Software Help Needed

  • Thread starter Thread starter c0rdat0111
  • Start date Start date
Ok, ok I need to pick something that was just said apart because it started not making sense (does that make sense?).

"In Sonar, you have DXI instruments, so that you can compose your midi track in Sonar"

--->So this means I need a midi input keyboard or does this mean the software has midi instruments built in?



"Supporting outside plugin's is important. DirectX support is mandatory. VST support isn't as important because you can get a VST rapper to use them like DirextX in applications that only support DirectX. "

---> Can someone put this in easy to understand terms? VST? DirectX, Rapper?
 
"In Sonar, you have DXI instruments, so that you can compose your midi track in Sonar"

--->So this means I need a midi input keyboard or does this mean the software has midi instruments built in?
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You don't need a MIDI input keyboard, although it's far and way the best means to get MIDI data into the software. You can type in the notes one by one if you want, though this is incredibly tedious.

DXi -- DirectX instruments -- are a category of plug-ins that are wriietn to the Microsoft DirectX specification. A plug-in is a piece of software that can be used within a host application to extend its capabilities. DirectX effects have been around for a few years now, and DirectX instruments for about two years or so. They are typically synthesizers that can be accessed from within the DirectX host, so you can direct your MIDI tracks to be played by it instead of, say, being sent to the MIDI Out port...


"Supporting outside plugin's is important. DirectX support is mandatory. VST support isn't as important because you can get a VST rapper to use them like DirextX in applications that only support DirectX. "

---> Can someone put this in easy to understand terms? VST? DirectX, Rapper?
Click to expand...

I already mentioned DirectX. VST is another way of doing the same sort of thing, developed by Steinberg, the makers of Cubase software. The deal is that various software makers have chosen to support one or the other but ususally not both. Steinberg obviously uses the VST architecture and not DirectX. SONAR feels it's better to support the standards developed by Microsoft and decided to go with DirectX support early on rather than support VST (and in doing so probably having to pay a licensing fee to their competitor) or developing their own variation on the same idea.

A VST-to-DirectX wrapper (not rapper, though maybe someone is developing one of those too) is a like an adapter that allows a VST plug-in to be used inside of a DirectX-savvy host. It interfaces DirectX to VST. This is nice because it allows a DirectX host to support all the VST stuff too. What sonusman was saying is that a DirectX host can use VST effects too through the use of a wrapper, but with a VST host you can't use DirectX effects...
 
totally unrelated

"How many of you believe in telekinesis? Raise my hand..."
-- unknown

this was on AlChuck's Website. totaly hilarious.

stone.
 
I predict that your wife will leave you for a musician someday. Is she hot? Got any pics? (nudge, nudge wink, wink) Just kidding.

Check out my site for the modest list of equipment I have accumulated over a 2 year span.

www.geocities.com/charvster

If you say that you don't play in insturment, it may be a long road ahead going the route your trying to go.

What song's does your wife want to sing? Cover tunes or originals? Maybe you could coax one of the many talented members here to record a backing track for your wife. Collaboration is a good thing sometimes. That way all you would have to buy is Cool Edit, a nice mic and mic preamp. Give us a few bones to chew on! Good luck, Charva (Dave)
 
dude. The charv man's got a good idea. Least you could do is give it a shot that way. Unless you have some kind of foolish pride... I say, let the talent work for you.
 
AlChuck said:


You don't need a MIDI input keyboard, although it's far and way the best means to get MIDI data into the software. You can type in the notes one by one if you want, though this is incredibly tedious.

DXi -- DirectX instruments -- are a category of plug-ins that are wriietn to the Microsoft DirectX specification. A plug-in is a piece of software that can be used within a host application to extend its capabilities. DirectX effects have been around for a few years now, and DirectX instruments for about two years or so. They are typically synthesizers that can be accessed from within the DirectX host, so you can direct your MIDI tracks to be played by it instead of, say, being sent to the MIDI Out port...
Click to expand...
You can download DirectMusic Producer for free from the Microsoft Update website and use it to play or record any midi using Downloadable (.dls) sounds. I converted a set of soundfonts to dls and am well pleased with the results.

As for producing MIDI files without a keyboard: there are notation programs that do this very quickly and easily, provided you can read a traditional score. Try Mozart (http://www.mozart.co.uk ) . I sing to backing tracks that I sequence as midis and record to WAV very easily and cheaply this way.

Sarah
 
we are working on software that randomly generates music per the genre of your choice. Input several parameters and it does the rest. Considering how much music is produced on a typical cd that does not become a hit and then figure that some small percentage of an artist produced work is catchy enough to bubble up to become a hit song/tune, and we figure running this software across a server farm will accidentally generate a hit or two.

Not really but with all the talk about creating music with machines it seems most of the work is become less artistry and more systems engineering. At the rate things are going, it won't be long before completely self- generating music becomes practical. AI and all that.

However, right now the band in a box idea sells alot of software and gear but in reality not a trivial thing to make not only well produced but also professional sounding recordings. Getting whats in your head into the machine is fun but pretty challeging. I think the professional composers and song writers out there are safe for now.
 
Top Scientist said:
we are working on software that randomly generates music per the genre of your choice. Input several parameters and it does the rest. Considering how much music is produced on a typical cd that does not become a hit and then figure that some small percentage of an artist produced work is catchy enough to bubble up to become a hit song/tune, and we figure running this software across a server farm will accidentally generate a hit or two.

Click to expand...

LOL. We had a chat going about a year ago talking about how the industry will come up with a "producer" and "musician" plugin's and/or applications to generate music.

You guys WILL have parameters for producer, engineer, musicians won't you? I mean, why not be able to have all that you could possibly want in production?

I am not directing the this jab straight at you Top Scientist. It is just amazing that people would rather use loops and premade stuff for EVERYTHING these days. It just sort of takes all the fun out of being a songwriter in my opinion. The next logical step, and of course with the proliferation of the use of "POD's" and what not it is already happening for the most part, is to have your choice of a "producer in a box" and "any big time drummer in a box" and "Joe Satriani in a box", etc...

:confused: Pretty soon, you just won't have to do ANYTHING to make music. Just enter in a few parameters and a song will be generated for you.

Ed
 
sonusman said:


...Pretty soon, you just won't have to do ANYTHING to make music. Just enter in a few parameters and a song will be generated for you.
Click to expand...

...sounds like Bill Gates promoting Windows 2002. :eek:
 
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