M
MadPoet
New member
I read through the last few weeks of beginner posts, but didn't see exactly what I'm looking for. I'm trying to figure out exactly what I need to do what (I think) I want to do.
Currently I have in my "studio"
Yamaha 4 channel mixer
Computer w/ Sonar, Acid, and some other crap (bought used, hope it's legit)
MAudio Oxygen49
Some amps, some guitars, a mic
MAudio Monitors that could really use better bass response, but were good for the price
No talent
The computer has the standard crappy Realtek sound, which I knew I'd have to replace. I would like to get something with FireWire (or USB 2.0 if it's comparable) so that I can use it with my laptop as well. Both machines run Vista, and I can't upgrade to XP, sadly. (A dual boot is a remote option on the PC).
What I want to be able to do is:
-Record guitars/vocals (probably not both at once, see lack of talent above)
-Use the computer as a softsynth thingy for teaching myself keys
-Piece together drum tracks (not necessarily loops) from samples (currently do this in sonar, would love a Better Way
-Have some adequate midi out thing for something or other. I think soundfonts are involved, but I barely know what they are.
I'm mostly learning, so I'm not going to invest more than a hundred or two until I know what it actually is that I am interested in mastering. I see lots of interfaces discussed, but I'm not sure if that covers my needs for MIDI as well. My Audigy seemed to do everything I needed (poorly) when i was running XP, but doesn't like Vista at all.
In summary:
Inexpensive, Vista, USB/Firewire Preferred, Soundfonts, I suck
What do I need to buy?
Currently I have in my "studio"
Yamaha 4 channel mixer
Computer w/ Sonar, Acid, and some other crap (bought used, hope it's legit)
MAudio Oxygen49
Some amps, some guitars, a mic
MAudio Monitors that could really use better bass response, but were good for the price
No talent
The computer has the standard crappy Realtek sound, which I knew I'd have to replace. I would like to get something with FireWire (or USB 2.0 if it's comparable) so that I can use it with my laptop as well. Both machines run Vista, and I can't upgrade to XP, sadly. (A dual boot is a remote option on the PC).
What I want to be able to do is:
-Record guitars/vocals (probably not both at once, see lack of talent above)
-Use the computer as a softsynth thingy for teaching myself keys
-Piece together drum tracks (not necessarily loops) from samples (currently do this in sonar, would love a Better Way
-Have some adequate midi out thing for something or other. I think soundfonts are involved, but I barely know what they are.
I'm mostly learning, so I'm not going to invest more than a hundred or two until I know what it actually is that I am interested in mastering. I see lots of interfaces discussed, but I'm not sure if that covers my needs for MIDI as well. My Audigy seemed to do everything I needed (poorly) when i was running XP, but doesn't like Vista at all.
In summary:
Inexpensive, Vista, USB/Firewire Preferred, Soundfonts, I suck
What do I need to buy?