Home Recording Enthusiasts

virtual instruments are triggered via MIDI; you can plug a keyboard into the PC (most use a MIDI connection but some have USB also) and play them that way, but I often simply place the notes where I need them in the instrument's 'track window' and keep editing until they sound right. In any case, you don't necessarily need a keyboard to use them, but it's a good thing to have if you like experimenting with sounds over your other tracks.

There's an issue called 'latency' which may come up depending on the software you use. Basically, latency is the gap between when you press a key on your keyboard and when the sound actually starts. The lower latency the better, and it depends on things like how good your soundcard is and how powerful your PC is. When the first VSTs came out, I couldn't play them in real time at all (ever try to play an instrument that was a half a second late all the time?) but technology has helped the situation...though Sonar still responds more quickly than Cubase in my set-up.

virtual effects don't require any controller, but you can get them to do fun things by recording and editing changes in their parameters...

utah_man wrote: Need advice for setting up a low-budget, "bare-bones" home recording studio: (Maybe this topic has already been dealt with) But, if you already have one in operation, then... 1) What kind of setup do you have as far as equipment (multi-track units, mixers, microphones, and so forth) ? 2) Assuming you edit recordings via computer, what software do you use / prefer ? 3) Any good internet links, tips, or relevant (and cost saving) suggestions ? Thank You for your time

For entry-level with a lot of features:

Stand-Alone Recorder - The new TASCAM 8-track DAW's are great values for the money, and can be interfaced with a computer

http://www.tascam.com/Products/dp01fx.html

http://www.tascam.com/Products/dp01.html

Software: CUBASE SE is a great package, $99 (US) and it gives you TONS Of features (48-tracks of audio, unlimited midi, good editing and plug-in support etc)

http://www.steinberg.net/ProductPage_sb.asp?Product_ID=2141& amp;Langue_ID=7

Hope that helps

arcer wrote: top advice from the boys - can't really add any more Behringer do a really small pre-amp for a few bucks (I know it's GB£29) that works really well. I have a Joe Meek 'Meekraphone' which is really sweet and not expensive. Rode do some good ones too. For prog - invest in Native Instruments' Elektrik Piano (Rhodes Wulry, Clavi), B4 (hammond), GMedia's M-Tron (mellotron) and any good soft synth (I'd recommend GMedia's ImpOscar (cheap and very very powerful)

OK, Question: How do these software synths work ?  Just move the mouse pointer over the virtual keyboard on screen, or would I have to actually buy a keyboard and wire it to the PC ?

Also, GMedia's M-Tron is just a software plug-in, right ?  What I mean is, I would have to purchase additional software to run the M-Tron stuff...Yes...No ???

I don't know about 'hardly trying', but you can definitely make something original and expressive without knowing musical theory or how to play an instrument.

A lot of traditionalists may scoff, but making music is basically just putting sounds together...Mozart would have still been Mozart if he'd worked with a sampler and a drum machine, and I'd still just be a happy dilettante if I had an orchestra at my disposal . The technology provides tools (and often suggests a form), but it's still up to your creativity and proficiency at using these tools.

I guess that there's an inherent beauty in a musical instrument that I don't usually see in a piece of technology (though programmers and engineers may). Still, mastering the skills needed to make really good music with technology can be every bit as demanding and ultimately self-expressive as dedicating your life to an instrument.

And a hack with a PC has just as much chance of getting success as a hack with an electric guitar...but it might not impress chicks as much in the meantime.