Baydon
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Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
Hi there :)
I am trying to learn how to use Studio Instruments. I read the documentation PDF and it referred to online help. How do I access the online help?
Recently installed MC6 and am trying to get used to it also. I like what I see but it is very different and I have a lot of figuring out to do :)
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 07:52:41
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My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 10:33:51
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Sorry about that .. so embarassing! My system gave me a not responding message when I hit post and restarted .. I assumed it had not gone through so I did it over.
The same thing happened the second time but I ignored the message and it completed! I saw I had two threads but could not find a way to delete one of them.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 12:51:13
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no problem.... once posted as a new thread or a post in a thread they are not removable by us. the mods can delete them but generally will not unless they are offensive or spam.
what you can do is edit the post and comment something like (post removed - duplicate) or something like that....
but hey, no big deal. It happens to us all.
did the video's help answer your questions?
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 22:57:22
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I have picked up some very helpful knowledge by watching the videos but I am still not finding the online help referred to in my SI document (that came in the box version that is the same as the PDF).
In the "Welcome to Studio Instruments!" paragraph on page 2 the last line reads "Please see the online help for each instrument for additional information" .. no doubt it's my ignorance of the software but I have not been able to find how or where to pull up the online help for each instrument!
I will go and search Youtube as previously suggested.
I could also be making an assumption that the software does something I want it to do but doesn't, though it seems like it would.
I would like, for example, to click a sequence of drum pads, have SI remember the sequence and have it appear as a clip on a track. Similarly, I would like to play notes on the violin in SI Strings and have them end up as a clip on a track. Maybe ACT Learn button is what I need but I can't find instructions on how to use it.
Am I off track here? (pun intended, I'm am irrepressible punster, sometimes funny! :) )
Thanks for reading :) Any help is greatly appreciated.
FYI .. I was very productive and conversant in MC4, MC5 GUI seemed like a step backwards and I really only used it for a while 'cos I "had to" when I got my new PC, but, from what I have seen so far, I think I will become a big proponent for MC6 .. it is impressive when you start getting past overwhelming (and bank and patch withdrawals :) )
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57Gregy
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 23:29:42
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No, you can't create a MIDI track by playing the instruments; those are just for sampling the sounds.
You need to enter MIDI notes (data) in a MIDI track using your mouse in the Piano Roll view (PRV) or Staff view. Or record it in with a MIDI keyboard, controller or MIDI drum machine (which a MIDI keyboard/controller can be, too). That MIDI track would be output to Studio Instruments to hear it.
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 23:48:14
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That's what happens when we make assumptions. So where do I send suggestions for useful enhancements? :)
Thanks Greg.
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RobertB
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/07 23:53:06
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Baydon
I could also be making an assumption that the software does something I want it to do but doesn't, though it seems like it would.
I would like, for example, to click a sequence of drum pads, have SI remember the sequence and have it appear as a clip on a track. Similarly, I would like to play notes on the violin in SI Strings and have them end up as a clip on a track. Maybe ACT Learn button is what I need but I can't find instructions on how to use it.
As Greg mentioned, you can't record notes you play in the GUI. These trigger the synth output directly. As you may recall from MC4, for softsynths, you need to record to the MIDI source track. It may seem like you would want SI to remember sequences as you click on them, but in reality, you would spend more time getting rid of the ones you didn't really want to use. Drag the pattern(s) you want from the menu in SI to your MIDI track. For auditioning, the pattern grid is a nice tool. Drag the patterns from the menu to the Pattern Grid. Hit Play(in SI, not MC6). As the patterns play, you can bounce around and decide how you would like to arrange your variations. This allows you to experiment with patterns in a somewhat free form mode, without committing them to your project. When you have an idea of what you want to use, you can drag the appropriate patterns to your MIDI track. Once you get the hang of it, SI is super easy to work with. I put this together in less that half an hour, back when SI was introduced: http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=5511094 I think you'll have fun with it.
post edited by RobertB - 2012/02/07 23:56:56
My Soundclick Page SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/08 00:42:45
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Nice Jammin' Bob :) and thanks for help.
