|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
If you want to learn about synthesisers I recommend a series of books by Simon Cann “How to Make a Noise”. These talk about the different types of synths Analogue, Sample Based and FM. They are available in Kindle format from Amazon at about US$2.99 each. (Kindle software for a PCs or iPad are free if you don’t have an Kindle device). The books are simple and show how sounds are created. They are not limited to either software or hardware synths. They will give you a good grounding in the subject.
Note: these books are about synths not MIDI per se.
Keep safe
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150 |
I will do that. Sounds like a good place to get started.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766 |
If you're interested in expanding your hardware collection don't overlook purchasing an electric keyboard, either new or used.
If you find one that's interesting to you, look it up at the manufacturer's website before you buy. Is it midi compatible, does the website include drivers and does the keyboard have the general midi (GM) emblem somewhere on the keyboard body or literature.
The major keyboard manufacturers, especially Yamaha, Roland, Casio, are so competitive you can find a new consumer grade keyboard that sounds very good and has midi capability starting at around $200 US. Go up in price just a little and the sounds and feature list jump dramatically.
Used keyboards that sold for $200 - $800 new are fairly easy to find for much less.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150 |
I have an old Roland keyboard and I do use it quite frequently. I wish I could say I was learning how to play well but I’m not going to push it that far.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766 |
 All I know about playing a keyboard is if you depress three alternate white keys you've played a chord A keyboard can be used for a lot more than playing. With a midi connection to your computer you can (1) record midi notes played on the keyboard instead of inputing the notes with a computer mouse or computer keyboard. (2) output midi from your computer to the keyboard and listen or record the audio output from the keyboard. (3) Most DAWs (not Band-in-a-Box or RealBand) accept midi commands from a keyboard to control the DAW transport and modify effects. The hard part is getting the keyboard and computer programs to communicate with each other. How to do this changes not only from program to program but also depends on what task you want to do. Do you like how the Roland sounds? If so then take advantage of what you already have!
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150 |
Yes I like the sound. But bear in mind that pisno is probably almost 30 years old. So you get basic piano, organ, electric piano, harpsichord and that’s about it. It wouldn’t be much as a synthesizer. But I do agree it’s a good item to play on with full functionality.
I also have a midi controller called Oxygen 49 which I use for inputting the midi data into the computer.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766 |
From your description I'm guessing the Roland is not general midi (GM) compatible. So you would use it the same way you might use a single instrument soft synth; you would just be using an external single instrument sound engine instead.
The M-Audio Oxygen 49 is a popular midi controller. With it's keybed, knobs and buttons and self learning feature it is a good example of what things you can do with an external controller.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,140
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,140 |
If the Roland is something like the EP-760 (or many other pianos they made 30 years ago) it can probably also be a controller, FWIW.
I have one still (well my daughter has it currently), a very serviceable keyboard.
Just a thought.
What model Roland is it?
If it has a working keyboard and MIDI out, it's a controller at the very least. <grin>
Last edited by rharv; 04/08/20 11:48 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150 |
HP 13003
And ues it has midi in and out.
Last edited by goofeyfoot; 04/08/20 01:59 PM.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,140
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,140 |
Well I'd hook MIDI up to it and test it as a controller at least .. not much to lose.
If advanced, I may even use it for sounds but controller seems your basic need and it should suffice if it has MIDI in/out connections.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 150 |
Hi all:
I'm the guy who had the too-small computer and crappy soundcard. And I had the every-five-minute crash issues.
Over the last couple weeks I got the Focusrite 18i8 and I built a new computer which is a Ryzen 3900. So no more of those crash-and-burn episodes, at least not yet.
So now I have to get the hang of all that "stuff" in Band in a Box and Real Band that deal with midi, synthesizers, and all that.
Where to start? All the menus look quite foreign.
By way of background I am essentially doing two things.
One I am making backing tracks to play a guitar against. Those usually wind up in Guitar Pro because in that application I can run the tracks on an iPad, slow them down, loop them, take them on the road on trips, etc. etc. The quality of these tracks is not that important. These tracks are just to practice with. But I do like to get midi drums, bass and other instruments in the track just for sake of rounding everything out.
The second thing is I try to make backgrounds for my sister's piano tunes. She is a real musician unlike me and these are more for listening, and not practice. She is more particular about how the finished product sounds. Not the same as my down and dirty backing tracks. My sister might use the tracks just as a karaoke background for her own playing/singing.
So that's the plan anyway.
Thanks.
Michael
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,986
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,986 |
Where to start? I suggest you view the PGMusic videos: https://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmI am assuming that you are relatively new to this. Thus for now I would suggest you put aside your getting better MIDI sounds and learn how to use BiaB and RB. Once you are comfortable with them then you can purchase and learn how to install them and modify them in both BiaB and RB. Good luck.
When you are at the checkout line and they ask if you found everything say "Why, are you hiding stuff?"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Get the latest update today!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,069
Posts774,306
Members39,544
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean