Help me add synth sounds etc to my recordings!

[JimBobTTD]

Hello

I am feeling very creative right now and am on a musical journey. I would like to add some extra sounds to my recordings, such as strings, atmospheric noises etc. I suspect that the best way to do this is with a keyboard and a synth module, but I have no idea.

Here is my set-up:
Line6 Toneport ux2 to PC with Sonar Cakewalk.

I hear that the Toneport does not have MIDI in.

What I would really like is to buy a keyboard, hook it up to a 1u rack thingie which is then linked to my computer via the Toneport, which has XLR and 1/4" inputs. I have no major problems with using plug-ins, but this is really foreign territory for me.

Is this possible? How? Any idea for gear? Pref cheap, as I cannot play piano at all and this doesn't need to be all that flash.

Thanks!

Edited June 7, 2011 by JimBobTTD

[Mornats]

I use an m-audio keyrig 49 midi keyboard (£85 or so from www.dv247.com) and Komplete 7 Elements (£40 from www.decks.co.uk) for synth (and loads of other sounds). The keyboard plugs into your computer via USB and Komplete runs from your DAW. Best bang per buck imo. Is this setup in your price range? I can provide more info if needed, just yell!

[Mornats]

I wrote that first reply on my iphone but I'm on my PC now so can say a bit more

If you go with Komplete, try and get Komplete 7 Elements rather than Komplete Elements. The "7" version has a LOT more sounds include the best of Absynth which is a great collection of atmospheric sounds. Decks.co.uk are selling it at £40 (it used to retail at £80 ish) and it's a much better pack than the newer "non-7" version. Plus you get a €50 voucher to spend in the Native Instruments online store (I used it as part payment towards Session Strings, a pretty good orchestra plugin which costs €100). Actually now that I think about it, they do a free version of Komplete so you can try it out: grab the Kontakt 4 player (and the others too whilst you're at it) from here [url="http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/?category=1339"]http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/pro.../?category=1339[/url].

I'll have to check whether there are any decent strings in Komplete 7 Elements but it has more than enough sounds to get really creative and is an absolute bargain. If the free Kontakt 4 player works in Cakewalk (which it should) then Komplete will too.

You can get cheaper keyboards, for example there's an Akai one that costs £40 but it only has 25 keys. Enough to have a play but someone advised me to get a 49 key keyboard (and recommended the keyrig 49) and the extra octaves available are worth it as it makes it much easier to play stuff.

If I can get a recording done using the gear I mentioned I'll post it up so you can get an idea of what it all can do. Hope this helps!

[Prosebass]

If you are not used to using midi and are not competent with a keyboard I would suggest using samples and loops.
Reaper is a great program for combining audio from your bass with loops and samples and you can use a keyboard and midi with it
if you decide to go that way.
It can be downloaded (full version) and used for 30 days evaluation for free so nothing to lose. There are many free download sites
for loops rather than buying commercial CD's / DVD's

[url="http://www.reaper.fm/"]Reaper[/url]
[url="http://www.looperman.com/"]Looperman[/url]

Edited June 8, 2011 by Prosebass

[JimBobTTD]

[quote name='Mornats' post='1260351' date='Jun 7 2011, 10:50 PM']I wrote that first reply on my iphone but I'm on my PC now so can say a bit more

If you go with Komplete, try and get Komplete 7 Elements rather than Komplete Elements. The "7" version has a LOT more sounds include the best of Absynth which is a great collection of atmospheric sounds. Decks.co.uk are selling it at £40 (it used to retail at £80 ish) and it's a much better pack than the newer "non-7" version. Plus you get a €50 voucher to spend in the Native Instruments online store (I used it as part payment towards Session Strings, a pretty good orchestra plugin which costs €100). Actually now that I think about it, they do a free version of Komplete so you can try it out: grab the Kontakt 4 player (and the others too whilst you're at it) from here [url="http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/?category=1339"]http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/pro.../?category=1339[/url].

[...][/quote]

Thanks! I have downloaded Kontakt from NI via the link you gave and have installed it inside Cakewalk. I have had a fiddle with the on-screen keyboard and it seems pretty much exactly what I was looking for! I shall have a look for the M-Audio keyboard you recommended and get cracking. Thanks for the tip!



[quote name='Prosebass' post='1260369' date='Jun 7 2011, 11:01 PM']If you are not used to using midi and are not competent with a keyboard I would suggest using samples and loops.
[...][/quote]

Thanks, but I want to learn and become competent. I have been using drum loops up until now and shall continue. Samples are all well and good, but they do not offer me the creative option of changing them.