Interesting to read other responses...
 
lots of old farts here, kinda like me.  I have a Berklee degree ('82) under my belt along with their audio and electronic curriculums.
I play "slow and easy"... kinda like Pink Floyd...so I don't need to sweep pick.  I stopped actual practicing years ago, and just enjoy playing and recording every day.  Play "smart...not Yngie"....is my motto.
 
I think it is important (at least to me) to stay up to date with computer recording and being a musician for most of my life (now 63) has given me the chops.  My Teac 3440 started the recording revolution in my life back in the mid 70's...and CD burning as soon as it was "affordable" in the 90's.  Sonar is sooooo deep, but I can use it like I was in a Studer equipped million dollar facility.  I love it nowadays.
 
So... there is no balancing act really. It just occurs. 
 

Zargg
http://www.m-audio.com/support/drivers-search (this assuming you are using Win 7 SP1 X64) 
(If on newer Windows, try installing driver in compatibility mode)
...
Try installing the drivers in the link I provided, and choose ASIO drivers.
If it does not help, give me a shout.
All the best.

Thanks ... on it just to make sure, but I think that it is on ASIO drivers.

The mechanical process of playing an instrument and using a DAW are fairly straightforward, even though they are learned in a very different manner. Developing skill on an instrument requires extensive practice, essentially building and expanding on muscle memory. The mechanics of configuring and using a DAW are very different and rely much more on understanding basic concepts and following known processes to accomplish a desired result.
 
The artistic side of playing an instrument and using a DAW are less about technique and more about feel. Musicians will often learn artistry through imitation, as if pledging themselves to a self-assigned apprenticeship to a master (or role model). In some cases, musicians may get the opportunity to study in person with someone who takes on that mentor role. For those who approach music from the DAW side (instead of as a musician first), it can be difficult to appreciate the degree of discipline, dedication and time required to develop those skills. In a similar way, when learning the art of mixing, recording engineers would typically spend many hours watching and learning an experienced engineer before getting a chance to sit at the board themselves. In the home recording world, aspiring engineers frequently blunder around until they find their mentor.  
 
In both cases, talent only goes so far. Real artistry requires dedication, effort and sacrifice. It's not for everyone. Some only want to be good enough to have some fun and there's nothing wrong with that. Many of those in the middle get frustrated with their inability to achieve the results they desire or with the time required to build their skills. They get so busy comparing their work with others, that it becomes a popularity contest. In my opinion, great artists can appreciate the artistry of others without feeling threatened by it. Art should be created to express the feelings, ideas and personality of the artist rather than to convince other people of the artist's greatness. 
 
This is a long-winded way of saying that real artistry takes time and hard work. One should be prepared to take a breath, have some patience, and learn everything one can from as many masters as possible.

Ubiquito usBubba ....WOW...excellent post
 
Thank you so much for sharing what you said . I got a lot out of it ...
 
Kenny

Great topic Kenny!
I started with the drums, vocals & harmonica...Did the bar band thing in my 20s and 30s.
Yes, I pay the harmonica while playing drums weird right?
 
I was always interested in recording.  I would record the band with a cassette recorder and two small condenser mikes from Radio Shack.  Some of those recordings actually sound OK! 
 
I did some work with my brother's band so I knew my way around a mixer. I actually ran sound for a few bands I was in WHILE playing the drums.  I had people in the audience that I trusted to tell me what I needed to do with the mix.
 
I decided to take guitar lessons and the teacher turned me on to Cakewalk.  I used his computer and Pro Audio 9 for a while, then bought a copy of Home Studio.  I was hooked.  I have never been much of a guitar player, but I can bang out some chords on Acoustic and Electric and have recently started doing bass as well.
 
I am lucky though, My nephew is a stellar guitar player and my brother is a really good bass player.  I can put down ideas and have them fill in the gaps (unless it is insanely easy to play!).
 
I always use live drums.  I mean I have three drum sets in my house right now and a small midi set as well...
I have never tried drum replacer.  I like trying to get that perfect drum sound, but have never succeeded.  My rooms are too small to get the ambience and I have never been very good at faking that.  Not sure you actually can.
 
