RO233

I have a very interesting problem on my hands. Here is the setup: I have: - Synthesizer - Weighted Keyboard-Controller - Surface Controller - Computer - Set of Speakers And it is connected togeher like this: Keyboard-Controller-->Synth-->Computer-->Speakers Now the problem is I want the Controller Surface to also control the Synth. Both the Keyboard Controller and the Surface Controller are MIDI based and as most of you know there is only 1 MIDI INPUT on any given Synth or device in general. NEW DIAGRAM (Keyboard-Controller + Surface Controller)-->Synth-->Computer-->Speakers I have tried having a simple volume controller (non-MIDI) hooked up to the Keyboard Controller, but then there is a time lag between when it fiddle with controls and when the Synthesizer responds (since it has to go through another device). Would splitting the MIDI cable work and have 2 MIDI devices hooked up to 1 MIDI INPUT port? Or will that cause chaos? I haven't bought the Surface Controller yet, so I can't try it out. Any help, advice or predictions to how this could work?

Hi GoldenLotus, I read over that thread really quick and it seems people are going between Finale and Sibelius quite a bit based on which they start off with. But here's the breakdown. Finale is a 'stronger' program, but Sibelius is a 'smarter' program. So what does this mean? This means it is somewhat personal preference with this difference: Finale is much more flexible and can do more than Sibelius when it comes down to the most COMPLICATED notation. I'm talking about writing abstract pieces and pieces that may break the boundaries of conventional music notation. It puts you in complete utter control of every aspect of your score, but that also means you'll have to learn every aspect of scoring (and the program) to use it to its full potential. If you want to do something completly illogical in a score, its not gonna do anything to stop you, you have all the tools! Sibelius is more like an automatic car. Sibelius has an amazing intelligence system that almost reads your mind. Take a bar drag it somewhere else, and it moves everything over and plops it in, no problem! Want to change keys or time signagtures, sure! It'll make sure everything re-arranges itself properly for you. So what can it not do? If you want to get into the nitty gritty of the notation and put in amazingly complicated scores, the program will be more stubborn than Finale. Sibelius is smart, and knows whats best for the most part... if you're illogical in your notation (on purpose) its gonna fuss. Hope this helps! PS: As for which version, these are two top of the line programs. The student version should not hinder you at all. It might possibly take some small things from Finale, but barely anything from Sibelius. PPS: I almost forgot. The biggest difference I've seen between Student Sibelius and Professional Sibelius, is that Professional comes with more publishing options and also the ability to print out 'student' exercises, as if you were a teacher.

Haha college life can suck for the first year! Cramped rooms and crazy roomates. Anywayz my answer to your question also depends on how much room you have and if you're a keyboard player or a piano player. If your room was like my first dorm and the amount of room you have is pretty much a desk, then you'll want a MIDI controller, like what was said before. Those can be pretty expensive, but if you just want the bare minimum to input chords then I recommend: The Creative Prodikeys keyboard. http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-70CF004000010-Prodikeys-Pc-midi/dp/B000E3E888/sr=8-1/qid=1157582720/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2713663-1298345?ie=UTF8&s=electronics This is a Keyboard/Keyboard meaning its both a computer keyboard with a musical keyboard attatched to the bottom that, when covered, acts like a wrist guard. This makes transitioning from your homework to music VERY simple and easy. I loved this keyboard when I didn't have room. And for only $50 its pretty good compared to a fancy MIDI controller that can easily hit $200. Now, if you have a lot more room than that, are a keybaord player, and still just want a bear minimum, just go for a cheap keyboard. It'll serve well in the long run. A cute little Yamaha or Casio, again as said prior to this post, will be fine. Finally, if you're a piano player, AND have room, I STRONGLY recommend not going down for anything less than a weighted keyboard/controller. A keyboard player vs a piano player are considerably more different than most people think because of the techniques and feel of each. I recommend a Yamaha P-series for the best sound. This option is a lot more longterm. So without knowing what you want your music future to be, this might just be completely too expensive and un-nessecary. So, I hoped this helped. Goodluck at college!

If you can find any type of recording program, and have a Creative sound card then you're set. Creative sound cards have a somewhat 'secret' recording option called 'What U Hear' from SB Live! and up. Its an option that most people, in my experience, do not know about. This is usually located in your regular sound options (the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar) but must be selected as a displayed option in the 'properties' menu under RECORDING. So what does this 'What U Hear' do for you? Basically, if you can hear your music: MIDI, MP3, WAV, or whatever the type through your speakers, then you can record it. Just set the computer to record from 'What U Hear' and open ANY recording program and you are set! This is an awesome way to record ANYTHING you find or create. Be it, opening videogame music, quotes you hear on YouTube or anything at all that comes out of your speakers. Its also a great way to record your MIDI into WAV. Its what I do with my music and it always comes out clear and professional sounding with no hiss or static. PS: If you use this option remember to uncheck or turn off all other recording options! Especially the 'microphone' option, which will cause a hiss in your recording.

Heh heh. Personally my top faves are Nobuo Uematsu (yes, videogames!), Yoko Kanno, John Williams, Holst, and George Gershwin. I have an interesting plethora of composers don't I?

I started composing in my 5th year of piano study, but don't let that fool you, I was the most stubborn, under-practiced, unappreciative student you'd ever find. So even though I was in my 5th year, I was on my 5th teacher, and probably a grade 1 or 2 in piano. My work was, like most have said, all black keys ^_^. After that I picked up a cheap little MIDI keyboard that could record about 6 tracks (5 + 1 drum track) and made my way up from there. Now I teach piano, some theory, and compose like a madman! Its never too early or too late to start.

Hi there everyone! This is pretty much my first post but this thread caught my attention because I am a starting videogame composer and bg fan of Nobuo Uematsu, composer of the Final Fantasy series. As for my two cents on this: I remember the first videogames around for the Nintendo like Bubble Bobble and The Adventure of Lo Lo, and have not played these games in years, but still remember their soundtracks (mostly because they only had 1 or 2 songs >.<) but they were hopelessly addictive! Fastforward to this day and age where people tend to appreciate more sophesticated scores and huge orchestras. I love these too, but when I go listen to a concert sometimes I can find myself drowning in long pieces that just lull me. Its times like that I miss the easy to remember, simplistic, and oh-so-addictive tunes of old videogames. Now, luckily, today I find that videogames like the Final Fantasy series, Xenogears, Chorno Trigger/Cross retain this simplistic kind of melody, but at the same time bring together a beautiful, but simple sort of complexity to it. There have been countless pieces from Final Fantasy when sounded simply amazing and that enlightened so much emotion in me but after hearing them, I was able to figure them out in 2 seconds on the keyboard. So I guess through these composers and games they have somehow found a world where simplicity and complexity live side by side. Like Nightscape said: These composers know what they're doing, do it well, and do it simple. I love videogame music ^_^.