Help getting up to date

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paristotle

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I admit it, I'm old enough to remember the Roland D series, Korg's M1 and and basic sequencing with MIDI, but that's where it stopped (for a long time). I haven't touched any digital recording in twenty years. I recently bought an M-Audio controller keyboard and I would like to do some sequencing but I don't know where to start. I tried downloading Reason, but I couldn't make heads or tails of it. I know I want to add sounds but it seems that hardware sound modules are rare now. Is there a basic all in one sequencer, drum machine + sound module for a home user? I don't care if it's a hardware device or a software for my laptop.
 
I'm not aware of an all in one but you could look into something like EZ Drummer (which needs a host program) and use it with a host like Reaper.

Do you just want drums? What is it you want to do?
 
Thanks TetraFish. I just want to lay down some piano, bass, strings, and drums so I can play along with my guitar. I don't even need to record the guitar.
 
I wouldn't give up on reason just yet. Which version did you download? The demo for version 5?

Reason comes with two refills: Factory and Orkester. Both are filled with samples. Drums, Bass, Piano's, Synths, Strings. Just open up an empty Reason rack, add a 14X2 mixer and then add the instruments you want (just right-click -> create instrument. You'll be able to browse your computer, just select the Factory and browse the folders).

Reaper might be a great alternative (it certainly is cheaper), but you'll need VST instruments and the MIDI sequencing isn't that much different/simpler. Give reason another shot and check out boyinaband.com, it has some great step-by-step tutorials.
 
Actually, if you buy EZ Player it will host EZ Drummer without any DAW software.

Just sayin'...
 
Thanks for all the responses. I will give reason another go and try the tutorials along with it this time.
 
I've never been a midi kind of person, but hasn't the DAW programs replaced sequencers. You can do everything you listed with a DAW like Cubase, Sonar, etc.
 
Please forgive my ignorance, but what does DAW stand for?
 
Digital Audio Workstation. It's a term used to describe either the software or the software/hardware combo to record audio. In this case, I'm referring to just the software. Most DAW programs can record, edit, sequence, or anything else, midi data. Trigger softsynths (Virtual Instruments, VSTi's) edit and shape sound. If you bought a midi controller from M-Audio, it probably has a lot of functions that integrate with DAW programs.

DAW's also record audio, such as from a mic or guitar. You would need an interface to convert to digital and most interfaces will have a midi port. Many interfaces also come with a lite form of a popular DAW program like Cubase, Sonar, Ableton, etc.

If you're jumping back in after a 20 year hiaetus (sp?) you might do a bit of reading to catch up. I recommend Home Recording for Musicians for Dummies by Jeff Strong.

peace,
 
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