I brought a MIDI keyboard but I don't like using it, why?
a212121
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 20:52:45
Hi,
I've been producing music for the fun of it for some years. I use Cubase and VSTs, no external instruments or big stuff. I know some music theory, I know scales I know chords but I still have lots of questions about chord progression.
Anyway, I brought a good MIDI keyboard, a Novation Remote SL MK2. Everyone says that a midi keyboard is the most important piece of hardware must have to work on music production.
I really can't see how useful it is, I keep pressing keys trying to find good sounds but I just fail it. Normally I would sequence some MIDI notes in Cubase. I would make lots of bars just with MIDI data. Then I would load a VST plugin and just tweak all the knobs and faders while Cubase loops the MIDI bars.
I don't know how to work with the MIDI keyboard, it's not simple and hands-on jamming like I thought. I'm someone who just likes to have fun with music, I don't know a lot about the technical \ theory stuff, so maybe I'm doing something wrong? I noticed there a big difference with "velocity" when I enter the notes on screen or using a keyboard. On screen sounds a lot better cause velocity is always 100%. With the keyboard it sounds dead
Did I miss any basic knowledge or maybe settings/options I should change in Cubase? Since I brought the keyboard I haven't used it so much, because I get better results writing the MIDI notes with my mouse.
Thanks
TimeTraveller
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 21:22
try some notes ,maybe even melodies..
- theory is the key to the mystery.
otherwise I don't get it,if you know chords + progressions,scales ,minor ,major etc than freak out till you find sth decent thay you like and build on it and around it .
And automate all you can with knobs and not mouse.
And you can still correct alot with mouse to make it "perfect"..like velocity - that's normal.https://soundcloud.com/shivagarden
vision dream
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 21:46
because you dont use it .!!
could be so uselly as you can know move and use it..
Trip-
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 21:48
I also don't understand the prob you have....
When using your keyboard to play a sound, you can notice its dynamic nature much better than when it's constant 127 velocity setting. How can you find this a problem?
Another thing with the keyboard, and most important imo, is the ability to actually play anything you want right in the spot using the sound you just chose. This is a huge help to the creative process of digital music, when we mostly use the mouse all the time.
If you really don't like the keyboard, maybe you shouldn't use it for now, I'm sure in the future you'll want to try it again.
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
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Maine Coon
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 21:57
Quote:
On 2010-04-20 20:52:45, a212121 wrote:
I noticed there a big difference with "velocity" when I enter the notes on screen or using a keyboard. On screen sounds a lot better cause velocity is always 100%. With the keyboard it sounds dead
Did I miss any basic knowledge or maybe settings/options I should change in Cubase?
Your question is your answer Maybe you should try varying notes' velocity in Cubase and see the possibilities that come with it?
Seriously, though, I would recommend the most basic piano lessons. I've seen a few books in regular book stores that start from the very begining and include DVDs. Some of them just tell you how to set up your hands and play simple melodies. Others go into some music theory too. They range anywhere from $5 to $40 and can bring you up to speed quite fast.
a212121
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 22:11
Thanks for the replies.
I brought many books about music theory, for example, music theory for computer musicians, music theory for dummies, dance music manual.... I've been reading them all I also use youtube to see some practice videos.
PoM
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 22:35
i like to use a keyboard for doing presets too,i find it easier to set right the envelops and yes it s a instrument you need to learn to play a little bit. for leads midi seqencer is good too but try for pads,i find keyboards a lot better for chords ,to find a good sequence
TimeTraveller
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Posted : Apr 20, 2010 23:02
this guy is maybe a bit funny but he is a good teacher.
Maybe it is easier for you to follow.Go through all the lessons and with time you will know useful things.
https://soundcloud.com/shivagarden
i have the same problem as the author with all hardware i get. had that with roland juno-g, blofeld, uad... i started using those in 2-4 months after purchasing. i think it is a mater of inspiration/motivation. kinda psychological thing i guess. it goes away with time... now i can't imagine myself without my gear.
www.overdreamstudio.com
orgytime
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Posted : Apr 21, 2010 00:17
@a212121
im feeling with you man^^
same here... so much to set up...
routing, recording bugs, some vsts
dont have a midi-learn function...
a pain in the ass if noone teaches you.
and if you did it, this damn thing wont
bring out good melodies sounds.
better set up a midi-loop and tweak^^
well seems really to be a inspiration/motivation thing.
soulfood
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Posted : Apr 21, 2010 00:48
A midi keyboard is far superior to a midi sequence when programming a sound.
For 1 a programmed sound is more likely to give you loopitis.
For 2 when programming it's nice to be able to hear what different characteristics vary over a few octaves at the push of one key
For 3 Midi controllers often have nobs to assign and fiddle with
and 4 You can fiddle with different velocities real quick.
I love my keyboard
Maine Coon
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Posted : Apr 21, 2010 02:25
Quote:
On 2010-04-20 22:11, a212121 wrote:
I brought many books about music theory, for example, music theory for computer musicians, music theory for dummies, dance music manual....
And I am sure it was very useful for composing in Cubase, because you can take your time and click things in. But a keyboard is a very different thing: you have to play it in real time. Knowing theory will help you get an idea what to play. But you still have to know how to do it.
The whole thing about figuring out settings and connections and stuff is true, and you'll have to learn it again for each keyboard you get. But if you don't know how to play any keyboard - well, you won't be able to play any keyboard. Even if it's connected perfectly and talks to your DAW just fine. Just like if you never played any guitar at all - changing from acustic to electric or the other way will not help.
If you don't find good tutorials in a book store - try calling keyboard manufacturers. Many of them make instruction DVDs for their customers (I know for sure Yamaha does) and they may be willing to send it to you for a nominal charge.
Good luck. And congratulations on getting a new instrument.
fractal fields
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Posted : Apr 21, 2010 10:04
TimeTraveller
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Posted : Apr 21, 2010 11:59
hehe I also have the same as Makus mentioned..at least 4 months..no matter what it is almost with music,if its a new mic,a synth whatever.That is strange for real..
When I bought my electribe I made one song which I will still finish cause I quite like it ,and than have to free him from dust for almost a year till I got into it for example.
I maybe misunderstood the author .. btw in the link I posted you can find all about chords progressions as well,with long intense blabla but also shown visible examples of walking fingers on piano .
https://soundcloud.com/shivagarden
here's a suggestion.. set up your midi keyboard to your drum sampler and use it to play drums. This will give you the feeling of timing and velocity and then you could apply some of those ideas to playing other notes... I usually mouse in my notes too, but a fellow artist told me about playing the accents of a sound by hand and recording and then adding the small notes for syncopation with the mouse.
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