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Subject:VSTi's and other newbie stuff...help please
Posted by: ericj
Date:9/24/2002 8:15:31 PM

I would like to point out that in the field of MIDI, I am a total newbie. I don't own any MIDI equipment and maybe you can help me understand a few topics.

I use Acid (and Forge) to remix music. So I typically use the .wav files, edit out beats, intros, outros, etc. and mix them all up with Acid...they sound pretty cool.

So what's this VSTi stuff everyone talks about? Does Acid support it? Why would I use it? I've gone to http://www.silverspike.com/FAQ/faq.html and it doesn't mention anything about the Sonic Foundry family (just competitors) so what's up? Is it a technology or a vendor?

If someone has a fantastic website that I can learn about VSTi and why I would want to go out and buy (for example) VSTi and/or a midi drum machine or sequencer or something of that nature, that would be a huge help.

I find my mixes work very well. But if there is something that VSTi can offer or midi equipment can do for me then maybe I will invest. I am NOT a musician...I am an ex-dj who just has a great ear for beatmatching songs, scratching, and remixing music using the acappellas, dubs, extended mixes, etc. that 12" and cds provide.

-Eric

Subject:RE: VSTi's and other newbie stuff...help please
Reply by: AlDavis
Date:9/24/2002 11:18:28 PM

Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is a Steinberg trademark.
http://www.steinberg.net/en/?sid=0

VSTi's are instruments you can buy that interface with Cubase. Cubase is Steinberg's professional audio/midi sequencer: Cubase VST.

Many companies sell VSTi's. Native Instruments is a popular company with great vsti synthesis. Even Fruity Loops 3.56 is a VSTi. VST/VSTi is a Steinberg thing regarding their professtion audio systems. Now Acid supports VSTi.

VSTi's are plug-ins: drum kits, keyboards synths, and etc. VSTis are cheap and many of them sounds good. If you don't want to spend the money on a professional keyboard synthesis, VSTi is the way to go. Download demos first to get the feel of many VSTi's. I think that you can even download Cubase as a demo, but remember one thing......you will still need does Acid loops!

Here are some helpful links: http://forum.cubase.net/cgi-bin/cubase.net/Ultimate.cgi

http://www.steinberg.net/en/ps/community/world_of_vst/index.php?sid=0

http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?reaktortut_us




Subject:RE: VSTi's and other newbie stuff...help please
Reply by: PBSound
Date:9/25/2002 6:01:12 AM

Major benefit of virtual instruments is the ability to create your own loops without the need to look through tons of loop libraries or have the original ‘real’ instruments. The sounds generated from these things can range from pure crap to near exact replicas. Many of the really good sounding ones are sample based however, working rather like that of creative sound font.

A good place to start looking at Vstis is here: http://www.kvr-vst.com/index.php
Many of the instruments on this site have reviews with user ratings with links to the relevant developers so you can download demos. You don’t have to pay money to get a good idea of the quality of sound that can be generated take a look at the Triangle 2 here: http://www.rgcaudio.com/
It’s free.

Also here at the Tau: http://www.muon-software.com/
That’s free too.

And for something more advanced but still free here: http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/

I would download the demo from here: http://www.fruityloops.com/
To see just how easy it is to implement these instruments and start to create some individual loops for yourself. Have a go!

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