Getting started with Midi

Nitebob

Hi all,

About a year back I said I am done with music. Turns out music wasn't done with me. I want to get recording again...

I used fruity loops way back when, which I liked for it's midi simplicity. Then later used Reaper to record live, but if you make a mistake, you have to start all over again, which is tiresome and frustrating, especially since I am not a savant when it comes to these things.

If I could use a midi controller - I figure - I could always just go back and move or remove the incorrect note. Tried to get Kontakt to play into Reaper but that proved more frustrating than water shedding...

So I have a Korg 170S Digital Piano, which can be used as a midi controller, but I have some questions.

1. What is the best Midi interface to get? I got one (not very cheap) but getting it to work was a hit and miss situation, not knowing how I got a hit
2. What program should I get? Should I just go ahead and get fruity loops again (producer edition to record live guitars and vocals)? Or is there something else that is easy to use and "good"? Also had some success in Ableton, but had the lite version which only allows 8 tracks. Which meant I composed in FL Studio and then exported to Ableton to add live guitars and vocals

Thank you.

V8

Heya Nitebob, welcome back...!

Once the bug's bitten, that's it I'm afraid ?

I've tried to answer your questions before - though I get the feeling that it's the technical side of things of getting things to play nicely together that frustrates you? It's part of the recording process, getting to know the gear, which includes the figuring out what hardware and software play together nicely and fits what one is trying to accomplish.

I'm a huge fan of Ableton as the midi is fairly straightforward (compared to reaper) and comes with a decent piano and midi effects. The 8 track thing on Intro IS irritating, for 100USD you can upgrade to the 16track version (I think it's called lite?). Though, by investing time in the tutorials, reaper can do everything that Ableton does. You can (if you have the technical skill to set it up & the computing power to run the installation), have Reaper 'host' Ableton via rewire - this, however, isn't straightforward - takes a bit of tweaking and I havn't gotten that running everyday reliable (others have had far better success).

I only used fruityloops waaaaayyy back in the day, so I can't really comment on the producer edition.

For ease of use, I would have gotten a scarlett 2i4 - having a midi in IS useful, even though it's now industry standard that midi keyboards are USB and midi capable.

You could get a interface that does midi in (Scarlett 2i4, roland quad capture are the two I have used with midi, both worked well). I just don't see the sense of getting a separate midi only interface, if I'd only be using it for one thing - though it probably is most cost effective - just the hassle of running two separate interfaces - one for audio and one for midi doesn't make sense to me for home use.

Or get a controller that does USB. Probably the easiest - though I'd hate to see that Korg sit unused, weighted keys n all :'(

good luck!

Nitebob

Hi Meron,

I think you have it 100% on me not grasping the technical side of things.

Do you suggest I rather get a Alesis or Novation controller? Then I can use MIDI (can it communicate MIDI without interface?) and use Scarlet to add vocals and Guitars? I've thought about that as well.

Korg won't sit useless. Still handy to sit down a whim to try and compose something.

Back when using Ableton and FL I used computer keyboard for input...

guitarboy2828

So, if I was in your boat, i'd buy an interface that has midi and guitar/mic inputs, such as the Scarlett 2i4. Having one interface means one set of drivers, rather than 2 separate ones. That'll be a lot cheaper than buying another keyboard too. AND playing/recording with weighted keys is WAYY nicer!

My setup, for what it's worth, is: Casio CDP-130 (has a USB out which is nice) and a scarlett 2i2. I open Reaper and everything works beautiful. It took me an hour or so to get my casio and Reaper to love on each other. But I followed one youtube tut and that got me sorted (I can go find it if you need me to?). Basically, once you've got them talking, it's set up and everytime I open reaper now, I just have to put my piano on and I'm good to go. Same with my interface, plug my guitar/mic in and I can start recording.

As for midi, I have no problems with Kontakt. Installed it, Reaper picks it up, I'm good to go!

All that to say, it took a bit of work, but once I got it all talking nicely to each other, I've had no problems since!

Nitebob

Seeing as I have the Scarlet 2i2 to record vocals etc.Maybe look at something like:

http://www.soundselect.co.za/alesis-control-hub

???

