MIDI systems advice needed....(Any musicians here)
Discussion
Friend on another forum posted this........All advice gratefully received....:)
HI
After more help.......James is doing Music Tech a school now & needs a MIDI
keyboard & soundcard.......any one got any advice as to what sort of thing
to get we have been looking at the Evolution MK-449C USB & MK-461C USB but
we are sort of thinking that the 461 may be too big at 7.5 octaves.....
He tells me he has Cuebase SX whatever that is!!! But he claims it's
relevant:-)
Thanks for your help
HI
After more help.......James is doing Music Tech a school now & needs a MIDI
keyboard & soundcard.......any one got any advice as to what sort of thing
to get we have been looking at the Evolution MK-449C USB & MK-461C USB but
we are sort of thinking that the 461 may be too big at 7.5 octaves.....
He tells me he has Cuebase SX whatever that is!!! But he claims it's
relevant:-)
Thanks for your help
A 4 octave "master keyboard" is fine, since it doesnt take up much space and there's plenty of keys to bash.
Sound card wise...there are lots, but if this is all new to him then dont spend much to start with...never worth it.
I use:
Emu 0404 [should be around £50-£70]
Roland PC 180A Keyboard - originally cost about £100, but there are fantastic one's out now with assignable knobs and sliders for virtual instruments.
That sound card is great, low latency for use with Cubase SX and VSTi's [virtual instruments - basically no lag or delay when playing the keys].
Try www.guitarampkeyboard.com for good prices.
I've been producing music for around 8 years on the PC, so if you need any help just ask...
Sound card wise...there are lots, but if this is all new to him then dont spend much to start with...never worth it.
I use:
Emu 0404 [should be around £50-£70]
Roland PC 180A Keyboard - originally cost about £100, but there are fantastic one's out now with assignable knobs and sliders for virtual instruments.
That sound card is great, low latency for use with Cubase SX and VSTi's [virtual instruments - basically no lag or delay when playing the keys].
Try www.guitarampkeyboard.com for good prices.
I've been producing music for around 8 years on the PC, so if you need any help just ask...
Music Technology isnt playing classical music mate, he'll be doing modern things that doesn't require spending huge ammount of cash to start with.
I've never needed to use fully weighted keys, and like I said, I have been producing music on the pc since 96 roughly.
Remember its not what you got...blah blah blah.
I've never needed to use fully weighted keys, and like I said, I have been producing music on the pc since 96 roughly.
Remember its not what you got...blah blah blah.
I don't have any advice I'm afraid.
Just wanted to drop in to say I think MIDI is rubbish.
I know that's not very constructive but I find it alot easier just to get by with a few bits and pieces such as Wavelab, Fruityloops (you can make whole tracks in it - without using pre-programmed loops - if you have the patience but I think it's better for just beats)* and Reason.
And Cubase.
*Having said that, the first track I ever released was made entirely in Fruity and only took a day and a half!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 25th September 18:06
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 25th September 18:07
Just wanted to drop in to say I think MIDI is rubbish.
I know that's not very constructive but I find it alot easier just to get by with a few bits and pieces such as Wavelab, Fruityloops (you can make whole tracks in it - without using pre-programmed loops - if you have the patience but I think it's better for just beats)* and Reason.
And Cubase.
*Having said that, the first track I ever released was made entirely in Fruity and only took a day and a half!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 25th September 18:06
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 25th September 18:07
I use an Evolution 461C with an Audiophile USB sound card in conjunction with Cubase SX2, Halion 3 Sampler and a P3 compressor, there is not much you cant do with that. A good selection of VST is also very helpful, Cubase comes with a fair few to start you off. With this set up you can also record multitrack vocals or guitar etc.
Dan Boy, he say "I don't have any advice I'm afraid.
Just wanted to drop in to say I think MIDI is rubbish"
Well, that is just arse.
Most modern electronic and othger music is MIDI based.
Even Reason relies on it. Only toy program like E-Jay and Fruity don't make use of it properly.
All decent hardwars synths and outboard uses MIDI to communicate. Only vintage analog synths don't have it.
Back on to the theme, there are lots of decent soundcards, Terratec, Echo, etc, and master keyboards about.
Pick one with onboard knobs and sliders as thes can be programmed to control the sequencers transport and EQ etc. (e.g. Cubase SX) and virtual instruments (like samplers, synths, effects etc)
Get an issue of Computer Music to see what is all about.
Koenig
Just wanted to drop in to say I think MIDI is rubbish"
Well, that is just arse.
Most modern electronic and othger music is MIDI based.
Even Reason relies on it. Only toy program like E-Jay and Fruity don't make use of it properly.
All decent hardwars synths and outboard uses MIDI to communicate. Only vintage analog synths don't have it.
Back on to the theme, there are lots of decent soundcards, Terratec, Echo, etc, and master keyboards about.
Pick one with onboard knobs and sliders as thes can be programmed to control the sequencers transport and EQ etc. (e.g. Cubase SX) and virtual instruments (like samplers, synths, effects etc)
Get an issue of Computer Music to see what is all about.
Koenig
RobGTO said:
Music Technology isnt playing classical music mate, he'll be doing modern things that doesn't require spending huge ammount of cash to start with...
Actually, my Music Tech degree was based mostly around classical music
Agree that you wouldn't need to spend huge amounts of cash to start with with though. With more modern styles the weighted keyboard (as on my Clavinova) can be a bit of a handicap.Soundcard Reccomendation
Midiman Audiophile 24/96, will do everything you need re MIDI, but also has excellent a/d converterd for playback and recording analogue sound, which I would guess he will need
Do a search, they're well regarded, about £100
I've been using one for a couple of years now, excellent
Midiman Audiophile 24/96, will do everything you need re MIDI, but also has excellent a/d converterd for playback and recording analogue sound, which I would guess he will need
Do a search, they're well regarded, about £100
I've been using one for a couple of years now, excellent
Have a look at the Sound on Sound website.
