EMUSIC-L Digest Volume 63, Issue 12 This issue's topics: Building a studio How to buy a new synth (2 messages) Ideas for a Beginner INFORMATION FOR NOVICE NEW MEMBER Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! (8 messages) Questions, questions... (3 messages) Recomendations Midi Set Up Retrieving MIDI files via email? What should I get? (3 messages) Your EMUSIC-L Digest moderator is Joe McMahon . You may subscribe to EMUSIC-L by sending mail to listserv@american.edu with the line "SUB EMUSIC-L your name" as the text. The EMUSIC-L archive is a service of SunSite (sunsite.unc.edu) at the University of North Carolina. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 08:44:06 +0500 From: Simon.Weatherill@COAT.COM Subject: Building a studio I'm about to build a studio in my basement. I need strategies of soundproofing. My idea was to build a double wall, each made out of 2x4 studs separated by an inch or so. I'm not sure what to do with the ceiling. Can anyone recommend a book on building a studio? I need something that goes beyond explaining theory. Has anyone done this (I'm sure there's some out there)? Please respond personally - I'm not on the list (anymore). Thanks, Simon simon.weatherill@coat.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 15:46:07 +0200 From: BArt Motmans Subject: How to buy a new synth Hi, I'm about to buy a new synth. I need some good piano and organ sounds (for the band I play in), but also want to use the synth at home (so sound editing and sequencing capabilities are appreciated). I own an old DX7 (which I can trade in for +/- 600 $) and I do not own a PC/Mac/... (yet). And my budget is of course limited ... I've narrowed the field to the following synth's/sound modules : (with prices from Belgium and some comments from salesmen) - Proteus FX (885 U.S.$) -> ideal sound module, not much editing possibilities - Korg X3 (1970$, 1700$ for the rack version) -> a mediocre piano sound, very good organ (with 'leslie'), and of course a sequencer (but you can't read SMF disks generated on other equipment/PC ?) - Alesis QuadraSynth (1880$, 1280$ rack version) -> 76 keys, nice effects section, no sequencer (but no General Midi ?) - Roland JV-880 (1400 $ with one expansion board) -> very good piano sound, other sounds are more realistic than the X3, but less editing possibilities. I can buy a second-hand (3 weeks) X3/R for 1430$ (if it isn't sold already ...). Is this a good deal ? I also got the advice to keep the DX7 for another 5 or 10 years, because then the price will be around 1200$ (as with the analogue synth's nowadays). Or is this merely a wild guess ? Please email any comments/other propositions to Bart.Motmans@esat.kuleuven.ac.be (any extra information on the Alesis is also appreciated) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Apr 1994 21:22:55 -0500 From: John Perser Subject: Re: How to buy a new synth If your not really that concerned with getting the latest sounds or technology, used M1-s go for around $600+ based on condition. These are still great boards and like the DX-7 will continue to be around for a long time. I'd keep the DX-7 for as long as it lasts! ----------------------------------------------------------------- John Perser Manager/Audio Products Paradigm Simulation, Inc. email: jperser@paradigmsim.com PHONE: 214-960-2301 FAX: 214-960-2303 AudioWorks: Hear what you are missing ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Apr 1994 14:21:28 -0600 From: christine annette jackson Subject: Ideas for a Beginner I'm new to internet and to this discussion list so I'm not really sure what I'm doing yet as far as computers and equipment go... So... here goes. I have access to a Technics electric piano, model SXPR3, and a MAC LCIII and powerbook. This piano records internally to disk and has 8 track recording capabilities. It has about 30 (I'm guessing because I don't have it here in front of me) sounds with a variation on each sound. It has about 20 built drum tracks with intros, endings and interludes, but you can also create your own on 8 separate tracks. I know it has a MIDI connection but I haven't gotten back there to see exactly what it says. Now, I don't REALLY know what MIDI is or how to use it or how to hook this up to the computer or what I can do with it after it gets hooked up. All I know is that I have been able to create some stuff I really like but I feel limited and know that there are so many other possibilities; I just don't have the knowledge. Could someone out there help me by giving me some basic ideas to start out with? In the hopes of gaining some knowledge without sounding TOO stupid, Bambi ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 20:09:52 -0500 From: Tony Lessington Subject: INFORMATION FOR NOVICE NEW MEMBER Greetings to everyone on the EMUSIC network. My name is Tony Lessington and I am a fan of electronic music. I do not own any sophisticated type of equipment which some of you guys on the list talk about. I do plan to purchase a synthsizer in the future. I joined this list in order to find out some useful information from individuals who have acquired a vast amount of knowlege about electronic music. I am having difficulty sending mail to listserve, thus I am unable to get the files located in the archives. I look forward to hearing from you guys on the net. