Any good sampler/drum machine will do. I work with 4 samplers. One of which does not only 16 bit/44.1 & 48k, but 24 bit/96k too. Then on some occasions, I'll use the software programs ie: Cubase SX or Sound Forge or any program that'll manipulate audio wave files.

Also, if you try any of the sample CD's loaded w/ hip hop/R&B beats, they'll offer you a lot of bang for the buck too.

I think as a beginner, the 1st piece of gear you need is a good sound module, i.e. Triton rack, Proteous 2000, etc. If money is no object, you can then add a drum machine like an MPC2000xl, and some software programs like Acid, Sonar or Cubase, and Soundforge. I started 1991 with a Ensoniq EPS 16+ keyboard and an Amiga 500 computer. Those were the days.

acid loops if you have a loop based program you dont need to buy the full version of acid just get the loop collection if you dont have one acid 4.0 is the best one ive ever used.

Honestly if were talking programs then hands down go with Reason. Loops based players such as acid arn't worth the plastic they are put on. With Reason you can do so much more, from your drum machine (ReDrum) to the loop based player that uses slices (Dr. Rex), Reason is really your best choice. Even though there are many other prorams out there but with all the stuff Reason has in it you end up saving so much bloody money. But this is just my opinion.

ian im not talking about the softwear but the loop collections which are damn good quality a lot of the drums are raw tracks of drum and bass loops tracked to studder 2 inch tape think about that for a moment.

i have acid and sound forge and vegas i also have a small 100.00 drum machine and a simple keyboard. i am just woundering if there is a easier way. the thing that is hardest for me to find is melodies more than drums dose anyone know if there is a good site or cd to pull some off of or a machine that has them preloaded i was looking at the mpc 4000 but there is like 4 diferent models ? what do you think about the mpc 4000? and will it do what i am looking for ?

Rich, I own the MPC4000, Roland R-8, Triton Rack, Kurzweil K2500RS, & some other stuff. I'm still learning the core features of the MPC, but I'm also able to navigate enough to drop some tight sequences/samples. There are 2 basic versions: one w/ an internal HD and one without. Usually the upper scaled versions are loaded w/ the HD & different (optional) I/O card configurations. Thats when they start carrying that $3000.00+ price tag. It's also loaded w/ a lot of preprogrammed beats that you're already hearing on the radio nowadays.

so you would say its a good buy? (mpc 4000) and is it worth buying the best model

Yes in deed the MPC4000 is a good buy. And for your other question... not really, I'd get the one w/ the HD and CD/RW. That way you can configure it the way you want for future upgrades. However, if your plans call for the one with all the bells and whistles, then so be it. It's all in what suits you.

richerich wrote: Dose anyone have any good advise on what equiptment to buy to make good high quality hip hop beats price is not a concern.?

Here's a excellent deal on a software sound module. Sonic synth 1, omnisynth 1 and sampletank 2 light edition only $109 plus a free SR sampletank sound library for free this is a steal. The sound quality is good also. Sampletank 2 le has 16 midi outs and 8 audio outs. This offer ends on 8/15/04. :)

The link for this offer is below:
http://www.esoundz.com/details/viewDetails.php?ProductID=217&referrer=bundles

Here's a link to listen to some of the sonic synth 1 sounds:
http://www.esoundz.com/details/viewDetails.php?ProductID=82&view=soundList&referrer=home

Here’s a link with reviews of the sonic synth 1 the pic on the site shows sonic synth 2; but it’s not out yet . http://www.kvr-vst.com/get/116.html

P.S.
You can get $5 in epointz by entering a user name for the referral if you purchase. My user name is aslaton just make sure you put in in the “user name” part and not the first or last name part, so enter that when you place your order. I will get $5 too thanks! :)

GOD Bless

as a hiphop/R&B producer i can tell you if money is tight get reason. if you buy it now you'll get a free 49 key controller for m-audio(midiman)
if you have some money you have some things to choose from. personally i start with the Korg triton Studio76. thats my main board. from there i have a new Roland Fantom-X. quality wise no board out sounds as good or as real as the fantom-x not even the Motif Es and yes i know b/c we also use one of them.
as for a master seq/samp/beat machine...
i've always used Mpc's.. but these days i've switched to the Roland Mv-8000.. i still sometimes use a mpc2000xl or 4000.. but that mv-8000 is whats up for me.

if you know what your doing you can make reason sound really good. i know some ppl what have all the proteus sounds and xv5080 sounds in reason and the beats they make sound really good. i've used reason as a mod before b/c i couldn't find the sound i wanted in the x or triton.

the big question is whats your budget to work with?