Inexpensive music recording software

[Max[_2_]]

Hello everyone, I am an amateur musician. My main instrument is the
keyboard. I own a Yamaha So8 keyboard. I am looking for an inexpensive
music editing and production software that records the actual sounds
from the keyboard. The current program I am using is Cubase. Cubase is
a MIDI program, it only records the key strokes and velocity and then
converts it into a bad sounding midi file. Is there a good,
inexpensive program that will record the actual sound from the
keyboard (and other instruments, such as guitar, bass, strings, drums
etc.), then allow me to master the sound(s) and eventually burn in
into a CD? I have already used Audacity, and its not the kind of
software I'm looking for.

Thanks,
Max

[Mike Rivers]

On Dec 17, 5:19 pm, Max > wrote:
> Hello everyone, I am an amateur musician. My main instrument is the
> keyboard. I own a Yamaha So8 keyboard. I am looking for an inexpensive
> music editing and production software that records the actual sounds
> from the keyboard. The current program I am using is Cubase. Cubase is
> a MIDI program, it only records the key strokes and velocity and then
> converts it into a bad sounding midi file.

You need to update your Cubase (or learn how to use it if it's a
fairly recent version). I don't believe they've made a MIDI-only
version for several years. All of the current versions record audio. A
good free audio recording program is Audacity. You can download it at
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

There are some pretty decent "virtual instrument" libraries that you
can get to supplement the crummy general MIDI sounds that come with
your computer. That's probably what you're hearing.

Lots of alternatives.

[Laurence Payne]

On Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:19:18 -0800 (PST), Max >
wrote:

>Hello everyone, I am an amateur musician. My main instrument is the
>keyboard. I own a Yamaha So8 keyboard. I am looking for an inexpensive
>music editing and production software that records the actual sounds
>from the keyboard. The current program I am using is Cubase. Cubase is
>a MIDI program, it only records the key strokes and velocity and then
>converts it into a bad sounding midi file. Is there a good,
>inexpensive program that will record the actual sound from the
>keyboard (and other instruments, such as guitar, bass, strings, drums
>etc.), then allow me to master the sound(s) and eventually burn in
>into a CD? I have already used Audacity, and its not the kind of
>software I'm looking for.

Unless you have a very early version of Cubase, it records audio as
well as MIDI. (Both are very useful in conjunction with your
keyboard.) Cubase will mix down to a wav file. Use the program that
came with your CD burner to make the CD.

[Max[_2_]]

Thanks everyone. I was probably hearing the horrible general midi
sound files. Were can I get a decent virtual instrument files to use
with cubase (are they for download or must I purchase them?)

Thanks,
Max

[Mike Rivers]

On Dec 17, 6:14 pm, Max > wrote:

> Were can I get a decent virtual instrument files to use
> with cubase (are they for download or must I purchase them?)

The best ones are for purchase of course, but you can find anything
for free these days, and some of it is actually pretty good. I don't
use virtual instruments so I can't give you any names, but use your
Google magic and look for "VST instruments." KVR is usually a trusted
source.

http://www.kvraudio.com/get.php

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Max wrote:

> Hello everyone, I am an amateur musician. My main instrument is the
> keyboard. I own a Yamaha So8 keyboard. I am looking for an inexpensive
> music editing and production software that records the actual sounds
> from the keyboard. The current program I am using is Cubase. Cubase is
> a MIDI program, it only records the key strokes and velocity and then
> converts it into a bad sounding midi file.

Surely that would depend on the playback synth?

Is there a good,
> inexpensive program that will record the actual sound from the
> keyboard (and other instruments, such as guitar, bass, strings, drums
> etc.), then allow me to master the sound(s) and eventually burn in
> into a CD? I have already used Audacity, and its not the kind of
> software I'm looking for.

The cheapest commercial package that comes close is Magix Home Studio.

> Thanks,
> Max


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Badmuts]

"Max" > wrote in message
...
> Hello everyone, I am an amateur musician. My main instrument is the
> keyboard. I own a Yamaha So8 keyboard. I am looking for an inexpensive
> music editing and production software that records the actual sounds
> from the keyboard. The current program I am using is Cubase. Cubase is
> a MIDI program, it only records the key strokes and velocity and then
> converts it into a bad sounding midi file. Is there a good,
> inexpensive program that will record the actual sound from the
> keyboard (and other instruments, such as guitar, bass, strings, drums
> etc.), then allow me to master the sound(s) and eventually burn in
> into a CD? I have already used Audacity, and its not the kind of
> software I'm looking for.


Why not play back the recorded MIDI file through the keyboard and
record/master its sound through Audacity?
Is the audio out of your keyboard connected to your computer's line in?
What version of Cubase are you using, and on what computer?

[Keith Carlson]

"Max" > wrote in message
...
> Hello everyone, I am an amateur musician. My main instrument is the
> keyboard. I own a Yamaha So8 keyboard. I am looking for an inexpensive
> music editing and production software that records the actual sounds
> from the keyboard. The current program I am using is Cubase. Cubase is
> a MIDI program, it only records the key strokes and velocity and then
> converts it into a bad sounding midi file. Is there a good,
> inexpensive program that will record the actual sound from the
> keyboard (and other instruments, such as guitar, bass, strings, drums
> etc.), then allow me to master the sound(s) and eventually burn in
> into a CD? I have already used Audacity, and its not the kind of
> software I'm looking for.
>
> Thanks,
> Max

Hey Max,
Sorry, this isn't an answer but a question: Your needs sound fairly basic,
so I'm curious what Audacity is lacking for your use, or is there something
about the interface you just don't like.

[straightnut]

On Dec 18, 9:34 pm, "Keith Carlson"
> wrote:
> Hey Max,
> Sorry, this isn't an answer but a question: Your needs sound fairly basic,
> so I'm curious what Audacity is lacking for your use, or is there something
> about the interface you just don't like.

Just don't forget to download the VST enabler http://audacityteam.org/vst/
Kristal Audio Engine is free as well and supports up to 16 tracks and
VST and ASIO. Cooler interface. http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Maybe use Kristal as the multitrack/sequencer and Audacity as the
external editor.

Jeff

[straightnut]

On Dec 19, 12:33 pm, straightnut > wrote:

> Just don't forget to download the VST enablerhttp://audacityteam.org/vst/

But the VST graphics and parameters are then severely stripped down.
Not so in Kristal Audio Engine.
Jeff