Need Help Understanding MIDI

[robrmd9]

Hello everyone,

I am a guitarist and have recorded songs in the past, but want to add drums, bass and other instruments to my songs.

I bought a M-Audio MIDI controller for $99 that seems to be pretty solid.

As for software I have Adobe Audition 1.5 (which I've used in the past), Reason 2.5 (I recently bought this).

I learned to add drums and bass with Reason, but I want to add those regular old MIDI sounds (like a piano, horns, etc) but I don't know how and the programs' help files don't really help me.

Basically, I guess I'm saying I need a good MIDI sequencer that is integrated into a powerful recording program, and neither Audition nor Reason has this. All I want to do is use a step-recording feature to put MIDI tracks into my songs. And I need to find some way to use better sounding MIDI sounds rather than the seemingly crappy ones that the sound card comes with. I can't even tell my controller to use the MIDI sounds from my sound card. Do I need to buy another program to do this?

Can anyone help please? I can clarify if anyone needs it, cuz I understand my questions might not be that clear.

Thanks in advance,
Rob

 

[tedluk]

Rob-

Like most people who are new to MIDI, you are a little confused about what it is. There are no "MIDI sounds" MIDI is a set of communication instructions designed to allow enabled devices from different manufacturers to work with each other. If a device is MIDI enabled, it is capable of responding and/or sending out some or all of the instructions included in the MIDI spec. The device doesn't necessarily have to be a synthesizer or produce sounds at all. There are MIDI light controls for instance and many different control devices also utilize MIDI.

It is your soundcard's synthesizer that you (understandably) don't like the sound of. It has nothing to do with MIDI.

I don't know what you're using for a controller, but Reason should have everything you need to accomplish what you're asking. It's not a program I've worked with, but I know it's got synths, samplers, looping, drum machines and sequencers.

If you need help in getting it up and running, then that's a different question and I'm sure we can help you.

If you want a dedicated sequencer that supports MIDI then you should look at products from Cakewalk, like Home Studio or SONAR (that will probably be overkill), or Steinberg's Cubase, there are lower cost alternatives like PG music's Powertracks.

I hope that helps!

Ted

 

[robrmd9]

Hey Ted,


Thanks for your explanation. Reason works fine, everything is plugged in, I was just curious about getting MIDI tracks in there and stuff. I understand now about MIDI and how there aren't true "MIDI sounds," I guess I might try Cakewalk Home Studio to see if that's what I'm looking for.

That said, can Home Studio map my sound card's synthesizer sounds (presumably the standard 127 instruments) to my MIDI controller? I want to be able to start up Home Studio and use my computer to select the MIDI instrument, and then use my controller to play. Is that possible?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[tedluk]

What controller are you using?

The simple answer is "yes".

Your sound card probably conforms to the GM (General MIDI) protocol. This was created because everybody was using different sounds on their synths so a file created on a synth where program "X" was a piano might play back a violin when played on a different system. With GM, everyone agreed to place those 127 programs (which will still vary in sound somewhat) in a GM bank to ensure a greater level of consistency.

Reason, by all accounts, has some killer synths in it. Why do you want to use the synth on your soundcard at all?

With programs such as Home Studio 2 that support plug-ins, you'll have access to many, many soft-synths and, better yet, lots of them are free!!

Ted

 

[Trumpspade]

I agree with Tedluk
I stepped in because I am a satisfied Reason User, but I understand it is not for everyone.............
You can use the many Piano/Organ/Strings/Brass and the host of other refills that you can explore. It would defeat the purpose if you have a synth that has unique sounds of it's own, Reason probably wouldn't be as attractive to you! There are many Reason users in BBS, ask,ask,ask....I might not can help, but I am sure someone can.