Recording with Keyboard - Noob Questions

[Juan Arkantos]

Hello folks!

I'm new to this forums AND to home recording, so most of what you'll see here are noob questions. Thanks for your patience in advance.

I'm starting a solo project in the Dark Ambient (not noise) genre with influences from Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra, Die Verbannten Kinder Evas, early Mortiis, and Wongraven. I aim for a more symphonic, melodic approach, not like this new wave of Noise music which is also called Dark Ambient. I'm using Keyboards only, and sometimes short samples like sounds of wind, birds, water or bonfires. Nothing very fancy from the recording perspective, i'm emphasizing on composition and atmosphere creation, so I'll be asking for the basics. If you don't know about this genre, it probably won't matter as my questions are in fact quite general, and anyone recording with a keyboard should have some knowledge about them.

I'm using a Casio CTK-4200 keyboard plugged via line-in to my computer. I don't have an external sound card, so I should start by asking: Which one do you recommend? I'm not looking for an expensive, kick-ass card. As for software, i'm currently using a portable Cool Edit Pro 2.1. Now this is when most will start chewing me off, I guess. Which Software do you recommend? I have nearly no knowledge on sound mixing, mastering or editing. I just handle the basics, and was able to produce a couple songs which don't sound too horrible, but still, I lack skill and orientation when it comes to sound. I'm trying to do this by spending as little money as possible, but that's not because I want to, of course... anyways, i'll try to stick to what i already have, so i'm not looking for equipment (such as consoles) recommendations.

I attached a track I -roughly- recorded, feel free to criticize it's sound as much as possible. Some instruments will be re-recorded as they are not well tempo-alligned. Here it is: View attachment Ab Aeterno.mp3.

I also need a way to get good percussion, and the keyboard does not provide. What program should I use to program percussion loops that don't sound too digital? "Einletung" from Die Verbannten Kinder Evas an example of how I'd rather it sound like. In fact, that's all-in-all the sound I aim for. I can't post the link, but it's on youtube and it's easy to find.

Now i'll start shooting some random questions: Could you recommend any beginner's tutorial on how to mix and master? Do you think compression is absolutely necessary? Which is the best way to connect the keyboard to my computer? How should I set the volume when recording (max windows line in volume, less software volume, I can't get this right)?

Thank you all for your time.

 

[DM60]

I would first recommend a good, two channel USB or if you have the connector, Firewire (Apple proprietary name) or sometimes referred to as, 1394 port (IEEE name). That will get your sounds to your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

I rarely recommend software, but if you have the money, Ableton Live works really well for this genre of music. The suite has a full complement of sampler tools, the maxforlive gives you incredible options to create your own effects and instruments (there is visual programming involved, but very powerful) and if you so dare, you can take it out with you and provide a very good way to play live (hence, Ableton Live).

A couple of things to remember, for you, you will either use MIDI In/Out or USB MIDI. You may want to program the DAW to play your keyboard (MIDI Out, computer to MIDI In, Keyboard). The keyboard analog outs will run back to the DAW to get its sound, as MIDI only transfers data, not sound.

If Ableton is to much, you may look for software that compares to it, but this is really Ableton's sweet spot. If you want to really make this type of music, the full version of Ableton will get you very far. Go do some YouTube searches on Ableton, lot of folks in your music focus use it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Juan Arkantos]

Thanks for your response!
I see that it must be confusing to use the term "Dark Ambient", as i was referring to something absolutely different from what it seems to be considered dark ambient nowadays. I'm not recording any kind of Noise music or its sub genres, now it seems that they call Dark Ambient to a kind of "Darkened" Noise, but I was referring to the 90's Dark Ambient, the one that didn't use many samples or noisy backgrounds, but repetitive rhythmic and melodic patterns. I do not intend to create Noise patterns but Rythmic patterns that sound like actual instruments.

 

[DM60]

Thanks for your response!
I see that it must be confusing to use the term "Dark Ambient", as i was referring to something absolutely different from what it seems to be considered dark ambient nowadays. I'm not recording any kind of Noise music or its sub genres, now it seems that they call Dark Ambient to a kind of "Darkened" Noise, but I was referring to the 90's Dark Ambient, the one that didn't use many samples or noisy backgrounds, but repetitive rhythmic and melodic patterns. I do not intend to create Noise patterns but Rythmic patterns that sound like actual instruments.

Still think Ableton or something similar would work well for what you are trying to do. You might try Reaper to get you started as it is very inexpensive and very powerful. But if you look at Ableton's workflow, you will see it will probably serve you well. Check out a demo and get an idea what I am talking about or just do some research and see the demo's that are out there. It is a large amount of money first starting out, so you should really research it as your DAW will be your primary tool. Not just from a money perspective, but much more.