Turning midi files into real instruments

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roknrolltkovr1

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Hey there, I know just about nothing when it comes to home recording but I've got a pretty basic question. I have a friend who has basically written out full songs in midi format in the program Guitar Pro. What I want to do is import these midi files into Cubase and turn the midi data into realistic (or semi realistic is still fine) sounding instruments. What would be the best way to go about doing this? Maybe some type of VST plugin?

There's a whole range of instruments involved; guitar (acoustic and distorted), bass, drums, strings, random percussion instruments, and a little bit of brass. I have already tried using soundfonts, but finding good ones is pretty tough and they still don't sound great.

Thanks for the insight.
 
Look into VSTi instruments.

Go download some free ones (KVR is a great place to start), and read up in the manual how to load them.
 
There is a free GM (general midi) VSTi on the Cubase DVD under extra's. Nothing spectacular but it will do to get you going on setting up the midi tracks.
 
I sometimes do what you describe, as I started writing all my music on guitar pro before moving over to a sequencer. If I were you, I would consider the following:

- Guitar Pro files produce notes with the same velocity. For example, all the drum hits will be exactly the same force. This makes it sounds very robotic. A lot of my drum pieces were programmed in guitar pro - so I have had to learn to go through and re program each hit to be more like what a drummer would do. DAW (I use cubase) can randomise the MIDI notes to make it sounds better without having to re-program it all, but its not quite as good.

- Guitar Pro also sequences the notes perfectly in tempo, which can make drum rolls sound robotic. This isn't a problem in guitar pro, because the MIDI sounds disguise it, but you will want to change it in the final version. Again, a DAW has the ability to randomise note positions.

- Its important you work out which VSTi instruments you want. I got Kontakt 3, which has many sounds, but it isn't cheap. If you only want drums, buy a drum VSTi. Its a difficult field as getting all the instruments you want is tough. For what its worth I would recommend Kontakt 3, but its about how much you want to spend. Kontakt may not be perfect, but its the best value for money that I have found. Reason is a good piece of software, but you'll have to learn how to rewire it into a DAW if you want to use it in the conventional way. Either way, don't buy Halion :)

- Guitar are nigh-on impossible to sample well. Just record those. Its sooo much easier. Even a cheap amp simulator would be ok if you don't want to spend the money on a decent mic.
 
Thanks for the input guys, exactly what I was looking for.

As far as reprogramming the drums go, I don't have a problem going back in and doing that, drums are the only instrument I play so it will probably be pretty fun. I understand what you mean about the roboticness though, definitely something I would like to avoid.

For guitars, would using something like a Line6 Pod work? I have the budget to get that or maybe spend a few days in a cheaper studio in town.
 
roknrolltkovr1 said:
For guitars, would using something like a Line6 Pod work? I have the budget to get that or maybe spend a few days in a cheaper studio in town.
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Yeah a Line 6 would be fine. To be honest, all you need is a audio interface with a HighZ input (instrument input, this is different from a line in).

From there, install some software. The Line 6 Pod is a nice all in 1 solution, but there are plenty of options - amplitude, guitar rig, etc.

If you want to record the guitar in a studio, that would sound better, but isn't as cost effective because once you have recorded, there is no going back. I think the virtual guitar amp would be more fun, but whatever :) You can pick sm57's up quite cheap, may even be worth recording it in your house, if you have a decent amp
 
I've got a couple of 57's and access to a huge range of gear, mesa heads and cabs, orange heads and cabs, marshall heads and cabs, few other randoms (all friends gear but I would be able to borrow). I haven't done any real recording before, how hard would it be to get something decent from what I have?

I don't have any experience, but it does sound like fun.
 
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