Dumb question about Synths

[studiomaster]

I was thinking of getting one of the Roland XP's but i'm not sure. I have a question-after i record the synth to an audio track in cubase or any sequencer, how would i edit it? for example, if the timing was off, should i quantize it?
i'm really confused since i have no experience with outboard synths. i know that you can buy expansion boards for the XP series for more sounds. how exactly would i use the synth as if i can edit it?

 

[sixways]

Use MIDI to trigger sounds in the synth instead of actually recording a line out from the synth.

Not sure of the exact connections on that model...but should definitly be available...MIDI in's and out's.

6

 

[studiomaster]

But from the way you suggested, would i get the sounds from the synth? For example, if i'm playing an organ on the synth, will i get the exact sound when recorded? How is this possible though since midi cannot transfer audio...?

 

[ssscientist]

Here are links to two good articles on midi basics.

Part one and part two.

Midi is a very useful tool in the arsenal of a true studiomaster, and one that has many uses beyond connecting a hardware synth to a computer --- like automating patch changes with continuous controller commands on everything from synth modules to effects boxes to guitar and bass processors.

 

[travelin travis]

You want to connect the midi out of your synth to the midi in of your recording interface and record your synth performance to a midi track in your recording software. Then you will send the recorded midi track back out to your synth to trigger it's sounds. You will need to send your synth's audio outs to your monitoring setup and to your interfaces audio ins for final recording.

Record midi track: synth midi out > interface midi in
Trigger synth with midi track: interface midi out > synth midi in
Listen to synth audio output: synth audio out > monitoring setup (your interface?)
Record synth's audio output: synth audio out > interface audio in

 

[studiomaster]

TF, so that means i am going to have one audio track and one midi track? or am i going to have just one midi track that is being triggered by the synth? but, if they are in two different tracks(audio & midi), how will the DAW play the midi notes corresponding to the synth? I'm really confused...sorry

 

[episg]

Use MIDI to trigger sounds in the synth instead of actually recording a line out from the synth.

Not sure of the exact connections on that model...but should definitly be available...MIDI in's and out's.

6

All Roland XP series have MIDI In, Out and Thru, as well as stereo and mono outs.

Really good line of synth's too, some awesome sounds and pretty flexible editing capabilities

 

[ssscientist]

You want to connect the midi out of your synth to the midi in of your recording interface...

The links that I supplied cover all that and more.

Why reword my post?

Did you actually click on the links?

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I just don't understand...

 

[ssscientist]

I'm really confused...sorry

When using a hardware synth with a computer the music is triggered over midi but comes out of the audio outputs of the synth.

Midi is a control language that carries no audio. In it's simplest form it tells the receiving keyboard or module which note to play, how long to hold it and how hard it was hit.

Go to those links. They are 11 years old now but midi hasn't changed in that time --- much. There is widespread use of computers for both audio and midi sequencing now and that's just widened and deepened the pool.



.

 

[studiomaster]

Yes, i did look over the links...and i know what midi is already..that wasnt what i anticipated. anyways thanks.

 

[travelin travis]

as far as the audio and midi track, you would do all editing to the midi track and then record the audio track. after the the audio track is recorded, the midi track is'nt needed.

ssscientist, excuse me for stepping on your territory.

 

[ssscientist]

Yes, i did look over the links...and i know what midi is already..that wasnt what i anticipated. anyways thanks.

Sorry.

I thought you said you were confused.



.

 

[studiomaster]

Problem is solved now. Thanks both of you.