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Apr 1994 21:54:18 -0500 From: Ross Warren Subject: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! First, thanks to those who have send replies to my "newbie" questions. Those responses have given me a whole new set of questions but now i am just a little bit more knowledgable(sp). Ok here is the deck of cards. You all threw these terms at me and i wasn't sure what they ment... So to start making music i will need a PC (got it), a sound card (Have it), A midi instrument(sort of have it) and some software... This is what i under stand sofar. But no to the point of the software do i need a sequencer program and a composition program or are there combinations, WHat? >From the responses and discussions on the list i have heard these Products thrown around and i am going to put them in categories to see if i'm right.. If i screww up, correct me... Software -------- Band in a Box Finale Music Time Cubase Musician CSound Calkwalk Pro and Apprentice Now are these Composition or Sequencer??? Also are there programs that will supply there own voices, becuse my keyboard isnt that good... MPU-401-----? No clue what this is.. Sounds like an interface but for what. Keyboards --------- Yamaha TG100.. Yamaha KP4410?? This I think is what i have. I know it is not too good but it will have to do for now. Sound Card --------- I have an old Sound Blaster but will be upgrading soon to Either a 16 bit Sound Blaster ( What does ASP or M?? mean) or a Wave Blaster.. Any other good suggestions... Also i think i must somhow get the sound from the keyboard to the Sound card so i need a midi connection. Is that the MPU-401??? This is a alot of questions, sorry. but i dream of making music and would some how like to start my ideas flowing. There is music in me. Help me get it out to share... Thanks for the help, and this all is in a FAQ just point me there.... Ross Warren SRW5475@siena.bitnet ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Apr 1994 22:03:17 -0500 From: HOMEYLEDIEU Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! "Software -------- Band in a Box Finale Music Time Cubase Musician CSound Calkwalk Pro and Apprentice Now are these Composition or Sequencer??? Also are there programs that will supply there own voices, becuse my keyboard isnt that good..." As far as I know, Finale is a musical notation generator, which is a kind of composition tool. Csound is definately a composition tool, using scripting as a means of generating sound and waveshapes. I am not sure about the others. As for the music in you, if you are frustrated with emusic, try the voice or other "organic" instruments for your creative catharsis. Emusic can make one...well...quite pissed off at times. Hope this helps, -HomeyLeDieu ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 09:05:39 +0100 From: "Steven D. Bramson" Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! Ross Warren wrote ... (preamble deleted) Software -------- Band in a Box Finale Music Time Cubase Musician CSound Calkwalk Pro and Apprentice Now are these Composition or Sequencer??? Also are there programs that will supply there own voices, becuse my keyboard isnt that good... MPU-401-----? No clue what this is.. Sounds like an interface but for what. Keyboards --------- Yamaha TG100.. Yamaha KP4410?? This I think is what i have. I know it is not too good but it will have to do for now. Sound Card --------- I have an old Sound Blaster but will be upgrading soon to Either a 16 bit Sound Blaster ( What does ASP or M?? mean) or a Wave Blaster.. Any other good suggestions... Also i think i must somhow get the sound from the keyboard to the Sound card so i need a midi connection. Is that the MPU-401??? ---------------- Well here goes my view Band In a Box - you give it a chord sequence (eg G G C G D7 C G G) and it makes a backing track. There are lots of example sequences in many song styles and some with tunes as well. If you want auto accompaniment while you play a tune this is what you need. Finale - an excellent score editing program. It is very expensive but can produce very good printed music. You can use it as a sequencer (see later) but that would be hard work. Music Time - don't know it. Cubase - having visited the MIDI and Electronics music show for three days last year, I came to the conclusion that this is the leading sequencer package in terms of features, in the UK at any rate (flames on?). A sequencer lets you record seperate tracks from your keyboard to