NWB - Community Blog

13 Jun 2009

Help !

Filed Under : Other

Posted By : Duke Bocks | Comments : 9

any midi experts out there?

Ok..here we go. Im looking for a software programme that will give me some accurate instrument sounds. At the moment Im importing midi files into cubase then opening an instrument track and dragging and dropping the midi track into that after selecting the sound generator in cubase. This gives me a more accurate representation of the sound before editing and mixing. It works, but it's a bit long winded. If I could source a good sound generator I could do the whole process using midi and export the files directly. The midi player in the pc is ok but some sounds are a bit ..well..plinky plonky. Anybody got any suggestions?
Cheers guys,
Kev

Comments

# Posted by Rumble Fat Band - 14/06/2009, 10:23 (GMT)

Hi Kev,
Do you use MiDi files when performing Live or is this just a studio thing?
What you could do is get hold of a Boss Dr Synth or Yamaha qy700 Midi Workstation and take the output of your PC soundcard to the input of the MiDi player, then plug into a monitor of some description. Both the above units have Industry Standard MiDi instruments and are vastly better than the what you hear from your PC.
We tend to get our MiDi files via a search engine, (VanBasco), and use either Studio4 or Cakewalk to edit them. Both are much easier than Cubase, but Cubase is better if you are composing from scratch. We strip out the bits we don't need and sometimes take various bits from different MiDi files to end up with what we want.
Live we load into the Keyboard, (Korg), and off we go.
Hope that helps. If you want to chat more, PM me phone number.
Cheers,
Stuart

# Posted by James - Metalleeka - 14/06/2009, 10:51 (GMT)

you need an outboard module such as a JV1010/1080 or a good pc and run VST plug-in like me. Bear in mind... simple bass guitar is just passable but lead guitar can never emulated by a pc.. imho

I use cubase sx; import a midi file, assign tracks to various VST intruments.. mute/mix the channels to suit.. and export to mp3.

# Posted by Fnarr! Fnarr! - 14/06/2009, 11:33 (GMT)

Get yourself a digital 4 or 8 track and record "live" (albeit with drum machine). That's what I do for Fnarr and get some tasty backing tracks.
WillowFnarr!

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 14/06/2009, 11:34 (GMT)

Sounds like your using the same process as me steelfield, that's exactly what I do at the mo. Just wondered if there was a midi sound generator plug in available to cut out the drag and drop into VST instrument part of the process. Guitar sounds are no prob as I can record in direct, mainly brass, strings, keyboard and drum sounds Im after. Cheers

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 14/06/2009, 12:33 (GMT)

Cheers RFB. I downloaded van basco yesterday.Im using the midi files mainly for drum tracks at the mo. We use a drum machine live at present but its gettng a little full so we're looking to use minidisc backing tracks. This also gives us the option to add tracks for fuller backing or to produce cd's. Willow, we were gonna do the "live only" backing tracks thing and most of the remixed versions on our myspace are done in realtime, but using ready made drum tracks saves so much time (yep..Im getting lazy in my old age..lol"

# Posted by Rumble Fat Band - 14/06/2009, 14:33 (GMT)

Hi Kev,
Thats what we use the MiDi files for. Drums and a bit of Brass/Strings. We are fortunate in having a fab keyboard player and he and the singer, who plays Sax as well, can add the rest leaving me with Bass lines. Works well.
You could always use a Boss instead of the Mini Disc to cut out the middle man.

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 14/06/2009, 17:48 (GMT)

Thanks Stuart,
Have had a look around for a Boss. Great reviews but seems they are as rare as rockin horse sh1t ! One in E-Bay USA for around £70..and ..we just bought a Sony Minidisc player :oS

# Posted by Rumble Fat Band - 15/06/2009, 00:40 (GMT)

They come up occasionally on e-Bay and go for around £50-£70. Will give you a shout if I spot one.

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 15/06/2009, 21:15 (GMT)

cheers Stuart, much appreciated

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