New to midi, please help

[Pahtcub]

I've searched a little bit, but I don't really know what I'm searching for, if that makes any sense.

Ok I admit I slept through the midi section in recording engineering cause I never saw the need was only 17 then, but now I'm couped up in a condo and want to produce virtual drums and maybe even bass lines in midi. I have a Delta 10/10 and cubase VST.

So I'm figuring I need a controler, I was thinking a compact will do, since I'm going to be playing one note at a time, remember I don't playt any keys, but some come with programable knobs...what are those for? What am I looking for in a midi controler for someone that doesn't play keys at all?

Now from there I basically play into the delta which should write the virtual track on cubase right?? Now how do I get sound from that virtual track?? I'm guessing this is where the plugins come in and where I get confused, because there are VSTi plugins, sampler plugins, drum machine plugins, and bass plugins, which I don't see the difference of(isn't a drum machine in esscence<SP> a sampler?). Everything after that I don't know about.

I think I've explained my problem pretty well if there's anything else you need to know please ask, cause I'd like to get an educated answer to this so I can learn something. Thanks guys

Pat

[ssscientist]

I have one of these which I like pretty well. It's pretty durable and has everything within reach -- the knobs on top send midi CC (continuous controller) data.

For a refresher course in midi basics, go here.

And you can find everything you need to know about plugins - and lots of them for free - here.

[Pahtcub]

Thanks for the info, but that message board doesn't really explain the difference between sampler plugins and drum machine plugins.

[ssscientist]

Okay, I'll try then.

Drum machine plugins: There are two basic types, one using sampled drum sounds and the other using a synthesis engine to produce drum-like tones. The $69 Sonic Charge MicroTonic is my favorite synthesized drum plugin, and Steinberg makes a sample based plugin called the LM4 which I can recommend with some reservations.

Sampler plugins: They range from very simple to VERY complex. One of the simplest is the one that comes with Tracktion and one of the most needlessly complex is Tascam GigaSampler. Most are in between, but all are relatively expensive as plugins go. IMHO, most try to reach beyond what most musicians are looking for in a sampler plug in - the ability to play, tune and alter the amplitude and filter settings of a single sample or group of samples.

And K-v-R is not a 'message board' even though I can see how a newbie could make that mistake. It's a supermarket for VST plugins, both fx and instrument. If it doesn't have a listing on K-v-R it's probably not worth knowing about. You can find listings for everything I've mentioned in my reply there.

[ssscientist]

Okay, I'll try then.

Drum machine plugins: There are two basic types, one using sampled drum sounds and the other using a synthesis engine to produce drum-like tones. The $69 Sonic Charge MicroTonic is my favorite synthesized drum plugin, and Steinberg makes a sample based plugin called the LM4 which I can recommend with some reservations.

Sampler plugins: They range from very simple to VERY complex. One of the simplest is the one that comes with Tracktion and one of the most needlessly complex is Tascam GigaSampler. Most are in between, but all are relatively expensive as plugins go. IMHO, most try to reach beyond what most musicians are looking for in a sampler plug in - the ability to play, tune and alter the amplitude and filter settings of a single sample or group of samples.

And K-v-R is not a 'message board' even though I can see how a newbie could make that mistake. It's a supermarket for VST plugins, both fx and instrument. If it doesn't have a listing on K-v-R it's probably not worth knowing about. You can find listings for everything I've mentioned in my reply there.

[manning1]

heres some midi tutorials etc...
http://www.garys.web.st/midibasics.htm
http://www.garys.web.st/basicintro.htm

[Pahtcub]

Ok I think I've got it, thanks, been going through the midi tutorials, I think I'm gonna go with a drum machine. Thanks

[johnnymegabyte]

Depending on what soundcard you have, but most soundblasters have 10 drum kits, when using 8 meg soundfonts

If you're looking for freeware midi editor .... JAZZ++ from www.jazzware.com

I tossed out my drum machine 3 years ago, when I could do it all with this software.
Plus, with MIDI you can copy and paste what you like from other songs.

JAZZ++ has a loop feature. Just program 8, 12, 16 bars and loop.
Great for working on song arrangements.
TIP: Once, I got it down, I copy and paste the parts, over and over, until I get the song built.


Using the MIDI MAPPER, I map channels 1 to 5 to my Roland D-70, and channels 6 to 16 ( 10 is drums ) from the Soundblasters built-in EMU synth chip

[Pahtcub]

Originally Posted by Pahtcub

I have a Delta 10/10 and cubase VST.
Pat

???????hu?

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by Pahtcub

Ok I think I've got it, thanks, been going through the midi tutorials, I think I'm gonna go with a drum machine. Thanks

So what you're saying to midi in general is 'thanks but no thanks'.

You'll be back. Don't know exactly when, but you'll be back...

[Pahtcub]

No I meant a drum machine plug in, as opposed to a sampler plugin, I already have a stand alone drum machine, but I want something with more sounds and an easier programming interface, like cubase:-)