make a song. You can cut and paste bits of music and correct mistakes easily and make loops for drum track etc. Cubase works on PC, Mac and Atari. The standard product has no musical notation. Cubase Score gives you notation but for quite a big price increase. Cubase Audio lets you use your hard disc as a multi track audio recorder. Musician - don't know it. CSound - a sort of cross between assembler, fortran, and a digital signal processor. A software synthesizer. Lets you create any sound you like by defining oscillators and modulators. Hard work but the software is free (available by anonymous ftp). CakeWalk - a popular sequencer with notation and a built in programming language. Csound will let you create new voices, the others (that I know about) will not. MPU-401 is THE standard PC MIDI interface. Most PC sound cards have an MPU-401 emulation that will usually work fine in Windows (you might have problems with Finale) but you'll need an extra conversion cable (not just a cable, it has opto isolators and other bits). Using a MIDI interface allows you to use you keyboard to get notes into a sequencer. Then the sequencer can play the music back either to a sound card or to a synthesizer or tone generator connected by MIDI. TG100, this is a tone generator but does not have a keyboard. It has a serial interface to let you connect to a PC serial interface. I would not recommend this type of connection. It has 28 voice polyphony (you can play 28 notes at once) and is 16 voice muti timbral (you can play 16 different voices at once). Upgrading your sound card will not improve your music production unless you get a card with wave table synthesis. A better sound card will improve your sample and playback so that Windows can go make a nicer sound when it goes "Da Da". The SoundBlaster (and most other sound cards) has FM synthesis which is plinkety plink rather than music. There is a brand new sound blaster out which has wave table synthesis. I can thouroughly recommend the Roland Sound Canvas range if you want additional voices. This is either a card which also includes a genuine MPU-401 interface or a tone generator which you connect to your PC with a MIDI cable. You'll need some speakers and maybe an amplifier or you can just pipe it through your Hi Fi. Hope this helps. Steven D Bramson Data Management Group JET Joint Undertaking Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 3EA United Kingdom E-mail sdb@jet.uk Voice 0235 465 013 Fax 0235 465 399 ------------------------------------------------------------------ JET is Europe's fusion research project Disclaimer: Any views expressed are mine and do not represent those of JET ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 11:40:27 GMT+0100 From: Johan Pater Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! > TG100, this is a tone generator but does not have a keyboard. It has a > serial interface to let you connect to a PC serial interface. I would not > recommend this type of connection. It has 28 voice polyphony (you can play > 28 notes at once) and is 16 voice muti timbral (you can play 16 different > voices at once). How much does this cost ?? > Upgrading your sound card will not improve your music production unless you > get a card with wave table synthesis. A better sound card will improve > your sample and playback so that Windows can go make a nicer sound when > it goes "Da Da". The SoundBlaster (and most other sound cards) has FM > synthesis which is plinkety plink rather than music. There is a brand new > sound blaster out which has wave table synthesis. This is i think the Soundblaster ASP...correct me if i'm wrong > I can thouroughly > recommend the Roland Sound Canvas range if you want additional voices. Yeah, but it's about $ 700 and for that you can buy a sampler(mono). > This is either a card which also includes a genuine MPU-401 interface or a > tone generator which you connect to your PC with a MIDI cable. You'll need > some speakers and maybe an amplifier or you can just pipe it through your > Hi Fi. It's a nice module but if you want some real sounds blowing out of your speakers you'll need some other module like a korg M3R or something like that. i'll be seeing ya Johan Pater ------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cetis | | Centre for Educational Technology, Innovation and Stafftraining | | at the 'Hogeschool Utrecht' University for Vocational Education | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | INTERNET : JPATER@CETIS.HUT.NL | PO-BOX 573 | | FAX : (+31) (0)30-368180 | 3500 AN UTRECHT | | PHONE : (+31) (0)30-308117 | THE NETHERLANDS (EUROPE)| ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 21:33:21 +1000 From: Suzanne Lawrence Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! >Ross Warren wrote ... (preamble deleted) > >Software >-------- >Band in a Box >Finale >Music Time >Cubase >Musician >CSound >Calkwalk Pro and Apprentice > >Now