a really dumb question or two, but i gotta get it

[hilaryneedshelp]

hi-

ok, i'm setting up my little home studio thing. i have a pc, a delta 44 & a tascam 414 which i'm having to use as my preamp for now.

i'm thinking i want a keyboard to have access to other instruments for composition purposes (i do soundtrack stuff - which i have done all analog up til now, but i need more instrument variation). so, here are some questions...

1) what is the difference between a sampler & just a keyboard? - i guess you can loop stuff with a sampler? is this right? but, can't i loop stuff in cubase - so, do i need a sampler?

2) what is the difference between a synth and the above?

3) can i get drum stuff out of a keyboard?

4) any recommendations for my needs?

please ask me questions or what-have-you if you need more info to answer some of these questions. thanks for your time - this place is really helpful.

cheers

 

[Stealthtech]

A keyboard is hardware. Dozens of instruments including drums on most.
A sampler can also be hardware or software controlled by a keyboard or keyboard controller via midi connects.
Software samplers are virtual instruments that act like hardware but are software based. Many great sounds can be used with software samplers including killer drum kits. But still needs to be accessed by an external keyboard.

 

[bsanfordnyc]

Hilary,

I have a Korg Triton Studio keyboard, which includes a sampler. The sampler is used to record any sound, whether it's from my guitar, microphone, or directly from the keyboard. It can then be manipulated in any way and made into a loop if so desired. I can also import other samples from elsewhere.

Although I don't have much experience on other keyboards, I have a ton of drum sounds and kits on my triton which pretty much satisfy my needs. The kits can sound pretty realistic if you know how to play them, or you can make them sound more synthetic. This is all enhanced by the use of FX such as EQ, compression, & reverb.

 

[chosenhandle]

Hilary,

The kits can sound pretty realistic if you know how to play them, or you can make them sound more synthetic. This is all enhanced by the use of FX such as EQ, compression, & reverb.

Being a newbie, the playing part is what I dont get. How can you reproduce the tempo and stylings of a real drum kit? I mean, there is more to it than simply hitting the skins. I am not qestioning what you are telling me is true, I just dont seem to understand how you can do it with a keyboard....and I am a piano player!

Thanks for letting me look and act like a newbie for the past minute.

Paul

 

[mikeh]

chosenhandle,

Your question hits on the heart of the age old debate regarding "real" accoustic drums, vs. electronic drums (which I include samples, etc. in).

You are correct that the subtle nuances of playing accoustic drums get lost with samples. While many sample programs try to capture many tones (hard hits, soft hits, etc) and while many synth drums allow for various velocity sensitive controls to create more realisism - the fact is and always will be, a live perfromance on a good sounding, well mic'd kit in a great sounding room is always better.

However, most home studios and project studios simply can't accomodate a drum set (and even if they can, they may not be good sounding rooms). For most small budget recording, electronic drums can sound close enough.

So we compromise.

A synth sample is not aa dynamically accurate as a quality baby grand but we all can't fit a baby grand in a 10x10 bedroom, so we compromise. We can't all afford a roomfull of great amps so we compromise (ie: Pod, J-Station, etc.)

Hilary,

you need to determine what your primary needs are - which then will dictate what software/hardware you need.

If your intent is indeed sountrack work I would think a samapler is a given. I would think a sofware based program (something like Gigasample) may work, assuming you are comfortable in that format (although there are many formats, both software and hardware based , and many libraries to choose from).

However, you will still need a keyboard controller. While dedicated controllers (ie: no on board sounds) are normally the least expensive. I've always though a keyboard with on board sounds makes more sense.

If you are a pianist, fele will be important (weighted action) if not then there are many fine keyboards to choose from. I've always been a fan of the Roland XP30 - it has decent feel, about 1,000 sounds, expandable and faily easy to use.

 

[brzilian]

Being a newbie, the playing part is what I dont get. How can you reproduce the tempo and stylings of a real drum kit? I mean, there is more to it than simply hitting the skins. I am not qestioning what you are telling me is true, I just dont seem to understand how you can do it with a keyboard....and I am a piano player!

Thanks for letting me look and act like a newbie for the past minute.

Paul

By using the humanizing and groove features built into most sequencers and drum machines today. They are smart enough to ajust timing to give it more a human, not-so-perfect timing feel.

This has been around since Roland introduced the R-8 drum machine back in the early 90's.

 

[bsanfordnyc]

For my drum parts I play them live through the keyboard. If I'm going for the close faxsimile of a real drum kit, I'm probably using several layers since it's impossible to play all at once like you would on a drum kit. So I may lay down the bass & snare on one track, then have another track dedicated to the hi-hat & rides, and then maybe another track for crash cymbals.

The actual drum sound sounds much like a cleanly recorded actual drum hit...throw in a little reverb to make it sound like it's in an ambient environment.

Obviously, there are some sounds/techniques that are very difficult to reproduce with a keyboard. Just know your limits.