musica1
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Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
I just bought X1 essentials. The sounds of the acoustic instruments (bass, piano, etc.) aren't very good (need to know where I can get better ones). The program isn't user friendly despite that I've seen some of the beginner videos.
All I want is to put my midi files into the program so that I can record with good sounds.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
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timidi
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 09:18:38
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JClosed
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 09:34:40
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Well - to be honest.. A good sound library will cost a lot of money (apart from some nice -but a bit restricted- free library's). You cannot expect to get a top-of-the-range sound library with a essential piece of software.
As an example - for some good bass sounds you can use Spectrasonics Trilian. Here in the Netherlands that will cost you € 209,- I could give some more examples, but you get the picture. If you want better sounds you have to invest.
That said - if you upgrade to X1 producer, you get some nice synths like Dimension pro (the free add-on pack has some nice bass sounds), Rapture LE, Session drummer3, Z3TA+, Amber Piano and a lot more. That would get you go started on some decent level.
Bottom line - do not expect top-of-the-range stuff in a (relatively cheap) basic package. If you want more, you have to invest a little more...
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Chregg
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 10:26:13
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Kalle Rantaaho
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 11:21:38
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musica1
The program isn't user friendly despite that I've seen some of the beginner videos.
All I want is to put my midi files into the program so that I can record with good sounds.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
I hope you did not expect plug'n'play, because there are no capable DAWs that are p'n'p. If you've not used software like this before, it takes a few months to get the superficial grip of it provided you read the manual and do the tutorials, and a year or two to really get into it (unless you're a heavy user). What soft synth were you using? Like the guys said, you can't expect top notch sounds from a software as cheap as Essentials is. I take it it isn't the GS Wavetable synth, which is the weakest option. Depending on the quality you require 200-1000 dollars is what you'll need to update your soundsets. Upgrading to X1 Studio or Producer will give you some quite nice soft synths too, but the most realistic sounds require sample based sounds. If you choose to purchase quality stuff like Kontakt, do note, that in case you're using your onboard soundchip, it's a waste of money. In such a case first get yourself a proper soundcard.
SONAR PE 8.5.3, Asus P5B, 2,4 Ghz Dual Core, 4 Gb RAM, GF 7300, EMU 1820, Bluetube Pre - Kontakt4, Ozone, Addictive Drums, PSP Mixpack2, Melda Creative Pack, Melodyne Plugin etc. The benefit of being a middle aged amateur is the low number of years of frustration ahead of you.
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bapu
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 12:15:12
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Amour013
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 14:28:02
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+2.3987987236297 bapu
timidi
Kontact
+2.3987987236297
+4.7975974472594
John Amour Dell XPS 9000 / Intel Core i7 2.66GHz / 16GB RAM / 2x 1TB HDD / WIN 7 Pro x64 Sonar X2 Producer / Komplete 7 / Omnisphere / Trilian / Studio Drummer / Superior Drummer 2.3 / ReValver MK III.V Focusrite Saffire 6 USB / AT2035 Condenser Mic / Yamaha HS80M Monitors / Sony MDR-7506 Phones Novation Nocturn 49 Keyboard / Various Custom Dave Amour Guitars / Marcodi Harpejji G16
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sykodelic
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/04 14:30:33
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Asus P8P67 pro, I7 2600K, 8G Kingston Hyperflex, 2 1T WD Caviar Black(sytem,audio), 2T WD Caviar Black(samples), RME Multiface, Roland A500 Pro, Windows 7 Ultimate 64, Sonar X1C, Ableton Live 8, Reason 6, Komplete 7, DCAM Synth Squad, Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trillian
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:17:58
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Thanks!! MUCH appreciated!
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:23:30
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J If your tunes are done with Cake alone they're excellent! I play sax and my sound is excellent so I need a background to match. So were your tracks made with Sonar's sounds or what?
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:27:40
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timidi
Kontact
Ok, you're recommending a sound program, but all I need are good drums, bass and piano and maybe a few other sounds for "color". Is there a stripped down version?
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:35:10
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Kalle Rantaaho
musica1
The program isn't user friendly despite that I've seen some of the beginner videos.
All I want is to put my midi files into the program so that I can record with good sounds.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
I hope you did not expect plug'n'play, because there are no capable DAWs that are p'n'p.
If you've not used software like this before, it takes a few months to get the superficial grip of it provided you read the manual and do the tutorials, and a year or two to really get into it (unless you're a heavy user).
What soft synth were you using? Like the guys said, you can't expect top notch sounds from a software as cheap as Essentials is. I take it it isn't the GS Wavetable synth, which is the weakest option. Depending on the quality you require 200-1000 dollars is what you'll need to update your soundsets. Upgrading to X1 Studio or Producer will give you some quite nice soft synths too, but the most realistic sounds require sample based sounds.