are these Composition or Sequencer??? >Also are there programs that will supply there own voices, becuse my >keyboard >isnt that good... > >MPU-401-----? No clue what this is.. Sounds like an interface but for what. > >Keyboards >--------- > >Well here goes my view > >Band In a Box - you give it a chord sequence (eg G G C G D7 C G G) and it >makes a backing track. There are lots of example sequences in many song >styles and some with tunes as well. If you want auto accompaniment while >you play a tune this is what you need. > >Finale - an excellent score editing program. It is very expensive but can >produce very good printed music. You can use it as a sequencer (see later) >but that would be hard work. > >Music Time - don't know it. > >Cubase - having visited the MIDI and Electronics music show for three days >last year, I came to the conclusion that this is the leading sequencer >package in terms of features, in the UK at any rate (flames on?). > >A sequencer lets you record seperate tracks from your keyboard to make a >song. You can cut and paste bits of music and correct mistakes easily and >make loops for drum track etc. > >Cubase works on PC, Mac and Atari. The standard product has no musical >notation. Cubase Score gives you notation but for quite a big price >increase. Cubase Audio lets you use your hard disc as a multi track audio >recorder. > > My advice is get hold of some demos Cubase is available via "ftp.mcc.ac.uk dir/pub/cubase/demos" and quite alot of other MIDI sequencers are available from around the net. I'm a Mac user so can't tell you where all the PC stuff is but I'm sure that someone here will. By the way Cubase (the standard version) does have notation but you cant print a score. Suzanne Lawrence ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 13:48:02 GMT+0100 From: Johan Pater Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! > My advice is get hold of some demos Cubase is available via "ftp.mcc.ac.uk > dir/pub/cubase/demos" and quite alot of other MIDI sequencers are available > from around the net. I'm a Mac user so can't tell you where all the PC > stuff is but I'm sure that someone here will. By the way Cubase (the > standard version) does have notation but you cant print a score. Got cubase ..... and Cakewalk Pro ..... Johan Pater ------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cetis | | Centre for Educational Technology, Innovation and Stafftraining | | at the 'Hogeschool Utrecht' University for Vocational Education | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | INTERNET : JPATER@CETIS.HUT.NL | PO-BOX 573 | | FAX : (+31) (0)30-368180 | 3500 AN UTRECHT | | PHONE : (+31) (0)30-308117 | THE NETHERLANDS (EUROPE)| ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 07:45:00 CST From: David Robin Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! Ross (et al) .... I am currently using a similar system: TG100 Band In A Box Encore 3 (for notation) Cakewalk for Windows (for sequencing) Since my electronic music education began in the mid 60's when electronic music was really tape manipulation, I am enjoying the capabilities of this little system tremendously! I am still amazed at what can be accomplished for so little relative cost. But of course my first computer music system was an Apple IIE (about $2700 with two 4-voice synthesizer cards ($500). It has all come a long way!! The TG100 is a good investment. First of all it eliminates the need for an additional MIDI interface card, and secondly, if and when you 'out grow' it, you can use it for a drum machine. Anyway, I think you're headed in the right direction. If I can help, let me know. David Robin ------------- Original Text >From SLawren @ SMTP (Suzanne Lawrence) {owner-emusic-l@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU}, on 4/7/94 9:33 PM: >Ross Warren wrote ... (preamble deleted) > >Software >-------- >Band in a Box >Finale >Music Time >Cubase >Musician >CSound >Calkwalk Pro and Apprentice > >Now are these Composition or Sequencer??? >Also are there programs that will supply there own voices, becuse my >keyboard >isnt that good... > >MPU-401-----? No clue what this is.. Sounds like an interface but for what. > >Keyboards >--------- > >Well here goes my view > >Band In a Box - you give it a chord sequence (eg G G C G D7 C G G) and it >makes a backing track. There are lots of example sequences in many song >styles and some with tunes as well. If you want auto accompaniment while >you play a tune this is what you need. > >Finale - an excellent score editing program. It is very expensive but can >produce very good printed music. You can use it as a sequencer (see later) >but that would be hard work. > >Music Time - don't know it. > >Cubase - having visited the MIDI and Electronics music show for three days >last year, I came to the conclusion that this is the leading sequencer >package in terms of features, in the UK at any rate (flames