wishface

18 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

Follow the link, and look at the Comparison Chart under 'Specifications'...

So it's a 30min demo.

I don't think that's going to work for me

5 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

My 'Google' brings up this ...

Reaktor Player ...

You said "30 minutes", I asked what you meant.

1 hour ago, Dad3353 said:

No, you'd need a free Reaktor Player, which will play 'em for 30 minutes.

what do you mean?

As I wait for Amazon to deliver a midi controller keyboard I hope won't be too difficult to use, I'd like to say thanks to peeps for responding in this thread. Reaper is pretty daunting and it's not free (it's always a shame IMO that stuff like this can't be more widely available as there's probably a lot of budding musicians out there), but it's fun to get back into trying to make some music again. Thanks very much.

Now all I have to do is learn to play jazz keyboards

Thanks.

Does Reaper run .ens files?

One question: what folder do i put VST instruments in? Some install by themselves others do not

THanks

9 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

I've been modestly using GuitarPro for some years, now. It's very good. What are you thinking of using it for, as it has many salient features..?

Writing songs I guess. I don't really know much about it, but being able to input tab parts for guitar seems reasonably sophisticated. Can you record audio into it? Is there any way to input parts real time, like Reaper can with for example a midi controller (or even a virtual keyboard which I notice Reaper has)?

Someone on reddit tipped me to guitarpro. Does anyone have any experience with that?

1 hour ago, Dad3353 said:

Here's a 'live' rehearsal of us (The Daub'z...). Un-zip the file, and open the .rpp file with Reaper, and play about with it.

Beds.rar 91.74 MB · 0 downloads

thanks

Where would I get some free decent plug ins for Reaper?

1 minute ago, NickD said:

That keeps coming up... It is, apart from an instrument, the one essential thing. Once you can get your sound, properly, into your computer, then you can choose what to do with it.

 

So i see, i will look into it. Thanks for the help

1 minute ago, NickD said:

It's got way more user friendly since the old days.

What do people use when they play with others over the interwebs? Or is that only something professionals do with thousands of pounds worth of gear?

7 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

Many of the answers to your questions, and others to come, are here, on the very Forum ...

Beginner's Guide To Home Recording...

I saw that thread, but it felt like more of an overview than something specific which is why i started this thread, thanks

3 minutes ago, NickD said:

They look it at first glance, but when you realise that you're using very little of the functionality to start with, it's not so tough. Plenty of tutorials for all DAWs on YouTube, just search the specific thing you're trying to do. By the time you need to learn something more complicated, you've been using it for a while and it's easier by then.

Without an interface first I think you'll struggle though, if you can't get the signal in there without latency, recording will be tough.

We'll have to see. I'm not even sure what I want to write in terms of songs. I can't play and don't own loads of instruemtns so it's likely going to be some synth bits and a bass line, with a silly pretentious title for the song

Just now, Dad3353 said:

If you've already been recording, even with latency, you can use the files created, pop them into Reaper and have a play around.

I don't, that was years and years ago on a completely different pc. Technology and time have long since moved on.

we'll see. I think i need to see if I can get on with Reaper first, these progams are awfully daunting

3 minutes ago, NickD said:

Cost depends on how many inputs and output you want usually, they're usually just plug and play with a usb.

If it's just you, one instrument at a time, There's things like the focusrite solo (which comes bundled with Ableton Lite Live), and my first interface, the Steinberg U12, which comes bundled with  with Cubase AI. Both for around 80-90 quid.

Just a bass really. I don't have any other instruments. Id abbled in midi many years ago but that was a completely different universe. I've no recollection of how it all works. The software wasn't legit and I no longer have it all anyway. Reaper looks pretty intimidating, i'll have to sit down and learn it i guess. Would rather play with people but that's not really an option right now of course.

thanks for the help

1 minute ago, Dad3353 said:

An interface will plug into a USB port. They cost, second-hand, from £10 to whatever, or new from around £50 or so. Just a second and I'll bring up a short list. It's better to get one with a MIDI port, for future use, I'd say. Back in a jiffy...

Thanks, i don't have a midi port though

5 minutes ago, Basinski said:

You need an interface - converting your analogue bass signal to digital. The Focusrite Scarlett is a great and low-cost model, they also do a single channel model called appropriately the Solo.

If you’re using a Mac, then you should have GarageBand. If not just download it from the AppStore.

I'm using windows/pc

1 minute ago, NickD said:

Usually, the way it's done is Instrument - Interface - DAW of your choice.

The Interface is usually connected via usb to the computer, and you plug your instrument into that, it acts as a analogue to digital converter, soundcard, pre-amp, etc, so your computer doesn't need to worry about it, no adjustments necessary. My laptop is pretty rubbish next to yours, but it doesn't need to be any better, because the input and monitoring are dealt with by the interface.

So i have to buy an audio interface of some kind? HOw do they connect then? How much do they cost?

Just now, NickD said:

There's your issue!

If you were using an audio interface, among other things that would effectively replace the soundcard.

Most audio interfaces come bundled with a DAW too. for example., Steinberg interfaces come with a version of Cubase.

 

I don't know what else I'd use? 

12 minutes ago, NickD said:

Latency is usually a property of the interface/monitoring situation, Your computer should be fine, it's better spec than mine. You say plugging your bass into the computer, how?

 

Into the line in mic socket, that's the only input i have to use

When i plug my bass into my computer and play there's a gap between me playing and me hearing what I'm playing. 

Also what sort of midi keyboard is suitable, for just inputting parts? USB? Anything specific I need to know?

Thanks

3 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

This will do nicely for quite a while, and will get you started; my PC was much lower spec than that in the beginning. I use Reaper as a DAW, which will work fine on such a machine, and costs nothing to trial. Pay for a license when you're ready, if you've found nothing better since. You'll need an interface, though, to plug the bass into. The Focusrite entry-level stuff has a very good reputation on this forum; there are others, but that one is a sure-fire bet.
A guitar is an option, but you may want to consider a mini keyboard, which offers many possibilities for composing backing stuff, with piano, organ or synth sounds from Vst instruments (there are many free ones that are more than useful...). Yes, such a keyboard plugs into a MIDI socket of an interface, but it's very easy to set up, so no fear of getting sucked down a rabbit hole.
Just my tuppence-worth; hope this helps. 

Thanks but what about the latency?