marshal

Thank you Marius. I have heard that virtual instruments sound way more real than a keyboard/workstation. From the reviews i've read, it seems like you need a different softsynth for everything though. One for pianos, one for choir, etc. So with all of this plus a new computer with dual core and all that, i'd probably be looking at at least $3,000. Well, a keyboard/workstation is around $2400 anyway. so i suppose it's worth it. Then there's the learning curve. On another note, considering musical education, I have tried to read plenty of books, but there's always a point where i just lose what the author is saying and can't go any further. Part of this is because i've mostly attempted to read music theory for guitar, which is a difficult thing because of all the little nauances of a guitar. But i need to learn more theory so i can say "this chord plus this one is gonna sound scary" or something.

Hello everyone. First thing's first i'll say I'm a 26 yr old military member and my job prevents me from getting a proper musical education. i don't read or write music, but I understand music theory somewhat because i took band class from 4th-12th grade (trumpet and perc), and I've played guitar and bass religiously for the last 14 years (strictly composing my own pieces). Through the years i have messed around with 4-track recorders and keyboards and some muli-track software. I am currently using Pro Tools LE and i have produced some pretty good little songs with just a couple guitars and some samples i downloaded. i never had the cash to buy nice synths or anything. With that said, I am intersted in composing film-score type music, and i finally have the budget. However, i am isolated in a foriegn country, and i must rely on internet forums to learn what tools i need to compose. It would be a great thing if i could learn to write compositions for an orchestra or something, but i fear that will never happen because of my career, so i have made the decision to use mulit-track recording and perform all the pieces myself. Right now i am caught in between the war of softsynths (Garritan personal orchestra, etc) and hardware keyboards (korg, roland). no amount of online research i do can supplement experience or personal instruction, which i do not have the privilage of. My questions would be: Should i get a keyboard/workstation, or go the softsyth/sampler midi route? Is there a way for me to take music writing courses online? How does a musical mind that is isolated from the rest of the world educated himself and record a complete composition with brass/woodwinds/strings/chior/gutiars/etc.? , and say "here ya go, listen to this, i made this in my house all by myself".