1. I think you should make a TOP TEN software and hardware POLL that stays at the top of the forum. It should be separated by categories like bass, lead, Pad and string. Acoustic and Electronic. Maybe the best used gear buys with a costimate. Like a rap version of Vintage Synth Explorer. *I saw you on there too Griffin*

You have a list nailed at the top, but there should be one for VSTs.

I like the links page and all I ever see on forums are these long lists that no one wants to sort through. The best plug ins. I trust your judgement and even if some of them are debateable I think it would open a dialog and let the readers voice their opinons.

2. If I do run the youtube channel, would I be an intern for the magazine and can I post videos (music related) of my own choosing? Are there any perks for working for you guys?

3. I think you should give free stuff away every week. maybe a Friday Download once a week. Not just drums either. All of us (all six people on the forum ) could make the stuff and upload it to an FTP (I have one if you need space). That way it's building a community.

I like this forum even though it's brand new. Now the only other good forum is KVR.

Thank you for fixing my signature.

Pro Tools || Ableton Live 7 || Absynth 4 || Z3TA || Alesis SR16 || Roland JP-8080 || Juno 106 || Korg MS2000

1. Top Ten Poll: It would be the same software listed on every site. I don't think the forum is active enough for mass voting on the best stuff. What should I buy? Is the forte of other forums; I wouldn't want to touch that. What would be the motive behind telling you what to buy? If I do that it'd be like speaking for the magazine and the magazine is way bigger than Griffins own opinion on VSTs. Maybe I can make a list of Ten you should look into and try to nail all the popular ones...so may sounds are subjective...

2. Xodus was joking (even if he wasn't, he was). 3 different maggies sort the Youtube stuff. We have plenty of eyes moderating it. Thanks though...

3. The problem is policing the content. Who knows WHERE the stuff is from? I would only trust pure audio and no drum sounds or loops- only live stuff and I don't see that kind of demand. BFD2 and Stylus RMX, Battery 3- all sorts of loop libraries..sample packs...I just don't see a need to give away EVEN MORE. The DVD-ROM stays stuffed as it is. If you'd like you can host stuff and make announcements here. If you wnat me to host it - I'd need serious details to the source before we co-sponsor goodies.

I think you are a solid contributor to the forum so keep it coming...and thanks.

Bwahhhh. I can only imagine what kind of twisted videos you'd upload. A baby goat nursing with a crappy techno beat behind it.      

Look, I'm sorry but when you're serious about purchasing a piece of software you do real research. I'd only trust some yahoo on the internet if I was downloading it. Installing and uninstalling a demo is too much work for these clowns.

"What' VSTs is everybody using? Just curious."

Why so you can go download it? FU. Find your own toolset you lazy MOFO.

I'm about to be all software and I don't feel like sharing what I use. I know what it sounds like and I don't need a co-sign from some newb. I guarantee I'm freaking them better than 99% of the cats that are quick to brag about their VSTs.

I would love to hear the practices of this producers edge producer you seem to be modeling yourself after. What does he do? Read the magazine and on your word slavishly goes out and buys whatever you say is good? Sends the mighty XODUS PHOENIX a PM with lots of prase and then begs for your golden advice for what to do?

Get off your high horse.

EVEN IF I was thinking of going into production and had a big software budget, I would STILL want to know what the best gear for me was. A suggestion of what to check out and what to avoid would go far and save me a bunch of time. I know you have a studio computer with just about everything running through it- without your connections, who else could do that and just know the good from the bad.

You say use your own judgement, but I don't have good judgement without experience. Some free Moog Emulator might sound good to me. Maybe hearing the Arturia stuff would change my mind, maybe it wouldn't and I'd be fine using the free one.

someone could jst help me narrow down the field of candidates. maybe I don't need to spend months installing those system-unstabling-audio-driver-corrupting demos if someone could point me in the right direction.

That's the point of the list. If someone sees what I use it might spark interest in my toolset or maybe they have resources I could use. maybe a new update is out or some kind of add-on pack or maybe they've discovered a wicked trick.

You seem to spend a  lot of time worrying about 'clowns'. Maybe if you didn't wear that makeup and come out on the small 'whip' with that music playing, they wouldn't confuse you for one of their own.

Pro Tools || Ableton Live 7 || Absynth 4 || Z3TA || Alesis SR16 || Roland JP-8080 || Juno 106 || Korg MS2000

A) He learns himself instead of following others. What kind of music do you want to make? What kind of sounds are you after? What do you already own? What skills do you have?

B) It starts with your workflow and sequencer. If you use Reason, then you explore Reason Refills. If you use Sonar you explore Cakewalk's tools and then you'd discover Dimension Pro and Rapture.

C) If you were to Google up reviews for that product, there would mentions of other apps/gear on that same reviewing site. Any music production hub has links for resources. Google/Yahoo/Excite VST Virtual Instrument and you get a whole universe to explore.

D) Go to any online store and see what's for sale after searching key words. It's not that hard.

E) Interested in a Fantom-G? Take your *** down to the store and make a beat on it. Listen to it. Test it. Realize it with your workflow.

F) MIDI controller? Play with the pads/keys, see which one feels right. Same store like Musicians Friend will have every MIDI controller on their site. What would you be misssing out on?

But it is flattering that you're here looking for work...

No thank you.

Myspace.com/JaneAlias || Reason 4, Cakewalk Rapture, Z3TA || Koassilator

Being re-built from the ground up. Some comings and goings.

You will be quite suprised and delighted by the changes.