Musos: What software for recording music (MIDI), with features ++ ?

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Batman

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#205172 1-Nov-2016 19:13

Hi any musicians out there? I see a lot of one man bands on youtube, eg the late Christina Grimmie, who connects a MIDI (I presume) device to laptop (I use Windows 10 laptop) and produces a recording.

I'd like an easy to use software, that hopefully also generates music scores/sheet from playing on the piano so my son can read and play.

Thanks

shk292

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#1662205 1-Nov-2016 19:14

The one I have dabbled with is Cakewalk. Quite good for arranging parts, controlling virtual instrumets etc. I have never interfaced to a midi keyboard but I'm 99% sure it can do this

BurningBeard

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#1662453 2-Nov-2016 08:44

shk292:

The one I have dabbled with is Cakewalk. Quite good for arranging parts, controlling virtual instrumets etc. I have never interfaced to a midi keyboard but I'm 99% sure it can do this

Cubase here, and 99% sure it does that too.

My very metal Doctor Who theme

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#1662480 2-Nov-2016 09:30

Do these software generate music scores/sheet from what you play? If not anyone know which is a good one?

DravidDavid

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#1662698 2-Nov-2016 13:55

joker97:

Do these software generate music scores/sheet from what you play? If not anyone know which is a good one?

I regularly run a midi keyboard with Cubase. I mainly use Cubase for orchestral mock-ups with samples rather than live instrument recording, although I do occasionally hook up my guitar. If you want musical notation, Sibelius is the only option I can think of.

evnafets

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#1662724 2-Nov-2016 14:23

For another music notation option, take a look at Noteworthy Composer

While it is nowhere near as fully featured as Sibelius, it should be more than enough for the usage you described.

I never had much luck with playing the piano keyboard, and having it transcribe the notes. Having said that I haven't tried it in the last 10 years or so. I had a midi cable that plugged through to the joystick port, and I don't think my new computer has one of those...

Batman

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#1662733 2-Nov-2016 14:33

I bought a MIDI - USB cable ... hopefully that's all the cabling needed ... now looking for suitable software ...

DravidDavid

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#1664373 5-Nov-2016 19:42

joker97:

I bought a MIDI - USB cable ... hopefully that's all the cabling needed ... now looking for suitable software ...

So what are you doing exactly? What kind of music are you planning on producing?

Having only watched one of Christina's videos, it looks like she is using a keyboard with midi capabilities for recording the keystrokes in to the computer. I have a midi keyboard, which does not have any in built functionality for sounding like a piano, instead it's a keyboard platform to interface with samples stored within the computer.

If you're going the route I took, you're going to need a DAW and computer capable of running the samples of whichever instrument you decide to play. Depending on how far you want to go, it's a very demanding task.

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#1664382 5-Nov-2016 21:00

Haha I don't know what I want to achieve. Missus wants me to play a tune and have the computer produce music sheet for the son to play.

In terms of producing ... well ... I don't think I'm going to be a youtube star, just fooling around :)

DravidDavid

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#1664385 5-Nov-2016 21:21

joker97:

Haha I don't know what I want to achieve. Missus wants me to play a tune and have the computer produce music sheet for the son to play.

In terms of producing ... well ... I don't think I'm going to be a youtube star, just fooling around :)

Cool! YouTube stars never anticipate it.

Start with: http://www.reaper.fm/
And an entry level midi keyboard: http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instruments/pa-pro-audio-dj-equipment/computer-recording/auction-1193236535.htm

You can find free VSTs all over the internet to start playing around with and then move in to more complicated stuff if you like it. That midi keyboard is all you need to start mocking up a 100 piece orchestra or complete with Deadmau5, so the sky is the limit.

Sibelius is quite expensive, so I'd start with MuseScore. Added bonus is that it accepts midi input out of the box too: https://musescore.org/

Have fun, post results!

casmanz

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#1674771 21-Nov-2016 08:18

" I have used "Powertracks" for a while. Its fairly easy to use and functional It is now renamed "Realtracks" and also bundled with "Band in the Box". These latest versions are fill of great features and options.

Check it out on-line

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#1674948 21-Nov-2016 13:20

Also any cool free ios apps?