soft synth vs. keyboard?

[bbendemann]

Hi there-

Just been getting into the home recording thing, it's like learning a new language after years of just playing guitar live. So far, I've got a Lexicon Omega (has midi in/out) and a Johnson J station which has been decent to record guitars/bass/vocals with. I record everything into my PC using (mostly) "Pro Tracks Plus" software (like cakewalk lite) that came with the Omega.

Looking to branch out a bit as far as instrumentation is concerned. Would like to add some piano sounds, perhaps some horns, and some "synth" sounds to my music. It seems I can go down 1 of 2 roads here:

1.) Get an "all in one" unit like a Yamaha. Looks like the same Casio you used to bang on as a kid. Not only does the unit have it's own speakers, it also has like 200+ presets with every sound under the sun. Most of these in the $200-$300 price range have MIDI and 1/4 outs. Can mess around with it whether or not it's connected to the PC.

2.) Get a MIDI controller (keyboard) and purchase a soft synth. It seems to me the benefit is that software will keep getting better, and I'll probably be able to have unlimited sounds. Don't know if I could play it "live" though, if just using soft synths. The "real time" outputs I currently use are on the Lexicon, and I don't think that the sound would go through the soft synth, back out the USB to the Lexicon, and then come out the headphones real time.

Does this seem like a logical decision to make, or am I missing a big piece of the puzzle here which makes one a no-brainer over the other?

Budget is about $500, preferably less. Thanks in advance for your help, there seems to be a lot of knowledgeable minds here.

[acidrock]

I record everything into my PC using (mostly) "Pro Tracks Plus" software (like cakewalk lite) that came with the Omega.

I'm a Cakewalk user and I've never heard of this software,doe's it support DXI's?(direct X instruments?)
If so, you can get cheap instruments that will work well alongside it,using a midi controller.
I use Kompakt which is a sampler and it is under $200.You can get a controller for around that price too.The sounds will knock your socks off.

You may be putting the cart before the horse though,if you don't have your software/soundcard situation settled yet.

Get an "all in one" unit like a Yamaha. Looks like the same Casio you used to bang on as a kid. Not only does the unit have it's own speakers, it also has like 200+ presets with every sound under the sun. Most of these in the $200-$300 price range have MIDI and 1/4 outs. Can mess around with it whether or not it's connected to the PC.

I've got one of these....for my kids.It is fun to play,has a lot of functions,and yes it does have it's own speakers,but it is just a toy.If you want to go the hardware route I would suggest looking for a good used keyboard.Once you start listening to Rolands,Korgs and upper end Yamahas,you'll realise why there is such a price difference.Most softsynths probably sound better than these beginner keryboards.

[bbendemann]

This "Kompakt"- is that a software program?

And as far as "MIDI controller" goes, is that basically a keyboard that has no other function, bells or whistles and just plugs MIDI out into either a synth or direct into the computer?

I most probably am putting a cart before the horse, certainly not the first time and def not the last.

Slightly unrelated- what is the difference between a "sampler" and "sequencer"?

Thanks for helping a novice out!

[stray411]

Originally posted by bbendemann
This "Kompakt"- is that a software program?

Yes, it's a software sampler. It is a plugin, meaning that it needs to run inside another program, like a sequencer.

Originally posted by bbendemann
And as far as "MIDI controller" goes, is that basically a keyboard that has no other function, bells or whistles and just plugs MIDI out into either a synth or direct into the computer?

Yep. Although, you could use a keyboard that has sounds and other bells and whistles to "act as" a controller.

Originally posted by bbendemann
Slightly unrelated- what is the difference between a "sampler" and "sequencer"?

A sampler plays back pieces of audio, or samples. Samples can be a single hit, like a kick drum. Or can be a loop of audio, like a drum break. Different samples can be mapped (or assigned to play) on different notes of the keyboard, so 1 key is a kick drum, another key is a snare drum and so on to form a complete drum kit.

A sequencer basically tells synths and samplers when and how to play something. You record MIDI information into it via a controller. It's kind of like a multi-track recorder in that you can record multiple different tracks and then play them back at the same time.

So the overall picture looks like this:

- With a sampler you have pieces of audio you can play from a controller.
- With a controller you can play the sampler and record your playing into a sequencer.
- With a sequencer you can record different tracks and play them back simultaneously.

Also using software in real time is entirely possible, but your machine will need to be up to spec.

Hope this helps somewhat, is it a bit to wrap your head around, but can be very rewarding. Good luck.

Stray

[vestast]

You could always buy the Yamaha keyboard AND kompakt (or it's big brother Kontakt). Since the Yamaha keyboard has Midi i/o it can be used as a controller for kompakt, and it gives you the option of using the preset sounds (if it turns out you like them) as an audio input on your omega...