on?). > >A sequencer lets you record seperate tracks from your keyboard to make a >song. You can cut and paste bits of music and correct mistakes easily and >make loops for drum track etc. > >Cubase works on PC, Mac and Atari. The standard product has no musical >notation. Cubase Score gives you notation but for quite a big price >increase. Cubase Audio lets you use your hard disc as a multi track audio >recorder. > > My advice is get hold of some demos Cubase is available via "ftp.mcc.ac.uk dir/pub/cubase/demos" and quite alot of other MIDI sequencers are available from around the net. I'm a Mac user so can't tell you where all the PC stuff is but I'm sure that someone here will. By the way Cubase (the standard version) does have notation but you cant print a score. Suzanne Lawrence ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 12:14:09 -0400 From: Joe McMahon Subject: Re: Newbie Guy still has Questions!!!! I'd like, if I may ("You may NOT!"), to address Ross Warren's questions from a different angle. Ross, I believe, has a keyboard now (his Yamaha KP4410) and a computer (PC flavor). The intention here is to ... what? Record and play back multi-part compositions? Have a fake "back-up band" to play along with? Compose music at the keyboard and print it out? There are some pieces necessary in all of the configurations, and some which are necessary only in some. Given the keyboard and the computer, it's necessary to provide something which allows the two of them to talk to one another. This will be your MIDI interface. The MPU-401 is the original PC MIDI interface from Roland; it became a de-facto standard. Any card which emulates the MPU-401 should work fine with just about any commercial or shareware sequencer. A sound card is *not* required. Many sound cards nowadays have "MIDI interfaces"; not all of them follow the MPU-401 standard and thus do not work well with sequencers. In particular, the add-on to the original SoundBlaster was a real offender in this regard. It could support one-way MIDI traffic only; this meant that either the computer could talk to the keyboard, or the keyboard could talk to the computer, but not both at the same time. This made recording multi-track compositions nearly impossible, as you could either play back all the tracks or record a new one, but you could not play back the existing tracks and add a new one in real time. Steven D. Bramson notes: "MPU-401 is THE standard PC MIDI interface. Most PC sound cards have an MPU-401 emulation that will usually work fine in Windows (you might have problems with Finale) but you'll need an extra conversion cable (not just a cable, it has opto isolators and other bits)." >From what I'm hearing, it sounds as if the Yamaha TG-100 provides both a MIDI interface and a fairly capable synth together. The connection to the PC is done via the serial interface; this is not the MPU-401 standard, and SDB says that he "would not recommend this type of connection." (Guy Van Belle says the TG-100 is "a great machine" and likes the interfacing. David Robin also really likes his. Your mileage may vary.) SDB adds, "I can thoroughly recommend the Roland Sound Canvas range if you want additional voices. This is either a card which also includes a genuine MPU-401 interface or a tone generator which you connect to your PC with a MIDI cable." Johan Pater counters that the Sound Canvas is "about $ 700 and for that you can buy a sampler(mono). It's a nice module but if you want some real sounds blowing out of your speakers you'll need some other module like a korg M3R or something like that." Generally, though, beginners should stick to the MPU-401 stuff unless they're prepared to do some hacking to make sure everything works properly. We've covered the hardware aspects of MIDI communication with the PC. Now we need to look into how to make the PC understand what's coming across the interface. Sequencers provide the computer with a way of recording events very accurately and then spitting them back out with the same relative timing. This is all they really do. All of the business of "tracks", etc., is simply user interface stuff to make it simpler for you to keep the different musical lines straight. They allow you to manage the complex task of controlling multiple two-way communications between your computer and your synth(s). Some sequencer or another is probably your minimum requirement. Some sequencers understand DSP (digital signal processor) cards which allow them to record your music digitally onto disk. These sequencers tend to be more expensive, and the supporting hardware (large hard disks, DSP cards) generally isn't cheap either. However, you get flexible editing of your audio tracks with the clean sound of digital recording. In addition to sequencers, there are a number of other items available. Band in a Box and related programs allow you to provide a set of chords to the program, which will