midi advice?

  • Thread starter Thread starter thedude400
  • Start date Start date
T

thedude400

New member
I just got Sonar Home Studio 4xl and I love it so far. My next step is to get into midi. I want to beef up my keyboard resources but I don't wanna spend thousands on outboard equipment.I'm pretty much a beginner when it comes to midi. My budget is pretty limited, I'm thinkin about 300-350. I've noticed there are alot of used midi controllers on e-bay for roughly that price and even cheaper. I just want some really nice sounding piano, synths, strings, organ, etc to add to my recorded music. Should I shell out the extra couple bucks to get a really nice unit or does that not matter? What exactly is a modulator? When I do purchase a controller, do I need to buy a modulator also? There is such a thing as modulation software right, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of outboard modulation compared to digital modulation software? What exactly is a soft-synth? Can I record my midi controller live through a cakewalk modulation system in sonar? Please be kind, I'm pretty uneducated on the capabilities of midi but I'm eager to learn if anyone is kind enough to teach me the basics. Remember when you were a midi-virgin?
 
Well, let's first put apart MIDI controllers and "music keyboards" (including everything from kid's toys to pro's syntetyzers).

music keyboard: generates sounds just by them selves. They have an onboard sound module with some sounds for you to play(piano, violin, bass, etc). Some keyboards have MIDI in/out and can send MIDI signals.

MIDI controller: It's main fuction is to send MIDI information, and I mean everyting: note pressed, for how long it's pressed, how hard was the key presses; plus other controls like reverb, chorus, modulation, etc.

Live performers like keyborads more because they have everything they need (or almost everything) within one "box". It makes moving around easier. Conposers use to prefer MIDI controllers because they can be small and usefull enough when connected to a computer.

By connecting a MIDI controller to a computer, you can have the computer act as a sound module. A lot of software let you download tables/samples or even contruct samples yourself. You can record an entire track using your MIDI controller and worry about what sound to put on later. Of course, at that point, your controller is not needed anymore.

Next Part:
Modulators: It can be a "music keyboard" or a rack gear. Its main function is to let you mess with the sounds the way you want and never thought was possible. And yes! There are a lot of software modulators. The only thru difference between soft and hard modulators is how much processor you have on your CPU. Plus, hardware ones are suposed to have more quality as the manufactor spend so much more money on a hardware peice than on a soft one. (But this is just a thought, others will disagree).

I used have a lot of questions like you do now. After many years of trying things, here's how I do:
I have a simple and very cheap controller. But it gives me all controls like key pressure, aftetouch, etc. I just use it to send keystrokes to the computer software (Sonar). On computer I have a buch of plug-ins and software modules (DXi, VTS) which can be used from Sonar, that let me put whatever sound I want on the track I just recorded.

Hope this starts to help you. I'm sure there will be others here with more to tell you.
 
re:chico

thanks chico. yes that was helpful. So in a nutshell midi can effectively replace reasonably expensive synth/sample hardware? If not what kind of compromises are there? Is there even a real factual answer to that question or does everyone have their own opinion? Does anyone have advice on what kind of setup I should purchase that will impress me for 300-400 bucks as far as midi controllers and/or in/outboard moduling? I don't wanna spend the money on anything if i'm gonna regret it.
 
First of all, here are links to two good articles on midi basics - part one and part two.

Second, here are links to recommended midi controller keyboards that will interface nicely with Sonar - the first choice and the second choice. The first choice would be the one I would go with because it has better build quality, better keyboard action and aftertouch.

You are using the term 'modulator' in a funny way. There are seperate midi 'modulators' that you can buy, also known as Midi Control Surfaces but you're probably not ready to get into that quite yet.

You can find many, many free and low cost soft synths and soft effects at KVR Audio --- once you get the hang of using their search engine.
 
Anyone that's into synthesis should check out the dozens of excellent and free VST's that are available online. Plus, there are many excellent VST's that are cost effective and under 200 bucks.

Example: I own a SCI Prophet 5, but I use NI Pro-53 *ALL* the time. It is almost impossible to tell which is the real deal and which was the softsynth--that's how excellent they are nowadays.

GMedia makes some excellent softsynths that are all under 200 bucks, heck two of the best ones are under 100 bucks, the Oddity and ImpOSCar.
 
cakewalk midi

Thanks alot for all the advice guys. I read thru those midi tutorials and I feel better about it all. I think I will go with CME-UF6 controller, and I will have to check out aLL of my options online as far as soft-synths go. Thanks for helping me get my midi resources off the ground.
 
Get hold of a copy of Computer Music that will point you in the right direction...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top