Producer forums are filled with debates about what pieces of equipment are core to hip-hop. Eventually, certain brand names like the Akai MPC series or the ASR-10 will appear in the discussion. However, does not having one of these machines make you less of a hip-hop producer? Today, we'll talk about the importance of certain pieces of equipment and if equipment in general matters at all.
The answer (in my opinion) to whether or not equipment matters in getting a true hip-hop sound is yes and no. As a producer, you need equipment that you enjoy using and that inspires you or else you won't enjoy making music. When you don't enjoy making music, your music won't sound inspired and the end result won't be as good. Thus, in regards to the question of whether or not equipment matters, it does. It matters that you enjoy, understand, and are inspired by the equipment that you use.
However, an individual piece of equipment is not core to being a hip-hop producer. What matters more than the selection of an individual piece of equipment is a named brand instrument is whether or not a producer is comfortable and knows how to use that equipment. If a producer prefers the workflow of Fruity Loops over an Akai MPC, he'll make better music on Fruity Loops...period. Furthermore, hip-hop predates any of these legendary production machines. Hip-hop started by manually looping records by spinning two copies of the same record on a turntable. The equipment that came after certainly aided in this process, but hip-hop was being produced before these machines came out.
Also, few people understand why these pieces of equipment became legendary. At the time these machines came out, they were best-in class at what they did and of course, the generation of hip-hop producers gravitated toward them and purchased them. However, musicians and producers are very attached to their equipment and can be extremely brand loyal. The result was that when the next generation of producers came along and got advice from the previous generation, the previous generation of course recommended the equipment that they knew and loved. Also, when an entire generation of producers has the same equipment, it's bound to become legendary.
The truth of the matter is that technology has evolved since hip-hop was birthed. There are plenty of alternatives to equipment that has become legendary in hip-hop, and at the end of the day, machines won't make you a better producer. Only knowledge of how to get the sound you want out of a machine will make you a better producer. The choice of the machine is up to you
Don't be fooled into thinking that you need a certain piece of equipment to be a producer. Find the equipment that is best for you, and learn how to use that.
The answer (in my opinion) to whether or not equipment matters in getting a true hip-hop sound is yes and no. As a producer, you need equipment that you enjoy using and that inspires you or else you won't enjoy making music. When you don't enjoy making music, your music won't sound inspired and the end result won't be as good. Thus, in regards to the question of whether or not equipment matters, it does. It matters that you enjoy, understand, and are inspired by the equipment that you use.
However, an individual piece of equipment is not core to being a hip-hop producer. What matters more than the selection of an individual piece of equipment is a named brand instrument is whether or not a producer is comfortable and knows how to use that equipment. If a producer prefers the workflow of Fruity Loops over an Akai MPC, he'll make better music on Fruity Loops...period. Furthermore, hip-hop predates any of these legendary production machines. Hip-hop started by manually looping records by spinning two copies of the same record on a turntable. The equipment that came after certainly aided in this process, but hip-hop was being produced before these machines came out.
Also, few people understand why these pieces of equipment became legendary. At the time these machines came out, they were best-in class at what they did and of course, the generation of hip-hop producers gravitated toward them and purchased them. However, musicians and producers are very attached to their equipment and can be extremely brand loyal. The result was that when the next generation of producers came along and got advice from the previous generation, the previous generation of course recommended the equipment that they knew and loved. Also, when an entire generation of producers has the same equipment, it's bound to become legendary.
The truth of the matter is that technology has evolved since hip-hop was birthed. There are plenty of alternatives to equipment that has become legendary in hip-hop, and at the end of the day, machines won't make you a better producer. Only knowledge of how to get the sound you want out of a machine will make you a better producer. The choice of the machine is up to you
Don't be fooled into thinking that you need a certain piece of equipment to be a producer. Find the equipment that is best for you, and learn how to use that.
About the Author:
Frank Lubsey is a founding member of the Jam Sonic music production crew and composes jingles for small companies and beats for artists. Visit his site for hip-hop beats for sale and to purchase beats.
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