I could use a synth education...

[McGee]

First off, let's get this out there: I am a synth IDJIT! I am a guitarist/Sax player with a bit of experience with Cakewalk 9.03, the Audio only side of Cakewalk. I just upgraded to Sonar2.0, and I would like to figure out “soft synths” (thunder just cracked ominously). I’ve had a keyboard for about four years, and I’ve powered it on maybe twice. Last night I was poking around, and was astounded by the sound samples of a program called Lounge Lizard. I’d like to give this and other similar programs a try, but like I said I’m a synth idjit. The Sonar/Cakewalk manuals seem to assume some basic midi knowledge. I’m missing this knowledge. I don’t know a bank, from a patch, from a port, from a channel. I haven’t even tried to connect my keyboard yet, but I’ve looked, and I see all kinds of stuff in options-midi referring to my SBLive.
I know I’m going to have a lot of problems recording, and getting sound to play back. When I actually get some kind of soft synth in the mix, I’m sure things will get a bit more complicated. I have done some research, and I’m thinking that I can monitor using my keyboard’s sound, and hopefully latency won’t be an issue with regards to recording the MIDI. Once I’ve got the MIDI recorded I’m assuming I can use some form of batch mode to process the MIDI through the soft synth, and end up with a new audio track that syncs up with everything I’ve already got down.
Can anyone point me to a sight or other reference that will explain in simple terms all of this MIDI stuff I’ve avoided so long. I’m sure if I knew the basics; I could much more easily learn about more advanced functions/features. Jeeze what an undertaking. I have a technical aspect to me. I’m a computer tech during the day, and I use the occasional stomp box on my guitar, but this is a whole new thing for me. A nice blend of technical and musical would be great, but I’m struggling too much with the technical. It makes me want to slap a thin piece of cane on my mouthpiece, and blow. It’s so much easier than all of this stuff. I don’t know how you guys do it (but now I want to learn).
Thanks,
McGee

[jecahn]

McGee:

You guys with your damn "real" instruments!! Listen, I was in a similar situation when I first started playing with soft synths. I didn't understand MIDI and I didn't understand how to use the power that I had. So, I think that you're right to assume that a basic knowledge of MIDI can't hurt. When I decided to jump into MIDI, I picked up a little book by Paul White called "Basic Midi." It explains MIDI from the ground up and should give you a good, solid, basic understanding of the whats and hows of MIDI. Another way that you might want to explore (which did a lot of good for me, in the MIDI realm) is to download MIDI files and take a look at them to see how they do what they do. Reason is especially good for this. You can really dig in and get some good, "Ah-ha! So that's how they did that" moments. I'm sure that studiocovers has a ton on info too.

As for your "batch conversion" idea. One of the nice things about MIDI is that once the data is there, you can "play" it through any "instrument" you choose. Be it VSTi or external sound module.

Good luck. And remember, as deep as MIDI can go, all it really is is note on and note off messages. (I know that at this point, that's probably not much consolation.) Anything with a "step sequencer" is valuable for some aspects of MIDI, as well. Go check out FruityLoops.

Again, good luck.

[This message has been edited by jecahn (edited 07-05-2002).]