Hello everyone

[NSX]

Great forum this is really, been lurking for some time and there are very kind and professional people here.

Wanted to ask couple of n00b questions..

does it only happen to me that I have the feeling that music I "compose" I have heard before?

And if you can point me to some examples of home studios as I am planning to build one..

What I would like is simplicity, I have Fender dynamic microphone (usual one) and plan to buy MXL as it is the cheapest condenser mic I know of.

I also like the sound of Roland RH-300 headphones that I would also use for listening other music not just monitoring.

Keyboard-wise I would like something bigger like Roland Fantom G6 and that would probably be the most expensive part of my studio, I would use it for live performances maybe so I need quality keyboard.

I would like to know if there is sound card that support EAX and offers some basic needs for home recording, would X-Fi Elite Pro fulfill my amateur needs? Or maybe some Auzentech X Fi card(Prelude or Forte) because they put some high quality OPAMPS on them..

All in all I am much more into composing than recording and from the outer sources I would probably record only keyboard and my voice..also if you have some advices for composing some high pitch vocal music they are very welcome(I have very wide voice band, or however you say that in English).

And the last question, Cakewalk or Cubase, which is better for beginner recorder like me, is it true that Cakewalk has some minor latency when recording vocals?

 

[TetraFish]

Wow that's a lot of questions.

I can say that I would skip the sound card and go with an external interface. Preferably firewire. This will handle your audio and midi needs. Most also provide phantom power which may be a requirement down the road.

sorry, but that's really the only thing I can comment on.

 

[NSX]

Thanks thats a good idea, how about Cakewalk UA25EX then?

 

[Dogbreath]

does it only happen to me that I have the feeling that music I "compose" I have heard before?

Pretty common actually.

And if you can point me to some examples of home studios as I am planning to build one..

Check this thread... https://homerecording.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=20

What I would like is simplicity, I have Fender dynamic microphone (usual one) and plan to buy MXL as it is the cheapest condenser mic I know of.

The V67G is a pretty good one. Check it out.

Didn't know how to break up your questions so I just did the bold stuff.

As to the other questions.......I dunno.

but Welcome anyway.

 

[grimtraveller]

does it only happen to me that I have the feeling that music I "compose" I have heard before?

I think alot of people go through this. I sometimes do. Once in a while, I'll wonder if I've unconsciously lifted something. Rarely someone will say, "oh, that reminds me of such and such" but it's never something specific. The other day, I had a friend doing a little bit on a clarinet and the sequence that I had him play caused him to comment that the first five notes reminded him of this song and he sang it for me. I'd never heard the song, I'm glad to say, and it seemed a little corny, which was annoying ! Fortunately, after those five coincidental notes {} my little piece veered off in a totally different direction. But I think you'll find many people that try to write songs go through that.

 

[TeyshaBlue]

Great forum this is really, been lurking for some time and there are very kind and professional people here.

Wanted to ask couple of n00b questions..

does it only happen to me that I have the feeling that music I "compose" I have heard before?

And if you can point me to some examples of home studios as I am planning to build one..

What I would like is simplicity, I have Fender dynamic microphone (usual one) and plan to buy MXL as it is the cheapest condenser mic I know of.

I also like the sound of Roland RH-300 headphones that I would also use for listening other music not just monitoring.

Keyboard-wise I would like something bigger like Roland Fantom G6 and that would probably be the most expensive part of my studio, I would use it for live performances maybe so I need quality keyboard.

I would like to know if there is sound card that support EAX and offers some basic needs for home recording, would X-Fi Elite Pro fulfill my amateur needs? Or maybe some Auzentech X Fi card(Prelude or Forte) because they put some high quality OPAMPS on them..

All in all I am much more into composing than recording and from the outer sources I would probably record only keyboard and my voice..also if you have some advices for composing some high pitch vocal music they are very welcome(I have very wide voice band, or however you say that in English).

And the last question, Cakewalk or Cubase, which is better for beginner recorder like me, is it true that Cakewalk has some minor latency when recording vocals?

Welcome. I'll find that I lift stuff all the time. It happens, and it's a very common thing..don't worry about it. Recognize it...rewrite it if need be, and move on.
As for the studio set up, my advice is to start small and inexpensive. For recording, Reaper would be my choice for a DAW. It's loaded with features, has a very small CPU footprint, and is only $60 bucks. Plus, there are alot of users on this forum which could help you through any tough spots. THe Reaper forum is pretty active as well.
Any contemporary computer will have enough resources for your needs. No need to go out and blow a big chunk of cash on one. I use a cheapo Compaq/HP laptop. Paid $285 for it.
THe Fantom G6 is a beast...you'll dig it. It also has the ability to record up to 24 tracks of audio when you upgrade it's RAM. It has an XLR input with phantom power and the FX/Mixer routing is very intuitive. I've never used mine in that manner, but it's a thought.
Get a decent interface. For what you are doing, USB 2.0 is more than adequate and 2 to 4 channels should be plenty. You can upgrade later if you need more inputs. Keep in mind, the Fantom will use 2 inputs all by itself. To get started, I used a Tascam US 122 interface and a cheapo Behringer 12 channel mixer feeding it. Worked great. Be sure and budget some decent monitors. The KRK Rokit 5's are pretty reasonable and they are plentiful on ebay as well.
Well, that's my 2 cents.
Good luck.

