Hi, after lurking this part of the forum for a bit I've finally been inspired enough to attempt to lay down my own stuff - there's a lot of fantastic talent here, but I have no problems being the dunce of the class!

My question is this: at the moment I only have my semiacoustic, a mircrophone, and a sony vaio with cool edit pro and reason v2 installed. Mega-latency problems aside for now, can anyone suggest the best way to lay down beats, bass and synths with software?

Is Reason the best? Bare in mind I lack a midi controller at the moment unfortunately. And what do you prefer for multitrack recording? Cool Edit has been good to me in the past, but maybe there's something better.

Any tips are greatly appreciated. I've heard a lot of stuff from this forum. DreZone, JDODSON, Otan and Cloud9Mission vibes are personal fav's at the moment. As I've had to be content with just the acoustic for the last 4 months, my songs are a quite different sound obviously, but I believe they have essence of The One which is all that counts as far as I'm concerned! As soon as I get my latency sorted out I'll let you rip 'em to shreds!

I'm sincerely honoured that U like our stuff mags!

Currently on a break while doing a couple of gigs here in Milton Keynes, UK so I will make this a quickie...

I've been getting in2 Reason v2 for solely creating breaks recently and using Logic Audio for Audio-Midi sequencing. Un4tunately, Emagic no longer make updates for LA on the PC format but I know that Reason works well with CuBase via ReWire.

Reason is a very good start for laying down all that you want (and possibly need dependant on your own musical demands).

All the best, keep us all informed of your movements and if I can speak on behalf of the forum when, feel free to ask any questions, opinions and share with us your talent as we all loove 2 do in the same way!

'dre

Thanks a lot Dre' for your time! I do actually have the latest full version of Cubase (and ReWire) so maybe I should pluck up the courage and figure it out - I suspect that it might be the final straw as far as the latency thing is concerned but I'll give it a try especially because of the ReWire capability. Unfortunately until I get my desktop back I'll have to stick with the smallest of home studios!

Once things are sorted I'll humour the forum with my wares.

Yo Mag, I like using Cakewalk Sonar XL 2.2 . It is pretty simple to operate with a laptop and an interface. Just get a little cheap midi keyboard and use all of the virtual synths that come with it and you are in bizness...peace

talmuzic said:

Co-Sign. Between Cakewalk & Fruityloops all you have to do is plug-into your laptop & go.

MaggotBrain said:

I used to use cool edit too. I use cubase now though. Thanx for listening to my stuff

MaggotBrain said:

I do my best when I can

'dre

Thanks for the advice guys! I have fruityloops AND cakewalk as well (thanks to a dj friend of mine!)... I'll see how the laptop takes it all...

Reason 2.5 is a great program for any musician to start with, I agree with Dre. Combine it with Cubase and you can start your one man band for very few bucks. You do need a midi keyboard and controller though...

MaggotBrain said:

i wish i had all that stuff man. sittin here usin damn MTV Geberator, and it is heaven 4 me. Very surprising results from there. I dont hav no studio or nuthin (other than rekid player, mic, computer. and dont live in my own place (livin witta roomate).

Paisley darlin'...you have more than you think you know. Feed the spirit. Whenever you take a step to feed the soul and spirit, the rest will be taken care of.

Red said:

u know u rite! thank u