hi im new to the sound forums and im trying to learn how to make stuff. I have elecric keyboard but ive never hooked it up to my computer. on the back it has a plug labled midi in and out as well as a few other plugs. I know its a casio but thats about all i can find on the front. the first thing i looked at was the forum sticky here: http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=336486 but i dont know what the different categories are lol. whats the difference between notation, sequencing, tracking, and synth software I have a couple of questions: 1) Is it possible to hook up my specific keyboard to my computer. I can be more specific if needed. But i think im asking what kind of cables / computer ports i need. I got a pretty good computer but my sound card is integraded with my motherboard. 2) If i cant (hook up my specific keyboard) what programs are good for making music without a keyboard input. 3) I dont know if you guys have heard of midi maker but i dled it and liked its simple interface. It was just a timeline that you could click on to have it play a note at a certain point when the bar reached it. and each intrument was on the same bar. can you guys think of any more powerful software that sounds like this? it was just shareware. edit: I think im trying more to make music not sound effects. [Edited by - jchmack on April 10, 2006 5:44:39 PM]

Quote: Original post by jchmack
whats the difference between notation, sequencing, tracking, and synth software

Notation = traditional music notation, ie. treble and bass clefs, etc. This is useful if you need to print out scores for musicians, or are familiar with music already and can read and write music that way.

Sequencing = the making of music by stringing together sequences in a given order. Each sequence represents a part of the music (eg. a verse, or a fill, a melody, or a drum loop) and may cover 1 or more instruments. Typically sequences are repeated several times during the course of the song.

Tracking = using a tracker to make music. Trackers are a type of sequencer which date back to the late 80s computer demo scene, and are generally considered good for programmers to use but very difficult for non-programmers.

Synth software = a synth is a piece of software or hardware that generates sound. Essentially, it's an electronic instrument. Different synths create different sounds, and typically you set your sequencer program up to trigger a synth to create the music you hear.

Quote: 1) Is it possible to hook up my specific keyboard to my computer. I can be more specific if needed. But i think im asking what kind of cables / computer ports i need. I got a pretty good computer but my sound card is integraded with my motherboard.

Depends on the keyboard. If it has MIDI ports, then yes, if you get a MIDI port for your computer. If it has a USB port, there may be software for that. If not, then all you can do is record the audio from the keyboard directly, which is rarely a good method.

Quote: 2) If i cant (hook up my specific keyboard) what programs are good for making music without a keyboard input.

FruityLoops has a decent PianoRoll editor screen which is usable, and ModPlug Tracker (and indeed other trackers) tend towards preferring manual entry of notes rather than keyboard entry. The learning curve for trackers can be high, however.

Quote: 3) I dont know if you guys have heard of midi maker but i dled it and liked its simple interface. It was just a timeline that you could click on to have it play a note at a certain point when the bar reached it. and each intrument was on the same bar. can you guys think of any more powerful software that sounds like this?

Pretty much all music programs work in much the same way, except that you tend to place your notes within the timeline in a sequence, and then place sequences within the timeline of the song.