Basic question about getting started with synth software

AARRRGH

Hello all

I'm new to this stuff so please be gentle!

I've been playing around with Reason but I don't really like it. I can't explain exactly why, but it just doesn't feel right for me.

Tonight I discovered the "CS-80V" software synth which is basically a remake of an old 70's keyboard.

If I was to buy this software, am I right in thinking this is what I'd need to do -

1. Have a good PC with a good sound card, etc.
2. Buy and install the CS-80V software.
3. Buy a midi keyboard (should I buy a large midi keyboard or does it make a difference?)
4. Hook the midi keyboard up to my PC (up to the soundcard?!) At this stage I will be able to use the keyboard to play some tunes on the CS-80V.

Now, this is where I get a bit confused. Let's say I have made a great tune, and I want to add a drum beat to it, and maybe some vocals...

Do I export the tune and then import it into a sequencer? And then import my drum beat into the sequencer too? And then mess around in the sequencer in an attempt to match the drum beat with my tune?

Is this the basic idea or am I totally lost?

A few years ago I used to mess around with Acid Pro and I remember it was simple. I would simply import some tune, import some beat, and they would automatically match up and sound cool together. Basically I am looking for something easy like this!

Any advice or direction greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

jiltloop

You would need a decent pc and you would also need to buy a seperate soundcard because the onboard soundcard wouldn't have midi connectivity. It would certainly be a good idea to buy a midi keyboard because it's just more creative. Also another thing you would need is some sequencing software to host CS80 (unless it can operate as a standalone instrument, but if you want to add drums you'll need a sequencer anyway). This will allow you to record any midi playing on your keyboard and any audio from the cs80. Also it will make it alot easier to add drums. Reaper would be a good option to try out before you spend money.

BumbleB

I personally think the cs-80 is a bad choice for a soft synth . If you are just getting a tune together ,hypersonic would be a much better buy I think .
It was designed with the arranger in mind so it has loads of different sounds like strings , techo sounds pretty much everything there .

The cs-80 v will bring your pc to its knees .It is a serious cpu hogger.You will definitely need a dual processor to run that baby, also the sound is very retro .It was extensively used by the composer vangelis and can be heard all over the blade runner soundtrack.By the way don't write off reason ,I personally don't like the synth's they are too "fm" sounding . But the drums can be quite good if you export them to audio and process from there.

Neurojazz

A lot of this will depend on how much money you can spend on gear - to use 'VST' (like the virtual instrument youv'e found) - people use sequencing software like 'Cubase' or 'Logic' (and some others) - this enables you to have many VSTs running (like the modules in reason, drum machines etc...)

This can cost a lot of cash... you can end up buying many devices and not get very far, so worth checking out other people who have successful setups who have it all working bug free.

The previous poster is right about that this VST you've found to 'hog' the cpu, so you need to learn a lot more about the gear your'e getting involved in. Hypersonic has been discontinued i believe...

For getting a wide range of sounds there are other options, but you need to make a choice about what styles you want to make and you're decision will be much easier - because then a lot of people can give you accurate advice.

It's a minefield, but keep the questions coming

If your'e into electronic music, check this thread - http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=52935300#post52935300

i57dwun4yb1pt8

what i use , and its cheap and works well

1/ casio cdp 100 full piano with weighted keys about 400 euro and well worth it for a keys beginner
2/ midi mate usb midi interface 20 quid
3/ reaper software - free really - pay if you like it.
4/ vst synths like superwave and mimi moog etc - most aree free but you can also buy great ones .


a decent pc and you are set for less then 450

the onboard sound should cope fine unless you need to record other stuff like vocals etc.

jimi_t

+1 for Reaper as a first free DAW - abletons my DAW of choice but there's a realm of stuff out there (most new MIDI keyboards will come with some 'lite' version of Ableton)

As for CS80

The cs-80 v will bring your pc to its knees .It is a serious cpu hogger.You will definitely need a dual processor to run that baby

Complete crap - I've a tune with 4 instances of CS80v + effects + drums running @ 52-55% on my 512mb Pentium 4 laptop. There's even a choice between vanilla and 10-voice iterations bundled with the software.

BE CAREFULL fiddling with CS80v if you've good speakers - make sure to strap a limiter and EQ across your master channel; I've come close to blowing my speakers hitting funny frequencies messing around with it

Also sound is quite distinct - a lot of Vangelis presets and the like - but a huge amount can be coaxed out of this one synth - It's up there with IMPoscar or the 2600v VSTi's for me.

puresthatred

Since youre starting heres some advice...

You dont need a Midi keyboard.
You can draw notes in with a mouse and add a keyboard later on.
If you do get one, most use USB to connect to the PC negating the need for a soundcard change.
The Novation X-Station is a good choice as its a MIDI controller plus soundcard plus stand alone synth in a box, I have one and love the thing.

Instead of Cubase you can use other VST supporting sequencers.
Renoise has a free demo which still allows saving etc. Only costs about 50 euro to unlock to full version but its a tracker sequencer, not for everyone but Ive been using trackers for years on almost all my released music.

Also, download some free VSTi apps instead of buying one straight off. Get a feel for them first. I started with a demo of Native Instruments Pro 52 then bought it after a lot of time spent with the demo. It ran perfectly on a 400mhz laptop back in the day.

empirix

i wouldnt go with Renoise starting out, its a mind fcuk!Protools all the way!

