New Poster..Q. on cubasis vst, drum machine
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Posted on Apr 07, 2004 05:32 pm
FireFighter
Member Since: Apr 07, 2004
Im a musician. I play pretty much everything. Well, I just bought a new computer and it came with a soundblaster platinum pro sound card and external midi thing. It also came with some software called Cubasis VST and WaveLab Lite.Is this stuff any good? I would love to learn how to start recording myself. I ordered one of those home recording for dummies books, but right now I am in kuwait(military) and wont get the book for another couple of months when i get home. I cant wait that long. I want to start learning now so I can actually do stuff when I get home. OK, so my question is this: Is the stuff I have alright for a begginer and what stuff should I look into buying (the most important stuff, I dont have the money to go all out right now). Oh yeah, do those drum machines like the dr rhythm work good, because i play drums but sold my set when i got married and it isnt feasable for me to buy another one right now. I appreciate any input and I will be checking out the tips page too.
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LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Apr 07, 2004 08:01 pm Cubasis VST and WaveLab Lite are "watered down" versions of their big brothers, Cubase and Wavelab. Both are very capable applications. Now for the news you won't like... Soundblasters, as much as they're marketed like they do, do not function very well in a recording enviroment. So my first suggestion would be to get a better sound card. Of course, if the soundblaster suits your needs who am I to say don't use it. Now, as much as I like Cubase and Wavelab, they both have a pretty steep learning curve. I would suggest getting an app that is a little more user friendly from the get go.
Also, Keep in mind that bundled software for the most part is made to be used with the hardware it came with... so the versions of cubase and wavelab you have may not work if you get another sound card.
Alright, all the scary facts aside heres what I reccomend for a beginer... Use what you've got now to make some music and learn on, and when you're ready upgrade to a better soundcard (one that suits your input and output needs) a good small mixer (like a behringer) and some good software. Contrary to popular belief you can get a good recording app for under $100, N-Track studio comes to mind at around $65.
And for the drum machines, while I've not played with any actual hardware drum machines there are several great software drum sequencers out there like Project 5 or fruity loops, I use fruity and it's great
As far learning, play around with your gear and if you have any questions post here.
Oh yeah, and welcome to the site
Apr 07, 2004 08:16 pm Hey, thanks alot. Im not suprised that the sound blaster isnt the best choice, but when I built the computer, I didnt have recording in mind.As for finding a sound card that will suit my needs....I have no idea what my needs are yet. All I want to do is plug my guitars, bass, and keyboard into my computer and make a halfway decent song. I will look into drum software for sure and hopefully being the my software is watered down it wont be as difficult to learn. I cant wait to get back home and start recording stuff. I have been playing guitar for 10 years and have written so many songs. It will be wonderful to record them. Thanks for the advice.
Apr 07, 2004 08:50 pm Oh, another question...with the software you use for drums. Do you make your own beats or does it just come with a bunch to choose from, and if you make your own beats, is it easy? Can you do fills? Does it sound like a real drummer?
Apr 07, 2004 09:28 pm I looked up that N-Track. If you think it is that much better than the Cubasis, I could just go ahead a get it since it isnt expensive. You made me a little nervous though saying that the Cubasis is watered down becuase it came with a almost 400 page manual that I am trying to get through right now.If that is what a simple software is maybe I should go with a little 4 track casset thing like I used to have back in high school.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Apr 07, 2004 10:53 pm Not so much simple as just crap...
It's essential cubase, but with all the good stuff greyed out.
btw, if u are interested in what "Real" cubase is, check out Cubase SX2 or Nuendo 2.
jues.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Apr 07, 2004 11:18 pm As far as the sound card goes, my advice depends on how many input you will need at once. If only one, then I would say though the Soundblaster is not the best recording sound card in the world, it is more than capable, and would be a good card to learn with. Plus, if it has a midi jack, then it would be quite useful for plugging your keyboard into. If you start really getting into recording, then maybe start thinking about upgrading your soundcard, once you are for sure that it's something you want to invest time and money into. If you are going to be playing bass and guitar, you will need some pre amps, and a good small mixer like what Loki suggested would be a good addition to your gear, as most have decent pres in them.
