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 Forum index » How-tos » Production - engineering/mixing
a synth and a drummachine, and a pc, what software/controls?
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ultraultralite



Joined: Mar 14, 2010
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:15 pm    Post subject: a synth and a drummachine, and a pc, what software/controls?
Subject description: Looking for a way to record my ideas in the computer but have no clue yet.
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Shocked I have put a pc together in one room with a synth and a piano. also been able to set up the pc with hardware and drivers, and it is capable of recording/playing back like a 4track taperecorder.

Now that I got the hardware, I don't know where to start choosing software.

There is so much?
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ultraultralite



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PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Oh Idea I forgot to mention that I maybe could use some kind of controller, something which enables me to press a record button without needing the mouse which is always gone or chased by the cat or whatever. if it is a controller box which comes with software, it might be the way to go.

Three things I would like the computer to do:

1) 4 track record and playback (and if the tracks are full, to be able to bounce all 4 tracks to 4 bounce tracks (and finally play a total of 8 ))

2) record and cut loops, and replace audio particles in the loop with other already recorded audio particles

3) record and play midi system exclusive (for knob movements of synth)
i might use midi-ox for that if I find good software which plays and records MIDI and lacks the system exclusive.
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EdisonRex
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi

Have you looked at Ableton?

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ultraultralite



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PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

yes i spent a couple of hours for a testdrive yesterday. i'm not sure wether it is my cup of tea or not. ableton is not able to multitrack record nor to sysex record. i will miss that since a lot of audio i'd like to record are 4 tracks together and my knob movements will also need sysex (at least if i want to record that)(not sure if desired when working with audio).
the session view somewhat distracts my view. i can't view the length of my recordings and it seems packed with functions i will never use. however i read about the apc controller which comes with a lighter version of ableton, but i guess that means less tracks and not less effects and samples and stuff (which i all don't need).
other than that it does seem okay because working with audio is nice.

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Antimon



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

FWIW, you can multitrack record in Ableton Live. On the Mac, if you hold down the command key while arming tracks, the previously armed will stay that way. On the PC, it will be some other key (probably Ctrl).

The length estimate you get by comparing against the time ruler on the bottom is ok for me, but you are right that getting details about a recording isn't trivial. Live is kind of focussed on manipulating (cutting up, time-stretching) audio, for that purpose I guess it isn't that relevant for the user to know the exact timing in the raw recording.

Even though I often use Live like my old 4-track, there are other DAWs that may be better suited if you always and only use it that way. For loops though, Live kicks ass!

/Stefan

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EdisonRex
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Yeah I got a bundled "lite" version of Live with my Akai MPK49 controller. It's feature limited, but functional. It's not my primary DAW though.

I think you'll find that any DAW will have many more features than you will use, at least at the outset. Over time you may find you need more functionality.

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ultraultralite



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

for looping i guess ableton seems very good and very nice. but Question it seems more built for creating ideas rather than refining and finishing recordings.
so in terms of a primary daw, i doubt if ableton is capable.
especially version 8 seems packed with 1001 effects and samples, which i won't ever use. give me a reverb and a delay and i'm more than happy.

i could take a look at the apc20 version, which is limited to 2 stereo inputs. if it would do 4 mono inputs as well it might be an option. for loops only, or more.

still have a lot to find out. if only i had a week or two to spend and check everything against each other Embarassed

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

For simple audio recording, there's Audacity. The price is right, too.

For audio and midi, relatively cheap, http://www.multitrackstudio.com/ note I have not tried this, just looked at the feature set.

again headed toward the high end, you might look at cakewalk/sonar.

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droffset



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I've been playing with LMMS for windows, could be useful. Free is good.
http://lmms.sourceforge.net/screenshots.php

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Also, Reaper is nice.

/Stefan

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ultraultralite



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PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

went to the music store today, had a look ableton 8 + apc 40 controller. works excellent and superfast. the controller is also very good and sturdy. however live does not seems like it is gonna work for me. i'd rather go for a good old sequencer/recorder than this arrangement,looprecording,play-live software. it is cool, but not for me unfortunately. however it is a really cool tool for looping. i am sure!
so, I had a short look at reaper as suggested above Rolling Eyes , that looks more promising. installed on a pc with only a windows soundblaster card but still looks easy and fun to use. however i guess it is a well designed sequencer package. it looks a little like logic, is that coincidence?

[edit] the reaper menus are absolutely long lists!

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ultraultralite



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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

[edit]it is gonna be ableton ~! i'm converted Very Happy i guess with launchpad Rolling Eyes
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telstarmagikistferrari



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PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2010 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

sounds fun! and that's the most important thing really.. those launchpad controllers are awesome looking. I wish I had a use for one Smile.

I use Cubase 5 for all the tasks you mentioned above and more. I started with a previous version and it has just gotten better and better. Have you done anything with software instruments / effects yet? I'd be curious to hear how you're coming along. Best of luck,

Marck
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