100% rookie

     Brand new to Cakewalk and MC5. I have no clue how to start other than a couple of the video's that I've found links to. The vids seem to me that they are for users with a modicum of experience and I am far from that. I play guitar and bass and messed around with a keyboard a few times but that's it. I'm not sure what a midi is and how to use it. I don't know how to hook up my guitar to the computer or should I use my amp out for that or even if I should do that at all.  There might be something in the forums to help me but I haven't been able to find it. I don't have the full version of MC5 because I downloaded it from cakewalk rather that wait for the disc to come in the mail. I have been able to record a few things using the plug ins (drums and piano thing)  but that's about it.

 Here are the specs on my computer if that helps.

AMD Athalon 64 x2 dual core processor 4400+ 2.30 ghz
3.00 GB ram
32 bit vista os.
and a standard realtek hd sound card

   Any help would be greatly appreciated..........SnAg
                                                               

Start with the basics..... fisrt get MC5 installed and giving you sound before you dig into midi....

 Since you have the download... and you have it installed and recording some drums and piano.... sounds like midi.....

to hook up the guitar..... run straight into the soundcard input where you would plug in a mic...... ONLY use the amp IF it has a recording line level output...or use a direct box to lower the signals....or use a mic to record the amp.


I use a POD 2 straight into my audio interface.

Thank you everyone for the advice. I do have a balanced line out with a pre and post option on the back of my amp so I think I'll use that. Not tonight though because my wife would smack me. One other question for you though; on the virtual piano/keyboard, is there a way to bind the keys to the keys on my computer keyboard? Not the shortcuts but the sounds.

The guides at tweakheadz.com are an excellent way of getting the basic knowledge on everything concerning home recording. I warmly recommend.

And of course: Isn't reading the manual and doing the tutorials the first and most obvious step instead of randomly seeking videos or sundry links? I do admit, that the manuals could use a some updating, though.

'Cept that the expensive ones have touch sensitivity and record velocity and the like. But yes for getting simple tracks done any old Keyboard that ahs Midi or USb connectivity will do. 

Robomusic


'Cept that the expensive ones have touch sensitivity and record velocity and the like. But yes for getting simple tracks done any old Keyboard that ahs Midi or USb connectivity will do. 

See...that zackly what I was referring to when I said "relatively speaking...of course"   Rob knows.....

Snag,

Tweakheadz totally ROCKZ!!  it's one of the best resources out there!

C/M

the only thing that means is that you haven't registered Amplitube at IK Multimedia's website yet.

open the GUITAR track's FX bin by clicking on the little down arrow by the FX.  then double click on the AMPLITUBE FX.

it will open the Amplitube FX GUI, and a window will pop up over it telling you that you need to register and will give you the option of registering online.

Registering on the phone does not make it registered on YOUR computer, you need to enter the registration code into the plugin so that it will stop nagging you.

Oops, my mistake. I had to call to get the registration code. I did register it through my computer online. It was a different issue. I do have a different question though. I'm trying add a drum track by clicking on the add track button and then /instrument track/studio instruments/SI-drumkit and open the drums. I can play them by clicking on the separate drum or by clicking on the different samples. I cant get them to record though. I have both of the record buttons armed. What am I doing wrong?

Ok. That's pretty cool. Thanks Greg. I wonder though what the point is in having the drum thingy if you can't use it to record with?

SnAg


Ok. That's pretty cool. Thanks Greg. I wonder though what the point is in having the drum thingy if you can't use it to record with?

So you can hear what the samples sound like.
All soft synths need a MIDI input to make a sound; that could be a MIDI keyboard or controller going into a MIDI track that is output to a soft synth, or static note data in the Staff or PRV.
You can, for instance, open the SI Drums thing again, connect a keyboard or controller, and record a MIDI drum track and the drums will play as you play the keyboard. I mean the onscreen drum set.
And the controller that Cheeky Monkee mentioned is one inexpensive way to input MIDI data. The also have a drum controller for the same price, with 8 velocity-sensitive drum pads so you can play the soft synth drums with it.

Go to rayzoon.com and demo Jamstix you will love it. Over at Herb's ... er Guitarhacker's website he has some great info on how to use the thing and it rocks.

The saffire rocks...I have one too and totally love it.   I love that it has 8 outputs..... 2 got to my mackie studio monitors, 2 go to the stereo system which I generally use for headphones, and one goes to my sub ..... that still leaves a few more for whatever.....


it has super preamps for mic and guitar.... I use my POD2 and recently started using a software guitar rig as well.

SAffire..... money well spent

^ Saffire fan boys ^^