my old MPC 2000 soon, mail me if you're interested.

Well you did not specify a budget maybe it's easier to help if you could mention what you can afford at the moment

I once thought about getting me an MC-303 because it's available everywhere and also very cheap, but I found out that it's not so good for sequencing external stuff, because it only sends the notes, you can't sequence parameter changes (it works internally though I think), but maybe that's not a huge problem for you, so you might consider that machine as well. Or one of the Yamaha QY sequencers, there are some cheap ones out there as well, and they have pretty good sequencing capabilities.

Yeah, also keep in mind that most hardware sequencers cannot handle Facebook or eMail

do you want to use a pc for sequencing or go in for the hardware sequencer?  i wouldn't recommend doing hardware sequencing if you're used to something else since 1. there's a learning curve for every different model line and 2. the sequencer itself will massively influence the style and approach you use in making music.  that's true with software and hardware of course, but with software you've obviously got more flexibility.

roland MC series is hard to beat on features for the price range, the mc-300/500/50/50mkII are all good choices, huge features, fairly easy to use if you can get over the initial hump, and they're built to last. 

honestly you could just get an old powerbook and download studio vision pro and try to learn that if you really want to go old school, SVP is free for any use and you can download it here http://www.office-saya.com/vision/vision.html (japanese website but english version).  there's also this http://www.oakbog.com/PT3NuBus.html predates m-box and can use the microphone input on one of the old macs/powerbooks on the compatible list.  i actually have an old powerbook G3 wallstreet with this stuff installed on it that i was using with an akai s2000, but i've sold the akai and don't have time to learn SVP so if you want it shoot me a PM and we can work something out.

oh also the old yamaha KM602/KM802 mixer line are great for small scale home electronic setups.  three effects loops means you can stick some old quadraverbs or guitar pedals on there and use some independent drum channels or something.  they go for less than $50 usually.  plus, the neon sliders are awesome

I just can't recommend the korg electribe boxes enough for cheap hardware that can do so much and is so easy and fun to play.  In my first encounters with them I would wish for things like an asdr and multiple outs for the voices, but when you are creative with the options that are there the possibilities are endless,  esp since they each have a digital delay built in, and a little modulation sequencer that will save and repeat your knob movements. you might be able to read the parameters the knobs control with the giant pictures i found:

the best 'bang for the buck' by far in the series is the esx-1 sampler that you can load samples onto with a smartmedia card.  it has the only loophole in all the electribes that i've used to sequence chords, by monophonic sequencing of a sample of a chord.  the biggest limitation of the electribes is the monophonic sequencing, and they also don't have a sound that upon close listening at home that you'll probably fall in love with the way you might with real analog gear

If you have to be able to record and sequence polyphonic midi data, the cheapest and most fun device i've come across is the rm1x.  It has its own synth engine with 16 channels and 64 voice polyphony.  there are some really dope organ drum machine samples and the standard roland techno fare, but the sound quality is a serious step down from the korg electribes.  not really a problem if you are just into busting out some dirty gritty cheap sounding variant of whatever sound you are most into.

the rs7000 which is almost an rm1x with a sampler added on is also a great value that will do so much for you and is fun to play.

ive scored all of these at prices that i couldn't pass on:

er-1 mkII: 150
ea-1: 75
esx-1: 225
rm1x: 150
rs7000: 500

i've always been fine with cheap yamaha and mackie mixers that have effects sends as well, but I would probably wouldn't even take a behringer for free.

also I recommend to stay away from all roland grooveboxes.  they are always, always in my experience really really hard to program and do anything with, and always have serious issues with note-stealing and timing whenever you add on the notes and parts, especially at the first beat of every measure

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