Musical Instruments

How to make my own home studio on a budget?

Right. I have a guitar, a bass, a small amplifier, a laptop (on Windows Vista) and a copy of Ableton. That’s all. What I want to get now and have advice on:

1) A synth/keyboard (must be small and portable, yet also able to make ‘unusual’ sounds)

2) A microphone

3) A drum synthesiser

I would like to know a decent option for me to buy for each of the above, and I can’t really spend a lot of money. I’m not going to reveal my budget, as I don’t want to be given the most basic options. I’m going for the midrange, basically.

Also, I do ultimately want to record my music. As I mentioned, I have a home studio program (Ableton) on my laptop. What I need to know is:

1) What do I need to record my guitar and bass guitar directly to my laptop? As in, I’m guessing I need some kind of gadget which connects my amp to my computer, but what? And where can I find it to order online?

2) I like Ableton, it’s nice, but is there any other kind of software which is better for recording and mixing electronic guitar music?

Please don’t tell me to buy a Mac – I’m happy with my Toshiba laptop and my vast external hard-drive.

***Thank you very much for any help you can offer me!***

Iphone4 or Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S)?

Okay, i have been having quite a bit of portable electronic trouble lately. About a month ago, I had a Samsung Impression (AT&T) and an iTouch (i believe it had software 3.1.3). I had already had itouch troubles, as it had gotten wet. I used the rice trick and it had worked, but it started to, at times, press the lower left and right corners of my screen if it had not been pressed in some time. This got especially annoying in music where, if i did not lock it, it would press the next song and the last song button at the same time, causing it to momentarily freeze up and switch my song. It also obviously got annoying in games. I verified that this was happening in the Heat Pad app. I tried updating software and restoring and such with no success. however, i did not want to get a new itouch while it was still working and i had already said i may get an iphone eventually.
Meanwhile, my phone’s qwerty keyboard had gotten annoying and difficult to press, so i was thinking about getting a new iphone 4. However, i decided i would try to wait, as i heard iphone 4 was glitchy and my contract was not yet up.
Of course, as of a week ago, my phone’s touch screen just stopped working. Broken phone. Long story short: i needed a new phone! My mom and i went to the att store to see if i could get refunded and to look for a new phone. it was not refundable, but as it turns out, i could get a new phone on a new contract because they would be able to swich the contracts around (complicated, but i was able to get a new contract). I knew from looking online that two solid phones were the backflip(60 dollars) and the captivate (200 bucks). I tried the backflip and didnt love it. then, since i was there, even tho i didnt expect to buy it, i got the captivate. I was amazed by swype and all the great features, and i ended up getting the phone.
Now, after some trouble, today i was able to get MOST of the songs i wanted to transfer, the ones not DCM blocked or whatever, onto my phone. However, yesterday, my itouch stopped working with wifi. plus, i have had it for 2 1/2 years, so it as already about time for a new one (i generally like a new one every 2 years). No working itouch = no itouch apps. I kknow android apps are fantastic, but apple apps are by far better. no question, they have just been available longer and have a huge selection. If you have had an itouch/iphone, you know that apps are quite nice, and it is hard to really go without them after being used to them for 2+ years. new itouch: 300 bucks plus the 200 i spent on the galaxy s. Iphone: 200 bucks. I like android functionality and all but you can do most of it with the new iphone. i would probably jailbreak anew idevice anyway. the plus to the android: swype, i already have it, reallly cool and new. however, i would either be sticking with an old itouch or have to buy a new one (expensive). an iphone is quite similar, with slightly different functionality. nonetheless, it has anywhere internet to the crazy apps, which would be a plus.
SO:
-lets say i get my itouch working. it would work, but it still is old. stick with galaxy S and buy a new itouch, stick with the galaxy S and keep my old itouch, or iphone.
-if i dont get my itouch working, same options as above
(for the two above, assume jailbreaking of idevices)
things to consider: phone value in your opinons, especially the iphone 4′s reception
Basically, i am looking for advice on what to do. sorry for the long question.
I thought i made it clear, i already have a samsung captivate. i just really want an itouch to go with it…but the better option to support my wants unfortunately may be an iphone. dont get me wrong, ilove mycaptivate. its just that the iphone might fit my needs better…
as a response to ThePhoneGeek, i would want an itouch for the apps….It is a fact that there are many more apps in the apple app store compared to the android market, and that the apps can be more complex on an itouch. in situations without possible internet connection, an itouch’s apps make it a better device. however, the itouch’s now have camera, which is useless considering the captivate’s camera. grrr..i dont know what to do! i am going to visit an apple store this weekend

The effects of technology on music?