 

kennywtelejazz
 
 
I'm curious to hear how folks around here balance all the different learning curves they encounter in their musical journey.
 How do you maintain your musical growth as a developing  Artist while you spend time getting better at learning and using your  DAW ? 
By all means , please feel free to discus any aspect of your personal music experience and how you have grown .
 
all the best ,
 
Kenny

Last quarter of the year I don't work much so thought I'd spend some time here in between some home projects;
 
I don't have many learning curves because my musical journey is that of an old man. I'm now living in a time where I really don't listen to music unless it's a blu-ray concert for relaxing/escape. 
I mean there is music around me...the radio etc. but it's really just background noise. Maybe once in a while I'll hear something because it caught my attention. Not like when music was a love and form of living...being a musician with musicians. Now I'm a guitarist that plays mostly to jam with tracks I create or backing tracks for "application" and it's all just to keep my fingers, brain and guitar working together while hoping I can play in my retirement years.
 
I have what is probably a "bad attitude" because I really don't care about keeping up with how the music world or marketing of it is going. It's not an attitude- it's that I just don't care what others are doing. Unlike when I was younger I'm now only interested in what I'm doing. 
 
With that said;
The learning curves- 
          The Guitar- application of new "things". Whether it be a new lick, theory application, or new exercises in general. Many ideas of things to practice "spurred" by jamming. That's what I love about jamming- when the conscious mind gets out of the way. Playing has taken a back seat to building guitars but they balance together very well.
          The DAW- Just not much to it. I handle it much like I did my guitar rig. A good guitar, amp and very few boxes. I think the most I ever used was 4/5. Volume pedal, distortion, Wah, Comp, Phase. - Vol./Dist mostly.
With me thinking that the most important part of recording is getting the sound right going in it doesn't take much more than "placement in the sound field" to have very acceptable results. Of course I'm not using the DAW for serious attempts and have no desire to do so. (and it takes more that panning for sound field placement as we know)
You can see it doesn't take much to learn or remember to record, edit and mix with Sonar. But I play instruments so I don't use many of it's "plastic" functions. ( a term the older ones will know what I mean lol) Mostly limited to Spectrasonics stuff. 
 
Personal Music Experience-
I don't spend much time with music now. I don't want to. I spent 20 years of my life 24/7 with a guitar in the music world. In '85 I got smart. Glad I did too. Fortunately I had enough time to secure a very comfortable retirement...if health permits, of course and so far, so good with that. Well, I can't eat Butterfingers when I want so that's kind of a bummer. - so looking back I can now say in response to your "how you've grown" as; I'm sure glad I grew away from the music scene when I did. A guitar to play and a way to hear it back is good enough for me. Nothing more needed or wanted.
 
All the best to you too Kenny,
Mike

mixmkr
Interesting to read other responses...
 
lots of old farts here, kinda like me.  I have a Berklee degree ('82) under my belt along with their audio and electronic curriculums.
I play "slow and easy"... kinda like Pink Floyd...so I don't need to sweep pick.  I stopped actual practicing years ago, and just enjoy playing and recording every day.  Play "smart...not Yngie"....is my motto.
 
I think it is important (at least to me) to stay up to date with computer recording and being a musician for most of my life (now 63) has given me the chops.  My Teac 3440 started the recording revolution in my life back in the mid 70's...and CD burning as soon as it was "affordable" in the 90's.  Sonar is sooooo deep, but I can use it like I was in a Studer equipped million dollar facility.  I love it nowadays.
 
So... there is no balancing act really. It just occurs. 

Hi mixmkr ,
 
Yes , like you ,  I have also found it to be very interesting to read other peoples responses in this thread. 
 
Sure , it may seem that a lot of the fellas (and gals ) around here are of an older end user demographic ....
I kinda think for those of us that are in that category age wise , we may have found that the way things are now have turned out to be a big plus for some of us ...
I fall into the camp of people that finds it mind boggling to see and know how far things have actually come when it comes to the home recording options I have now ...
 