 

[Rothko]

Just like to join NSX in saying this is a pretty awesome forum.

As for composition, perhaps you are writing too simplistically? How do you write? What instruments, and what do you know about musical theory? I ask because if you are using, like, a really basic progression, you are more likely to write something that has already been written, or at least similar to something already written. Not that simplicity is a bad thing, just limited. The more you know, the less likely you are to fall into the trap of sounding generic.

Also, your recording approach will add a lot of character to your work, so you can always use that to offset similarities between you and a particular artist by going down a totally different route sonically.

 

[grimtraveller]

Not that simplicity is a bad thing, just limited. The more you know, the less likely you are to fall into the trap of sounding generic.

That's true on one hand..........but on the other side, when you listen to some 'classical' and 'jazz' stuff (I use those two terms sparingly, but I hope you know what I mean) which are two of the most widely scoped genres around (or at least, they've had moments when they were) there's alot of generic sounding stuff there. Because composers/songwriters have those they admire and are influenced by.

 

[Rothko]

That's true on one hand..........but on the other side, when you listen to some 'classical' and 'jazz' stuff (I use those two terms sparingly, but I hope you know what I mean) which are two of the most widely scoped genres around (or at least, they've had moments when they were) there's alot of generic sounding stuff there. Because composers/songwriters have those they admire and are influenced by.

Oh definitely, but if a composer or songwriter is worth anything, they will take those influences and sculpt them into something recognisably theirs. Originality is knowing how to hide your sources.

There's a thought; sources. What are your influences, NSX? If they are confined to, say, a narrow band of artists or one genre, that might be your problem. Broadening your taste is never a bad thing. The more goes into the melting pot, the stronger the alloy that comes out.

 

[Armistice]

does it only happen to me that I have the feeling that music I "compose" I have heard before?

Look, I didn't want to mention it, but we're all friends here...


Yes, you have heard it before - and that's because I wrote all of the interesting music of the last 30 years, and I'm getting a LITTLE BIT TIRED of you buggers knocking it off all the time!!!! I mean fair's fair... some roylalties every now and then would be nice...









Have an iPhone? Play your suspect tune into the Shazam app abd see if anything pops up!

 

[moresound]

Look, I didn't want to mention it, but we're all friends here...


Yes, you have heard it before - and that's because I wrote all of the interesting music of the last 30 years, and I'm getting a LITTLE BIT TIRED of you buggers knocking it off all the time!!!! I mean fair's fair... some roylalties every now and then would be nice...






Armistise.....What's wrong with the $225,000. check that I sent to you last month?

 

[Armistice]

Look, I didn't want to mention it, but we're all friends here...


Yes, you have heard it before - and that's because I wrote all of the interesting music of the last 30 years, and I'm getting a LITTLE BIT TIRED of you buggers knocking it off all the time!!!! I mean fair's fair... some roylalties every now and then would be nice...






Armistise.....What's wrong with the $225,000. check that I sent to you last month?

Yes thanks for that moresound... keep 'em coming - I need to do some serious upgrading of my yatch fleet...

 

[Rothko]

Look, I didn't want to mention it, but we're all friends here...


Yes, you have heard it before - and that's because I wrote all of the interesting music of the last 30 years, and I'm getting a LITTLE BIT TIRED of you buggers knocking it off all the time!!!!!

OMG SRSLY?? Dude you are my hero! That Daydream Nation album of yours from back in '88 is sooo good! And, you know that one Loveless with the pink guitar on the cover? Man that is one of my favorite records of all time! Major props for inventing Hip Hop, too. Man, you are a genius.

 

[moresound]

OMG SRSLY?? Dude you are my hero! That Daydream Nation album of yours from back in '88 is sooo good! And, you know that one Loveless with the pink guitar on the cover? Man that is one of my favorite records of all time! Major props for inventing Hip Hop, too. Man, you are a genius.

DAM IT!!! ......Armistice, you never gave me back my guitar from that photo shot!
I'd forgotten all about it. ....Sh!t man that was 11 years ago!.!

 

[Dark Imagery]

If you're worried about the legality of things, last I heard if 6 notes in a sequence are the same as another song it's considered copyright infringement. Some things are just generic, like the totally ear aching shitiness of the I-IV-V-IV doo wop chord progression, for example. In that case it's the vocal melody/solos that'll get you in trouble.

 

[Rothko]

If you're worried about the legality of things, last I heard if 6 notes in a sequence are the same as another song it's considered copyright infringement. Some things are just generic, like the totally ear aching shitiness of the I-IV-V-IV doo wop chord progression, for example. In that case it's the vocal melody/solos that'll get you in trouble.

