New Midi Setup for sequencing and scoring

[Bandwidtrh]

hello,
I currently have a 16 track ADAT setup. I have a film scoring project coming up that I want to use a midi setup on.I am a little confused on what components to make it all come together.
I've come up with this setup to start:

1) Dell PC w/ 2 hard drives 30 gigs and 120 gigs
1 gig of ram
2.6 processor
fire wire port
windows xp
possible nuendo as my sequencing software
Is this overkill or not enough? I don't have any hardware sound modules, so I am planning to use soft synths. I am also going to use the pc to master my projects.

2) Edirol PCR 50 MIDI conroller
3) MOTU 828mkII
Is this the right unit? It has adat opt. ports and a adat sync port. It only has one midi port but I figured that would be ok for the time being because I'm only using one controller and soft synths. Pluse it has some analog inputs so I can get my mixes into the computer for mastering.

Am I headed in the right direction with this setup. The other option is to just take all this money and buy a keyboard workstation like a triton. I am a hands on person and wouldn't mind this route either. I just figured that buy buying a pc I would be getting more flexibility and the ability to upgrade for this lump of chang.

If anyone has any advice please reply. I don't have much experience in midi and could use a little guidence.
Thank you

 

[Jeyan]

You are headed in the right direction, If you are going to work with midi, a PC is a must! You can work on workstations (triton) as well but editing is a pain. So stick on to PC ro Mac. Dell is not a bad option, but for the price you pay for Dell, you can buy a custom computer more stable than Dell. Try configuring a pc in http://www.abspc.com and compare it with dell. You'll know the difference.
I haven't used Neundo as my midi sequence editor yet, but my Motu works great with Sonar and I like Sonar better than all other midi sequencers. Very flexible. IF you have a computer faster than 2.0 Ghz yo are good to go. So don't worry about the computer part, Softsynth is not a bad idea, but sound module is preferable. There are a lot of good ones for great price. Like a motif rack on ebay is a good choice. Anyway, have fun with the setup. Good Luck!

 

[James Argo]

What Jeyan said

Nuendo is good option indeed, but I devoted to Cakewalk lines (now SONAR). It served the best MIDI sequencer ever with alot of possibility. Your system is definitely great!!! I just wanna add, go to www.musicxp.net to guide you tweaking your WinXP system for music work...


...and welcome to the board Bandwidtrh


Jaymz

 

[Chrisjob]

Unless you already own Nuendo, I think Cubase SX is a better option. SX tries to bring the audio power of Nuendo and the midi capabilities VST 5. Purchasing Nuendo for scoring would be overkill. But, if you already have it, then I envy you, and it will work perfectly.

I disagree about PC being the way to go, as well. I think Jeyan was expressing his love for Computer based sequencers over a workstation like the Triton, but if you're serious about scoring, a Mac will serve you better. I understand the sequencing of hardware modules isn't all that cpu-taxing, but soft synths and audio recording are, and a Mac will do so more effectively. (I use a PC, but its because its what I already have).

Plus, if you get prolific in the scoring business, studios will often send you quicktime video files, which you'll have to sync up with your sequencer. This will integrate freely on a mac, because its apple's software.

You dont say what kind of music you plan on composing, but if its synphonic, soft-synths aren't going to cut it. I'd purchase SX (and maybe scale down the audio interface) and take the money you saved and buy a decent sound module, or something like a Roland XP-30 or Triton LE, and use those for sounds and as a controller.

If you're doing more modern music, soft synths might cut it, but I'd look into a decent sampler and a Nord Lead 2 rack module.

Finally, Gigasampler would be you're best option for natural, acoustic sounds, but then we're talking about 2 computers (at least one has to be PC) and it might get a little expensive.

Best of Luck,
Chris

 

[Bandwidtrh]

thanks for your knowledge. You guys are great.

I actually am still trying to find the right sound card. I came across a card made by steinberg called the audio link 96 digiset. It's cheaper than the motu and has word clock in/out, spdif in/out, ADAT sync, 3 lightpipe in/out, and 2 midi in/out for about $500. I think it connects to the computer through a USB port.

someone told me that USB connection isn't that good. Which is why I was looking at the motu for the firewire. Most of the units that I find are USB though.

Is USB a problem?
Anyone have any recomendations for a sound card that can handle midi, Adat optical and sync, and possible 2 analog ins/outs?

chris, I'm looking at getting into some orcastration. Stuff with strings, horns and percussion. I'm starting to get tired of writing guitar music.

thanks

 

[James Argo]

Is USB a problem?

Yup... I'm not realy sure about USB version 2, but Version 1 lacks of bandwith... stay away from it...

Anyone have any recomendations for a sound card that can handle midi, Adat optical and sync, and possible 2 analog ins/outs?

I just got Delta 1010LT for only $288 from Sweetwater dot com. It has one pair of MIDI port (1 in 1 out), 8 analog audio I/O, SPDIF, Digital I/O, word clock, etc etc... very cool !!!

chris, I'm looking at getting into some orcastration. Stuff with strings, horns and percussion. I'm starting to get tired of writing guitar music.

Hehehe, you're not the only one... Me too, fella... Check mine out at...

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2631&alid=-1


Jaymz

 

[Bandwidtrh]

jaymz,
I would love to check out your tracks but the PC I have now probably couldn't handle the download. This thing is about to s**t the bed any day now. I'm too embarrased to even tell you how old it is, but lets just say it was pretty fast way back in 1997.

All is well though, I should be recieving my Dell in a couple of days. It's going to be a huge improvement.
Pent 4 2.26 GHz
1 gig ram
40 gig HD
100 gig HD
DVD burner
Windows XP pro

Yea, I can't wait.

Thanks for the recomendation on the sound card. I'm going to check out the specs for it. For some reason the Steinberg digiset seems to be calling my name. If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in.

Thanks
BW