Greek2Me
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MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
I just had a a new computer built, and the chap who built it said the onboard Audigy card is AWESOME and advised that I try it before spending extra on a sound card. Problem is, without a sound card, my box currently has no midi input port.
Help me out here group... I'm currently using MC 2003. Would I be better off to 1) pick up the new MC3 MIDI pack (with USB midi interface cable) for around $50, or 2) buy ONLY a MIDI port for $20 and use my current MIDI cable and software , or 3) go ahead an find another soundcard ($50-60), bypass the onboard sound and continue with MC 2003?
Related to that topic, who has worked with MC3? Reviews? I haven't EVEN come close to the limitations of my current software yet. But my one frustration is the session drummer. It doesn't have much for my particular style (slow ballads) and I'm not a drummer, so even making my own rythyms doesn't help. I hear that MC3 has an improved session drummer (so the marketing literature says...) but don't know if the upgrade will be worth it or not for just some better looking interfaces and the same drummer package. Would anybody out there recommend the upgrade, or stay put and learn to use what I have?
Not lookin to sink a fortune into it, not mixing professional or anything, but would like to get the best sound for my buck. Thanks for your imput.
Thanks
RMc
Ginoskein auton kai gnoridzo auton, touto ho skopos moi To know Him, and to make Him known, this my goal.
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Beagle
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/15 19:45:21
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RMc, it really depends on how much you want to invest in your recording. My first recommendation would be that you do NOT spend $50 - $60 on another sound card. $50 - $60 is in the range of sound cards that are not professional enough to get you the "bang for the buck" with recording. If you need to buy a new sound card and you want a MIDI interface on it, then I suggest you get an M-Audio 2496 or an EMU-0404. You can get either one for around $100. They are both great entry level sound cards and both have MIDI I/O ports.
If $100 is more than you want to spend on your recording, then I would suggest you look at whether you NEED the upgrade to MC3 or not. Your criteria above was the only reason you wanted to consider upgrading was due to the lack of flexibility with 2003's session drummer. I'm pretty sure, however, that MC3 does NOT come with Session Drummer. In fact, I don't think any of the latest version of CW products come with it anymore.
So if there is no other reason to upgrade from 2003 to MC3, and you don't want to spend $100 on a new sound card, then that leaves the $20 conversion cable. I spent $35 on mine, actually, and I purchased the M-audio UNO. works flawlessly.
happy recording!
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57Gregy
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/16 16:41:13
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You don't necessarily need the 2 DIN plug MIDI input, if your computer has a game port. You can get a MIDI to game port cable, which worked fine on my machine, but I later upgraded the sound card anyway, for faster response and better audio quality and drivers. Or you can get a MIDI to USB cable, but then run up against the limited bandwidth problem. But they'll both work without a new card, assuming it can handle MIDI in the first place (some don't). Greg
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bilbo
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/16 21:50:31
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I'm not familiar with the Audigy soundcard but if it's made by Creative Labs, I'd avoid it like the plague! Do yourself a favor, do it right the first time, and do it once - follow Dogs advice to purchase an Emu 0404 or an M-Audio 2496 - lots of positive buzz on the net concerning both products, virtually no latency (make sure you have an open PCI slot), exceptional value, all the I/O ports you're likely to need in the near future. I suggest you compare the performance specifications of the Audigy vs. the 2496 (or 0404) before you go the conversion cable route - why pay 20% of the cost of the 2496 for a conversion cable to use with a lower performance, limited functionality soundcard?
post edited by bilbo - 2006/07/30 22:16:03
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Robomusic
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/17 02:17:20
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One thing to bear in mind, if you are very limited on funds, use what you have, and can afford to get started, and have some fun. But remember that if this becomes a major hobby or even more be prepared to spend much more as it take some nice equipment to get high quality results.
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bilbo
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/17 07:36:17
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I was just paging through the Sweetwater Catalog (bible) and they have the Emu Proteus X VSTi/standalone with over 2GB of Emu presets bundled with their 0404 PCI card for $149. To me, this is a mindbending value - much better than the $99 PCI sound card recommended earlier - see, just like Robo suggests, where does it all end? So many cool toys and never enough dough! At least that's my situation! Ten years ago I spent about $1,100 on an integrated hybrid keyboard/synth from Emu and it only has 370 presets - it nearly caused a divorce as well! I could talk the wife into $149 for the bundle but I've run out of PCI slots.
post edited by bilbo - 2006/07/30 22:16:14
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Beagle
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/17 08:10:08
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That means you'd have to talk her into a new computer with more slots!!! 
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bilbo
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/17 08:30:22
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^ That's what I've been working on for about a year now - the old HP is getting really tired!
post edited by bilbo - 2006/07/30 22:16:25
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Robomusic
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/17 17:14:36
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That is a good deal, but i want the 1212M card or hey while i at it the 1820M, or maybe the new Presonus firestation. or ..............
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Greek2Me
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/18 23:33:43
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Thanks for all your great feedback! I will look into a better sound card, but it sounds like I'm going to be collecting pop cans to pay for it. "So many cool toys and never enough dough!" Ain't it the TRUTH!!!! But if MC3 has dropped the Session Drummer, does that mean I need to get something else (drum machine?) for drums? Like I said, I'm no drummer, and doing it via the keyboard makes the situation even worse. Best approach for drum tracks now? RMc
post edited by Greek2Me - 2006/07/18 23:51:44
Ginoskein auton kai gnoridzo auton, touto ho skopos moi To know Him, and to make Him known, this my goal.
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Beagle
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/19 09:18:58
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You can still use your Session Drummer from MC2 in MC3. Some folks have had a little trouble getting it to work, but if someone can't help you figure it out on the forums, CW tech support will help you get it to work (according to one report on one of the forums). Other than that...I use free MIDI loops from www.groovemonkee.com and www.smartloops.com I tried Jamstix, but I didn't like it. Robo will disagree with me on that one - he sings its praises! I've also heard that EZDrummer is really good and it will import loops from groovemonkee and others as well.
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Robomusic
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/19 15:15:46
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No Beag, i understand why some don't like JS, but if you work at it it gets easier, plus the mute brain button makes it just like any other drum module. Leaf drums is kinda like session drummer, and there is PC drummer a nice program
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Greek2Me
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RE: MIDI USB and MC3 upgrade... Reviews?
2006/07/21 17:23:18
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Robo: I HOPE "mute brain button" refers to a MIDI device, NOT the user. I have a feeling that is what some people do and then wonder why the program doesn't work!!!
Ginoskein auton kai gnoridzo auton, touto ho skopos moi To know Him, and to make Him known, this my goal.
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