I'm not sure its that hard-and-fast, though. If you end up in court, all sorts of things get taken into consideration, from the similarity of the piece to the likelihood of influence. I saw a Youtube vid recently that accused the new Arcade Fire record of plagiarising an obscure Israeli new-wave band. I mean come on.

 

[Dark Imagery]

Ha, wow. And that brings up another point... Music has been around for such a long time and millions of people compose thousands of pieces... is there anything left unearthed, whether published or not? Are the possibilities with music finite? Kinda disheartening...

 

[Rothko]

Ha, wow. And that brings up another point... Music has been around for such a long time and millions of people compose thousands of pieces... is there anything left unearthed, whether published or not? Are the possibilities with music finite? Kinda disheartening...

Finite, yes, but overwhelmingly massive regardless. It has been said that there are more possible games of chess than could be played in the lifespan of the universe, and all that from sixteen pieces each and a simple set of rules. By comparison, music is far more complicated. Throw in the poetic options of lyrics and the massive variables of the recording process which further distinguish your work as unique, and the possibilities are literally endless.

 

[Dark Imagery]

That's well said, with an equally good analogy. Still makes me wonder about the dilution of things.

 

[NSX]

If you're worried about the legality of things, last I heard if 6 notes in a sequence are the same as another song it's considered copyright infringement. Some things are just generic, like the totally ear aching shitiness of the I-IV-V-IV doo wop chord progression, for example. In that case it's the vocal melody/solos that'll get you in trouble.

Nah I am not worried as I hope that amateur(read : free) music doesn't infringe copyright. I agree that doo wop is quite boring

Ha, wow. And that brings up another point... Music has been around for such a long time and millions of people compose thousands of pieces... is there anything left unearthed, whether published or not? Are the possibilities with music finite? Kinda disheartening...

Yeah thats why I mentioned high pitch, as the percent of people that can sing high pitch without problems is really low, so thats one "unexplored" field, together with some unheard (actually not too much used) rhythms. If I can make it sound right(and not only for my ears) I would consider it a success.

Didn't know how to break up your questions so I just did the bold stuff.

As to the other questions.......I dunno.

but Welcome anyway.

Thanks man, I'll try to find it

I think alot of people go through this. I sometimes do. Once in a while, I'll wonder if I've unconsciously lifted something. Rarely someone will say, "oh, that reminds me of such and such" but it's never something specific. The other day, I had a friend doing a little bit on a clarinet and the sequence that I had him play caused him to comment that the first five notes reminded him of this song and he sang it for me. I'd never heard the song, I'm glad to say, and it seemed a little corny, which was annoying ! Fortunately, after those five coincidental notes {} my little piece veered off in a totally different direction. But I think you'll find many people that try to write songs go through that.

What I would hate is someone accusing me tomorrow of copying some music..which I really do not intend to.

Welcome. I'll find that I lift stuff all the time. It happens, and it's a very common thing..don't worry about it. Recognize it...rewrite it if need be, and move on.
As for the studio set up, my advice is to start small and inexpensive. For recording, Reaper would be my choice for a DAW. It's loaded with features, has a very small CPU footprint, and is only $60 bucks. Plus, there are alot of users on this forum which could help you through any tough spots. THe Reaper forum is pretty active as well.
Any contemporary computer will have enough resources for your needs. No need to go out and blow a big chunk of cash on one. I use a cheapo Compaq/HP laptop. Paid $285 for it.
THe Fantom G6 is a beast...you'll dig it. It also has the ability to record up to 24 tracks of audio when you upgrade it's RAM. It has an XLR input with phantom power and the FX/Mixer routing is very intuitive. I've never used mine in that manner, but it's a thought.
Get a decent interface. For what you are doing, USB 2.0 is more than adequate and 2 to 4 channels should be plenty. You can upgrade later if you need more inputs. Keep in mind, the Fantom will use 2 inputs all by itself. To get started, I used a Tascam US 122 interface and a cheapo Behringer 12 channel mixer feeding it. Worked great. Be sure and budget some decent monitors. The KRK Rokit 5's are pretty reasonable and they are plentiful on ebay as well.
Well, that's my 2 cents.
Good luck.

Thank you very much, my PC is quite good even for today standards, I would only buy a quieter case because sound of fan is not very good for recording music I would put XFi Titanium there for listening music (and maybe playing some games, but I havent played a game for a couple of years, not that I didnt want to..)

I have thought of buying XFi Elite Pro that would serve for recording also but Titanium + interface (say Cakewalk UA25, I am really starting to like it) sounds like better combination, and not (much) more expensive too.

As I would get CakeWalk in bundle then I'll probably start using it, Reaper is nice (I have watched several examples) but I am somewhat emotionally connected to CakeWalk, when I was younger I was "composing" something in an ooold version and I would give it a try again.

Generally what are the biggest cons of today versions?