Subject:Impulse buying!

Posted by: John McCully

Date:12/7/2009 10:48:36 PM

Well, talk about impulse buying. Today I was walked into the Rockshop, Christchurch, New Zealand and later walked out with an Axiom Pro 61 midi keyboard and a box of software made by Native Instruments called Bandstand. Now I have the thing connected to my computer, the software installed, and I’ve downloaded the trial versions of Acid Pro 7 and Acid Music Studio 7.

I switch everything on, press a key on the keyboard and, believe it or not; I hear music!

Sweet. But really I have no idea what I’m doing. Must I read a manual or two? I’m a Vegas user from way back, I should add.

So my questions please folks:

(1) Did I do good with the keyboard and the Bandstand software?
(2) What else should I buy to get up and running composing soundtracks? (please don’t suggest hiring Thomas Newman. I can’t afford him, and anyway, he’s not available)
(3) Acid Pro or Music Studio? (I have the free trial of both installed but in the interests of saving time and effort which one should I work with?
(4) Should I purchase a training DVD and if so which one?
(5) Any other suggestions to help me become a rich and famous composer?

I would like to compose simple music for my video soundtracks. Right!
Pigs might fly.

Many thanks.

John

Subject:RE: Impulse buying!

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:12/8/2009 7:36:23 AM

> (1) Did I do good with the keyboard and the Bandstand software?

You done did good! Funny... my Axoim 61 arrived yesterday. You went for the Pro? Wow. I wasn't ready to spend that much but that is a sweet keyboard. I've been reading up on the HyperControl Technology in the Pro and it sounds like it might make life a lot easier to use with software.

I would strongly recommend that you watch the videos on M-Audio TV. It will show you how to get started using the keyboard and how to set it up for some popular DAW's. You can extrapolate how to set it up with ACID from that. YouTube is also another good site for how to videos although the quality is often questionable.

> (2) What else should I buy to get up and running composing soundtracks? (please don’t suggest hiring Thomas Newman. I can’t afford him, and anyway, he’s not available)

Iacobus and I wrote a book called Instant ACID which is still available at Amazon.com and other book sellers. It was based on ACID Pro 5 so many things have changed since then, including how to record MIDI but it still may give you a solid foundation on how to use ACID with virtual instruments.

ACID Pro comes with a few virtual instruments so I wouldn't buy anything else until you have explored all the extras that come with Pro if you decided to buy that. The VST Instruments page on my web site lists some good free VSTi's but I see that some of the links have broken so I'll have to go and update it a bit. (sorry)

> (3) Acid Pro or Music Studio? (I have the free trial of both installed but in the interests of saving time and effort which one should I work with?

While Studio has an impressive set of features for the price, if you have to ask, then I assume money is no object so of course, go for Pro. You're going to want the mixer and all the audio buses and metronome count off and stuff that's in Pro but not Studio. Here is the comparison but that doesn't include the extras which make Pro more desirable as well.

> (4) Should I purchase a training DVD and if so which one?

Yes, and Sony has the only current training DVD's that I know of. I am a big fan of training DVD's (of course I work for a training company, VASST, but that's part of the reason why I do training in the first place). Whenever I buy a new piece of software I buy training for it. I'm just a very "visual" learner and I learn a lot from just watching the trainer's workflow. (but that's just me) When I was writing the Instant ACID book I was so frustrated with trying to explain visual concepts with just static images. You really need motion and video training is the way to go for me.

> (5) Any other suggestions to help me become a rich and famous composer?

When you find a good answer to this question... let me know. ;-) (I'm neither rich nor famous so I don't qualify to answer) :(

~jr

Subject:RE: Impulse buying!

Reply by: John McCully

Date:12/8/2009 3:49:21 PM

Thanks, JohnnyRoy, for your response, much appreciated. I watched a video at M-Audio’s website about the Axiom pro 61 but the DAW used was Ableton Live (bundled with the keyboard wouldn’t you know). I’ve checked out the Axiom website and no mention anywhere that I can see of Acid Pro 7. I’m guessing that’s a commercial rather than a technical decision.