then automatically create a piano/bass/drums accompaniment and play it back. These are fun to play along with and can be a good way to practice. These are not sequencers and do not record what you are playing. They only create the backing tracks and play them. Notation software, such as Finale, essentially provides you with a high-quality (okay, that's open to debate) music typewriter and word processor. You can play stuff on the keyboard, get it into notation, and then clean up the notation. These programs generally don't provide much in the way of multi-part playback support, though they may support a large number of staves. They are very nice for a composer who wants to have music written out and playable by others. Synthesis software, such as csound and cmusic, allow you to actually compute every aspect of a musical piece and create an audio file to be played back either through a DSP (digital signal processor) board, or (shudder) the internal speaker. The programs are fascinating in that they allow you to specify everything in detail about how a sound is created, changes and evolves, but they require a lot of work and a lot of CPU time to produce results. They also require that your compositional philosophy fits together well with the idea of writing out everything beforehand and then hearing what it all sounds like after the performance is computed. This does, however, allow you to do nearly anything except for real-time control of your sounds. Addressing specific things, I have heard a lot of recommendations for Cakewalk (both the DOS and Windows versions) and Cubase (Windows version) as sequencers. Cubase has add-ons which give it hard-disk recording capabilities and notation (it has a notation view in the base product, but can't print this without the add-on). Suzanne Lawrence recommends getting hold of demo versions of sequencers and trying them out before committing. Ian Guy suggests Powertracks Pro for Windows users. It's cheap and has a limited notation printing facility. It supports the Gravis UltraSound card and, in his words, "it seems to do more than [I] would ever need." Ross has asked if all this is a FAQ. It is, but we have no organized resources with which to address it. Would you all be so kind as to help me put this PC basics one together? This discussion we're having should serve as a good start. Once we get the PC version done we can turn to the Mac one (or I'll take volunteers, if anyone wants to write it from scratch...) --- Joe M. ------------------------------------------------------------- "Team Metlay -- a street gang with synths." (D.A.C. Crowell) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 19:17:42 -0500 From: Jon Southwood Subject: Questions, questions... I have a few questions to ask the e-music gurus out there. First, I have an old Moog "Prodigy" and will soon acquire another Moog (I'm not sure what model) for free (this really nice guy doesn't use it said I could have it!). What I want to know is: What are my options for MIDI-fying these synths. I would like to know all options (especially the inexpensive ones!). Also, how expensive can it be to have them "fixed" so that they don't go out of tune all the time? Second, are there any good books on E.Q. theory and practice? (Actually, more on practice.) I'm really struggling with my sound, and I think my inability to E.Q. optimally is the problem. My E.Q. is in my Quadraverb, so it's anything from graphic to 5 or 3 band parametric. Any and all help would be appreciated! Lastly, has anyone heard the new Lexicon "Vortex"? My only exposure to it is its ads, which make it look VERY impressive. I would really appreciate hearing real musicians experiences with it. Thanks in advance. Jon Southwood jsouthwo@keller.clarke.edu ****************************************************************************** "I once played poker with a deck of tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died."-Steven Wright ****************************************************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Apr 1994 09:55:15 -0500 From: "J. Michael Roach" Subject: Re: Questions, questions... First of all, the EQ in the Quardaverb is designed as an effect, not as an equalizer. Many people fail to make this distinction. If you need to tailor your sound to match a particular room, or for feedback suppression purposes, that unit which you use is an equalizer. If you use a unit to add a little more bass to your guitar sound, that is simply an effect. Consider getting into a full-fledged EQ. Whether the unit is graphical or parametric will depend on your specific situation, and if you'll give us a little more info on it, we'll help you choose. For the most part, I recommend the Alesis MEQ-230 for its narrow bandwidth per frequency, but that might not be exactly what you need. Hope this helps a little, and don't forget to write again about your situation. Also, any other