ive been looking into sound apps lately and trying to use demos dl'ing manuals and what not and had a couple of questions as i am now ready to spend a little bit of money.

first off, reason seems a little easier then the rest to use but it also looks as though it may be an inferior product to some of the others. basically what would be a good package of software for me to get to get going. i am looking into making idm/breakbeats/mostly electronic, maybe some voiceovers everyonce in awhile but strictly electronic music. im thinking more into logic or digital performer as ive heard good things (protools looks a little tough to me) but im not exactly sure what they are in the broad scheme of things (as you see i need help) logic seems like it is a favorite among people that arent into protools, but i could be wrong.

second, i want to buy a keyboard. i am not so concerned with with the sounds that may come on it but i also have NO knowledge of keyboards at all. i was looking at usb keyboards from midiman but those seem like they could be huge pieces of crap. what is the best under 500 dollar way to go to get a keyboard into my computer with good sound quality.

those are basically my only questions right now, but there is one more thing. it is important to me that i get something decent even if it costs a little more than i expect. granted i am just learning but how do i expect to be happy with progress if i hear a bunch of hissing and static. plus im not really into going into things buying a bunch of shit. so please give me a hand. im not looking into becoming a professional but i would like to have something that sounds good.

thank you.

First, Reason is excellent app that if run on fast cpu will do almost everything you want for electronic music production. It does have some limitations but as a beginner, you may be happy with just that one app.

Second, I use ProTools and have tried Logic as well as Cubase and didn't like the interface of those apps. ProTools to me just makes more sense but I have heard some people complain about the lack of midi features but I myself have never had any problem with using midi in PT as well. Plus, all the new features I keep seeing in these apps have been in ProTools already for at least 2 years such as the automation and graphical editing of the automation lines.

Third, the keyboards you are looking at from midiman are simply controllers I think and will not output anything but midi which you could use to play in Reason or another software synth but alone will produce no audio. So, are you looking for a keyboard just to control other synths such as Reason or did you want something that you can use even if not hooked up to your computer? I suggest looking at some keyboards that have built in sound modules with midi inputs and outputs and some even have USB to allow communication with a computer without special interface. A really good sounding keyboard may costs anywhere from $500 to $2500 depending on what features you want and what type of sound you want.

My setup: I use a Yamaha CS6x synth keyboard ($1400) that has sweet sounds plus it has midi in and out and is 16 part multi-timberal which lets you setup a preset with up to 16 voices that can be played back from a midi sequencer at same time such as ProTools or Logic. I can also use it to control Reason and play the drum machine with keys or play the synth module in realtime and record the midi info directly in Reason. I use PT as I said before and sometimes I program all of a song in midi and record the audio output of the synth back into ProTools for adding finishing touches etc. Hope that helps you a little even if you aren't going with ProTools.

thanks synthetic.

ive been hearing that reason could be the way to go for me and can be imported out of reason and into other programs fairly well. and seeing as my focus is electronic i think that may be the way to go.

as for keyboards, im just learning and not as willing to fork out too much cash right now. im not much of the music creator yet so i dont think i will need sounds on my keyboard (i could regret this later i know but for now im looking passed it) what would be the best way to go if i want that route. (controlling software with it).

also what are the benefits of having a keyboard (with no sounds loaded into it) it seems as though it would be very helpful but i could be wrong. and seeing as i havent owned one yet i dont know the perks.

thanks.

Well, there is no benefit other than cheaper price for having a keyboard with no built in audio. The midiman keyboards will do what you want as far as controlling and playing in Reason and nice thing about them is they use USB to send midi data back and forth with computer and no need for a midi interface.

Another thing to consider. You can get a nice portable keyboard from Casio or Yamaha for less than $100 and it will let you play sounds on it without synth but for $60 more... you can get a midi interface (assuming you buy the ones with midi and out) and then use it to control and play in Reason just the same as the midiman. I recommend the Yamaha DJX-??? (not sure of exact model #) that has some great built-in electronic sounds and midi in and out for about $275. You can find it online at Musician's Friend.com. Just search for Yamaha and look for one in that price range and it will tell you all the info. I think you can get the cheaper ones there too that I mentioned as well as Midiman stuff.

i think for now i just want to pick up a keyboard with no sounds? unless that yamaha is in the same price range.

given that, which is the best for me to get? should i get midi or should i just get a USB keyboard. if midi could you tell me why i should have midi on a keyboard with no sounds. and which keyboards with no sounds are good or does it even matter?

thanks.

i have found this. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=02...l/base_id/43894 how is it. considering that the midi interface is not necessary it saves me quite a bit.

my girlfriend is also trying to get into this and i kinda want to be able to help her out with this, because it would be pretty nice if she was into it too.

i was thinking of maybe getting one with sounds and one without. but that would cost quite a bit, and im not sure if im willing to fork that out right now. there is no reason in owning two of the same keyboard right?

given this situation and a hope to spend 500 at the very very most what do you think i should do. as of now all of my music composition will be on the computer without a doubt, so i see no need for keyboard sounds, please let me know if i am wrong in this assumption.

seeing as im doing all of this on the computer and in the electronic music genre it would be just as easy to use samples on the computer right??

thanks again and if you have any graphics questions im decent in those programs.

neil
http://entheoge.net/iks

Well, you can always make electronic music with no keyboard at all and just program it in Reason or use samples in an audio sequencing program but some of the best melodies, bass lines and such are hard to program and sometimes it sounds more natural and free flowing using the keyboard. If you don't read or understand music or don't have any passion for playing keyboard but want to make electronic music then maybe the keyboard is not needed.

Roland is good but I am not sure if its better than Midiman or not. Any of those will work. But look at the price. $200 ... For $80 you can get a cheap Casio or Yamaha with sounds on board and with midi and another $60 will buy the midi USB interface and then you can sit on a couch dreaming up melodies or bass lines to use in your new songs then go back and hook it up to midi later. Midi is just computer code and does not transmit audio in case you didn't know. Midi lets electronic music equipment communicate and thus you can record melodies and such as midi notes in a software program but unless you assign the midi to some type of sound on the computer... there will be no audio at all. 2 midi controllers is only useful if you are super talented and can two keyboards at once for a live performance. Otherwise.... no need for 2 keyboards.

as far as sitting on the couch and making beats and loops, im running a powerbookG4 so i never leave the couch anyway. (except it looks kinda funny with my ethernet cable strung over there : )

i used to take piano lessons when i was younger so im fairly adept at using a piano and am really comfortable with making melodies on it. i dont feel i could get the effects i desire without one.

and as far as needing two keyboards, my girlfriend is getting into this two (she has her own computer) and i wanted to set us both up.

thanks for the info synthetic i really appreciate it. you have made me want a keyboard with sounds pretty bad. maybe ill buy one now and see if i get money back for my taxes to see whats up with the other one.

how about this?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=02...l/base_id/57349

maybe i could get her that and check out that yamaha for me.
so now that im looking at ones with sounds. so basically i can have my keyboard sitting there connected to nothing and make loops and what not right?? am i limited to the sounds that it has or can i put more into it. can i alter the sounds on it to fit what i need?

thanks.

thanks for the help synthetic.

i am leaning towards a keyboard with sounds now and was wondering if you couldhelp me out with something really important that goes along with this decision.  what exactly can i do with a keyboard?

can i actually edit the sounds on the keyboard? (the ones that come on the keyboard, i assume i can edit sounds on the computer with it)
can i put more sounds on the keyboard?
can i make loops on the keyboard?
do the knobs on the keyboard edit the sounds on my computer?
what else can i do?


ive never had one i dont know how they work.

thanks.