BumbleB

[


Complete crap - I've a tune with 4 instances of CS80v + effects + drums running @ 52-55% on my 512mb Pentium 4 laptop. There's even a choice between vanilla and 10-voice iterations bundled with the software.



It is a cpu hog plenty of evidence on the net to support that .

And also any synth can blow speakers if you mess with the resonance and cutoff recklessly , everybody knows that ! .

jimi_t

BumbleB wrote: »

It is a cpu hog plenty of evidence on the net to support that

Well I've only the two odd years of use on low-end equipment to quantify what I'm saying, but I suggest you try it and compare it to say... Massive or any semi-new VST. I find it particularly decent on CPU given the complexity of the routing and the richness of the sound.

And also any synth can blow speakers if you mess with the resonance and cutoff recklessly , everybody knows that ! .

You'd really want to be trying to do it with any old 3 OSC VA or whatever - with CS80v you can pretty much do it by accident

AARRRGH

Thanks for the replies everyone! Lots of great information. But it has created a couple of new questions. I'll try to address them to particular people, but please feel free to answer anything not directed at you.

General question: Would it be possible for me to make a tune using CS80v + midi keyboard, export it as a wav file or something, import it into Reason to add some effects, export it out with the effects added, and then import it into Acid where it's easy to add a beat I've previously created or sampled?

Or is that just really messy? Basically I like the simplicity of Acid.

puresthatred wrote:

The Novation X-Station is a good choice as its a MIDI controller plus soundcard plus stand alone synth in a box, I have one and love the thing.

Do you mean it comes with it's own soundcard which I install in my PC, or sound is sort of redirected to the keyboard?!

Neurojazz wrote:

A lot of this will depend on how much money you can spend on gear - to use 'VST' (like the virtual instrument youv'e found) - people use sequencing software like 'Cubase' or 'Logic' (and some others) - this enables you to have many VSTs running (like the modules in reason, drum machines etc...)

Cash isn't really an issue. I don't drink alcohol so don't feel guilty about funding my expensive hobbies.

When you say I can have many VSTs running in Cubase or Logic, do you mean I have CS80v open as a standalone program, but am rerouting the sound into Cubase or Logic where it can be recorded?

Thanks everyone!

jiltloop

Recording your VST in cubase then exporting as, wav you can then import it into Reason using the NNXT or NN19. You can of course then export again into Acid but that really is a messy way of working.
It would be better to either
a) apply effects in cubase using effect plugins (loads to download for free on the net) and then export to Acid. Or
b) become more comfortable with Reason and rewire it into Cubase.

Personally I think you should get to know Reason a little better, it might be a little daunting at first but once you get to know it, it's pretty easy to make some nice beats in. If you don't like the synths in Reason then you can use VSTs with cubase. Also rewiring Reason into Cubase basically makes Reason act like a VST inside Cubase alongside your CS80.
P.s standalone means that a VST is being used without a host program (ie reaper or cubase).

puresthatred

"The Novation X-Station is a good choice as its a MIDI controller plus soundcard plus stand alone synth in a box, I have one and love the thing."

Hey, the X-Station connects to a PC by USB then takes over as a 24 bit soundcard. I dont sell them or anything but to go on and tell you about it...
It has 2 inputs for connecting 2 mono devices (mic or guitar) or a stereo input. It can be used as a controller midi keyboard and has its own high quality onboard sounds.

I got mine from the UK a while back for a lot less than over here.

Its not an essential purchase but it may kill a few birds with a single pebble as its onboard synth is great and you can record its sounds straight down the USB connection to the PC so zero noise creeps into your mix.

empirix

also dont skimp - if your going to do it do it right and buy decent enough gear! spend the money, good midi keyboard(akai mpk49 - excellent), good sequencer(also i see Cubase 5 is being released!), good sound card, good pc, good monitors(at least 800 for the pair - recommend genelec 8030's - €1600) and for that matter a nice big Pc monitor(i use a 22"). Keep your setup tight and dont buy too much gear, the above are all necessary but you could maybe buy a hardware synth too again spend the money on this

Neurojazz

About the 'Standalone' vst question...

Once you get your 'DAW' (Digital Audio Workstation) AKA - Cubase,logic etc...

The VST run 'within it', there is no need to run anything 'stand alone', you can have 10 vst open of the same instrument, or different ones (no limited to 10, your limited by your CPU power)

So for example, i have a quad core and can run 20 or so vst, 30 vst effects on those instruments and many other virtual devices.... If you get a decent pc/mac, then you'll have room to play around...

Being that cash is no object, goto somewhere like scan.co.uk and get a custom build DAW pc that's hand built... i spent about 1600 and got an awesome rock solid machine that hasn't flinched...

After you get a base machine, you need to plan what VST and software your'e going to get, and i usually use google to find if people are getting problems with a device, rather than going straight to the eShop.

AARRRGH

Thanks everyone.

I was playing around with Ableton last night, and I like it. Easy enough to use, and it has some of the features of Acid which I like, i.e. automatically matching the beat to the tune.

So I think I will risk using Ableton as my sequencer.

Cheers!