In order to start producing computer music there are a few things you will need to acquire first in order to achieve a basic set up;

• Computer

PC or Mac, obviously with basic peripherals. (Go here for info on the pro's and con's of both) I use a PC, you will need a mid range to high spec. Processing power is a must.
I built two PC's (with help!) at £350 each from here

• Soundcard

I would recommend this, which is what i use, its very powerful, yet quite affordable. If you have more cash to spare then go here or here. Some general info on soundcards is here a good comparison table for mid range soundcards can be found here. A large list of soundcard manufacturers can be found at SynthZone.com and if you want to know more about how soundcards work I have found a very informative article.

• Midi Controller

This is optional, but buying one is well worth it, it saves you from a tedious amount of mouseage. I use an Evolution Mk425-c, which has , 25 full-size touch-sensitive keys, 21 assignable MIDI controllers, 8 knobs, 10 buttons,10 memory locations, allowing me to control just about any parameter in Ableton Live (or any seqencer, or midi compatible hardware) rather than using the mouse or computer keyboard. It was nicely priced at £99 but unfortunately has been discontinued, however a list of fine midi controllers is here., you can get one as cheap as fifty pounds. Theres a short video here showing how easy it is to connect your midi controller, keyboard or midi device to Ableton Live in order to control your VST's and Live parameters..

• Amp

I use a Marantz PM4001OSE (Stereo Amplifier) , which is really just a home stereo separated amp, it does the job though and has enough stereo in's and out's as i need at the moment, it also sounds okay. I do intend to buy a more suited one though, but for those starting out anything like this will do.

• Speakers

I use Wharefdale 'Laser Range', which how I came about acquiring I have no idea. They are good quality speakers intended for home stereo, again they are sufficient for my needs so far but ideally I, and you will require Monitors. Monitors start at around £200 and go up, along way. Well worth it though, 'monitor speakers', or 'reference monitors'produce a flat frequency response. This means that the speaker gives an accurate reproduction of the tonal qualities of the source audio.

• Sequencer (link for info)

I use Ableton Live 6 and Cubase. Look for info on sequencers here and choose which one is best for your needs. Though if your starting out I recommend Ableton its less expensive than some of its cousins but still incredibly powerful and versatile.

If you have all this set up according to the manufacturers guidelines you should now be ready to make some great beats and eventually do stuff like this. Obviously there is a huge range of hardware such as samplers, hardware sequencers, synths, recording units etc, but unless you've got the money the set up above will enable you to achieve good sounds using software such as VSTs (Virtual instruments) which plug into your sequencer and can be fully controlled by a midi controller/device.

Aswell as the equipment you will also need some sounds, these can be the samples, VST synths, drum machines, or samplers that come with/plug into your sequencer, bought or downloaded samples, sampled samples, your hardware keyboard/synth, drum machines etc.

Here is a very basic set up enabling you to record and sequence your tracks quite happily. You don't necessarily have to have a mixer if you don't have any external hardware. Midi devices will either connect via midi ins, outs an thru ports, or lately USB.

• Vst's (Virtual Instruments)

  Vst's are rapidly, if not already, catching up with their hardware equivalents (see article.) They come in a wide range, and offer endless opportunities in producing electronic music. You will be able to find many free VSTs on the internet, though most you can expect to pay for, sometimes up to £600. One of my favourites is the Native instrument's VSTs series with their legendary award-winning virtual organ, B4 or their stunning Kontakt sampler. You can find list of VST's here.

• Samples

There are many ways to create/find samples, either by using a hardware or sofware sampler, finding them on the internet, recording them with portable devices, buying them and so on. Hardware is expensive so at the moment i'm using software, which suits me, the Sampler in Live 6 for example is extremely versatile.

• Instruments
Be it synths/keyboards, guitars, drums etc you are fully capable of recording them them all with the set up above (and with the equipment you desire, obviously)

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