To astoebe.

[manning1]

To astoebe.
we can discuss here.
Lets start qwith your midi sounds.
are you using an on board pc sound chip ?
these ARE cheesy.
please post your sound card brand.
or if your using on board sound built into your pc.

[astoebe]

yeah, I think I understand what you are saying. I am just using the default Microsoft SW Synth or something like that. So I would need a new midi sound card type thing is what you are saying correct? I have a thinkpad, so I think I would have to get an external one right? I had asked on the midi forum what kind of midi gear to get and got one response that said he liked yamaha mu gear.....they are discontinued, but they still have them on ebay. I've been looking around on music sites, but they mostly have software synths, and you are saying they would still sound cheesy correct? Because I would still be using the Microsoft card? Thanks for all of your help!

[manning1]

astoebe.
thats why your getting cheese.
your using the built in sound chip and ms sw synth .
even if you use a pkge costing $2k.
cheese will still result. as the sound chip IS CHEESY.
its purely for playing back win beeps.
as your a pg user ...i'll tell you where to go to audition sounds.
on the pg site is a comparison of various sounds modules.
SD, sound canvas etc etc.
you can go two routes basically. get an external audigy card and load sound fonts which can sound very good OR , and this is what i do.
I hunt around for used midi sound modules driven by midi out of the PC.
what your looking for is a MULTI TIMBRAL SOUND MODULE.
i prefer external modules because softsyths can place quite a processing load on your PC. ie...the thinkpad if its quite old might die under the strain.
the word multi timbral means ability to play more than one sound back at a time from ONE external midi module. for example...midi drums, bass, piano, synth and so forth.
you might also visit your local retailer and demo a bunch of midi modules.
if your willing to spend serious money...youll find amazing sounds that will knock your socks off. also read some of the back posts in the powertracks
user forum on which inexpensive modules are best. look for posts from folks like gary etc. if you have more Q's - ask.
it seems to me you have a very good input signal chain.
all that needs addressing is finding you a great sounding midi module.
if you could post your processor speed. this would help as well.
so i know a little about your thinkpad. NOTE...if you go the softsynth route you might have to add more ram.
maybe lots.peace.

[astoebe]

My laptop is a Pentium M 1 ghz, 512 ram, 40 gig hard drive....not the newest, but not too bad. i haven't had any problems with PT so far....so you think that the best way to go would be an external sound module correct? How should the module I get connect to the computer? USB? Ummm.....I think that's all you needed for now, thanks once again for your help....I will go over to the PG forums and look for posts on good external sound modules....

PS-My budget for midi is probably around 500$, not a ton, I need to get a keyboard controller too....is the M-Audio Radium a good one? Thanks....