You can often get things like a Digidesing M-box for about £180
that will give MIDI audio and proper mic inputs.
Even with all the best sounds in the world there is nothing like recording real audio. Instruments, vocals, SFX and of course farts and burps.
You can often get things like a Digidesing M-box for about £180
that will give MIDI audio and proper mic inputs.
Even with all the best sounds in the world there is nothing like recording real audio. Instruments, vocals, SFX and of course farts and burps.
that's why I reccomended the 24/96, blanced RCA inputs straight from the desk Koenig, with all due respect, I don't care what anybody else thinks (I accept that the majority, if not all musicians would disagree with me) - I hate MIDI.
When it comes to music production, I like things to be simple. To be honest, I don't even have much patience when it comes to
ing about with knobs and faders in Cubase. Actually, I hate Cubase too. To me, it makes production a chore.
Fruity may be a "toy" programme but as somebody else said, it's all about the end results; not what you use to get them.
As an example, I released a track on an EP in 2003, with three other tracks by three different artists. I made my track in Fruity using only individual hits and notes, and only Fruity effects. Whilst Fruity isn't really geared for that kind of thing, it worked out fine and - more importantly - I had fun. The only other bit of software I used was Wavelab.
The other three producers all used Cubase and various different bits of software and hardware. One of the guys had a massive home studio with a mass of rack-mount synths and what-have-you.
The EP was largely overlooked, with the exception of my track which was aired on three very major commercial radio stations on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure it's still listed somewhere in the internet in a Kiss 100 FM playlists page. All the record shops selling the EP would make sure to mention that it featured my track, as nobody was particularly interested in any of the others.
I mixed it down using a DJ mixer and two speakers which originally came from a Sony hi-fi system. Everyone else had proper monitors and - if not a proper mixing desk - full use of digital mixing software. I just used Fruity with it's built-in EQs. Despite this, all three of the other producers, as well as the record label it was released on agreed that my track sounded the fullest out of the four.
I'm not using this an excuse to brag (I haven't finished a tune in years) but am just saying that it really doesn't matter what you use if the end result is a success. Whilst you may dismiss my opinion as a bunch of arse, I can at least back up my views. I had DJs I'd looked up to for years calling me up and asking for CDs, but by that stage I just couldn't be bothered any more and gave up (I wanted to be a drummer).
Of the three other producers featured on the EP, one has now moved on to being on the verge of big, big things with his production, one of them is still steadily releasing tracks and I have no idea what happened to the guy with the massive amounts of gear.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 26th September 22:42
When it comes to music production, I like things to be simple. To be honest, I don't even have much patience when it comes to
ing about with knobs and faders in Cubase. Actually, I hate Cubase too. To me, it makes production a chore. Fruity may be a "toy" programme but as somebody else said, it's all about the end results; not what you use to get them.
As an example, I released a track on an EP in 2003, with three other tracks by three different artists. I made my track in Fruity using only individual hits and notes, and only Fruity effects. Whilst Fruity isn't really geared for that kind of thing, it worked out fine and - more importantly - I had fun. The only other bit of software I used was Wavelab.
The other three producers all used Cubase and various different bits of software and hardware. One of the guys had a massive home studio with a mass of rack-mount synths and what-have-you.
The EP was largely overlooked, with the exception of my track which was aired on three very major commercial radio stations on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure it's still listed somewhere in the internet in a Kiss 100 FM playlists page. All the record shops selling the EP would make sure to mention that it featured my track, as nobody was particularly interested in any of the others.
I mixed it down using a DJ mixer and two speakers which originally came from a Sony hi-fi system. Everyone else had proper monitors and - if not a proper mixing desk - full use of digital mixing software. I just used Fruity with it's built-in EQs. Despite this, all three of the other producers, as well as the record label it was released on agreed that my track sounded the fullest out of the four.
I'm not using this an excuse to brag (I haven't finished a tune in years) but am just saying that it really doesn't matter what you use if the end result is a success. Whilst you may dismiss my opinion as a bunch of arse, I can at least back up my views. I had DJs I'd looked up to for years calling me up and asking for CDs, but by that stage I just couldn't be bothered any more and gave up (I wanted to be a drummer).
Of the three other producers featured on the EP, one has now moved on to being on the verge of big, big things with his production, one of them is still steadily releasing tracks and I have no idea what happened to the guy with the massive amounts of gear.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 26th September 22:42
koenig999 said:
Well Danboy, I am impressed that you squeezed a commercial release out of Fruityloops!
What was the track called?
Was it Happy Hardcore?
Koenig
It was 2003 - Hardcore had keeled over, died, and been buried by then. Except in the North, where it appeared to have some kind of evil twin brother.
DanBoy
I have checked out reviews for most of the equipment I have purchased in Sound on Sound, gives a good insight into the product before purchase, it depends on what you are looking for whether the magazine is for you, but for a boring publication they sell an awful lot of copies, must be a lot of us easy satisfied people around. As for the most boring magazine it must be Underwater Yak Stranglers weekly.
I have checked out reviews for most of the equipment I have purchased in Sound on Sound, gives a good insight into the product before purchase, it depends on what you are looking for whether the magazine is for you, but for a boring publication they sell an awful lot of copies, must be a lot of us easy satisfied people around. As for the most boring magazine it must be Underwater Yak Stranglers weekly.
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