Heh, this could be a really useful thread. Thanks for the headphone advice, too.

And I'm tempted to agree with Crispy, with the addition that there are a *very* few people who find themselves able to just write out fully orchestrated music in whatever genre it comes out as. Really weird, and I don't know anyone who falls into that category.

I also have to agree with Crispy. Whilst there are some key features of certain styles of music that can be learned quickly, you can never really capture the feel of a particular type of music without listening to lots of it. I would define myself as a multi-genre composer, but I am only able to do that because of the vast variety of music I listen to.

A classic example of formulaic composition is when people use a blues scale (1 b3 4 b5 5 b7) to make something sound jazzy. Whilst it does indeed have that major/minor harmonic sound, it sounds very mechanical until you add complex chords, chromatic passing notes, syncopation, playing technique and a whole host of other elements which cannot easily be described in words.

Quote: a whole host of other elements which cannot easily be described in words.

Yes, everyone knows the old quote by T.S. Monk. Hmm, or is it Steve Martin... or Frank Zappa... or...

Hi DavW.

I recently bought a PSR-295 Yamaha portable keyboard.

1st question: What books(or even internet sites) would you recommend for learning how to play the keyboard? My musical background currently consists of playing the Clarinet.

2nd question: Do you of any good sites to purchase some kind of midi-device so I can directly record my music from my keyboard onto my computer into midi files? What software do you recommend?($200 budget)

Thanks for any help you can provide.

:)

I can answer your second question. If you're looking to only capture MIDI data from your keyboard (not record the actual sound), you might try this:

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--MDOUNO

I use it to utilize my PSR-550 as a MIDI controller, and I've had minimal problems with it. Just some mild installation hangups (only with Windows XP), but once everything is installed properly it works fine.

That's only the MIDI interface... you'll also need a sequencing program that can deal with MIDI. I use Sonar 3, but that's horrendously expensive. Home Studio 2 is a hundred bucks, or you might try something older like MIDI Orchestrator Plus. Dunno if you can even get it anymore, but I used to use it years ago, and it's a nice little program.

Note that the solution you're asking for will only record MIDI data. If you want to actually make a recording of the music as played by your keyboard, you'll need to do an audio recording.



Hope this helps.

Quote: Original post by Basic
1st question: What books(or even internet sites) would you recommend for learning how to play the keyboard? My musical background currently consists of playing the Clarinet.

Start taking lessons. No book, much less a website, is going to teach you how to play. At best you can get something going by just practicing on your own (in which case you won't find much refuge in a book anyway). A piano teacher will be a much more "efficient" solution in the long run, albeit probably a more expensive one (you'll also benefit hugely from owning an actual pianino or a piano).

What is the difference between the XLR inut and the 1/4" mic Jack?
I mean other than the phisical shape, obviously. My understanding is that the XLR is considered "Professional", but is it really better?
Also, what about adapters between the two, any suggestions?
(Particullarly from an XLR condenser mike -> 1/8" mic jack in a video camera)

Thanks

The main difference for practical home/small studio purposes is that an XLR cable can carry phantom power. A jack lead will only carry a signal, which is fine for dynamic microphones, but if you need/want to use condenser microphones, you will need XLR leads (unless you want to use battery power). You'll also need a mixer or preamp that provides phantom power (usually indicated with a button and led labelled 'Phantom' or '48V).

Thanks for your help Crispy and DavW.

:)

Thanks for clearing that up.

One last thing: Is there a noticable difference between two jacks, or doesn't it make a difference? (provided I can get power, such as with a battery)