Setting up a MIDI studio.

[jagd1]

Having been pensioned off and with more time than the other half likes I've decided to try and assemble a home studio something I tried in the early 80's but failed miserabley at! I'm in my early 50's but being somewhat immobile I need something I can do seated that doesn't put me to sleep. I'm interested in the the likes of Tangerine Dream etc collecting MIDI synths, keys and rack.

I'm trying to remember computerised recording/mixing/MIDI and sequencing which seems to be the only bit of computer knowledge I'm short on (I'm an ex computer/network engineer).

I've got hold of (because it was half price and it's accessable) a Yamaha PSR E413 to be going on with whilst I assemble the other parts of a simple studio. I'm pulling over a laptop and will assemble a fastish desktop with a big screem for my Mr Magoo eyes.

I'ver got my eyes on a Behringer Xenyx 2442FX mixer and a couple of their MS40 monitors. I'll probalble go for a Roland Juno D and an Alesis SR18 and raid Ebay for some 2nd hand rack synths.

Back ages ago Steinberg and Atari was the basic combination that got results and I can remember editing patches of a Yamaha DX7 and some Roland synths. Steinberg has moved on with Cubase which has various versions. What are the pros and cons of the various levels. I'd like to edit synths (some which may be old/legacy) from the sequencer if possible and I'd want to do the same with much newer sysths.

To lower the learning curve I'd like to stick with one overall programme to do the lot and I don't mind upgrading my way through the versions if that is an easier way to learn/get used to a system.

Anyone got any ideas or comments on any of the above I'd appreciate it!

 

[gecko zzed]

Having been pensioned off and with more time than the other half likes I've decided to try and assemble a home studio something I tried in the early 80's but failed miserabley at! I'm in my early 50's but being somewhat immobile I need something I can do seated that doesn't put me to sleep. I'm interested in the the likes of Tangerine Dream etc collecting MIDI synths, keys and rack.

I'm trying to remember computerised recording/mixing/MIDI and sequencing which seems to be the only bit of computer knowledge I'm short on (I'm an ex computer/network engineer).

I've got hold of (because it was half price and it's accessable) a Yamaha PSR E413 to be going on with whilst I assemble the other parts of a simple studio. I'm pulling over a laptop and will assemble a fastish desktop with a big screem for my Mr Magoo eyes.

I'ver got my eyes on a Behringer Xenyx 2442FX mixer and a couple of their MS40 monitors. I'll probalble go for a Roland Juno D and an Alesis SR18 and raid Ebay for some 2nd hand rack synths.

Back ages ago Steinberg and Atari was the basic combination that got results and I can remember editing patches of a Yamaha DX7 and some Roland synths. Steinberg has moved on with Cubase which has various versions. What are the pros and cons of the various levels. I'd like to edit synths (some which may be old/legacy) from the sequencer if possible and I'd want to do the same with much newer sysths.

To lower the learning curve I'd like to stick with one overall programme to do the lot and I don't mind upgrading my way through the versions if that is an easier way to learn/get used to a system.

Anyone got any ideas or comments on any of the above I'd appreciate it!

Back ages ago when Steinberg and Atari was the basic combination, I was using Music-X and an Amiga for Midi.

Just about any contemporary music program (such as the current version of Cubase) has the capacity to deal with MIDI very well, though some are more powerful than others.

I'm not sure of your intended recording process, but it sounds like you are aiming to midi programming within the application, which you will then use to drive assorted synths which are connected to the mixer. You then record the output of the mixer. Is that basically it, or were you considering something else?

I currently use a mixture of techniques. One is as I've just described: I use Logic to develop midi, which I use to drive a Roland sound module, out of which I record the audio. However, virtual instruments have come a long way in the last half-a-dozen years, and eliminate the need for external modules. These can be driven by midi the same as hardware modules, but generate sounds internally (i.e. within the computer).

If you are recording audio from external synths, you have to think about how you are going to get the audio into your computer. This means looking at audio interfaces that would replace the internal sound card that your computer is likely to have. While they are okay for games, they are not well suited to audio recording applications.

You mentioned getting a Xenyx 2442FX. This has an awful lot of channels, and I'm not sure whether you will need them all. However, it comes with a built-in audio interface, which connects to your PC via USB. But I understand it only gives a stereo output. This is kind of limiting, specially gioven the mixing power inherent in current audio software.

You will need to think carefully about your process. There is a possibility that current technology will give you more flexible and powerful alternatives.

 

[jagd1]

Setting Up a Midi Studio

Thank you for that Gecko Zzed.I'm trying to keep all my options open here so without throwing money out of the window I'm prepared to experiment and lose a little to gain alot (he says whistfully).

I do some photography and video stuff with web work as well so in due course I want to mix all three/four in due course. The Mixing Desk is on the biggish side to take alot of options and kit. Hopefully I can divert the output to either the computer(s) or other sources (even tape which I hear has had a bit of a revival in UK).

I want to bring in the visual stuff in due course on another system but keep the audio seperate for the moment. As long as I can transfer the results in due course I'll be happy.

Listening to some of the totally digital productions and reissued and remastered old albums they seem to lack warmth and are a bit harsh, brittle and lacking depth in comparison to the older recordings. Maybe it's my ears! Thus I had not intended to use wholly computer kit and use other options as well. Good old Ebay seems full of old rack modules/synths, keyboards and percussion and the shops full of inexpensive sound cards (well fairly inexpensive).

As long as Cubase can link much of this together then I'll dabble on and see where I go. Thank god I'm not on a schedule.