Is there a compelling reason I should go with Ableton Live (or Pro Tools) versus Acid Pro? In-as-much as I’m a Vegas user I figured the learning curve might be easier than going with one of the other DAW’s.

Yes, training video’s are a good thing. Way back what seems like 1000 years ago I purchased Spot’s Vegas traning set of 4 DVD’s and found them invaluable so I shall order the Sony set for Acid.

I guess I need a bunch of loops. Any suggestions?

Thanks again, JohnnyRoy, I’m glad you’re there.

Subject:RE: Impulse buying!

Reply by: Editguy43

Date:12/8/2009 5:05:59 PM

Hey JohnnyRoy, I think your famous I have watched you on VASST videos, and have learned much. Also you answer questions even send Emails to people who ask you (i am one who has recieved email from you) soooo you are kinda famous...

OH and on the subject I am hoping to get an axiom early next year, and upgrading my Acid studio to Acid PRO to match my Vegas PRO...

Thanks for all your hard work and question answering...

PaulB

Subject:RE: Impulse buying!

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:12/9/2009 3:10:47 AM

> Is there a compelling reason I should go with Ableton Live (or Pro Tools) versus Acid Pro? In-as-much as I’m a Vegas user I figured the learning curve might be easier than going with one of the other DAW’s.

No not really. Abelton Live is a whole other animal. It's very interesting that M-Audio chose to bundle it because it's very non-conventional. I had gotten an older copy with my M-Audio Radium 49 keyboard and I watched all the tutorials and I just didn't like the workflow. I now have a lite version of 6 with my Axiom 61 and I might take a day and see what's new just to understand what they offer but for me ACID is still my preferred workflow.

The advantage of learning Windows or a Mac is that all applications behave the same. You learn how to interact with one, and you can pretty much interact with them all. Then Abelton comes along and decides that they are not going to adhere to the standard and force you to learn an entirely new way to interact. So none of the visual cues mean anything to you with Live. It's like learning a brand new PC. There are little tiny triangles all over the place that mean different things and darned if I'm going to take the time to learn their hieroglyphics just to use their application. (just my personal beef) So there is a huge learning curve with Ableton Live but some people like it.

Pro Tools is nice to know if you work with studios or other musicians that use it. The problem with Pro Tools is they are non-standard. They use their own proprietary plug-in technology (RTAS) and I loath companies that are proprietary because I don't want to get locked into their little world. I prefer using a DAW that supports VST/VSTi which is the industry standard. The Pro Tools advantage is in their hardware. Great stuff for building a studio that just works.

For a Vegas user, ACID is simple to understand. It uses the same track layout, the same bus stricture (although you have more capabilities in ACID than Vegas) the same plug-ins, etc. It's just a familiar place to start with. You will feel right at home although some things behave a little different than Vegas.

> I guess I need a bunch of loops. Any suggestions?

This is very important. The broader your loop library the broader your palate of sounds to choose from. I recommend that you choose loops based on the music you want to make. I don't do any techno/trace stuff so I stay away from those loops. I have primarily rock loops and orchestral loops for video work (Metarock Visions, Essential Sounds I, Rudy Sarzo Bass, Cinemascape, Cinematix I & II, Orchestral 1, 2, 3, & 4). One of the best drum libraries I've found is Pro Drum Works Volume 1 by SmartLoops. They are very well laid out and very complete.

Watch the training DVD's from Sony and you'll learn a lot. Gary Rebholz is an excellent trainer (and a heck of a nice guy... I see him every year at NAB).

~jr

Subject:RE: Impulse buying!

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:12/9/2009 3:12:17 AM

> soooo you are kinda famous...

Thanks Paul. I'll take "kinda famous"... now if I could only figure out how to get "kinda rich" lol.

~jr