KORG padKONTROL: The Pads Are Lovely
The all-new padKONTROL joins Korgs expanding line-up of MIDI studio controllers. Adding another dimension beyond traditional keyboard control, the padKONTROL is the most expressive and versatile pad controller ever!
In addition to accessing drum sounds and samples, the padKONTROL can also control soft synths and effects, trigger loops and video clips, and even act as transport controls for DAW software programs.
I enjoy using the padKontrol with Propellerhead’s Reason and with various VST plugins. It’s amazing how good the sound is. Feels like a drum machine, with nice pad sensitivity.
Each of the sixteen pads can be individually assigned a note number and MIDI channel so you can control a single drumkit or map it to control different devices in your setup at the same time
Combining an assignable X-Y touchpad that also provides for natural-sounding flams and rolls, sixteen great-feeling illuminated trigger pads, assignable knobs and a footpedal input, the padKONTROL provides unsurpassed evocative control. Includes, USB cable Power Supply – DC9V battery (not included), AC adapter (not included), USB bus power (when using the USB connector)
Korg pads are the best!
Digidesign MBox Factory Bundle Powered by Pro Tools
When I started out recording music, every hip hop producer I was working with was running a Pro Tools sytem. It was the industry standard and made me think this is my solution.
Every musician needs a sturdy home setup to aid creativity. You may be recording in a studio, but a home studio can let you create on your own time and build out ideas.
This bundle was the perfect fit for me. You get the software with loaded plug ins and the interface, which can be used to input microphones and instruments.
The Digidesign MBox factory bundle can kickstart your producing career and let you output studio quality music.
Mbox 2 Pro Factory is a Fire Wire-powered Pro Tools LE workstation that delivers portable high-def sound and analog/digital I/O galore. Mbox 2 Pro Factory includes over $1,000 worth of additional professional-grade Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins.
Cubase Recording: Organization is Fundamental
Recording Music Software varies from manufacturer to manufacturer however, one common similarity is the importance of organizing your files.
I came across this Cubase recording video which gives some helpful tips for new users on how to open new projects, save files correctly and keep your projects centralized. Knowing where your audio files folder and sessions are saved is essential, keeping away any problems later of missing files nowhere to be found.
Steinberg Cubase 4 Recording Software (Macintosh and Windows)
Cubase Recording
When choosing recording music software it is best to find a program that will handle all the situations you throw at it. Cubase recording is another great option when it comes music software and packs the powerful punch you need for producing quality music.
Steinberg Cubase 4 Recording Software is made for both Macintosh and Windows. The software comes stacked with new virtual instruments: HALion One, Prologue, Spector, and Mystic. You also get a brand new VST3 plug-in set and Cubase 4’s mixer now has a flexible Control Room section and up to four independent studio mixes.
The user interface was redesigned. They found the right mix of adding more elements and creating easier access while at the same time increasing visibility and orientation. To read more about Cubase recording and its enhancements, click here. Recording music software has many resources available to make your life that much easier.
Websites and Forums with Recording Music Software Tips
Purchasing recording music software is step 1. Once you have had a couple of recording sessions under your belt, it’s best to visit some great producer websites that offer excellent advice for better output. They are informative and they help you recognize many of the industry secrets in achieving a believable sound from home production setups.
1. AUDIOTUTS- This website is great. They offer free tips and tutorials on mixing/mastering, production, recording, and sound design. They walk you through various processes and on some tutorials they provide snippets of how the effect or technique sounds once applied, then take you to the next step and hear the difference. Clear and concise explanations with a nice layout.
2. FUTUREPRODUCERS: With over 144,000 members, this website provides fellow producers a forum to exchange ideas over various subjects. Topics include: recording, mixing, mastering, sampling, dj mixing, theory, sound design, song writing and collaboration opportunities.
3.RECORDING.ORG: Each forum offers different types of users and opinions, from my experience. The forum breakdown is very nice with topics of discussion such as: pro audio gear, recording, digital audio, mastering, studio construction, acoustic music, vocal booth, audio video, and music business. I enjoy using the Home Recording section that gives newbies tips on budget gear, home setups and soundproofing.
