Midi 101

[andyhix]

Alright, heres the scoop. I'm just a hack guitarist, pretty new to computer recording.

I tried recording a keyboard part for a song yesterday, but all the built in "voices" on the keys kinda suck (looking at a mellow organ sorta sound). Then I got to thinking. There's a midi out on the back of the keys, a midi in on the firepod. So what the heck does one need to do to record a midi file, using a keyboard to the computer, and then how does one manipulate it by changing voices, etc? I am really completely stoopit on this subject.

Also, can this be done on the cheap (free)? Do I need new software? Right now I'm using Adobe Audition 2.0 (and it's at my buddy's house, so I get very limited time to experiment with it, and he's midi-illiterate too.)

Edit - as I probably should have done BEFORE posting this, I read a basic midi thing over at tweakheads, and that help me get a better feel for what I need, which, as far as I can tell is a free softsynth. So, any suggestions? Also, any tips for recording midi data to audition would be welcomed!

 

[scrubs]

Well, I am probably the wrong person to answer, as I'm pretty much a MIdiot myself.

Basically, MIDI is not music, but is simply a set of instructions that tell a sound device what to play. A midi file can contain information on notes, volumes, sustain, instrument(s), etc. The playback device can be a soundcard (most cards support General MIDI - which is pretty cheesy sounding), a dedicated MIDI sound module/synthesizer (often with attached keyboard, though not always), or a virtual instrument (aka softsynth) within your recording software. VSTi's (Virtual Studio Technology Instruments) are the most common variety.

So, to play back a MIDI file using a virtual instrument in your software, you first need software that supports VSTi. I don't think Audition does, but I'm not sure. Did you get Cubase LE with your Firepod? That would work. I think Reaper also has VST/VSTi support.

To make the MIDI "recording," you basically set up a MIDI channel/track in the software, just as you would for audio. You need to set the track to accept "all inputs" or specifically the inputs on your firepod. After you make sure you're getting signal, you record the midi information by playing it in with the keyboard. Then, to play it back, you route the output of the midi track to a VSTi. There are plenty of free VSTi's available (check KVR, Steinberg, etc.) that have many sounds.

MIDI also gives you the option to edit, which is nice. If, for example, you played a wrong note, you can simply delete that note and insert the correct one. Same thing for timing problems -- you can move notes around pretty easily.

 

[andyhix]

Well, I am probably the wrong person to answer, as I'm pretty much a MIdiot myself.

Basically, MIDI is not music, but is simply a set of instructions that tell a sound device what to play. A midi file can contain information on notes, volumes, sustain, instrument(s), etc.

Gotcha.

The playback device can be a soundcard (most cards support General MIDI - which is pretty cheesy sounding), a dedicated MIDI sound module/synthesizer (often with attached keyboard, though not always), or a virtual instrument (aka softsynth) within your recording software. VSTi's (Virtual Studio Technology Instruments) are the most common variety.

I know that my keyboard (real cheapo yamaha) sounds like ass, and I don't want a new sound module/synth (don't want to spend any more $) so the VSTi softsynth would be the way to go.

So, to play back a MIDI file using a virtual instrument in your software, you first need software that supports VSTi. I don't think Audition does, but I'm not sure. Did you get Cubase LE with your Firepod? That would work. I think Reaper also has VST/VSTi support.

To make the MIDI "recording," you basically set up a MIDI channel/track in the software, just as you would for audio. You need to set the track to accept "all inputs" or specifically the inputs on your firepod. After you make sure you're getting signal, you record the midi information by playing it in with the keyboard. Then, to play it back, you route the output of the midi track to a VSTi. There are plenty of free VSTi's available (check KVR, Steinberg, etc.) that have many sounds.

MIDI also gives you the option to edit, which is nice. If, for example, you played a wrong note, you can simply delete that note and insert the correct one. Same thing for timing problems -- you can move notes around pretty easily.

Got it. I think. And yes, we have Cubase LE, if I can't do this in Audition. Thanks a ton!

 

[lasagne]

And let me add that MIDI is fantastic !!!!!!!!! I've only been recording for about a year, and I've stayed well clear of MIDI because I thought it would be very technical and a steep learning curve. I've tended to record my keys direct as an audio recording.

Last week I took the plunge and tried out midi. I had a piano part I wanted to record (I'm mainly a guitar player), but the tempo was a bit quick for me. So I slowed the tempo down from 105 bpm to 60 bpm and recorded it via midi into cubase. In cubase I just applied a tempo of 105 bpm and it worked brilliantly. I also moved a few notes around, elongated some, reduced some others and got it sounding like I'm a decent piano player. I also applied a free piano plug in from KVR, and there you go.

Stick with it dude, it's well worth it.

 

[TelePaul]

Yeah MIDI is excellent but it all depends on the qulaity of your samples.

 

[ssscientist]

Do I need new software?

Yes.

The last time I looked --- which may have been version 1.something --- Adobe Audition had no midi capabilities at all.

Try this.

Download Reaper and use it for the 30 day trial. You'll find it easier to work with than Cubase LE. If you experience a delay between when you press the key and when the sound comes out, that's called 'latency'. This may be the solution to that problem.

Then go to KVR Audio and search for free VSTi plugins like Synth1, MiniMouge, Superwave8, Rez, String Theory, Motion, Proto Plasm, RGC Triangle II and many more.

And while you're at it, here are links to three good articles on midi basics - part one, part two and part three. There are some glaring errors in that tweekhead guide that I won't go into now...

That should keep you busy for a while.


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