need help w/ software purchase

[Semiparametric]

(this was first posted in the newbie section, then somehow moved to the studio design section, then someone suggested I post it here, so here goes . . . .)


I am a newbie (which will become apparent once you read on), and I want to start a computer-based home recording studio. A few years ago, I had been using "MidiSoft Studio," which I felt was decent for my needs (piano midi, sequencing of sounds (waves)). Anyone ever heard of MidiSoft Studio??


Actually, now that I have a bit more cash, I wanted to buy sequencing software, and (gradually) other items to add to the studio. My main goal right now is having something to learn with and play with until my next purchase.

What's the best piece of software for a beginner like me who eventually wants to have a full-blown home recording studio. Preferably, something I can play with, become proficient at, and have fun with, but something that allows me to expand eventually.

Ideally, under $300, but I can spend more if it'll be worth it in the long run.

Cakewalk? Cubase? Emagic (Logic Audio)? I feel like I'm shooting in the dark here.

If I have a computer with a soundblaster and I buy this sequencing software, will I be able to compose?? (understanding that I can purchase microphones, midi equipment, and a drum machine or Acid Pro later?)

Am I way off base here? Help!

 

[the Ozlee]

midi software

Midi is a subject in it self, that a good fundemental understanding of would prove to be invaluable before deciding which software to purchase. I have not heard of Midisoft but that dose not mean anything in this day and time. There is a free prgram that overs numerous free plugins called "Massiva" that you can download from their website "Massiva.com." If you have already aquired a good understanding of midi and how it works I still think this would be a good place to try before you buy.

Eventually you will want to combine midi and audio tracks. I think "Digidesgin Pro tools Free" would be a good next step, which you can download from their website "Digidesgin.com" but this prgram may not be the easy one to work with until you spend sometime with it. I like Cakewalk, but one that might work better would be N-Track Studio which has a users forum here at "Home Recording" you can download a demo at "Fassoft.com" and it costs between $40.00 to $60.00 should you decide to register it. "N-Track" has proved so far to have excellent sound quality with the sound card that came with my computer. "Pro tools" by Digidesgin, when you "buy" their package, offers good tech support for their products, which is a software and harware package. Tech support for the life of the product is somthing I would want to check into before I paid any big money for anybody's product.

Good Luck, The Ozlee

 

[Rubo4]

Don't get sucked into Pro Tools right away. I'll need to buy their hardware to use the non free version. And if one day you decide to upgrade from their home to Pro stuff the next step would be 5k - 10K. Plus you said that you're into MIDI - Pro Tools has much better Audio capabilities then MIDI so any of the software you've mentioned would be better for MIDI. Remember Cakewalk is more of a consumer product, rather then home/ pro. If I were you I 'de go for Cubase which is much easier to learn then Logic, is far more advanced in MIDI and Audio then Cakewalk. But it all depend what you want to do exactly. If you say that in the future you want to expand to more pro stuff then start from Pro so you don't have to change later which will take time and effort. If you were considering working on Mac I would definitely suggest Digital Performer. You're best option would be to download a Demo of each program and see for your self. Or go to your local store, most of them have it set up for demo purposes. If you're only doing MIDI then SoundBlaster would be Ok, but for audio recording you'll need a better sounding card.

P.S. Remember these are just tools - it's how you use them, is what's important.

 

[the Ozlee]

Midi Software Follow Up

If you already have all of the neccessary equipment to set up your midi studio then your software is your most important decision. "Pro Tools Free" is a free download from Digidesgin and even though it is free it functions in ever respect like their pro product and while it will work with a Sound Blaster card it does so with limitations that you will probably not have if you have more of a pro card. So learning to use this program would be something I think would pay off because it will probably be one that you will find in many studios. Digital Performer is an excellent program and the one we used in the Midi class I took at college this past semester, but it requires a Mac computer and from my understanding the program costs in the $500.00 range.

Everything that I previously mentioned is either a free download or available as demo versions including Cakewalk. You will have to do some surfing and check out their websites. Massiva is a program that covers the fundementals of sequencing and more its free and will work with your soundcard.

If you don't have the equipment for a midi studio here are some of my suggestions that you will need.

keyboard (New Yamaha Synth 64 note 32 multitimbiral $500.00),
Roland 1010 module upto 1200 samples $400.00, Alesis drum machine $200.00, midi computer interface $25.00 up, Nady condenser mic $100.00 or less ( great mic for the price),
and finally a computer with at least a 20 gig harddrive, cd burner, and a good sound card. All of these prices are from the latest Musician's Friend catalog except for the computer which is something you may want to build your self, an excellent source of information for doing this is TechTV.com/screensavers, these guys are sharp and have probably already put a dream system together and have all of the information and where to buy ready.

Good Luck, The Ozlee