Recording music software is fun to use. The forums provide me a place to dump all my questions towards some experienced producers and engineers and get immediate feedback. The main thing I learned was the better I got with solving some recording problems, the more time I actually had to enjoy just recording music.
Recording Music Software Toys: ProRemote
Recording music software definitely has its fair share of toys that you can integrate into your recording regimen. Pro Remote is innovative software that runs on your iPhone or iTouch and allows you to control Digidesign’s ProTools and Apple’s Logic recording music software via your wireless network.
After spending countless hours in front of a ProTools editing screen, this software captured me day dreaming about kicking my feet up away from the screen and controlling it on a portable device.
The full version runs currently for $149 and can be purchased in the iTunes AppStore. It includes a dedicated transport view and its product site state you can: perform audio scrubbing/shuttling, set memory locations and use the transport bar to use basic functions such as play, record, and return to zero.
Recording Music Software: Pro Tools Recording Set Up
The software is installed, the enthusiasm is all channeled towards recording your first set of vocals and you are ready to begin. Using Pro Tools LE is very fun, the main thing to realize in starting out is to establish the foundation of your first initial setup. The beauty of recording music software is that there are many online free resources that can help answer alot of questions, even your setup.
This video gives a basic run down on recording an audio track into Pro Tools. It all starts with the basic thought of recording an idea. The rest is history. Discover the basics, open a new session, name it, save it. Plug in your mic or instrument and choose your input type.
Choose a new audio track and you can see the different options that are available. If recording a microphone or guitar, then choose a mono track. If recording 2 inputs like a stereo keyboard, then choose a stereo track. Depending on your level of expertise, this video can clarify alot of the initial recording problems. I recall my first time and not having my inputs correct and blaming the recording music software when things went wrong, when the problem relied on my knowledge. The initial setup becomes routine and easy once a couple of recording sessions are under your belt.
The video is very informative in helping touch on some fundamentals to get a clear output for your recording once setup. Take notice of setting your input levels and measuring if you are peaking. Click record and play and you are ready.
Recording Music Software
Those of us that share a love for music creation tend to have a preference towards recording music software that suits our needs and budgets.
Recording music software now makes it very easy to make your home setup mobile and you don’t have to be a music producer or have any musical background to get started.
When looking to find the right recording software, there are a couple of things you want to look for. Compatability is the first thing. Make sure your operating system can use it. Some recording programs are exclusive to Mac while others only work on the PC. Secondly, make sure your operating system and ram meets the requirements. Ram is very important because this figure determines if your computer will slow up during recording. You want the flexibility to use the amazing plugins they provide to make your sound crystal clear.
Recording music software is fairly easy to use. Forums, helpful content, manuals and sites like You Tube allow you to research free tutorials online. I’ve found many videos online with fellow musicians sharing their knowledge and tips on how to maximize your recording success.
Your laptop could output excellent studio quality. The mobility makes it great, taking your recording session wherever needed. The versatility is amazing. Plug in a microphone, headphones, keyboard, and guitar while recording a live session. This makes for excellent freestyle sessions to create more ideas or just recording to brainstorm and later expand on topics.
So you can see that there are quite a few things to look for when searching for recording music software. I learned through trial and error through various recording software companies.
One product that I think is a great setup for anyone seeking a great way to record music is the Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini USB Audio Interface. It is excellent in providing a quality setup with an affordable package.
This Audio Interface delivers 24-bit/48-kHz audio resolution, excellent latency control and is USB powered. It comes with award winning Pro Tools LE software, that is compatible with both the Mac and PC. This software is considered the “the industry standard” which makes it great when transferring sessions to other studios or to fellow musicians.
I think this recording music software bundle is an absolute must have for anyone who is serious about building their recording techniques with a quality output. This is for all, novice to specialist.
Don’t worry about hourly studio costs. Let your learning curve develop naturally without straining your creativity.