frustrated newbie

[synamyn]

I have been slowly but surely purchasing things for my home studio. Now that I think I have everything I need, I am having trouble figuring out how to connect everything. If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated!!! Here's what I have...

Sony Vaio-P4, 2 Ghz, 512 mb Ram
Korg Karma Workstation
Roland MC-505 Groovebox
Sonar 2.0 XL
Midiman Midisport 4x4
Echo Mia Soundcard
Event 20/20 Monitors

What I would like to do is sample sounds from the Karma and the Roland into the computer and use Sonar to build everything from there. I'm really unsure of how to connect everything together though!! I've been searching everywhere and can't seem to find the answers that I'm looking for.

Anyway, PLEASE HELP!!! Thank you!!

 

[subtractor]

Plug karma midi in/out to midisport.
Karma audio out to echo in.
Echo audio out to monitors.
Sell the groovebox.







Or if your gonna keep it, you need a mixer. I sold mine. you didn't buy it new did you?

Then you'll have to setup the midisport and echo in the preferences or options in sonar.

 

[Seanmorse79]

Yup - those connections will get you there.

If you're going to do mostly loop-based music, you might want to look at Acid - it's much easier to work with for loops (IMO). From there, you can bring the mostly-completed arrangement back into Sonar and add non-looped tracks and finish it up.

I used to do it that way (in the old days) with Magix Music Maker and Cakewalk Pro Audio 8.

If you're just looking for samples to add to your projects, then you'd be good to just stick with Sonar.

 

[synamyn]

First off, THANK YOU!!!!

We are planning to keep the groovebox. And we did buy it new. I can't hook it up in the same way that I can hook up the Karma?? Any suggestions as to what kind of mixer I should look at? Also, if I do add a mixer, how would I connect it to everything else?

Thanks again!

 

[regebro]

The MC-505 is pretty cool, actually. Nice drum machine, it has a good sequencer. I'm not sure how good it is at controlling other equipment, and it would be nice with a floppy, but other than that it's pretty neat.

 

[subtractor]

Hmmm. You could bought mine for $450. You'll find it's no where near $1100 worth of machine. Drum machines are cheap. A groovebox is not. The sounds are about as thin as they get. But if you like it, that's all that matters. The karma is really cool though.

You can hook the midi in/out up the same as the karma, but since your soundcard only has 2 inputs you need a mixer. to get the audio to your soundcard.

I reccomend this one. mackie 1402vlz
Alot of other people will too. Soundcraft mixers are good as well. Stay away from berhinger if at all possible.

You would plug in your instruments or mic's to the mixer and run the mixer to your soundcard. Depending on how you wanted to do it you could also run your soundcard back to the mixer and run the monitors back out of the mixer. Check ebay for mackie mixers. They are way cheaper that way. Unless you just have to have it new. They're around $500 new.
That will also set you up for the future, as you add mic's or instruments to your setup, you'll be ready to go. Although if your gonna do midi stuff you'll need to upgrade the midi interface after a couple more instruments.