Fruityloops and Reason were used to create tracks for Brena

[Ambidextrous]

ps> lately i also acquires an iMac and iBook and has been experimenting with its software like the garageband which is quite good too. Reason, Cubase VST also runs on Mac OSX. Performance are as good as on the PC.....

By the way, just curious if Garageband is any good for professional work?

 

[seekz]

Okie... Sorry to cut into this great divide.
I'm planning on buying a cheap keyboard.

Possibly a Yamaha PSR-175 thats going for around 200 bucks.

Well I'm pretty sure it will only be used as a midi input device for my Cubase SX as i've really no time to do it plot it out slowly with the mouse.

So my question is this.

Do i need the keyboard to have Midi in/out or just a midi out?
Well, my common sense tells me i definitely need to keys to have midi out

But what about IN? Do i need it? what do it need to for ?


*currently useing a Creative Prodikeys, lacking the octaves needed.
Dont really have the motivation be bothered to work my way around a 2 octave keyboard.
Or maybe you guys have a way around it and i dont have to buy a stupid new keyboard.
well,

 

[lowjk]

But what about IN? Do i need it? what do it need to for ?

In your case, you do not need the Midi In unless you want Cubase to trigger the Yamaha sounds.

But I'm quite surprised that for a guy using such a high end program, you sure go for a low end keyboard.
I have a ton of midi gear but I'm still getting on well with Cubase SE.

 

[veganbleu]

I had a psr before long ago. The midi out never worked, so make sure you've got a return policy. And garageband?? That's as bad as using sampled loops.

 

[JabSTAR]

Cheapo Keyboard>

I think they're fine if you're using it just for midi input. (Btw, I'm using a Casio WK-1800) and I think it sounds quite authentic. Read the review on it on the net. Most would agree.

Midi cables can be purchase at most music stores. Got mine ages ago for only $25.
Connections are pretty easy. The cable comes with midi/game connector on one end and 2 x din on the other labelled OUT / IN ... Just plugged the IN to the OUT midi port of your Keyboard and of cuz the OUT to the IN keyboard Midi port and you're ready to go!

To test, try playback using software like VKaraoke (Free) ... set the playback to direct to midi port. If you hear the music ..then everything is cool.

 

[JabSTAR]

Garage Band

Apple's garageband is not bad... considering that it comes with almost 2gigs of sound loops and instruments to start you off ... great for first timer. One can almost immediately start creating music with the built-in loops, and chunk out respectable sounds using the assorted beats/ assorted genre. WHat'smore, you can also records vocals/ wave directly with effects.

 

[JabSTAR]

Creative Prodikeys are by all means capable of recording midi notes ... one can use the transpose functions to reach beyond the 2 or 3 octaves available on those lesser keys keyboards.

 

[Cheez]

Why not go for one of those M-audio's USB midi controller keyboards? For midi, there's more to consider than just having a midi-out on the keyboard. There's the issue of controllers - knobs, faders, mod wheels etc. The PSR-175 has none of these controllers. Makes your midi programming frustrating as you'll have to use the mouse - which I believe you wanted to avoid in the beginning. There's also the issue of touch - the cheaper keyboards sometimes have inconsistent velocities which you don't want when you sequence - otherwise you'll have to edit note by note. The Oxygen and Radium series are pretty good (M-audio). If you want more keyboard range, Radium 61 is good. I have not tried the Keystation 61es - I have some personal issues with the Keystation Pro 88 (mainly with velocity inconsistently) and I'm not sure the 61 has the same problem being in the same family.

 

[seekz]

those usb controllers also have roughly 2 octaves to work on..
I just need more keys.

Regarding the velocity sensitivy, my creative prodikey is the ultimate screw up. i have to use a midi-compressor plug-in effect to tame the sounds.

Well, for knobs mod wheels faders. I think they're good for the tweaking part only. i just need the keys for real time recording/ playing.

Maybe if you've tried the PSR you can tell me more about their Velocity sensors

 

[JabSTAR]

cheez is right.

If u have the budget. U shld go for keyboards that comes with pitch bender and mod wheels...

 

[seekz]

Hmm.. but i dont really have a use for it.

whats it for ?I cant shred like Rudess, i only seek to add abit of piano to my tracks. cant do pitch bends with a piano VST also.

But i've tried the other synths. They useful to me in terms of those back ground sinths that blends the song together. I still cant do lead keyboards.

I'm only a self taught musician... hehe

 

[lowjk]

Hmm.. but i dont really have a use for it.

In this day and age, modulation isn't just limited to vibrato effects.

For instance you could map your modulation controller to a filter VST on your synth or drum tracks and sweep the filter with the modulation wheel.
The effect would be like making the sound brighter or duller as you sweep.

Or you could map your modulation wheel to the volume control of your track and use it to fade the track in.

The possibilities are quite endless.

And I'm still quite puzzled why a non-power user is starting out with Cubase SX. You'll probably use less than 10% of its capabilities.

 

[JabSTAR]

anybody else using Reason or Fruityloops her??? Care to share some of your tracks so users here could relates to it

I've recently done an instrumental cover on "Hoosbastank's - Reason" will upload shortly to my sites for all to comment ...

Stay tune!