As for software, again, I would go with Cubasis for now, and then, once you get a little experience on the basic functions of the recording app, go ahead and upgrade. Plus once you upgrade you will be amazed at all the cool stuff you can do all of a sudden. Basically, I just think it's good to get a little experience under your belt, before going out and spending money on stuff when you're not even sure what it does.
Oh, and software drum programming is an art in and of itself. Have fun with that, especially if you want to sound "realistic".
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Apr 08, 2004 12:15 am Cubasis will more than suit your needs, I wasn't trying to scare you off of using it. Actually, that was what I was using to begin with, a soundblaster audigy and cubasis and wavelab lite. I know that Flame and dB and Noize like N-Track, I'm just now begining to play with it so I won't comment on it really, I just wanted to point out that there are cheaper versions that the "top dogs' out there. Theres also a new app out there called Kristal which I hear is great.
As far as upgrading the soundcard goes, When you do upgrade keep three things in mind. First, how much can you spend on it (lol simple but true). Second, do you need MIDI? The soundblaster will work as a midi card so that's not a huge deal at this point. Third, how many ins and outs do you need at once? If you are recording a band "live" you'll obviously need more routing options than if you were just overdubbing track after track.
Drum Patterns and such - Project 5 and Fruity both let you completley control the sounds and make your own beats. You can record your own samples, chop em up in wavelab, then load em into fruity and program them with that. It's easy to learn how to do stuff, but with anything it's an art to make it sound "good".
My advice then is this, Stick with what you have so far and invest in a good small mixer, and if you need to a drum program like Project 5 or Fruity Loops. Don't spend money you don't need to. The set up you have now should be adiquit (how do you spell that?) for your needs, and when the time comes that you decide you need to upgrade then we'll help ya out. Making music isn't about having the best gear, it's about making music... if you can bang your head on a wall with a radio shack mic plugged into an old tape deck and have it sound amazing theres nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is that you're having fun making music... and along the way you'll get toys that will make it more fun and easier.
Apr 08, 2004 04:02 am This is all good stuff. I think I am going to do like you guys said and get a small mixer. With the mixer, do I still need to get the preamp for the bass when i use a mixer. And out of the two, which is better, fruity or project 5. And I could use some imput on mics for vocals. Like I said, I dont want to go ALL out but I would like to have a decent setup... I know what you guys mean about trying it before I buy other stuff, but Ive been a musician for so long that I am pretty sure I will like it. Oh and I wanted to ask about my computer...Im figuring it will be good enough since I just built it with pretty top of the line stuff...but I dont know if recording needs certain specs....I am running on an AMD Athlon 64 3200, with 1GB of ram. I have a 120GB Seagate SATA hard drive and of course you already know about the soundblaster(which does have 2 midi inputs cause it is the plat. pro.)Like I said, I know it is a decent set-up,but besides the sound card is there anything I should as far as hardware.
Apr 08, 2004 04:03 am And thanks again for answering my questions.
Apr 08, 2004 04:54 am Well, firefighter, rather than one hard drive, many of us use two, one for the OS and programs and one for music, then if the OS hard drive goes to hell, it doesn't affect the music drive. Just a precaution.
If you have a mixer, no, you don't NEED a preamp for your bass, but it is surely better. I use the preamp of my current combo amp (Ampeg B3) and just use the direct out, but even a simple DI Box will do the job.
Regarding Fruity/Project 5...well, I am a Project5 user, I used Fruity for a long time, it's a great app and easy to use, definately a great value for the money. But Project 5 is a lot more of a program and a lot more money.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Apr 08, 2004 12:35 pm for a class pre-amp, see if ya can get a behringer ultragain 100...easy to use, versatile and very cheap! love mine - its ace.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 08, 2004 10:58 pm Again, regarding Fuity/Project 5. It depends as well on the music you are going to make, and how much power you want to have. P5 is at the top of the heap right now, and comes with more then enough tools to do almost anything you want, and any style of music. Fruity is a very simple yet full application as well, but more suited to the dance type music. The editing capabilities are not near what you will have in P5.
And hey, welcome to HRC.
Noize
