Midi/computer chat

[sparxx]

Can I suggest a forum area devoted to Midi and computer oriented music where we share information and ask questions and so on. Maybe even get together to send files to each other.

I'm a sound engineer and I like to do a lot of creating of music on computer. I'm sure there's others out there doing same or thinking about it and/or needing some encouragement.

I'm surprised not to see anything computer here at all. Are you rockgrls all technophobes or something??

[carlita]

Try posting in the sadly neglected Sound Advice forum - that place could use some love.

[EngineerGrl]

MIDI maven here! :-)

Been creating computer-based music for 20+ years and also a recording engineer.

So, now there are two of us. Let's chat! Maybe more will follow.

[Maggis]

I'm properly into my digital recording and am currently building what one day will be the sickest home studio ever for fun (so would like some advice from the recording engineers) but everytime I bring it up it drops to the bottom of the forum with no reply's so I gave up talking about it... Would love to start a new topic on it though. (I'll do that now)

For money I'm on the live side of things though because I like hard work, unreasonable hours and injuries!

[EngineerGrl]

Did the hard work, unreasonable hours and injuries -- still got the scars! Into convenience and easy access these days! lol

I LOVE talking about gear and gadgets!!

I started out with a home studio that was just for me -- to record my original songs. Then, somehow, it grew into a commercial project studio! Still scratching my head wondering how that happened.

I do a lot of music production via MIDI sequencing. Many clients are singer/songwriters with no band so they come here for the production of instrumental tracks. Since cost is an issue, they opt for MIDI production in place of live musicians. If done right, sequenced music can sound very realisitc!

I record with ADAT's (some clients still insist on using ADAT's) and computer-based hard disk - mostly ProTools. Have 56 channel Mackie analog console and a digital 16 channel mixer.

Do you do much MIDI sequencing?

[Maggis]

Do I much midi sequencing?

Not as much as I'd like (unreasonable hours ) But yes when I get the chance... As I've said I'm building currently to so a bit of my free time is spent on (sleeping and...) investigating and making sure I get the right stuff for what I want to be doing as seen in my mkII post... I have few tracks I've done just by typing in the notes and recording audio directly through the crappy soundcard of my computor (I find the only audio I can get away with currently is bass as too much top end is lost by the rubbishness of my soundcard... Also I have to eq out the horrible hiss which means losing a lot of top and mid end)

As I've said before... work wise I'm on the live stuff so the only experience I've had of recording is as a musician and home producer and some work I did in small studio as a younger youth... The programme I use is cubase (reason for drums and other kooky stuff) to be perfectly honest I'm really happy with it... but definately would like to have a bash with protools and see what it has to offer obviously the price of it puts me off for now especially without trying it first.

You've got to be so clever to get a midi audio mix to sound right. People knock it because they don't understand it often the very same people will be fooled into thinking they're listening to audio... I know exactly what you're saying and hats off to you if you can pull it off I'd love you to post a link to something you've produced.

[EngineerGrl]

Cubase is a pretty awesome sequencer! I don't use Reason but I know it's very well-liked by most users.

For sequencing, I sometimes still use Voyetra Digital Orchestrator Pro. Sort of a loyalty thing. When I bought my first sequencer back in '85, Voyetra was the only software company that offered sequencers for the IBM compatible computers. Now, Windows-based sequencers are plenitful but I stayed with Voyetra. I have Cakewalk, et al but only to accomodate clients.

ProTools LE is an audio/MIDI sequencer and I use it now but have to admit, I REALLY miss my Voyetra sequencer. It has more editing features to fine tune the tracks. I've even sequenced a song in Voyetra and then imported it into Protools LE! Worked like a charm! :-)

Concerning realistic sequenced tracks: I think that if you are familiar with how instruments are played, you can create real sounding MIDI tracks. For instance, if you know how to play drums, or are familiar enough with how a drummer plays, you can sequence very convincing drum tracks with changeups and fills just like a live drummer would perform. Same thing with bass, strings, etc. To produce believable sequenced tracks you need to think like the performer you are attempting to imitate. If you're sequencing strings, then think like a violinist, etc.

Another way to help bring sequenced tracks to life is to actually record at least one live part. In an R&B song, I had a bass player come in a play a funky, kick-ass bass track. In a country song, I played acoustic guitar along with the MIDI tracks. Made a huge difference!

[Maggis]

Haven/t heard of voyetra... I understand your loyaty to it that's exactly how I feel about cubase...

People can be fooled though on the whole I'd rather get real audio but circumstances don't always allow a good engineer knows how to cope with situations which aren't ideal... Give us a link -you know you want to

[EngineerGrl]

I agree that using live musicians is the way to go. But, MIDI production is a great second choice.

I really dig composing electronica, house music. I also dig music ala Tomandandy and Low Fidelity All Stars. Love the way they blend ususual sounds.

Currently, my songwriting partner and I are working on an album. When we finish, I'll post some tunes.

[Maggis]

I'm personally into my euphoric dance, jungle, d and b and break beat, trance hahaha... That's the sort of stuff I've been up to making whilst waiting to get firewire thing.. Finally decided on the FA 101 in the end as I figured if it's shit I'll get my money back and get something else. Now thinking about mics I'll write a list of the things I have in mind and you can see what you think of my evil plan once I know it.

Thanks for your help by the way surely I'll listen to your production once it's finished... Much respect.

[EngineerGrl]

I'm more than glad to help any way I can! Thank you for the chat, gear buddy! :-)

I look forward to many more conversations with you.

Gail

[Maggis]

indeed.

I have a few days off and have just aquired an audio technica pro 37r mic. two reasons I can finally do some recording with my new fa 101.

Oh heres my rough mic list of things I want;

shure beta 58x1
shure sm57x2
AKG d12x1 (have to get it second hand I don't think they make them anymore)
AKG 414x1

[EngineerGrl]

They are all excellent mics! They each serve a different purpsose but are essential in the studio.

Shure 57's and 58's are the industry workhorses. They are great stage and studio mics. 57's are used to mic an assortment of instruments like: snare drum, guitar speaker cabinets, toms. The beta 58 is very good although I lean more toward the SM 58. Just my preference.

D12 (if it's the one I'm thinking of) is a great mic for capturing low end instruments: kick drum, bass guitar, tympani, and the like.

414 is an incredible mic that no self-respecting engineer would be without! :-) It's great for acoustic guitar, voice, drum set overheads, horns.

If you got the cash, get them all!

[Maggis]

Yeah I figured I should get a mic for every occasion ;D I was thinking I might add a sm58 to my list -I am very fond of them too but stick a pop sheild in front of a 57 and voila! I gotta have my beta 58 although beta 57 v sm 57 sm57 wins for me.

[EngineerGrl]

What mics do you use mostly on your live gigs?