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Amystika · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 45

I dont even know where to begin.... I need a complete rundown on what you need to have a soft synth setup, If anyone can help me, it would be GREATLY appreciated, thank you!

Lorenzo · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

mmm I think
1 a computer
2 usb masterkeyboard OR usb-midi interface
3 a softsynth like Crystal or other freeware (start with them, there are many interesting soft synth for free out there)
4 10 fingers... or maybe only 1... it doesn't matter...
regards, Lorenzo
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themusicman2001 · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Lorenzo is right.

However, do you have a budget...? if so... then you could have a look at a few of the commercial soft-synths about. Try Reason or Absynth, they are both capable of some immense sounds. Not sure what génre you compose in, but here's one of mine using Absynth...

Minor Experiment: http://www.themouthpiece.com/music/minor_experiment.mp3
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RiotNrrd · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject:

If you are looking for an entire studio-in-a-box, you cannot go wrong with Propellerheads Reason. It has nearly everything one needs for electronic music composition "from soup to nuts" (there's an American colloquialism that makes no literal sense at all).

I have Propellerheads Reason, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor and Absynth, and about a bazillion freeware softsynths. I use Reason for probably 95% of what I write. It's easy to get your head around, it's extremely versatile, it sounds good, and it contains so much stuff it'll take you years to learn it all, yet it still won't overwhelm you with complexity. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

You will, of course, also need a MIDI controller (i.e., a keyboard), regardless of your choice of packages. And decent monitors - computer speakers will work, but they aren't an ideal choice.

Amystika · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 45

thank you everyone, you have no idea how much this has helped.. only a few more ?'s... what is t his VST thing, is it needed? is there another option?... thank you anyone who can help

RiotNrrd · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 1:57 am Post subject:

what is t his VST thing, is it needed?

VST is a type of plug-in architecture for softsynths, allowing them to be inserted in various types of host applications (Ableton Live, Cubase, Sonar, Logic, Tracktion, etc.) and then played as if they were part of those applications.

Many packages support VSTs, and most softsynths - both freeware and commercial - can be used as VSTs (and, in fact, that generally is how they are used, rather than as standalones).

Propellerheads Reason does not support VSTs, as it is designed as an all-in-one software studio. When I want to, I use my VST synths in Ableton Live, although, as I mentioned, I don't use Live nearly as much as I do Reason.

higskies · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 4:26 am Post subject:

I would recommend Live over Reason because of the fact that Reason doesn't allow additional plugins. I've used both and purchased Live because of that reason alone (pun intended).

Expandability is key, especially if you're young in the game. I would have changed my mind on some of my purchases if I knew their expandability was inferior. Just an insight.
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pillbug · Full Member Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 168

Get Reason and a midi controller (keyboard) and either a midi interface or USB midi.
And if you want to use other VST softsynths or record audio from other sources (keyboards, guitar, mic, etc) then get a ReWire-compatible software sequencer such as Pro Tools.

Personally I would recommend Mbox2 and Reason, if you have the budget, these two items will let you do all of the above, just add a keyboard controller.

In my experience, Reason is easier and quicker to use than poking buttons while hunched over a Korg Triton Extreme Smile

kabuchi · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

I tried using reason with extreme with just usb no midi, aint that possible or I NEED to use MIDI as well?

not recognizing Extreme usb by it self, what's the score...HELP Please

thanx

Troy · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:42 am Post subject:

If you're going to use VSTs (software plugins), you'll need some program that can act as a host. Many digital audio workstations (DAW) can do this. There are also some free host programs, that don't do anything but host plugins. Of course, there are a lot of different plugins (instruments, effects, etc.).

Start with a free host, and some free VSTs from kvraudio.com.

To use your Korg hardware keyboard, you'll need a host program that can handle external instruments or a plugin that can do that.

kabuchi · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

thanx Troy

I actually found out that and tried it already..
it's safe now...

thanx 4 your help

cheers
kabuchi
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Troy · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

LOL! Yeah, you've had time. Just thought I would write that in case someone else was just starting. I didn't know the answer when you first posted. Have learned it since then.

kabuchi · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:22 am Post subject:

lol

I see that, well someone might have benefited...

you never know...

cheers
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Vadim · Platinum Member Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 625