If you choose to purchase quality stuff like Kontakt, do note, that in case you're using your onboard soundchip, it's a waste of money. In such a case first get yourself a proper soundcard.
------------------------------------------- I'm new to using this forum so bear with me if my reply is in the wrong place. I've been using a keyboard and the sounds are great for an older keyboard (Alesis QS plus piano). I thought I'd add soft sounds and bypass the hardware. So, first I want to see if I want to upgrade to a new DAW (so I bought X1) but it appears MUCH more difficult than their older versions. I might have to go with Ableton which I've heard is a much easier DAW. Maybe I shouldn't say that in this forum, but I'm so frustrated at this point! Thanks
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sykodelic
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:37:57
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A free sample player like Kore player and some sound packs
Asus P8P67 pro, I7 2600K, 8G Kingston Hyperflex, 2 1T WD Caviar Black(sytem,audio), 2T WD Caviar Black(samples), RME Multiface, Roland A500 Pro, Windows 7 Ultimate 64, Sonar X1C, Ableton Live 8, Reason 6, Komplete 7, DCAM Synth Squad, Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trillian
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:39:45
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Chregg
to the op http://www.camelaudio.com/AlchemyPlayer.php
-------------------------- Thanks! I'm listening now. They may work temporarily but all I need are sounds that are close to a live bass, piano and drums for starters. The reason is that I'm an acoustic sax player and wanted the sound of a small live band (maybe just a quartet sound) behind me when I'm playing.
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 00:41:49
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Kore Thanks for the info!
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kson
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 03:51:17
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If you have X1 Producer, you already have the startup sounds you are looking for. Just take a few moments to learn the software. It will be worth it. Start here - http://www.cakewalk.com/CakeTV/SONARU.aspx - and try to get a handle on it.
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 11:51:59
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Thanks Kson, but I have Sonar Essentials. Thought I'd try the Essentials
first to see how I'd like it. Didn't know there was a free demo version.
I didn't know there'd be such a huge leap between the older versions
of Cake but I thank you for the link. :)
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timidi
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 13:16:36
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musica1
timidi
Kontact
Ok, you're recommending a sound program, but all I need are good drums, bass and piano and maybe a few other sounds for "color". Is there a stripped down version?
If you want "good sounds", you need to have something that plays them (a program/VST). I'm not up on what is included with Essential, and, I don't know what your definition of "good" would be. Some think the "sounds" in Producer are "good" via Dimension Pro, Session Drummer and the included piano. I think they are Ok. I think they all use soundfonts. That's sort of like using MP3's as your source. For Piano, I still like the piano on my old JV1080 (hardware) . For drums I use lots of stuff, from hardware to VST's. I don't like the session drummer particularly. I actually don't "like" any of the drum VST's I've tried as I just can't get the nuance that I want. So, I do sort of a combo of loops, hardware and VSTs. For bass, I use a bass:) - or anything else that is lying around (synths, VSTs). Anyway, X1 producer probably has a lot more choices than Essential. And, Kontact would keep you busy:)
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konradh
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 13:23:32
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I think the upgrade to Producer would be worth it since you will get really good virtual drums, electric piano, acoustic piano, and bass--along with a pretty good string section and a couple of synths with a good library of sounds. Dimension Pro 9which comes with Producer) will do 95% of what most people need to produce a song.
As the others say, Kontakt will provide a huge library in relation to the cost.
By the way, your comments would also apply to other products like Garage Band: the generic version is fun but does not have a full complement of professional sounds.
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konradh
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 13:24:40
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timidi, I have a JV-1080 with four expansions: bass & drums, pop, orch I, and orch II. The JV is still my go-to unit for a lot of sounds.
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 23:22:17
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What soft synth were you using? Like the guys said, you can't expect top notch sounds from a software as cheap as What about the Garritan (not sure of the spelling)... orchestra sounds? Are they any good?
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/05 23:29:15
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I think you're right about the hardware sounds. I have
a sample of my work on Soundcloud and I really like it.
The problem is that it's a complicated system (my UNO
stopped working OR it could be the drivers or the jack in
the Alesis keyboard or the Mackie Mixer ... etc.) It's just
gotten to complicated to fix when things aren't working
right.
I thought "wire-free" would be less of a headache, but maybe
hardware really IS the way to go.. more modern equipment tho.
thx
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konradh
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/06 13:22:20
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Garritan makes a lot of stuff. The Garritan orchestra that is bundled with Dimension Pro in X1 is OK, in my opinion, but not great. If you are using it to sweeten a track a little, it's OK. I wouldn't put the strings out front or use them for a soundtrack. Maybe others on this forum know more about Garritan.