Hey guys, I have to conduct a survey regarding the effects of technology on music. Will you answer my questionnaire??? Please???

Gender
a)Male
a)Female

Age
a) 13-20
b)20-30
c)30<

Do you think that technology was affected music in a positive or in a negative way?
a)In a positive way
b)In a negative way
c)Equally

Do you think that music not as original as it used to be nowadays?
a)Yes
b)No
c)Maybe

Do you prefer electronic music, or music made with simple instruments? (guitar,drums,piano etc)
a)Electronic
b)Music made with instruments
c)I don’t have a problem

Do you listen to music from your computer or from a CD Player
a)Computer
b) CD Player
c) Both

Would you rather buy a cd from a shop or online?
a)From a shop
b)Online

Why would you download music from the internet? (legally or illegally)
a)It’s cheaper
b)It’s more convenient
c)I listen to music from my computer/upload it to an IPod
d)all of the above
e)Other………….. (please mention)

Would you rather listen to/learn a classic instrument (acoustic guitar, piano) or an electronic one (electronic guitar, keyboard)?
a)Electronic
b)Classic
c)I don’t mind

A lot of people believe that the producers themselves, or the DJs should be considered artists. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
a)Agree
b)Disagree
c)I agree partly

Uhh… that’s all. Please ignore any grammatical errors, I tried my best to translate in from greek! Thank you!

The effects of technology on music?

Hey guys, I have to conduct a survey regarding the effects of technology on music. Will you answer my questionnaire??? Please???

Gender
a)Male
a)Female

Age
a) 13-20
b)20-30
c)30<

Do you think that technology was affected music in a positive or in a negative way?
a)In a positive way
b)In a negative way
c)Equally

Do you think that music not as original as it used to be nowadays?
a)Yes
b)No
c)Maybe

Do you prefer electronic music, or music made with simple instruments? (guitar,drums,piano etc)
a)Electronic
b)Music made with instruments
c)I don’t have a problem

Do you listen to music from your computer or from a CD Player
a)Computer
b) CD Player
c) Both

Would you rather buy a cd from a shop or online?
a)From a shop
b)Online

Why would you download music from the internet? (legally or illegally)
a)It’s cheaper
b)It’s more convenient
c)I listen to music from my computer/upload it to an IPod
d)all of the above
e)Other………….. (please mention)

Would you rather listen to/learn a classic instrument (acoustic guitar, piano) or an electronic one (electronic guitar, keyboard)?
a)Electronic
b)Classic
c)I don’t mind

A lot of people believe that the producers themselves, or the DJs should be considered artists. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
a)Agree
b)Disagree
c)I agree partly

Uhh… that’s all. Please ignore any grammatical errors, I tried my best to translate in from greek! Thank you!
I know, it’s kinda huge, but please????

The effects of technology on music?

I’m doing a project for school… Can you help me, by answering this questionnaire?? Thanks!

Gender
a)Male
b)Female

Age
a) 13-20
b)20-30
c)30<

Do you think that technology was affected music in a positive or in a negative way?
a)In a positive way
b)In a negative way
c)Equally

Do you think that music not as original as it used to be nowadays?
a)Yes
b)No
c)Maybe

Do you prefer electronic music, or music made with simple instruments? (guitar,drums,piano etc)
a)Electronic
b)Music made with instruments
c)I don’t have a problem

Do you listen to music from your computer or from a CD Player
a)Computer
b) CD Player
c) Both

Would you rather buy a cd from a shop or online?
a)From a shop
b)Online

Why would you download music from the internet? (legally or illegally)
a)It’s cheaper
b)It’s more convenient
c)I listen to music from my computer/upload it to an IPod
d)all of the above
e)Other………….. (please mention)

Would you rather listen to/learn a classic instrument (acoustic guitar, piano) or an electronic one (electronic guitar, keyboard)?
a)Electronic
b)Classic
c)I don’t mind

A lot of people believe that the producers themselves, or the DJs should be considered artists. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
a)Agree
b)Disagree
c)I agree partly

Uhh… that’s all. Please ignore any grammatical errors, I tried my best to translate in from greek! I know it’s huge, but please???? (: :$ Thank you!