Modern Synths

[inbfenby]

Hi, I used to have and old syth and recorded on an Akai 4 track and am revisiting my youth.

I've just been bought a Novation KS-4 midi-synth and am wondering how to hook it up and what I'll need.as Ive just found out it doesnt even come with onboard speakers.

I am a technophobe so please advise me in terms a complete idiot could understand.

I would like to lay down tracks on my computer, if not too complicated, so could you recommend what I'd need for very SIMPLE recording. EG Connections and software, and where I can get them form.


Many Many Thanks

[Tweed]

If you want to use the sounds from the Novation, then recording MIDI is probably the way to go. You could then record the actual audio by connecting the audio out to the line in on your soundcard. You would need a sequencer to record and playback MIDI, and a MIDI input on your computer (either standard MIDI input on the soundcard or USD) There are plenty of software sequencers on the market and probably quite a few are free, but I don't know of any offhand.

Another option is to use the keyboard as a MIDI input and have it play a software sampler/synth or other device. Again there are plenty of these on the market.

You could also do both, but you'd need a mixer. The possibilities are numerous and I could go on for quite a while on all the options you could try.

[inbfenby]

Thanks Tweed.Done a little digging.

So all I'll need is the EMU 0404 right? (Steinberg Cubasis V4 OEM comes with it) for using it on the pc
and editing tracks. http://www.nusystems.co.uk/product/EMU.0404.

I'd also like to use it on my main amp a denon 1802 avr http://cinesalon.free.fr/amplis/1802bck.jpg.
for general play, would this be possible?

Cheers again

[Tweed]

Yes, you'll need a sound card of some description and that one looks okay to me (has MIDI in/out). Cubase can use VST and Direct X plugins for all your effects and software synth/samplers. You can buy/download these seperately or use the limited ones that come with it. Cubase will also allow you use the sounds from the keyboard, but you'll need a mixer if you want to use both. There should be no problems using the Denon to hear it. Just don't connect to phono in.

[inbfenby]

Any recommendations for a cheap mixer?

And where should I plug in on the denonb. ( this link works I think).

http://cinesalon.free.fr/amplis/1802bck.jpg

(pS Excuse my thickness and thanks).

[Tweed]

I think analogue mixers are fairly cheep at the moment. (Spirit by Soundcraft are reasonable). Again, there's a lot of different types depending on what you plan to do. The main options are number of input channels, EQ, insert points and send/return for effects, but if it's purly for mixing two sounds then you only need two channels. You should connect the mixer to any line in on the Denon (NOT phono).