Newbie help. Be gentle

[baltique]

OK 2 things.

1) I recently bought a Novation K-Station. Much to my horror (I am an impulse buyer) I didn't realize that it's monotimbral until got home.

In fact it was 5 minutes into a Sonar session that I realized (when I tried recording a 2nd MIDI part into Sonar). I am very depressed about this. I have a very basic set-up...only one synth (the K-Station), Sonar, Reason and my computer.

QUESTION: Is bouncing down MIDI tracks to audio files as I go the only way to record more than one MIDI part in Sonar (or any sequencer for that matter)??

I mean that can be done but what if halfway through when you've bounced down a bassline for example you realize a few notes are clashing? You'd have to scrap the whole bassline audio file and redo the MIDI, make the changes and then bounce it down again? Are mono-timbral synths not only not ideal for a small home studio like mine but even a waste of space?

I like to write my bass parts in bits. Adding fills here and there, making subtle passing tones between progressions here and there. The "bounce-MIDI-down-to-audio-just-so-you-can-record-a-new-MIDI-track" style is nuts but I guess the only option with a mono-timbral synth. Does this method require you to know exactly how the song is going to go before you even start??

QUESTION: Any suggestions for a work around?


2) Now I'm in the market for a good multi-timbral synth in the price range of the K-Station (if possible.. I do however realize I'll probably have to spend more though).

QUESTION Any suggestions for a good one? I don't really have specific sounds I'm after. Good Pads and bass patches are my preferences but at this stage in the game I can't be picky. I want to start writing!!

thanks,
marc

 

[TexRoadkill]

Monotimbral is a big drawback for the reasons you have found. If it is your only keyboard than you will probably need a multitimbral synth just to make it easier for writing and composing.

Monotimbral analog synths are meant to be used for bass and lead lines. There is obviously a lack of economy going on but for guys who want the best of everything sometimes a mono synth is the right solution.

For recording it actually is best to print the tracks to tape as sub mixes or individual parts so you can process them like any other source. Trying to do an entire mix with all the parts coming out of the main outs on a keyboard is a sure path to a mushy mix.

I usually process all bass and drum sounds especially.

I'm big on the Yamaha Motif and the Kurzweil K series myself but I dont really do dance music if that is what you're into.

 

[Chriss]

ohh.. yea, it's too much time spent like that...

perhaps you should sell it / return it / keep it , and get yo' fat hands on a novation nova 2.. sounds like the thing you need... i can also strongly recommend the waldorf microQ, but the control of the sounds is a nightmare compared to the nova 2... and you get 42 band vocoder with the nova... and a shitload of sick sounds, filters and effects...