I was playing around with SI yesterday and started to build some decent tracks. I will get the hang of it. I like the Sound Center too.
Seems like I should be able to record anything that plays thru my soundcard .. like using stereo mix as recording device but I either don't have that option on this new PC or I haven't figured out how to do it yet. I am currently using the onboard sound card but I may have to get something else.
I have a birthday coming up on Thursday and I have my family chipping in to buy a midi keyboard. Then I will be able to do what I was hoping I could do with SI.
Oh, and eureka!! I found the online help for the SI .. hit F1 while in the SI kit! .. Duh :)
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RobertB
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/08 01:08:47
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Happy birthday! You're going to have fun with that keyboard. I love my controller. It's probably the single best addition I have made since I got into this.
The SI Strings play really nice with a keyboard/controller. And it's fun to pound out your own drum tracks.
Many of my songs have some soft synths parts played on the controller. If you get a chance, check out Khyber Pass9 on my Soundclick page. It is entirely softsynths, played live.
One thing you will find is that the built in sound card probably falls short when recording from your keyboard, because of latency. You can try the WASAPI driver mode, or possibly ASIO4All, but ultimately, you will probably want to get a decent interface. You don't need to get crazy, $100-200 will get you something functional. It's worth it, as your sound card/interface is the heart of your system, and everything else works around that.
My Soundclick Page SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/08 01:18:41
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I have a couple of PCI soundcards that always liked but my new PC only has PCI-e slots! The onboard is a Realtek HD Audio Manager and has exceeded my expectations so far, at least for playback .. I'm not thrilled with the recording, especially vocals.
Do you have any suggestions or preferences? Internal or external soundcard?
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RobertB
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/08 01:48:15
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Yeah, the onboard cards are fine for play back. They struggle with recording, and especially with the high demands that our software puts on them.
There are some decent USB interfaces, such as the Cakewalk UA25. I'm considering getting one of those to use with my laptop. There are others. Check Beagle's site for some options.
My personal preference is an internal card, just because my E-MU0404PCI has served me so well. They do have a PCIe version available ($119). The software that comes with it is a little tricky, but incredibly flexible.
It's a killer card for the money, but it doesn't have preamps, so if you need to record guitars or mics, you will need something in front of it. The Behringer Xenyx802 mixer($69) is a good choice for that.
If you have a firewire port, you have more options.
Do some research, and make sure what you get will serve your needs.
For me, as a one man shop, the 0404 is a perfect solution, but your needs may differ.
My Soundclick Page SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/08 07:47:37
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Baydon
Am I off track here? (pun intended, I'm am irrepressible irresponsible punster, sometimes funny unfunny ! :) )
FIXED Oh My..... we're in deep trouble here folks... Baydon meets BAPU.... it's only a matter of time before that happens.....
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/08 08:17:40
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Guitarhacker "strikes" again! :)
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Baydon
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Re:Online Documentation for Studio Instruments?
2012/02/11 15:10:45
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Funny how many times I find what I was looking for when I'm looking for something else! :)
I was googling to try to find out why I hear no sound from my speakers when I unplug my headphones. For some reason it takes several minutes before the speakers start to play????
I didn't find the answer to that but, in the process of looking, I found out how to enable my "stereo mix" recording option .. which helps me out with the problem of wanting to record from my SI synths.
I cannot, as was pointed out, record midi from the synth but with the stereo mix I can arm an audio track and record whatever I play in SI to an audio track.
Since I now have a midi keyboard it's sort of a non-issue anymore 'cos I can do what I want using the keyboard and record midi tracks.
Went to Beagles website as suggested and found a veritable fount of useful knowledge about all aspects of sound recording and equipment. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks to Beagle for putting it out there so newbies like me can begin to understand how it all works. Finding lots of great stuff poking around here on the forum too!
Thanks again for your help and suggestions .. Baydon
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