Comments

farss wrote on 10/28/2004, 3:36 PM
Damn, I wish I hadn't skipped music classes in school. Interesting bit is it supports Rewire, is that coming for Vegas too?
Bob.
nickle wrote on 10/28/2004, 3:52 PM
Does acid have a way to input a melody using the computer keyboard?
Spot|DSE wrote on 10/28/2004, 4:01 PM
With Virtual Piano, yes, you can input notes to a soft synth with a computer keyboard. Easier with a USB or MIDI keyboard though.
AND you get Native Instruments light version with ACID 5!! Ohh so cool.
Prophet 5, B3, all sortz of fun stuff.
nickle wrote on 10/28/2004, 4:50 PM
Thanks Spot, I'll look for Virtual Piano and check out some usb midi keyboards. I've been thinking about them for years but never got around to buying one.
epirb wrote on 10/28/2004, 4:56 PM
cool B3 huh?
they got a usb leslie speaker hehe?
Spot|DSE wrote on 10/28/2004, 5:58 PM
Sorta....There is the Rotosound, which is USB controlled, and it's an actual spinning Piezo horn in a small, re-vented bass enclosure.
Nickle, I highly recommend trying the M-Audio Oxygen. 99.00 and it's a great lil' USB keyboard.
MyST wrote on 10/28/2004, 7:27 PM
Nickle,
Once you get yourself a midi keyboard and load up some softsynths in Acid..WooHoo! Good, clean fun!!
Discover the thousands of different sounds possible with FREE softsynths available on the net. Record them in Acid and add loops. Add FXs, mangle the loops with The Chopper, etc.
Acid's my personal escape from the daily grind.

Mario
nickle wrote on 10/28/2004, 8:05 PM
I've been searching all around Vancouver for the M-Audio Oxygen but can't find one. It is available in Canada at $189.00 plus shipping etc.

Tomorrow I'll try the phonebook.

I've been away from music since somebody stole my Fender guitar, but keyboard and Acid is sounding pretty good.
Grazie wrote on 10/28/2004, 10:10 PM
Spot, is this the one?

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/d2/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1149&r=xmlfeed

Grazie
TorS wrote on 10/28/2004, 11:35 PM
Grazie,
Good morning! Is the Dolphin netshop any good? Do they know you after you've paid, too?
Tor
Grazie wrote on 10/28/2004, 11:43 PM
Hiyah Torsie!

"Is the Dolphin netshop any good?" - never used them, can't comment.

"Do they know you after you've paid, too?" - er . . sorry mate .. what do you mean?

However, found a supplier about 5kms from me . . gonna phone this morning . .. need to treat myself . .again .. .

.. BTW - been up since 3:00am . . couldn't sleep . .. head full of stuff . ..

Grazie

ps: It was the "Crazy World of Arthur Brown" . . I believe that was his full stage name . .
MyST wrote on 10/29/2004, 3:09 AM
Nickle,
Fellow Canadian, eh?

Kelly's Music and Computers is based in Canada and has excellent service.
I bought my Firewire 410 soundcard from them.
They have the M-Audio Evolution 49e for $140Can.

http://kellysmusic.ca/productinfo.asp?id=1074294072

I'd recommend an inexpensive keyboard (I've got a Kaysound myself) and a Pro quality soundcard with low latency. Trust me, you don't want to hit the key and have the sound happen a half-second later.
Talk to Kelly's staff. Tell them what you want to do with your set-up. They'll help you out.

Mario
TorS wrote on 10/29/2004, 3:46 AM
>>>"Do they know you after you've paid, too?" - er . . sorry mate .. what do you mean?

I mean some shops treat you like a king as long as the money is in your pocket. Once they've made the sale you don't exist. Like when you approach them to ask a question, register a complaint, whatever, they hang up.
Tor
Grazie wrote on 10/29/2004, 3:50 AM
Oh I see . ..
Spot|DSE wrote on 10/29/2004, 6:46 AM
yup. I travel with one occasionally myself.
Grazie wrote on 10/29/2004, 6:54 AM
Thank you from HIM indoors . .not travelling OR getting out .. . ;-)
TorS wrote on 10/29/2004, 7:31 AM
Grazie,
You got a big fridge, then, what?

To get back on topic - I am about to decide to go for Acid Pro 5. I have now seen a little of what 4 can do on my own PC. And I have realised that for the midi functions I need, it is adequate. I do some work in Finale which can save scores as .mid files. I can then open them in Acid and work on them there. (Finale can also open .mid files and convert them to scores.)
The reason i worry about all this is that I fear my old midi program (Digital Orchestrator Pro) may stop working when I install XP. Or rather it will refuse to install when it does not see my Turtle Beach Multisound card.

I'm just waiting for the generous introduction offer for old and lojal customers now ... :-)
Tor
nickle wrote on 10/29/2004, 6:03 PM
Grumble grumble

From computer keyboard input to midi keyboards and firewire soundcards. Yikes.

Thanks for the info MySt and Spot.

I think I'll find something locally (so I can take it back if it doesn't work).
I have 2 soundcards, my old Soundblaster PCI 128 which I had to install because my PC didn't have a joystick port on the onboard SoundMax 5.1 6 channel and my joystick isn't USB.

I need to try things out before I buy them if possible.

So I'll check out the music stores and put somthing together.
MyST wrote on 10/29/2004, 9:03 PM
My recommendation...
If you're not looking at surround capabilities, I'd suggest the Echo MiaMIDI (www.echoaudio.com) with an inexpensive General MIDI Keyboard.

Mario
nickle wrote on 10/29/2004, 9:28 PM
Well here's the situation: I tried a Fruity Loops program quite awhile ago and it had a "piano roll" thing in it. So I composed a tune and added a few instruments and drum track and it sounded pretty good.

But I couldn't figure out how to "record" it all together so I could save it.

My thoughts were that if I could do the same in Acid it might be worthwhile. I think I can compose music more to my liking on my own rather than just putting loops together. But the bass and drum tracks and other features would certainly fill it out.

I guess I could record my accoustic guitar and digitize it as a wave file and use acid that way too.

But if an inexpensive keyboard would work, that would be something to play with.
MyST wrote on 10/29/2004, 9:35 PM
mD over on the Acid forum records his guitar and adds loops, creates new loops by mangling existing ones, etc, and puts it all together.
Get ahold of him and tell him what you're really looking for. He's a great guy and I'm sure he could steer you in the right direction.

Mario
TorS wrote on 10/30/2004, 3:11 AM
nickle,
Here's what I do: I create midi files (sometimes in a dedicated midi program, using the piano roll or a midi keyboard, sometimes in Finale). Then I record the midi tracks one by one or in groups to Vegas, creating a wav of each. Finally I mix those tracks, using Vegas' excellent fxs and filters to a stereo "master".

I plan to get Acid 5 soon, hoping I can then get jobs done faster by creating midi and mixing directly in Acid. The looping thing will be an interesting bonus.
Tor
nickle wrote on 12/30/2004, 12:17 AM
OK then I'll resurrect this thread.

I bought the M-Audio Keystation 49e because it has more keys and built-in midi.

After the reports of latency with acid and with me determined not to spend $500. on a firewire soundcard, I am starting to play around.

The keyboard came with a few programs and one was a Reason Demo.

There is "0" latency and it sounds great. I can't stop "composing".

The question now is getting enough knowledge to use it properly.

A week ago I didn't know what a sequencer was or soft syths or anything else or where to get them or what to do with them.

That was why I asked about midi in Vegas because my keyboard is recognized but the "help" is no help.