Midi sequencer or keyboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter frankieblue
  • Start date Start date
F

frankieblue

New member
Hi, I have all I need now to record at home. I use Sonar Produce7 for a DAW but I can only use the basics, the software is beyond me. I would like to add a keyboard or sequencer hardware but have no idea which. I do not actually play piano but I can play most anything I know by ear with one hand so I think I could input some interesting things. I would like to be able to add base effects and drum effects and a right hand tune into the DAW, probably one at a time, then add my voice while playing my guitar, then master using T-Racks. That's my wish and any help with a midi device would be welcome. I am in UK and have a budget of around £250.
Cheers
Frank
 
Frank,

Sonar Producer 7 is both an audio recorder AND a MIDI sequencer. You have no need to buy a hardware sequencer.

You may buy a MIDI controller keyboard which is necessary to input notes.

Why don't you post exactly what type of computer and sound card you already own, so we can make sure you are not missing anything, and then we can discuss the types of MIDI controller you should look at.

Also, you should start reading your owner's manual for Sonar, and/or read the HELP context menus inside Sonar on getting started in MIDI.
 
Hi Todd, thanks for the f/b so quickly. My PC is new, Pentium i5 4 GB ram and quiet case and fans for recording. I also have a laptop for recording if I want to do it away from home. My sound card is Cakewalk/Roland UA-25EX, and I can use (or bypass) a Yamaha MG82cx mixing console.
I know the Sonar 7 has lot of stuff in it I don't (can't) use but I find learning it to be very difficult, maybe I can persevere a bit more, I know there are tutorials and if I don't need an expensive sequencer it would be worth my while, so I have learned that much already.
I appreciate your input.
 
I forgot to mention I have Windows 7. I have been looking at the Cakewalk A-800Pro USB MIDI 61-key Keyboard Controller.

My thinking is that My DAW is Cakewalk Sonar and my sound card is Cakewalk so I thought the Cakewalk controller would be best, but I need your advice Todd, or any of you knowledgeable people please
 
input

One last question,

How have you been presently getting music recording into Sonar? You said you have been using the basic things in it. Have you already got a keyboard controller? Or have you only been recording audio, singing or guitar playing, into Sonar via an audio input?
 
Just singing and guitar, and singing with backing tracks.
 
You definitely need a MIDI controller. There are a bunch to choose from and your budget will cover it.

When you hook up your MIDI controller, you will be able to take advantage of the wealth of things inside Sonar, to help you make the song production you wish to make.

Here are a few things the MIDI controller, which is necessary, will allow you to take advantage of:

Playing musical instrument sounds from your General MIDI (GM) soundset. There are 128 different instruments to choose from.

Opening up soft synthesizers inside Sonar using VST, and then playing the sounds coming from that software synthesizer from your MIDI controller, and even recording the movements of your synthesizer changes into Sonar. (This involves two things: One, playing the MIDI controller events, and Two, recording those sounds into an Audio track).

You can open up the Drum Map inside Sonar, and use your MIDI controller to play drums. There are two ways to go about this: One is to use the notes on the keyboard to trigger drums sounds, and Two, is to use pressure pads (on some MIDI controllers) to play back drum sounds.

All the above will require you to read your owner's manual and start getting educated on the use of MIDI. But once you do, you'll wish you had started earlier. It's a lot of fun, and opens up worlds of possibilities to you as a musician.

When looking at MIDI controllers, you'll want to consider the following elements:

* How many keys do you want to have at your disposal: 25, 49, or 61?
* Do you want pressure pads on it, too, used to trigger sounds by hitting, or striking the pads?
* Do you want additional sliders and knobs which aid in both the production side of using SONAR, as well as being able to control many of the parameters on software synthesizers? If you don't have these, then you have to continue using your mouse to click and move/rotate, various settings.

Don't delay! Start looking at MIDI controllers and get ready to lay down some money on one that you think will make you happy. Here's a page to start looking at:

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/midi/controllers


Oh, one last thing: You do NOT have to buy a Cakewalk controller. Any controller will do the job. You may want to buy the Cakewalk controller because they have mapped things out in a good way along with all their instruction manuals, but you don't need to limit yourself.
 
Thank you very much,

I will certainly do the tutorials, but first get a controller, 25 keys probably because of room on my desk, as long as it has the things you suggest, otherwise a bigger one. I will copy your post to my word processor to read with the manual.

Thanks again.
Frank
 
MIDI sequencers are included with most DAWs these days.
It can be quite handy if it's used properly.

A MIDI sequencer can produce a lifeless sound on most instruments.
It's too perfect and needs a human touch to create a organic feeling to a song.

Depending on what kind of style you're into, you're better off buying a MIDI keyboard in most cases.
E-MU made decent keyboards like the Xboard, but they stopped manufacturing them some time ago.
They are now replaced with the Shortboard and Longboard which also includes build-in soundbanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top