I have watched a couple of your videos in the past good stuff .
 
all the best,
 
Kenny
 

patm300e
Great topic Kenny!
I started with the drums, vocals & harmonica...Did the bar band thing in my 20s and 30s.
Yes, I pay the harmonica while playing drums weird right?
 
I was always interested in recording.  I would record the band with a cassette recorder and two small condenser mikes from Radio Shack.  Some of those recordings actually sound OK! 
 
I did some work with my brother's band so I knew my way around a mixer. I actually ran sound for a few bands I was in WHILE playing the drums.  I had people in the audience that I trusted to tell me what I needed to do with the mix.
 
I decided to take guitar lessons and the teacher turned me on to Cakewalk.  I used his computer and Pro Audio 9 for a while, then bought a copy of Home Studio.  I was hooked.  I have never been much of a guitar player, but I can bang out some chords on Acoustic and Electric and have recently started doing bass as well.
 
I am lucky though, My nephew is a stellar guitar player and my brother is a really good bass player.  I can put down ideas and have them fill in the gaps (unless it is insanely easy to play!).
 
I always use live drums.  I mean I have three drum sets in my house right now and a small midi set as well...
I have never tried drum replacer.  I like trying to get that perfect drum sound, but have never succeeded.  My rooms are too small to get the ambience and I have never been very good at faking that.  Not sure you actually can.
 
 

Hi Pat ,
 
Thanks for sharing
Home Studio 2 was my first introduction to Cakewalk DAW's
Man ,you are one lucky guy since you get to always use real drums ...
I wish someday to go there ...apt life squashed that dream temporarily for the moment ...
Yes, I love the sound of Harp ...
I also play from time to time ...I ain't no Toots Thielman or Stevie Wonder but I can bend a mean note 
nice talking with you ,
 
Kenny
 

kennywtelejazz
Hi Pat ,
 Yes, I love the sound of Harp ...
I also play from time to time ...I ain't no Toots Thielman or Stevie Wonder but I can bend a mean note 

Yeah, I'm not that good either...But when Jimmy Buffet came to town we were tailgating and Margaritaville Tequila set up a booth with Karaoke (Jimmy Buffet tunes naturally!).  Me & my buddy went up and sang a couple.  When one of the song's harmonica part came up, I pulled out my special 20 and played it! 
They were impressed and gave me a T shirt! 
 
I also have a copy of the demo my old band recorded where I did a harmonica lead on Back Up Against the Wall (Atlanta Rhythm Section tune made popular by Travis Tritt).
 
Recording Engineer just used an SM-57 on the harmonica.  Sounds pretty good and since I don't have any special mikes for my harp, I use a 57.
 
 

Rain
When fingers bleed, switch from guitar to DAW. :P


I really wouldn't know. 
 
When I received my copy of Guitar Studio, back in 99, I sat down with the manual and read it from cover to cover twice before I installed the software.
 
At first, everything was centered around the guitar. Progressively though, my DAW and tools like Fruity Loops and the first few Virtual Instruments started taking more and more place. The guitar started gathering dust, and eventually, I ended up writing things that required no guitar at all. For years. So I guess I learned my DAW pretty well back then.
 
I shouldn't neglect to mention that I had reached a plateau on the guitar and had been stuck there for years - so it wasn't all that hard to focus on something else. Heck, the whole rock scene and guitar itself were in some weird place during that decade. 
 
When I switched to Logic, I didn't want to waste time figuring out things, so I read the manual, watched tutorials every chance I got and ordered advanced manuals. I became proficient very quickly. And by some strange coincidence, it's at that point that I finally got back to guitar, and methodically started working on improving my playing.
 
So now, I spend a lot more time on the guitar. And I feel comfortable enough with my DAW not to worry about it.
 
Mastering your DAW requires intense commitment for a certain amount of time - then you simply need to work with it regularly and  just stay on top of things. 
 
An instrument is a different story.
 
I remember reading that story about cellist Pablo Casals and how he still spent 4 or 5 hours practicing every day when he was in his 80's. When asked why, he answered "Because I think I am making progress." To me, that sums it up.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Music can be an obsession rather than a love.  Who's to say that's a bad thing?