Keyboard and software

[ejstrong27]

So I'm not so much of a newbie when it comes to recording in general, but I've never really used digital FX. I've miked recorded normal instruments and used outboard equipment for fx, but now I'm upgrading equipment and I don't know what kind of keyboard to get. I'll be getting Reason 7 (I've used it here and there and I like how it works). Do I need to get a keyboard with a lot of FX (like Yamaha's Mo-Fx) or will a standard keyboard work well and just use the fx in reason? Should I get a keyboard like the mo-fx to use with reason and run it through the balance interface? What are the pros and cons of different set ups here? Thanks a lot!

 

[ecc83]

So I'm not so much of a newbie when it comes to recording in general, but I've never really used digital FX. I've miked recorded normal instruments and used outboard equipment for fx, but now I'm upgrading equipment and I don't know what kind of keyboard to get. I'll be getting Reason 7 (I've used it here and there and I like how it works). Do I need to get a keyboard with a lot of FX (like Yamaha's Mo-Fx) or will a standard keyboard work well and just use the fx in reason? Should I get a keyboard like the mo-fx to use with reason and run it through the balance interface? What are the pros and cons of different set ups here? Thanks a lot!

I have never used Reason but I guess the same physics applies?
If you want to hear software FX in real time you will need a very low latency sound card or external Audio Interface.

If you go for the latter there is only one that cuts the mustard under £200 and that is the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6.

Ooo! Just spotted that you can download a demo for Windows but it is nearly 4 gig!
I really must get on with other things before I start dabbling with ANOTHER DAW!
Dave.

 

[mjbphotos]

You may choose to use both keyboard-based and DAW-based FX on your recordings, depednign on what you want with your sound. the drawback tousing the keyboard FX is that once you record the audio tracks, you cna't change the keyboard FX that were used, your sound is locked to what the keyboard put out. If you use DAW-based FX, you record the basic piano (or whatever sound) from the keyboard, then add the FX in your DAW after recording, so you can change parameters, add more FX etc.
Of course, you can also the keyboard to input MIDI data to your DAW, and drive VSTi (virtual instruments) like the NI Komplete samples.