V8

Nitebob wrote: Hi Meron,

I think you have it 100% on me not grasping the technical side of things.

Back when using Ableton and FL I used computer keyboard for input...

Yeah man, I often turn to the dark side when the computer side of recording frustrates me. And I've been messing with computers for around 35yrs >☹. Also done the computer keyboard thing - no fun, gave up after a week of trying to complete a coursera tutorial.

Paul E wrote: It took me an hour or so to get my casio and Reaper to love on each other.

But, but, but...did they at least buy each other a drink first? :roflmao:

If I was running a laptop and I wanted a mobile rig, I'd go for a interface w/midi in and controller that did midi (and had a external power adaptor, (e.g. Controller not powered by USB). That's because I'd want to keep the USB hub free from drawing too much power for peripherals & perhaps minimize dropouts from sending USB information from both controller and interface. It's an issue I had with some USB musical devices - they needed more juice than my puny laptop could provide. Wouldn't be a problem on a decent desktop machine though (or a Mac?).

+1 to Paul's comments - In your case I'd sell the 2i2 and find a 2i4 or similar and use the Korg via midi. You are already familiar with it and the weighted keys are a major league plus. Then bug Paul for the youtube link to get everything working nicely together - perhaps bribe somebody with beer to pop in and help you figure it out. Once it's setup, it should just work.

Can't say I like the idea of the Alesis, probably needs another driver to run it's internal soundcard and I see it's listed as a legacy device on Alesis site.

guitarboy2828

Nitebob wrote: Seeing as I have the Scarlet 2i2 to record vocals etc.Maybe look at something like:

http://www.soundselect.co.za/alesis-control-hub

???

I'd probably try something like this first: https://www.audiomart.co.za/product_info.php/audio-uno-out-usb-bus-powered-midi-interface-p-6781 Half the price, so makes sense an does everything you need. If you're on a desktop, have the scarlett and this plugged in should be great.

Nitebob

Paul E wrote:
Nitebob wrote: Seeing as I have the Scarlet 2i2 to record vocals etc.Maybe look at something like:

http://www.soundselect.co.za/alesis-control-hub

???

I'd probably try something like this first: https://www.audiomart.co.za/product_info.php/audio-uno-out-usb-bus-powered-midi-interface-p-6781 Half the price, so makes sense an does everything you need. If you're on a desktop, have the scarlett and this plugged in should be great.

I have one of those somewhere...thought that was my problem. Didn't have a "proper" interface...

Nitebob

Well, recorded my forst Midi today.

With the Korg! ?

Downloaded Presonus and bought a Roland UM-One interface. Got them to talk to each other, and recorder a piano piece.

It does not however see the sustain pedal, so I have to edit sustain into the track...but ey...

V8

Nitebob wrote: Well, recorded my forst Midi today.

With the Korg! ?

Downloaded Presonus and bought a Roland UM-One interface. Got them to talk to each other, and recorder a piano piece.

It does not however see the sustain pedal, so I have to edit sustain into the track...but ey...

Winning!

Slap some delay on the korg - I look forward to your killer challenge entry 8)

There may be a way to pass through the midi info from your sustain pedal to a automation track in reaper - some fiddling and reading required though :-[

domhatch

ok, since you guys seem to be the okes in the know...

i have the uno 1in1out. my problem seems to be getting me (truthfully ancient) technics kn1500 (at least 18 years old, i'd say) to talk to reaper through the interface.

any tips?

hoping you c'n help
dh|

Nitebob

I couldn't get Reaper to work with Kontakt way back when.

I'm just gonna do everything in Presonus now. Seems capable...and have to say it is VERY user friendly...

domhatch

Nitebob wrote: I couldn't get Reaper to work with Kontakt way back when.

I'm just gonna do everything in Presonus now. Seems capable...and have to say it is VERY user friendly...

so, bob. anything further to report? have viewed the website and i'm seriously thinking about presonus. shortly my licence on reaper runs out anyway, so gonna have to shell out at any rate. have you found legacy midi equipment is compatible? coz that's my biggest issue...

?
dh|