Piano compositions recorded on PC - This is what I have, now what do I need?

[wiskylima]

I have a PC that I would like to turn into a digital recording studio to create my own CDs of piano music.

Here's what I have. Feel free to tell me what else I could use:

PC specs - 166MHz processor, 32 MB RAM (upgradeable), and less than 1.4 Gig free space, sound card that came with PC (44.1 Hz, 16 bit), iomega 4X cd-r drive
Music Equipment - Casio CTK-541 keyboard with a bunch of sounds (except the sounds I want) and midi capable
-midi cord which currently connects my keyboard to my PC

I bought cakewalk a few years ago to get my music in staff form, but it proved too tedious so I'd rather just record the songs and make (and produce, sell, etc) my own CD.

I downloaded n-track and power-tracks' free software so I will soon find some answers there.

Meanwhile, if I record using a nasty ass sound, can I edit that sound later when I figure out how to get different sounds? Annnnnd... how do I get different sounds that are NOT on my cheap keyboard?

I know you experts out there love to give advice (so do I, when I'm the expert) but I also understand you want people to figure this stuff out on their own. Well, I have been reading and surfing like crazy but I still need help. I know I will eventually figure it out on my own, but why not ask meanwhile!? Thanks in advance!

(I can trade for home repair advice - MY specialty)

 

[wiskylima]

Budget

Under $500. But if nothing fits, then under $1000. Of course I'd like the cheapest of everything that will at least give me Yanni quality (and I don't mind buying used eqpt). The sky is the limit altimately, just not right now.

 

[tdukex]

I would definitely upgrade the puter. I think you can slip a Celeron chip into that motherboard. You can get a 600mhz-700mhz chip for around $75-80 these days. If your motherboard won't take a Celeron, I'd switch it out for an ABIT BX board (about $100). Then I'd put in at least 64 mb PC 100 or 133 RAM (about $30-35). For sounds you can buy a Soundblaster Live Value for about $50. It has some decent General MIDI sounds.

 

[wiskylima]

Thanks TDukeX!

So my original soundcard is probably okay then? When I tried to convert midi to wav in N-Track, I found that my soundcard does not have a MIDI Volume slider. According to N-Track, this means it cannot record MIDI from itself and I need to bypass this by connecting the In and Out ports with a cord . Sounds simple enough. I am experimenting with different ports just to see what happens. But if you are familiar with this topic, clue me in please!

Now, why update the processor? To increase capability? I am going to do it, but I'd like to know what it does for the whole process.

Thanks again. MUCH APPRECIATED.

 

[DavidK]

wisky,, you will need a sound module to get
the good piano sounds. If you are really into
piano, maybe try the Kurzweil micro piano.

You didnt mention what soundcard your computer
has. It should be Soundblaster or better to do
anything good.

You will need a bigger hard drive, 1.4 gigs
is probably not going to cut it.

Your processor, at 166mhz, does not meet the listed
requirements of many programs, like cakewalk.
likewise, the Ram should be 128megs, if you can swing
it. If you do complex music or stuff with many tracks,
expect crashes galore.

Yes, you can record some nasty ass sound now, and change it later when you get better stuff, but you have to do it in midi.

If you get serious about this stuff, you will need a
new computer, no doubt. I suggest saving up and
getting a good one, and in the meantime go out
and buy a sound module like the Kurzweil micro
piano, and learn how to use it right. Midi is
easy for computers to handle, audio is hard on them,
so maybe get your tunes perfected now in midi
and turn them into wav files later.

You can do amazing things with midi, and I am
guessing you arent 100% happy with using it
yet, so maybe you can brush up on it and
get a little sound module while you are saving up
dough for the 'puter. I think the Micropiano
is about 300 bucks, not sure. Cheers David

 

[wiskylima]

hey David, THANKS! excellent info.

this post site is GREAT!

i REALLY appreciate the replies so far! one day when I am a famous composer, i'll send y'all a cut. ha ha


wendy