All MIDI cables are the same.

EDIT: I don't know what a USB MIDI cable is...I assume you mean a MIDI cable for a MIDI keyboard that is powered by USB. In which case it's still just a regular MIDI cable, and those are all the same.

Oh okay, cause the only store around here has a MIDI cables that on the PC end are for a Joystick/Multimedia port. And my only soundcard doesnt even have one that works.

By the cable I mean one end having the IN/OUT and the other being USB.

Okay, that's what I thought you meant: a MIDI-USB conversion cable. And armhead is correct, MIDI is MIDI. It's a national (international?) standard.

Also, you mentioned using Cubase, and if you understand how to use that or any other sequencer, you'll pick up Pro-Tools with ease. In fact, it's a bit less complicated than other high-end sequencers like Digital Performer (which some people view as superior to Pro-Tools as it doesn't need proprietary hardware to run). For $250, it's definitely worth picking up. Especially since it's so easy to slave Reason to Pro-Tools via Rewire (which comes with Reason), which is exactly what I did for the track I submitted for this compilation.

That's cool, I'll start saving up for that then.

But how are the soundcard(s) that come with it? I have a bit of a small computer (Its not a tower).

if you're gonna invest on protools or cubase, i'd recomend building a box just for it, if you have an old computer. Cause you're really gonna need ram to work with everything smoothly, and some good processing isn't bad at all

That's cool, I'll start saving up for that then.

But how are the soundcard(s) that come with it? I have a bit of a small computer (Its not a tower).

I'm not quite sure I understand your question. First, how old is your computer and does it have any Firewire ports? If it has a Firewire port(s), I would recommend purchasing the M-Audio 410 interface and Pro-Tools M-Powered. If your computer only has USB ports, than I would first recommend purchasing a PCI Firewire card and installing that in your computer, than buy the 410 and Pro-Tools M-Powered. If you have no way of adding Firewire ports and can only use USB, than I would recommend purchasing the MBox 2 which comes packaged with Pro-Tools LE.

As for soundcards, if you're asking if Pro-Tools comes prepackaged with one, no, it doesn't. You can purchase PCI interface cards, also made by M-Audio, such as the Audiophile 2496, that will work just like the 410, only connected through the PCI slot instead of through a Firewire port. Of course, you sacrifice the portability of the 410 if you go that route. As for soundcards, I like the Soundblaster Audigy SE. It's a step up from basic soundcards and is fairly cheap.

All of the hardware I mentioned (410, Pro-Tools, MBox2, etc.) can be viewed and purchased here:

http://www.sweetwater.com

The Soundblaster Audigy SE card's specs can be viewed here:

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/pr ... duct=14257

I hope that helps. Good luck.

if you're gonna invest on protools or cubase, i'd recomend building a box just for it, if you have an old computer. Cause you're really gonna need ram to work with everything smoothly, and some good processing isn't bad at all

I would recommend no less than 512 MB of RAM, but you should really have at least 1 GB. Remember, you can never have enough RAM, especially when dealing with large file formats such as sequencer files. Also, a processor speed of at least 2.0 GHz should suffice, or at least 1.5 GHz if you have a dual core.

[Blazingmonga]

As interesting as this discussion is to me (and it is)...I think perhaps a new topic in the Musicians forum would be sensible for this, as it is getting a little bit off topic.

Just want to keep track of my HDAS project seen as it is in its crucial stages.

As interesting as this discussion is to me (and it is)...I think perhaps a new topic in the Musicians forum would be sensible for this, as it is getting a little bit off topic.

Just want to keep track of my HDAS project seen as it is in its crucial stages.

Sorry Monga


If I were more talented musically and had a good singing voice/screaming voice, I'd contribute

As interesting as this discussion is to me (and it is)...I think perhaps a new topic in the Musicians forum would be sensible for this, as it is getting a little bit off topic.

Just want to keep track of my HDAS project seen as it is in its crucial stages.

We did fly off on a tangent there, didn't we? Back to the subject at hand, has Terraformer submitted a finalized track to you yet?

there was a major power failure in my building on sunday that prevented me from continuing to work on my song version 2.0, and i had tests this week, but i'll continue to work on it and i'll try to finish ASAP so i won't get you late monga

[Blazingmonga]

As interesting as this discussion is to me (and it is)...I think perhaps a new topic in the Musicians forum would be sensible for this, as it is getting a little bit off topic.

Just want to keep track of my HDAS project seen as it is in its crucial stages.

We did fly off on a tangent there, didn't we? Back to the subject at hand, has Terraformer submitted a finalized track to you yet?

No, not yet. He has sent me two previews of the mix but no complete song yet. I will pester him again tonight. I really hope he does soon though, because then I can finally get this thing in shape.

As it stands I have a little over 55 minutes of music. Terraformer's track will be 5-10 minutes long. Once I get it I can get the final format of the album sorted and see what room I have to play with. That is when things really get exciting!

I did work on a sort of ambient sort of thing that I will use as an interlude also. I'm having way too much fun with my midi keyboard.

[Blazingmonga]

there was a major power failure in my building on sunday that prevented me from continuing to work on my song version 2.0, and i had tests this week, but i'll continue to work on it and i'll try to finish ASAP so i won't get you late monga

Oh dear, that sucks! Hope you got on OK in your tests at least!

And dont worry about it. 'ASAP' would be good, but as I already have a version of your track I can still continue to arrange the mix. If and when you send a better version it is very easy for me to swap them around with minimal fuss.

(Earworm did this the other day...he sent me a better mix of his track, and I just dropped it right in...yup).

if everything goes alright, it´s gonna start being done today. AND hopefully it´ll sound a lot better, cause i finally "discovered" the beauty of normalizing

[Blazingmonga]

if everything goes alright, it´s gonna start being done today. AND hopefully it´ll sound a lot better, cause i finally "discovered" the beauty of normalizing

Cool, sounds good. The more tricks up your sleeve, the better! Practice makes perfect...or near enough.

(Earworm did this the other day...he sent me a better mix of his track, and I just dropped it right in...yup).

cool man, i was wondering if you got that. thanks

[Blazingmonga]

Some small news and updates:

Now that the scrapbook idea is finished, my main project is once again the HDAS album. Which is cool!

1) Terraformer has finally given me an MP3 of his contribution. It is 5 minutes of extremely cool riffs and layers. An epic instrumental song very much influenced by Mr T (Thats Townsend, not that other dude).

2) I also finished one of the tracks that I will contribute. It is an 'ambient' sort of thing and seems to work really well as an intro to the Terraformer song.

3) Created a new slightly scary/silly intro that is much more sensible and effective than the previous one.

Things left for me to do:

1) Create/sample yet more ambience that is required for an interlude before Armheadmcgee's Canada cover on the marimba. It doesnt sound right going straight from metal to marimba. This will smooth things over somewhat.

2) Yanko, how is your re-recording going?

3) Finalise the track listings and credits.

4) Thats about it! Burn it to CD....!

Getting close. Cant wait for you guys to hear this.