Newbie home recording question

[Philx123]

Hi, I've done some home recording before, using Audacity and Magix Music Studio. It's all just been line in and vocal audio.

I've downloaded the demo of Magix music Studio 2013, and am interested in using such options as virtual keyboards and drums.

Trouble is I have no real idea of how these work. Am I right in thinking they are all midi activated?

Trouble is, if they are, I don't actually have a midi input on my soundcard.

Even without a midi input, are there options for using the computer keyboard to play them (not ideal, I know, but I'm on a real shoestring). If there's no way of using midi without a midi soundcard, are there virtual keyboards and drums which use the audio channels to work, rather than a midi chanel, and which can be played using a computer keyboard?

Thanks

 

[Flei]

You don't need a midi connector on your soundcard in order for it to have midi functionality. Having said that, you need to do some more research on what exactly your soundcard can and can't do. I've never seen a soundcard that couldn't play midi, but you never know...

I'm not familiar with Magix music Studio 2013. The first thing you need to do is learn how to use it, and what it can do. Not all programs can play virtual instruments. Virtual instruments is a whole category of learning by itself, so try to focus on one thing at a time, or it will all just end up being confusing.

Learn Magix music Studio 2013. If it's not a good solution, do some research and find a different one that is more suited to your needs - then learn that program.

After you learn how to use your music software, then start adding things (like virtual instruments) to it. I guess what I'm saying is learn to walk before you try to run. You need to know your music application like the back of your hand. That way, when you have a creative idea, you don't have to figure anything out; you can simply create it. Trust me, nothing dries up creative juices like technology trouble shooting...

Good luck man

 

[Philx123]

Thanks for that. I appreciate the input. I think I'm pretty much there with audio recording in Magix Music Studio. I know how to get it to set it up, get it to work, get it to record, use the inbuilt effects and how to output. I guess that's why I'm at this point now - that is, I feel there so much more which can be done (though I'm only really looking to add a keyboard track here and there and some drum sounds - most of the stuff I do is at the acoustic end of the scale), though my understanding of anything other than line and mic audio is pretty non-existent. But again, thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

Oh, my soundcard is a creative x-fi extreme audio. I know, I know, not good - It's complicated, but I have an arguably better one (Audigy 2), but I can't get hold of it for a few months. It's on loan to a friend.

 

[AlanMAGIX]

Hi Philx123, I think the main thing to focus on is making music, being creative, and having fun. It sounds like your getting your head around the software. For every new song you start, learn something new in the software and use it in the track. It's important not to get too distracted with all the "toys"

For MAGIX related tips check our online magazine, magazine.magix.com/en/ and our user forum magix.info.

 

[DM60]

Philx123, you don't need a keyboard, look in your software for a way to create Midi sequences. I looked real quick at the software you are using, there should be a way. There is usually a Midi editor. There you can create your drum loops, keyboard/sound inputs into different tracks. Should be straight forward.

The one thing that you will find using Midi that you may not have experienced before is your timing. With the Midi kicking in, your timing will need to be spot on for everything to line up. For me, working with Midi and live recordings forced me to improve my timing.

 

[mjbphotos]

Also - most inexpensive keyboards these days (Casio, Yamaha) have MIDI capability through USB.

 

[DM60]

Also - most inexpensive keyboards these days (Casio, Yamaha) have MIDI capability through USB.

To add to that, I have an old Roland PC-200 Keyboard controller (no sound modules), so you can even get one without sound if you just need an input.