Sequencing: Computer or Keyboard ?

[Vadim]

How many of you prefer sequencing/recording in a KEYBOARD rather than on a computer? I personaly would have stayed with a keyboard forever, but most folks are moving to a computer based system, what makes go into computer too a little, but i wish the Sequencing would remain always for KEYBOARD Music Workstations.

[bsr2002]

I'm pretty much into sequencing first on the keyboard then eq in the PC. Sometimes I'll only sequence the drums only then track in everything else so it depends on what I'm trying to accomplish.

[altitude909]

computer all day long. Even the sequencer in the mighty mpc does not hold a candle to any computer based sequencer. If keyboards came with 19" LCD displays and would be controlled by mice it might be a different story..

[c7sus]

I prefer analog sequencing.

[Beck]

I was spoiled early on (1987) with the Ensoniq ESQ-1 keyboard sequencer. It only got better with each firmware upgrade and I still use it today.

[kojdogg]

Originally Posted by Beck

I was spoiled early on (1987) with the Ensoniq ESQ-1 keyboard sequencer. It only got better with each firmware upgrade and I still use it today.

Hah-- I used to use my friend's Ensoniq EPS a lot back in the early 90's and the sequencer was pretty cool and easy to use.

[Atterion]

I'll take a PC everytime. No more scrolling through menus for me

[blazingstrings]

I use to use harware(had a Triton classic 61) until I bought a fast enough computer(G4) to use soft synths.
Then I bought Reason.................... Now I cant go back......

The fact that I can do more on the fly with a program like reason or even using the combo of Sonar and a hardware synth was enough to prove to me that using a PC is better.

WHen you need to tweek stuff its a pain on a keyboard, easy on the PC..

-Blaze

[Vadim]

yeah i agree with both Keyboard and Computer,
I'm even trying myself to go into computers,
I have FL Studio, but the latency is so bad... I have Audio Buffer at 32 Msecs(when recording) when playing back I set it as high as possible...
Also when recording, of coarse 32msecs is too much delay so i sometimes go about 28, but than there is so much cracle. Thats why i'm more into Keyboard. Do I need a faster CPU or, more memory?

[blazingstrings]

What do you have? PC wise that is and be specific.

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by Vadim

yeah i agree with both Keyboard and Computer,
I'm even trying myself to go into computers,
I have FL Studio, but the latency is so bad... I have Audio Buffer at 32 Msecs(when recording) when playing back I set it as high as possible...
Also when recording, of coarse 32msecs is too much delay so i sometimes go about 28, but than there is so much cracle. Thats why i'm more into Keyboard. Do I need a faster CPU or, more memory?

What type of audio/MIDI interface are you using??? If it is whatever came with your computer, than that is your most likely problem. But worry not, there are many affordable ASIO capable cards available these days for cheap money, that'll help with your latency (Provided that your computer is not from the jurassic period).

[Fishmed]

I started back in the early, early 90's sequencing on a Yamaha QY-10. At the time it was cool and all, but once I got my first real "PC" and got some music software that sequenced MIDI, I was hooked. I think that software was Orchestrator Plus. I eventually bought Cakewalk Ver 3.

[sile2001]

Originally Posted by Fishmed_Returns

I started back in the early, early 90's sequencing on a Yamaha QY-10. At the time it was cool and all, but once I got my first real "PC" and got some music software that sequenced MIDI, I was hooked. I think that software was Orchestrator Plus. I eventually bought Cakewalk Ver 3.

Ahh MIDI Orchestrator Plus!!! I remember that! Never quite figured it out though. Now I'm all about Reason and Ableton Live. I pretty much haven't found any kind of sequencing needs those can't fill. If you need a DAW system along with it, Reason, Ableton Live and Sonar can all work together for a big old blob of wholesome goodness

Even if you're working with hardware synths, I would still say that software sequencers are the way to go. The interface on a PC is just so much more capable than on a keyboard.

[Vadim]

I'm using PC: HP 533w (WinXP), 1.99 GHz, 256 Memory, 50 GB Hard Drive.
MIDI Interface: M-Audio MidiSport 1x1 USB connected to my Roland VA76. No audio interface, pluging in directly to motherboard in/out.

...actually what i tried in FL-studio: when i select midi out "generator" in FL the latency issues are OK, but when i'm using internal generators thats when the latency is bad, aspecialy with the SYTRUS synth.

[altitude909]

FL is a horrible sequencer for outboard gear and is barely usable from my experience. Lately, I have been using ableton live and it rocks.

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by Vadim

but when i'm using internal generators thats when the latency is bad, aspecialy with the SYTRUS synth.

That's because those generator's rely on your onboard soundcard to create their sounds. MIDI Out generator does not. Upgrade your soundcard, and that'll help with those internal synths, and other audio latency problems.

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by altitude909

FL is a horrible sequencer for outboard gear and is barely usable from my experience. Lately, I have been using ableton live and it rocks.

I agree as far as running external gear (although the newer versions are getting better). It is still a fun app though, with a lot of sonic mangling capabilities (and it hosts a ton of plugin formats, and works as a plugin and Rewire slave too). The best app for external gear is still Emagic Logic IMHO (Good luck finding a copy for PC these days....Damn Mac Loving "Sons of....I won't go there....I still use Logic 5 for my external gear...Rewired to Cubase SX).

[brendandwyer]

Originally Posted by bsr2002

I'm pretty much into sequencing first on the keyboard then eq in the PC. Sometimes I'll only sequence the drums only then track in everything else so it depends on what I'm trying to accomplish.

i do most sequencing in live, i'll sequence the rudimentary beat in reasons redrum, but i'd rather have a hardware drum machine or sampler.

If i'm doing an arpeggiated synth part, i'll sometimes write it on my roland jp8000,

then other times i'll record the keyboard part live and tighten it up in live.

it depends

[Capnvynl]

I've been a big supporter of sequencing via computer relative to using an outboard hardware component and have done everything in Logic or PT simply for ease of visualization and manipulation of MIDI events.

A friend of mine (heroically?) sequenced electronic beats for an album using an MPC2000 but swore he'd never do that again (teeny tiny numbers, spin the dial, more teeny tiny numbers, yikes) when he saw the giant scrolls on my computer monitor and how little time it took to do comparable work.

[lumbago]

Try any Edirol USB-midi interface. The drivers are reliable.

For writing music / sequencing / scores, you can do a lot worse than Noteworthy Composer (free trial & cheap to buy) from www.noteworthysoftware.com

[MCreel]

I have no experience with these sorts of things but I know old school Cakewalk would let you do musical notation and it would play back what you wrote.

Do the programs like Sonar, Project 5, etc, let you use use prerecorded loops, etc, manufacture beats, and also use musical notation?

Apologies for the newb question.