FL replacing Hardware

[manguino]

How's it going guys, I'm hella new to production, it's hardly been a week. Played nearly every instrument minus wind instruments, and this seems like something I should have been doing since I was a child. Enough about me...

I've been talking to a few people and reading on alot of forums, but I've never managed to ask about software like Reason or FL Studio. Are these programs REPLACEMENTS for Sequencers / mixers / samplers (sorry, i get the terms mixed up). My friend already has FL to give to me, and I was wondering if purchasing a piece of hardware like an MPC-xxxx or any other would be necessary?

Thanks in advance

 

[Dysphuncktional]

You dont need an MPC to rock fl studio. fl studio is good to go straight out of the box.
peace

 

[StressWon]

i use Fl right now and I also use a midi keyboard, plus I plan on gettin the MPD 24 (hopefully soon). You can use FL by itself, but it doesnt hurt to have a midi controller.

 

[classic]

this is an Age old debate some people prefer hardware some people prefer software...

MY opionion on it is that if u can afford hardware get it... I find that most people who use software started using it becasue of money, then they learned how to freak it and got confterable with it...

Most sofware emulates hardware anyways...

I started with an MPC and never looked back, but again thats just ME. Best thing to do is go down to guitar center and see what you like

 

[thedreampolice]

I actually disagree (my opionion also) I choose software and I can afford hardware. Software is so much more flexable. For example I can load a string library in Logic that is 3+Gigabytes in size, sorry you cant do that on a MPC. I feel that software is also much faster. I do have a MPD drum pad and a midi keyboard. But than other than that I am a firm software guy. MPC's are cool and fun. But Reason can do so much more.

 

[Elementree]

I used Fl by itself for a long time and i am a sample/composer. i bought an MPC though so i could pad my samples for a better feel. FL is strait and for me it definatly replacing hardware except for actual instruments such as guitars and such.

 

[manguino]

cool, thanks for the responses

 

[The Tone Ranger]

Hardware workstations/sound modules seem to be loosing the race. I believe the future of hardware will mainly be software controllers. Computers are just more expandable. With FL studio and the wide variaties of VSTi's, VST effects, and high quality sample libraries out there.....it's all good. Fl Studio explains itself whenever you point the mouse pointer on objects.....it get's no better than that for newbies. Don't be afraid to read through that help manual, all the answers are there. Read, practice, repeat. ~PEACE~

 

[monokrome]

As I see it, hardware like turntables can't be replaced. Samplers can to some degree. It's all about the interaction. Like, your keyboard isn't really easy to use as a piano, right? So, get a MIDI controller.

If you got extra bucks, it's good to learn 'bout the real hardware anyways, though...

The only other argument is that of computer power. If you've got a slower computer, some hardware might help speed up processing and such.

It's all art, and therfore just a matter of opinion. It's what you want to do... Not what you should

 

[NorthJack ENT.]

FL and Mpc's are all the same you can record audio into FL and chop samples in FL and you can do that with a mpc everything has its ups and downs so its ALL! preference no matter what you use if get an mpc and dont like it go back to FL and use an mpd and kontakt its all good.......I personally prefere an mpc but I want to stick with hardware.