I have Vienna Symphonic Library and it is awesome but it is really expensive and not what you would call easy to use. If you are starting it, you probably need something that's quicker to get up and running. I can easily spend a whole day on a single violin part with Vienna.
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Rain
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/06 14:04:12
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sykodelic
A free sample player like Kore player and some sound packs
Wasn't Kore recently discontinued? Kontakt is still available though. If you decide do business with NI, Kontakt probably the most commonly supported sampler out there - and often the only option offered by sample libraries developers.
TCB - Tea, Cats, Books...
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travismc1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/06 15:35:30
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you can go 1 of two routes upgrade to a better edition of sonar or go to outside software.
I use Session Drummer 3 in Producer edition.... and then sculpt the sound using various plugins. I like adding a little 'verb to my snare but not always the rest... Producer Edition gives TRACK TEMPLATES which let me do that quickly and easily
Bass = I use dimension pro... again it's in producer edition but you can buy it from the software store separately.
Piano = TTS (which is just GM Midi) and start adding plug-ins to sweeten the sound to your own taste. I've used dimension pro. Although I did try the TrueSound Piano and it sounded really good to my ears...
If you want to experiment, load your junk sounds and play with step sequencer... it won't color the sound but it will give you some management over the midi aspect till you find what you like.
Warning about Ableton... DOWNLOAD DEMO 1st you may not like the fact that 3 soft synths can weigh it down... depending on your system specs.
Dell XPS Studio / Core I-7 920 / 8GB DDR-3/ Windows 7/ 2-1 Tb SATA hd. SONAR X3b Producer / Axiom49 (2nd Gen)/ Profire 2626 / ProTools 11 http://bigtstudio.com/
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konradh
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/07 10:06:37
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I have been giving this a lot of thought. I think your best deal is to upgrade to X1 Producer. You will get: - Excellent bass guitar (SI Bass) - Excellent elec piano (SI also) - Excellent drums (Session Drummer 3) - Pretty good strings (SI Strings) - Great Piano (True Piano Amber). Not the very best on the market (that's Ivory II) but plenty good enough for a record and I would not hesitate to use it. - Lots of instruments included with Dimension Pro: most are very good quality. If you added RealGuitar (MusicLab), you could do just about anything. (You can use the free Guitar Rig or the Pro Channel tube saturation with Dimension Pro elec guitars.) That said, Kontakt is great, but upgrading to Producer also gives you Pro Channel and other awesome features. Dollar for dollar it's hard to beat.
post edited by konradh - 2011/07/07 10:46:38
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Glyn Barnes
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/07 10:28:25
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Producer will give you the plenty of bang per buck and I would say this would be your first choice.
Komplete is big bucks, but you do get an awful lot for the money.
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musica1
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/08 02:08:50
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konradh
Garritan makes a lot of stuff. The Garritan orchestra that is bundled with Dimension Pro in X1 is OK, in my opinion, but not great. If you are using it to sweeten a track a little, it's OK. I wouldn't put the strings out front or use them for a soundtrack. Maybe others on this forum know more about Garritan.
I have Vienna Symphonic Library and it is awesome but it is really expensive and not what you would call easy to use. If you are starting it, you probably need something that's quicker to get up and running. I can easily spend a whole day on a single violin part with Vienna.
========= Thanks for the info. It's so easy to get lost in tweaking anything that takes creative energy, especially perfectionists. I worry that all my tunes will remain "rough drafts". ;-)
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konradh
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/08 11:26:13
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One other thing on Vienna: I love it but the support is not like what we're used to with other products. The forum is not very active. People there have tried to be helpful, but sometimes the advice is a little cryptic. I bought some tutorials but they have translation issues (although the author is an absolute expert). The manuals are only a few pages long. The biggest issue is that there are so many libraries and options, that few people have the same exact set of articulations which makes it difficult to share tricks, patches, files, etc. In short, Vienna is great but be ready to spend some serious money and invest a lot of time figuring it out. (Not hard to make sounds: hard to understand how to use the various articulations in realistic ways and take advantage of the matrices. Also, like many products, you have to understand the concept and terminology.) I have excellent wind instruments in some hardware synths/samples, so, really, I could have gone with Hollywood for strings, but I really wanted the solo strings which are awesome in Vienna. Putting a solo violin or cello out front in a track was only a dream before Vienna.
post edited by konradh - 2011/07/08 11:29:05
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Twigman
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Re:Beginner needs help (AND GOOD SOUNDS!)
2011/07/08 11:57:04
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konradh
I have been giving this a lot of thought. I think your best deal is to upgrade to X1 Producer. You will get:
- Excellent bass guitar (SI Bass)
Errr......I've messed a bit with SI bass guitar and IMHO it is far from excellent......are there multiple articulations in it or control over the release? I can't seem to find a way to change the articulations and generally it just tends to sound like a cheap midi organ.........
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