Looking for recommendations

[Leolani10]

Briefly, I'll let you know what I have, where I'm at and what I want to do.

I have a keyboard/midi controller (Yamaha P-70).
I have a Roland SC-88 Pro (synth? seq? i don't know what this hardware is called)
I have a M-Audio USB Interface.

I also have Finale 2008 notation software and numerous programs that M-Audio and Sony provided.

I'm a solo artist. In the past I've used tape to record. Now I'd like to move into a multitrack program on the computer.

So basically, I have some hardware and I have notation software. I need a good program that can support my midi compositions and also does live audio recording.

Recommendations? Any suggestions of equipment I should get or get rid of?
Also if anyone can offer any help or a guide to the SC-88 Pro, that would be appreciated.

 

[Chili]

For software, I've been using Cubase SE3 and it works well for me. It has both midi and audio. I only use midi for the ezdrummer vsti so I don't have any experience beyond that, but I hear Cubase is very nice to work with for a lot of midi stuff.

What else are you planning to record? Vocals, guitars? How many tracks at one time do you want to record? What type of M-Audio interface do you have? What packaged software did it come with? You might might already have what you are looking for.

Cheers,

 

[Leolani10]

Thanks Chili,
Mostly I'll be recording live guitar tracks over some midi compositions. I've used a little bit of Cubase se3 but maybe I'll give it another go.
My M-Audio FastTrack Pro is a USB interface with 2 channels of 1/4" or XLR in, with MIDI. This came with software (Acid Music Studio 6.0, GT Player Express, Jam Trax Express 2.0, Sound Forge 8.0 and Super Duper Music Looper.)

I can notate in Finale using MIDI. But can I use my Roland SC-88 Pro as a synth, then through my M-Audio to computer and then a program would "record" that.

As you can see, I'm capable of composing/recording, but I wanna get a feel around so I can see what methods suit my needs.

 

[Chili]

Yes, you can use your Roland to generate your audio. You'll have to drive it with your midi, then connect the Audio Outs (RCA plugs?) to your 1/4" In's on the Fasttrack and record those inputs as audio.

I'm not familiar with Finale, but I'm curious if it will run concurrently with Cubase. I wonder if both programs can access the midi ports at the same time. It might be a better choice to do all your composing in Finale and then export what you have to a midi file and import it into Cubase.

I'm not familiar with Soundforge either, will it support both midi and audio? You might be able to use that if you already have it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Leolani10]

Thanks again Chili,
Yea I will try runnig an audio signal from the SC-88 to the m-audio fast track.
Also, with Finale I can 'mix down' my midi tracks into a wave and then import it into cubase. but if i want tempo/metronome syncing in cubase, should i bring those tracks in midi?

 

[Leolani10]

Also if you don't mind me asking, chili, do you know much about the sc-88 pro??
I've plugged my keyboard in and got lots of cool sounds. But there are 16 channels and i wouldn't know how to use them all. also there is a built in drum machine and metronome but i don't know how to use this either.
thanks

 

[Chili]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the SC88 at all. It's not even listed on Roland's website anymore. Hopefully you have the manual. I did a quick search on it and there's plenty of info out there. You can also browse the keyboard section here at HR.

I'm not big with midi, really don't use it. But I know it spec's 16 channels, drums is usually on chnl 10.

I might be wrong, but if you mixdown to wav files in Finale you would not be using the sounds in the sc-88. You can import the wav files and line them up to whatever measure you want them to start at in cubase Be sure to specify the same tempo in finale and cubase. I have imported mp3's before with success. It's pretty straightforward.

But in your case, it sounds like you want the sounds to come from the sc-88. I think you should import the midi file into Cubase and drive the sc-88 from there, then record the audio through the fasttrack. Make sense?

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Leolani10]

thanks chilli... yea it makes sense, i'll continue to learn as i go.