opinions on this one? J. Michael ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Apr 1994 21:57:27 -0500 From: Jon Southwood Subject: Re: Questions, questions... Hi guys, it's the one who posted the original question on EQs. I'm sorry I screwed up the distinction between EQ as EQ and EQ as effect...I didn't know. Anyway, here's my problem. I use the Quad for my guitar rig which consists of an ADA MP-1, the Quadraverb, and a Peavey KB-100 keyboard amp (I realize the amp situation isn't the best for guitar, but I also played keyboards in my band and on a _VERY_ tight budget.) What I need to know is not how to use the EQs (I know how to tweak them) but I need help in figuring out which bands to tweak (especially when it comes to those parametric EQs with moveable frequencies and changeable bandwidths). I hope that clears up the questions about my situation. Thanks for the response (and patience with us sonically-challenged individuals) J. Michael, hopefully you'll be able to help me now that you know the situation. Thanks again. ****************************************************************************** "I once played poker with a deck of tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died."-Steven Wright ****************************************************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Apr 1994 22:16:09 -0600 From: Roy Breiling Subject: Re: Recomendations Midi Set Up Any recommendations on equipment for using the Finale Music writing Program? I already have a Mac Classic and a Juno-1 keyboard and an Altech Midiface Lx. Is there anything else I need? Thanks. Roy ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 31 Mar 1994 12:43:38 CET From: Jack Latanowicz Subject: Re: Two Questions On Tue, 29 Mar 1994 14:25:14 EST Wade Culbreath said: Well, if You are on bitnet there is such thing as BITFTP. It allows You to send mail to it with requests and it FTPs for You sending it in netdata or uuencoded format. I can hand You the info about it if You want. There are also 'trickles' working on similair way. It all depends if You are on bitnet. From Your address it seems You are..but I'm not sure... Jack L. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jack Latanowicz tel/fax Pl-(0-61) 798-202 Ul.Porzeczkowa 27 jack@plpuam11 or smile@plpuam11 (bitnet) 61-306 Poznan jack@vm.amu.edu.pl or smile@vm.amu.edu.pl (internet) POLAND "'Dancing barefoot' - Patti Smith..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 14:41:36 EST From: Samuel Vivas Subject: Hi, my name is Samuel Vivas, I'm a musician. I'm interested in buying a keyboard (Proteus, Kurzweil, or Korg 01w). Which one do you recommend me to buy? I have a computer too, but I can't find the ports for it, I have the Master Trax card, where can I get them?? Thanks very much for your help, I really appreciate it. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 20:01:16 -0400 From: Joe McMahon Subject: >Hi, my name is Samuel Vivas, I'm a musician. I'm interested in buying a >keyboard (Proteus, Kurzweil, or Korg 01w). Which one do you recommend me >to buy? I have a computer too, but I can't find the ports for it, I have the >Master Trax card, where can I get them?? Thanks very much for your help, >I really appreciate it. First, I'm sending you (separately) a copy of the "buying-the-first" document from the stjohn.gsfc.nasa.gov ftp site. It is a guide to helping you decide what keyboard would be best for you to buy. Given that we don't know your musical goals or style, it's difficult to make a recommendation. All of the above are reasonable machines. The Proteus is a module and not a keyboard, of course, so it would be less useful to you if you want to play your own stuf as well as play back existing sequences. As a side comment, if you're simply looking to use traditional-style instruments and are not concerned about being able to do a lot of voice programming, you may also want to look at the Alesis Quadrasynth. It has quite a bit more polyphony than the other machines you mentioned, allowing you to orchestrate more densely. What kind of a computer do you have? If it's a Mac, the answer is one thing; if it's a PC then it's another. The answers are quite different. --- Joe M. ----------------------------------------- "It's delightfully stupid." - N. Rothwell ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Apr 1994 16:09:22 -0500 From: John Perser Subject: If your interested in a sampling keyboard the higher end Kurzweil is a good choice. It depends on the kind of music you want to play. I prefer the Korgs. The 01w has some incredible sounds in it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- John Perser Manager/Audio Products Paradigm Simulation, Inc. email: jperser@paradigmsim.com PHONE: 214-960-2301 FAX: 214-960-2303 AudioWorks: Hear what you are missing ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of the EMUSIC-L Digest ******************************