hs2004?

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dirtythermos

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I am going from a minidisc 8-track to a DAW setup, and looking at HS2004 for the software part (with Delta 66 Omni). I've got a bunch of questions that I've been trying to answer at the Cakewalk site and the forum archives.

1) Is it correct that only Sonar Producer has per-track EQ? If so, how do HS2004 users get by without it? It seems essential to me - at least it was when I used to mix live.

2) How do these DXi softsynths work? I am guessing that they become MIDI instuments that I program from HS2004. Do they sound good enough to be believable as a background instument?

3) Is there any reason I wouldn't be able to set up an aux send/return through the Omni for realtime effects while mixing? Say, S/PDIF to a TC M300? What about inserts while mixing?

4) It looks like I can "program" a mix, as if I was at a board with automation. Volume changes, pans, etc.? Is this accurate?

I guess the biggest thing is #1. I can't imagine not having EQ on each track.

Thanks for helping me out.
Dave
 
dirtythermos said:
I am going from a minidisc 8-track to a DAW setup, and looking at HS2004 for the software part (with Delta 66 Omni). I've got a bunch of questions that I've been trying to answer at the Cakewalk site and the forum archives.

1) Is it correct that only Sonar Producer has per-track EQ? If so, how do HS2004 users get by without it? It seems essential to me - at least it was when I used to mix live.

2) How do these DXi softsynths work? I am guessing that they become MIDI instuments that I program from HS2004. Do they sound good enough to be believable as a background instument?

3) Is there any reason I wouldn't be able to set up an aux send/return through the Omni for realtime effects while mixing? Say, S/PDIF to a TC M300? What about inserts while mixing?

4) It looks like I can "program" a mix, as if I was at a board with automation. Volume changes, pans, etc.? Is this accurate?

I guess the biggest thing is #1. I can't imagine not having EQ on each track.

Thanks for helping me out.
Dave
Click to expand...

1. You can patch a parametric EQ plugin onto any track you want. Sonar Producer just has it automatically there for you. No big deal - mostly a convenience factor (althought there may be some CPU benefit as well, not sure).

2. DXi's are a way to create sound from a midi track using software. Previously you needed a hardware synthesizer to generate midi sound (e.g., sound card or external module). They are pretty good IMHO.

[ blatant plug ] You can check out How Much I Feel if you want and idea of what they sound like. http://home.comcast.net/~jcaporaso/music/ Everything except the acoustic guitar and drums (and vocals) are via DXi's. [ /blatant plug ]

3. Not sure. I believe HS2004 offers Input Monintoring which allows you to use your software plugins in real time.

4. Yes. You'll want to get familiar with "envelopes" right away. Way better than moving faders on the fly.
 
Thanks, dachay2tnr, you're awesome. You're right, the DXi's do sound good. Do you mind my asking what you used for the bass guitar? I am about to buy a bass on eBay and am starting to think I don't need to...

I enjoyed your music, thanks for the link.

Dave
 
dirtythermos said:
Thanks, dachay2tnr, you're awesome. You're right, the DXi's do sound good. Do you mind my asking what you used for the bass guitar? I am about to buy a bass on eBay and am starting to think I don't need to...

I enjoyed your music, thanks for the link.

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks.

My recollection (I don't have the project handy to double-check) are that the piano and bass are via the Edirol VSC which comes included with Sonar (don't know about HS). The strings (cello and two violins) and the vibraphone are from Kompakt I think. Kompakt is a Native Instruments product which sells for under $200.

I will tell you, however, that I posted How Much I Feel in the MP3 clinic and the bass drew a lot of "sounds like a synth" comments. (Part of that may be do to the fact that I had mixed it a little forward in the mix, and also there are several parts of the song where the arrangement is sparse - so the bass stands out.) The piano, however, got generally high marks.
 
James Argo said:
No, another Dutch boy playing bass is all you need... :D :D :D
Click to expand...
He's from Dallas. I think the world could need two bassplayers... :D
 
Hehe. I'm a guitar player. I'm just looking for something to put into my recordings that sounds like a bass. I like the idea of a synth because it no doubt plays bass better than I do. But it's got to be believable, or it doesn't matter how well it's "played."
 
dirtythermos said:
I like the idea of a synth because it no doubt plays bass better than I do.
Click to expand...
I don't know about that. I have yet to find convincing el.bass-samples that I can play on keyboard. But I play better bass then piano...
 
moskus said:
I don't know about that. I have yet to find convincing el.bass-samples that I can play on keyboard. But I play better bass then piano...
Click to expand...

I was thinking about MIDI programming.. not hitting piano keys. I can't do that either. I don't get the piano - why do some notes get bigger keys than other notes? It doesn't make sense. The piano is prejudice to the key of C. My guitar is equally difficult in all keys.

But, I've pretty much convinced myself to go for the real bass, so the synth bass is a moot point. Now if only my buyer would PayPal me some money, I could go spend it. ;)
 
dirtythermos said:
I was thinking about MIDI programming.. not hitting piano keys. I can't do that either. I don't get the piano
Click to expand...
Well, that is how I program: Using a MIDI controller synth. (I didn't mean a piano per se). :)
 
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