Getting Started No Experience, Want to get up and running Options

[addsup]

Have read a number of web sites and really am non the wiser.

Will keep it short as I know I hate reading long forum text.

Equipment : iMac G3 500 Mhz 512 RAM slot loading running OS X.2.3 & Powerbook G4 800Mhz 512Ram running OS X.2.3

Experience : Fair Keybord player ; Serious Amateur Jazz Trombonist.

Want to : Compose and Play back Big Band Jazz (20 Voices) in such a way that it sound something like the real thing, with the ability to print the individual insturment scores off for players to read.

Have Tried : Demo of Sibelius - sound output was pants ! Was told by Sibelius that I needed some means of improving on the standard Mac sounds"

Confused by : Sequencers, Samplers, Midi Interfaces etc.

Please can anyone point me in the right direction without using any jargon (or at least explain what the jargon means and what I should be trying to aim for.) I am looking for value for money and something that will expand as I improve.

[dixiechicken]

You need at least:
1) a midi-interface
Motu Faslane == cheap
Midi Timepiece AV == expensive

2) a sound module
Proteus 2000 from E-mu systems is a good one
( you can buy second hand to save some dough )

Above is -- if you are capable of composing entirely in Sibelius or inside your head

Maybe you also want some kind of midi-keyboard
if you dont already have one.

Secondhand Kurzweil K2000 ( has good built in sound module )
+ a midi-interface.
Would also get you started.

Choices for keyboard are almost endless.

Cheers: Dixiechcicken

[rickenbacker]

Hi, and welcome to MacMusic

You're in the right forum - Getting Started - but have you read all the other posts in this section? This kind of general query has been covered many times before, so have a scout round, pick up some info and come back with specific questions - that way people can help you more.

Sequencers are basically just like expanded 4-track recorders, only with a lot more bells and whistles. Don't be afraid! You might like to think about how many tracks you want to record at once, USB or FireWire portable or rack-mounted interface, which machine you'll be using most - your G4 is the most powerful, your G3 will do OK, but don't push it. You also need score printing, but most of the big sequencing names (Cubase SX, Logic, Digital Performer etc) all do that. Finally, OS 9 or X?

Read a lot of posts and get back to us. Enjoy!

[addsup]

Dixiechicken, Thanks for the quick and clear response. Great help.

Rickenbacker, thanks for the reply. Although I had read a number of the other getting started forum positings I really was non the wiser as everyone else seemed to understand roughly what they wanted.
Now that I have at least a starting point on what I required the other "getting started" forums should make a bit more sense.
Many thanks for taking the time to respond.

[tacoboy]

MONEY and SEX!

Have it or not it is what usually defines a persons life. You mentioned already owning a Powerbook 867. May I say that the little gem is your untire studio already wrapped up into a neat little package.

Unfortunately I speak too soon! Now you must acquire the right software and soundcard (presuming you already have Studio Monitors and a mixer etc.)

USB and Firewire carsds are fortunately becoming more prevelant and in-turn, cheaper! For lots on in's and out's id stick to firewire.

Now for the software advice im unfortunately going to have to be a bit biased and demand that you BUY A COPY OF LOGIC 6! and then upgrade it with the EXS24 sofware sampler that seamlessly integrates into Logic. If you didnt already know Logic is a sequencing program that can almost do anything you throw at it. This requires reading the manual and working with it for a while (at least a month.)

With the EXS24 you can convert AKAI and Samplecell sample CD's the the native EXS format allowing for almost instant loading of samples. The array of samples is simply defined by the amount of harddrive space that you have.

As well as the EXS24 sampler get some VST plug-ins. I recommend waves (very expensive but used by top recording studios) for eq, compression reverb etc.

And finally there are the Synths that Emagic have made to also integrate with logic. Although pricey they sound awsome. Especially the ES2.

There you have it my freind! Do be put off by the number of alternatives out there and just be confident in the knowledge that your powerbook will suffice for your studio until say: Logic 10 comes out?

[tacoboy]

MONEY and SEX!

Have it or not it is what usually defines a persons life. You mentioned already owning a Powerbook 867. May I say that the little gem is your untire studio already wrapped up into a neat little package.

Unfortunately I speak too soon! Now you must acquire the right software and soundcard (presuming you already have Studio Monitors and a mixer etc.)

USB and Firewire carsds are fortunately becoming more prevelant and in-turn, cheaper! For lots on in's and out's id stick to firewire.

Now for the software advice im unfortunately going to have to be a bit biased and demand that you BUY A COPY OF LOGIC 6! and then upgrade it with the EXS24 sofware sampler that seamlessly integrates into Logic. If you didnt already know Logic is a sequencing program that can almost do anything you throw at it. This requires reading the manual and working with it for a while (at least a month.)

With the EXS24 you can convert AKAI and Samplecell sample CD's the the native EXS format allowing for almost instant loading of samples. The array of samples is simply defined by the amount of harddrive space that you have.

As well as the EXS24 sampler get some VST plug-ins. I recommend waves (very expensive but used by top recording studios) for eq, compression reverb etc.

And finally there are the Synths that Emagic have made to also integrate with logic. Although pricey they sound awsome. Especially the ES2.

There you have it my freind! Do be put off by the number of alternatives out there and just be confident in the knowledge that your powerbook will suffice for your studio until say: Logic 10 comes out?

[addsup]

Tacoboy,

Thank for the Logic 6 advice. Unfortunately I don'y have a sound card or monitors - any suggestions on this front?

[tacoboy]

you can use the soundcard in your powerbook and just hook it up to a stereo but its obvoisly not going to sound as good as a soundcard with monitors. BTW Logic can easily create and print scoring sheets.

[dixiechicken]

Addsup!

To me it doesnt sound like you need a sequencer/audio package. Digtal performer has a fairly good quick-scribe function if you're prepared to pay money for a good and expensive program.

Quick-scribe means playing music on your midi-keyboard through a
midi-interface into your computer program (DP).
The DP3/DP4 will capture this an try to interpret every nuance of your performance to sheet music and a midi-piano-roll.

However be aware that this is a guess on the part of program, the result is not guaranteed, to meet your particular intentions for an interpretation.

If you just want to listen to what you have composed in Sibelius/Finale/Encore or other notation program.
Plug a god pair of headphones into headphones out of Proteus 2000/Kurzweil 2000 - or what ever sound module you decided to buy.

Play your composition in Finale/Sibelius through your computer-->midiinteface-->headphones. You have to tell Sibeloius what instruments to play on wich staf.

Cheers: Dixiechicken