ONE channel MIDI synths..

[electronicdreaming]

hi there everyone
i am looking into getting a novation K station, and i have heard that it has no multitimbrality, i guess it only has one midi channel. since i don't know JACK about MIDI, i'm still learning, .........would be possible to make a complete song with a one channel midi synth like this? seems like every time you wanted to record a new sound (lead synth, bass, fx), you would keep having to use the same channel, and that would mess with what was previously recorded on that channel. is this right, or am i wacked? thanks for ALL your help, this site is a blessing, big time.
later and peace
justin

 

[Krakit]

I would be surprised if a modern synth didn't allow for MIDI channel assignment.

However, your real problem dosen't sound like a channel assignment issue. Your synth is only capable of producing one sound at a time (if I understand your post correctly).

This dosen't sound like a very good candidate for multi track sequenced playback.

You need at least 16 simultaneous sounds to make a good "canvas" type unit.

It sounds to me like the Novation is more of a performance synth.

That dosen't mean you shouldn't use it for recording.

It just means that you would record one track from the unit at a time.

Hope this helps you.

Carl

 

[electronicdreaming]

cool!

carl
thanks a lot. this is helping me see it better! so when i am recording. lets say i get done with channel ONE, then i want to move on to channel TWO......when i go to record channel two, i won't be able to hear ONE, will i? since it is not multitimbral? am i gettin this stuff?!?! hehe thanks for your time and patience (what a virtue it is!).
justin

 

[Krakit]

I think you miss the idea here.

You would record the audio out of your synth onto an audio track.

If you then use another song for the next audio track you should be able (depending on your recording device) be able to hear your last recorded track one performance for reference.

MIDI is not audio. MIDI is a code of instructions that tell other MIDI devices what to do.

Think of it like the music rolls on a player piano. The holes on the piano roll correspond to different keys on the piano. MIDI will also tranlate duration, dynamics, sustain and pitchbend information (as well as other non audio information) but there are no sounds involved.

Carl

 

[electronicdreaming]

duh!!!!!!!!!!!!

sheesh i feel really dumb right now.
ok, ok.........i'm starting to see MIDI now. i keep forgetting it is information and not sound. i'm still confused about the whole recording process......but i'll go read my cakewalk manual/helps! thanks for everything man
justin