Riffster Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 For a long time all I knew was MIDI is data, not actual audio, I understood that part but I never saw the MIDI files be processed. I went to the free recording session at GC today, the subject was GarageBand virtual instruments and loops, The instructor recorded on a keyboard via MIDi and then showed how you can process the MIDI data, correct notes, change key, sound, tempo, instrument, pitch, etc. what a concept. He also went over drum, bass, keys and effects loops, how to synch them, change key, etc. As a hobbyist I found the session very helpful, I have had my Mac for a year and I have not really put the effort into fully understanding GarageBand, I can safely say that that is the program I will be using. Seems like it is all I need for what I do. The fact that you can ask questions is the best part of the session, I would recommend it. Heck just the fact that my Mac was set to 16-bit rather than 24-bit was worth the trip.
Guest farnsbarns Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 For a long time all I knew was MIDI is data, not actual audio, I understood that part but I never saw the MIDI files be processed. I went to the free recording session at GC today, the subject was GarageBand virtual instruments and loops, The instructor recorded on a keyboard via MIDi and then showed how you can process the MIDI data, correct notes, change key, sound, tempo, instrument, pitch, etc. what a concept. He also went over drum, bass, keys and effects loops, how to synch them, change key, etc. As a hobbyist I found the session very helpful, I have had my Mac for a year and I have not really put the effort into fully understanding GarageBand, I can safely say that that is the program I will be using. Seems like it is all I need for what I do. The fact that you can ask questions is the best part of the session, I would recommend it. Heck just the fact that my Mac was set to 16-bit rather than 24-bit was worth the trip. Did you cover clock sync? Very important part of a midi setup.
Riffster Posted January 14, 2012 Author Posted January 14, 2012 Did you cover clock sync? Very important part of a midi setup. He did, very impressive.
daveinspain Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 Yeah midi is great if you have a good midi set up your computer can play all you program on your key, samplers, drum machines, modules live. You hit play on your computer and it does indeed play your instruments. This is great because it's much more flexible over using recorded frozen samples, not to mention it doesn't eat your computers CPU....
Riffster Posted January 14, 2012 Author Posted January 14, 2012 I was impressed because up to this point I have been recording single take on a single track layer, I would not mind using this MIDI stuff to create a backing track, as a means to an end. I really would not like to use it on a guitar track.
daveinspain Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 I was impressed because up to this point I have been recording single take on a single track layer, I would not mind using this MIDI stuff to create a backing track, as a means to an end. I really would not like to use it on a guitar track. Hhhmmmm, you are still missing the point... Midi can not be used on guitar unless it is a midi guitar or you have a midi interface for guitar. Midi is perfect for keyboards, sound modules, samplers and drum machine...etc, because the sound they hold within or generate can be controlled digitally by commands sent by your computer or sequencer. There are many different midi commands or controllers which do indeed play your keyboard live and will accompany you as you play your guitar or sing or what ever... Some midi commands are; touch or the amount of pressure you strike a key with for loud or soft playing, pitch bend, vibrato, breath, sustain...etc. You record/program all these events when you play the instrument and your computer or sequencer records all the midi information for playback. Hope this helps...
Searcy Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 Well, I wouldn't say that MIDI can't be used while recording guitar. One cool used for MIDI when recording guitar is to sync your effect processor to your drum track and use MIDI commands to control when effects kick in and out, you can time your reverb or delay perfectly with the tempo of the song or in some cases even use it to sync the rocking of a wah, volume or whammy pedal to be perfectly timed. The actual sound of the guitar would be recorded in MIDI. Remember those old "player pianos" that had the paper roll that told the piano what key play at what time? That roll of paper is all MIDI is. A set of commands.
daveinspain Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 Well, I wouldn't say that MIDI can't be used while recording guitar. One cool used for MIDI when recording guitar is to sync your effect processor to your drum track and use MIDI commands to control when effects kick in and out, you can time your reverb or delay perfectly with the tempo of the song or in some cases even use it to sync the rocking of a wah, volume or whammy pedal to be perfectly timed. The actual sound of the guitar would be recorded in MIDI. Remember those old "player pianos" that had the paper roll that told the piano what key play at what time? That roll of paper is all MIDI is. A set of commands. Control the FX you use on your guitar sure but midi will not play/pluck the strings of a conventional guitar... Just to be clear on what midi can and can't do... Midi does not record sound, only digital information... Midi stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is the means in which your computer or sequencer communicates with your instruments. Again when I say instruments I am talking about keyboards, sound modules, samplers and drum machine, outboard gear and midi equipped FX... Not string instruments....
Searcy Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 Yup, I think were saying the same thing. Basically MIDI can turn on any switch or control any potentiometer that is properly conected to it. That's all I can do.
rocketman Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 The amazing thing is that MIDI has been around since the early 80s and still is the industry standard. I use it all the time for recordings. CUBASE actually has some pretty neat sounds and synth emulators. I still have my old keyboard from the 80s which I use to control the CUBASE sounds. Thought about buying an expensive keyboard but with this setup why should I?
Searcy Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 If you wanna check out some more amazing sounds I can be accessed through MIDI withoit a keyboard check out Reason from PropellerHead.
Riffster Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 Hhhmmmm, you are still missing the point... Midi can not be used on guitar unless it is a midi guitar or you have a midi interface for guitar. No, that's what I meant. I mean how else can I get a MIDI file for guitar if you don't have a MIDI output or interface for your instrument?.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.